Thrillers, semi-lopsided contests make up day

By ECS Staff
Updated: May 21, 2017

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION PLAYOFFS

OPEN DIVISION

(3) San Marcos 1, (7) Granite Hills 0: Lone early run holds up for the Knights.

It was a game of who was going to blink first and the Eagles blinked first as they unfortunately gave up a run in the bottom of the third.

In the bottom of the third things were looking good for the Eagles as CATIE DOBBS was able to sit down the first couple of batters for two outs. However a single by Testa to left field kept the inning alive, she would advance to second base on the throw by left fielder KAYLA MACK, an attempted steal led to a throwing error which allowed Testa to score giving the Knights a 1-0 lead.

Both PAYTON TIDD of the Knights and Dobbs for the Eagles basically matched each other inning for inning as both teams combined for six hits total for the game.

Granite still trailed by the lone run heading to the top of the seventh. They had the part of the lineup coming to the plate. Leadoff hitter HAYLEY JOHNSON walked, MORGAN KELLY into run, BAILEY WALLACE followed by hitting a ball to short for a single but Kelly who tried to go for third base was thrown out, Wallace was able to advance to second, CASSIDY SHEW was able to get down a sacrifice in which Wallace advanced to third but now there were two outs, STACI CHAMBERS looked to drive in Wallace to tie the game but unfortunately hit a liner to left that was caught for the final out of the contest.

The other hit for the Eagles was a single by HALLE KYLER back in the top of the first inning.

Dobbs who took the hard luck loss went 6 innings, giving up 1 run on 4 hits, walked 2 and fanned 9 on the day.

DIVISION I

(1) Patrick Henry 12, (5) Rancho Bernardo 2: Patriots offense explodes early and the pitching does the rest.

The Broncos in the top of the first inning got on the board first with a run in the top of the first to lead 1-0 early on. However the lead didn’t last as Patrick henry answered in the bottom of the first inning.

Leading things off for the Patriots, HANNAH MCEWEN (2-4, 3R, RBI, HR) who on a 1-0 count took the offering and hammered it over the fence for a leadoff jack to tie the score 1-1. Next up was CASSIE VAN TIL (2-4, 2 R, 2B) who singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, CRISTIONA CACCAMISE (2-2, 3R, 2 RBI, 2B) walked, MADISON JAMES (1-2, 2 RBI) sacrificed the runners up, a couple of batters later with two outs SAVANNAH CHAPMAN (1-3, 2R, 2 RBI, 2B) was hit by a pitch to load the bases and LAUREN NETT (2-4, 4 RBI, 3B) roped a bases clearing triple that scored Van Til, Caccamise and Chapman to push the lead to 4-1.

Patrick Henry added another run in the bottom of the second inning thanks to a single by McEwen who stole second and would score when Caccamise laced a single to make it 5-1.

Rancho Bernardo was able to get a couple of baserunners on in the top of the third but James was able to garner groundball outs to get out of the inning.

A couple more runs in the bottom of the fourth for the Patriots which included an RBI double by Caccamise that scored McEwen and an RBI single by James that scored Caccamise to extend the lead 6-1.

The Broncos finally were able to push across another run in the top of the sixth off of James to make the score 6-2 but Patrick henry answered with runs of their own in the bottom of the inning.

With two outs, Van Til roped a double, Caccamise walked, James reached on an error that scored Van Til to make it 7-2, ANDREA WRIGHT (1-4, RBI) knocked in Caccamise to make it 8-2, Chapman doubled that scored both Wright and James to make it 10-2, Nett knocked in a run also.

On the day James went 6 innings for the complete game victory, giving up 2 runs on 7 hits, walked 5 and struck out 5.

Notable Notes: With her 2 hits on the day, Hannah McEwen now had 185 in her career and is tied for fifth all-time in CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION history. Also with her 3 runs scored on the day she now has 155 runs in her career and is in fifth place in CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION history.

With the pitching win, Madison James now has 62 in her career and is now in eleventh place all-time in CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION history.

