HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP : Vista’s Stone Stands Up to Pressure, Beats Poway

Just in case Matt Stone didn’t know he was Vista’s only healthy pitcher, Panther Coach Butch Smith penciled in a subtle reminder on the lineup card posted in the dugout.

Under pitchers available, Smith printed: Stone, Stone, Stone, Stone.

Although Stone didn’t realize it was Smith who wrote his name four times, he got the hint anyway--throwing a five-hit shutout with seven strikeouts in a 5-0 victory Friday over host Poway Friday in a Palomar League game.

With Steve Chatham having gone the distance in a loss to Fallbrook Wednesday and Brian Fields injured, Stone was it.

“The way he pitched they didn’t need anybody else,” Poway Coach Rudy Casciato said when informed of Vista’s plight.

Stone, a junior left-hander, improved to 7-1 with his fourth shutout of the season. The victory moved fifth-ranked Vista (13-3-1, 4-2) back into contention for the league title. Sixth-ranked Poway fell to (11-4, 4-2). Rancho Buena Vista is alone in first at 5-1.

Vista staked Stone to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run triple by Justin Kern, who tripled again in the fifth. After allowing two two-out singles in the first inning, Stone struck out Jeff Pattison swinging to end the threat.

In the second, Poway’s John Koustner singled with one out and advanced to third on a passed ball and a fly out. But once again Smith came up with a strikeout when he needed one, putting down Chris Wisdom to end the inning.

“He’s a bulldog,” Smith said. “He really focuses when he needs to.”

Stone walked Mike Sharp to lead off the third, but he was erased on a double play. Pattison opened the fourth with a single, but he was thrown out stealing when Jeff Wight struck out swinging.

From there, Stone was untouchable--retiring the last nine batters. The hardest ball Poway hit was a line-shot by Chris Wisdom in the fifth inning that Stone snared.

“You have to give Stone credit,” Casciato said. “He handled us. He moves the ball around, coming from all locations. That makes it tough to get a good swing at him.”

Stone was tough for Poway to read throwing from his natural three-quarters’ delivery, but he occasionally would throw a nasty curve with a submarine release.

“I do that to mix up the batters,” he said.

Poway starter Scott Tittrington didn’t mix up too many Vista batters. He allowed 10 hits and five runs before leaving in the sixth.

Chatham had three of Vista’s hits, including an two-run single in the fourth that pushed the lead to 5-0.