Cougars, Barons win division titles in GMC tournament

By ECS Staff
Updated: March 17, 2019

GMC Tournament division champion Bonita Vista.

2019 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

East County Sports staff report

RANCHO SAN DIEGO (3-17-2019) – Timing is everything.

Even though the hit totals were close, and the errors were too many yet even, Steele Canyon came through with a rather one-sided victory due to when they gathered their hits.

The Cougars batted an impressive 4-for-8 with two outs and runners on base, accounting for most of their runs in a 3-1 decision over visiting Del Norte in Saturday’s (Mar. 16) opening round of the Pirate-Falcon Tournament.

Two of the two-out hits came from the middle infielders in the 5th inning when the Cougars posted three runs to lock-up the victory.

Second baseman Sebastian Granados started the series of clutch hits with an RBI single, then shortstop Eli Page followed with his own run-scoring base hit. Both were line drives to right field.

So what did the frustrated Nighthawks do to the next batter? They plunked Cougars No. 3 hitter Billy Tellous with a pitch. Besides, the first baseman had already gone 2-for-3 with 3 RBI, including an RBI double.

However, Tellous had the last laugh, anchoring a defense which turned a pair of late double plays, including the game-ending twin-killing on a tapper back to the mound to relief pitcher Richard Pedrin. The play made a winner of starting pitcher Jonathan Kenney, who struck out 7 and allowed just one earned run in his 6 innings.

For Steele Canyon (4-5), Page finished with three hits, Granados added two, with both recording a pair of RBI. Tellous also posted a sacrifice fly for his other RBI.

Del Norte (1-7) saw leadoff batter Garret Ostrander, the shortstop, go 4-for-4, while freshman outfield D.J. Cardinal added two hits, but the remainder of the Hawks managed just three hits.

BONITA VISTA 15, CHRISTIAN 1: The Patriots (5-7), playing their fourth contest in five days, simply ran out of pitching in falling to the Barons in their championship flight of the GMC (Grossmont-Metro-City) Tournament.

Bonita Vista (8-4) only posted 6 hits, yet took full advantage of 10 walks and 5 batters hit by a pitch from six different pitchers.

For the Barons, No. 8 hitter DiMaggio Cazares hit a solo home run, while Jesus “Bubba” Villegas had a triple and walked twice. Both also stole a base.

Lucas Marrujo gained the pitching win despite only going three innings due to the CIF “Winning With Integrity” sportsmanship rule after exiting with a 10-0 lead.

How bad were things for Christian? The lone run scored on a ground out. Following a single by Carson Stroman and a pair of walks to load the bases to open the 4th. Alex Markowicz sent the ball softball-style (intentionally) to the right side for the “hey, it counts” RBI to prevent the shutout.

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 1, BORREGO SPRINGS 0: In a Crusader Classic contest, the visiting RedHawks (2-3) accepted a forfeit decision from the host Rams. On Tuesday, MEHS will entertain winless Bayfront Charter of Chula Vista at 3:30 p.m.

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