D-2: Mujica’s big day seals Eagles’ win

By Adam Paul
Updated: May 25, 2022

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

LAKESIDE (5-24-22) – A big fifth inning saw the Granite Hills Eagles explode for six runs which would help propel them to a 10-4 victory over the El Capitan Vaqueros in a CIFSDS D-II challengers bracket contest on Tuesday.

Leading 5-1 at the time the fourth-seeded Eagles would really extend their lead out of reach when Sofia Mujica (3-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR) came up with the bases loaded and absolutely launched a 1-0 count over the center field fence for a grand slam to give them a 9-1 lead.

The home run was Mujica’s 13th of the season and tied Our Lady of Peace’s Stefini Makke for the San Diego Section lead and it was also her first career grand slam. She also became the seventh player in CIFSDS history to reach 30 career homers,

“The pitch was one inside and a little high and I just went with it and got a hold of it.” said Mujica of her grand slam.

Scoring on the home run was Taylor Rose (2-4, 2 R, RBI) who drove in Kamryn Flath (1-5, 2 R), Breanna Diaz (1-3, R) who walked, and Kayla Fox (2-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B) who drove in Chloe Knepp 2-4, R, RBI, 2B).

Trailing 9-1 the Vaqueros would make a mini-rally in the bottom of the sixth inning when Christiaens drove in Shelby Vars (RUN) and Alyssa Fierro (2-4, RBI) drove in Christaens, and also Reese Danckzak (RUN) would score on an error to make it 9-4. But that would be the closest they would get as the Eagles would get out of the inning.

Granite would answer back with another run in the top of the seventh inning when Hines would walk with the bases full to bring home Mujica to round out the scoring.

Earlier in the contest, the Eagles would score the first run of the game as Fox would ground out to score Flath to make it 1-0, and a couple of batters later Kailey Sandoval (1-2, RBI) would draw a walk to score Rose to make it 2-0.

The Vaqueros would answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning when JoJo Christiaens (2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR) belted a solo shot over the center-field fence to pull them within 2-1.

Knepp would extend the Eagles’ lead in the top of the third inning when she doubled to left field to bring home Makenna Hines.

Taking the loss for the Vaqueros was Brooke Horn who got the start as she allowed three runs on six hits in her three innings of work in which she walked a pair and struck out two, Payton Well came in and went four innings of relief that saw her allow seven runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out two on the day.

On the other side for the Eagles, Rose got the nod and was able to get the win as she allowed four runs on ten hits over six innings of work that saw her walk one and strike out two.

Both Maddie Taylor and Wells would each have a pair of hits for the Vaqueros.

“The other day at practice I was telling the other it’s one or done and we didn’t want to go home as we have a job to finish.” said Mujica when asked about the mindset coming into an elimination game.

With the loss, the second-seeded El Capitan Vaqueros are officially eliminated and finish their season 21-9.

On the other side, the Granite Hills Eagles improve to 15-12-1 and will advance to the challenger’s semi-finals bracket to be played at the Santee Sportsplex on Thursday against Valhalla to be played at 2:15 p.m.

Valhalla 7, El Camino 1

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – Strong pitching and early offense were all the fifth-seeded Valhalla Norsemen needed as they easily dispatched the seventh-seeded El Camino Wildcats on Tuesday afternoon in a CIFSDS D-II losers bracket contest at Leto Field.

The only run on the day given up by Norsemen starter Naomi Villava was an RBI single by Emily Quintero in the top of the seventh inning.

Valhalla would take an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning courtesy of a ball that was misplayed off of a hit by Maryn Jordan, she would come into score when Cadyn Ruffer grounded out and Villava would help her own cause as she hit her third home run of the season over the left-field fence.

An RBI single by Avery Voth would give the Norsemen a 4-0 lead which was followed by a Bella Moscoso fielders’ choice that scored Marissa Lupo.

Villava later in the bottom of the fifth would once again help herself as she doubled in Jordan which was followed by a ground ball out by Nayeli Chapa that scored Bailey Lenz to round things out scoring-wise.

El Camino the defending CIFSDS D-III Champions couldn’t get much going offensively as their offense was limited to the one run and the scattering of six hits.

Villava allowed one run on six hits while striking out five on the day over her seven innings of work to pick up the victory for the Norsemen.

El Camino with the loss is officially eliminated and finishes their season with a record of 16-13.

Valhalla advances and looks to avenge an opening round 7-6 loss to Granite Hills as they take on the Eagles on Thursday. The Norsemen improve to 21-8 on the season.