Big day for Easterners In playoffs

By ECS Staff
Updated: May 19, 2017

Photo by Dwight Tinker

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

EastCountySports.com

CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION PLAYOFFS

Division I First Round

Patrick Henry 11, Westview 1: The offense comes alive for the Patriots which allows them to run away from the Wolverines.

Westview in the top of the first would strike their only blow of the game as they were able to push across a run to lead 1-0 early on. However the lead wouldn’t last long as CASSIE VAN TIL (2-3, 2R, 2 RBI) singled, CRISTIONA CACCAMISE (2-3, R, RBI) singled and MADISON JAMES (2-3, R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR) crushed a long ball over the right center fence for the 3-run blast to give the Patriots a 3-1 lead.

The Patriots added three more runs in the bottom of the second inning as ARIANA RIOS (3-3, 2R, 2 RBI) led off with a single, stole second base, HANNAH MCEWEN (1-3, R, RBI) doubled and Van Til knocked both of them in with a single and she would score a couple of batters later on a smashed double by ANDREA WRIGHT (1-3, RBI, 2B) down the line which doubled their runs 6-1.

It was more of the same for the Patriots in the bottom of the third as lucky number three came up again. LAUREN NETT (2-2, 2R) singled, LAILA SPRACKLEN (1-2, R) singled, Rios singled, McEwen knocked in Nett on a sacrifice fly to center to make it 7-1, a couple batters later Caccamise singled in another run to make it 8-1 and James roped an RBI double to make it 9-1.

The scoring for the Patriots was rounded out in the bottom of the fourth inning as SAVANNAH CHAPMAN (1-3, R) led off with a single, Nett followed with another single, a couple batters later Rios laced a single that scored both Chapman and Nett to make it 11-1.

The eleven runs would be all James would need as she mowed through the Wolverines lineup only allowing them 3 hits and the one run, she walked 0 and struck out 4 in the victory which was her seventeenth on the season.

(2) Eastlake 5, (10) West Hills 4: The Titans pull out the victory in dramatic fashion to down the Wolf Pack.

West Hills struck first in the top of the fourth inning as ALEX GUAY (2-4) continued her hitting ways with a single, STAR GAYLORD (RUN) came into run, CARLY BURSCH (1-3, RBI) walked, and a couple of batters later ALYSSA BUBAR (1-3, RBI) laced a single which allowed Gaylord to come around and score to make it 1-0.

However the lead didn’t last as starting pitcher for the Pack, Bursch would allow multiple hits and walk a couple of batters which would amount to three runs by the Titans to give them a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth.

The Wolf Pack knew they had to get back into the contest and in the top of the fifth HALEY VALLES (1-2, R) led off with a walk, MELISSA CASTILLO (RUN) with one out walked to put runners at first and second, RYLEIGH DOBYNS (1-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B) roped a double that scored both Valles and Castillo which tied the game 3-3, Bursch would untie it with a single that scored Dobyns and give the Pack a 4-3 lead.

Eastlake in the bottom of the fifth took advantage of a West Hills error which came around to score as they also got a single to tie the game 4-4.

With the score all knotted up heading into the extra innings as each team held each other in check, the Pack had a golden opportunity to push across a go ahead run in the top of the eighth. Leadoff hitter Guay would single, Bursch into run, a couple batters later with one out, ASHLEIGH HARTWIG (1-3) singled to put runners at first and second and only one out but unfortunately both her and Bursch would be stranded as the next two batters were retired to end the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth the Titans would do what players always dream of and that is end the game in dramatic fashion.

Dobyns who had come into relieve Bursch tossed the 1-0 offering and unfortunately PALACIOS for the Titans took it for a ride over the fence for the walk off homerun to end the game.

Taking the hard luck loss, Dobyns went 2 innings, giving up 1 run on 2 hits while starter Bursch who got the no-decision went 5 innings, giving up 4 runs on 4 hits, walked 2 and struck out 4.

Division II First Round

(2) Steele Canyon 1, (7) Del Norte 0: A strong pitching performance and a clutch hit procure the victory.

The Nighthawks came into the contest off a play-in victory and looked to knock off the higher seeded Cougars and they had an opportunity in the first inning as they were able to get a couple of hits but Cougar pitcher MAKAYLA MCCARTHY (2-3) was able to get out of the jam by retiring the next two batters to end the inning.

