State champ Griffins open with home win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: January 28, 2018

2018 GROSSMONT GRIFFINS BASEBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

EL CAJON – The defending state junior college champion Grossmont College Griffins opened up their defense of the title with a come-from-behind 5-4 win over West L.A. on Saturday.

Grossmont scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to pick up the victory.

Grossmont sophomore ERIC DE LA ROSA certainly picked up where he left off last season, driving in a pair of runs and going 3-for-4 in the leadoff spot, including a double and a game-tying triple in the bottom of the ninth. He also scored twice and stole a base.

Former Santana Sultan COLTON CALVERT had a strong start, going 5 1/2 innings, allowing one home run and striking out three.

Grossmont scored in the bottom of the first when KIICHI SATO singled down the right-field line, and De La Rosa came on on an error on the play.

West L.A. led 4-2 heading into the last of the ninth, but De La Rose triple home two runs to tie the game.

After loading the bases, JALE SIM was hit by a pitch to win the game for Grossmont.

Former West Hills star NOAH QUINTANA earned the win, pitching a scoreless top of the ninth.