ROUNDUP: Wolf Pack claim Mayor’s Cup; Cougars roll

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

 

By Adam Paul

EastCountySports.com

 

Grossmont Hills League

WEST HILLS 5, SANTANA 3 – Late-inning runs by the Wolf Pack led to the knockout punch as they claimed the Mayor’s Cup game against the crosstown rival.

After shutting out the Wolf Pack in the top of the first inning, the Sultans looked to set the tone early in the bottom of the first.

The Sultans would strike first as MADISON MENDEZ (1-4, R, RBI, HR) led off by cranking a 2-0 offering high and deep over the center field fence to give the Sultans the early 1-0 lead.

West Hills went down in order in the top of the second inning.

Santana would threaten in the bottom of the second inning as CASSIDY MATTHIE (1-2, RBI) led off with a walk, ASHLEY MADRIGAL sacrificed her to second, SHELBY HOLMQUIST (1-2) laced a single to center in which the ball would be thrown home and she would be thrown out at second trying to advance, the next batter would be retired to end the threat.

The Wolf Pack threatened in the top of the third with two outs as SIERRA SCHLICHTING (1-2, 3 RBI, 2B) would be hit by a pitch, MELISSA CASTILLO (3-4, RBI) followed with a single. Now with runners on first and third and two outs, up stepped

Now with runners on first and third and two outs, up stepped RYLEIGH DOBYNS (1-4), the first offering by Mendez was swung and missed, Castillo advanced to second. The next couple of pitches were called balls and the pitch after was called a strike for a full count 3-2, the very next pitch was swung on and missed for the third out and ended the threat.

Pitching for the Pack, CARLY BURSCH, who was going toe to toe with Mendez, got into a little jam in the bottom of the third after she had quickly gotten two outs.

Up for the Sultans was MACKENZIE BENNETT (1-3, R) who was able to draw a walk, NICOLE MADRIGAL (1-1, R, RBI, HR) came into run for Bennett, the next batter KRYSTEN SERVICE (1-3) on an 0-1 count hit a shot to center field in which Madrigal advanced to third, so with two down and runners at the corners up came RACHEL WILSON (1-3) looking to drive in Madrigal. It wasn’t meant to be as Bursch was able to set Wilson down on a called strike three looking to end the threat and the inning.

It wasn’t meant to be as Bursch was able to set Wilson down on a called strike three looking to end the threat and the inning.

Again in the top of the fourth, Mendez was able to retire the Pack in order 1-2-3 including a strikeout. Like Mendez in the top half, Bursch matched her 1-2-3 which included the first two outs coming via punch out.

Heading to the top of the fifth the Wolf Pack were looking to get anything against Mendez as she had pretty much shut them down for the first four innings.

Things didn’t look good for them in the inning as SAVANNAH HENDERSON (RUN) and MIKAYLA CRISTINI (1-3, R, RBI) would be retired for the first two outs.

So up stepped HAYLEY VALLES (1-3, R) who looked to keep things going, she was able to do so as she hit a groundball to second in which she sped down the line for the hit.

Next up was Schlichting who on 2-0 count again was hit by a pitch to give the Pack runners at first and second and a life line.

Again with two outs, up came Castillo looking to keep it going and that she did as she smashed a lined shot to center that went over the head of Matthie and went all the way to the fence which allowed Valles to score to knot the game at 1-1. Mendez would retire Dobyns on a grounder hit to Wilson at third to end the inning.

West Hills was in business and brought the momentum to them as they finally pushed a run across.  Bursch would take advantage of this and retire the Sultans in order in the bottom of the fifth inning.

With momentum on their side, the Pack looked to get something going and break the tie.

Leading things off for West Hills in the top of the sixth, ALEX GUAY (1-3) who grounded out in her previous at bat.

