Hillers fall despite Vasiliou’s last effort

ORANGE —- “One” can be the loneliest number, especially for the Grossmont Foothillers during this postseason.

After capturing the Grossmont Hills League championship, the Hillers fell one short in a few categories.

They fell one game short of capturing the CIFSDS Open Division crown, they fell one short in equaling the school single-season record for victories, and they fell one short of the school mark for home runs.

All this occurred following Tuesday’s (June 22) narrow 1-run setback to host Orange Lutheran, 2-1, in the opening round of the CIF Southern California Division I regional.

The Lancers (30-5) snapped a 1-1 deadlock with a late, two-out rally. In the sixth inning, senior Ryan White smacked a triple to right field, scoring moments later on a basehit by junior Karson Bowen.

Not by coincidence, White and Bowen were the only two Lancers to record a pair of hits. For Grossmont, Barron Zamora also collected two knocks.

Good at bats and a HBP leads to a run for Grossmont HS and a tied game through 5 innings of play #shapethestate pic.twitter.com/FFAPzPOzdB

— (@PBR_California) June 23, 2021

A first-inning run by Orange Lutheran looked like it would stand up until Grossmont finally hit the board in the fifth.

With one down, consecutive singles by Justin Brown, Chris Chrzan, and Reggie Williams loaded the bases. Max Cadwalader followed and was struck by a pitch forcing in a run and chasing the Orange Lutheran starter.

However, Lancer reliever Evan Miranda would end the threat, retiring seven of the final eight batters for Grossmont (29-6) to garner the victory.

Grossmont senior Jaden Wilcox was the tough-luck loser, going the distance without issuing a walk.

The loss still doesn’t take away a terrific 6 inning performance by 2021 RHP Jaden Wilcox of Grossmont Hs #shapethestate pic.twitter.com/mUNhj32ric

— (@PBR_California) June 23, 2021