Baseball: Foothill Near Perfect in Win Over Cal

Foothill 9, California 1

Records: Cal 10-9-1, 6-4 EBAL; Foothill 15-5, 8-2.

The Star: Foothill starter Will Anderson threw a complete-game three-hitter and struck out seven. At the plate, the Fresno State-bound senior was 2 for 3 with 4 RBIs and two runs scored.

The Turning Point: An error by Cal with two outs in the third brought Anderson to the plate with the bases loaded. One pitcher later, Anderson was on second with a bases clearing double and the Falcons never looked back.

The Quote: "I've been telling the group all year they are one game away from putting it all together," Foothill coach Angelo Scavone said. "This was the best combination of pitching, hitting and defense we've had all year."

Who's Next? Cal travels to Monte Vista on Wednesday; Foothill is at De La Salle on Wednesday

The Bottom Line: Foothill is all alone in first place — a half game ahead of Amador Valley, which plays San Ramon Valley on Saturday. The Grizzlies were swept by the Pleasanton schools this week and find themselves two games back with four EBAL games left.

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When Will Anderson pitches the way he did on Friday, the Foothill High pitcher doesn't need much run support.

So when the Falcons gave him a three-run lead in the third inning against California, it was all but over.

Anderson didn't allow a hit over the final four innings of a complete-game performance as the Falcons took a half-game lead in the East Bay Athletic League standings with a 9-1 win.

"It took us a little while to get going, but Will was battling," said Brandon Viceral, who was 3 for 3 with a double. "Once we got him the cushion we felt pretty good."

A Cal error allowed Anderson to come to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the third. He cleared the bases on the first pitch he saw with a double down the line in left. Viceral followed with a single to score Anderson and the Falcons led 4-1.

By the time the game was over, ten Falcons combined to register 14 hits and Foothill scored in each of the final four innings.

Anderson allowed three hits and struck out seven, while aided by an errorless defensive effort.

"I've been telling the group all year they are one game away from putting it all together," Foothill coach Angelo Scavone said. "This was the best combination of pitching, hitting and defense we've had all year."

Foothill (15-5, 8-2 EBAL) came into the game with a one-game lead over the Grizzlies (10-9-1, 6-4) and tied with Amador Valley atop the EBAL standings.  The Dons were idle on Friday, but can pull even with Foothill if they beat San Ramon Valley at the Oakland Colesium on Saturday.

"Anderson has really put us on his back (with his pitching)," Scavone said. "He's been swinging a hot bat too and everyone is starting to hit their stride."

Jake Jefferies, a switch hitter, was 2 for 3 with a double and a run batting from right side against Cal lefty Evan Bristentine.

With two weeks left in the regular season, Foothill has road games against De La Salle and Granda next week before finishing the season with San Ramon and Amador the following week.

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Cal (10-9-1, 6-4) 100 000 0— 1 3 3
Foothill (15-5, 8-2) 004 122 x— 9 14 0

Cal (ab-r-h)— Leon 2-1-2, Hayden 3-0-0, Moen 3-0-1, Peter 3-0-0, Truex 1-0-0, Tyrrel 1-0-0, Defazio 2-0-0, Moore 1-0-0, Lowe 3-0-0, Sarmenta 2-0-0, Wingard 1-0-0, Smith 1-0-0.
Foothill (ab-r-h)— Owen 3-1-1, Jefferies 3-1-2, Hom 1-1-0, Defazio 3-0-1, Brazil 1-1-0, Theofanopolous 1-1-1, Mannion 1-0-0, Rowland 3-2-1, Slifer 1-1-1, Anderson 3-2-2, Viceral 3-0-3, Moore 3-0-1, Camarena 3-0-0, Yamada 1-0-0.

Pitching 
Cal— Brisentine 4+ IP, 7 R, 3 ER, 11 H, 2 BB, 3 K; Elliott 2 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 0 K.

Foothill— Anderson 7 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K.

Batting 

2B — Jeffereies, Defazio, Anderson, Viceral