4/7/2011 12:17:36 PM
Box Score
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- JSerra OF Clay Williamson came to bat with the bases loaded and his team down a run clinging to their final 2 outs. Williamson knew it was a big spot, but he seemed unfazed, saying he was "just looking to get big and come through in a big spot for my team." He got plenty big alright, coming through with a 2-run single to lead the Lions to a come from behind 5-4 win over El Toro in the championship game of the Anaheim Lions tournament.
Trailing 4-0 as late as the 5th inning, JSerra finally got to El Toro starter
Ryan Kayoda with 3 runs after the sophomore finally began to run out of gas. Kayoda, the 44th ranked player in the class of 2013 (11th ranked pitcher) walked a pair to lead off the 5th before giving up back to back hits before being lifted with a 4-3 lead. Kayoda topped out at 87 MPH with his fastball and looks to be a very promising prospect.
El Toro took their 4-3 lead into the final frame with the bottom of the order coming up for JSerra. But 3B
Trent Boras continued his big game, drawing a leadoff walk, bringing the tying run to the plate. C
Austin Hedges ripped a line drive single to left field (92 MPH off the bat) and 2B Grant Davis followed suit with a single to set the stage for Williamson. El Toro responded with a pitching change, bringing in sidearm lefty
Brett Hammond to face Williamson.
JSerra head coach Brett Kay said of the at-bat "I was feeling confident, we expected they'd go lefty-lefty on Clay but he hits lefties pretty well, he had a great at bat in a big spot and its a testament to the kind of competitor he is." The senior CF worked the count to 2-2 before fouling off 3 pitches to get the breaking he was looking for and driving it hard up the middle to send JSerra home a winner.
Clay Williamson Game Winning At Bat from Perfect Game High School on Vimeo.
The victory improves JSerra to 14-3 on the year, though their coach says they still have a lot of work to do. Kay cautioned "we have to think back to the last time we ran into [Servite LHP] Cole Irvin, who is one of the best pitchers in southern California, well now we're back in the same situation and we're going to have to find a way to beat him." The Lions currently sit two games behind Mater Dei for first place in the Trinity League, widely regarded as the toughest league in California. JSerra will face Servite on April 12 and 14 and are almost assured of facing the ace lefty.
While the toughest part of the schedule still remains on the horizon, Williamson said of the experience in the Anaheim Lions tournament "this was a big deal for us, it was a good bonding experience for our team and it will definetly help us down the road to have been in a tough spot in a big game and to know that we can battle back."
The PG High School Road Trip continues on Thursday in San Diego with La Jolla vs. Cathedral Catholic at 3:00 (Pacific).
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