Templeton pitcher Brodan Willison shuts down Mission Prep’s resurgent offense

This season, Mission Prep’s offense has been hitting better than in years past, but don’t tell that to Templeton pitcher Brodan Willison.

The burly junior struck out eight batters in a complete game to lead Templeton to a 3-1 win over Mission Prep in the opening game of the San Luis Obispo Spring Baseball Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at Mission Prep.

“He had to be very sharp for us to get it done, and he was,” Templeton coach Pete Kotheimer said.

Staring down Mission Prep hitters through tinted glasses, Willison mixed speeds well and used a three-pitch repertoire to limit Mission Prep (4-5, 1-2 PAC 8) to just five hits.

“He really keeps guys off balance,” Kotheimer said. “He’s still working on disguising his pitches better, but against most high school hitters, it’s going to work.”

Templeton catcher Jarred Briltz helped Willison navigate the Royals lineup, and the sophomore also provided some pop at the plate.

Briltz’s two-run home run into the left-field trees in the top of the fifth inning gave Templeton (7-4, 5-3 Los Padres League) enough cushion for the win. It was Templeton’s first home run of the season. Briltz finished the game 2 for 3.

“He’s been hitting the ball very hard all year,” Kotheimer said. “We keep telling him, ‘line-drive approach,’ and once in a while that will happen.

“We missed a lot of scoring opportunities, so (the home run) turned out to be the difference.”

After Briltz’s home run, Willison returned to the mound to strike out the side with a few devastating curveballs.

“My curveball felt really good off the break,” Willison said. “(Briltz) called great pitches. I enjoyed every bit of it.”

At times, Willison struggled with command — hitting three Royals batters —but his performance Wednesday solidified his position as the No. 2 starter behind Templeton ace and Gonzaga commit Mac Lardner.

Coming into the game, Willison (3-0) had more strikeouts per inning than Lardner. Willison’s season stat line now stands at: 2.25 ERA, 31 strikeouts and two complete games. The potential problem for Templeton: Who’s next?

Sophomore Noah Bullard and freshman Macer Lardner have seen time on the mound, but Kotheimer said the following games of the tournament will be used to find out who’s ready to step in on a more permanent basis.

Templeton played Downey right after Mission Prep and plays again at 11:30 a.m. Thursday against Grace Brethren at SLO High. Mission Prep plays Downey on Thursday at Sinsheimer Stadium at the same time.

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 6:33 PM with the headline "Templeton pitcher Brodan Willison shuts down Mission Prep’s resurgent offense."