SOUTHERN SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS : Wilson Talks a Good Game, Wins

Geoff Wilson heard nothing except the beat of his heart and the words coming from his head.

And as Wilson, a Fountain Valley senior, reached his target, his objective was clear: Get across the plate.

Wilson stole home, part of a double steal in the bottom of the sixth inning, to help the Barons defeat Lakewood, 3-2, in the Southern Section Division I championship game Friday night at Blair Field.

“The adrenaline was just rushing through me,” Wilson said. “I just knew I had to make it to home plate no matter what.

“I knew we needed that run because a lot of times you’re not going to win games with base hits. This was one of those times.”

More often that not, the Barons can hit with the best of them--if not outhit. But Lakewood pitcher Luke Fitzpatrick limited Fountain Valley to only four hits, none for extra bases.

Fitzpatrick, however, was unable to keep Wilson off base. This was his undoing.

A fleet outfielder, Wilson stole 21 bases this season. None were more important than his final three.

Wilson scored the Barons’ second run in the fourth inning on Fitzpatrick’s wild pitch. He walked to open the inning, took second on a ground out and reached third on a steal.

“We had to push for runs because their pitcher was keeping it so tight,” Wilson said. “With a guy like that, you know you have to make everything count. You have to try and make something happen.”

Wilson did just that in the pivotal sixth.

With one out in the inning, Wilson reached first base on Lakewood second baseman Steve Immel’s fielding error. Wilson stole second and went to third on a Fitzpatrick’s second wild pitch.

With two outs in the inning and catcher Dan Hoppie off first base, Fitzpatrick threw to Lancer first baseman Matt Dempsey. With Hoppie in caught in the rundown, Wilson broke for home.

“We call it our first and third execution play,” Hoppie said. “We set it up so that when I take the big lead, Geoff then chooses when he wants to run.

“He got a great jump.”

Wilson slid headfirst and beat Lakewood shortstop David McRill’s throw to catcher Casey Martin. Hoppie was safe at second, completing the double steal, which sparked a celebration on the Barons’ bench and among their fans in the stands.

“I never doubted he would get in there,” Hoppie said. “He’s got the best wheels on the team.”

Said Baron Coach Ron LaRuffa: “ ‘Little ball’ really helped us out tonight.”