First Valhalla win vs. Grossmont since ’15

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: March 27, 2024

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

ECS staff report

RANCHO SAN DIEGO — Following Valhalla’s demotion from the Grossmont Hills League to the Grossmont Valley League following the 2016 season, Valhalla has rarely played Grossmont.

The ballclubs have met just three times, with the Foothillers winning each time by a composite margin of 39-6, scoring double-digits each time to add to their 6-game win streak in the series.

However, the Norsemen finally ended the revolting skid with their first triumph over the Hillers in nearly a decade with a 6-5 victory in Wednesday’s (Mar. 27) Lion Tournament contest.

Of course, the triumph was anything but easy before taking a walk-off decision.

It was business as usualy for Grossmont after scoring three times inthe first inning, mounting a 4-2 lead entering the sixth inning.

Valhalla ralliedwith three runs in the sixth to take its initial lead, but nearly blew it in the seventh when Grossmont rallied to pull event. Howeveer, Orange National answered with a run with two down to claim the walk-off winner.

Editor’s noite: Our GameChange app is not working, or we would tellyou how Valhalla won. It was determined that a single and a pair of walks loadeed the bases for the eining run would score. However, since only four Norsemen made plate appearances, the run might have scored on a dramatoic stolen base or wild pitch/passed ball or balk.

For Valhalla, Brennan Simonet, Colton Stinkeoway and Mace Wheeler drove in runs. Six different players scored.

Grossmont’s Cody Bigley belted a solo home run, his first of the season.

Caidan Lindsay and Elias Burlaza knocked in two runs each. Brandon Hermosillo posted two hits.

Valhalla (7-5) owns a 2-game win streak. Grossmont drops to 4-9 and is in danger of switching with the Norsemen for demotion to the GVL.

The previous Valhallawin came in a 5-3 GHL decision on May 20, 2015.