Highlanders back on top of Hills for now

By David Dickens
Updated: April 28, 2018

Helix pitcher GRIFFIN ZAMORA / photo by Tammy Ryan - TRYAN PHOTOGRAPHY

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

By Dave Dickens

EastCountySports.com

LA MESA (04-27- 2018) – It was forecasted to be a chess match, indeed it was.

The Helix Scotties, who were already on a winning streak, wasted no time scoring first.

ZO RICHARDSON went yard on the first pitch to left field. It was Richardson’s fourth homer on the season, making it 1-0 Helix.

On a 1-1 count, ERIK SMELKO singled to shortstop, then on a 1-0 count, BRANDON PETERSON doubled to center, advancing SMELKO to third base.

With one out, Smelko scored on a wild pitch from Grossmont pitcher JACK HYDE, as Peterson advanced to third.

Helix’s CARLOS OQUITA grounded out to score Peterson, making it 3-0 Scotties, as the Hillers record the third out on a roller to third.

Both squads had top-notch pitching.

Hyde went four innings, his only demise, the first inning, giving up three runs on five hits, two walks and struck out 4.

Helix starter GRIFFIN ZAMORA had a fantastic outing, pitching six complete innings for the Scotties, allowing only two runs on four hits, one walk and three strikeouts.

‘The comeback for the Hillers came prior to Zamora’s exit in the top of the seventh inning.

CHRIS GIOVENGO walked to begin the seventh.

Next up, TYLER PARENT smacked a liner for a base hit into center, advancing Giovengo to second.

With one out ZACH FARRIS grounded out to second, as Giovengo scored and Parent advanced to third base, making it 3-1 Helix with two outs.

Grossmont’s JASE RUSSELL had a base hit to left, scoring Parent, making it 3-2 Helix.

The biggest play of the afternoon came when KEONI VALDEZ hit a laser to right field, but Russell was thrown out at the plate by Helix right fielder Peterson, as Helix prevailed 3-2.

“It was a good high school baseball game,” said Grossmont Head coach JORDAN ABRUZZO. “Valdez came through with a clutch hit and their right fielder made a great throw to beat us, just a good baseball play.

“We can’t wait six innings to start being aggressive at the plate. Hopefully, we learn from it and get better.”

The Scotties’ defense was perfect committing no errors on the afternoon.

“It was a big win for us,” said Zamora. “A great confidence booster to get us momentum and power us through the rest of league, and into the playoffs.

“We battled, and despite not scoring after the first inning, we picked it up on the defensive end and that
carried us to our victory.”