West Hills title run all-but-complete

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: May 4, 2022

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

ECS staff report

SPRING VALLEY — More than three decades after debuting a varsity baseball program at West Hills High, the Wolf Pack can not claim a second league championship pennant.

On Tuesday (May 3), the Pack stopped host Mount Miguel, 10-6, guaranteeing no worse than a co-title for the school’s first crown in 2003.

The Pack can claim an outright title with a win in two of their final three contests, with games remaining against Monte Vista, ECVHS (assumed) and second-standing El Capitan — the Vaqueros need to win out and have the Monarchs to beat the Pack on Thursday to have a chance.

Despite the absence of their head coach, the Matadors jumped to a quick 2-0 lead. However, West Hills answered with seen straight runs to assume control of the ballgame.

Pacing the offense wass center fielder Connor Evans with three hits and three RBI.

Third baseman Fredie Rowbotham also three hits — all doubles to equal the school record — while catcher Owen Rodgers added two base hits.

The single-game doubles record in the Grossmont Conference is four, set by Kevin Nulton of El Capitan against Valhalla on Apr. 14, 1997 — just more than a quarter-century ago.

West Hills (17-7-1 overall, 7-0 GVL) needs three additional victories (league and postseason) to match the school record of 20. However, the best winning percent came in 2015-16 (16-10 record, .615; MaxPreps is wrong!).

Mount Miguel (5-20), which has dropped 18 its last 19, received a career-best 5-for-5 batting effort from infielder Steve Gulley.

Matadors utility player Joseph Ortega added three hits and two runs, while catcher Johnathan Trader added two hits.

Grossmont Conference Annual Baseball Champions (since splitting into 2 leagues)
Grossmont Valley League 2022 – West Hills 2021 – Santana (9-0) 2020 – none/pandemic 2019 – Valhalla (10-2) 2018 – Santana (14-1) 2017 – Valhalla (13-2) 2016 – Santana (11-1) 2015 -Santana/El Capitan (9-3) 2014 – Santana (10-2) 2013 – El Capitan (9-3) 2012 – El Capitan (12-0) 2011 – El Capitan (12-0) 2010 – El Capitan (11-1)	Grossmont Hills League 2022 – TBD 2021 – Grossmont (12-3) 2020 – none/pandemic 2019 – Helix (8-4) 2018 – Helix (9-3) 2017 – Helix/Santana (9-3) 2016 – Granite Hills/Helix Grossmont (10-5) 2015 -Grossmont (10-5) 2014 – Granite Hills (13-2) 2013 – Grossmont/Granite Hills (11-4) 2012 – Granite Hills (12-3) 2011 – Grossmont (13-2) 2010 – Grossmont (11-4)

Grossmont South League 2009 – Steele Canyon (12-3) 2008 – Steele Canyon (12-3) 2007 – Granite Hills (14-1) 2006 – Granite Hills (14-1) 2005 – Valhalla/Granite Hills (13-2) 2004 – Valhalla (15-0) 2003 – Valhalla (14-1) 2002 – Granite Hills (10-2) 2001 – Helix (8-4) 2000 – Helix (10-2) 1999 – Granite Hills (10-2) 1998 – Granite Hills (10-2) 1997 – Monte Vista (9-3) 1996 – Helix/Monte Vista (8-4) 1995 – Monte Vista (8-4)	Grossmont North League 2009 – Grossmont (10-2) 2008 – Grossmont (10-2) 2007 – Grossmont (11-1) 2006 – Grossmont (10-2) 2005 – El Capitan (11-1) 2004 – Santana (12-2) 2003 – Grossmont/West Hills (8-4) 2002 – Grossmont (11-1) 2001 – El Capitan (11-1) 2000 – Santana (9-3) 1999 – Santana/El Capitan (9-3) 1998 – Grossmont (12-0) 1997 – Grossmont (10-2) 1996 – Grossmont/El Capitan (9-3) 1995 – Grossmont (9-3)

Grossmont 2A League 1994 – El Capitan/Monte Vista (9-3) 1993 – El Capitan (10-2) 1992 – El Capitan (8-4) 1991 – Grossmont (8-0) 1990 – Grossmont (8-0) 1989 – Grossmont (5-1)	Grossmont 3A League 1994 – Granite Hills (10-2) 1993 – Grossmont (8-3-1) 1992 – Grossmont (11-1) 1991 – Granite Hills (7-1) 1990 – Helix/El Capitan (6-2) (Helix won tiebreaker for top CIF berth, 4-3) 1989 – Helix (7-1)

El Capitan 4, Monte Vista 0
LAKESIDE — El Capitan pitcher Cole Winsor fired a 4-hit shutout in his best outing of the season, leading the Vaqueros to a 4-0 blanking of visiting Monte Vista in Tuesday’s (May 3) edition of the GVL held at Hostetler Field.

The complete game was Winsor’s second of the season, striking out eight Monarchs batters.

Right fielder Talon Tucker led the Vasq with three hits, while second baseman Clayton Brown edded a pair of knocks.

El Cap scored inn the first on singles by Winsor, Brody McAuliffe and Tucker (RBI).

The comfort margin came with three runs in the third, A pair of singles and a fielder’s choice was followed by Landon Harbach’s sacrifice fly. Brown followed with an RBI single, then an error gave the Vaqueros a 4-run lead.

El Capitan (14-11 overall, 5-2 GVL) now needs one victory over its final three contests to guarantee a winning record for the season.

Monte Vista (9-16, 3-4 GVL) received two hits from second baseman Tyler Lemen, including a double. Meanwhile, Isaiah Hilke added to his East County lead with another triple.

Valhalla 24, ECVHS 2
RANCHO SAN DIEGO — The visiting El Cajon Valley Braves avid the shutout bif by scoring twice in the seventh inning, otherwise, Valhalla coasted to a win in Tuesday’s (May 3) Grossmont Valley League event.

Braves shortstop Rikki Ortiz batted 2-for-3 with a double, while center fielder Ruben Cosio also posted two hits.

Valhalla (11-14 overall, 5-2 GVL) saw Nick Medrano belt a pair of doubles before the Norsemen went station-to-station with their 16 hits, despite scoring seven times in the second, then six times in the fourth and sixth innings.