SDC baseball, hoops, all suffer sweeps

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: January 27, 2023

SDCC's Josh O'Campo/ File photo by Elisha Page

2022-23 SAN DIEGO CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
BASEBALL / MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

ECS staff report

RIVERSIDE – The San Diego Christian College baseball team posted a dramatic rally,coming back from a 12-9 deficit to take the lead with four runs in the 8th inning. However, La Sierra University answered with two runs in the home-half of the frame do down the Hawks, 14-13, in the baseball season opener for both ballclubs.

Josh Milner

The host Holden Eagles (2-0) also took Thursday’s (Jan. 26) nightcap, 15-4, giving them a sweep of SDCC for the first time in school history. It also marked a disappointing start for new Hawks head Josh coach Joshua Milner.

Milner spent the previous five seasons as the assistant head coach for Arizona Christian University, which is also a member of the Golden State Athletic Conference.

Despite the 18 runs produced by the Hawks (0-2) on the afternoon,most of the run production came from the bottom of the batting order.

In the opener, No. 8 hitter Symon Tabello (Fullerton-Sunny Hills), the first baseman, drove home four runs. He also stole one of the ballclub’s nine bases in the contest.

Meanwhile, No. 9 hitter Elisha Page (Steele Canyon), the left fielder, knocked in three runs, receiving credit for two RBI on an error which drove home both the tying and go-ahead uns in the right inning.

In the second game, La Sierra mounted a 10-0 lead after two innings. However, the Hawks received run production from another left fielder in Spencer Jenkins (Bakersfield-Centennial ), who posted two RBI.

Among East County high school products playing for the Hawks inclide:

Jalani Brown (Sr., Foothills Christian), 2-for-5, 2 runs G1);
-Jack Schlotman (S0., Steele Canyon/Grossmont College);
Peyton Berroth (Jr., Christian HS);
Max Merlan (So., Foothills Christian);
Taylor Casey (Fr., Foothills Christian);
Hudson Beamon (Fr., Granite Hills)
Jared Eichhorst (Sr., Christian HS)
Drew Stinnett (So., Granite Hills);.

Men’s Basketball

Arizona Christian 85, San Diego Christian 67

FLETCHER HILLS – In its first home game following the most successful road trip of the season, San Diego Christian College couldn’t keep up with Aizona Christian the leaders in the Golden State Athletic Conference, falling to the Firestorm, 85-67, in Thursday’s (Jan. 26) contest held at Grossmont College.

The Hawks had upset No. 24 Menlo College last Thursday, but Arizona Christian, ranked No. 5 in the NAIA, was prepared to stop the Hawks.

For Arizona Christian (*15-7 overall, 9-3 GSAC), Dennis Flowers III came off the bench to record a team-high 20 points.

San Diego Christian (4-9, 3 -9 GAC) scoring leader Greg Chew paced the Hawks with 19 points, Jonah Felix added 17 points, while Ryan Blackmon came off the bench to tally 12.

Women’s Basketball

Arizona Christian 81, San Diego Christian 60

FLETCHER HILLS – Arizona Christian (10-11 overall) returned to the 500 plateau in GSAC play at 6-6 after downing host San Diego Christian, 81-60m, in GSAC action Thursday (Jan. 26) at Grossmont College.

The Firestorm tallied 29 points in the first quarter, then 52 by the half before clearing the bench.

For ACU, Graciela Roybal led with 16 points, while Lauren Gunn chipped in 14.

The setback left the Hawks (3-8 overall) in a 3-way tie for bottom of the GSAC standings, all saddled with just a single win.

Mamaeia Makoni led SDCC with 13 points, Jamee Joseph registered a double-double with 12 pointsd and 13 rebounds, while Cynnadie Whatley came off the bench to tally 10, including seve from the foul line.

Up Next

San Diego Christian College– both teams — return to action on Saqturday, hosting Ottawa (Ariz.) University at Grossmont College. The women are slated for a noon start, with the men’s contest to follow.