A Pitcher’s Duel in Long Beach
Long Beach Poly edged out Sunny Hills 3‑2 in the opening round of the CIF‑SS Division 5 playoffs, a contest that swung back and forth until the final out.
Starting pitcher Malakai Pruitt opened the game by striking out Jack Verity and then walked Riley Shaw, but quickly settled into a rhythm that kept the Lancers at bay.
The Jackrabbits answered early when Will Trunnelle launched a leadoff homer in the bottom of the second, tying the game at 1‑1. In the third inning, Tate Hammond’s solo shot pushed Poly ahead 2‑1.
Manny Gonzales ignited a rally in the fifth with a line‑drive single that drove in a run, extending the lead to 3‑1. Though the Lancers trimmed the margin with a walk that made it 3‑2, Pruitt regained his composure and retired the side to seal the win.
Head Coach Soloman Williams praised the collective effort, highlighting Pruitt’s grit and the clutch hitting that defined the game. The Jackrabbits now turn their focus to a second‑round showdown with Cathedral, hoping to carry the same intensity.