David Willauer –Contrbuting Writer-San Marcos High School-San Marcos, CA-Tuesday, June 15, 2021-In a thrilling Open Division Upper Bracket contest, after a 2-1 game 1 defeat on a throwing error by a San Marcos pitcher in the top of the sixth scoring Ethan Lizana with the go ahead run.  

The Knights came back battling through the upper bracket consolation rounds with key victories over Sage Creek and Torrey Pines for the second time taking on the 8th seed Eastlake Titans. This game went in a  different direction with the Knights of San Marcos scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the first on back to back solo home runs by Zac Farrell and Ryan Rivera then added 3 more runs in the 3rd on 2 RBI doubles by Evan Sipe, Anthony Pacino and Blake Conrad’s RBI single and San Marcos was 5-0 adding 2 ,ore runs in the 5th and 1 in the sixth. 
Eastlake came in the top of the 3rd, cut the Knights lead to 2-1 as Nico Libed hit a sacrifice fly to San Marcos centerfield Anthony Pacino scoring Daniel Mora.
The Titans scored 1 run in the 5th on a throwing error by San Marcos leftfielder Zac Farrell and 2 in the 6th on a Balk Call on Knights relief pitcher Ryan Forcucci. Eastlake teammate Sebastian Sanchez RBI single scoring pitcher Walker Lannon as they cut the Knights lead to 8-4. 
Zack Creighton gets the win at 5.1 innings gave up 4 runs 3 earned 3 walks and 7 strikeouts for San Marcos.  Ray Cebulski is the loser for Eastlake as he pitched 4.1 innings gave up 7 hits; 3 runs 2 earned; 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. 
These 2 schools will meet again in the deciding game 3 of the CIF Open Upper Bracket Baseball Tournament on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at San Marcos High School. 
San Marcos Head Baseball Coach earlier in the season registered his 300th victory and was quoted about the CIF Upper Bracket Contest:  “We came out more aggressive today, with our bats we attacked the ball better in the 1st and 3rd innings to go up 5-0′.” My pitchers Zack Creighton, my starter, along with my reliever Ryan Forcucci did well throwing strikes we took advantages of their pitcher and hit the ball well for our team.”

Zack Creighton winning pitcher for San Marcos:  “We had our backs against the wall it was going to be a fight from the first pitch and we’ve prepared ourselves for the win.”  “When we led 5-0 after the 3rd was a huge relief for us, as Eastlake loaded the bases I wasn’t going to let my team down so I mainly used my go to pitches.”