Baseball: Rebels Return to Winning Ways

The Flintridge Prep baseball team defeated Webb 6-1 on the road Thursday, avenging a 2-0 loss against the Gauls on Tuesday. Alex Sierra threw five strong innings in his pitching debut, striking out five and allowing just one unearned run.

“I only throw a fastball and curveball, but both pitches were working today,” said Sierra, who also went 2-for-3 at the plate.

The game originally was scheduled to be played at the Glendale Sports Complex, but the fields were not in playing condition due to bad weather earlier in the week.

After losing by shutout on Tuesday, the Rebels were eager to get on the board early. In the first inning, Brenden McKiernan singled and stole second base as Royce Park struck out. First baseman Karlsen Termini delivered a two-out double to bring home McKiernan for a 1-0 lead.

“Brenden is just a freshman, but he’s been playing great,” Flintridge Prep coach Buzz Cook said. “We have six freshman which makes us a pretty young team.”

For a while it seemed one run would be all Sierra needed as he sat down the first eleven Webb batters in order. However, with two outs in the fourth inning, Webb put together consecutive base hits. Sierra responded by inducing a ground ball from Sam Woodward, but second baseman Andrew Mahoney misplayed the grounder, allowing a run to score.

The Rebels led 2-1 in the sixth inning when Cook decided to make a pitching change.

“Alex’s pitch count was getting pretty high,” Cook said. “We went with Clayton (Weirick).”

Weirick surrendered a single to the first batter he faced, Aaron Digiamoreno. Digiamoren stole second base following a flyout and advance to third on a fly ball. With two outs, a man on third, and just a one-run lead, Weirick got a much-needed fly ball to get out of the jam.

“Clayton was big for us,” Cook said. “He’s an experienced pitcher and he’s used to situations like that.”

Badly in need of some insurance runs, the Rebels got what they needed and more in the top of the seventh inning. Sierra led the inning off with a double and Kyle McDonald followed with a fly ball that was dropped by Webb’s right fielder. McKiernan reached base for the third time with a walk, setting the stage for a two-run double by Park.

“I’m glad we were able to put up some security runs,” Sierra said. “We didn’t want to go into the bottom of the seventh with just a one-run lead.”

Weirick sat the Gauls down in order in the seventh to complete Flintridge Prep’s first win in the Prep League after finishing in second place a year ago.

“I told the team that the road to the playoffs starts today,” Cook said. “I’ve never started 0-2 here and I didn’t want to start 0-3. Webb has improved a lot.”

McKiernan finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Park went 2-for-4 with three RBI and Scott Tsangeos also drove in two runs. The Rebels will face Buckley next Tuesday.