2025 Prep Baseball Scores / Highlights

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: March 17, 2025

2025 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

WEEK FOUR
Mon., Mar. 17

Steele Canyon 4, San Ysidro 1

SAN YSIDRO – The Steele Canyon Cougars went gone more than a uear since feeling the thrill of victory.

On Mar. 13, 2024 — some 369 days ago — the Cougars needed to go extra inning before eding Montgomeyr, 2-1 in 11 innings, to raise their record to 4-3.

Then the ballclub hit a wall — the Great Wall of Jamul beyind left field? — to drop 20 straight in ’24, a stretch that extended to a school record 24 this seaspn.

However, a return to the South Bay saw the Cougars (1-5) reach the win column by stopping the host Cougars, 4-1, on Mondy (Mar. 17).

In the search for pitching for several seasons, Steele Canyon seems to have found an arm in Hunter Haase, a four-yeat varsity performer.

Haase fired a complete game, 4-hitter in stopping San Ysidro.

The senior struck out five Cougars batters, closing the contest with 6.1 innings of shutout ball.

The Cougars immediately pulled even uin the second inningm, then scored twice in the third to maintain the lead for keeps.

TheCougarshitting standot was Julian J. Cervantes, who collected two hits, including an RBI triple at the mammoth San Ysidro ballpark.

Also driving in runs were Gavin Caha, Andrew Bravo and Austin Hall. Setting the table was Tommy Rimoldi, who scored twice.

For the Cougars, Antonio Soto scored their lone run on a ground out to the rifht side by Axel Reyes.

El Capitan 6, Christian 5

EL CAJON – El Capitan battled back from a 3-0, first-inning deficit by tallying five times in the fifth to hold off previously unbeaten Christian, 6-5, Monday (Mar. 17).

The Vaqueros’ Seth Walker collected three hits and two RBI to spur the comeback. Branden Hawkins also added three hits, with an RBI and scoring once.

Christian reached the scoreboard immediately on a lead-off singleto right field by Maximus Villalva, a walk tocatcher Benji Molina, when center fielder Breaden Casey came up next and doubled to open the scoring,

Chase Togerson followed with a flare over the El Cap second baseman for a second run, then third baseman Roman Gustin slapped a rollerto third base that wenttoo slow for a play at the plate and a 3-0 advantage.

The margin might have been greater, but the Vaqueros received a break when second baseman Emilio Fearn-Flores snagged a line drive.

The lead climbed to 4-1 before the Vaq Attack came alivein the fifth.

After loading the bases, shortstop Kasen Baker scored on a balk. Brenden Hawkins lined a basehit to center to bring home pinch-runner Sal Ponce to tie the ballgame at 4-all,

Walkerfollowed with his go-ahead, 2-run single.

The Patriots moved to within a run in the fifth, then had baserunners in the sixth and seventh. However, El Cap closer Landon Harbach reistered the finalfour outs for the save.

Both ballclubs are now 3-1 overall.

Grossmont 1, University City 0

UNIVERSITY CITY – Grossmont pitcher Jacob Holman fired a complete-game 5-hitter, leading the Grossmont Foothills past host University City, 1-0, Monday (Mar. 17).

Holman, who went 6-1 last season, moved to 3-0 in 2025 after he struck out nine Centurions batters. The total is a career high for the four-year varsity erformer.

The lone Hillers run came without the aid of a basehit in the second. A ground ball to the right side by Colton Burke was good for an RBI when Nate McCance came home from third base.

Sophomore Logan Struck registed two of the five hits by Grossmont (4-1) to help snap a 4-game win streak by the Cents (4-1).

Granite Hills 10, St. Augsutine 4

KEARNY MESA – Knotted at 1-all through gour inning,unbeaten Ganite Hills bombed St. Augustine pitching for nine runs in the fifth inning to martyr the Saints, 10-4, at Hichman Field.

Eagles senior Brenden Lewis drilled a home run and a double, good for four RBI. He also scored three times.

ommy Entrekin also collected two hits, including a run-scoring double.

