Higley batters fanned 17 times in its 5A San Tan Region opener on Friday night vs. Gilbert High. That didn't mean the Knights weren 't productive at the plate. Higley scored nine runs - seven in the first two innings - in 9-1 triumph over the Tigers.

The teams entered the contest with 13-3 records. Jake Willerup and David Bull belted home runs for Higley in a five-run, first inning. Willerup's homer was a two-run shot and Bull a three-run blast off Gilbert starter AJ Fernandez. Joseph Trippi added a two-run double for Higley in the second inning making the outcome a moot point from there. Bull and Trippi collected multiple hits for Higley, each going 2 for 4. 

Higley starting pitcher Justin Chambers let his teammates do the heavy lifting at the plate. Chambers worked the first five innings and earned the victory. He allowed two hits, the lone run, walked five and struck out seven. 

Higley (14-3) took advantage of two walks and a Gilbert error in the first inning to aid the hurt inflicted by the home runs. Willerup homered to left on an 0-2 pitch and Bull, who finished with four RBI, drove the first pitch he saw over the right-centerfield fence. HIgley outhit Gilbert, 7-2. The Tigers didn't get a hit until the fourth - a leadoff single by Josh Simanton and RBI double by Mason Ulm.

Gilbert did have success on the mound in the middle innings. Junior left-hander Cooper Foster fanned 10 in 3 2/3 innings of relief. Foster fanned the side in the third-, fourth- and fifth-innings. He struck out seven in a row at one point.

Higley's next game is Monday on the road at Betty Fairfax. Gilbert's next contest is a region matchup on Tuesday at Campo Verde.

Higley pitcher Justin Chambers delivers in the Knights' 9-1 victory over Gilbert. (Azpreps365 photo)