Eagles more than lucky on St. Patty’s

By Adam Paul
Updated: March 17, 2022

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

EL CAJON (3-17-22) – Some people say that St. Patrick’s day is a lucky day but the Granite Hills Eagles showed they didn’t need luck as they raked out eleven hits and used a four-run fourth inning to come away with the 9-2 non-league victory over San Pasqual on Thursday afternoon.

Granite Hills started the scoring in the bottom of the first inning when Breanna Diaz (1-4, R, RBI) hit a ball that was misplayed allowing both Kailey Sandoval (3-4, 2R, 2B, SB) and Chloe Knepp (RUN) to come around and score which gave them an early 2-0 lead.

However, the two-run lead was wiped out in the top of the third inning courtesy of a two-run shot by Ashlee Sweet which gave the Golden Eagles new life.

That newfound momentum by the Golden Eagles would be short-lived as Granite Hills with one out would retake the lead when Kamryn Flath (1-3, R, RBI) singled to left field scoring Taylor Rose (3-4, 2R) to make it 3-2.

Still with one out and Jenna Haynal (2-3, R, RBI) and Flath on base up stepped Sofia Mujica (1-4, R, 3 RBI) who on a 0-1 count took the pitch and smashed it over the left-field fence for a three-run home run to extend the lead to 6-2.

Mujica’s home run was her eighth of the season and also tops all of San Diego County.

Granite would add to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to an RBI double by Haynal that plated Diaz and Flath reaching on an error that allowed Rose to score which made it 8-2. They would add another run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Diaz drove in Sandoval who led off with a double.

Rose got the starting nod in the circle and the win going all seven innings in which she allowed two runs on six hits, walking one and striking out one in the victory.

The Eagles now on the season are 7-4-1 and will next play on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, on the road against Bonita Vista.

Rancho Bernardo 8, Steele Canyon 0

Spring Valley (3-17-22) – Tough day for the home team Steele Canyon Cougars as they were limited to only three hits on the day by the Rancho Bernardo Broncos in Falcon Fiesta Tournament Action on Thursday afternoon.

The Cougars trailing by a 1-0 score in the bottom of the second inning had a chance to put something together as Janea Wilson led off with a single, she would be moved up to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Isabella Azevedo, the next batter Breanna Lakin would walk which would put runners on first and second, Wilson would advance to third base on a ground ball out but unfortunately both she and Azevedo would be stranded as final out would be recorded of the inning.

The Broncos unfortunately would add to their lead with a pair of runs in both the third and fourth innings to lead 5-0 when the Cougars would threaten again in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Leading off for the Cougars in the bottom of the fourth inning Kamea Seunarine would start off with a double to center field, unfortunately, nothing would come of it as the Broncos would get out of the inning to end the threat.

The only other Cougars to get hits on the day was Abby Curran who singled back in the bottom of the first inning.

Despite the loss, the Cougars are now 10-4-1 and still have the best record in East County and will next play Scripps Ranch on Saturday morning on the road for a 9 AM start.

SCOREBOARD
Granite Hills 9, San Pasqual 2
Rancho Bernardo 8, Steele Canyon 0
V-Victory Christian 15, Mountain Empire 14 (walk-off)
San Ysidro 17, Liberty Charter 1
Monte Vista 8, SD-Southwest 7 (walk-off winner)
EC-Central at El Capitan, late