ANTIOCH, Calif. — Josh Eagle is no longer simply an inspirational story. His prep legend continues to rise around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Josh Eagle currently ranks second in nation in wins (13).
File photo by Sal Curiel
The Deer Valley (Antioch) senior not only recorded his California-leading 13th victory of the season on Wednesday, but he also came in relief to save the day in the same 6-4 CIF North Coast Section Division I first-round home victory over Granada (Livermore).
Eagle (13-1) pitched four hitless innings before Deer Valley coach Dennis Luquet – hoping to save his ace for Saturday’s quarterfinal showdown against top seed Amador Valley – lifted him with a comfortable 6-0 lead.
But when Granada freshman Ryan Kirby blasted his fifth homer of the season, a three-run blast in the seventh, and Ino Patron followed with a double, Luquet signaled the return of Eagle, who had been playing first base.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-hander promptly whiffed clean-up batter Dan Carney – his fifth strikeout – to end it.
By definition, with the tying run at the plate, he earned the save, but according to the rule book, a player can not officially win and save the same game.
“I never started, came out and ended a game before,” said Eagle, who is eligible to throw 5 2/3 innings Saturday against Amador Valley. “I felt a lot better at the end than the start. I felt out of sorts the first four innings.”
Said Luquet: “You stick around the game long enough you see something new. It’s obviously not how we planned it, but I’m glad we had him there to pull us through.
“The kid’s story just gets better and better.”
Better than ever
His challenging childhood has been well documented and told at MaxPreps last May at the completion of a stellar junior year, when he went 10-3 with a 1.49 ERA. Impressive and inspirational indeed, considering he underwent several painstaking surgeries to correct a condition similar to clubfoot.
But Eagle has been even better this season, and last week he was selected as the Bay Valley Athletic League Most Valuable Player.
He lowered his ERA to a scant 0.81 after Wednesday’s win and has struck out 128 (30 walks) in 87 1/3 innings.
Luquet, who was skeptical early that Eagle could compete at the varsity level because of perceived limited mobility, has now watched him become the most accomplished pitcher in school history.
Considering he’s had two pitchers drafted straight out of high school – Daniel Denham and Matt Baugh – that’s saying something.
Eagle’s career numbers so far: 27-6, 235 1/3 innings, 287 strikeouts, 75 walks, 53 earned runs. 165 hits allowed.
Eagle entered Wednesday tied with four other California pitchers with 12 wins apiece, according to MaxPreps. He is now tied for second nationally with 13 victories.
Not bad for a kid pegged “Frankenstein foot” by cruel kids as a youngster and who was recently called “Clubfoot” by a local rival. That reference, Eagle said, only fueled his fire. He proceeded to strike out 12 in a four-hitter against the playoff team.
“It was a little surprising (to hear the reference) but it only made me more determined,” Eagle said.
Dual support
Asked about his improved numbers, Eagle said: “I suppose I got better but we’ve gotten better. We have great seniors but we have some really great younger talent too.”
Eagle recorded win and save in same game on Wednesday.
File photo by Sal Curiel
He’s definitely got a lot of support, not only emotionally. The Wolverines have averaged more than eight runs per game in his 13 wins and they jumped on Granada ace John Love (8-3) for four in the first inning on Wednesday.
A two-run single by Joshua Manci and a run-scoring single from Ryan Kasprack keyed the rally. After a sacrifice fly from Thomas Riley in the second, Kasprack doubled in the fourth and pinch-runner Tyler Vistalli eventually scored on a wild pitch, making it 6-0.
“You can pitch much more relaxed with that kind of lead,” said Eagle. “You don’t have to worry about being so fine with every pitch.”
But when Granada, which didn’t get its first hit until the sixth, battled back, Eagle had to put out the fire. And he did it with some old fashioned steam to go along with a nasty slider.
“The kid has a lot of command, a lot of poise and he has a live arm,” Granada coach Corrigan Willis said.
Said Eagle about his return to the mound. “When (Kirby) hit the home run I had a feeling I might go back in. When coach pointed to me, I just said to myself, ‘Here I go.’ “
And there Granada went.
