Pierson Gets Winning Hit in Ninth for Saddleback

Saddleback, sparked by an impressive defensive play, rallied for six runs in the eighth inning and two more in the ninth to beat Grossmont, 14-13, Saturday in an Southern California baseball playoff game.

Kyle Pierson ended the game with a two-run single up the middle in the ninth, but he was quick to mention the play made by center fielder Chad Concolino in the eighth that helped provide the needed boost for the Gauchos.

Grossmont was ahead, 13-6, when Griffin Frank Gonzalez blasted a ball deep to center.

Concolino reached well over the fence to catch what would have been Gonzalez’s third home run of the game.

“That was a momentum changer,” Saddleback Coach Jack Hodges said. “It energized the dugout.”

Concolino was happy about the catch and the victory but clearly frustrated about getting no hits in four at-bats.

“I had to do something because I wasn’t hitting the ball,” said Concolino.

Saddleback had 22 hits, including four each by Chris Ridenour, Clare Langford and Pierson, who drove in five runs.

Saddleback’s first seven batters in the eighth reached base and the Gauchos got RBI singles by Jason Marian, Langford, Jimmy Luster and Pierson, a sacrifice fly by Blair Lucas and another run on a wild pitch in the inning.

Greg Pines started Saddleback’s ninth with a double and Marian followed with a walk. The runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Langford and Luster was intentionally walked to bring up Pierson.

“I knew I was going to do it,” Pierson said. “We never felt out of the game.”

Saddleback starter Mike Pazzulla, who is 11-3, had his worst outing of the season. He gave up four home runs and 10 runs, nine earned in 4 2/3 innings. He could have escaped with less damage but shortstop Luster made an error on a grounder that could have resulted in an inning-ending double play in the fifth. Troy Perdue followed with a grand slam.

But Saddleback got some solid relief, especially by Jess Larson, who retired the final five batters of the game to improve to 2-0.

“That sure was fun at the end,” Hodges said, “but it wasn’t so much fun earlier on.”

The teams play at 11 today at Saddleback and the Gauchos need one victory to advance to the second round.