PREP BASEBALL: Poway bashes way to Lions Classic title
By JOHN MAFFEI - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO ---- First the Poway High baseball team made a statement.
Then the Titans won the Classic Division of the 58th annual Lions Tournament.
Thursday afternoon, the No. 2-ranked Titans made it back-to-back Classic Division titles by beating Montgomery 10-0 at the University of San Diego. Poway had started the long day by beating previously unbeaten and top-ranked Grossmont 8-2 in a morning semifinal game, also at USD's Cunningham Stadium.
"Grossmont (8-1) was definitely a statement game," said Poway center fielder Jason Brunansky. "They were chirping about how they were the best team in the county, and we took it to them.
"We showed them who the Titans are. The best way to shut a team up is to beat them and put up some numbers."
Poway's numbers are pretty impressive. The Titans (9-2) entered the game hitting .353 as a team. They had 10 hits against Grossmont (8-1) and 13 in the championship game against Montgomery (6-4)
Brunansky, who is headed to Kansas next season, had a key hit in both games. His bases-loaded single in the second inning against Grossmont pushed a 1-0 lead to 3-0.
Against Montgomery, his bases-loaded double in the second fueled a seven-run outburst.
"It's really important to score early," Brunansky said. "It takes a lot of pressure off the pitchers.
"We want to take a lead and maintain it with great pitching and defense."
Against Grossmont, left-hander Bennett Parry pitched four strong innings to earn the win, and Brian Busick threw three innings for the save. Both pitchers allowed just two hits and an unearned run.
In the nightcap, Trevin Lipe allowed two hits in four shutout innings to get the win. Matt Binkle, Joe Rosan and Kevin Truitt each threw an inning to preserve the shutout.
"Our hitters were on today," said Poway coach Bob Parry. "Grossmont was in the toughest bracket in the tournament, while we were able to save some pitching.
"Honestly, though, our 1-9 hitters are the best since I've been here."
Brett Thomas had four hits Thursday, while Brunansky and Alex Dickerson both had three.
"Poway can swing the bats," said Montgomery coach Manny Hermosillo. "They're very disciplined.
"We haven't seen everybody, but if they're not the best team in the county, they're certainly one of the best."
Semifinal
Montgomery 11, Torrey Pines 4
Six pitchers hit eight batters, walked five and allowed 13 hits for Torrey Pines (7-2). Five of the hit batters came in a four-run first inning.
Joey DeNato, Max Iantoro and Stephen Goodman all had two hits for the Falcons.
Contact staff writer John Maffei at (760) 740-3547 or jmaffei@nctimes.com. Comment at nctvarsity.com.
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