(10) West Hills 5, (3) Torrey Pines 4: The Wolf Pack despite giving up the lead late rally and take advantage of their opportunities to knock out the Falcons.

The road warrior Wolf Pack got on the board first as leadoff hitter SIERRA SCHLICHTING (RUN) walked, HALEY VALLES (RUN) reached on an error by the catcher which allowed Schlichting to get to third, Valles stole second, the next two batters were retired, CARLY BURSCH (1-2, RBI) walked to load the bases, MAKAYLA CRISTINI into run, ASHLEIGH HARTWIG (2-4, RBI) knocked in a run and both Valles and Cristini scored as well to give the Pack a 3-0 lead.

They added another run in the top of the third as leadoff hitter ALEX GUAY (1-3) singled, BROOKE STEAVENSON into run, Bursch walked, Cristini into run, Hartwig singled and a couple of batters later STAR GAYLORD (1-3, RBI) laced a single that scored Cristini to make it 4-0. The Falcons in the bottom of the inning got on the board with a run off of Bursch to cut the lead 4-1.

Torrey Pines threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs as they got back to back hits but Bursch was able to get the final out of the inning.

However in the bottom of the sixth the Falcons did the damage as the first couple batters singled which brought up XSTAVIANA AUGUR who took the Bursch 0-1 offering and hit a deep ball over the fence for the game tying three run homerun. However still with no outs things could have gotten worse for the Wolf Pack as the Falcons were able to get runners at the corners with two outs and once again Bursch dug deep and induced an inning ending groundball.

So with the score now tied 4-4, the Wolf Pack knew they had go back to business as the momentum had swung the other way. Things didn’t look good in the top of the seventh as the first two batters were retired but RYLEIGH DOBYNS (RUN) would draw a walk, Guay drew another walk, Steavenson into run, Bursch on a 0-1 count would lace a single that scored Dobyns to put the Pack up 5-4.

Now with the momentum back in West Hills favor, Bursch took the circle for the bottom of the seventh knowing she just needed the last three outs. The leadoff hitter for the Falcons hit a grounder that looked like it was going to get through between second and short but Schlichting used her speed and diving instincts and launched herself and made the catch and threw a laser throw to first where SAVANNAH HENDERSON made the pick for the first out. The second batter singled but would be thrown out on a fielders choice for the second out and the next batter would be retired by Bursch on a fly ball to left where it was caught for the final out of the game.

Bursch on the day tossed 7 innings, giving up 4 runs on 10 hits, walked 4 and struck out 2.

“We hit and knocked their ace out of the game which was great.” “Carly pitched very well and didn’t give up.” Said Head Coach MIKE APPLEBAUM, “The girls are very ecstatic as tonight is prom and they are on cloud nine.” “We are playing very well right now and we hope to continue the momentum.”

DIVISION II

(2) Steele Canyon 4, (3) Grossmont 1: The Cougars gained momentum in the first inning and never looked back.

Things went the Foothillers way in the top of the first as they looked to knock off the higher seeded Cougars. Leadoff hitter CHLOE CAMARERO (RUN) walked, DESTINY BACON (1-3) followed with a bunt single to put runners at first and second, Camarero would advance to third on a ball and Bacon stole second, MOANA PISIA (RBI) would hit a fly ball to left that was caught which allowed Camarero to tag and score to give Grossmont an early 1-0 lead, ALY ALLMAN (1-2) walked, however Bacon would be picked off at second by MAKAYLA MCCARTHY (1-3) and ALEXIS COLLINS would pop up to end the inning.

Grossmont looked to get out of the first inning without any damage done as SAMARIA ROOPE struck out both GENTRY HOFFMAN (1-3) and McCarthy, JJ VENZOR (1-3, R) followed with a single and MAKAYLA STROMENGER (2-2, 2R, 2 RBI, HR) came up and did the damage as she clubbed a shot over the left field fence to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead.

McCarthy for the Cougars would go about her business for the Cougars in the circle as she would allowed scattered hits by the Foothillers.

