ROUNDUP: Cougar momentum, Sultan flair, Eagles claw

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

 

By Adam Paul

EastCountySports.com

 

GROSSMONT HILLS LEAGUE

STEELE CANYON 20, WEST HILLS 16 – Instead of a softball game, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride broke out as multiple lead changes occurred and momentum went back and forth, and in the end when the dust settled the Cougars came out on top in the contest in the craziness known as the Grossmont Hills League.

Steele Canyon got things started in the top of the first when AUDREY BAGGE (2-3, 4 RBI, 5 R, 2 HR) was hit by Wolf Pack pitcher RYLEIGH DOBYNS, a couple of batters later with one down JJ VENZOR (1-6, R) hit a ball to short and reached on an error, Bagge advanced to second, MAKAYLA STROMENGER (1-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B) was hit by a pitch to load the bases, the next batter MAKAYLA MCCARTHY (3-3, 3 RBI, 2 R, HR, 2B) hit a fly ball to left field for the second out and Bagge tagged up to score making it 1-0, MASEN PEARLSTEIN came into run for Stromenger.

Pearlstein proceeded to steal second and on the throw to second Venzor came home to make it 2-0.

The Wolf Pack in the bottom of the second inning looked to put something together and sure enough they did as SIERRA SCHLICHTING (2-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, 3B) smacked a ball to right field and she raced around the bases all the way to third for the triple.

A couple of batters later, Dobyns was able to drive in Schlichting on a sacrifice fly to right field cutting the lead 2-1.

Both teams shut each other out in the second inning and in the top of the third Bagge led off by bombing a shot over opposite field fence in right field to put the Cougars up 3-1.

GENTRY HOFFMAN (2-4, 3 RBI, R, 2B) followed with a single, but would be put out on a fielder’s choice by Stromenger a couple of batters later, McCarthy ripped a single to center advancing Stromenger to second, MARIANNA MARTINEZ (1-4, 3 R, RBI) would drive in Stromenger on a single to center pushing the lead to 4-1. ELIZABETH BOTT (2-2, 3 R, RBI) came into run for McCarthy, EMMA DODSON (2-5, 3 R, 3 RBI) hits a single which scores Bott and advances Martinez to third base.

ELIZABETH BOTT (2-2, 3 R, RBI) came into run for McCarthy, EMMA DODSON (2-5, 3 R, 3 RBI) hit a single which scores Bott and advances Martinez to third base.

Coach MIKE APPLEBAUM for West Hills decided to bring in CARLY BURSCH who would get two strikes on MACKENSIE PEARLSTEIN, Dodson advanced to second, Pearlstein hit a ground ball to short which was misplayed allowing Martinez to score making it 7-1.

Despite trailing, the Wolf Pack knew they could score runs and get back into the ball game. Leading off for them in the bottom of the third inning MELISSA CASTILLO who singled, Schlichting would knock her in to make it 7-2, a couple of batters later with two outs, Guay came up and hit the ball hard to center for a single which allowed Schlichting to score to cut into the lead 7-3.

Leading off for them in the bottom of the third inning was MELISSA CASTILLO, who singled, Schlichting would knock her in to make it 7-2, a couple of batters later with two outs, Guay came up and hit the ball hard to center for a single which allowed Schlichting to score to cut into the lead 7-3.

For the Cougars in the top of the fourth, both Bagge and Hoffman would walk, Venzor singled to load the bases, Stromenger was able to draw the bases loaded walk scoring Bagge making 8-3, and McCarthy hit a sacrifice fly to left in which Hoffman scored extending the lead 9-3.

Again still trailing the Wolf Pack cut into the lead in the bottom of the fourth, ASHLIEGH HARTWIG (2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR) walked, she would be out on a fielder’s choice by ALYSSA BUBAR(1-5, 2 R), SAVANNAH HENDERSON (2-5, R, 3 RBI, HR) followed with a lined single, however an error by the right fielder allowed Bubar to advance to third, MAKAYLA CRISTINI (RUN) knocked in Bubar on a ground ball to make it 9-4, Castillo came up and rocketed a ball to right field for a triple that scored Cristini making it 9-5. Next up, Schlichting was able to reach on an error by Venzor which allowed Castillo to score cutting the lead to 9-6, that would be all they would get but the Pack stormed back to get into it.

