Eagles knock off Galileo to win city championship

by Keith Giordano

Much like last season, the San Francisco High School Baseball Championship was held on a beautiful day at AT&T Park. The George Washington Eagles were there once again, this time facing the Galileo Lions.

Both teams won one-run games in the semi-finals to reach the Section Championship. Galileo beat two-time defending champions Lowell while Washington, which had lost only one league game this season, defeated Lincoln in an extra-inning contest.

The Eagles were seeking their first championship since 2006, while Galileo had not appeared in the title game since winning it all in 1978.

Thomas Mora took the mound for the Eagles and shook off a first inning in which Galileo scored three runs. He went on to pitch a complete game, and lead the Eagles to a 6-4 victory.

Mora hit Ken Chan with a pitch to put on the first base runner of the game. With a hit-and-run on, Dustin Andrick shot a line drive single into left field moving Chan over to third base. Chan scored on a fielder's choice by Dylan Nelson. Galileo used its speed once again, as Nelson stole second base. Galileo starter Cody Klein singled to left field, driving in Nelson on a close play at home plate. On the throw to home Klein advanced to second base, and would come all the way around to score when the catcher's throw to second flew into center field.

The first Washington run came in the bottom of the second inning when Avery Velasco doubled, driving in Paul Duchene, who had singled, stolen second base and took third base on an error.

The Eagles went on to take the lead in the bottom of the third. After an infield single by Dane Vandaguchte and an error allowing Mora to reach base, Alex Kozakiewicz laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Duchene then stepped to the plate and singled to left field, driving in both base runners. He would later score on a single up the middle by Jumaane Bowdry.

Galileo fought back in the fourth inning. Kevin Kung led off with a walk, and then promptly stole second base. After a bunt single and a walk, the bases were loaded against Mora. Jordan Lee drove in the tying run with an infield single before Washington could end the threat. Mora would not allow another base runner for the remainder of the game.

George Washington took the lead for good in the bottom of the third inning. Roland Maxie led off the inning showing good hustle on an infield single. Glenn Valledor moved him over to third base with a line drive single to the gap in right field. Maxie would score, and Valledor would take second when the throw from right was mishandled in the infield. This proved to be the winning run, though the Eagles would score one more insurance run in the inning.

Mora pitched a perfect final inning, recording a strikeout to end the game. The Eagles rushed the field for the end of game pile-on.

"It validates all our hard work," said Washington coach Rob Fung. "You can't assume anything coming into these games. It's always sweet to win."

After a performance in which Mora threw more than 100 pitches, Fung said Mora would be given the game ball. Fung said that he had considered taking Mora out for the last inning, but decided against it.

"Mora battled and struggled and was able to overcome. It was his game to win or lose," Fung said.