Spencer Barnard drove home a run in the top of the fourth inning and Brian Mannion made it stand up, as Mountainside took the Metro League series opener with Jesuit, 1-0, on the road on Monday evening.
Mannion, one of 11 seniors on the Maverick roster, was on his game from the first pitch in less than ideal conditions on a cool, blustery, rainy Oregon day. The right hander, who will play quarterback at Linfield in the fall, went the distance, scattering three hits and yielding just one walk while striking out nine. Mountainside played flawless defense behind him, further limiting Jesuit’s opportunities.
Mannion outdueled Jesuit senior Nelson Keljo, an Oregon State signee. The 6-4 left hander gave up four of Mountainside’s six hits and the game’s lone run.
“We grinded at bats and got the starter’s pitch count up,” noted Mountainside coach Ryan Fobert.
The win moved Mountainside (11-2) past Jesuit (11-3) in the OSAA computerized ranking. The Mavericks are now No. 3, behind McMinnville (12-1) and Tualatin (10-2). Jesuit is one spot further down at No. 4.
Jesuit was No. 1 in the most recent OSAAtoday Baseball Coaches Poll released April 11. Mountainside was No. 9. A new poll comes out Monday.
Mountainside and Jesuit play twice more this week, Wednesday and Friday, weather permitting.
“This was Game 1 of our series, so getting that first win on the road was huge,” Fobert said. “It puts us in a good spot going into Games 2 and 3.”
johnt@osaa.org
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