The beneficiary of Romero’s offensive output was Griffin (20-17, 13-12 PCAC) pitcher Ethan Heider (6-2), who went six strong innings, giving up five hits and three runs, while striking out six Olympians (13-27, 11-14 PCAC).
Romero, the sophomore infielder from Grossmont High, raised his batting average by 35 points to a team-leading .383 (36-94). As the leadoff batter for the Griffins on Saturday, he started the game with a bang, launching a home run to left field giving Grossmont a quick 1-0 lead.
He returned to the plate in the third inning, and was hit for the 17th time this season to load the bases. He would later score on an Olympian error.
In the fifth, he would double to right center and would score when Luke Denos (2-for-4, three runs, three RBI) singled through the right side. An inning later, Romero would single to center and be forced out on a fielder’s choice.
In the eighth inning, Brodie would return to the plate, looking for a triple to complete the cycle. He didn’t get a triple, but he would single to center and would score two batters later, when Luke Mansy (2-for-5, a run, three RBI) drove in two with a double down the right-field line.
He came back up in the eighth inning and bookended the day with a three-run homer to left to close out the Griffin scoring.
Grossmont finishes the regular season in third place for the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference. They will find out on Sunday night or Monday morning where they will be going in the CCCAA State playoffs. Those playoffs begin on Friday, May 5th, and should the Griffins get into the field, they will be on the road for the duration of their playoff run.