Steele Canyon in the bottom of the fourth would take advantage of the opportunities presented to them as Stromenger led off with a single, AUDREY BAGGE followed with a sacrifice that advanced Stromenger, MARIANA MARTINEZ (1-3) singled which allowed Stromenger to move to third, D’AMANI DUMENG (RUN) into run, MACKENSIE PEARLSTEIN grounded out which advanced Dumeng to second, Stromenger scored on a passed ball which got away far enough to also score Dumeng to make it 4-1.

The Cougars threatened more in the bottom of the fifth as SAMANTHA MILLER led off with a walk, GENTRY HOFFMAN singled on a bunt, McCarthy singled to right to load the bases, ELIZABETH BOTT into run, however Roope garnered a groundball double by Venzor, Stromenger walked and Bagge would hit into a fielders choice to end the inning.

For the Hillers in the top of the sixth TAYLOR BAEZ (1-3) would single with two outs but would be stranded. In the top of the seventh McCarthy would retire the Hillers in order 1-2-3 to end the game.

For Grossmont, Roope went 6 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits, walked 2 and struck out 2.

McCarthy for the Cougars tossed 7 innings, giving up 1 run on 4 hits, walked 4 and fanned 4.

(1) Santana 6, (4) Bishops 1: The Sultans use early momentum to carry them to the finish line.

The Knights looked to strike first and show who was boss early in the top of the first inning as leadoff hitter LIVY SCHIELE (2-3, hit a little blooper for a single to left, ALEX MOLINAR (1-3) followed by hitting a grounder to second that went right through the wickets into the outfield putting runners at first and second, HALLE COLEMAN sacrificed the runners up to second and third, SHELBY MAIER looked to do some damage but Sultans ace MADISON MENDEZ was able to get her to fly out for the second out and she was able to strike out the next batter to end the threat and the inning.

Having escaped the top of the first inning the Sultans came to bat in the bottom half, leadoff hitter Mendez (4-4, 2B) roped a lined single to right field, BRIANNA JERIG (2R) into run, MACKENZIE BENNETT (2-3, R, 2 RBI, HR) drew a walk, DESIREE LYNCH (2R) into run, CASSIDY MATTHIE advanced the runners with a ground ball out. Now the runners were at second and third, Maier who was in the circle for the Knights uncorked a passed ball which allowed Jerig to come in and score to give the Sultans a 1-0 lead and Lynch to advance to third, RACHEL WILSON (1-2, R, 2B) drew a walk, Lynch would come into score when NICOLE MADRIGAL (1-1, 3 RBI) hit a sacrifice fly to center field to make it 2-0.

Bishops again threatened to put runs on the board in the top of the third as with one down, Schiele reached on an error, Molinar singled, the very next play that occurred was very close as Schiele attempted to steal third and over slid and on the throw was originally called safe as she got back. However Santana Coach JOHN FAILA went out to appeal and the field umpire went to the plate umpire where they discussed it for a couple of minutes which led to the plate umpire making the call of out which was huge as Coleman grounded out for the third out of the inning.

Still leading by a couple of runs in the bottom of the fourth the Sultans knew they had dodged a bullet and had to take advantage of the opportunity. Leading things off, Mendez did just that as she singled again, Jerig into run for Mendez, Bennett came up and on a 2-2 count connected a lined shot that at first looked like it would hit the fence but it was high enough that it went over the fence and hit the back fence for a 2-run dinger to put the Sultans up 4-0. The Sultans faithful was ecstatic. A couple of batters later with one out, Wilson smashed a double to right, KELLY REID into run, Nicole Madrigal walked to put runners at first and second. Things looked like it would get further away for the Sultans but the Knights were able to retire the next two batters to end the inning without any further damage.

Bishops in the top of the fourth finally broke through with a run to cut the lead to 4-1. Santana again threatened to put more runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth when with one out ERICA REID (1-2) hit a hard grounder past the second baseman who was in, Mendez came up and ripped a ball that went all the way to fence for a double but Reid who was waved home would be thrown out at the plate trying to score.

