First-place Foothill snaps Liberty’s win streak
Foothill didn’t even make the Sunrise Region baseball playoffs last season. But as the first half of Southeast League play wrapped up, the Falcons found themselves alone in first place.
Foothill used an eight-run third inning and rolled to an 11-3 victory over visiting Liberty on Thursday, ending the Patriots’ eight-game win streak.
“I think this is one of the better leagues in town obviously, and to be at the top right now feels great,” Foothill coach Matt Iglitz said. “The kids understand that just getting into the playoffs in this division is an accomplishment, because there are some very quality teams in this division. Our ultimate goal is to get in the playoffs, and that hasn’t changed.”
The Falcons (15-6, 6-1 Southeast) took advantage of three errors in the third, including one to start the rally when Tyler Morris reached on a throwing error by shortstop Chris Bradford with one out.
After a single by Tyler Van Stone, Kevin Becker tripled into the gap in right-center field to make it 4-1.
The Falcons also got a two-run single from Bligh Madris and RBI singles from Royce Salay, Anthony Lopez and Dayton Kurian in the inning.
“We were fortunate to kind of get that momentum going, because that team over there, Liberty, they’re a pretty good ballclub,” Iglitz said. “To get that momentum on our side early was huge. I think that’s the biggest factor in the ballgame and why the score turned out the way it did.”
The 10-1 lead allowed Foothill pitcher Brandon Van Stone to settle in. The senior right-hander was solid, scattering nine hits and striking out six. He allowed one walk.
“I don’t think Brandon had his best stuff today, but he’s a pitcher,” Iglitz said. “He goes out there, he executes, he hits his spots and he kind of battles. He knew what was at stake and he wanted to go out there and throw well and put his team in position to win, and that’s what he did.”
Morris was 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs for Foothill. Lopez went 3-for-3 with three runs, and Madris and Salay each went 2-for-4.
Liberty’s Jay Martz was 2-for-4, including a two-run homer over the left-field fence in the fifth inning.
The loss dropped the Patriots (15-5-1, 5-2) into a tie with Coronado for second place in the league. Silverado and Green Valley are tied for fourth at 4-3.
Iglitz said he wouldn’t be surprised to see a shakeup in the standings over the rest of the regular season.
“I kind of expect it to, because some teams are going to get better,” Iglitz said. “I like the way we’re playing right now, and our goal is to continue to get better, but I know some other teams are going to get better. I think the second half you’re going to see a lot of good teams kind of playing good baseball.”