Steele Canyon in the bottom of the second inning jumped out as leadoff hitter MAKAYLA STROMENGER (1-3, R, 2B) smashed a double to left field, it looked like she would be stranded as the next two batters were retired but MACKENSIE PEARLSTEIN (1-2, RBI) on a full count laced a grounder that got through to left in which Stromenger was able to race around third and score to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.

McCarthy went back out to the circle in the top of the third and retired the Nighthawks in order 1-2-3. She would single in the bottom of the fourth but would be stranded.

Del Norte had another opportunity in the top of the fourth with two outs as they got a base hit and a walk but again McCarthy got the third out on a fly ball. They would threaten again in the top of the sixth with a couple of hits but once again the pitching and defense of the Cougars got out of the inning by making the plays.

McCarthy and the Cougars made short work of the Nighthawks in the top of the seventh as they once again set them down in order 1-2-3 including a fly out to left to end the game.

Garnering the victory McCarthy went 7 innings, giving up 0 runs on 5 hits, walked 2 and fanned 6.

(3) Grossmont 2, (6) Vista 1: Early runs by the Foothillers hold up as the pitching does the rest.

Grossmont having not played for a week as well looked to get the rust off and early on it would stick. However in the bottom of the second inning TAYLOR BAEZ led off with a walk, SAMARIA ROOPE followed by being hit by a pitch, JESSICA WILSON would sacrifice them over and KATIE APPENZELLER would knock in Baez on a fielders choice to give Grossmont a 1-0 lead.

They would push across another run in the bottom of the third thanks to a single by DESTINY BACON, MOANA PISIA singled, ALY ALLMAN bunted them over for a sacrifice and ALEXIS COLLINS knocked in Bacon on a fielders choice to make it 2-0.

CASSIDY DAVILA started for the Foothillers and was going along well and keeping the Panthers in check. Vista would push across a run late to cut the lead 2-1. Roope would come in to relieve Davila and would garner the save as she shut down the Panthers.

Davila went 5 1/3 innings for the victory, giving up the one run, walked 2 and fanned 2. Roope tossed 1 2/3 inning, struck out 1.

(1) Santana 8, (8) Otay Ranch 2: Sultans overcome sloppiness as the offense did just enough to procure the victory.

The Mustangs who previously lost and tied Santana looked to get even and in the top of the first they were headed in the right direction. The first couple of batters were able to get on via singles, however Sultans hurler MADISON MENDEZ (2-4, 2 RBI, 2B) was able to punch out the next batter for the first out and get the next batter to groundout to ASHLEY MADRIGAL at short who flipped it to SYDNEY BENJAMIN (3 R) at second for the first out and threw it to first to complete the inning ending double play.

The Sultans who hadn’t played a game in a week since the last day of the regular season looked to shake the cobwebs. They had a great opportunity to do so with one out as MACKENZIE BENNETT (1-3, RBI) walked, a couple of batters with two outs RACHEL WILSON (1-2, R, RBI, HR) walked and NICOLE MADRIGAL walked to load the bases, however Ashley Madrigal would strike out to end the inning.

Santana finally would break the scoreless game in the bottom of the second inning as Benjamin walked with one out, ERICA REID (RUN) advanced Benjamin to second base on a sacrifice, so with two outs up came Mendez who on an 0-1 count ripped the offering to right center all the way to the fence for a double that scored Benjamin to make it 1-0, DESIREE LYNCH (RUN) into run for Mendez, she would advance to third on an error by the catcher, Bennett was able to knock her in as she laced a single up the middle to center to make it 2-0.

Otay Ranch would cut the Sultans lead to a run in the top of the third inning. Mendez was able to retire the lead hitter for the first out, however the next batter put down a bunt and raced down the line and it looked like she would be out as SHELBY HOLMQUIST had the ball in her glove but it popped out which allowed the runner to reach safely, the next batter singled, a couple batters later with two outs the runner at second stole third and would score on a miscue by Bennett to cut the lead 2-1.

Leading by only a slim margin the Sultans needed to do something and something they did as with one out Wilson connected by hitting a high towering shot to dead center which at first looked like it was going to be caught but all of a sudden it was over the fence for the long bomb to give Santana a 3-1 cushion.

The Mustangs in the top of the fourth threatened as the lead batter singled, she would advance to second on a fielders choice, with one out the next batter was hit by a pitch, Mendez would strike out the next batter for the second out, another hit by pitch would load the bases but again Mendez would garner the ground ball out to end the threat.

