Vaqs On Target For First Place Showdown

By Adam Paul
Updated: April 25, 2022

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

EL CAJON (4-25-22) – Early runs production by the visiting El Capitan Vaqueros (17-5, 4-0 GHL) helped lead them to a 6-2 road victory over the Granite Hills Eagles (11-8-1, 1-3 GHL) on Monday in Grossmont Hills League action.

Ava Gall (3-4, 3 RBI, 2 2B) of the Vaqueros with two outs in the top of the first inning would drive in Alyssa Fierro (1-4, R) to make it 1-0.

The Eagles would threaten in their half of the first inning as back-to-back walks to Sofia Mujica (1-2) and Chloe Knepp followed by a base hit by Audrey Smale (1-2) would load the bases. However, Peyton Wells (1-4) would dig down and settle down as she got Breanna Diaz to hit a ground ball in which Chantelle Gonzalez who came into run for Mujica was thrown out at home for the first out, the next batter Makenna Hines would strike out and Taylor Rose would hit a ground ball out to end the inning.

Still leading by a run the Vaqueros threatened in the top of the third inning as Dominique Garcia 2-3, R, 2B) singled with two outs, she would advance to third base as Hailey Mulligan (2-4, R, 2B) roped a double to center field. Unfortunately, both would be stranded as Gall would pop out to end the inning.

Another threat by the Eagles in the bottom of the third inning starting with Mujica singling to right field, Knepp being hit by a pitch and Smale walked to load the bases. But once again Wells would dig deep and retire the next three batters via line outs and fielders’ choice to get out of the jam.

El Capitan knew that they had to score some more runs and in the top of the fourth inning would add to their lead as Brooke Horn (2-4, R, RBI, 2B) doubled with one out, Wells followed with a single and Aubrey Thorne (1-4, RBI, 2B) would follow with an RBI double to make it 2-0.

Later in the top of the sixth inning after each team held each other in check the Vaqueros again would add to their lead.

A lead double by Gall, Addi Leone (RUN) would come into run was followed by a Maddie Taylor (1-4, R, RBI, 2B) knocking her in with a double to center field and the next batter Horn would drive in Taylor with a base hit to center field to make it 4-0.

Granite Hills trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning would finally get a run on the board with two outs thanks to a double by Kailey Sandoval (2-2, RBI, 2 2B) that allowed Jenna Haynal (RUN) to score to make it 4-1. The Eagles would load the bases as both Mujica and Knepp would walk. The Vaqueros would make a pitching change and bring in Horn who would strike out Smale to end the inning.

Still leading 4-1 in the top of the seventh inning the Vaqueros would add a couple of more runs thanks to Gall who would drive in both Garcia and Mulligan on a double to right field to give them a 6-1 lead.

Granite would have one more opportunity in the bottom of the inning but they would only muster a double by Hines before Horn retired the next two batters to end the game.

For the Eagles, Rose would take the loss as she allowed three runs on eight hits over her five innings of work, she would also strike out three on the day, Knepp would pitch two innings in relief in which she allowed three runs on five hits.

On the other side Wells got the starting nod and would get the win as she allowed one run on five hits over five and two third of an inning in which she walked eight and struck out three, Horn came in and tossed an inning and a third giving up one hit while striking out two.