Patriots clip Eagles; Foothillers tame Cougars

By ECS Staff
Updated: April 3, 2017

Photo by Dwight Tinker

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

EastCountySports.com

Non-League

PATRICK HENRY 4, GRANITE HILLS 3 – The Patriots held off the Eagles’ mid-game rally to ensure the victory between two Division I foes.

Patrick Henry took advantage first as HANNAH MCEWEN (2-3, 2R, RBI) led off with a bunt and raced down the first base line where she was safe, she stole second base and would come around to score on the single to right by CASSIE VAN TIL (3-4, 3 RBI, 2B) to give them an early 1-0 lead.

The Eagles had an opportunity to get the run back in the bottom of the first, as with one out BAILEY WALLACE (2-4, R) hit a ball to short for a single, the next batter HALEY JOHNSON (3-4) hit a liner to left field which advances Wallace to second. However, she would advance to third when the left fielder overthrew the ball and Johnson advanced to second on the error. So with runners on second and third and only one out business looked good.

So with runners on second and third and only one out business looked good.

MORGAN KELLY (RUN) came into run for Johnson at second. This prompted MADISON JAMES to step up and that she did as she struck out KAYLA MACK (1-2, R, RBI) swinging and the next batter CASSIDY SHEW (RBI) as well swinging to end the threat and inning.

Heading to the top of the second leading by the one run, the Patriots pushed across more runs to extend their lead.

The Eagles got two quick outs and looked like they would shut down the Patriots but HAILEY JENKS (1-3, R) singled to right center, MAGGIE ZIMMERLY (RUN) walked, and McEwen grounded to center in which Jenks was sent home where she would score to make it 2-0 and Zimmerly advanced to second.

The Next batter Van Til, who had already drove in a run, looked for more and on the 0-1 count hit a line drive to right in which Zimmerly was able to score and also McEwen was able to score on the throw to make it 4-0.

The Patriots were cruising along into the bottom of the third when Granite Hills finally broke through.

With one out, Wallace singled, Johnson followed with a single to give runners at first and second, Kelly came into run, Mack would drive in Wallace on a single to make it 4-1, Shew grounded out to second but Kelly scored to make it 4-2, KAREN CREECH (1-2, RBI) with 2 outs was able to put the ball in play by singling, which scored Mack to bring the Eagles within 4-3.

Granite again threatened in the bottom of the fourth when BRIELLE TYSELING reached on an error, she advanced to second on a wild pitch, however, would be stranded as James was able to sit down the next three batters to end the inning.

There was a pitching change for the Patriots in the bottom of the sixth, as Jenks came in for James.

SYDNEY HUSE came into hit for STACI CHAMBERS and was able to draw a walk, she would be sacrificed to second, RYLEE OMAHEN grounded out which advanced Huse to third. However, Kyler would pop out to end the inning.

Chambers who came in to relieve in the fifth for the Eagles was able to retire the Patriots in order including a strikeout.

Trailing by a run the Eagles looked to get something to either win or extend the contest.

Unfortunately, the only runner they were able to get on was a 2 out walk by Mack, the next batter Shew would be called out on strikes to end the contest.

CATIE DOBBS, who started for the Eagles and took the loss, tossed 2 innings of work giving up 4 runs of which all were earned on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2.

Chambers in relief pitched 5 innings giving up 1 hit and fanning 4 on the day.

For the Patriots, James in the victory pitched 5 innings giving up 3 runs, all earned on 7 hits, walked 1 and struck out 7. Jenks in relief tossed 2 innings gave 0 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2.

Monte Vista Spring Classic

CHRISTIAN 13, MORSE 6 – A big inning in the fourth in which the Patriots scored 6 runs allowed them to rally and claim the tournament contest.

The Tigers in the top of the first took and early 1-0 lead as they were able to push across a run.

However, the Patriots would answer with some runs of their own in the bottom of the first.

Leading off for Christian, LAUREN SHERBURNE (1-4, R, 2 RBI, HR) clubbed a solo blast to tie the game 1-1, MALLORY STEELE (2-4, 2 R, RBI) reached on an error, ASHLEY CARTER (2-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2B, 2 SB) walked, both her and Steele would swipe second and third, SHANNON MCMAHON (2-3, R, 3 RBI, 3B) knocked in a run on a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1, AUDREY SHEBLOSKI (2-4, R, 2 RBI, SB) followed with a single that scored a run to make it 3-1, she would also score to make it 4-1.

However, the Tigers were able to get things going in the top of the second inning as they were able to take advantage of a fielding error and push across 4 runs off Steele who was in the circle for the Patriots to retake the lead 5-4.

A couple of innings later Christian had its breakthrough in the game, ELLE LINDBLAD (R, RBI) started off with a walk, ALEXA HENDERSON (RUN) with one out reached on an error, ALLISON MCMAHON (1-4, R) singled, Sherburne reached on a fielder’s choice that scored a run, Steele knocked in another run on a single, ASHLEY CARTER doubled in a couple of runs and McMahon ripped a triple that scored a couple of runs to allow the Patriots to retake the lead at 10-5.

KATIE LEPETRI (2 RBI) also knocked in a couple of runs.

Christian rounded out their scoring in the bottom of the sixth as they extended their lead to 13-5 as Shebloski knocked in a run and both Carter and McMahon singled in the inning.

Steele tossed 7 innings for the victory in which she gave up 6 runs, all earned on 5 hits, walked 3 and fanned 6 on the day.

FALCON FIESTA

GROSSMONT 6, ESCONDIDO 1 – The Foothillers got the timely hits to push across the runs necessary to garner the victory over the Cougars.

The Foothillers in the bottom of the first pushed across 2 runs and also another run in the bottom of the second. They added two more in the bottom of the fifth and another run in the bottom of the sixth to round out their scoring.

On the day for Grossmont, KATIE APPENZELLER had a stellar day at the plate as she ripped two doubles and knocked in a run as she went 3-for4, MOANA PISIA knocked in run as well.

SAMARIA ROOPE who also took the circle drive in 3 runs as she went 2-for-3 at the plate. Also, CHLOE CAMARERO scored a run.

Things got interesting as Escondido had put multiple runners on base in the top of the second but Roope was able to pitch out of the jam.

In the circle, Roope tossed 7 innings for the win, she gave up the 1 run and also fanned 10 batters on the day.