Highlanders advance to second round
Will Parker knocked in the go-ahead run as the Piedmont High School baseball team rallied for a 7-6 win over visiting Archie Williams in a North Coast Section Division 3 playoff game on May 20.
The second-seeded Highlanders advance to host No. 10 Northgate on May 23 in the second round at 5 p.m.
The Peregrine Falcons jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first two innings. George Bishop came on in relief of starter Will Ferreira with two outs in the second, allowed an inherited runner to score, and then shut things down, giving the Piedmont offense a chance to fight back.
“I was just trying to throw strikes, hit bats, get ground balls and just get out of the inning first of all and do whatever I can after that,” Bishop said.
Archie Williams got four runs in the first inning, with a two-run homer from Solly Ojalvo keying the inning. August Block and Ario Murray each had RBI-doubles as well.
Henry Hanavan singled in a run in the second to chase Ferreira. Maury greeted Bishop with a run-scoring single, but Bishop recovered to strikeout Miki Accomazzo to get out of the inning.
The Highlanders began working their way back in the bottom of the second when Jonah Cha-Foster singled in a run. Bishop got the first two in the third but then loaded the bases on a hit-by-pitch, single and walk. He struck out Block to get out of the jam.
Bishop said he feels less pressure when the bases are loaded.
“When it’s first and second, they have an opportunity to run and steal,” he said. “When it’s bases loaded, I can just do my own thing, I don’t have to worry about any of the baserunners, so then I feel free to pitch how I want to.”
Piedmont loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the inning but only got one run against Leo Hendricks, who walked in a run, but ended up striking out the side with Brandon Dicke, Mike Marton and Jack Meyjes all caught looking.
Again, the Peregrine Falcons had a chance for a crooked number in the fourth with a single and an error setting up first and second with nobody out. Acconmazzo then singled to center but Markos Lagios sent a perfect throw into Parker at catcher to cut down Hanavan trying to score. Then, Ojalvo lined out to right fielder Shafer Dando who caught Maury who had come off the bag at second too far.
Piedmont’s Diego Delventhal gets some air as he makes a throw from shortstop during the Highlanders win over Archie Williams in the NCS Division 3 baseball playoffs at Humphries Field. 
Piedmont’s Jonah Cha-Foster tosses his bat after drawing a walk in the Highlanders 7-6 win over Archie Williams in the NCS playoffs on May 20. Piedmont next hosts Northgate on May 23.
“There was so much credit to the defense,” Bishop said. “Everyone on the defense was playing so well. I’m really grateful to have them.”
Lagios, who broke a finger in his left (glove) hand a couple of weeks ago, was confident he could make the play.
“I knew it was do or die,” he said. “I just had to get it out as fast as I could. Will made a nice one-hop catch to tag him.
“I knew they’re going to send him, and I knew I had to make the throw. I saw him rounding third and I was already in my throwing motion and I was like, ‘It’s over.’”
The Highlanders loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth. This time Cha-Foster and Diego Delventhal scored on the same wild pitch by Josh Bluer. Brandon Dicke then doubled in a run and suddenly it was 6-5.
In the bottom of the fifth against Logan Burke, Meyjes walked and stole second. With one out, Delventhal singled him in to tie the game. Delventhal then stole second and went to third on a ground out. Parker lined a ball to the netting in right field for a single to put Piedmont on top.
“I knew that was in,” Parker said. “Right now, I feel I can hit anyone. I had a 10-game hit streak going into the last game. It ended, but still the longest hit-streak that I’ve ever had.
“He threw me a curve ball right there, but I reacted to it inside. I was able to get my hands inside. I don’t think I hit it that hard but I knew it was enough to hit off that net. I’m glad I could get the job done.”
Highlanders coach Eric Olson said he nominated Parker for West Alameda County Conference Foothill division Most Valuable Player at the postseason coaches meeting.
Piedmont’s Markos Lagios watches his throw from center field cut down Henry Hanavan of Archie Williams at home plate in the fourth inning of the Highlanders 7-6 victory. 
Piedmont’s Will Parker watches his game-winning single hit off the netting in right field in the fifth inning of the Highlanders 7-6 win over Archie Williams in the NCS playoffs on May 20.
“I think he was almost .600 in league,” Olson said. “He has been absolutely amazing, two-three hits a game and leading our pitching staff. I can’t say enough about Will, he has really stepped up for us especially against the good competition.”
Delventhal briefly warmed up in the bullpen, but Olson ended up letting Bishop finish it off. He did, saving the rest of the pitching staff for the second round.
Ferreira finished 1 2/3 innings, allowing all six runs on six hits. He struck out three and walked one. Bishop went 5 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk.
“George came in and kept it there and gave us a chance to chip away, chip away, chip away,” Olson said. “I think Will can come back. I’ve got to check his pitch count. Jack (Meyjes) is ready for Friday, Diego is ready for Friday. Obviously George is burnt, but he has certainly earned a week off. He did great.”
Delventhal finished 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Parker was 2-for-3 with the RBI. Hanavan was 3-for-4 for Archie Williams with an RBI. Maury was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Ojalvo was 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.