Titans Overpower Falcons to Stay Unbeaten in League

It was an offensive showcase for the Poway High baseball team on Tuesday as the Titans, ranked sixth in the county in the most recent Union Tribune poll, scored six runs in the first and the fifth innings to take the first game of three against ninth-ranked Torrey Pines, 13-7.

The Titans (19-4, 9-0) took advantage of some erratic pitching in the opening inning by Falcons starter Brian Thene, who yielded six runs off two hits and five walks in less than an inning of work.

“We came out hot and that set the tone for us throughout the rest of the game,” said Poway catcher Derek Hasenbeck, who went 1-for-2 with a home run and two walks. “When we can play our game like that, no one can beat us.”

The Falcons (18-7, 5-4) would battle back, scoring twice in the second and third innings to bring them within two at 6-4, but then came the bottom of the fifth, when the big bats came out for the Titans.

Kevin Newman started the scoring in the big inning with an RBI triple that scored Ryan Moreno. Connor Joe drove Newman home with a deep shot over the left-field wall for his fourth home run of the year. Then Hasenbeck, not to be outdone, went back-to-back with Joe for his second homer of the season. Two batters later, Ryland Herr got in on the long-ball action by going yard, the Titans' third home run of the inning. In all, Poway scored six runs on six hits, extending the lead to 13-4 and securing the victory to remain perfect in Palomar League play.

“It’s nice to win a game like this, but Torrey Pines is really tough at home,” said Poway coach Bob Parry, looking forward to the next game with the Falcons on Thursday. “I hope we’re able to play some strong ‘D’ so we don’t have to worry about scoring 13 again.”

The Titans look to close out the regular season strongly to capture their fourth straight Palomar League title and set themselves up to make a run for their third CIF championship in the last four years. They will definitely have their work cut out for them in their final six games.

Poway plays two more against the Falcons this week, then will finish up the season with a critical four-game series against Rancho Bernardo, which is also undefeated in Palomar League play and stands third in the section in the U-T rankings. 

There is no love lost between the Poway and RB baseball teams. Last year the Titans lost to their nearby rival in the CIF finals, and this year both teams are currently tied atop the league standings. The four-game series will likely determine the league crown.

“It gets me excited just thinking about it," said Joe, who was 1-for-2 with three runs scored, two walks and two RBIs. "All you can ask for is to control your own destiny in this league. We know RB wants it, but we’re going to be coming hard for it and it’s going to take a lot to stop us." 

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