Calvary @ El Camino 3/6/12

No movie script could have better captured the valiant comeback of the Calvary Lions as they scored 4 runs with two outs in the last inning to defeat the El Camino Wildcats 6-5.

Down 5-2 with one out in the top of the last inning, Sam Hebert started the rally by bombing a double high off the left field wall. A pop out to the pitcher for the second out put the Wildcats one out away from victory but leadoff hitter David Carpenter kept Calvary's hopes alive when he singled up the middle putting the tying run at the plate in junior Caleb Whitley. Whitley had already hit 4 foul home runs in his previous at bats and was looking to straighten one out. He did, launching a 1-0 fastball high over the left field wall to tie the game at 5-5.

Taking the momentum and running with it, Sam Sheehan kept things going by lining a shot to left for a solid base hit. With Russell Harmening at the plate, Sheehan stole second putting the go-ahead run in scoring position. Harmening took advantage and laced the next pitch into center scoring Sheehan and giving Calvary the lead.

The bottom of the 7th proved exciting as well when Wildcat first baseman Ryan Garcia ripped a hard single to center putting the tying run on board. He attempted to advance to second on a wild pitch and the catcher's throw glanced off the shortstop's glove into center field. Without hesitation, he ran for third but centerfielder Sheehan hustled in and threw a perfect laser to third where Gordon Nixon slapped the tag down erasing the threat. Harmening closed out the game by striking out El Camino's final hitter.

When the dust cleared, Calvary scored 4 runs in the last inning on 6 hits.

The other two Calvary runs came when Whitley walked to lead off the 4th inning, advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt by the catcher and scored when Harmening doubled down the left field line. Calvary scored again in the fifth when Sheehan blasted a hard line drive over the fence in right-center for his first home run of the year.

Harmening had 3 hits on the day including 2 RBI's. Hebert had two hits, Matt Hartman had a deep double to right center and Isaac Conover and Carpenter added singles.

Carpenter, a sophomore lefty, started the game on the mound and breezed through the first two innings before running into control problems in the third where he walked 3 and allowed 4 earned runs. Sheehan relieved him in the 4th and pitched 3 solid innings allowing no earned runs and striking out 6. Sheehan picked up the win evening his season record to 1-1. Harmening picked up the save by striking out 2 in the 7th.

Whitley also had a standout defensive game, throwing out the only 2 runners who attempted to steal and making a nice play on a bunt by popping out quickly and nailing the lead runner at second.

Calvary's season record now stands at 2-1 and they continue with the Pirate/Falcon Classic when they travel to San Diego High School on Thursday.
-Game recap by Coach Whitley