Christian gains split with Steele Canyon

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: March 25, 2025

2025 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

East County Sports.com

Christian 6, Steele Canyon 4

EL CAJON – Trouble was brewing when the Christian Patriots allowed Steele Canyon, a ballclub which beat them on Monday, tallied four runs in the second inning during Monday’s (Mar. 25) re-match.

Fortunately, Patriots pitcher Logan Major recovered to finish with 5.1 shutout innings in throwing a complete game, as the hosts fough tbackto take a 6-4 decision over the Cougars.

Major’s numbers were gaudy, especially to start the contest.

He allowed 11 hits, walked three and hit two Cougars batters. Still, the right-hander (barely) remained under the pitch count, even with five strike outs in retiring 11 of the final 14 Steele Canyonbaters.

The comebacksaw the deficit halvedinthe bottom of the second to 4-2, then the Patriots scored four timesin the fourth to move in front.

The margin was cut in half on a two-run error in the outfield.

Then in the fourth, thre first four batters reched to load the bases (there was an out on the basepaths).

Max Villalva lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Walker Kane.

Third baseman Benji Molina followed with a line double to left, bringing home Jake Eichhorst to knot the ballgame at 4-all.

Center field Braeden Casey followed with a ground single up the middle, which proved to be the game-winning hit. Molina and Trae Pheasant, running with two down, running on contact.

Steele Canyon had early chances.

In the first, the Cougars placed two runners n base. However, Christian escaped with a double play grounder to Villalva.

The Cougars rally in the second was started on a lead triple bycenter fielder Tommy Rimoldi, then an RBI double from left fielder Caden Davey.

Right fielder Jonah Arens added an RBI single, a wild picth brought home a run, then third baseman Julian Cervantes griunded a run-scoring basehit to left field.

Both ballclubs will play their third game in as many days on Wedneday, only with each other.

Christian (6-2) will host Valhalla (3-5). Steele Canyon (3-6) continues a 5-game road trip at Madison. Both contests start at 4 p.m.

San Diego HS 11, Mount Miguel 2

DOWNTOWN – Under the flight path to Lindbergh Field, the San Diego Cavers scored four times in both the second and third innings to secure a 9-2 lead, downing the Mount Miguel Matadors.

The only member of the Matadors to solve San Diego pitching was Angel Delgado, who batted 2-for-3, driving in a run and scoring another in the third inning.

San Diego, which opened the seaspn on a 1-6 start, has now captured three straight to move to 4-6. The Matadors are now level at 4-4.

Palmer Trinity (Miami, Fla.) 12, Monte Vista 9

SPRING VALLEY – Monte Vista held a 7-5 lead through five innings, but Palmer Trinity scored six times in the sixth inning to take the lead, allowing the Falcons (11-5) to open their 3-game, West Coast road swing eith a victory at Monarchs Field.

Trailing 3-0, Monte Vista scored six timesin the thirfd before the Falcon s rallied.

Third baseman Tanner Meyer batted 3-for-3 with four RBI — he entered the ballgame with just a single career RBI.

Center fielder Orlando Rupley also added three hits for Monte Vista (2-7).

CV-High Tech 17, ECVHS 2 (5 inn.)

EL CAJON – The El Cajon Valley Ba=raves were in condention through four innings, but Chula Vista-High Tech tallied 12 times in the fifth to invoke the run rule.

For the Bruins (3-6), Dyllin Ledezma drove in five runs, while Dasn Cardoso drove in four runs on a pair of doubles.

For the Braves, Alex Vargas collected both of the team’s two basehits, scoring both times thanks to a pair of stolen bases.

Calipatria 12, Borrego Springs 4

BORREGO SPRINGS – The Hornets of Calipatria, located 25 miles due north of downtown El Centro, scored in six of their seven trips to the plate to romp over the Rams.

Calipatria’s Jaiden Espinoza collected a pair of run-scoring basehits and scored a run, while winning pitcher Juan Perez struck out 11 Rams batters in his six innings on the mound.

The Hornets (4-2), one of the better Division 5-AA schools in the CIF-San Diego Section, won its fourth straight since falling to Mountain Empire.

Borrego Springs (3-2),suffered its first setback against CIFSDS compeitition in snapping a 3-game win streak (the last victory was over Mountain Empire).

Rams junior shortstop Chris Alcfaraz registered two hits, raising the mulriple-hit streak to four ballgames.