Foothillers rally, tie top-ranked Titans

By Ramon Scott
Updated: March 9, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

GROSSMONT 6, EASTLAKE 6 – Freshman leadoff man KEONI VALDEZ homered and the 14th-ranked Foothillers rallied for five runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the Aztec-Foothiller Classic game, then the Grossmont’s lefty-laden bullpen settled in to complete four more innings of shutout work to earn a tie as daylight expired in a matchup with the county’s top-ranked team at Gizoni Field on Friday.

Valdez hit a two-run shot in to bring the Hillers to within 6-3 in the sixth.

Freshman third baseman ISAIAH GOMEZ tied the game with a double in the bottom of the sixth inning for Grossmont.

Grossmont’s bullpen was stellar against the powerful Titans, doling out six innings of combined relief from DREW SHIRVANIAN, ZACH ZOLINA, HAYDEN WHITE.

“It was a great game today from both sides,” said White, a left-hander. “I was happy with how our team’s pitching was tonight.

“TP (TYLER PARENT) threw a great outing, allowing the momentum for my two lefty teammates and me to shut Eastlake down. I’m happy I took the opportunity and ran with it.”

JESSE GARCIA had a home run in the first inning for Grossmont (1-0-1).

GIOVANNI GIGANTI went 3-for-5 at the plate to lead Grossmont.

Giganti singled home a run with a liner to center to close it to 6-4.

“I’m proud of the way our kids battled back today,” Grossmont head coach JORDAN ABRUZZO said. “We stuck together and battled through some adversity.

“Hopefully we can continue to play with that kind of focus and passion.”

Eastlake senior star Grant Holman singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run. in the first inning.

The Foothillers face Christian (0-2) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Mira Mesa High in another Aztec-Foothiller Classic game.