This time around however on an 2-0 count she took the Mendez offering and ripped a line drive to left for a single, STAR GAYLORD came into run, the next batter ASHLEIGH HARTWIG (RUN) would hit a ground ball to Wilson at third who was able to get Gaylord at second for the fielders choice, with Hartwig on first up came ALYSSA BUBAR, who hit a blooper to left just out of the reach of SYDNEY BENJAMIN and when the ball landed it took a weird spin and both runners would be safe.

The next batter Henderson would be hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs, up next was Cristini who would hit a ball to short which would score Hartwig to give the Pack a 2-1.

Valles would strike out for the second out of the inning but the Pack added more as Schlichting smoked a shot to center that went for a double that cleared the bases extending the lead to 5-1.

Santana had a couple more opportunities to do something and in the crazy Hills League no lead is safe.

Leading things off for Santana in the bottom of the sixth, Bennett roped a line drive single to left, Service hit a lined shot to short where a nice catch was made for the first out of the inning. For the Sultans, Wilson came up and hit a single to right field giving Santana runners at first and second with one out,

For the Sultans, Wilson came up and hit a single to right field giving Santana runners at first and second with one out, Matthie followed with a single to left that scored Bennett to make it 5-2. Unfortunately, that would be all the Sultans would garner as Bursch was able to get out of the jam by retiring both Madrigal and Holmquist striking out.

Unfortunately, that would be all the Sultans would garner as Bursch was able to get out of the jam by retiring both Madrigal and Holmquist striking out.

West Hills looked like they were really going to break the score open in the top of the seventh when Dobyns singled, Guay walked, and Hartwig was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Gaylord came into run for Guay. The Pack had the Sultans back to the wall with the bases full and no outs but Mendez dug deep and was able to get Bubar to strike out.

The Pack had the Sultans back to the wall with the bases full and no outs but Mendez dug deep and was able to get Bubar to strike out.

However, the Sultans were not out of the woods yet with Henderson coming to the plate. Mendez was able to get an 0-2 count, the next pitch was called a ball. So with the count 1-2, Mendez threw the next pitch in which Henderson grounded into a double play to end the threat and inning.

Still trailing 5-2, the Sultans had one more chance to either tie and send it to extras or win the game.

Bursch was able to retire the first batter LAKAILA AQUININQOC. With one out, Nicole Madrigal came into bat for Reid, she was able to work the count to 2-2 and on the very next pitch by Bursch she was able to get a hold of it and hit high and over the left field fence for her first ever varsity home run.

The homer brought the Sultans within 5-3.

Santana now had the top of the lineup coming to bat but Bursch was able to get Mendez to fly out to first for the second out and the very next batter Bennett hit a grounder to Schlichting at short where she fielded it and threw to first for the third and final out of the game.

Taking the loss for the Sultans, Mendez went 7 innings, giving up 5 runs of which 1 was earned on 8 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6.

For the Wolf Pack in the victory, Bursch went 7 innings, giving up 3 runs of which 2 were earned on 8 hits while walking 2 and fanning 6.

“It was stressful because this was the first time facing Santana as I didn’t play last year against them. I really wanted this win as it is a rivalry game and we all know each other. I felt I was really prepared as we had a good practice. The sixth inning was a little worrisome but I was able to get through it and I went from there,” said Bursch when asked about the game itself and also the fact that it was a rivalry game.

After the game the trophy presentation took place and it was always thought that the Mayor of Santee was supposed to come or someone from the city was supposed to come since it being the game is called “The Mayor’s Cup” and present the winner the trophy, but no one showed.

So who stepped up to present the trophy to the Wolf Pack was none other than EastCountySports’ own ADAM PAUL who also announced the game between the two schools.

The win gave the Pack its fourth in the Mayor’s Cup era since its inception. They won it in 2011, 2014, 2015 and this year.

 

 

STEELE CANYON 12, VALHALLA 2 (5 innings) – A record-setting day for the streaking Cougars as they downed the Valhalla Norsemen in a home Grossmont Hills League contest.

