Freshman Lifts Orange Lutheran Over Merritt Island

CARY, N.C—On a team heavy with upperclassmen, a freshman reserve notched the big hit for Orange (Calif.) Lutheran on opening day of the 2017 National High School Invitational.

Elijah Buries delivered a pinch-hit, go-ahead RBI single to start a four-run fourth inning, and the Lancers rallied past Merritt Island (Fla.) for a 7-3 victory on Wednesday afternoon at USA Baseball’s National Training Complex.

“It’s always exciting to see the young guys do something big for us,” Orange Lutheran senior shortstop Tristan Hanoian said. “All of us were in that situation once. It was awesome seeing Elijah get that knock. We were all rooting for him.”

Buries’ single up the middle snapped a 3-3 tie and gave the Lancers the lead for good. Orange Lutheran batted around in the fourth inning with Hanoian, Caleb Ricketts and Zach Busalacchi adding RBI knocks of their own.

Overall the Lancers pounded out 12 hits on the day. Hanoian went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored; Zach Lew went 2-for-4 with two runs; Garrett Mitchell went 1-for-3 with two runs and a stolen base; and Ricketts drove in three.

“I thought we did a tremendous job in the batters box today,” Orange Lutheran coach Eric Borba said. “Finding ways to get a on base, doing the little things. Our offense really carried us.”

Righthander Brenden Avventino earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief and senior submariner Korey Cirks finished it off with three perfect innings.

Mason Denaburg singled and scored a run for Merritt Island. Shortstop Brady McConnell went 0-for-3 but hit the ball hard all three trips.

Righthander Jake Barrett took the loss. He pitched five innings, gave up 11 hits and seven runs (six earned), walked one and struck out three.

“I thought we competed well,” Mustangs coach Greg Plecki said. “Orange Lutheran, that’s a really good baseball team right there.”