Eagles pitcher Luke Bailey tossed five innings, with only one earned run among the four allowed to the Saints (1-4).

Bailey struck out four Saints batters, then Scott Russell also struck out four in his two innings of relief.

Foothills Christian 10, Canyon Hills 1

LAKESIDE – According to social media, Foothills Christian fields two players who were unable to play for Canyon Hills, located in nearby Tierrasanta.

Thus, the Knights owned extra incentive to wipe-out the Rattlers, 10-1, Monday (Mar, 17) at Matt LaChappa Field.

The sophomores amalgamate of Jansen Granillo and revor Cochrum allowed just three hits.

On ffense for the Knights (3-4), eight differetnt players collected one RBI each.

The top hitters was center fielder Jonah Nottoli, another soph, with two hits and scoring both times to send Canyon Hills to 1-3-1.

Scripps Ranch 3, Helix 1

SCIPPS RANCH – In an interesting pitching duel, Scripps Ranch starter Jake Sakurauchi struck out six Helix batters over four innings, then releiver Tyler Gloff fired three frames of 1-hit ball to down the Helix Highlanders, 3-1, on Monday *Mar. 17).

The Falcons duo combined for nine strikeouts in tossing a 4-hitter.

Helix pitchers Antoin Simpson and Ace Nguyen fired five shutout innings, with the difference coming inthe third when the Falcons socred their three runs. Simpson struck out six.

The Scotties (2-3).attempted to generate offense with four stolen bases, but only Alex Carbajal would score on an unearned run in the second off the Falcons (2-2)

Madison 2, Valhalla 1

CLAIREMONT MESA – The contest which was scoreless for four inngs, host Madison scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to off-set Valhalla’s run in the seventh to win 2-1, at Roeder Field.

Landis Nguyen and EvanJensen knocked in runs for the Warhawks (4-3), while pitcher Jeremiah “J.J.” Jennings tossed a complete-game 3-hitter to stop the Norsemen (3-2).

Disappointing for Valhalla, Jennings career varsity record is now a mere 4-8.

Montgomery 4, Patrick Henry 1

SAN CARLOS -Montgomery sophomore Jesus Cano fired a complete-game 4-hitter, as the Aztecs rallied from a 1-0 deficitr to top host Patrick Henry, 4-1, Monday (Mar. 17).

Cano, who went 2-0 as a freshman, struck out six Patriots batters, facing just 27 total batters.

Pitcher-shortstop Cody Cappelletti drove in the lone Patrick Henry run in the first inning, driving home center fielder Alex Mestman, the lead-off batter who batted 2-for-3.

The hitting standout was Montgomery’s Noah Flores, went drove inthree runs,including a key 2-run single in the seventh.

Mira Mesa 8, Santana 0

MIRA MESA – Ziggy Avinion fired six innings of 1-hit ball, then Caleb Gerlach tossed a 1-2-3 in the seventh inning, as the pair of sophomore powered the Mira Mesa Marauders past Santana.

Avinion also allowed a walk, but faced just one batter above the minimum because of a Mira Mesa double play.

Zerek Zamora collected a 3-run single for the Marauders (3-2 overall). Santana (2-3) has been blanked in all three setbacks.

La Jolla 7, West Hills 1

LA JOLLA – West Hills avoided a shutout with a run in the seventh inning, otherwise, La Jolla surfed past the Wolf Pack, 7-1, at Muirlands Middle School.

The lone Wolf Pack marker was provided by Joey Monetti, who collected tawo of the team’s six hits, including a basehit to drive home Carson-Kai Lewis, who also recortod two hits.

Mission Bay 3, Monte Vista 2

PACIFIC BEACH – In a battle of opposites, undefeated Mission Bay held on for dear life to escpe a challenge from winless Monte Vista, 4-3, at Dennis Pugh Field.

