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Melachi Meni (left) and Niko Savage, who had the game-winning hit for Fullerton. (Photos Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).
Fullerton High School’s baseball team continued its winning ways in dramatic fashion Thursday afternoon erupting for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to record a stunning 10-9 come-from-behind victory over Ocean View in a non-league game at Fullerton High.
Fullerton improved its record to 7-1 while the Seahawks had their three-game winning streak snapped and fell to 7-5.
Ocean View built a 9-4 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning and the Seahawks appeared to be in command.
However, the Indians sent nine batters to the plate in the seventh inning and took advantage of two walks, three hits, two hit batters, a sacrifice RBI fly and an error to win their third consecutive game.
Kyle Kim led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk. One out later, Miguel Velazquez singled to center and Kim stopped at second. DJ Garcia was then hit-by-the-pitch to load the bases.
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Zach Fany followed with a perfectly placed bunt single between the pitcher and the third baseman. Kim scored on the play to cut the lead to 9-6. Connor Sunderland was also hit-by-a-pitch scoring Velazquez to make it 9-7. Nate Norman worked a deep count and then walked to score Garcia, trimming the lead to 9-8. Melachi Meni then hit a short fly to right center.
The Seahawks right fielder got a late jump on the ball, but made the catch for the second out of the inning, but his throw to the plate was off the mark and Fany slide home head-first safely, tying the score at 9-9.
“The coach told me I was going regardless of how deep it was hit; I was tagging up on the play and running,” said Fany, a sophomore shortstop.
Niko Savage then came to bat and bounced a grounder to deep in the hole at short, and Savage was able to leg it out for an infield single. In addition, on the play, the shortstop’s throw got away from the first baseman and the speedy Sunderland raced home from second base with the winning run.
The Indians celebrated by mopping Savage in short right field as they capped their spectacular comeback win.
“I was running as hard as I could to get down the first base line after I hit the ball,” said Savage. “I knew Connor was going to score on the play. I could see hm out of the corner of my eye and he was moving fast.”
Fullerton Coach Shaun Hill expected a tough game.
“We knew it was going to be a battle from the start; they’re a very good team,” said Hill. “This is a great win for our team and we have the benefit of 12 seniors who help lead this team.”
Kim, who came on in relief in the sixth inning, earned the victory. Meni led the Indians with three RBI. Fullerton has outscored its opponents this season 74-26, however the Indians on Thursday, allowed the most runs (9) by an opponent thus far this season.
Fullerton will travel to Pacifica next Tuesday and then will play Troy at Anaheim Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
—Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone
