Lewis, RBI doubles, rule for Granite

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: April 17, 2024

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP BSEBALL

Compiled by Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior writer

Grossmont Hills Legaue

Granite Hills 3, Helix 1

LA MESA – Granite Hills knows how to show its appreciation. It’s as easy as “2-4-6…” with no “8” needed to defeat host Helix, in Tueaday’s (Apr. 16) battle for first place in the Grossmont Hills League.

Granite Hills received a series of three RBI doubles — by Parker Vance, Noah Figuered and Owen Ridgers — one in the second, one in the fourth, and one in the sixth to move to 4-1 in GHL play.

Meanwhile Helix falls into a second-place deadlock with Grossmont at 2-1. The Foothillers are the lone side to hand Granite Hills a setback in GHL play.

The Eagles’ Brenden Lewis fired a 4-hitter, only touched for an unearned run in the second to knot the balllgame at 1-all.

Lewis struck out five Highlanders batters without a walk to gain his East Couty leading seventh victory of the season. He was also aided by a double play.

The lone Helix run saw Antoin Simpson in scoring position following an error, with Adrian Espinoza singling him home.

Grossmont 4, Steele Canyon 2 (8 inn.)

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – In a battle between the bullpens, Grossmont reliever Aidan Dilgard fired a par of no-hit innings, helping the Foothillers nip host Steele Canyon, 4-2 in 8 innings, in Tuesday’s (Apr. 16) Grossmont Hills League game.

With the setback, Steele Canyon (4-15 overall, 0-5 GHL) has dropped 12 straight, breaking the school record of 11 set in the school’s first season (Spring 2003). In the team;slast aiz games, they have scored just three runs.

Dilgard faced just seven batters, walking one while stirking out one, gaining the victory in relief of starter Cody White. Both are seniors.

The Hillers’ Brady Mesko belted a 3-run double to snap a game that was tied at 2-all inthe fourth inning. The other Grossmont runs were driving in by Carson Neil and Johnny Warren.

The top of the batting order was the difference, as Grossmont’s Cody Bigley and Brandon Hermosillo both reached base tiwce, scoring on each occassion.

The Hillers (8-10) moved back into the GHL race at 2-1, tied for second with istorical rival Helix in second place.Non

Non-League

Valhalla 7, Monte Vista 3

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – The Valhalla Norsemen overcame an early 3-0 deficit,but it took time.

Orange Nation didn’t finally grad the lead until the sixth inning when they scoredfour times to topple Monte Vista, 10-4, in (wjat was listed as) non-;eague action.

Valhalla (REC) only collected five singles,but a pair of critical Monte Vista errors doomed them withthree unearned runs.

For Valhalla, Nate Moulton had one hits and two RBI, while Aidan Treltas had two RBI but without a basehit.

Monte Vista’s early lead was supplied by Gavin Daley, who uncorked a 3-run homer in the first. For Daley, who now shared both the GVL and conference lead in home runs with four.

Although Monte Vista entered the contest in first place in the Grossmont Valley League, both teams listed the game as a non-league affair. Thus, the Monachs (12-5-1 overall) remain the league leader.

Valhalla (10-6) has won three straight and 4-of-5 since falling to Madison and Christian (see below).

Western League

Madison 10, Christian 4

CLAIREMONT MESA – The Madison Warhawks have posted three diferent seasons, but it’s their current one which has Western League opponents worried.

Madison started the season at 0-3 with several missing players. During spring break, the Warhawks went 0-3 in the Lions Tournament.

However, when at full strength, Madison raiders its record to 10-2-1 )now 10-8-1 overall) be whipping Christian pitching in a 10-4 triumph over the Patriots.

The Warhawks stand just one full game behind first-place St. Augustine (16-2 oerall), whoa re ranked among the top four teams in the CIF-San Diego Section dpending onwhich poll/rating you prefer.

When looking deeper at Madison’s situatiion during the season so far, do the Hawks deserve a Top Ten berth.

Christian head coach Mike Mitchell was concerned weeks ago, noting that even ballclub inthe Western League will be difficuly. Madison was not an exception, especialyl after racubf to a 7-0 adantage.

Leading Madison was Alex Jennings, who batted 3-for-3. Jennings posted a home run and three RBI in the first four innings.

For Christian, Benji Molina collected three hits, yet only scored once after Madison pitcher Alex Jennings carried a shutout into the sixth inning.

Jennings struck out 10 Patriots batters over 5.1 frames, all without a walk.

Valley League

Escondido 8, Ramona 4

RAMONA – Escondido, which resides in last place in the Valley League, shocked the host Bulldogs

The Cougars scored three in the first, raising the margin to 8-2 in the gate-to-wire decision.

For Ramona, Tallon Ogilvie stroked a two-run double among his two hits. Ogilvie, a freshman who opener his varsity career at just .200 (2-for-10) seems to have found a home on the varsity, now sporting a 3-game hit streak (.400 average).