SAN CLEMENTE — Foothill’s pitchers stranded nine base runners, including four in the final two innings, in a 3-2 win over San Clemente on Tuesday in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs at San Clemente High.
The Knights (19-11) brought in closer Kyle Telson with one out in the sixth inning to protect their lead. Telson stranded two runners on base in the sixth inning and escaped trouble again in the seventh.
Foothill will host Mater Dei in the quarterfinals Friday. The two teams have not met since 2019.
Telson came back out for the seventh to face the top of order for San Clemente (19-11). With runners on first and second with one out, Telson drew two pop flies to end the game and earn his seventh save of the season.
“It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time, but that guy has done that at the end of the game for us all year,” Foothill coach Chris Price said. “It’s the one guy we trust to come in for those moments. He has this moxie, toughness, and you can’t see what’s going on in his head. It doesn’t come out on his face.”
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Foothill starting pitcher Evrett Rycroft scattered seven hits in 5⅓ innings, allowed just one run and escaped some jams as well. He had pitched less than 17 varsity innings entering Tuesday.
“The way he sees the game, understands the game and the way he goes out there with confidence is just really rare for a young guy like him,” Price said.
Ezekiel Vargas was the catalyst for Foothill’s offense. The senior went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double. The home run was the first of his career and the double was his first hit in four games.
“I felt confident at the plate and I knew my boys could back me up,” Vargas said. “After my double, I knew my boys would drive me in and the home run was just magical.”
Vargas led off the game with a double and advanced to third on a single by Sean Green. Aidan Colburn drove in Vargas with a single to give the Knights a 1-0 lead.
Vargas led off the third inning with a solo home run over the left-center field fence to extend the lead to 2-0. Jaxon Foshay drove in a run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.
Stanford signee Mike Erspamer led off the sixth inning with a solo home run for San Clemente. Jake Starling drove in a run on an infield single to first base and Cade Cerone scored from second base on the ground ball.
San Clemente had won 13 of 14 games entering Tuesday and won the Sea View League this season.
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