Jeff Paschke ripped a ball into left field to drive in two runs in the bottom of the seventh, lifting Santa Barbara High to a wild 12-11 comeback win over Lake Oswego, Ore., in the final game at the Coach Bob National Invitational in Phoenix, Ariz.
The Dons trailed 11-7 going into the bottom of the seventh. Michael Day led off with a walk and Daniel McKinney followed with an infield single. Day scored and McKinney went to second when Lake Oswego’s shortstop threw the ball away. Peter Ghersen was hit by a pitch and Toby Minehan singled to score McKinney, making it 11-9.
Ghersen advanced to third on a fielder’s choice ground ball to short by Skyler Sabado. With one out, lead-off hitter Connor McManigal next drove a line-drive to right center for his third hit and third RBI, scoring Ghersen. Zach Torres followed with a bunt single to load the bases. After a strikeout, Paschke drove the first pitch into left to score Sabado and McManigal to win the game.
The game had five lead changes, and the teams each used four pitchers. Tanner Guerra picked up the win for Santa Barbara.
McManigal was 3-5 with a double and Paschke and McKinney each had two singles.
Santa Barbara went 2-2 in the tournament.
