08/04/09: Upland, CA - Canyon Hills' Senior All-Stars used a couple of key hits and capitalized on a wild pitch to overcome an early 2-0 deficit to defeat the Nevada State Champions 3-2 in their Western Region opening game.
Nevada gained their early 2-0 lead, as Canyon Hills experienced a couple of uncharacteristic jitters in the first inning. But, with a stellar performance from the Canyon Hills pitching staff of Matt Makarounas, Sean Santos, and Chase Deushane, that was all Nevada would be able to score, as they were limited to 3 hits for the game, while accumulating 10 strikeouts. Canyon Hills' starter, Makarounas, battled through two innings, striking out four, including the side in the second, but with the cost of a high pitch count. Enter Santos, who masterfully worked the Nevada hitters, and dazzled the crowd for the next four innings, allowing only two hits and escaping a no-out, runner at third base jam in the fifth inning, striking out two of his overall total of three.
Following his first hit, great base running by Deushane got Canyon Hills on the board in the second inning, as he scored from first base on a single by Andrew Blyzka. Then singles from Steven Ortiz and Deushane helped to score Ryan Hill in the third, tying the ballgame. In the fourth, Collin Lee, running for Braden Crockett who had singled, advanced to third on a single by Joey Antos, and then scored the go ahead run on a wild pitch as Drew Dufresne battled the Nevada pitcher to earn a base on balls. Canyon Hills totaled seven hits for the game, with Brett Burton adding another.
Deushane took the mound in the top of the seventh and closed out the game for Canyon Hills, getting the heart of Nevada's batting order in striking out the side 1-2-3, while earning the save.
The Western Region win was the first in the history of Canyon Hills Little League and District 23.
Canyon Hills will next play the Washington State Champions, Wednesday, 8/5, 4pm at Jay Littleton Ball Park in Ontario.
