Santa Barbara High dropped its opener at the Coach Bob National Invitational Baseball Tournament in Phoenix, falling to Valley Vista of Surprise, Ariz., 8-5, late Monday night.
Valley Vista, a tournament division champion last year, rallied for six runs in the fifth inning to beat the Dons, who had taken a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth on a solo home run by John Brontsema
Santa Barbara collected 11 hits. Michael Day went 3-for with two doubles, Tanner Guerra went 3-for-3 and Tyler Newman had two hit and drove in two runs.
Santa Barbara continues pool play on Tuesday against Chaparral of Colorado.
The tournament features 50 teams from all over the country.
