GHL: Cougars win opener; Highlanders blank Wolf Pack

By Adam Paul
Updated: May 5, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

EL CAJON – Opening day of Grossmont Hills League play is always a tough one as you don’t want to fall behind right away and Steele Canyon (9-7, 1-0 GHL) managed not to as they doubled up the Granite Hills Eagles (4-11-1, 0-1 GHL) 4-2 on Wednesday (May 5).

Early on both teams traded innings but in the bottom of the third inning, the Granite Hills Eagles threatened when Kiki Sandoval (2-2, 3B) led off with a triple to right field. However, she would be called out by the umpire for interference on a ball popped up in foul territory on the third-base side. The call by the umpire really took the momentum away from the Eagles as the next two batters would be retired to end the inning.

Steele Canyon would use that momentum to their favor in the top of the fourth inning as Jazmin Williams (RUN) hit a ball to center field that was misplayed allowing Williams to advance all the way to third base. The Cougars would take advantage and score a pair of runs on misplayed balls hit by both Janea Wilson (R, RBI) and a bunt attempt by Breanna Lakin (2-3, R, RBI).

Leading 2-0 another run for the Cougars would come courtesy of another misplayed ball by the Eagles as Mariah Mata reached allowing Lakin to score to give them a 3-0 lead.

The Eagles would grab a run back in the bottom of the fourth inning on a single to center field by Chloe Knepp (1-3, RBI) that brought home Sofia Mujica (2-2, 2 R, RBI, 2B, HR) who led off the inning with a double.

But the Cougars matched the run as they scored again on a base hit up the middle by Lakin that scored Kassandra Jaggard who came into run for Carlie Williams who reached on an error.

Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning the Eagles needed something and that something came courtesy of leadoff hitter Mujica. Having homered in five consecutive games she was looking to extend that streak and on the first pitch, she saw she hit a high towering fly ball over the left-centerfield wall to make it 4-2.

Mujica’s solo home run was her San Diego county leading tenth of the season and also the sixth consecutive game with one.

In the loss for the Eagles, Chloe Knepp struck out ten while only allowing four runs of which none were earned on four hits in her seven innings of work.

On the other side, Emma Shellstrom tossed all seven innings in which she allowed two runs of which both were earned on five hits while walking three and striking out eight on the day.

Helix 2, West Hills 0

Santee – The Highlanders who are one of the favorites to win the Grossmont Hills league were able to fend off a young West Hills squad on Wednesday afternoon.

Helix pitcher Jiovana Nuanez held the Wolf Pack scoreless while tossing a one-hitter and she struck out eight to pick up the win.

The Highlanders scored the only runs of the game in the top of the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Isabella Bordine that brought home Kori Jonilonus, the next batter Amber Young would bring home Elaine Mohammad on a sacrifice fly to left field.

Both sides of the pitching went back and forth not allowing an inch the rest of the way.

Helix would threaten in the top of the fifth inning as Maggie Jenkins, Lily White and Jonilonus hit consecutive singles to load the bases. However, Alyssa Thornton for the Wolf Pack would get out of the inning with no damage done as she retired the next three batters in a row.

The lone hit by the Wolf Pack came in the sixth inning when Amaya Angeli led off the inning with a base hit but she would be caught stealing second and the Highlanders were able to retire the next two batters.

Thornton who took the loss only allowed two runs on seven hits in her seven innings of work and struck out five on the day.

Valhalla 9, Grossmont 7

La Mesa – Despite trailing late the Foothillers tried to mount a comeback but in the end, were on the wrong end on Wednesday afternoon.

A two-run single by McKayla Fish that scored both Abby Johnston and Maryn Jordan gave the Norsemen an early 2-0 lead. They would add another pair of runs courtesy of a base hit by Marissa Lupo to make it 4-0.

Grossmont would answer back with a run of their own in the bottom of the first inning on a base hit by Katelynn Parent to score Natalie Emery which made it 4-1.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Foothillers would cut the deficit in half when Jade Daley would score on a ball hit by Isabel Cervantes that was misplayed.

But the Foothillers momentum was short-lived thanks to a three-run homer by Jordan to extend the Norsemen lead to 7-2. Valhalla added another run in the inning to make it 8-2 courtesy of an error that allowed Bella Moscoso to score.

However, Grossmont didn’t back down as Parent would drive in Alexis Fleischer and Emery to make it 8-4.

Valhalla added their final run in the top of the sixth inning on a Lupo base hit to center field that brought in Cadyn Ruffer to make it 9-4.

An RBI double by Daley bringing in Kimmy Bond and a two-run single by Alyssa Bolden scoring both Parent and Daley would bring the Hillers within 9-7.

Caitlyn Potts took the loss for the Foothillers. She allowed nine runs on fifteen hits while walking two and striking out two in her seven innings of work.

For Valhalla, Fish garnered the complete seven-inning victory. She allowed seven runs on ten hits while walking four and striking out four.