GHL Baseball: Guerra takes ‘rookie’ battle

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: April 24, 2024

A hard grounder to third base almost hits the runner, who at least s in foul territory / Photo by Nick Pellegrino

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

Compiled by Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior writer

SANTEE – In a league featuring head coaches with long trnures, Grossmont and Santana high schools feature somewhat “rookies” in Nick Guerra ofd the Foothillers and Aidan Rasmusson of the Sultans.

In the first meeting between the coaches, the edge goes to Buerra – a second-year coach – over Rasmusson, who replaced current Point Loma mentor Rigo Ledezma.

Grossmont completed a sweep of the current two-game set, capped by Tuesday’s (Apr. 23) 7-3 decision in Grossmont Hills League play.
The Hillers mounted a 6-0 cushion, officially winning the season series for the first time since 2019 with one regular-season meeting remaining.

Hillers starting pitcher Jacob Holman only needed to pitch four-plus innings to garner the win, allowingjust four hits.

The early lead was supplied on a home run by Cody Bigley, his third of the season. The two-run shot went to left field.

ucas Abkin also collected two RBI for Grossmont (11-10 overall, 5-2 GHL) to remain even with Granite Hills in the loss column at the top of the standings.

Guerra is pleased with his balclub’s progress following a slo start.

“I’mproud if these younbg men. They learned early on how to deal with adversity,” said Guerra. There talen has always been there. What has changed is their belief in themsevles.

“They know they are tough, they know they are resilient, and they know they are porepared. I’m proud to be o this journey with them.”

For Santana,left-handed hitting catcher Landon Montellegro pulled a two-run homer to right field. The blow came momebts after Holman was struck in the foot on a low liner and needed to eventually come out.

Noah Habibi drove in the first Sultans run to avoid the shutout.

Gallery

Grossmont Hills League

Helix 8, Steele Canyon 4

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – The Helix Highlanders posted two runs in the first inning, then pushed the advantage to 8-0 before clearing the bench in increasing Steele Canyon;srecorfd losing streak.

Helixonly needed seven hits – aided by six Cougars walks – to make Steele Cayon the frst school in the Grossmont Conference to getmathematically elijinated from any pennant race.

For the Scotties (REC), a pair of seniors — Walker Laub and Kris Jones — both posted triples. The blow by Laub (2-for-3) drove in a pair of runs. Laub and Jake Hopkins alsoscored twice.

The winning pitcher was Lincoln Wirschem, who only to last four frames. He struck out three.

Steele Canyon saw J.T. Hendrie smack anRBI double in the fifth.

The Highlanders (10-10 overall) remain in the GHL race at 4-2.

The streak for the Cougars (4-18, 0-8) reached 15 losses straight.