Monte Vista (0-5) rallied to pull even with single runs on the sixth and seventh innings, but the Buccaneers (6-) answered with a walk-off, game-winner.

The deciding run was unearned on one of five errors by the Monarchs.

For Mission Bay, senior Van Playman belted an RBI triple.

Mission Bay is on pace to match its best start (13-1) since 2006; Monte Vista is off to its porrest start since 2013 (0-6).

The Bishop’s 4, Ramona 0

PACIFIC BEACH – Clyde Kates and Jimmy Sampson comvined on a 3-hit shutout, leading The Bishop’s School past Ramona 4-0, at Kate Sessions School.

Kates struck out eight Bulldogs over 4.1 innings, then Sampson registered four more for the save, giving the Kngiths a dozen K’s on Monday (Mar. 17).

yle Rippel smacked a 2-run double for The Bishop’s (4-2-1), part of a 3-run rally in the first. The struggling offense of Ramona (1-2-1) has just seven runs in four contests (two in the last three).

WEEK THREE
Sat., Mar. 15
Longmont (Colo.) 7, at Foothills Christian 1 – The undefeated Trojans of Logmont HS, located 35 miles due north from Denver, saw pitchers Bryce Smaic and Asher Paul combine to fire a 1-hitter at the Knights in a non-league contest at Matt LaChappa Field… Down 2-0, Foothills Christian gained its run in the 1st on a ground ball to the right side by freshman Jr. Merino to score catcher Jonah Nottoli… The lone hit was collected by first baseman Bryce Smaic… Smaic struck out seven Knights batters over six innings.

Patrick Henry 8, Maranatha Christian 0 – The Patriots scored three times on their first two trips to the plate to bounce the visiting Eagles of 4S Rannch (just west of Rancho Bernardo)… Patriots right fielder Tyson Bobo bombed a 3-run homer to left in the second inning.. Register anther pitching victory for James Gunn, who struckout seven Eagles batters over six innings, allowing just two of MCHS’s three hits… Henry second baseman Preston Conklin collected two hits, scoring both times.

EC-Southwest 4, Ramona 1 – Bulldogs sophomore Zack Nightingale registered the only Ramona basehit in a disappointing trip the Imperial Valley… Trailling 1-0, the host Eagles scored all four of their runs in the sixth inning to win.

Francis W. Parker at Mountain Empire, ppd.

Fri., Mar. 14
Borrego Springs 7, Vincent Memorial 4
All others contests, ppd./ccd., wet grounds

Tue., Mar. 11
All games, ppd., rain

Mon., Mar. 10
Valhalla 7, at Monte Vista 0
Grossmont 4, Montgomery 0
Helix 5, Mater Dei Catholic 3
Granite Hills 6, at La Costa Canyon 5
El Capitan 13, at San Diego HS 7
Christian 8, at West Hulls 7 (9 inn.)
Patrick Henry 5, at Mt. Carmel 2
Coronado 5, at Steele Canyon 1
Escondido Charter 15, Liberty Charter 8

WEEK TWO
Sat., Mar. 8
Patrick Henry 13, at Mira Mesa 4 – Down 4-0, PHHS scores 8 in the 5th.
Ramona 2, at Vista 1
Chula Vista 6, at Foothills Christian 3
La Costa Canyon 3, Santana 0
Otay Ranch 5, Helix 4

Fri., Mar. 7
Mount Miguel 9, Castle Park 6

SPRING VALLEY – Mount Miguel tallied six times in the sdecond inning and eventually built a 7-1 cushion, but when Castle Park roared back to within a run, the Matadors escaped with two runs in the fifth to trip the winless Trojanes, 9-6.

Mount Miguel (2-2 overall), which has now captrueed two straight thanks to scoring 21 runs,

Angel Delgado provided the key hit in the second, belting a 3-run double. Braydon Cardwell also smacked a run-scoring double. Easton Sanchez also collected a pair of RBI. All three are seniors.

“C-Park” is now winless in three starts.

