LAKE ELSINORE – On Saturday, April 15, Linfield Christian and Lakeside High School had “The Diamond” all to themselves, along with their families and fans, cherishing every play made on the same field the Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres play on.
It would be the Lions who claimed a 10-4 victory, despite a big push by Lakeside in the seventh inning. AJ Farnell, Nolan Hill, Roman Peralta and Christian Ulloa all drove in runs in the frame for the Lancers. By that time, Linfield had enough breathing room to secure the victory thanks to a six-run second inning. Gavin Malcomson, Elijah Butler and Jake Valencia all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in their big inning.
Noah Getz picked up the win as he toed the rubber for Linfield Christian going four innings, allowing zero runs on four hits, striking out one and walking one. Eric Quintero started the game for Lakeside and lasted two innings, allowing 11 hits and nine runs while striking out two. Ulloa threw four innings out of the bullpen to keep the Lions at bay the best he could.
When the dust settled, the Lions tallied 16 hits on the day with Jordan Simon, Gavin Kramer, Butler, Malcomson and Drew Taylor each managing multiple hits. Simon led Linfield with three hits in four at bats while Valencia went big fly with a homerun in the second inning.
Christian Rodriguez went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Lakeside in hits. The game between the two was a non-league bout between the two neighbors. Lakeside, in the Inland Valley League, is currently in second place behind Orange Vista, who they play twice this week before the playoff brackets come out Monday, May 1, from the CIF Southern Section offices.
Linfield, who are three games behind Aquinas, will look to remain in the second-place spot of the Ambassador League as they have a busy week with two games against their first-place foes as well as one final game with Western Christian to wrap up the regular season.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