Next up, Schlichting was able to reach on an error by Venzor which allowed Castillo to score cutting the lead to 9-6, that would be all they would get but the Pack stormed back to get into it.

After keeping the Cougars scoreless in the top of the fifth the Wolf Pack had some momentum. Things started

Things started good for them as Guay led off with a single, Hartwig singled but Guay would be out at second on an interesting call, Bubar singled, advancing Hartwig to second, next up was Henderson who on an 0-2 count took the offering and absolutely crushed it over the center field fence for the 3-run homer to tie the game at 9-9.  Now with the score tied the momentum shifted to the Pack,

Now with the score tied the momentum shifted to the Pack, Cristini followed by flying out for the second out of the inning, Castillo singled on a ball hit to short, Schlichting is hit by a pitch, HALEY VALLES drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. Up next for West Hills, Dobyns who on

Up next for West Hills, Dobyns who on an 0-1 count laced a single to left field that scored both Castillo and Schlichting to give the Wolf Pack the lead for the first time at 11-9, Guay followed with a single which scored Valles pushing it to 12-9, and the big blow came when Hartwig blasted a 3-run homer to push the lead to 15-9.

Even though the momentum shifted to West Hills, trailing was nothing new to the Cougars as they were the cardiac kids from last year as they had on multiple occasions came back trailing by big and small deficits.

Steele Canyon in the top of the top of the sixth now trailing by six runs didn’t panic. With one out, Stromenger roped a double to left field, McCarthy followed with a double on a fly ball to center and

With one out, Stromenger roped a double to left field, McCarthy followed with a double on a fly ball to center and Stromenger was held at third, Martinez walked to load the bases, Dodson singled scoring Stromenger, also McCarthy would score as well cutting into the lead to 15-11, Bott followed with a single to again load the bases, SAMANTHA MILLER drove in Martinez on a sacrifice fly making it 15-12, Hoffman a couple of batters later would smash a double that scored both Dodson and Bott, Bagge who had walked would score on the throw in. The Cougars now tied the game at 15-15.

The Cougars now tied the game at 15-15.

West Hills again would regain the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Valles singled in Castillo to give them a 16-15 lead.

The lead didn’t last as McCarthy in the top of the seventh tied it up 16-16 with a solo jack over the right field fence. Next batter, Martinez reached on an error, Dodson followed with a single advancing Martinez to second. The Cougars once again would regain the lead when Bott singled to center and Martinez scored on the throw making it 17-16, Miller

The next batter, Martinez, reached on an error, Dodson followed with a single advancing Martinez to second. The Cougars once again would regain the lead when Bott singled to center and Martinez scored on the throw making it 17-16, Miller

The Cougars once again would regain the lead when Bott singled to center and Martinez scored on the throw making it 17-16, Miller flied out for the second out and both the runners tagged up and advanced. Looking to add more, Bagge came to the plate and did just that on the 3-2 count she took the offering and blasted a 3-run homer deep over the center field fence extending the lead to 20-16. The Pack got out of the inning but not before the damage had been done.

Looking to add more, Bagge came to the plate and did just that on the 3-2 count she took the offering and blasted a 3-run homer deep over the center field fence extending the lead to 20-16. The Pack got out of the inning but not before the damage had been done.

The Pack got out of the inning but not before the damage had been done.

Now trailing again, West Hills was hoping there would be some magic left.

However, Miller who had come into the contest had other ideas.

Despite walking the leadoff hitter Guay, STAR GAYLORD came into run, Miller would get Hartwig to popup for the first out, Bubar grounded to short for the second out which advanced Gaylord to second, so with two outs up came Henderson looking to try and extend the inning but unfortunately she grounded out for the final out of the contest.

