HILLS: Eagles, Wolf Pack get victories

By Adam Paul
Updated: April 26, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

EastCountySports.com

GROSSMONT HILLS LEAGUE

GRANITE HILLS 9, GROSSMONT 7

Trailing late the Eagles were able to take advantage of opportunities and take the lead and hold on to beat the Foothillers.

Grossmont struck first in the contest as Samaria Roope crushed the Staci Chambers offering over the left field fence for the three run blast. The homerun scored both Kati Contreras and Jordan Brown to make it 3-0.

The Eagles would eventually cut into the Foothillers lead in the top of the third when Haley Johnson hit a ball that fell in for a double to left that scored both Julia Tysling and Rylee Omahen. With the two runs, the Eagles pull within 3-2.

However, Grossmont answered right back with another run as once again Roope did the damage as she lined a single to left to score Kimmy Bond to push their lead to 4-2.

Granite scratched a run back in the top of the fifth to make it a 4-3 game on a base hit by Johnson that scored Brooke Bertussi.

Despite trailing the Eagles knew the game wasn’t over as it now time for their favorite inning. Granite started things off in the top of the sixth with a double by Bailey Wallace, she would later score to tie the game on a Tysling grounder. The Eagles took their first lead of the game on a sacrifice bunt by Bertussi that scored Sydney Huse, McKenzie Boehm singled to score Kaylenn Valenzuela who had come in to run. Now leading 6-4 the Eagles added more to take a 7-4 lead.

In the top of the seventh Amaya Esparza blasted a two run homerun that also scored Wallace to put the Eagles further on top 9-4.

However, the Foothillers made things very interesting in the bottom of the seventh inning despite having two outs. Still trailing 9-4 and down to their final out Aly Allman hit what looked like the final out but the ball went through the legs of Bertussi which allowed Bond to score to make it 9-5, Candace Henderson followed with lined single to left which scored both Brown and Allman.

Despite giving up a single to Jessica Medlin, Chambers was able to get the ground ball out for the final out of the game.

For Grossmont in the loss, Roope went 7 innings, giving up 9 runs on 12 hits while walking 3 and striking out 7.

In the victory, Chambers went all 7 innings giving up 7 runs on 7 hits while walking 5 and striking out 11.

WEST HILLS 5, STEELE CANYON 1

The Wolf Pack behind pitching and defense were able to procure the big win on the road against the Cougars.

West Hills in the top of the with two outs would put together multiple hits starting with a Haley Valles double followed by a triple to center by Alyssa Bubar to score Valles which made it 1-0, Ashleigh Hartwig followed with a bloop single which brought home Bubar to make it 2-0.

Steele Canyon had an opportunity in the bottom of the inning when Audrey Bagge and JJ Venzor drew consecutive walks. Unfortunately, they both would be stranded as Carly Bursch retired the next three batters to end the threat and the inning.

The Wolf Pack added another run in the top of the fifth on a double by Bubar that scored Valles which pushed the Pack lead to 3-0.

The Cougars had another opportunity in the bottom of the sixth as Maggie Carpenter led off with a walk followed by a base hit by Amanda Whipple. Once again Bursch dug down and retired the next three batters to get out of the inning without any damage done.

Moving to the top of the seventh with a 3-0 lead the Pack were able to add more as Dakotta Mershon led off with a single, she would later score. Their other run of the inning came when Valles stole home safely.

Steele Canyon in the bottom of the seventh inning didn’t go down without a fight as Danelle Directo led off by being hit by a pitch, Bagge followed with a single, Venzor singled to load the bases. So with no outs up came Bianca Morales who on a 3-0 count was hit by a pitch which scored Directo to make it 5-1.

With no outs up came Carpenter, she would get the count to 3-2 before Bursch struck her out. Bursch was able to get Whipple to ground into a fielder’s choice in which Bagge was thrown out at the plate for the second out. With two outs, Tayler Thomas came up and on a 3-0 count popped up for the final out of the game.

“Carly pitched a great game and was able to get us out of a lot of jams. We played terrific defensively.” “The plan before the game was to look for a specific pitch to drive, then be very aggressive on the bases and force them to make plays. Steele Canyon played some great defense and they’re loaded top to bottom with great hitters. Kevin and his staff are great coaches, too.” “We came into this game having played great against Eastlake this past Saturday, and even better today. We finished the game strong, and my girls showed they can lay with anybody when they believe it.” Sais West Hills Coach Mike Applebaum on the big win against the Cougars.

In the loss for the Cougars, Grace Richter went all 7 innings giving up 5 runs while striking out 1.

For the Pack in the win, Bursch went 7 innings giving up the 1 run while walking 6 and striking out 9.