Vaqueros win over Monarchs in eight

LAKESIDE —- Monte Vista, the Grossmont Valley League co-leader, needed five full innings to overcome an early deficit. But the rally took so much energy, the Monarchs had nothing left in allowing El Capitan to, literally, walk off the field with a 5-4 walk-off verdict in 8 innings Wednesday (May 12) at Hostetler Field.

El Capitan tried to force-feed a victory when Connor Crist singled home Brody McAuliffe with the game-tying run, but the Vaqueros base coach sent the ensuing runner home for the win, only to watch Monte Vista center fielder Justyn Stone fire a strike to catcher Jacob Savoy for the out.

Come on, coach, show some patience — and he did, along with the next three Vaquero batters.

On the first pitch to Cole Winsor, the ball skipped to the backstop for a wild pitch, advancing Crist to third base. Thus, Winsor and Jake Bergherm were intentionally walked to load the bases.

However, the strategy backfired when cleanup hitting Bobo Mendoza, who was o-for-4 in the contest, was struck by a 1-1 pitch for the game-winning RBI, allowing Crist to walk in.

It was a difficult way for Monte Vista (9-8 overall, 3-1 league) to fumble away its share of first place with Santana in the GVL.

El Cap grabbed a 3-0 lead on RBI singles by Winsor and Miguel Rosario in the first inning, then another run-scoring base hit by Winsor in the second.

However, Monte Vista recovered.

After getting even, Savoy blasted a one-out triple to center field, scoring on a ground out from Albert Rodriguez which left the defense with no play except to first base. However, the Monarchs bullpen failed to keep the lead, leaving starting pitcher Chris Leask with a no-decision after seven strong innings, including no runs allowed over the five 5 1/3 frames.

Meanwhile, Vaqueros pitcher Zach Mayhew lasted the full eight innings, striking out eight Monarchs batters.

El Capitan (6-13 overall, 2-4 GVL) ended a 4-game losing skid led by Crist, who batted 4-for-5, scoring three times and stealing a base. Third baseman Bradley Larsen also contributed four hits.

Monte Vista received three hits from Savoy, plus two more from Tyler Leman.

“Chris ‘Bubba’ Leask threw seven great innings for us,” Monte Vista head coach Craig Neu said. “But, we couldn’t close it out. Great effort by our kids but we came up short.”