While the Eastlake Titans have proven they can win in runaway fashion, they’ve also shown they can win the proverbial squeaker.
After defeating the host Bonita Vista Barons, 10-3, in their league opener on April 10, the Titans came back to edge the visiting Barons, 1-0, in a tight eight-inning contest two days later to sweep the series.
Eastlake edged visiting Otay Ranch, 3-1, on Tuesday to remain undefeated in Mesa League play at 4-0.
In between the games against Bonita Vista and Otay Ranch, the Titans shut out San Ysidro, 5-0, last Saturday.
San Ysidro won the 6A Division at the 144-team Lions Tournament over spring break.
Brian Leonhardt helped his own cause in Tuesday’s game by batting in the first run for host Eastlake. Jalen Fejeran knocked in the Titans’ final run of the game.
The win raised Eastlake’s record to 16-2-1.
Competition remains keen.
“Everybody in the county knows who we are — we are a marked team,” EHS coach Dave Gallegos explained. “Whoever we play wants to play their best against us. That challenges us to keep our focus.
“We try to keep the games close and find a way to get a win. It helps that we have a phenomenal pitching staff.”
Grant Holman pitched a complete game eight innings and batted in the game’s lone run in the Titans’ 1-0 win over Bonita Vista on April 12.
Holman threw 99 pitches in the win, his fourth this season against no losses. He struck out eight batters, issued two walks and scattered five hits — one each to Bubba Villegas, Nate Nankil, Alec Bruce, Gustavo Perez and DiMaggio Cazares.
Sebastian Olivo matched the EHS ace with six-and-two-thirds of scoreless pitching, allowing two hits and striking out three batters.
Villegas entered the game in relief, allowing one hit and one run in two-thirds of an inning.
Eastlake has had 10 players take the mound this season. Holman and Leonhardt are both 4-0 while Ricky Tibbett is 5-1 with two saves. Octavio Sanchez is 3-1.
Tibbett (41 innings) and Leonhardt (34 innings) have yet to allow an earned run this season. Leonhardt also has one save to his credit this season.
Tibbett pitched a complete game seven-inning shutout in last Saturday’s league win over San Ysidro.
Team leaders for Bonita Vista include Nankil (.345 hitting average, 14 RBI, four doubles, one home run), Isaac Almendarez (.342 hitting average), Villegas (.314 hitting average, 10 runs scored) and Eric Nakano (.314 hitting average).
Cazares and Rumble Reyes have each scored 13 runs while Perez has collected a co-leading 14 RBI.
Justin Snarponis has a 1.83 earned-run average and a 2-0 record in 10 pitching appearances this season.
