Granite Hills takes ‘bite’ out of Helix

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: May 4, 2024

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

Compiled by Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior writer

Grossmont Hills League

Granite Hills 4, at Helix 2

LA MESA – Granite Hills called upon its ace in the hole in preparations for what they hope will be an extended playoff run in the CIF San Diego Section championships.

Luke Bailey, a transfer from nearby Christian High, made his NUMBER start for the Eagles a successful, stopping hst Helix on five hits in a 4-2 verdict in Grossmont Hills League action Friday (May 3).

When the Division I postseason begins, should Granite Hills suffer a setback and need a third pitcher to avoid elimination,Bailey might be the answer to join Brenden Lewis and Chandler Henry.

“I needed to sit out because of the transfer rule,” noted Bailey. “So I have been filling in when I’m needed.”

During his six innings, Bailey was in trouble only once, but it wasn’t because of a lack of effort.

Eagles center fielder Trevor Smith raced to the fence in an attempt to make a catch, but dropped the ball upon contact; the play was rued a basehit.

Both Helix baserunners needed to wait for the catch, but then could only advance 90 feet to load the bases in the third inning.

“Trevor made a great attempt,but he hit the fence hard,” noted Bailey. “Because of the delay becaue the coaches wanted to make sure he was okay, but it (the delay) definitely effected me.

Instead of leading 1-0 thanks to Parker Vance smacking a booming home run to left in the second, the Highlanders held a 2-1 lead after posting a pair of RBI without the aid of a basehit.

The runs came on a 4-pitch walk to Jake Hopkins to knot the contest. One pitch later, Gehrig Syms was struck in the hands by an inside pitch, forcing home the go-ahead run.

“I had to gather myself and pitch strikes to get us out of the inning,” added Bailey.

Granite Hills immediately responded with three runs in the fourth to secure the lead for keps.

“That’s how we’ve been playing all year,” Bailey said. :We never give up — we’re always going to put a bite on the other team.

Included was a RBI double by Owen Rodgers to move in front. The other run-producing hits came from Tommy Entrekin and Noah Figuered.

Early on, Vance’s homer was his second of th4 season.

“It was some sort of knuckle-curve that just stayed up there,” said Vance. “And I was all over it.:

Added Bailey,”I’m really excited for him. I look forward to see what he can do in the playoffs.”

Jake Gaeir pitched the seventh to collect the saved.

First, Granite Hills needs to break its deadlock with Grossmont for the GHL:. Both sides have two ballgames remaining.

Grossmont 3, Steele Canyon 0

FLETCHER HILLS in EL CAJON – The pennant chase in the Grossmont Hills League is down to two contests after the Grossmont Foothillers handed Steele Canyon it school-record 18th straight loss at Gizoni Field.
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Hillers pitcher Jacob Holman tossed a 5-hit shutout for the victory. Holman struck out five Cougars batters, movig into the top five in the GHL with a record of 5-2.

Earlier, Holman went 5.2 frames in allowing just one run to also dominate Steele Canyon.

Single runs in the first, fourth and sixth inning spelled the difference, including a solo home run by senior Cody Bigley.

The homer was Bigley’s fourth of the season, a streak that started following the Lions Tournament when the Hillers’ record was 5-9, and is now 9-3 his the start of his hitting barrag.

The Cougars last triumph came on Mar. 13, when they nipped Montgomery in 11 innings, 2-1.

Grossmont Valley League

West Hills 6, Monte Vista 2

SANTEE – Twenty-four hours after Monte Vista eliminated West Hills from title contnetion, the Wolf Pack did the same thing to the monarchs, clinching the Grossont Valley League championship for the Valhalla Norsemen.

Tied at 1-all, four Pack runs in the third inning spelled the difference.

For Monte Vista, David Aceron and Jacob Schweizer drove in runs; West Hills failed to report itsd individual statistics.

Valhalla 17, at Mount Miguel 0

SPRUNG VALLEY – The Valhalla Norsemen produced a season0best 20 hits to down the Mount Miguel Matadors.

Noah Connor pitched shutout on six hits, striking out eight batters without a walk.

Brennan Simonet batted 4-for-5, with three runs and five RBI.

For Mount Miguel, Easton Sanchez batted 2-for-3.

El Capitan 21, at ECVHS 1 (5 inn.)

EL CAJON – El Capitian scored seven times in the third inning to mount a 12-0 lead to down the host ECVHS Braves.

Nathan Brzezinski tossed a complete-game, 1-hitter in the five-inning affair He strick out eight batters.

Four different Vaqueros drove in three runs. The RBI for ECVHS came from the bat of Eduardo Cazarez. bringing homr Jorge J. Vargas Tiznado (Sr) to snap th shutout bid in the fifth.