In the top of the first, Valhalla started off well as they were able to push across a couple of runs to take an early 2-0 lead.

Leadoff hitter JADE HILL walked, RACHEL SHELSTROM roped a double that advanced Hill to third and the Norsemen were in business.

A couple of pitches later, Hill would score on a passed ball and Shelstrom advanced to third, KENNEDY LABSHERE grounded out to short which allowed Shelstrom to score.

Steele Canyon came up in the bottom of the inning and went to work right away as leadoff hitter AUDREY BAGGE walked, GENTRY HOFFMAN grounded to short which advanced Bagge to second, JJ VENZOR followed by being hit by a pitch, up stepped senior catcher MAKAYLA STROMENGER who on a 0-1 count takes the offering and hits a high fly ball over the left field fence for the 3-run home run to give the Cougars a 3-0 lead.

Another threat by the Cougars in the bottom of the second as MACKENSIE PEARLSTEIN walked and a couple of batters later Bagge ripped a double, Hoffman hit a ball to short for single, Venzor hit a fielder’s choice where Pearlstein was out at home, Stromenger grounded out to end the inning.

More offense by the Cougars in the bottom of the fourth led to more runs, including a RBI double by Bagge that scored SAMANTHA MILLER, Venzor reached on an error which scored Bagge to make it 5-2 and Stromenger again blasted a home run, this time a 2-run shot over center field to push the score to 7-2.

Steele Canyon would round out their scoring in the bottom of the fifth when Stromenger would knock in JASMIN ALVERADO who singled earlier, also ELIZABETH BOTT scored on the throw and finally, MAKAYLA MCCARTHY crushed a home run over the centerfield fence for a 3-run homer that scored BIANCA MORALES and Stromenger to make it 12-2.

With her 7 RBIs, Stromenger secured herself a spot in the CIF Record book and is tied for sixth with that amount of RBIs in a game. She finished two short of the school record of 9 RBI in a game set by LORENA KLOPP against High Tech back in 2007.

Also with the victory, the Cougars pushed their winning streak to 7 games and 12 of their last 15 games.

In the loss for the Norsemen, DELANEY SETTLER tossed 4 2/3 innings, giving up 12 runs of which 9 were earned on 13 hits, walked 4 and struck out 2.

For the Cougars, McCarthy tossed 5 innings, giving up 2 runs of which both were earned and limited Valhalla to 2 hits while walking 4 and striking out 3 on the day.

 

GRANITE HILLS 9, GROSSMONT 2 – Early opportunities lead to runs that allow the Eagles to claim the home contest again the Foothillers.

A lone hit in the top of the first by KATIE APPENZELLER is the only thing allowed by Eagles pitcher CATIE DOBBS before she ended the inning on a strikeout.

Granite Hills took advantage of the lead walk by HALLE KYLER, BAILEY WALLACE followed with a walk, CASSIDY SHEW hit a grounder to short for the fielders choice which advanced Kyler to third and Shew safe at first, HALEY JOHNSON roped a lined double to center that scored both Kyler and Shew to make it 2-0, MORGAN KELLY came into run for Johnson, KAYLA MACK singled to right advancing Kelly to third who came into score on the sacrifice fly by KAREN CREECH to push the score to 3-0.

A two-out double by CHLOE CAMARERO for Grossmont in the top of the third, a walk by Appenzeller, and a pop fly by SAMARIA ROOPE that is misplayed allows Camarero to score to cut into the lead 3-1.

The Eagles answered in the bottom of the inning as Johnson led off with a double, she advanced to third on a passed ball, and would score on a single by STACI CHAMBERS to extend the lead to 4-1.

For the Eagles in the bottom of the fourth, they scored three more runs thanks to a 3-run blast by Mack that scored Wallace and Kelly to make it 7-1.

Grossmont added their other run in the top of the sixth as DESTINY BACON doubled which scored Appenzeller, who had singled earlier.

