LA COSTA CANYON HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

U/T  SAN DIEGO

By kirk kenney -U/T

  "Ethan Abrams didn't have his curveball the last time he took the mound. This time it was his fastball that was missing.    No matter.

  A pitcher headed to Columbia in the fall has the gray matter to figure a way out of such predicaments. Abrams did what he had to do with what he had at hand, pitching  La Costa Canyon to a 4-3 victory over Cathedral Catholic on Saturday in the Championship game of the Hilltop-Lolita's Tournament at Hilltop High.

  "I threw 85 percent curveballs," said Abrams. "They're probably not too happy about that."   The Dons were quite pleased with themselves in the first inning when they bunched three hits for a 2-1 lead off Abrams, who didn't look like he was going to be around long.

  But La Costa Canyon coach Justin Machado said Abrams is able "to handle the emotions of a big game." After all, Abrams pitched LCC to last season's Open Division Championship game by beating Rancho Bernardo, and he beat defending Open champion Granite Hills in his first start this year.  And so, the 6-foot senior settled in, allowing just two hits over the next five innings.  LCC (5-1) rallied in the meantime, taking a 3-2 lead in the third on RBI singles by Ryan Casper and Ryan Orr. A bases loaded walk to Shane Potter provided the crucial fourth run in the fourth inning. 

  Cathedral (4-2) made things interesting when Griffen Case led off the seventh with a home run to make it a one-run game.  "Fastball", said Abrams, who thought he could sneak one past the pinch hitter.    When Cathedral's jacob Mullin followed with a singe, Machado came to the mound to visit.  But he didn't ask Abrams for the ball.  "Weve been together so long that I left it up him," said Machado. "He said to leave him in."

   Two bunts moved the tying run to third base before Abrams got a strikeout to end the game.  "This gives us confidence," said Abrams (2-0), who allowed seven hits and struck out four over seven innings. "We're ready for anyone".

   No. 3 ranked LCC defeated top ranked RB, No. 2 Cathedral and No. 4 Granite hills in the Hilltop-Lolita's Tournament on the way to the championship. "