Outraged Sultans stun Granite Hills

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: April 26, 2024

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

Compiled by Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior writer

SANTEE – A full day after the title “defending Grossmont Hills League co-champion” was removed from their moniker, the incensed Santana Sultans sent a not-so-subtle message to the Granite Hills Eagles that they will be heard from in 2025.

Following a sub-par performance against Grossmont which eliminated the ballclub on Thursday, Santana pitcher Adam Brandt and his prideful teammates posted his best showing of the season by firing a 3-hitter to blank the two-time champion Eagles, 1-0.

Coupled with Grossmont’s 10-2 dismantling of Helix, the Foothills assumed first place in the GHL, one full game ahead of the Eagles. Both teams meet next Tuesday at Granite Hills Field.

Brabandt now owns three of Santana’s five victories this season after striking out five Eagles batters

Only Granite Hills’ Brenden Lewis could master Brabandt with two hits including a double.

The lone run of the contest came in the first, when Charles Dibble drilled a solo home run. The drive was his second of the season.

It should be noted that many players and staff members of Santana were not pleased hearing they were attempting to “avoid the schools poorest record” in more than a decade, adding motivation to their performance.

Grossmont 10, Helix 2

FLETCHER HILLS in EL CAJON – Moments after Helix tied this historeic rivalry at 2-all in the fifth inning, Grossmont answered with six runs in the half-home of the frame to take a 10-2 decision at Gizoni Field.

However, news from elsewhere started the hillers jumping. The internet world announced Santana npped Granite Hills, 1-0, giving Grossmont undisputed possession of first place in the Grossmont Hills League.

Players and parents from the schools contacted each other to confirm the upset because, after all, who can actuall trust real social media reports against false ones.

Grossmont’s dramatic outburst featured a three-run homer by Caidan Lindsay. A few batters later, Elias Burlaza added a two-run shot to push the lead to 8-2

Burlaza reached base on all four of his trips to the plate, collecting two hits and a pair of walks, scoring three times.

Following his homer, Burlaza was pulled from the mound. The starting pitcher allowed just three hits over five innings. Ty Instone, who posted a 1-2-3 in his lone inning, and Duarte Martinez closed out the victory in relief.

The trio of hurlers also stranded 12 of Helix’s 14 baserunners.