Now with the score 7-2, the Foothillers tried to put more on the board but Dobbs was able to get out of the inning.

Wallace homered in the bottom of the sixth with a shot over the center field fence which scored Kyler extending the lead to 9-2.

Other than a single by Appenzeller, Dobbs didn’t allow anything else as she retired the next batter to end the game.

Taking the loss for the Foothillers, CASSIDY DAVILA who went the full 6 innings, giving up 9 runs of which 8 were earned on 12 hits, walked 2 and struck out 5.

For the Eagles, Dobbs gave up 2 runs of which only 1 was earned on 6 hits, walked 2 and fanned 10 on the day.

The Eagles with the win pushed their winning streak to 5 in a row and 11 of their last 13 games.

 

Grossmont Valley League

EL CAPITAN 16, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 – The Vaqueros for the second-straight game using three pitchers tossed a no-hitter, this time against the Braves.

The Vaqueros got it rolling early with five runs scored in the top of the first inning to lead 5-0 early on.  Leadoff hitter

Leadoff hitter MADISYN WIEHER drew a walk, HANNAH DAVIS singled and Wieher advanced to third, she scored on the sacrifice by ALLYSON VON YOKES to make it 1-0, ALEXA WILLIAMS is hit by a pitch, GRACE BURKETT doubles which scored both runners to make it 3-0. OLIVIA MARTINEZ would single scoring both Burkett and MARIA LOTTA to make it 5-0.

El Capitan added a couple more runs in the top of the second when Burkett reached on an error that scored Von Yokes who had singled, SAVANNAH MINSHEW knocked in Burkett to make it 7-0.

Von Yokes would score on a passed ball and Wieher would also score on a passed ball in the top of the third to make it 10-0.  Wieher would strike again in the top of the fourth when she singled in Minshew to push the score to 11-0, Von Yokes roped a triple that scored both Martinez and Wieher to make it 13-0.

Burkett singled in the top of the fifth, Lotta reached on an error, Harvey singles to load the bases, KIM GARCIA drives in Burkett on a groundball, Lotta scores on an error and Davis drove in Harvey on a single to extend the lead to 16-0.

In all the Vaqueros would pound out 14 hits in their victory and also take advantage of the six errors committed by the Braves.

Pitching wise, El Capitan used three pitchers including Wieher, who tossed 2 innings for the win, she gave up 0 hits, 0 runs, walked 1 and struck out 2, Alexa Williams came in and tossed 2 innings, gave up 0 runs on 0 hits and fanned 6 and ELENA LADDON finished the job a she tossed 1 inning of no hit ball, struck out 3.

With the combined no-hitter the Vaqueros extended their streak to 10 innings without giving up a single hit.

 

Highlander Classic

HELIX 9, MIRA MESA 8 (6 innings due to time) – The Highlanders hold onto the one-run victory in their own tournament against the Marauders.

Helix jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning when AVERY PEREZ walked, she would come into score on a throwing error by the Marauder third basemen on a grounder hit by MCKENZIE FLORES, GABBY OLIVARRIA walked, another reach on an error by FRANKIE MARTINEZ followed by back to back singles by SHAREENA LACHANCE and ERIN BROWN scored the final couple of runs for the Highlanders.

They added a couple more runs in the second to push the lead to 6-0.

The Marauders got on the board with one run in both the third and fourth inning to make it 6-2.

The Highlanders added what would be insurance runs in the fourth inning on singles by Martinez, LaChance and ALOFA COLLINS.

Mira Mesa scored 3 unearned runs in the fifth as Helix couldn’t field which made the score 8-5.

Flores led off the bottom of the fifth with a smash triple, Olivarria knocked her in on a single to make it 9-5. The Marauders wouldn’t go down without a fight as they were able to take advantage of three errors by Helix for 3 unearned runs. Despite this, Helix was able to hold on and claim the victory.

The winning pitcher for the Highlanders was LaChance.

 

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