“I was just looking for something to hit and do something with it and it was a good offering and I just hit it.” Said Bagge when asked about the 3-run home run in the top of the seventh after the game.

 

SANTANA 1, GROSSMONT 0 (11 innings) – An old fashioned pitcher’s duel ruled the affair until a couple of innings into extra frames.

Both teams would have multiple opportunities to score throughout the game but each time each team would be denied.

It started with the Sultans in the top of the first as MACKENZIE BENNETT (3-5, R, RBI, HR) singled with one out, ERICA REID came into run, KRYSTEN SERVICE walked advancing Reid to second, but the Foothillers would get out of the threat as starting pitcher SAMARIA ROOPE was able to retire the next two batters.

CHLOE CAMARERO led things off for the Foothillers in the bottom of the first by walking, DESTINY BACON lined a shot to third where it was caught by RACHEL WILSON who threw it to first to get Camarero for the double play.

Again another opportunity for the Sultans in the top of the second when both ASHLEY MADRIGAL and NICOLE MADRIGAL singled giving the Sultans runners at first and second. The next batter SHELBY HOLMQUIST would

The next batter SHELBY HOLMQUIST would pop up for the first out, SYDNEY BENJAMIN roped a single to center which loaded the bases, MADISON MENDEZ came up to the plate and hit a high fly ball to center which was caught by TAYLOR BAEZ who then rifled the ball home which was in time to get Madrigal out as she tried scoring on the tag for the double play.

Both pitchers would shut down the other’s offense until the Foothillers had a shot to win the game in the bottom of the seventh as they were able to get multiple runners on. However, Mendez was able to get out of the jam and send the game into bonus ball.

Both the Sultans and Foothillers would be denied in the eighth inning. After getting out of the top of the ninth, Grossmont put together a threat in the bottom of the inning to try and win the game.

After getting out of the top of the ninth, Grossmont put together a threat in the bottom of the inning to try and win the game.

Leading off for the Hillers in the bottom of the ninth, ALEXIS COLLINS (3-5) hit a line drive to right that went for a double, so with the potential game-winning runner on second the Foothillers were in business.

The next batter, KATIE APPENZELLER sacrificed Collins to third, however Mendez had other ideas as she was able to get AMBER ALLMAN to pop up to her for the second out of the inning, and Camarero would hit a grounder back to her as well to end the inning and the threat.

Santana went down in order 1-2-3 in the top of the tenth inning as well as the Foothillers did in the bottom half of the tenth inning.

With the top of the lineup coming up for the Sultans in the top of the eleventh they had the batters they wanted to try and give them something.

Leading off was Mendez, on a 1-0 count, Roope would get her to groundout to Bacon at short for the first out.

Up next stepped Bennett who was 2-for-4 already.

On the very first offering by Roope, Bennett made contact and absolutely hammered a high fly ball deep over the center field fence for the mack jack solo shot giving the Sultans the 1-0 lead and bringing the Sultan faithful to their feet.

There was no doubt about the shot as it was gone right off the bat as it cleared the fence by about 20 feet, as was told by spectators at the game.

So now trailing by a run, the Foothillers needed to do something to keep the game going and they had the capability to do it.

For Grossmont in the bottom of the eleventh, Roope led off but Mendez was able to get her to ground out to third where Wilson threw it to first for the first out, the next batter JESSICA WILSON hit a grounder but to Holmquist who stepped on the bag for the second out of the inning, so with two outs Collins came up and kept the inning alive as she laced a single to left field, JORDAN BROWN came into run for Wilson.

Next up for Grossmont was Appenzeller, she took the Mendez offering and hit a fly ball to left field where Madrigal would get under it and squeeze it for the final out of the ball game.

For the Hillers in the loss, Roope tossed 11 innings giving up 1 run on 7 hits, walked 3 and fanned 7.

Her counterpart for the Sultans, Mendez went all 11 innings, giving up 0 runs on 5 hits, walked 6 and fanned 7.

