With CIFs right around the corner, local scholastic baseball teams are looking to get hot at the right time.
In action this past week, La Jolla Country Day (LJCD) School went 3-0, beating Tri-City (8-6), Francis Parker (5-3) and Escondido Charter (14-2). With the wins, LJCD raised its record to 14-7-1 (2-1 Coastal League).
Sophomore Greg Wisenberg (7-1) earned the win against Tri-City. Junior Zack Kusnir (5-1) earned the win versus Francis Parker, while senior Wade Galligan (2-2) recorded the victory against Escondido Charter.
On the week, senior Michael Saleh went 6-for-12, with six RBIs and three runs scored. Kusnir went 7-for-10, with four runs and four RBIs, while sophomore Mike McKenna banged out five hits.
“The team has really begun to compete,” LJCD head coach John Edman said. “We have been locked in at the plate and are competing well in the field. Generally, we’re all just having a lot of fun.”
At La Jolla High, head coach Gary Frank and the Vikings split a pair of games last week, giving the team a 12-10 (3-5 Western League) mark heading into play this week.
Billy Bright pitched a brilliant one-hit shutout to guide the Vikings to an 8-0 victory over the visiting Clairemont Chieftains.
Bright surrendered a walk and an infield single in the first inning and then retired 19 of the next 20 batters he faced. Along the way he posted a career-best nine strikeouts. Bright also led the way at the plate as he went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, two RBIs, a double and a stolen base. Moose Halpern went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs.
The Vikings dropped a 9-7 decision to the Coronado Islanders later in the week.
Coronado scored in each of the first five innings to beat La Jolla. The Vikings fought back behind Matt Wiegand’s two hits and four RBIs but did not have enough in the end to overcome the big early deficit.
“We’re playing some very good baseball right now,” Frank commented. “The team is swinging the bats better than we have all year, and our defense remains our strong point. If we continue to get consistent pitching, we will remain competitive throughout the second round of league.”
La Jolla visits University City High on Friday, May 12.
Editor’s note: The Bishop’s School was asked to provide information for this story.