Easterners march on to own beat

By ECS Staff
Updated: May 24, 2017

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION PLAYOFFS

Open Division

(7) Granite Hills 2, (5) Mater Dei 0: Chambers deals and Shew is Clutch.

The Eagles had the first opportunity to put runs on the board in the top of the first with two outs when BAILY WALLACE and HALEY JOHNSON (1-3) walked back to back but both would be stranded to end the inning.

Both STACI CHAMBERS (1-4) for Granite Hills and LEXI SOSA for the Crusaders brought their A-games as they matched each other inning for inning. For the Eagles in the fourth KAYLA MACK (1-4) singled but she would be stranded. For the Crusaders in the bottom of the fourth, ALYSSA GARCIA singled but she would also be stranded as Chambers was able to get out of the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, KELSEY MUNOZ led off with a single, she would advance to second on a sacrifice, the next batter grounded out to HALLE KYLER at short who fielded it and threw it to first for the second out, the next batter EVA GONZALES on the 0-1 count popped up behind first base in foul territory and it looked like it would drop foul but KAREN CREECH (1-4) was able to track it by running and sliding for it in which she was able to make the ESPN top play amazing slide catch for the final out of the inning.

Mater Dei would again threaten in the bottom of the sixth inning as they would load the bases with two outs but Chambers again would get out of it as she was able to get Munoz to groundout to end the inning.

Both teams would stall which meant bonus ball. The Crusaders in the bottom of the eighth with one out would have baserunners on first and second. The next batter Munoz hit into a fielders choice in which CASSIDY SHEW (2-4, 2 RBI, 3B) would get the out at third and Chambers would strike out the next batter to end the inning.

Still scoreless heading to the top of the ninth, Granite Hills knew they had to do take advantage of an opportunity. Leadoff hitter Wallace struck out for the first out of the inning, Johnson followed with a laced grounder to left field for a single, MORGAN KELLY into run, Mack unfortunately popped up for the second out of the inning. Things didn’t look good for the Eagles but that changed when Chambers ripped a single to left to give runners at first and second, BROOKE BERTUSSI into run for Chambers. Next up for the Eagles, Shew who looked to keep the inning going, she did just that on a 1-1 count in which she connected and roped a liner to right that went all the way to the fence and around third came in Kelly to make it 1-0, around second and then third base Bertussi crossed the plate to make it 2-0 and Shew ended up at third for a triple. The two runs would be all the Eagles would garner.

Now with the lead, Chambers looked to put the Crusaders away and move the Eagles to Thursday. The first batter Morales hit a groundball to Shew at third who fielded it and threw it to KAREN CREECH at first for the first out, Gonzales singled to center, Chambers would strike out the next batter swinging for the second out and Burges would ground out to BRIELLE TYSELING at second where she threw it to Creech at first for the third and final out of the contest.

This brought the Eagles faithful to a loud roar and their feet as they knew they were moving on to the Semi-Finals of a CIF Division Playoff for the third straight season.

Taking the loss for the Crusaders was LEXI SOSA who went 9 innings, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits, walked 2 and struck out 9.

For the Eagles, Chambers went the whole 9 innings, giving up 0 runs on 7 hits, walked 2 and fanned 6.

Notable Notes: As noted this is the third year in a row the Eagles make the Semi-Finals. The last two years in Division II. In 2015 they would reach the Championship game and last season their season ended in the Semi-Finals.

Division I

(10) West Hills 3, (5) Rancho Bernardo 0: The Wolf Pack take a bite out of the Broncos with timely hitting as well as pitching and defense.

West Hills had the momentum on their side as they came in against the Broncos off their big win over the Falcons of Torrey Pines on Saturday which knocked them out. They looked to continue that momentum in the top of the first inning.

With two outs, RYLEIGH DOBYNS (2-4, 2B) laced a single, ALYSSA BARBOLLA (RUN) into run, ALEX GUAY (2-2, RBI, 2B)followed by roping a double to put runners at second and third but they would be stranded.

