Disappointing day at Cougar Classic

By Adam Paul
Updated: February 28, 2023

Escondido's Kit Carson Park / Courtesy, City of Escondido

2023 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

ECS staff report

ESCONDIDO – Perhaps it was the anticipation of poor weather or maybe playing on a Monday (Feb. 27) without any practice say the day prior. No matter the reason, East County softball teams were anything but ready for the opening round of the Cougar Classic, dropping all five contests at Kit Carson Park.

Torrey Pines 2, Patrick Henry 1

Torrey Pines second basemen Reagan Cullivans’ clutch RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie would be the difference as the Falcons held on to beat the Patrick Henry Patriots, 2-1.

The Patriots would get on the board first in the second inning when Josi Alvarado doubled in Izzy Ervin to give them the early lead.

However, the Falcons despite being shut down would finally break through in the bottom of the fifth inning when Ava Fagin hit a ground ball for the first out but Eva Gutierrez who led off the inning with a double would race home for the game-tying run.

Falcon’s starter Georgia Bilski would pick up the win as she went six innings, allowing six hits and one run while striking out nine.

Patriot’s starter McKenna Geiger would also work six innings in which she allowed five hits and two runs while striking out two.

Rancho Bernardo 5, Grossmont 0

Despite having the bases loaded in the first inning, the Grossmont Foothillers would be held scoreless on only three hits,

Hillers sophomore Nakhia Lee had a pair of hits and Katelynne Parent had the only other hit in the loss.

Ramona 2, San Pasqual 2, tie

The Ramona Bulldogs pushed a cross in the sixth to pull even, then the tournament time limit expired after devenframs in a 2-2 draw with San Pasqual.

Trailing after the first inning, San Pasqual — located across the street from Kit Carson Park — gained two runs in the fourth before the Dawgs rallied back to remain tied at the top of their tournament pool.

Kathry Schreiber scored both runs for Ramona, coming home on a fielder’s choice grounder by Grave McNally and a two-out basehit by Breanna Lutz. Mia Fick (2 hits) also scored.

Both Broncos runs came home on a 2-run homer by Ally McKinley. It was the lone mistake by Bulldogs pitcher,Nevaeh Haywood, who spun complete-game 3-hitter.on five strikeouts.

RB, which fell to Valhalla in its opener, dropped to 0-1-1 overall.

Elsewhere

Helix 5, Clairemont 0

CLAIREMONT – A late-inning offensive surge poweed the Helix Highlanders as their bats come alive with five runs in the seventh inning to support superb pitching from both of their sophomore pitchers — including starter Katelyn Woodland — to gain their first victory of the season.

The Scotties remained unbeaten at 1-0-1. The Chieftains are now 0-2 in the tournament.

Holtville 10, Christian 0 (5 inn.)

HOLTVILLE – A big six-run fourth inning by the Holtville Vikings doomed the visiting Christian Patriots on Monday (Feb. 27) afternoon.

Taking advantage of multiple errors and base hits, the Vikings would really put the game out of reach along with strong pitching by Kalli Strahm, who struck out five while allowing only three hits on the day to pick up the victory.

For the Patriots, Hannah Mroz, Kaitlyn Moody, and Samantha Baca (who tripled) would have the only hits on the day.

Scoreboard

Helix 5, Clairemont 0
San Pasqual 2, Ramona 2, tie (7 inn., time limit)
Holtville 10, Christian 0
Madison 5, Mount Miguel 2
Rancho Bernardo 5, Grossmont 0
San Diego HS 13, Monte Vista 0 (5 inn.)
Torrey Pines 2, Patrick Henry 1 (6 inn.)
Orange Glen at ECVHS
West Hills at EC-Central
El Capitan at Hilltop, ppd., wet grounds