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    La Habra baseball scores on a balk for walk-off win over Fullerton
    • April 13, 2023

    Fullerton coach Shaun Hill argues with the umpire about a balk call that gave La Habra a 1-0 win in a Freeway League game Wednesday. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

    La Habra’s Jared Day pitched five innings in the Highlanders’ 1-0 victory over Fullerton in a Freeway League game Wednesday, April 12. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

    Fullerton pitcher George Papadatos went five innings in a Freeway League game against La Habra on Wednesday, April 12. Papadatos gave up one hit and two walks with three strikeouts over five innings.(Photo by Lou Ponsi)

    La Habra baseball coach Jack Brooks, right, argues with an umpire about a call during a game against Fullerton on Wednesday, April 12. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

    La Habra players run onto the field to celebrate after scoring the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to beat Fullerton 1-0 on Wednesday, April 12, in a Freeway League game. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

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    LA HABRA — The Freeway League baseball contest between Fullerton and La Habra on Wednesday featured longtime rivals from neighboring cities in a battle for first place.

    That set the stage for the drama that followed.

    The game was a pitching duel between Fullerton starter George Papadatos and La Habra starter Jared Day and the intensity shown by both teams matched the importance of the contest.

    The ending was a bit unexpected, however, as Ricardo Romero scored from third on a balk call with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to give the Highlanders a 1-0, walk-off victory at La Habra High.

    FUHS at LHHS…bottom of the 7th inning…two outs…two on… 0-0 score…and it ends like this! We will take it! @fjuhsd @LHHSbaseball20 @coachJackBrooks @LaHabraHS @LHHSAthletics1 @OCSportsZone @ocvarsity @ocvarsityguy @SteveFryer @SGVNSports @James_Escarcega pic.twitter.com/DkQC31uwm0

    — Steve Garcia (@PrincipalSteveG) April 13, 2023

    Romero came in to pinch run for Izaiah Posada, who had led off the seventh with a single.

    Romero reached second on an error, took third on a fielder’s choice and then scored on the balk.

    The Highlanders (13-2-2, 4-1) and Indians (12-6, 4-1) are now tied for first place, and they will meet again Friday at Fullerton High. The winner will keep the top spot and the loser will drop to second.

    “We’ll take it by all means,” La Habra coach Jack Brooks said. “But for these kids that competed at such a high level, it’s a little bit unfortunate.”

    Papadatos and Day were both ejected after a play at first base in the bottom of the fifth.

    Day was batting and hit a ground ball up the first base line that was fielded by first baseman Malachi Meni, who then tossed the ball to Papadatos who was covering the base.

    There appeared to be some physical contact between the two players, which prompted the ejections.

    Neither coach felt the players should have been ejected.

    “There was probably some words exchanged and some shoulder bumping,” Brooks said. “In my opinion, no harm, no foul. They are emotional kids. It’s a league championship game. I wish the umpires would give a little bit more grace.”

    Warnings had also been given to players earlier in the game because of some trash talking and heckling taking place.

    “There was no ill will I don’t think on either side,” Fullerton coach Shaun Hill said. “I don’t think either of them should have been tossed. I think it was just high intensity.”

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    Papadatos gave up one hit and two walks with three strikeouts over five innings.

    Day allowed two hits and a walk with five strikeouts over five innings.

    “It was a just a high-intensity game for a league championship,” Brooks said. “Both pitchers had thrown a heck of a game. It’s going to be a fun one for all the marbles on Friday. They are a great team. Their coach and I both have a lot of respect for each other.”

     

    ​ Orange County Register 

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