San Bruno wallops Foster City

The two local squads are developing quite a rivalry. They've played each other five times in the last two weeks, including Foster City's title game win over San Bruno in the Sectionals. Foster City defeated San Bruno two out of three times in Sectionals, while San Bruno swept both meetings in Regional play.

But there was no mistaking who was the dominant team on Sunday. San Bruno made it a rout early, scoring six runs in the bottom of the second inning. Blake Interdonato was hit by a pitch leading off before advancing to second base on a passed ball. Cory Edwards followed with a single and Kyle Wild walked to load the bases.

Interdonato scored on a wild pitch and Scott Hamblin produced a fielder's choice RBI. Greg Gonzalez was hit by a pitch and Jesus Ponce drilled a two-run double. Thomas Chu and Donte Snyder drew consecutive walks to load the bases again before Interdonato smacked a two-run single to cap the uprising.

"This is big for San Bruno baseball," Interdonato said. "We're so excited to be a part of this and I think we have a good chance (to win Zone). We have a lot of pitchers that throw hard and a lot of hitters that can hit, and when you add those two together you're looking at a good team."

Gonzalez, who was making his first appearance in the Regional, tossed five innings and allowed just three hits. He set the tone from the outset, getting ahead in the count and no doubt solidifying his standing as one of the team's top starters after Snyder and Edwards. Foster City, which defeated Monterey 11-9 earlier in the day to reach the final round, scored its lone run in the second.

Joey Smith led off with a walk and Ryan Hammer singled. Two batters later Matt Fondy reached on an error, allowing Smith to score. Despite the loss, there was plenty for Foster City to be happy about. The victory over Monterey catapulted Foster City to its first-ever appearance in Zone play.

"We didn't have any gas left at the end," Foster City coach Kevin Broomhead said. "The big game we had to win was against Monterey so we could make it to Zone. Our kids are fired up. Cameron Fox and Anthony Asp really came through for us in that game. In the second game, San Bruno was just too tough."

Interdonato put the finishing touches on the victory when he laced an RBI single with one out in the bottom of the fifth. He finished 2 for 3 with three RBIs. San Bruno managed just six hits, but didn't need any extra offense. That's because Foster City pitchers walked eight and hit five San Bruno batters, the combination enough for five games worth, let alone one.

Chu and Kyle Wild walked twice and was plunked once each as seven of the nine members in San Bruno's lineup either drew a walk or was hit by a pitch. Foster City also committed four errors, although rightfielder Andrew Ticzon made a nice jumping catch on the warning track in the second inning.

San Bruno coach Chris Vella said he was most impressed with his team's fiery attitude and clutch play. San Bruno rallied to defeat Foster City on Saturday morning with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning in a game that started Friday night.

"This team never dies," Vella said. "We can be down, but still think nothing of it. We've really jelled as a unit, taking players from three different teams. It really says a lot about the quality of baseball players in our area."