D2 Softball rematch goes to Imperial

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: March 24, 2024

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

ECS staff report

Games from Sat., Mar. 23

Imperial 6, at Christian 3

EL CAJON – In a battle between the top two ballclubs in Division 2 in the CIF San Diego Section, the Imperial Tigers handed the Christian Patriots their first setback in a dozen contestrs this season in a 6-3 decision at Roma Dawson Field.

The see-saw contest saw several lead changes before Imperial scored four times in the fifth inning to seal the verdict.

The loss was the first of the season for Christian (10-1-1). Meanwhile, “IT” moves to 12-2-1 in what could be a preview of the CIFSDS playoffs.

Trailing 2-0 in the first, Christian immedoiately responded when Tyler Krystek and eventually scored the first of her two runs in the morning contest.

Krystek (3-for-4) also scored in the third when the Patriots took a 3-2 lead. Also scoring was Lucy Sherburne when sophomore Sammy Baca found the outfield fence on a mammoth, two-run double to center field.

Ashley ood also posted two hits for Christian. Wood, a junior, os is a three-year varsity performer now owning a .439 batting average this season.

In 2023, Imperial defeated Christian in the CIFSDS championship contest, 3-2, after the Patriots took the regular season game, 12-6.

Grossmont 5, Mar Vista 5, tie (6 inn., time limit)

IMPERIAL BEACH – The Foothillers rallied with two runs in the sixth (and final) inning before the tournament time liit stopped the game for a draw.

Grossmont held a 3-1 advantage, but the Mariners answered with four runs in the fifth inning before handing the game back to a Hillers ballclub which didn’t give up.

For Grossmont, Ashley Beard slugged an RBI double among her two hits, Eliana Vasquez drilled a two-run single, and Nakhia Lee scored twice following a season-best three hits.