HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP : Escondido Ensures RB Is Frankly Put Out

Maybe it’s just as well Rancho Bernardo is leaving the Avocado League for the Palomar League next year. That way, Rancho Bernardo Coach Sam Blalock won’t have to see Escondido’s Mike Frank anymore.

For the second consecutive year, Blalock was beaten by a Frank throw from center field in a 2-1, nine-inning loss.

“I can’t believe it,” Blalock said. “That kid is everywhere.”

Frank nailed a runner at the plate last year. This year, he threw a strike to get Chad Sixt going from first to third on Marcus Romero’s one-out, line-drive single to center in the sixth inning. Rancho Bernardo’s next batter, Pete Keleher, hit a long fly ball that would have scored Sixt. Instead, it was the third out.

“I was surprised Mike didn’t catch the ball, but I was more surprised (Sixt) ran,” Escondido Coach Bill Kutzner said. “I’m sure he wasn’t coached to do that. Sam knows what Mike can do after last year.”

Said Frank, only a junior: “I should have caught the ball. But I was real happy to see him round second.”

Rancho Bernardo (4-5, 1-1) did not threaten again--thanks to Frank, who came on to get the victory after pitching two scoreless innings. He struck out four of the six batters he faced.

Frank had an opportunity to beat Rancho Bernardo with his bat in the ninth, but Blalock wouldn’t allow it. Nick Terrazas had a lead-off single and went to second on a passed ball. Blalock then walked Frank, who had doubled and scored in the fourth. Vu Dang struck out, and the inning appeared to be over when Chris Ellis hit a double-play grounder to third baseman Mark Mason. But Mason threw the ball past Sixt at second base and into right field, scoring Terrazas from second.

“It’s the closest thing to a loss I’ve had in a while,” Kutzner said. “We basically asked our pitchers to do everything.”

Said Frank: “I don’t even care how we won. Coach might not be too happy because we didn’t play that well, but I don’t care.”