The Broncos in the bottom of the first inning would put runners on first and third but Dobyns would garner the ground ball for the third out to end the inning. She would retire the side in the bottom of the third including back to back strikeouts to end the inning.

Rancho Bernardo threatened again in the bottom of the third inning with two outs as a hit by pitch and single would put runners on first and second. However once again Dobyns got out of it by inducing the fly ball out.

For the Pack in the top of the fourth, Guay led off by drawing the walk, STAR GAYLORD into run, a couple batters later with one out CARLY BURSCH (1-3) smashed a single, ALYSSA BUBAR (1-3) struck out for the second out and it looked like the Pack would come away empty but MIKAYLA CRISTINI (2-2, RBI) singled which brought Gaylord into score to give the Pack the 1-0 lead.

After shutting down the Broncos in the bottom of the fourth, the Wolf Pack looked to add to their slim lead. Again it looked like they would come up empty as the first two batters were retired but Dobyns would come through as she smoked a double, Barbolla into run, Guay followed by walking and ASHLEIGH HARTWIG (1-3, RBI, 2B) doubled to score Barbolla to make it 2-0.

The Broncos again threatened in the bottom of the sixth inning as the lead batter doubled but Dobyns struck out the next batter and retired the following batter for the second out, the next batter walked but Dobyns retired the next batter to end the inning.

West Hills added another run in the top of the seventh inning thanks to SIERRA SCHLICHTING (RUN) leading off by getting hit by a pitch, a couple batters later with two outs Guay singled which scored Schlichting to give the Pack a 3-0 lead.

Despite giving up a couple of singles in the bottom of the seventh inning, Dobyns got the first out via ground ball, the second out on a fly out to center and the final out via strikeout looking.

Dobyns tossed the 7 inning complete game victory, giving up 0 runs on 7 hits, walked 2 and fanned 6 on the day.

Division II

(3) Grossmont 4, (5) Mt. Carmel 3: Baez propels Foothillers into Semis with late homerun.

Grossmont would strike the first blow of the game in the bottom of the second inning as KATIE APPENZELLER (RUN, SB) led off with by reaching on an error, ALEXIS COLLINS followed by singling and a couple of batters later with two outs JORDAN BROWN was hit by a pitch to load the bases which brought up CHLOE CAMARERO (3-4, 3 RBI, 2B) who promptly smashed a liner to the left center fence for a bases clearing double to make it 3-0.

It wouldn’t be until the top of the third inning when the Sun Devils would get their first hit off Grossmont starter CASSIDY DAVILA but she would get the next batter to ground out for the third out of the inning.

The Foothillers threatened to push across more runs in the bottom of the third inning as SMARIA ROOPE led off with a single, AMBER ALLMAN into run, Appenzeller would reach on a fielders choice but Allman would thrown out at second base, she stole second and moved to third on a bad throw by the catcher, Collins doubled, TAYLOR BAEZ (1-2, R, HR) walked but all three would be stranded.

Mount Carmel in the top of the fourth got a lead double off of Davila and the runner would advance to third on a sacrifice but would be stranded as Davila got the final two outs via fly ball.

In the top of the sixth the Sun Devils finally figured things out as the lead batter singled, the following batter walked which brought a pitching change. Into the game to pitch for Grossmont was Roope who gave up a two run triple which cut the lead 3-2, the next batter was hit by a pitch, she stole second and the next batter hit a loop single which scored the tying run. Mount Carmel threatened more as there was no outs and runners on but rope was able to get out of the inning without any further damage done.

Now with the score tied 3-3, Grossmont looked to get something back and that came in the form of Baez who led off the inning. On a 2-2 count, she took the offering and connected for a high fly ball to left field that went over the fence for the solo jack to give the Foothillers the 4-3 lead. There was no doubt about it when she connected but the only thing was how far the ball would travel. The Grossmont fans roared as they knew the momentum was in their favor.

Even though they now led the game wasn’t over as in the top of the seventh with one out, the next batter doubled, the next batter singled and stole second. With only one out and runners on second and third it looked like the Sun Devils would steal back the momentum but Roope beared down and retired the next two batters to end the game.

