Canyon’s Coash Is on Target in 1-1 Tie

Jake Coash of Canyon High is quickly becoming one of the region’s top No. 2 pitchers.

The junior left-hander, who ranks behind Cowboy ace Chris Seddon, gave up one hit and struck out 16 in seven innings, but host Palmdale rallied for a 1-1 nonleague tie Tuesday in nine innings.

Palmdale (3-2-1) tied the score in the sixth when Greg Warren reached first on an error with the bases loaded to score Nick DeFranco from third.

Earlier in the inning, Craig Briggs collected the Falcons’ first hit off Coash (2-0), who struck out the side in the third, fourth and sixth innings.

Palmdale reached base on two strikeouts because of passed balls.

“[Coash] had great control,” Palmdale Coach John Livermont said. “He kept us off-balance.

“That probably was the best pitcher we have seen this year. It was great to face a pitcher like that before league starts.”

It was Palmdale’s final tune-up before a Golden League opener against rival Highland on Friday. Livermont was pleased with his team’s performance.

The Falcons got a strong start from sophomore pitcher Troy Harrington, brother of Matt Harrington, who was drafted in the first round last year by the Colorado Rockies.

Harrington gave up one run and four hits in five innings.

Canyon (3-2-1) scored on Ryan Pipho’s groundout to second, which scored Frank Zapata.

Palmdale had its best chance to take the lead in the ninth. Gino Murrietta opened the inning with a single to right and reached third with two out on Briggs’ single to left.

However, Mike Farrara of Canyon got the final out on De Franco’s grounder to second.