Extra! Extra! Orange extends O.T. streak

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: March 28, 2023

2023 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior writer

RANCHO SAN DIEGO -The last time anyone took the time to calculate the amazing success which the Valhalla Norsemen possess in extra innings, Joseph “JoJo” Ingrassia was named Southern Ca;ifornia Player of the Week by CalHiSports.

Ingrassia was tabbed Southern California player of the week by CalHiSports. in late May 2019.after the future San Diego State pitcher — he’s now at CSU Fullerton — became the winning pitcher when Valhalla nipped Steele Casnyon, 1-0 in 8 innings.

The triumph was the school’s 11 straight in extra innings and was submitted to CalHiSports as a potential state record.

CalHiSports noted no such record had even been compiled, but further research couldn’t find any other program even close to such a number — the best they had found was eight.

Turn the page forward four seasons. Enteriing tr errk, Vaslhala payed just one additional contest running past hte regulation seven frames, taking an 8-inning decision over Madison during the COVID-19 shortened season of 2020, then none were played the past two seasons.

However, in the Grossmont Valley League opener for both ballclubs on Tuesday (Mar. 28), Valhalla returned to “overtime” after tying the game in the sixth inning.then posted the tie-breaking run on a bases-loaded single by cleanup batter Riley Hughes in the 8th for a 3-2 verdict.

The extra-innings streak is now at 13 straight — this could be a mark which won’t be challenged for not decades, but generations to come.

Following a 7-6, 9-inning setback to La Jolla in 2217, another unusally streak began in 2018.

In three consecutive GVL contests, Valhalla captured three straight extra-inning games, downing Mount Miguel (Apr. 14), Steele Canyon(Mar. 17) and West Hills (Feb. 19). None unprecedented, but fairly rare, too.

Near the end of the ’18 seasons, a second OT win also came against Steele Canyon.

However, 2019 proved to be far more exhilarating.

Seven times, the Norsemen neededextra frames — and Orange Nation won them all.

It didn’t seem to matter if they were home or away; league, non-league, tournament or in the CIF playoffs; any day of the week — there was no rhyme or reason behind the success.

And win the wins over Madison (2020) and West Hills (2023), the run has reached an incredible 13 in-a-row.

VALHALLA “NORSEMEN”
RECENT HISTORY IN EXTRA INNINGS

Date, Opponent, Result
LAST LOSS
3-23-2017 vs La Jolla, L 5-6 (9)

WINS SINCE
4-14-2018 vs Mount Miguel, W 10-9 (8)
4-17-2018 vs Steele Canyon, W 3-2 (8)
4-19-2018 at West Hills, W 7-5 (8)
5-8-2018 vs Steele Canyon, W 3-2 (9)

2-23-19 vs Montgomery, W 5-4 (9)
3-1-2019 vs Westview, W 5-4 (8)
3-8-2019 vs University City, W 4-3 (9)
4-10-2019 at El Capitan, W 4-2(9)
4=17-2019 vs Mission Hills, W 2-1 (9)
4-26-2019 vs Monte Vista, W 7-6 (8)
5-6-2019 vs Steele Canyon, W 1-0 (8)

2-28-2020 at Madison, W 3-2 (8)
2021/2022 none
3-28-2023 vs West Hills, W 3-2 (8)