 

GRANITE HILLS 5, VALHALLA 1 – The Eagles despite the five errors were able to do enough offensively to get the opening day Grossmont Hills League contest.

The Eagles in the top of the first scratched across a couple of runs to lead 2-0 thanks to a one-out walk by BAILEY WALLACE (2-2, 2 RBI), CASSIDY SHEW is hit by a pitch, HALEY JOHNSON (2-3, 2B) walks to load the bases, MORGAN KELLY (RUN) into run, Wallace is forced out at the plate on the fielder’s choice by KAYLA MACK, STACI CHAMBERS (RBI) walks which scores Shew, KAREN CREECH draws a walk to score Kelly.

Valhalla had an opportunity in the bottom of the first to get on the board as RACHEL SHELSTROM (3-3) singled with one down, and would advance to second on the ground ball by KENNEDY LABSHERE, VICTORIA VILLEGAS would reach on an error but Shelstrom would be thrown out at home trying to score from third.

Coming into the game to take over the pitching for Valhalla, DELANEY STETTLER. She would hold the Eagles offense in check until they were able to score a run in the top of the fourth inning.

The Eagles in the top of the fourth broke through and added a run with two outs, HALLE KYLER (1-4, 2 R, 2B) roped a double, Wallace drove her in with a hard shot to center to make it 3-0.

Another opportunity arose for Valhalla in the bottom of the fourth when Shelstrom led off with a single, Labshere struck out looking but Johnson dropped the ball allowing Shelstrom to advance to second.

Unfortunately, she would be stranded as the next two batters would be retired.

Granite extended their lead in the top of the sixth inning when they were able to push across a couple more runs to lead 5-0.

The Norsemen in the bottom of the sixth inning were able to get on the board.

With one out JADE HILL (RUN) reached on an error by Kyler, Shelstrom hit a hard shot single, Labshere hits another hard ball to Kyler and was able to reach on an error which allowed Hill to score to make it 5-1. On the play, Shelstrom was thrown out at second base for the second out.

Chambers would get out of the inning without any further damage done.

Again the Norsemen had an opportunity to score in the bottom of the seventh as KELLY OLSON (1-3) reached on a bunt single, the next two batters were retired, so with two outs up stepped SAMMY GREEN, who hit the ball hard but it was misplayed by Chambers allowing her to reach and for Olson to reach third safely.

However the next batter SARAH BOTTE would be retired for the final out of the game.

For the Eagles, Chambers tossed 7 innings for the win, giving up 1 run on 4 hits and striking out 8 on the day.

For Valhalla, LILY METSCH went 2/3 of an inning in the loss, giving up 2 runs of which both were earned on 0 hits and walked 4, Stettler came in and tossed 6 1/3 of relief, giving up 3 runs of which 1 was earned on 6 hits and walked 1.

 

GROSSMONT VALLEY LEAGUE

 

EL CAPITAN 19, MOUNT MIGUEL 3 – Three pitchers on the day for the Vaqueros combine for the no-hitter and the bats came alive for El Cap in the Grossmont Valley League home victory.

The Vaqueros in the bottom of the first pretty much put the game away with their eight runs that they scored to lead 8-0.

KIM GARCIA hit a fly ball to right which was misplayed allowing ALLYSON VON YOKES (1-4, 2 R)  to score who had singled earlier, ALEXA WILLIAMS (2-3, R, 2 RBI) singled which scored HANNAH HARVEY (2-4, 4 RBI, 2 R) who had reached on a bunt single earlier, HANNAH DAVIS (RUN) into run for Williams, BAILEY OLAVESON (3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2B) ripped a double scoring Davis to make it 4-0, SAVANNAH MINSHEW (2-4, R, 3 RBI) reached on an error and Olaveson scored, KATELYN COLLIER (3-3, 3 R) scored on a passed ball, Minshew also scored and OLIVIA MARTINEZ (3 R, 2 RBI) would score as well.

