Sultans claim Jaguar title; Highlanders win Classic tilt

By ECS Staff
Updated: April 2, 2017

Sultans celebrate Jaguar Classic Silver Division Championship

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

EastCountySports.com

Jaguar Classic Silver Division Championship

SANTANA 3, GRANITE HILLS 0 – Opportunities taken advantage of led to a victory for the Sultans over their league foe Eagles.

In the top of the first inning the Eagles had the first crack and a lead single by HALLE KYLER (2-4), she would advance on the sacrifice by BAILEY WALLACE, so with one down, CASSIDY SHEW walked to give runners at first and second and one out.

However, the threat would be adverted when MADISON MENDEZ (1-3, 2B) retired the next couple of batters on a line out and a strikeout.

After a lead double by Mendez, DESIREE LYNCH (RUN) came into run, a couple of batters later with one down KRYSTEN SERVICE (1-3) was able to single which advanced Lynch to third, RACHEL WILSON (1-2, RBI) knocked in Lynch on a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Sultans a 1-0 lead.

Mendez retired the Eagles in order in the top of the second which included a couple of strikeouts. STACI CHAMBERS matched that by retiring the Sultans in order in the bottom of the inning by striking out the side.

STACI CHAMBERS matched that by retiring the Sultans in order in the bottom of the inning by striking out the side.

Granite again had an opportunity to put something on the board as Kyler smashed a one-out double to center field, Wallace reached on an error by the shortstop Service. The Eagles were in business as they had runners at first and second and only one out. The next batter shew hit into a fielders choice that advanced Kyler to third base, the next batter HALEY JOHNSON (1-3) would be retired by Mendez on a fly out to end the threat and the inning.

The Eagles were in business as they had runners at first and second and only one out.

The next batter Shew hit into afielder’ss choice that advanced Kyler to third base, then HALEY JOHNSON (1-3) would be retired by Mendez on a fly out to end the threat and the inning.

Santana started off right in the bottom of the third as SYDNEY BENJAMIN (1-2, 2B) led off with a double and the top of the lineup coming to bat.

However, Chambers was able to get groundballs by both Mendez and MACKENZIE BENNETT for the outs and the next batter Service would strikeout thus stranding Benjamin at second base.

After retiring the side the Sultans looked to add more in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, CASSIDY

With one out, CASSIDY MATTHIE (1-3, R, SB) laced a single to center, ASHLEY MADRIGAL (1-3, R, SB) singled on a bunt, NICOLE MADRIGAL would strike out swinging but both Matthie and Ashley Madrigal were on the run and stole third and second safely, the next batter was LAKAILA AQUININQOC (1-2, 2 RBI) who hit a hard grounder to third and was safe. This allowed

This allowed Matthie to score to make it 2-0, Ashley Madrigal would also score on the play as well to give the Sultans a 3-0 lead.

With the game heading into the late innings, the opportunities for the Eagles were dwindling but they had another one in the top of the fifth. With one out

With one out BREILLE TYSELING (1-2) walked, Kyler hit a groundball to short and reached on an error by Service, now with runners again at first and second and one out up stepped Wallace.

Wallace would take the Mendez offering and ground into a fielders choice in which Kyler was thrown out for the second out of the inning, Shew grounded out to Aquininqoc at second who threw it first for the final out of the inning.

Chambers retired the Sultans in order in the bottom of the fifth 1-2-3. The Eagles would receive a leadoff single by Johnson in the top of the sixth but Mendez would retire the next three batters.

The Eagles would receive a leadoff single by Johnson in the top of the sixth but Mendez would retire the next three batters.

Santana despite leading 3-0 wanted more but couldn’t push anything across despite the lead single by RACHEL WILSON.

So it all came down to the top of the seventh inning. The Eagles needed to do something as it was the last

The Eagles needed to do something as it was the last at-bat.

Leadoff hitter SYDNEY HUSE on a 1-2 count would be called out on strikes looking, the next batter Tyseling was able to lace a single to center field.

So with one out and a runner on first, Kyler came to the plate but Mendez was able to on a 1-1 count get a groundball hit to Wilson at third who threw it to second to get Tyseling for the second out.

Next up for Granite was Wallace who looked to extend the inning but on an 0-1 count Mendez was able to get her to lineout to center field for the final out of the game and give the Sultans the championship victory.

For the Eagles, Chambers went 6 innings giving up 3 runs and striking out 7.

Mendez for the Sultans went 7 innings, giving up 0 runs on 3 hits while striking out 3.

The Sultans with the victory claimed the Jaguar Classic Silver Division Championship.

Jaguar Classic Silver Division Semifinals

SANTANA 11, DEL NORTE 0 – A big fourth inning led to a runaway victory for the Sultans over the Nighthawks.

Multiple hits by the Sultans in the top of the first including singles by MACKENZIE BENNETT (3-4, R, RBI) and RACHEL WILSON (2-4, R, 4 RBI, HR), SYDNEY BENJAMIN (2 R) came into run for Bennett, and a walk by ASHLEY MADRIGAL (1-3, R, RBI) which scored Benjamin lead to a 1-0 lead.

