Mujica blasts two, Hines provides dramatics

By Adam Paul
Updated: May 6, 2023

2023 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

EL CAJON – In another crazy finish to the latest chapter between the Granite Hills Eagles and the Santana Sultans, the third lead change would result in a dramatic finish with a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh to give the Eagles the 4-3 victory over the visiting Sultans on Saturday (May 6) in Grossmont Hills League play.

Early on, Granite Hills would take a 2-0 lead when Sofia Mujica hit a shot deep over the left field fence for her thirteenth of the season that also scored Kamryn Flath.

Santana, though, would answer with a run in the top of the second, as Kaitlyn Ruckle hit a ball that was misplayed and would advance to second on the same error. She would come around and score when Kaitlyn Ruckle doubled to left field.

Mujica again would strike to answer the run scored by the Sultans, as she belted a solo shot deep to center field for her fourteenth of the season giving the Eagles a 3-1 lead.

Later in the sixth inning, after both teams matched each other, the Sultans, who still trailed, took advantage of numerous opportunities, as they would tie the game 3-3.

Leadoff hitter Sara Spry singled to right field, which was followed by Taylinn Warren hitting a ball that was misplayed, allowing her to reach safely. Because of the error, both Spry and Warren were able to advance to second and third. The next batter, Delaney Smith, singled to right field, bringing in Spry, and because the ball was misplayed, Warren also scored the tying run.

With the score tied and the Sultans going down in order in the top of the seventh inning, the Eagles had their chance, and did they ever cash in.

With one out, Mujica came up and the Sultans, who had been burned twice already, didn’t want her to pull a Reggie Jackson three-home run game performance on them, so they decided to intentionally walk her. After Mujica walked, Ariana Heninger would come in and courtesy run for her.

Now, with a runner on first, up came Makayla Tileia, who would right away put the ball in play, as she laced a single to left field, putting runners on first and second with only one out. The next batter, Makenna Hines stepped to the plate looking to do something. Still, with a possibility of an inning-ending double play, Hines would work the count to 1-1 and on the very next pitch, would line a base hit to center field that would bring home Heninger and the game-winning run, giving the Eagles the crazy victory.

Kaleigh Bauer for the Eagles picked up the win, as she went all seven innings, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out two.

On the other side for the Sultans, Aurelia Dawson would take the loss, allowing nine hits and four runs over six and one-third innings while striking out three.

The loss snaps the Sultans’ two-game winning streak, while the Eagles win their second in a row.

With the loss, the Sultans fall to 17-5-1 overall and 4-2 in the Grossmont Hills League, which also puts them two games behind league leader El Capitan.

Santana’s next game is on Tuesday (May 10) on the road in Lakeside in a showdown for first place. With a victory, El Capitan can pretty much wrap up the league title, but Santana can keep their league title hopes alive with a win and clinch at least a share.

Granite Hills with the victory improves to 15-8 overall and evens their record to 4-4 in Grossmont Hills play. They also move into sole possession of third place and help bolster their playoff seeding. They have a bye on Tuesday and will wrap up the regular season on Friday (May 10) with a road game to take on the Steele Canyon Cougars.