Montclair Prep’s Grant Strikes Out 19 in One-Hitter

Kevin Grant struck out a career-high 19 batters and surrendered just one hit--an infield single--as Montclair Prep routed L. A. Baptist, 16-1, Friday in an Alpha League game at L. A. Baptist.

Grant (5-1), a senior right-hander, frustrated the Knights by mixing his fastball and knuckle curve. Twice, he struck out the side in order.

Brad Imbler spoiled Grant’s bid for a no-hitter with none out in the fifth when he beat out a grounder to shortstop Keyaan Cook.

“Before the game, I was looking for a couple of strikeouts to help my strikeout-to-walk ratio,” said Grant, who walked two. “Geez, this helped a lot.”

So did his teammates. The Mounties (10-2, 3-0 in league play) made the most of 10 hits, batting around in the third and fourth innings. The team stole 10 bases--all in the first three innings--and Russell Ortiz and Dillon Jones each had two-run home runs. Leland Sparks stole home in the second. Five Montclair Prep runs scored on errors.

L. A. Baptist, which committed six errors, dropped to 1-8, 0-3. L. A. Baptist Coach Joe Koh said he doubts any team in the league, other than Village Christian, can contend with the Mounties.

“I don’t think anyone else could come close at this point,” Koh said.

Starter John Gabrielson (0-3), a left-hander, took the loss after allowing six hits and eight runs in 2 2/3 innings.