Hillers survive late Mission Hills rally

By Adam Paul
Updated: March 22, 2025

2025 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

GROSSMONT 4, MISSION HILLS 3 – Despite allowing three runs late the Grossmont Foothillers were able to make the four early runs scored stick as they held onto beat the Mission Hills Grizzlies in Hilltop tournament action on Saturday.

Saraya Roope had a big day at the plate for Grossmont as she hit a solo home run in the second inning, doubled in the sixth, singled in the fourth and first innings in her 4-for-4 day at the plate. Her day also included a pair of runs scored.

Thanks to a pair of singles in the top of the first inning Grossmont 3-6-1) was able to open up the scoring which included Carleigh Wenck and her RBI single.

Roope hit a solo shot in the second inning to round out the scoring for Grossmont.

Roope would also earn the victory in the circle as she allowed zero hits and no runs over one and one-third innings of relief. Nakhia Lee started the game in which she tossed four and two-thirds innings allowing two hits and three runs.

Madison Busch would lead the Foothillers as she drove in a pair of runs while going 1-for-3 at the plate.

Earlier in the day Grossmont dropped an 8-6 decision to the Mar Vista Mariners despite tallying 11 hits in the contest.

Roope would lead the day at the plate as she would tally a 3-fpr-3 day which included a pair of RBI and two runs scored. Jenna Ennis also drove in a pair of runs as she tallied a pair of hits.

PATRICK HENRY 12, HILLTOP 2 (4 INN.) – Twelve runs scored over the middle innings which included a six run second inning sparked the runaway win by the Patrick Henry Patriots over the host Hilltop Lancers in Hilltop tournament action on Saturday.

Adeline McDonald had the big bat for the Patriots as she tallied a 3-for-3 day at the plate which included a pair of runs driven in and two runs scored.

Not only did McDonald provide offense for the Patriots but so did the rest of the bottom of the lineup as they tallied five of the team’s eight hits in the game. Ashlyn Kirchoff and Katie Krewson were the other culprits at the bottom of the lineup as each had a hit and drove in a run.

Other contributors included Zoe Rutherford who smashed a double and drove in a run and scored twice, Jenna Mallari drove in a run, Izzy Ervin drove in a run as did Emily Shelton who had a hit as well.

Kirchoff would start for the Patriots and would limit the Lancers to one hit in the contest over four innings to pick up the win while walking one and striking out three.

In their second game of the day the Patrick Henry Patriots broke a 1-1 tie with seven runs scored in the bottom of the fifth inning to prevail 8-1 over Chula Vista.

The bottom of the lineup really sparked the Patriots offense as Chloe Copeland, Angelina Mazon, and Sivian Benami combined for 7 of the 12 hits in the contest for Patrick Henry.

Henry would take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning courtesy of a double by Benami. Later on with the game tied 1-1 the Patriots on eight hits took advantage and pushed seven of those runners across to pull away. A two run single by Mazon was one of the big blows in that inning for the Patriots along with a two run triple by Copeland to round out the scoring.

Zoe Rutherford who started picked up the win as she tossed five innings in which she allowed one run on five hits while striking out eight.

Patrick Henry also claimed a 2-0 victory over Madison but no other information was provided.

The 3-game sweep gives Henry a record of 6-5.

EL CAPITAN 4, BRAWLEY 0 (5 INN.) – Pitching was strong for the El Capitan Vaqueros as Freshman Addison Higuera on the day dominated the Brawley Wildcats as she blanked them in both the runs and hits categories in the Hilltop tournament victory on Saturday afternoon.

Higuera’s stat line as she picked up the win included eight punch outs over five innings of work. Only a couple of walks which didn’t lead to anything stood between her and a perfect game.

The offense for the Vaqueros 4-5) would provide the help for Higuera as they tallied nine hits including a Ryleigh Vesco two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning that extended the lead to 3-0.

Other offensive contributors for the Vaqueros included Sofia Simone who went 3-for-3 and scored a run, and Isabella Farris who went 2-for-3, and Ciara Bernardini who drove in a run.

Both Quinnley Morehouse and Trinity Curo who also had a hit scored runs for El Capitan.

Earlier in the day the El Capitan Vaqueros dropped a 10-3 decision to the Mission Hills Grizzlies.

Sofia Simone went 2-for-3 which included driving in a run and scoring a run.

STEELE CANYON 4, CANYON HILLS 3 (5 INN.) – Another late rally stymied as the Steele Canyon Cougars held onto defeat the Canyon Hills Rattlers on Saturday despite the three late runs scored.

Steele Canyon early on jumped out to a 4-0 lead in part to a three-run inside the park home run hit by Sophia Jackel.

Marina Gonzalez drew the start for the Cougars and would pick up the win as she three hits and three runs over five innings. She also walked five and struck out five.

Jackel, Ily Barclay and Gonzalez each had a hit for the Cougars.

In their second game of the day the Steele Canyon Cougars couldn’t overcome an early deficit as they dropped a 5-1 decision to Southwest El Centro to finish out the day in Hilltop tournament action.

Hailey Trujillo went 1-for-2 and drove in the only run for the Cougars while Bailey Evans and Kallan Shaw had the other two hits of the game.

CHRISTIAN 8, ARBOR VIEW 3 – Two swings of the bat by Lucy Sherburne drove in five runs and procured the victory by Christian in Las Vegas tournament action on Saturday.

Sherburne powered the Patriots with her 5 RBI courtesy of a sixth inning inside the park grand slam and an RBI single in the first inning.

The game all tied at 2-2 in the top of the second inning the Patriots would break that tie thanks to Tyler Krystek who roped a triple that allowed Keytyn Ruis to plate giving them a 3-2 lead. However, Arbor View would tie the game in the bottom of the inning.

Moving along to the top of the sixth inning the Christian bats would come alive as they were able to produce five runs on six hits including the big blow by Sherburne.

Ava Barrios garnered the win for the Patriots as she went six innings in which she allowed three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out seven.

Offensively the Patriots tallied 15 hits in the game. Krystek, Kaitlyn Moody, and Sammy Baca each collected three hits for the {atriots (9-3-1)

EASTLAKE 6, HELIX 1 (5 INN.) – Despite tallying seven hits the Helix Highlanders couldn’t take advantage and were limited to a late run as they dropped a Hilltop tournament decision to Eastlake on Saturday.

Offensively for the Highlanders the bats of Lauren Farace and Nikayla Domingo led the way as each collected a pair of hits. Domingo would drive in the only run for Helix when she singled in LaNiah Broom in the top of the fifth inning. Domingo

In the second game of the day the Helix Highlanders dropped a 6-2 Hilltop tournament contest to the Sage Creek Bobcats.

Domingo and Maliyah Domingo each drove in a run for the Highlanders (4-2).