Fullerton takes over first place in Freeway League with walk-off victory over La Habra

Fullerton players celebrate after Friday’s victory over La Habra. (Photos: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).

The Fullerton and La Habra High School baseball teams played two Freeway League games against each other this season, both this week, and combined to score a total of two runs.

Wednesday, the Highlanders blanked the Indians 1-0 following an Indians balk in the bottom of the seventh inning that allowed the winning run to score.

Friday at Fullerton, the Indians returned the favor and beat the Highlanders 1-0 on an RBI single by Zach Fany in the bottom of the seventh inning in front of a big crowd at Fullerton.

With the victory, the first-place Fullerton (13-6, 5-1) takes a one-game league lead over second-place La Habra (13-3-2 and 4-2) with four games remaining in the regular season.

With the score tied 0-0, Miguel Velasquez led off the bottom of the seventh inning for Fullerton by hitting a sharp grounder to first base.

However, the La Habra first baseman bobbled the ball and Velasquez slid safely head-first into first base. Carlos Barrios then laid down a perfectly-placed sacrifice bunt that advanced Velasquez to second. Niko Savage followed with a walk.

Moments later, Velasquez and Savage executed a double-steal, giving the Indians runners at second and third with one out. Fany then laced a walk-off game-winning RBI single to left, scoring Velasquez and giving Fullerton the win.

The Fullerton players poured out onto the field to celebrate.

“Surprisingly, I wasn’t nervous when I came to bat in the seventh,” said Fany, who made an incredible snag of a line drive for the third out in the top of the seventh inning to end a Highlanders rally. “I knew after the double-steal, I was going to get a fastball and I knew I had to drive it to the outfield. It was an amazing pitched game by both teams and this win gives us momentum going forward.”

Fullerton starter Mathew Carbajal was brilliant, pitching the first 6 2/3 innings, holding La Habra scoreless while not walking a batter. Carbajal pitched out of jams in the first, fourth and fifth innings before giving way to Eddie Advita with two outs in the seventh inning. Advita retired Anthony Gonzalez on a line out to short with two runners on to end the top of the seventh.

“My arm wasn’t tired but my legs were and I didn’t want to risk going any further,” said Carbajal following the game. “Today my off speed stuff was working and I hit my spots and I put my trust in my defense.”

La Habra’s best scoring opportunity came in the fourth-inning when pinch-runner Jared Carwile was tagged out at home plate, following a single by Andrew Gandara.

On the play, Fullerton’s left fielder Niko Mendez threw to cut off man first-baseman Malachi Meni, who relayed the throw to catcher Nate Norman, who tagged Carwile out. Carbajal then retired Luke Leichter on a fly to right to end the inning.   

Matthew Viveros was equally as impressive for La Habra, pitching the entire game and limiting the Indians to three hits.

“Matthew was incredible and that was an outstanding senior outing; he kept us in the game,” said Highlanders Coach Jack Brooks. “I wish the league didn’t go this year to playing each team only two times instead of three. How great would it be for these kids and these two teams to go back at it a third time? Fullerton is the defending league champs and a CIF finalist and we’re an up and coming team; the last two weeks of the season are going to be a dog fight.”

Fullerton Coach Shaun Hill had to sit out Friday’s game with a one-game suspension after being ejected during a post-game debate with the umpire during Wednesday’s La Habra/Fullerton game. Hill argued the final play in which a balk was called to bring in the final run.

Contacted by phone following Friday’s win, Hill was ecstatic.

“Mathew (Carbajal) has been our horse all year,” said Hill, who will return to the Indians dugout Wednesday vs. Buena Park. “We are blessed with great seniors, great players and great coaches.”

Assistant coach Tommy Rainey led Fullerton Friday.

“It’s super exciting to win; we could have made excuses and packed it in because we didn’t have our coach, but these guys executed and it’s a huge win for us,” said Rainey. “Carby (Carbajal) pitched a great game for us and we really showed a lot of heart today.”

To see the photo, click on the picture:

—Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone