Knepp dominates in Eagles’ playoff win

By Adam Paul
Updated: June 7, 2021

Granite Hills junior Chloe Knepp. / CS PRO PHOTO

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

SCRIPPS RANCH – The Granite Hills Eagles (9-17-1) entered the playoffs having won three of their last four contests and were able to continue as Chloe Knepp allowed a lone hit while striking out eight on the day in the complete-game victory over Scripps Ranch on Monday (June 7).

Scripps Ranch (8-19) would get their lone hit in the bottom of the second inning meanwhile the Eagles would breakthrough in the top of the fifth inning.

Leadoff hitter Breanna Diaz (1-3, R) laced a base hit to right field to start off and a couple of batters later with one out Jenna Heynal (1-3, R, 2B) doubled to center-field. After the next batter was retired things were not looking good for the Eagles but that changed when Kiki Sandoval (2-3, R, RBI, SB) got a hold of one for a base hit to center-field scoring Diaz to make it 1-0, after a walk to Sofia Mujica (1-3) up came Kayla Fox (1-3, 2B, 3 RBI) who roped a ball to center field that ended up for a bases-clearing double scoring Haynal, Sandoval and Brooke LaFalce (RUN) to push the lead to 4-0.

Now with a four-run lead, Knepp went out to the circle and continued dealing as she struck out a pair and retired the other to end the bottom of the fifth inning.

Granite would push their lead to 5-0 when with one out Paige Baird (1-3, 2B, RBI, SB) doubled in a run in the top of the sixth inning.

Five runs would be all Knepp would need as she retired the Falcons one by one the rest of the way with the help of the defense as they played flawlessly in the field.

With the win, the Eagles move into the double-elimination portion of the tournament and will travel up to the North County to take on the #1 seeded Torrey Pines Falcons in First Round action on Wednesday (June 9) at 3:30 PM.

#7 Ramona 5, #10 Grossmont 2

RAMONA – Trailing early on the Ramona Bulldogs would score a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning and not trail the rest of the way despite a late score by the Foothillers on Monday (June 7).

Grossmont would lead 1-0 in the top of the second inning when Caitlyn Potts (1-3, RBI, 2B) doubled to left field to bring in Kimmy Bond (1-3, R, RBI).

However, the momentum was short-lived as Brianna Kneeshaw tied the game at 1-1 with a base hit to center-field, and the next batter Mia Brown hit a ball that was misplayed allowing another run to score to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead.

The Foothillers would put up a small two-out rally in the top of the third inning as Katelynn Parent was hit by a pitch followed by a base hit by Alyssa Bolden (1-2, R) but both would be stranded as the next batter would be retired to end the inning.

Ramona would go onto extend their lead in the bottom of the third inning when Kethry Schreiber doubled in a run and later would score on an error by Grossmont.

Grossmont tried to push a run across in the top of the fifth inning with two outs thanks to Jade Daley (1-4, 2B) who doubled to center field but she would be stranded to end the inning.

The Foothillers would threaten to push even closer in the top of the sixth inning when Bolden and Natalie Emery each walked to start the inning, the next batter Bond would come thru as she singled to center scoring Bolden to make it 4-2.

Still, no outs, Emery and Bond would move up on a wild pitch but unfortunately, the Foothillers just couldn’t breakthrough as the next three batters were retired to end the inning.

Another error by the Foothillers in the bottom half of the inning would lead to the Bulldog’s final run of the contest and a 5-2 lead.

The three-run lead would be all Rutkoff needed as she retired Grossmont in order in the top of the seventh inning to preserve the victory and eliminate the Foothillers.

Sunny Miller took the loss for Grossmont in which she allowed four runs on six hits over four innings of work while striking out one.

Rutkoff for the Bulldogs got the win as she went all seven innings in which she allowed two runs on five hits while striking out four on the day.

With the loss, the Foothillers finish the season 8-17 and are officially eliminated from the Playoffs while the Bulldogs improves to 11-17-1 and will travel up north and take on the second-seeded San Marcos Knights on Wednesday (June 9) at 3:30 p.m.