The Vaqueros would score four more in the bottom of the second to extend their lead to 12-0. For the Vaqueros, Williams who led off with a single would score, Olaveson would score, Collier would score and Martinez scored rounding out the inning.

For the Vaqueros, Williams who led off with a single would score, Olaveson would score, Collier would score and Martinez scored rounding out the inning.

Starting for the Vaqueros, ELENA LADDON who for the first three innings shut down the Matadors while striking out 4.

In the bottom of the third, El Capitan did more damage as they scored six more runs to make it 18-0.  Von Yokes scored, GRACE BURKETT (2-2, RBI, R) singled in Collier, Olaveson scored, Martinez would score on a Harvey

Von Yokes scored, GRACE BURKETT (2-2, RBI, R) singled in Collier, Olaveson scored, Martinez would score on a Harvey fielder’s choice, Burkett scored on a Garcia smashed single to center, Olaveson came back up and singled which scored Harvey.

Mount Miguel finally got a run in the top of the fourth to make it 18-1. The Vaqueros answered that run with one of their own to make the score 19-1.

Olaveson came into relief Laddon, she pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up 0 hits, 3 runs which were all earned and walked 7 Matadors, AMANDA VASQUEZ (1-1, RBI) pitched 1/3 of an inning getting the final out to claim the combined no-hitter.

 

JAGUAR CLASSIC

RAMONA 5, CHRISTIAN 0 – The Bulldogs would take advantage of opportunities in the latter part of the Jaguar Classic contest to shut out the Patriots.

Both teams would shut each other down for the first three innings as each team was held hitless.

It wouldn’t be until the bottom of the fourth inning when Ramona would break through against ASHLEY CARTER of the Patriots. Multiple hits would lead to four runs for the Bulldogs to give them a 4-0 lead.

Ramona would tack on another run in the bottom of the fifth inning to round out their scoring.

The lone bright spot for the Patriots was AUDREY SHEBLOSKI ,who went 2-2 on the day which were the only two hits given up by Ramona.

Carter would take the loss for the Patriots as she went 6 innings, giving up 5 runs of which 4 were earned on 7 hits, walked 1 and fanned 3 on the day.

 

PATRICK HENRY 9, FALLBROOK 6 – A late rally by the Patriots allows them to claim the Jaguar Classic home contest against the Warriors in extra frames.

Patrick Henry would score first in the bottom of the second inning as SAVANNAH CHAPMAN (1-4, R, 3 RBI, 2B) led off by being hit by a pitch, LAUREN NETT (2-5, R) reached on an error, a couple of batters later with one out LILI PENA walked and HANNAH MCEWEN (2-4, 2 R, RBI, 3 SB) drew the bases loaded walk to score Chapman to make it 1-0.

The Warriors would tie the game in the top of the fourth with a run that came courtesy of a single and a double.

However the Patriots retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth when leadoff hitter McEwen singled, stole second base and scored on the single by CRISTIONA CACCAMISE (1-4, 3 R, RBI) to make it 2-1, she would later score on the single by MADISON JAMES (3-6, 3 RBI) to extend the lead to 3-1.

However, in the top of the sixth, the Warriors were able to garner multiple hits which would lead to five runs and them retaking the lead by a score of 6-3. Patrick Henry in the bottom of the sixth cut into the lead as LAILA SPRACKLEN (1-3, 3 RBI, 3B) roped a triple that scored both ANDREA WRIGHT (1-2, R), who had walked and also Nett who singled. Now with the two runs, the Patriots trailed 6-5.

They tied the game an inning later in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by James that scored Caccamise.

So with the game tied heading into the bottom of the bottom of the ninth, Patrick Henry looked to put the game away.

Leadoff hitter McEwen did her thing as she singled, stole second base, moved to third on the single by CASSIE VAN TIL (1-3, R, 2 SB) who also stole second base, Caccamise drew a walk to load the bases which out the Patriots in business.  However, the next two batters would unfortunately be retired and with two outs up came Chapman.  The count would go full 3-2 before the next offering where Chapman would take the offering and crush it for a bases clearing double to end the game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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