Patriots take another; Pack win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: May 6, 2021

Christian High's Vaughn Major. / Dave Dickens

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

EL CAJON – The Christian High Patriots grabbed the second game of a three-game set, 6-1, over the San Diego Cavers on Wednesday during the opening week of Eastern League play.

After the Cavers scored a run in the top of the first, the Patriots struck for four runs in the third inning.

Senior Braeden Ross continued his masterful season.

Despite allowing the run in the first, he finished with a complete game, striking out 10 and walking one, while scattering five hits.

“After winning 22-0 on Monday we were a little overconfident,” Ross admitted. “That mentality will always put a good team in trouble but we did a great job of turning it up. Our defense was fantastic today.”

Then “Boss Ross” added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth with a home run.

“I got a barrel on a low curveball and was able to hit it over the fence,” said Ross, a CSUN commit. “I’m excited about our team. I hope we can complete the sweep tomorrow.”

Christian picked up the four runs when Vaughn Major lifted a sacrifice fly to score Shane Bailey, who led off the inning with a single. That tied the game at 1-all.

Bailey is 9-for-9 in the series so far against the Cavers, with five RBI and six runs scored. The two teams meet again on Thursday.

“I have been working on my swing a lot lately,” Bailey said. “I have also been working on my baserunning to be more helpful in the leadoff spot. At the plate, I am becoming more selective and choosing pitches I can drive and not just make contact with. Braden was dealing today so it felt good to be able to help him out.”

Will Carlock drove in the third run of the inning for Christian, after the Pats took the lead on an error.

WEST HILLS 6, VALHALLA 2 – The Wolf Pack’s Kyle Dobyns hit a solo home run to help make a complete-game winner of Jacob Villanueva.

Villanueva struck out seven while scattering 10 hits and walking none.

The Norsemen only dented the scoreboard in their final at-bat of the afternoon.

West Hills jumped on Valhalla early with a pair of runs in the first when Connor Evans tripled so score Ryan Parker (single).

A couple of batters later, Villanueva then drew a bases-loaded walk.

Dobyns homered in the fifth, a shot to left, to make it 5-2.

Nate Moulton, a freshman, singled home a run for the Norsemen, while Colin Scribner lifted a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

West Hills is 1-2 in the Grossmont Hills League and 11-6 overall.