Baseball:

What a way to open Mission League play for the St. Francis baseball program.

The Golden Knights trailed 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

SFHS answered with three runs in the fifth, thanks to a clutch single by Simon Lee.

The Eagles took a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth.

St. Francis, however, scored once in the eighth and got one more in the ninth to defeat Chaminade, 5-4, on Tuesday.

In the bottom of the eighth, Brody Ruyle’s sac fly scored Luke Fogarty on a close play at the plate.

Jordan Lewallen reached first base on a push bunt that was misplayed by the pitcher to begin the ninth.

Miles Leyva beat out an infield single to the shortstop, leaving runners at first and second base.

After an infield pop-up, Luke Fogarty hit a ground ball to the second baseman who threw wide of first base, pulling the first baseman slightly off the bag.

While the play was being argued at first base, Lewallen scored the game-winning run from second base.

St. Francis Highlights included:

Fogarty pitched the first four innings giving up three runs on six hits.

He didn’t walk anyone and struck out eight Chaminade batters.

Kibru Pam earned the win, after going the last five innings, allowing one run on four hits.

He walked one and fanned four.

Fogarty was also 2-4 at the plate and scored twice.

Holden Deitch singled, doubled, scored and drove in a run.

Brody Ruyle was 2-5, with a double, run scored and one RBI

Simon Lee was 1-1 with the game-tying RBI in the fifth inning.

Aaron Petersen, Alejandro Ramirez and Quinn Deitch had one hit apiece.

Mile Leyva was 2-5 in Tuesday’s win.

Up next: The Golden Knights travel to Chaminade today (Wednesday) for game two of the three-game series.

Box Score:
C: 0-0-0-3-0-0-0-1-0-(4)
SF: 0-0-0-0-3-0-0-1-1-(5)

Win: Kibru Pam

2B: Brody Royle (SF), Holden Deitch (SF)

Records: Chaminade (1-4, 0-1) St. Francis (2-4, 1-0)