New-look Monarchs shutout Cavers

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: March 1, 2023

2023 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

ECS staff report

SPRING VALLEY – Could the transition to become a league title contender occur so quickly?

It’s been only one game, but the Monte Vista Monarchs already look like a potential challenger in the Grossmont Valley League after an impressive outing in East County’s lone baseball game on Tuesday (Feb. 28); all of the others were rained out or postponed due to wet grounds.

Junior right-hander David Rodriguez struck out 12 batters in his debut, firing a complete-game, 3-hit shutout in a 4-0 thumping over visiting San Diego High.

Rodriguez, who captured just a single win in limited varsity action as a sophomore in ’22, might be the pitching solution Monte vista needs to again be competitive and make a run at a league crown un\der second-year head coach Jessie Burns.

Even more noteworthy, Rodriguez faced just 24 Cavers batters — only three above the minimum — without issuing a walk so early in the campaign. He was also backed by an error-less defensive effort.

On offense, Jacob Schweizer and Gavin Daley and — both juniors — each provided a run-scoring double, as Monte Vista tallied twice in consecutive innings to build their 4-run cushion by the third inning.

The other Monte Vista run was driven home by senior Oscar “Oh!” Ortega.

San Diego also provided strong pitching in yielding just four total hits — the remaining Monarchs hit was struck by David Aceron — but three of the hits produced runs, with baserunners were provided on four walks and three hit batsmen.

Rodriguez and Schweizer also aided both rallies with a stolen base.

Last season, the Monarchs were involved in 10 shutouts, including nine over the final, and four in the final six contests.