Alec Vigil delivered the game winner
(Arcadia) – Alec Vigil’s two run single in the bottom of the seventh capped a four run rally and gave Temple City a dramatic 4-3 win over St. Francis Saturday at the Apache Invitational.
The Rams entered the seventh down 3-0 after surrendering two runs in the top of the inning to fall behind by three. The St. Francis runs were set up by a key Temple City error and put the Rams’ backs against the wall.
“We finally got disciplined in the seventh. We started swinging at pitches we should have been swinging at,” said Temple City Coach Barry Bacon. “And Alec Vigil…well what can I say…”
That was the feeling on the Temple City side after Vigil’s game wining hit. It was one of jubilation and celebration but also one that left many speechless.
Trailing 3-0 against St. Francis reliever Ethan Bramschreiber, pinch hitter Corey Copping led off with a double to left center and with one out Jonah Jarrard singled to right. Brother and starting pitcher Julian Jarrard then worked a walk.
“I was just thinking don’t chase one, don’t chase one,” Jarrad said.
Dusty Sanderson stayed alive by just getting a piece of a fast ball with two strikes to foul it off and then battled for a walk as well to force in a run. Branden Pultz rapped a base hit to right field to pick up another one and suddenly it was 3-2.
With two out and the bases loaded Vigil climbed in. When the ball first came off his bat it appeared it might be caught by the second baseman. But it just eluded the glove and fell into right for a base hit. Jarrard and Sanderson raced home and the celebration began.
Julian Jarrard went the distance
“It seemed like it took forever for it to come down,” Jarrard (Julian) said.
“I really think we are as good as they are. They (St. Francis) have a couple of D-1 kids and the tradition but I really like our kids,” Bacon said. “We’ve been flying under the radar because we have dropped a few games but I like it that way.”
Julian Jarrard threw a complete game for Temple City and only allowed five hits (3 of them coming in the seventh inning). He struck out six and walked two.
“I felt pretty good even in the seventh. We make that play all the time and if we make it there we’re only down 1-0,” Jarrard said.
The play that he was talking took place in the top of the seventh. With one on and one out, Brady Markel hit a ground ball wide of first. The throw to second hit the runner P.J. Dezotell in the back. With runners on second and third, David Olmeda-Barrera doubled in a run and another run scored when a pitch got away. Jarrard avoided further trouble by picking off Olmedo-Barrera at second.
“That play was huge,” Bacon said of the pick off. “It’s a lot easier chasing three than four.”
Ty Vanderford started and went four and one-third innings for the Golden Knights before being replaced by Bramschreiber. Vanderford did not allow a run while allowing just two hits.
Temple City improved to 7-5 overall while St. Francis dropped to 7-5. The Golden Knights have lost five of its last six.
The Rams will face Glendora Monday as the Tournament continues.
SF 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 3
TC 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4
WP: Julian Jarrard
LP: Ethan Bramschreiber
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