Hillers newby stars to stop Steele Canyon

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: April 19, 2024

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

Compiled by Nick Pellegrino
ECS staff writer

Grossmont Hills League

Grossmont 2, Steele Canyon 1

FLETCHER HILLS in EL CAJON – Moments after Steele Canyon pulled even in the fifth inning, Grossmont answered with what proved to be the game-winning run to claim a 2-1 victory in Grossmont Hills Leaguer action. The reason was an recent addition to the Foothillers’ starting lineup.

Driving in both runs for the Hillers was senior Carson Neil, who didn’t join the starting lineup until Apr. 4. Since this promotion by first-year head coach Nick Guerra, Neil now owns a 4-game RBI streak and batting .667 since his elevation. Included was driving home a run in the GHL -opening series victory over two-time defending champion Granite Hills.

Scoring both Hillers runs was senior Brandon Hermosillo, who walked twice and was worked around the bases to score.

Styarting pitcher Jacob Holmanwent the first 5.2 innings to gain the victory. Holman sruck out six Cougars batters.

Much of Grossmont’s recent success can be attributed to the bullpen. On this occssion, Aidan Dilgard came in to retire all four of the batters he faced to resgister the save.

Grossmont moved to 11-9 overall, winners of dour straight, hold a share of second place at 3-1.

The loss was the school-recrd 13th straight for the Cougars (4-16 overall, 0-6 GHL).

Granite Hills 6, Helix 3

EL CAJON – Trevor Smith and Jordan Mansfield eachbelted two-run homers Thursday (Apr. 18),, lfting Granite Hills to a 6-3 verdict over Helix to sweep the schools’ two-game series.

The Eagles mounted a 6-0 lead through five frames, including four runs in the third for a 5-run advantage.

Granite Hills (14-4 overall) moved to 5-1 in the GVL as the school hits their halfway point in the league ledger., seeking a third straight league pennant.

The only players with two hits were Tommy Entrekin of Granite Hills and Helix’s Jake Hopkins.

Meanwhile, the hottest hitter in the GHL may be Helix’s Antoin Simpson, who belted a two-run homer in the sioxth to ruin the shutout biud by Luke Bailey.

A junior, Bailey struck out three Highlanders over six innings. Kade Gaeir then entered in relief and struck out the side on the seventh to garner the save.

Grossmont Valley League

Monte Vista 3, El Capitan 2

SPRING VALLEY – Monte Vista senior Jacob Schweizer and David Aceron both registered RBI doubles, while Justyn Stone also drove in a run, as the Monarchs rallied from a 2-0 deficit with three runs inthe fifthinning to edge El Capitan, 3-2, in Grossmont Valley Leagur action.

The Vaqueros held a 2-0 advantage in the second, thanks to a 2-run triple by Landon Harbach., scoring Aidan Terrones and Kasen Baker.

However, the Monarchs pieced together all three of their hits in the fifth.

El Capitan pitcher Landon Harbach carried a no-hitter through four frames, yet couldn’t escape the fifth despite strike out six Monarchsbatters.

Meanwhile, Monte Vista pitcher Gavin Daley fired a complete-game, 4-hitter for the triumph.

Monte Vista (13-5-1 overall) rests alone in first place at 2-0. EThe contest was ther GVLopener for El Capitan (11-7).

West Hills 15, Mount Miguel 1

SANTEE – This contest went scoreless for three innings before the Wolf Pack scored 6, 5 aqnd 4 runs over their final three trips to the pl;ate in Thursday’s (Apr. 18) Grossmont Valley League opener.

West Hills seenior Braeden Steveson drove in five runs, while senior Nate Hilkes had three RBI. Joey Monetti added a triple.

Hikes, the winning pitcher, register 10 strike outs.

1
Valhalla 21, ECVHS 2 (4 inn.)

EL CAJON – Many assure that the last El Cajon Valley High performer to play ;rfessional baseball, was Joe Kennedy, the late Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Colorado Rockies pitcher.

The answer is actually current Braves head coach Clifton Thomas,, who played successfully in both independent ball and then semi-prop ball with the Barona-San Diego Stars for 10 seasons, advancing to many National Baseball Congress World Series appearances.

Thomas knew taking the ECVHS assignment would be difficult, but all he asks of his players, opponents and even the umpires — plus himself, of course — is to play hard and and with passion 100 oercent of the time.

However, there are days when ne needs to wave the white flag after Thursday’s (Apor. 18) Grossmont Valley League opener was called after four innings. GAME STATS

Still, the Braves , which entered with a 90-5 overall record against fellow CIF-San Diego Section Division 5 schools, will attempt to stay focused for the next four weeks prior to the playoffs.

Valhalla, by wunning this GVL opener, goes to 11-6 overall. The Norsemen are tied for second with West Hills, both standing a half-game ahead of Monte Vista.

Scoreboard

Grossmont 2, Steele Canyon 1
Granite Hills 6, Helix 3
Monte Vista 3, El Capitan 2
West Hills 15, Mount Miguel 1
Valhalla 21, ECVHS 2 (4 inn.)

Borrego Springs 24, Warner 1 (5 inn.)

BORREGO SPRINGS – Borrego Springs senior Brody White registered two of th Rams’six doubles, but freshman Mauricio Rodriguez did even better with two doubles and four RBI to wear out the Warner Wildcats. The pair, along with Andres Macuga, , all had three hits.

Coastal 15, Foothills Christian 3 – In Lakeside, after the visiitng Stingrays fubled away a 3-2 lead, they re-gained the lead in the fourth inning, then sadded six runs in the sixth to take this Pacific League battle. The Knights were tagged for nine errors. The ballclubs are now tied for second place, 1.5 games behind Escondido Charter.

Mountain Empire df. CV-LC, forfeit
Escondido 3, Ramona 0
Vincent Memorial at Julian