Divison III

(3) Christian 8, Horizon Christian 6: The Patriots outslug the Panthers to move on.

The Panthers in the top of the first inning thanks to a couple of doubles pushed across the first run of the game to lead 1-0 early.

However in the bottom of the first the Patriots got the bats rolling to erase the deficit and take a lead. Leadoff hitter SILENT RAIN ESPINOZA (3-4, 2R, 2 RBI, 2 2B) roped a double, ASHLEY CARTER (2-4, 2R, RBI, 2B) singled and moved to second on an error which also allowed Espinoza to score to tie the game 1-1, SHANNON MCMAHON (2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR) singled which scored Carter to make it 2-1, ALLISON MCMAHON (RUN) into run, MALLORY STEELE (1-3, RBI, 2B) reached on an error which advanced McMahon to second, she would move to third on a wild pitch and score in the inning to extend the lead to 3-1.

Christian in the bottom of the second inning extended their lead further as with one out Espinoza singled, Carter roped a double that scored Espinoza to make it 4-1 and she would come into score when Steele smashed a double to make it 5-1.

Horizon in the top of the third inning took advantage of opportunities which included a miscue to cut into the Patriots lead 5-2.

McMahon for the Patriots in the bottom of the fourth pushed the lead to 6-2 with a solo homerun.

The Panthers answered in the top of the fifth with a run to cut the lead in half 6-3. Christian answered in the bottom of the fifth as ALEXA HENDERSON reached on a fielders choice, a couple batters later with two outs LAUREN SHERBURNE walked and Espinoza ripped a double that scored both Henderson and Sherburne to make it 8-3.

Another answer by the Panthers in the top of the sixth inning led to a run off of new pitcher Steele who came into relieve Carter. Now the score was 8-4.

Horizon in the top of the seventh thanks to a lead walk, a double whom both would come around to score to cut the lead to 8-6. Despite giving up a couple more hits, Steele settled and was able to get the outs necessary to end the inning and game.

For the Patriots, Carter who garnered the victory went 5 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, walked 2 and struck out 4. Steele tossed 2 innings of relief, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 2 and struck out 1.

(11) OLP 10, (4) El Capitan 3: The Pilots take advantage of early opportunities and never looked back.

The Pilots over the first two innings pushed across six runs which included two homeruns in the second inning. After two innings of play the Pilots led 6-0.

For the Vaqueros in the bottom of the first ZANNDRA RAGOLE (1-4, 2B) doubled but she would be left stranded. El Capitan in the bottom of the third inning received a two out single by BAILEY OLAVESON (3-4, R, RBI, 2 2B).

Our Lady of Peace added another run in top of the fourth inning to lead 7-0 thanks to a single to left field. They again added a run in the top of fifth with two outs to lead 8-0.

MADISYN WIEHER (1-3) for the Vaqueros singled in the bottom of the fifth but SAVANNAH MINSHEW would hit into an inning ending double play.

Multiple hits and an error led to a couple more runs for the Pilots in the top of the sixth as they rounded out their scoring to lead 10-0.

However the Vaqueros wouldn’t go down without a fight as Olaveson led off the bottom of the sixth with a double, a couple batters later with two outs, ALEXA WILLIAMS (1-3, R, RBI, 2B) smashed a double to center to score Olaveson and make it 10-1, GRACE BURKETT (1-2, RBI) followed by knocking in Williams with a roped single to make it 10-2.

The Vaqueros down to their final at bat looked to get something going. Leadoff hitter ALLYSON VON YOKES (1-3, R) singled to center, however the next two batters would be retired, Olaveson came to the plate looking to keep the inning going and she did as she ripped a lined double to left that scored Von Yokes to make it 10-3.

For the Vaqueors, Williams took the loss as she only lasted 2 innings, giving up 6 runs on 6 hits. AMANDA VASQUEZ came and went 5 innings of relief, giving up 4 runs on 9 hits, and striking out 3.

Notable Note: The Vaqueros with their 303 total hits as a team on the season put themselves into the CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION RECORD BOOK. The total is good for 13^th in Section history all-time.