Once again, Granite’s Lewis ‘saves’ the day

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: March 10, 2025

2025 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

East County Sports.com

Granite Hills 6, at La Costa Canyon 5

LA COSTA – In a potential preview of the CIF San Diego Section playoffs, Granite Hills mounted a 4-0 cushion, then held on to down host La Costa Canyon, 6-5, at Mavericks Field.

Of course, the hero was Eagles standout senior Brenden Lewis, one of the leading candidates for CUF-San Diego Sectionn player of the year laurels,

After the Msavericks scored three times in the fifth inning to move with a run, Lewis entered and fired two innings of n0-hit ball to garner the save.

The victory was given to Luke Bailey. The senior tssed 3.1 inings of 1-hit ball, with the two runs allowed being unearned. Josh Butters then entered to record the final out of the fourth to maintain the lead.

On oiffense, the Eagles received two hits and a pair of RBI from Anthony Miotti, as a majority of the batting order contributing as six different players scored.

Granite Hills (2-0 overall) moves to the top of its pool in handing La Costa Canyon (2-1) its first setback.

Christian 8, West Hills 7 (9 inn.)

SANTEE – The Christian Patriots may be as inexperienced as any ballclub in the East County, yet they demonstrated they don’t give ip.

Despite allowing four runs in th fourth inning to West Hills, the Patriots rallied from a 4-run deficit to take down the Wolf Pack, 8-7 in 9 innings, at Wolf Pack Park.

Christian (3-0 overall) tallied five runs over the final three frames of regulation play to pull even at 7-all, capped by a game-tying, two-run homer to left-center field by lead-off batter Benji Molina.

Then in the ninth, Patriots left fielder Chase Togerson fouled off several pitches before lining a 3-2 pitch up the middle,for the go-ahead, RBI single.

The comeback was keyed by freshman shortstop Maximus Villalva, who batted 3-for-4 with an RBI and scored three times.

Molina, who played first, second and third base on the day, finished with thee RBI.

In the ninth, Togerson took a leadoff walk, moving to second on a one-out basehit to left by sophomore Braeden Casey, then to third on a stolen base, scoring on Togerson line drive.

On the mount, sophomore rae Pheasant tossed a trio of shutout innings to collect the victory.

The save went to Roman Gustin, surviving a one-out walk when the runner was caught stealing by catcher Xander Molina to end the ballgame.

Christian, which went 1-2-3 in the first two innings, still finished with 15 total basehits.

West Hills (1-3) saw Joey Monetti collect two hits with a 2-run homer. Carson-Kai Lewis recorded three RBI.

Grossmont 4, Mpntggomery 0

FLETCHER HILLS – What was more impressive, firsing a complete-game, 3-hitter or the team Grossmont pitcher Jacob Holman was facing.

Holman, s senior facing one of the best-hitting ballclubs in the San Diegosection, left the Montgomery Aztecs with just three basehits in a dominate performance in a 4-0 triumph.

Holman struck out six Aztecs batters, while the Grossmont defense turned a double play.

Meanwhile, sophomore Tyler Holmes smacked a pair of doubles, scoring both times to jump-start the Hillers. (3-1). Montgomery fell to 2-2 in this tie-breaker game to determine the pool champion with one contest remaining.

The Foothillers scored single runs in four of their six trips to the plate. Three of the runs were drivin in by Colton Burke, who also stole a base.

Helix 5, Mater Dei Catholic 3

LA MESA 0 The Helix Highlanders are the ultimate .500 ballclub in the season’s early going. The Scotties, even with a 2-2 records, have bot scored and allowed 16 runs in four narrow contests.

There was no exception on Monday (Mar. 10) after Gelix scoredf four times in the first inning, then survived oner poor inning to stop the Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders.

Scotties starting pitcher Sean Sherrod, a senior, fired five innings. The first four frames were solid before tiring when the Crusaders moved to within a run.

However, Helix may have discovered a young standout from the bullpen in Romeo Briones. The freshman face just seven batters in twoinnings to gaqrner the save, striking out a pair of MDC batters against just one walk.

On offense, the early 4-0 lead came on one swing when Antoin Simpson belted a grand slam.

For Mater Dei Cathlic (1-2), Noah Cook battede 2-for-3, including a two-run homer.

Valhalla 7, Monte Vista 0

SPRING VALLEY – Valhalla pitcher Jesse McCormick fired a complete-game, 5-hit Norsmen, leading the Norsemen past winless Monte Vista, 7-0, on Monday (Mar. 10).

McCormick struck out five Monarchs batters without a walk, with all five hits being singles.

The top of the Valhalla batting order were in control at the start, scoring twice in the first asnd third innings to post an early 4-0 cushion.

Norsemen catcher Mace Wheeler collected two extra-base hits — a double and triple — good for two runs and an RBI.

Meanwhile, third baseman Giacomo Lupo addedbab2-run single to help mount the early lead.

Valhalla (3-1 overall), following a narrow, 1-run setback to Santa Fe Christian, has now captured three straight.

For Monte Vista (0-4), Damian Ordaz and Reuben Cabugwas — botyh seniors — each collected two basehits.

Patrick Henry 5, at Mt. Carmel 2

RANCHO PENASQUITOS – Patrick Henry pitcher Brady Gunn allowed just a run on four hits in six solid innings, leading the Patriots to a pool play triuph over Mt. Carmel.

Gunn struck out seven Sundevils batters, aided by a lead before he stepped onto the mound at 1-0, expanding to 3=- through two frames.

The batting standout was junior Ian Brooke, who drove in four runs by going 3-for-3, incuding a home run. Brooke was also hit by a pitch on his at-bat following the homer.

Patrick Henry remains at the top of its tournament pool at 3-0 overall. Mt. Carmel (0-3) remains winless.

El Capitan 13, San Diego HS 7

DOWNTOWN – Underneath the landing pattern to Lindbergh Field, the bat of El Capitan senior Landon Harbach took flight, driving in five runs in a 13-7 thrashing of host San Diego Hugh.

Harbach’s afternoon included a home run, coming in a difficult ballaprk to hit the long-ball because of a harsh wind coming off Interstate-5.

Overall, hJarbach went 3-for-4, while David Vera , another four-year varsity performer, collected four RBI

Vera became the first East County ballplayers to gain five hits in a single game this season, scoring four times.

El Capitan (2-1 overall) also received two hits from Nathan Brzezinski. The Cavers fell to 0-4.

Coronado 5, Steele Canyon 1

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – Coronado Islanders pitchers combined to toss a 3-hitter, handing the winless Steele Canyon Cougars their fourth straight loss.

Steele Canyon avoided the shutout in the sixth innings on sn RBI basehit by Logan Page, scoring Julian Cervantes when the Cougars collected two of their basehits.

According to scouting websites, Coronado may be a contender this season with a pair of standout starting pitchers.

The Cougars next play Wednesday at Christian (weather/field conditions pending).

Escondido Charter 15, Liberty Charter 8

ALPINE – Liberty Charter exchnaged leads with undefeated Escondido Charter through five innings, tying the scord at 7-all in the fifth.