The Matadors next play at Foothills Christian on Tuesday (Mar. 11). For the 2025 season, the Knights are now calling Matt LaChappa Fiueld in Lakeside as their now home ballpark.

VaLhalla 4, Steele Canyon 2

RANCHOO SAN DIEGO – The Valhalla Norsmen took another Campo Road Trophy (if there was one) by handing Steele Canyon its 23rd consecutive setback.

The Orange (2-1 overall) overcame an early 2-0 deficit with three runs in the fourth inning.

The Cougars (0-3) stayed in the contest in the late going, as relief pitcher Hunter Haase struck out five Valhalla batters in his two innings. However, the offense continued to struggle, as Jonah Arens collected the lone RBI on after getting bit y a pitch while the bases were loaded.

Madison 15, Monte Vista 1

KEARNY MESA – Following a strong performance by Minte Vista, the Monarchs fell flat to Madison, as the host Warahwks scored five times in the first inning, then 9-1 by the fourth.

Madison (2-1 overall; all against Grossmomnt Conference schools) saw senior Jack O’Toole smack a solo homer our of Bob Roeder Field, finishing with two hits and three runs scored.

Three others — seniors Ryan Jackson and Dakota James, plus junior Jorge Luque — each collected three RBI, while four pitchers conbined on a 3-hityter.

Monte Vista (0-3) tallied its lone marker in the third, with Ben Kurtz scoring on a double by Damianfeft-handed hitter Ordaz, the first baseman.

Thurs., Mar. 6
Westview 12, Grossmont 6 – In the only contest featuring an East County ballclub, Grossmont held a 5-4 lead, but the Wolverines (1-1) scored five times in the 6th, and twice more in the 7th to rally past the previouslt unbeaten Foothillers (2-1).

Wed., Mar. 5 – STORY
Santana 7, Hilltop 3
Grossmont 5, Mater Dei Catholic 1
El Capitan 5, Santa Fe Christian 4
Christian 6, Monte Vista 5
Valhalla 8, San Diego HS 6
Patrick Henry 4, Torrey Pines 0
Mountain Empire 7, Warner 0

Coronado 12, West Hills 1
Madison 11, STeele Canyon 1
Montgomery 5, at Helix 3

Tue., Mar. 4
Granite Hills 2, at Rancho Buena Vista 0 – Brenden Lewis (GH): 7 IP, 2 H, 15 K, 0 BB.
Foothills Christian 12, CV-High Tech 1
Thermal-Desert Mirage 4, at Borrego Springs 1
Coastal 6, Liberty Charter 1
Poway 8, Santana 0

Mon., Mar. 3 – STORY
Christian 12, at San Diego HS 3
Grossmont 10, Vista 1
Helix 4, at Westview 3
Mount Miguel 13, at Castle Park 5
West Hills 4, Madison 3
Coronado 6, at Monte Vista 1
Santa Fe Christian 3, Valhalla 2
LJCDS 8, El Capitan 2
University City 5, at Steele Canyon 1

WEEK ONE
Sat., Mar. 1
Foothills Christian 4, Sweetwater 3 (9 inn.) – On the openbing day of the Dennis Pugh Memorial Tournament held by Mission Bay HS, Foothills Christian needed 9 innings to slip past Sweetwater, 4-3, The ballgame was contested at University City HS.

The Red Devils handed the victory to the Knights.. Starting the ninth at the top of the batting order, sophomore Jonah Nottoli walked, moving to second base on a ground out. The next batter also walked, then a pair of wild pitches brought Nottoli home.

The Knights (1-2 overall) built a 2-0 lead in the first on a 2-run triple by over the left fielder’s head by sophomore 16 Trevor Cochrum. The lead reached 3-1 before Sweetwater scored twice in the sixth to force extra innings.

However, FCHS relief pitcher “Captain” Jack Morgan finished his outing with 3.1 innings of shutout ball to gain the win from out of the bullpen. Starting pitcher Jr. Merino, a freshman right-hander, struck out six Red Devils in his 5-plus innings.

