HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS : Montclair Prep’s Homers Put Dent in L.A. Baptist, 3-2

Montclair Prep proved Tuesday what a well-laid game plan and a little roof-pounding can do.

John Quick hit a solo homer in the top of the fifth inning to break a 2-2 tie and lift Montclair Prep to a 3-2 Alpha League victory at L.A. Baptist.

Quick’s hit rattled the roof of a field house that sits near right-center field. It struck a few feet from the spot Scott Randall dented when he hit a solo homer in the fifth. That shot brought Montclair Prep back into the game after it had trailed, 2-1.

The Mounties’ game plan was effective, but less exciting.

Reggie Smith, once a part of Montclair Prep’s starting rotation, is now a relief pitcher. Mounties Coach Jeff Pressman believes that Smith can do more damage to the opposition if he continues to play center field and hits well at the plate. If Montclair Prep can hold a lead going into the sixth inning, says Pressman, Smith can come in and mop up.

On Tuesday he did just that. Smith, a senior left-hander, took over for Randall in the sixth and pitched two innings. Smith allowed just one hit, had four strikeouts and turned a double play in picking up his second save this season. Randall, who gave up two hits, won his second game.

“Actually, our pitching isn’t where we would like it to be,” Pressman said. “Curtis Minks, our strongest pitcher, is out with tendinitis. Our pitching should be where we want it when he comes back.”

Hard-hitting L.A. Baptist hit the ball too hard, too high.

“We work on hitting the ball on the ground like crazy when we practice,” said Ed Wais, L.A. Baptist’s rookie coach. “All but four of our outs were in the air. We just couldn’t hit the ball on the ground.”

The Knights (1-1, 2-2 overall) flied or popped out 13 times.

The game wasn’t all Montclair Prep. The Mounties (1-0, 3-0 overall) spent much of the afternoon catching up. They scored in the first inning when Minks, the injured pitcher but healthy right fielder, scored as L.A. Baptist shortstop Mark MacArthur mishandled a ground ball from Jeff Light.

L.A. Baptist designated hitter Mark Nicks later scored on a Montclair Prep error.

In the fourth, Nicks hit a grounder to Montclair Prep shortstop J.R. Smith, who kicked it and watched as Scott Davison scored from third.