Francis Parker slugged two home runs and Oliver Pannese threw five strong innings to help the Lancers earn an 8-3 home win on Tuesday over Otay Ranch.
“This is one of the better clubs that we’re going to face this year, and to pull it off is really nice,” Lancers coach Erick Threets said after the game. “During the Lions Tournament, we proved we can beat upper-division teams.”
The Lancers (12-7, 2-2 Pacific League) scored in every inning but the second, highlighted by two-run home runs from John Mika in the third and Jake Musicant in the sixth inning to earn the win over the Mustangs (13-5, 0-0 Metro Mesa League).
“I was looking to do some damage,” said Mika, whose home run was the first of his high school career. “We needed some momentum after they got two runs in the first inning. It was an inside fastball. It felt great to smack the ball and then get all hyped with the team.”
The Mustangs scored those runs in the opening frame. But Francis Parker punched back with one in the first inning.
Then, Pannese settled in and did not allow a run in his final four innings of work.
“I was able to really locate my slider well and go off the fastball,” Pannese said. “Just mixing it up and pounding the zone because after the first, I was able to probably better than I have all year.”
As the senior continued to put up zeros, hitters continued to strike. The Lancers got one in the fourth. In the fifth inning, Francis Parker took advantage of a Mustangs error that led to two runs with two outs.
Pannese said having that run support provided momentum as his outing progressed.
”I was on first base because I walked,” he said. “I’m hoping he drives me in, and I see the ball launched. That fired me up. That shifts the momentum our way and helps me have the confidence to continue to go out there, doing my thing on the mound.”
Mika took the final two innings to wrap up the win.
Tuesday’s win will bode well in the power rankings used for playoff seeding. Francis Parker is in Division 4, and Otay Ranch is in Division 3.
“When they know they can beat a team like that and we’re going to league play next week, our confidence goes through the roof,” Threets said. “I feel extremely confident with what we’re about to put up in the league.”
The Mustangs were led by Jonny Sanchez, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple in the first inning.
Up next, Francis Parker will host Oceanside on Friday before resuming Pacific League action. Otay Ranch begins Metro Mesa League play with its first of two games in three days at Eastlake on April 21.