ROUNDUP: Dons beat Helix; Monarchs win behind Sanchez

By ECS Staff
Updated: March 9, 2019

2019 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

CARMEL VALLEY (3-9-2019) – Cathedral Catholic High, after suffering their longest losing streak since the school relocated from the Alcala Park area in south Linda Vista, now own a mild winning streak after handling Helix on Friday (Mar. 8) at Manchester Field

In a battle among ballclubs both off to unexpectedly slow starts, immediately after Helix was gifted with two runs in the 4th to draw even, the Dons (2-4) answered with three markers to take the lead for keeps.

The Scotties’ Devin Baker, the No. 9 hitter, was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded for an RBI. Flipping the batting order, Noah Lane also gained an RBI with a bases-loaded walk.

However, Cathedral Catholic bounced back. The keys hits were a lead double by Zavien Watson, then an RBI double from Marcello Marino.

The final Helix run was also unconventional. In the 7th, Eric Smelko reached on a dropped third strike, eventually circling the bases on walk, a single, then a sacrifice fly by Jack Sothras (2-for-3).

The Highlanders (2-5) received an inning of shutout relief from both Aaron Pulido and Kaleb Sames.

MONTE VISTA 3, MAR VISTA 1 – Monte Vista won its third-straight game and improved to 4-3 overall by winning in the GMC Tournament.

Monte Vista senior Cam Schuler had an RBI fielder’s choice in the bottom of the third to break a scoreless game.

Monarch senior Derrick Wiley broke a 1-all tie in the bottom of the 6th with a one-out single to right center.

Senior Ramon Varela added an RBI groundout to cap a two-run frame in the sixth.

Abraham Sanchez pitched six excellent innings, surrendering two hits and striking out nine for the victory. His only run allowed was unearned.

“What was working for me was my two-seam fastball,” Sanchez said. “It had a lot of movement and I was commanding both sides of the plate well. Also credit to Jake Savoy for always calling great games.

“I was trying to attack and let the defense make the plays. The defensive specialist today had to be Ernie Arámbula. But previous games, it has been David Vega.”

Andy Canedo came in the top of the 7th to close out the game.

“Abraham threw a great game as he always does and only giving up one run always opens up a window to win any baseball game to win,” Canedo said. “With our offense, we can win any baseball game with only one run to no runs given up.

“Abraham is always a good motivator to me as we started the 7th inning jittery but he came up to me and told me to believe that we can win this game and that we are better than them.

“With that confidence, we came out with a great victory over Mar Vista. Coach (Craig) Neu always makes the right calls on the field and our team is always ready when their role is called and we have done great doing that all season.”

Candedo allowed two base hits to start the inning, then settle down to strike out the side.

“In my opinion, this team is more talented than last year on the fact that we are having fun playing the game we love and everyone Is playing with confidence,” Sanchez said following the win. “Everyone on the team knows their role on what they can do to help the team win.

“We are more of an overall team than last year. I am very confident in my team and if we play our brand of baseball, I believe we can play with anyone.

Sanchez is hitting .559 this season and has an 0.93 ERA in 15 innings pitched.

OLYMPIAN 4, WEST HILLS 3: At Olympian, the Wolf Pack leaped to a quick 3-0, but Eagles reliever Anthony Inzunza entered to toss four innings of shutout ball, giving the hosts time to rally and take Friday’s (Mar. 8) GMC Tournament ballgame.

Inzunza allowed just three hits and struck out four. He also survived a two-out double by West Hills first baseman Bevilacqua, but barely stranded the potential runner when the next batter lined out to left field for the final out.

Bevilacqua, Kyle Dobyns and Kole Klingerman each registered two hits, most coming early when the Pack scored twice in the 1st, then another run in the 2nd.

With runners on the corners after a lead walk to Cody Pedrero, then a base hit by Andrew Ritayik, Bvilacqua and Kyle Dobyns posted consecutive RBI singles.

An inning later, Gavin Kondyra and Kole Klingerman lined consecutive out-out singles, then Pedrero walked to load the bases. Kondyra scored when a grounder by Jacob Villanueva was booted; he still received an RBI.

However, Olympian got on the scoreboard on a 2-run homer by Andres Contrerasin in the 3rd, then added single runs in the 4th and 5th to take its first lead.

In the 4th, an error allowed Ryan Rodrin to score an unearned, game-tying run after he was singled home by mid-game substitute Alejandro Obeso, the No. 9 hitter.

Olympian took the lead in the ensuing inning on a series of three consecutive base hits by Cody Roberto, Contreras and Bradley Mookini.

West Hills (1-6) has dropped six straight, including the last four by a composite five runs.

For Olympian (6-2), Contreras, a senior, batted 2-for-2 with a homer, a walk, two runs and a pair of RBI.

VALHALLA 4, UNIVERSITY CITY 3 – Mario Johnson drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Norsemen over the Centurions in a GMC Tournament contest.

Valhalla improved to 7-1 with the victory.

Andy Boyd got the win for Valhalla going two innings, striking out two and walking.

Riley O’Sullivan started the game for Valhalla. He alowed one run on nine over seven innings, while striking out three.

Valhalla had ten hits, including three-hit games from Trey Henige and Kyle Casper.

The game was tied 1-1 entering the ninth inning when UC picked up two in the top of the inning.

Valhalla got two walks before an out was recorded, then a third free pass loaded the bases with one out.

Following an out, Luke Clark then had a two-out single to tie the game.

ST. AUGUSTINE 14, SANTANA 10: The Saints trailed 5-4 after 3 1/2 innings but scored seven in the third inning for the decisive margin.

The Sutlans rallied with five runs in the fifth to pull to within 13-10.

SEAN IVERSON and AIDEN DONOVAN both had two RBI for Santana.

Donovan and TYLER GLOWACHI both had three hits, while Iverson had a pair of hits.

CHULA VISTA 8, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 1: At Whitaker Field, Spartans pitcher Antonio Garcia carried a shutout into the 6th inning, leading the hosts past the Knights in Friday’s (Mar. 8) GMC Tournament game held in the South Bay.

Garcia struck out 8 batters in his six innings of work, then Albert Munoz completed a 1-2-3 inning in the 7th. Both are seniors for Chula Vista (3-6).

For Foothills Christian (2-6), left fielder Corbin Harris and designated hitter Jack Wurts each contributed a pair of hits. Both are junior.

The Knights run came on a walk to sophomore Tyler Kennedy, followed by consecutive singles from senior Jalani Brown and Wurts (RBI). However, Chula Vista escaped the jam with a double play.

Spartans second baseman Albert Munoz registered 4 RBI, two coming on sacrifice flies.

PATRICK HENRY at STEELE CANYON: This ballgame was re-schedule for Saturday at 10 a.m. due to wet grounds.

Meanwhile, at press time, make-up dates were yet to be announced for Serra at El Capitan at Hostetler Field, or Santana vs. St. Augustine at Hickman Field in Kearny Mesa.

EastCountySports.com