GHL: Vaqueros out-last Hillers in slugfest

By Adam Paul
Updated: April 20, 2022

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

FLETCHER HILLS (4-19-22) – A two-out six-run rally would lead to a twelve-run third inning for the visiting El Capitan Vaqueros (15-5, 2-0 GHL) and that would be the difference as they would hold onto beat the Grossmont Foothillers 11-8, 0-3 GHL) in a high scoring affair by the score of 17-14 on Tuesday afternoon.

Early on the Vaqueros would lead 2-0 thanks to a two-out double by Maddie Taylor (3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B) which knocked in both Hailey Mulligan (3-5, 3 R, RBI) and Ava Gall (3-5, R, 2 RBI, 2B).

However, the Foothillers would answer back when with one out Jade Daley (3-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2B) would drive in Natalie Emery (1-3, 3 R) to make it 2-1, Daley would come into score on an error by the Vaqueros to tie the game at 2-2.

With runners still on base the next batter Isabelle Cervantes would draw a walk to load the bases, Natalie Tavarez would come into run for Cervantes and Na’Khia Lee (3-5, R, 3 RBI, 3B) would drive in Katelynn Parent (2-4, R, RBI) to give Grossmont a 3-2 lead. They would extend their lead even further when Eliana Vasquez (1-4, R, 2 RBI) would single in Tavarez, both Lee and Lauren Becker would score on the throw.

Leading 6-2 the Hillers with two outs would add another couple of runs when Ashley Beard doubled in Vasquez and Natalie emery would score on the throw to make it 8-2.

Now trailing and having the momentum taken the Vaqueros would go to business in the top of the third inning starting with a base hit by Dominique Garcia (2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B). The next batter Mulligan would lace a single to right field which was followed by another base hit by Gall in which Garcia would race around second base and come into score to make it 8-3.

Coming into run for Gall was Zoey Rosales (RUN) and with her and Mulligan on base the next batter Taylor would single to score Mulligan which cut the deficit in half 8-4, the next batter Brooke Horn (3-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR) would drive in Rosales which was followed by a sacrifice fly by Aubrey Thorne (2-4, R, RBI, 2B) in which Taylor would tag up and race home to make it 8-6.

After a two-out walk by Jojo Christiaens (RUN) the batter following her Alyssa Fierro (3-5, R) would single to advance both courtesy runner Addi Leone and Christiaens. Still trailing by a couple of runs and the bases loaded up came Garcia who would clear the bases as she ripped a double to center field that allowed El Capitan to wipe out the deficit and retake the lead 9-8.

But the offense for the Vaqueros wasn’t done as Mulligan would single and Garcia would come into score on the throw to make it 10-8, Gall would follow with an RBI double and a couple of batters later Horne whose birthday it was would give herself a fantastic present as she belted a three-run home run over the center-field fence to give the Vaqueros a 14-8 lead.

However, when things were looking good for the Vaqueros the Foothillers struck back as they scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to Parent who drove in Jade Daley and Lee tripling in Tavarez to make it 14-10.

After no scoring by either side for a couple of innings the Vaqueros would add on to their lead as Peyton Wells hit a three-run home run over the left-field fence that scored both Horne and Thorne to give them a 17-10 lead.

Grossmont though wouldn’t go down so easily in the bottom of the seventh inning as Daley would single allowing Emery to score on the throw to make it 17-11. Still, only one out and runners on base Wells who was in the circle would strike out Parent for the second out and things were looking good but the final out is always the toughest and that showed as Becker would be hit by a pitch to load the bases and Iryana Oliver would walk which scored Beard, Daley would score on a wild pitch which also advanced the runners up. The next batter Lee would drive in Becker to pull within three runs but Wells would get Vasquez to ground out to end the game.