Foothillers roll In night cap, score 23

By Adam Paul
Updated: February 23, 2022

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul
ECS Staff Writer

ESCONDIDO( 2-23-22) –Talk about ranking with the high rollers.

The Grossmont Foothillers rolled up a total of 23 runs — in just four innings — to roll to a shutout verdict over San Diego High Tech, Wednesday (Feb. 23) in Cougar Classic tournament action at Kit Carson Park.

It was all Hillers as Dezirae Miller (2-3, R, 3 RBI, 2 2B) and the Foothillers made things look easy as she allowed a single hit while fanning four on the night over four innings of work.

The bats for Grossmont came alive as they pounded out eighteen hits and took advantage of all their opportunities. On the night for the Hillers, eight batters had multiple hits including Lauren Becker (2-3, 3 R, 2B, 6 RBI, HR) who had the biggest night as she drove in six runs which included a grand slam home run.

Grossmont started their scoring in the top of the first inning when Caitlyn Potts (3-3, 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR) drove in Natalie Emery (3-3, 5 R, 2 RBI, SB) which was followed by an RBI single by Isabel Cervantes (2-4, R, 2 RBI) scoring Katelynne Parent (2-2, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI), Miller followed by helping her own cause as she doubled in both Potts and Cervantes to make it 4-0.

Grossmont opened the scoring more in the top of the second inning when Parent drove in both Natalie Emery and Becker with a double to center field, she would come into score on a double by Jade Daley (2-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 2B). Leading 7-0 the next batter Potts came up and blasted a two-run homer over the left-field fence to give them a 9-0 lead.

Later in the inning Ashley Beard (2-3, 3 R, RBI, 2B) would drive in Malia Lebhar (RUN) with a base hit to left field to make it 10-0.

After the grand slam by Becker, the Hillers added more when Potts doubled in Daley to make it 15-0. More of the same for the Hillers in the top of the third inning as Emery drove in both Miller and Na’Khia Lee (2 R) to make it 17-0, later in the inning after scoring a couple of more runs Cervantes would drive in Becker.

Notes The 23 runs scored by Grossmont is one short of the school’s 21st Century record of 24, when Grossmont whipped host El Cajon Valley, 24-0, on April 4, 2013.

Elsewhere

Mt. Carmel 5, Granite Hills 0 (6 inn.)

ESCONDIDO (2-23-22) – Despite having eight hits on the day the Granite Hills Eagles just couldn’t get the timely hit to push any runs despite multiple opportunities.

The Sundevils would take an early 1-0 lead when Brooklyn Umali doubled in Hannah Ferguson who had started the inning off by reaching on an error by the Eagles.

Granite Hills had an opportunity to tie things up in the bottom of the first inning as Kailey Sandoval (2-4, 2B) started off with a double to center-field, she would later advance to third base on a ground ball out but unfortunately would be stranded to end the threat.

Moving to the bottom of the second inning the Eagles again had an opportunity as Jenna Haynal (1-3, 2B) led off with a double to center but the Sundevils were able to get out of the inning without any damage done.

An RBI double by Allie Landry would give the Sundevils a 2-0 lead, a couple of batters later they would add another run on an RBI base hit.

The Eagles would have another opportunity in the bottom of the third inning as Sandoval singled with one out but she would be thrown out at second on a fielders’ choice by Taylor Rose (1-4) which was followed by a base hit by Audrey Smale (1-4). Unfortunately, both would be stranded to end the inning.

Mount Carmel would add runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to lead 5-0.

Rose took the loss for the Eagles. She surrendered five runs on seven hits over four and third innings, striking out three and walking one.

Julia Bongianni picked up the victory for the Sundevils as she surrendered zero runs on eight hits over four and a third innings while striking out three and walking one.

Mater Dei Catholic 9, Santana 2

Trailing early the Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders would score eight runs over the first couple of innings and come away with a victory over Santana on Wednesday night.

The Sultans would take an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Haley Oceguera (RBI) is hit by a pitch which allows Taylinn Warren (1-2, R, SB) to trot home for the run, a couple of batters later with two down Hailey Phillips (1-2, RBI) would drive in Samantha Sullivan (1-2, R, SB) to extend the lead to 2-0.

Despite trailing the Crusaders didn’t panic as Ayanna Shaw doubled in Amy Jones to pull within 2-1, a couple of batters later Analesse Garcia walked which brought in Michaella Salvatierra to knot the score at 2-2. The Crusaders would add a couple more runs thanks to a two-run single by Michelle Cervantes to give them a 4-2 lead.

An error by the Sultans and an RBI double would extend the Crusaders lead to 6-2. Later in the inning, Michelle Cervantes would blast a two-out two-run home run over the center-field fence to make it 8-2.