St. Francis avenged its only loss of the season with a 13-3 win over Serra, behind a thunderous fifth inning display.
“We had a phenomenal game all around,” said St. Francis coach Mike Oakland. The Lancers dominated on the mound, in the field, and at the plate.
The game didn’t start that way. Jordan Paroubeck came out with a bang, as he jacked a curveball to deep right field, traveling about 380 feet. “We had the momentum, but they fought back and got the momentum back,” said Paroubeck.
Kort Peterson got on base with a leadoff single, then he stole second base to get into scoring position. Serra pitcher Matt Gorgolinski walked pitcher Michael Strem, and Austin Guibor laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners. Then Hunter Simmons drove in Peterson on an infield error to tie the game 1-1.
In the second inning, The Lancers (24-1, 11-1) matched the power of the Padres when third baseman Tyler Deason launched a solo shot on a full-count 330 feet to right field to put St. Francis up 2-1. Peterson and Strem scored later in the inning to put the Lancers up 4-1.
The Padres (19-5, 9-3) were on the cusp of making a run in the third inning when the bases were loaded with two outs, and first baseman John Murray coming up to bat. On March 22, the Lancers led the Padres 8-1 in the third inning before the Padres rallied with a six-run third inning and a three-run fifth inning to give the nationally ranked Lancers their only loss of the season.
“It didn’t have any effect whatsoever,” said Oakland. “We know they’re an excellent team, and we just prepared the same way we prepare for everybody. Records are whatever. We want to make sure that we don’t lose the last game we play.”
Murray gave the ball a ride deep into the left-center gap, when Guibor, known by his team as "The Dog", made the most impressive and pivotal play of the game. Guibor took off from left field, and despite the sun being in his eyes, tracked the ball to the warning track and made a diving catch.
“I thought that that ball would be a lot deeper in the gap,” said Guibor. “Kort [Peterson] and I had a situation like that earlier, and we ended up running into each other, but it worked out this time.”
The play ended the inning when the Padres could have tied the game, and allowed the Lancers to pull away.
“Coach Oakland always talks about winning the spots, and that was one of the biggest spots in the game,” said Guibor. “That completely changed the momentum. They had [three] runners on, and if that ball gets in the gap, they tie up the game.”
The Lancers fed off of that spectacular catch to score again in the fourth to go up 5-1. The fifth inning did not look as promising, as relief pitcher Matt Blais struck out first baseman Mark Cardinelli and Tyler Deason looking.
However, shortstop Chris Baker got on base with a single, and designated hitter Eric Peterson was hit in the upper back. Then, Kort Peterson walked to load the bases. Strem followed with an RBI single. Guibor hit a fly ball that dropped in shallow left field for a two RBI double. Right fielder Hunter Simmons drove in two more runs with a double of his own, and catcher Tim Susnara was hit by a pitch. The bleeding continued as Cardinelli hit an RBI double and Deason got on base when they were hit by a pitch. The inning finally ended when Baker grounded out to the shortstop.
“We get guys on, and we’ve got guys that can bring them in,” said Oakland. “Our approach at the plate was really good.”
The run support helped Strem on the mound. “It’s always nice to have runs behind you. It makes it easier,” said Strem.
That showed in Strem’s performance. The righty went all seven innings, allowing eight hits, three runs, two walks, five strikeouts, and 103 pitches thrown. He only allowed the Padres to string together consecutive hits once.
“He did a great job of throwing strikes, and making them swing the bat, not allowing them to string together multiple hits in a row,” said Oakland. “They’re an offensive team, they’re tough to pitch to. I thought he had really good stuff today, and he did a really good job of getting out of pressure situations.”
For the Padres, the reason for the 13-3 loss is simple. ““We just didn’t get it done,” said coach Craig Gianinno.
The game was filled with gaudy statistics. Simmons finished with two hits, one run, and six RBIs. Kort Peterson scored four times, and Strem added to his impressive performance on the mound with three hits and three runs at the plate.
The Lancers play at Bellarmine on April 30 at 4 PM. The Padres play Evergreen Valley in a makeup game on April 27th at noon.
