Niemeyer’s Golden Swing Lifts Palmdale in Seventh

One swing was all it took to end a beautifully pitched, well-played baseball game.

One swing abruptly concluded an afternoon that looked more like a pro scouts’ convention, completing an important chapter on a windy, cold day that was more suitable for a football field than a baseball diamond.

One swing by Chris Niemeyer with one out in the seventh inning gave Palmdale High a 2-1 victory over Highland in a Golden League game Friday at Palmdale.

Niemeyer spoiled an impressive day of pitching by Highland senior Matt Parris, drilling an outside fastball for a solo home run to right-center field for the Falcons (12-4, 6-1 in league play).

“It sounded so sweet,” said Niemeyer, whose first career home run ended one of the best pitching duels of the season.

Palmdale senior Matt Harrington (7-0), among the top high school prospects in the nation, struck out 11, walked one and allowed four hits. His fastball was in the 92-94 mph range, reaching 97 mph on a pitch in the seventh inning.

Parris (4-2), who has committed to UC Santa Barbara, was almost as dominating, striking out eight, walking four and allowing five hits while consistently throwing in the 90-91 mph range.

Both pitchers settled down after allowing a run in the first inning.

“It was everything as advertised,” said Highland Coach Mike Van Cheri. “Too bad someone had to lose.”

It was a costly game for Highland (9-5, 5-3).

The defending league champions lost for the third time this season to Palmdale and fell 1 1/2 games behind the Falcons and Lancaster in the standings.

The game also dented the wallet of Highland center fielder Jason Kubel, who made a $10 bet last summer with Harrington that he would hit a home run against him.

Kubel singled, grounded out and walked against Harrington on Friday. In two games against Harrington, Kubel was two for four and walked twice.

“It’s nothing big, but what can I say?” Harrington said. “I’ll take it, if he’s going to give it to me. The big thing is, we got the victory.”

Said Kubel: “I told him it was in the mail.”

Highland had a chance to take the lead with runners on second and third and two out in the seventh.

But Harrington struck out pinch-hitter Nate O’Malley to end the threat.

In Palmdale’s half of the inning, Nick Defranco grounded out before Niemeyer stepped up to bat.

He pounced on a rare mistake by Parris, taking the ball for a wind-aided ride to the opposite field.

“Coach always tells us to go right side, especially on windy days,” Niemeyer said.

One big swing. One big victory.