Swinging Scots still undefeated with win over Hillsdale in PAL Bay baseball opener

While Hillsdale (2-1, 5-4) couldn’t hold the Carlmont offense in check, the Knights did counter by manufacturing some offense of their own. Despite the Scots rallying for three runs in the top of the first inning and leading the rest of the way, Hillsdale’s offense kept things interesting, taking advantage of 11 walks and three hit batsmen to stay within striking distance.

“They were pretty relentless the way they kept coming at us,” Carlmont manager Rich Vallero said. “And I tip my hat to our offense because they always had an answer.”

Carlmont’s loudest answer came in the top of the sixth inning. The Scots sent 10 batters to the plate amid a five-run rally to seemingly put the game out of reach.

Hillsdale refused to go quietly, however, rallying for two runs in the bottom of the seventh on a two-run single by Gabriel Estevez to get the tying run into the on-deck circle. But Carlmont called upon Plane to get ’er done on the mound as well as the right-hander recorded the final out to earn the save, preserving the win for right-handed junior Lucas Billot, who earned the first win of his varsity career by battling through 2 2/3 innings relief work.

“They gave us a chance to play,” Hillsdale interim manager Ed Serrata said. “We just didn’t take advantage of it.”

Serrata took charge of the team Wednesday as manager James Madison was attending to a family emergency. It is the first high school game the fourth-year assistant coach has ever managed. He said Madison is slated to return when Hillsdale travels to Carlmont Friday.

Hillsdale has a young squad, returning just one regular starter from last year’s Central Coast Section Division II playoff quarterfinal squad. With that youth, the Knights have called upon sophomore right-hander Thomas Karpishin to serve as the ace of the staff.

Karpishin entered play Wednesday with a 3-0 record, but Carlmont jumped on the sophomore early. Scots cleanup hitter Sean Prozell got his team on the board by scorching a two-run single to center field. Plane followed by rifling an RBI double to deep center, giving Carlmont a 3-0 lead.

“I was trying to throw a lot of off-speeds but my off-speeds really weren’t hitting today,” Karpishin said.

Hillsdale — hitting .304 on the season — didn’t exactly come out swinging it. But Carlmont starting pitcher Matt Reiley dug himself huge holes through 2 2/3 innings of work, allowing three runs while issuing seven walks and two hit batsmen.

The Knights capped a two-run rally in the first with an RBI single from Gabriel Estevez, closing the score to 3-2. But Carlmont responded with a two-out rally in the top of the second, as Vinny Bologna tripled and then scored on and RBI singe by junior Grant Norman.

After Hillsdale got the run back in the bottom of the frame without producing a hit — Reiley issued four free passes in the inning, including a bases-loaded walk to Isaiah Cozzolino — Carlmont scored once more in the top of the third when Plane singled home Jordan Brandenburg to up the lead to 5-3.

Billot entered in relief in the third inning and shut down a bases loaded jam thanks to some slick defense by Plane who ranged into the hole to make a leaping throw to second for a force out to end the inning.

Plane produced another RBI single in a two-run fifth. Then, after Hillsdale scored three runs in the bottom of the inning — Arjun Mahanty and Matthew Leong both produced RBIs, and Mahanty later scored on an errant pickoff throw — Carlmont erupted for a five-spot in the sixth.

Scots junior Aaron Hoch a two-run single to get the carousel moving. Plane followed with a sacrifice fly, Nick Bugbee lashed an RBI single to right and Josh Fong capped the inning with an RBI double.

“One through nine, we’re just getting it done,” Plane said. “Two outs, two strikes, it doesn’t matter. We’re ready every single play.”