Game Notes (CA): Santiago v Norco

NORCO, CA. - The BIG VIII league season kicked off with a matchup of the league’s storied programs in Santiago (Corona) and Norco High Schools. Both programs have had their share of success both on the field and in producing top talent and it appears there’s talent on both rosters presently.

Santiago started junior LHP Jake Blawn who has had an impressive start to the season and is showing growth with the changeup that pairs with a mid-80’s fastball and a hammer breaking ball that he commands very well. Norco countered with senior Michael Forbes who came into the matchup with an unblemished record at 2-0 and only having given up run on the season.

It was an old fashioned pitchers duel as each guy was matching the intensity of the other on the mound. It seemed as though every time one guy would get out of a jam, the next guy would come back his half of the inning and do the same.

In the end, Blawn went 6.1 innings allowing four hits, walking two, and striking out four. Forbes meanwhile went CG allowing 4 hits, walking one, and striking out two.

The game was decided on the bat of the Bryce Cerminelli who drove in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. It was a fantastic high school baseball game.