SuHi (1-1) moved even on a 2-run double by senior Daniel Vidal.

With their first win, the Knights are seeking a fifth straight winning season.

Fri., Feb. 28
Santana 4, Classical 2 = Santana freshman Israel Sanchez drove in a pair of runs, as Santana built a 4-0 lead to take a biite out of the Caimans.
Mountain Empire at Calipatria, late

Thurs., Feb. 27
Liberty Charter 26, at ECVHS 1 (4 inn.)
Lincoln 8, Foothills Christian 7
SD-Southwest 12, Mount Miguel 5
Holtville 10, River Valley (Ariz.) 2

Wed., Feb. 26
Ramona 16, at Valley Center 1 – The Bulldogs scored 7 times in the second inning to mount a 10-09 advantage that evetually reached 12 runs.

Tue., Feb. 25
Mountain Empire def. Warner, forfeit
CAMPO — What we know: At the start of the U.S. Civil War in 1861, stagecoach service in Warner Springs was discontinued and the Union Army established Camp Wright, a cavalry outpost at the ranch to protect the route from Southern California to Fort Yuma (thanks Wikipedia).

What we don’t know: the reason the arner ildcats forfeited their baseball season opener to the Mountian Empire RedHawks (1-0).

SD-High Tech 8, Mount Miguel 1
SPRING VALLEY — Mount Miguel senior Braylon Cardwell slugged an RBI double in his first career at-bat for the school’s varsity ballclub, but the Matadors fell to the Storm of San Diego-High Tech, 8-1, in Tuesday’s (Feb, 23) season opener.

The drive by Cardwell, a pinch-hitter, brought home another late-inning substitute in Pierson . Williams to avoid the shutout in the seventh.

The batting standout was Nano Acevedo, batting 4-for-4 with a triple, double, 2 RBI and scored all four times for the Strom (1-0).

Orange Glen 23, ECVHS 2 (5 inn.)
EL CAJON – The Patriots from southeast Escondido scored 11 times in the first inning, then 8 more times in the fifth.

OG;s Jacob Morales collected five RBI on 3-for-4 hitting, with a triple and four runs scored.

SD-Southwest 17, Liberty Charter 5
NESTOR – By the time the Liberty Charter Lions tallied four times in the fifth inning, they already were trailing 14-0 to the Southwest Raiders in Tuesday’s (Feb. 23) opener.

Raiders sophomore Aaron Diaz drove in three runs, as SW scored fives time in the third, then nine times in the fourth.

This was the first-ever meeting between the schools.

Mon., Feb. 24
Mar Vista 4, Foothills Christian 1

IMPERIAL BEACH – Foothills Christian opened the 2025 campaign with a bang when sophomore J.J. . Jansen Granillo slugged a double, eventually scoring for a 1-0 lead in the firts inning.

Unfortunately for the Knights, it was their lone basehiot of the ballgame, as host Mar Vista tooka 4-1 decision on Monday (Feb. 22).

Mariners pitchers Peter Thomas and Jake Leslie combined on the 1-hitter.

Noah Esqueda provided the key hit was an RBI triple, when Mar Vista scored al

Ramona 5, at Otay Ranch 5, tie (7 inn., darkness)

OTAY MESA – Ramona raced to a 5-0 lead on opening day, but Otay Ranch rallied, inculduing a pair of Mustangs runs in the fofth inning in a 5-5 draw on Monday (Feb. 24). The ballgame was called after seven innings due to darkness.

Four different Bulldogs knocked in runs, including a solo home run by sophomore Derek Taylor. who provided three of the Dagws four hits.

For Otay Ranch, Nick Mendoza smacked an RBU double, when the M’s scored all four of its runs in the fourth.

Among the pitchers, Ramona’s Jakob Coxen tossed a pair of shutout innings. The Otay Ranch bullpens featured five shutout frames by Luis Sachez (3 IP) and Moyses Salido (2 IP).