Sultans post fifth Valley shutout

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

SANTANA 8, EL CAPITAN 0

LAKESIDE —- The pitching staff for Santana High posted its fourth shutout of the season in Grossmont Valley League play, tying up host El Capitan, 8-0, Wednesday (May 27) at Hostetler Field.

Caleb Harris fired four frames of shutout ball in allowing just three hits, as the Sultans moved to within one of the GVL record for shutouts in a season, held by El Cap with five back in 2012.

A possible conundrum found Santana utilizing two of their main starters —  Tyler Glowacki (two no-hit innings) and Dean Landers (one inning) — to cap the contest, but not to rub it in or run-up the score.

“Everyone was just doing their job applying non-stop pressure and make them make mistakes while we capitalize on them,” Harris said. “I had a job and that was to get through three innings and let the bullpen do the rest. They came out strong and helped lead us and hold El Cap to get the win.”

Because El Cajon Valley vacated the remainder of its season, the Sultans lost three ballgames with the Braves to leave the squad with just two additional contests before the CIF payoffs commence in just under two weeks. Thus, the pitchers needed whatever work became available to stay ready for postseason play.

If Santana can register another shutout, against either Mount Miguel or Monte Vista, they would equal the league mark, but accomplish the feat in fewer contests.

Ranked No. 9 in the CIF-San Diego Section media poll, the Sultans (18-4 overall, 8-0 GVL) ran their winning streak to 12. Their last setback came against fourth-ranked Eastlake some six weeks ago.

By the time many fans arrived for the 4 p.m. start, Santana already mounted a 6-0 in the fourth inning as the contest’s first pitch came an hour earlier.

A pair of two-out hits in the first inning stakes the Sultans to 1 3-0 lead, as Tyler Begg knocked in a pair with a double to center field, then he scored on a line single by Landers.

In the second, Davin Burroughs, who posted two hits, scored on a wild pitch. Then in the third inn an interesting feat, Ethan Wright and Begg lifted consecutive sacrifice flies.

Santana’s Cole Contreras was 3-for-4 with a double, a pair of stolen bases, and a run scored.

“I am just seeing the ball well and having good timing in the box and running the bases,” Contreras said. “I just stick to the same approach every at-bat ad just feed off the energy our team brings.”

El Capitan (7-15, 3-5 GVL), which was out-scored 27-2 over the three-game set with Santana this season, received doubles from Clayton Brown and Brody McAuliffe.