Johnson hurls no-hitter

Fallbrook High School sophomore Chase Johnson threw a no-hitter against El Camino during the Warriors’ 5-0 win April 10 at Fallbrook.

Johnson walked three Wildcats and hit one batter. An additional Wildcat batter was safe on an error.

“Just a tremendous performance from a young player who really rose to the occasion,” said Fallbrook coach Jesse Schuveiller. “He did a fantastic job for us.”

The Warriors recorded nine hits; Sam Murphy was the only player with more than one. Murphy also drove in two runs during the game. The designated hitter was used for Johnson, so he did not add any hitting feats to his no-hitter.

Johnson only struck out one Wildcat batter. “He let them hit the ball,” Schuveiller said. “Defensively we were very solid that game.

Fallbrook erased three of the five Wildcat runners on double plays, including a game-ending unassisted double play by Sonny Hughey. “Chase had a tremendous defense working for him,” Schuveiller said.

Johnson had been a spot starter before earning a position in the Warriors’ pitching rotation. “We gave him a spot start and every time we’ve asked him to step up, he definitely has,” Schuveiller said.

Johnson plays right field and center field when he isn’t pitching. He had earned a position in the rotation prior to the no-hitter, although specific games are still to be determined.

Prior to Johnson’s no-hitter, he had appeared in relief against Valley Center. He threw five scoreless innings against the Jaguars, so the no-hitter brought his shutout streak to 12 innings.

Johnson did not receive a decision in the Valley Center game. The no-hitter improved his season record to 2-1 while the win gave Fallbrook a 1-1 Avocado League record and a 6-10 overall mark.