CONCORD, CA - Nine runs in the first two innings, and a hitless three-inning stint from starter Kyle Harrison were plenty for De La Salle on Monday afternoon, as the Spartans blanked Kennedy-Fremont, 11-0.
Harrison, a 6-foot-1 sophomore left-hander who is verbally committed to UCLA, had no trouble with the Titans' lineup, striking out five and issuing just one walk over the first three innings, as the Spartans continued playing well, after sweeping a pair of games over the weekend at the Central Valley Showcase, beating Buchanan-Clovis and Clovis North.
Meanwhile, De La Salle's lineup got things going with a five-run first inning, and then tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the second inning.
In the bottom of the first, the Spartans (4-2) loaded the bases with two outs for Jared Amigh, who promptly cleared the sacks with his three-run triple. One batter later, Taison Corio doubled to make the score 5-0, with all the runs scored after two outs had been recorded.
After Harrison struck out two of the three batters he faced in the top of the second inning, the Spartans went back to work in the bottom half. A double off the bat of Chris Santiago drove in Nick Cirelli, and Santiago came in to score on a wild pitch. After Trace Tammaro walked, freshman Blake Burke delivered the big blow, crushing a ball to right-center field a two-run shot, making it 9-0 at the end of two innings. It was the left-handed Burke's second home run early in his high school career.
"(Blake's) early season production has been a huge surprise for us. He has faced some big teams and has come through," said De La Salle coach David Jeans. "He has a good feel for the barrel of the bat and doesn't chase (bad pitches). He has fit right in with the older guys, who have helped him to know what to expect from opposing teams."
The Spartans' bullpen took over from Harrison after the first three innings, and delivered by continuing the scoreless run. Cole Silva, Gunner Mayer, and Cole Dalton each pitched a scoreless frame, while run-scoring at-bats from Nick Fusari and John Deitchman added to the lead.
De La Salle plays at St. Mary's-Stockton this Saturday at 1 pm, while Kennedy (1-1) hosts Eureka on Friday.
