Brian Tuttle hit a three run bomb in the second to put it away
(La Verne) – Brian Tuttle belted a three run home run to highlight a 14 hit attack and lead Bonita to an 11-1 rout of Lancaster Friday in the quarterfinals of the CIF Division 3 playoffs.
Adam McCreery did his part on the mound throwing four and one-third innings before Josh Yepez came on and went the rest of the way. McCreery allowed seven hits and one run. He struck out just one and walked two.
McCreery got a big assist from centerfielder Matt Gelalich in the first inning. Both of McCreery’s walks came in the first when Lancaster loaded the bases with two out. Jacouri Bass then hit a line shot that was headed to the gap in left center field but Gelalich raced in and made a diving stab of the drive to end the inning and bail out McCreery.
“When you’re faced with adversity someone has to step up and make a play,” said Bonita Coach John Knott. “Matt’s play really set the tone.”
Bonita immediately took advantage of the opportunity with three runs in the bottom of the first. Robert Mier ripped a lead off double down the left field line and scored on a base hit by Evan Highley. Matt Rodriguez then singled and a sacrifice fly by Tuttle plated Highley. After K.C. Huth singled, a walk to Aaron Castro forced in another run.
Robert Mier's solo shot in the fourth was icing on the cake
In the second Gelalich doubled, Rodriguez was hit by a pitch and Tuttle lowered the boom- a towering drive that cleared the left field fence. Tuttle’s bomb chased Lancaster starter Ryan Barker and for all intents and purposes put an early end to the ball game.
“Tuttle has been huge for us all tournament. He is really showing what kind of player he is,” Knott said.
Mier belted a solo shot to lead off the fourth for a 7-0 lead. Bonita added two more in the fifth and sixth as Tuttle, Huth and Mark Lindsay had consecutive hits in each inning.
Tuttle was three for four with three runs scored and three RBIs. Huth had three hits and scored twice and Lindsay was three for three with a walk. The Bearcats scored in every inning except the third.
Yepez allowed three hits and no runs over the next two and two-thirds. Lancaster’s lone run came in the fifth when Jose Tejada singled and worked his way around to score but the Eagles left the bases loaded for the second time in the contest.
Adam McCreery was the man on the mound
Bonita will face San Gorgonio on the road Tuesday in the semi finals. It is the Bearcats first trip to the semis since 2001.
“I’m really proud of these kids,” Knott added. “We’ve been to the quarterfinals the last three years but now we are going to the semis.”
L 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
B 3 3 0 1 2 2 – 11
WP – A. McCreery, LP- R. Barker
HR- B- Tuttle, Mier
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