Still leading by a couple of runs the Sultans knew they had to add more. Leadoff hitter Benjamin hit a grounder to third which was misplayed and allowed her to reach safely, Reid walked, Mendez would fly out to center which allowed Benjamin to tag up and advance to third and Reid advance to second, a couple batters later Benjamin would come into score on a passed ball to make it 4-1, Reid advanced to third, CASSIDY MATTHIE (RUN) would walk, another error allowed Reid to score making it 5-1 and Matthie would advance to third, NICOLE MADRIGAL (1-1, RBI) singled which scored Matthie to extend the lead 6-1.

Santana would round out their scoring with a couple more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to a Mendez single that scored HAILEY JUSTICE. The Mustangs would score again in the top of the seventh to make it 8-2 but Mendez would after walking the next batter get the next three batters out to end the game.

“It feels good to get back to playing and get the win after not playing for a week.” Mendez said, “We came out slow and didn’t play our usual brand of ball but once we got going it felt more comfortable and we figured things out and picked each other up in the process.”

Mendez on the day enroot to her 21^st victory on the season went 7 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, walked 2 and struck out 5.

Division III First Round

(4) El Capitan 6, (5) Oceanside 3: An overall effort by the Vaqueros allowed them to double up on the Pirates.

The Pirates in the top of the first inning would take advantage of a hit batter and also a passed ball to push across a run to lead 1-0.

However the Vaqueros in the bottom of the first inning got he run back as ZANNDRA RAGOLE (1-3, R, 2B) with one out smoked a double and scored on a single by AMANDA VASQUEZ (2-2, R, RBI) to tie the score 1-1.

El Capitan in the bottom of the second inning did some damage thanks to a lead single by BAILEY OLAVESON (1-2, R), up stepped MARIA LOTTA (1-2, R, 2 RBI, HR) who on a 1-2 count took the offering and crushed it over the fence for the 2-run homer to put the Vaqueros up 3-1, a couple batters later with one out ALLYSON VON YOKES (1-3, R, 2B) roped a double to center, MADISYN WIEHER (RUN) is hit by a pitch, they would both advance on the sacrifice by Ragole, Vasquez would walk to load the bases, ALEXA WILLIAMS (1-4, 2 RBI) laced a single to left that scored both Von Yokes and Wieher to make it 5-1, GRACE BURKETT (1-3) singled. The sixth run for the Vaqueros would come on a illegal pitch by the Pirates.

Williams would retire the Pirates in order 1-2-3 in the top of the third inning. Oceanside finally got to Williams in the top of the fourth inning as they pushed across a couple of runs to cut the Vaqueros lead in half 6-3.

The Vaqueros would make a pitching change and bring in Vasquez who would pitch the top of the sixth and retire Oceanside in order. Vasquez in the bottom of the seventh would again retire them in order 1-2-3 to end the game.

Williams on the day for the Vaqueros garnered the victory going 4 2/3 innings, giving up 3 runs on 2 hits, walking 3 and striking out 8. Vasquez in 2 1/3 innings of relief, gave up 0 runs on 0 hits and struck out 3.

(3) Christian 4, (11) OLP 3: The Patriots score early and hold off the Pilots in the end.

Christian after setting down the Pilots in the top of the first inning started off right with SILENT RAIN ESPINOZA (1-3) lacing a single, ASHLEY CARTER (1-3, R) would hit into a fielders choice and reach, she advanced to second on a wild pitch, and would come into score on a double by SHANNON MCMAHON (1-2, RBI, 2B) to make it 1-0, ALLISON MCMAHON (RUN) into run, AUDREY SHEBLOSKI (1-2, R, 2 RBI) followed with a single that scored McMahon to make it 2-0 and ELLE LINDBLAD would knock in Shebloski to make it 3-0.

LAUREN SHERBURNE (1-2, R) in the bottom of the third led off with a single for Christian, she stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball, she would come into score a couple batters later on a sacrifice bunt by Shebloski to make it 4-0.

The Pilots would cut the deficit in half in the top of the fourth with a two run homerun to make it 4-2. They would also add another run in the top of the fifth to pull within 4-3.

Carter who took the circle for the Patriots would get out of the top of the sixth without any runs scoring and in the top of the seventh inning, retire the Pilots in order to end the game.

Carter tossed 7 innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 1 and struck out 3 in the victory.