Another threat by the Knights in the top of the fifth with two outs as Schiele roped a ball to the wall in right field in which she was able to race around the bases and end up at third for a triple. However Mendez was able to retire the next batter on a hard hit grounder to third where Wilson made a clutch stab and promptly threw it to first to get the out.

Santana was able to extend their lead in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a lead single by Bennett, Lynch into run, Matthie walked, Wilson hit into a fielders choice to advance the runners and Nicole Madrigal lined a shot to center that fell in for a single and scored both Lynch and Wilson to push the score to 6-1.

Mendez would do the rest in the circle in the sixth and in the seventh would give up a lead single before retiring the next three batters which included the last two outs via strikeout including the final out on a called third strike looking to end the game.

For the Sultans, Mendez tossed a complete 7 innings for the victory, giving up 1 run on 5 hits, walked 1 and struck out 6 to pick up her twenty-second victory on the season.

Notable Notes: For the Knights, Schiele with her 2 hits on the day now has 200 in her career and is only the third player ever in CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION history to do so and is now in third place behind MONICA DOWNEY of Madison who had 212 from 2009-12 and LISA DODD of University City and Mira Mesa and her 225 from 2000-03. Another feat for Schiele is her having scored 203 runs scored which puts her atop the record books in the category for Career Runs scored in CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION History and with both her 200 hits and runs scored she is the only player to accomplish this feat in CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION history.

For the Sultans, Mackenzie Bennett with her 2 hits on the day gives her 50 on the season and the first Sultan to have back-to-back 50 hit seasons since KAYTI GRABLE in 2012 and 2013.

Madison Mendez with her 22^nd victory on the season moves into a tie for 8^th in CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION History.

DIVISION III

(2) High Tech SD 8, (3) El Capitan 1: Big fourth inning for High Tech dooms the Vaqueros.

The Vaqueros who had previously beaten High Tech SD a couple of weeks who looked to do it again and in the first inning struck first. Leadoff hitter KATELYN COLLIER walked, MADISYN WIEHER (RUN) bunted in which Collier was thrown out at second, AMANDA VASQUEZ (1-4) hit a grounder to short that was misplayed allowing her to reach on the error, OLIVIA MARTINEZ into run, ALEXA WILLIAMS (2-4) singled to load the bases but the ball was misplayed in center which allowed Wieher to score to make it 1-0. That would be all the Vaqueros would get in the inning.

High Tech SD would tie the game in the bottom of the first on a solo homerun by BELLA CASARES.

Both teams would hold each other until the bottom of the third inning when High tech pushed across a couple more runs to lead 3-1. A couple miscues would lead to more runs fro High Tech SD and when it was all said and done in the inning they now led 7-1.

El Capitan in the top of the fifth tried to put together a rally as Wieher walked with one out, a couple of batters later with two outs Williams laced a single but both runners would be stranded.

High Tech would round out their scoring in the bottom of the fifth as they pushed across a run to make it 8-1.

For the Vaqueros, starting pitcher Williams went 2 1/3 innings, giving up 3 runs on 3 hits, and fanned 2. Vasquez who came in to relieve took the loss as she went 3 2/3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits, and striking out 3.

(1) University City 8, (4) Christian 1: A big fifth inning for the Centurions dooms the Patriots.

The Centurions got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning with a lead single which would score later on a double to lead 1-0.

They would score another run in the fourth with a triple which scored on a ground ball to make it 2-0. The Patriots would finally get on the board in the top of the fifth to cut the lead in half thanks to a leadoff homer by SILENT RAIN ESPINOZA to make it 2-1.

However the slim deficit would only last a short time as the big damage came in the bottom of the fifth thanks to four hits including a couple of doubles and singles which would lead to six runs being scored to extend the lead to 8-1.

Christian was limited to only five hits on the day by ASHLEY CARTER, Espinoza, SHANNON MCMAHON, AUDREY SHEBLOSKI, and ELLE LINDBLAD.

Carter on the day in the loss went 6 innings, giving up 8 runs on 8 hits, fanning 7.