San Diego Prep Baseball : One-Hitter Helps Santana Get Revenge

Before this 1985 prep baseball season, Santana High School, the San Diego Section defending 3-A champion, set two goals--to repeat as Lions Tournament champion and CIF champion.

But two weeks ago, Helix put an end to Santana’s first goal, eliminating the Sultans from the Lions Tournament, 9-5, in a semifinal.

Thanks to a one-hitter Tuesday by Jeff Barry, Santana got a little revenge, defeating the Highlanders, 1-0, in a Grossmont League game at Helix.

The win also kept alive Santana’s hopes for reaching its second goal. The Sultans (5-2 in league, 11-5 overall) moved into sole possesion of third place in league, trailing Grossmont front-runners Valhalla and Granite Hills.

“There’s no question that this is a great win for us,” Santana Coach Marty Nellis said. “Jeff pitched a great game, and we beat a good ballclub.

“We’re still in good shape. We have to split with Granite Hills and Valhalla (both lead Santana by one game) and get a pair from the other teams. I think we’re still in the driver’s seat.”

Barry was in control Tuesday.

The senior left-hander struck out five, walked four and allowed only two Helix runners past second base.

Helix’s only hit came in the first inning on a bunt single by shortstop Larry Simms.

“I had a good breaking ball and I was able to keep the ball down,” said Barry, who improved his record to 5-2. “Coach just told me to go out there and go right after them. We definitely want to repeat so this was a big win for us.”

Santana scored the only run of the game off Helix’s hard-luck starter and loser Willie Davis in the fifth.

Davis no-hit the Sultans through four innings before allowing Dale Henson’s infield single leading off the fifth.

After a sacrifice, Bobby Sanchez singled to right, sending Henson to third. Mike Cordoza then hit a slow bouncer to second and reached on a force play. Meanwhile, Henson came across with the run that allowed Santana to snap a two-game losing streak.

“We went out and had an attitude practice after those two losses,” Barry said. “I think it really helped because everybody got everything out in the open.

“We were playing as a team, but not really together. Everything was positive at that practice.”

After Santana scored, Helix had its best chance to get back in the game in the bottom of the sixth.

Tim Quinn drew a one-out walk, stole second and moved to third on Simms’ ground out. Brian Fisher then walked and stole second, but Barry induced Tony Nobiensky to hit a slow chopper in front of the plate. Catcher Jeff Gay jumped out and made the play at first, beating Nobiensky by a step and ending the threat.

Also in the Grossmont League:

Monte Vista 5, El Cajon 1--Harry Henderson, who pitched for the first time since the pre-league season because of an arm injury, blanked the Braves (1-6, 2-10) on two hits over the first four innings and earned the win for the Monarchs (2-6, 5-12) at Monte Vista. Henderson went 3 for 3 at the plate and drove in two runs. Anthony Speaks added two hits for Monte Vista.

Valhalla 6, Grossmont 2--Sam Gammo and Lance Pinnell had two hits apiece and Rick Tennent pitched a complete game to lead the fourth-ranked Norsemen (6-1, 14-2) past the Foothillers (3-4, 7-9) at Valhalla. One of Gammo’s hits was a two-run home run that put Valhalla ahead 3-0 in the second inning. Both of Pinnell’s hits were doubles. Dave Richards had a two-run home run for Grossmont.

Granite Hills 9, Mt. Miguel 6--The second-ranked Eagles (6-1, 14-3) beat the Matadors (2-5, 5-11) to maintain their status as co-leaders of the Grossmont League along with Valhalla.

In the Metro Conference:

Bonita Vista 9, Sweetwater 0--David Woodhouse pitched a one-hitter and hit a two-run home run for his first victory of the season as the Barons (4-2, 9-8) beat the visiting Red Devils (4-3, 6-11). Joe Garcia had Sweetwater’s only hit, a bunt single in the sixth inning. Tony Bush also hit a two-run homer for Bonita Vista, in the sixth. The victory moved the Barons into second place in the Metro-Mesa League, behind Mar Vista.

Hilltop 1, Coronado 0 (9 innings)--Tim Vincej hit a bases-loaded single to drive in Ward Lannom with the game’s only run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Lancers (5-2, 13-5) edged the Islanders (0-5-1, 4-8-1) at Hilltop. Brad Platt pitched a complete game for Hilltop, striking out eight and allowing four hits. Mike McNelly went the distance for Coronado.

Chula Vista 1, Southwest 0--Brian Murphy pitched a three-hitter and drove in the winning run to pace the Spartans (5-1-1, 8-9-1) in their win over the Raiders (1-5, 2-11-1) at Chula Vista. In the third inning, Murphy hit into a fielder’s choice, which scored Louis Peraza from third base. On the mound, Murphy struck out four and walked none while improving his record to 2-2.

Mar Vista 12, Castle Park 6--Marty Sandez went 4 for 5 with five RBIs as the Mariners (5-2, 13-5) beat the visiting Trojans (3-3, 7-9-1) and took a half-game lead over Bonita Vista in the Metro-Mesa League.