Back to back singles by Ashley Madrigal and NICOLE MADRIGAL (1-4, R), a sacrifice bunt LAKAILA AQUININQOC (R, RBI) leads to Ashley Madrigal scoring making it 2-0, BRITTANY MUNDAY (1-3, R) bunted both runners up and was safe at first, MADISON MENDEZ (3-4, 2 RBI, 2B) roped a double scoring both Madrigal and Aquininqoc, SHELBY HOLQUIST (RUN) came into run for Mendez, Bennett singles which scored Munday, CASSIDY MATTHIE (2-4, RBI) singles to right scoring Holmquist.

In the top of the sixth inning another big blow by the Sultans courtesy of Wilson which was a grand slam scoring KELLY REID (RUN), Benjamin and KRYSTEN SERVICE. The Wilson slam extended the lead to 11-0.

That was all she wrote for the Nighthawks as HAILEY JUSTICE who had come in to relieve Mendez was able to stun them with a pickoff to end the contest.

Mendez tossed 4 innings in the victory in which she gave up 0 runs on 1 hit and fanned 4 and Justice tossed 2 innings, giving up 0 runs on 1 hit and struck out 1.

GRANITE HILLS 13, VALHALLA 1 (5 innings) – The Eagles’ big fourth inning led to more than the Norsemen could handle in the shortened game victory.

Valhalla tried to push something across in the bottom of the first inning when KENNEDY LABSHERE (1-1, R) singled but the next batter would be retired to end the inning. Granite threatened in the top of the second with a single by HALEY JOHNSON (2-2, 2 R, 2 RBI) and a walk by KAYLA MACK (R, 2 RBI) but DELANEY STETTLER was able to retire the next three batters to end the inning.

Granite threatened in the top of the second with a single by HALEY JOHNSON (2-2, 2 R, 2 RBI) and a walk by KAYLA MACK (R, 2 RBI) but DELANEY STETTLER was able to retire the next three batters to end the inning.

Another two-out hit by Valhalla in the bottom of the second inning, ALEXIS INGRASSIA (2-2) singled but would be stranded to end the inning.

A Breakthrough would occur in the top of the third inning when Granite was able to push across a couple of runs to make it 2-0.

With one out, HALLE KYLER (2-4, 2 R, RBI) singled, BAILEY WALLACE (2-4, 2 R, RBI) singled, CASSIDY SHEW (1-4, R, RBI) was safe on a fielder’s choice in which all runners are safe to load the bases, Johnson drew a walk to score Kyler, MORGAN KELLY (RUN) came into run for Johnson, thenMack hit a fly ball to left which was caught, but scored Wallace.

Another threat came from Valhalla in the bottom of the third with one out, as JADE HILL was hit by a pitch, RACHEL SHELSTROM (1-3) singled, Labshere walked to load the bases.

However, Kyler was able to get out of the inning by inducing a double-play grounder by VICTORIA VILLEGAS (1-3, RBI, 3B).

Next, a RBI single by Kyler scored SYDNEY HUSE (2-3, R, 2 RBI), Wallace’s RBI single scored BRIELLE TYSELING (1-3, R, RBI), a hard hit ball by Shew scored RYLEE OMAHEN (1-3, R) and a walk by Johnson scored Kyler rounded out the scoring to push the lead to 6-0.

Mack was hit by a pitch which to score Wallace, KAREN CREECH (R, RBI) was hit by a pitch scoring Shew, Huse lined a single that scored Johnson and Mack scored on the throw, Creech would also score in the inning, as well.

The big explosion of runs pushed the Eagles lead to 11-0.

Two out singles by Ingrassia and SAMMY GREEN (1-2) in the bottom of the fourth would be wasted as the next batter would be retired to end the inning.

The Eagles pushed across a couple more runs in the top of the fifth to lead 13-0.

Valhalla would finally score in the bottom of the fifth inning.

For Valhalla in the bottom of the fifth, Labshere drew a two out walk and Villegas ripped a lined triple in right field that scored Labshere to make it 13-1.

In the loss for the Norsemen, Stettler tossed 4 2/3 innings, giving up 10 runs of which 8 were earned on 10 hits, walked 3 and struck out 1. LILLY METSCH pitched 1/3 of an inning, giving up 3 runs of which all were earned on 1 hit and walked 2.

For the Eagles in the victory, Kyler pitched a complete 5 inning game, giving up the 1 run which was earned on 6 hits, walked 2 and fanned 7.

Highlander Classic

HELIX 9, OLYMPIAN 3 – Early runs for the Highlanders led to victory in their Highlander Classic tilt against the Eagles.

Helix was designated the visiting team after the coin toss went in favor of Olympian.

They didn’t take long to strike first as they pushed across three runs in the top of the first to lead 3-0.

AVERY PEREZ singled, then advanced to second on a wild pitch, a dropped third strike allowed EMILY COALE to reach safely to first, Perez advanced to third on the dropped third strike and actually scored taking advantage of mistake by the catcher when she forgot to cover the plate after the throw, a double by GABBY OLIVARRIA scored Coale and a single by FRANKIE MARTINEZ scored Olivarria.

More came the Highlanders way in the second when FAITH KING led off with a single, Perez singled and reached on a sacrifice bunt to load the bases when the first baseman misplayed it.

A walk by MCKENZIE FLORES and a single by Olivarria that scored two runs rounded things out for Helix.

Helix now led 6-0 after their first couple of at bats, however the Eagles in the bottom of the second inning got to ZOEY KUHLKEN as they scored a couple of runs off of her.

This prompted a pitching change to SHAREENA LACHANCE who went the rest of the game giving up only 1 run in 4 2/3 innings of work.