ROUNDUP: Eagles, Cougars, Hillers among winners in openers

By ECS Staff
Updated: April 14, 2016

2016 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul
© East County Sports.com

EL CAJON (4-14-16) — It was a good day to be an Eagle, as the Granite Hills Eagles, who hosted the Valhalla Norsemen in the Grossmont Hills League opener, were able to fly to the 5-1 victory on Wednesday (Apr. 13).

Both teams looked to get on the right side as getting to a good start is always a plus. The Norsemen sent out their ace LILY METSCH and the Eagles sent their respective ace HALLE KYLER. Each team held one another in the first inning. However in the bottom of the second inning the Eagles were able to scratch a run to lead 1-0. Leading off for the Eagles, MADISON CALDWELL singled, advanced to second on the sacrifice by RILEY AGERBEEK, SYDNEY HUSE singled to left field, however the left fielder committed an error which allowed her to advance to second and Caldwell to come into score. It would be the only run Granite Hills would get as Metsch finally got out of the inning.

The Eagles would hold onto their slim lead through four innings as Kyler was able to retire Valhalla pretty much in order except for a single by SAMMY GREEN in the top of the third inning. Granite Hills broke the game open in their half of the fourth as they score three runs to extend their lead to 4-0. With one out, Huse ripped a single to right field, HAYLEY BUDVARSON was hit by a pitch, Huse advanced to second, KAREN CREECH hit into a fielder’s choice to which the only play was at second base, Huse advanced to third, CASSIDY SHEW hit the offering to right center for a single that scored Huse. Both Kreech and Shew would end up scoring and Kyler would have an RBI double.

Kyler for the Eagles was throwing as she was able to retire the Norsemen in order again, other than a walk to KELLY OLSON who had come into replace BRANDI KOHEL in the top of the fifth inning. The defense for the Eagles backed Kyler as well as they caught and fielded everything hit. Granite in the bottom of the fifth scored another run to make the score 5-0 in their favor thanks to back to back doubles by RACHEL RILEY and Creech that scored Riley.

Valhalla finally broke through to get on the board and avoid the shutout in the top of the seventh inning as EMILY HOWARD led off with a single, ALEXIS INGRASSIA walked and Howard advanced to second, GIANNA PAAPE grounded to the shortstop. Howard did come into score to make it 5-1 but the next couple batters were retired including back to back strikeouts to end the game.

Metsch for the Norseman took the loss going all the way giving up 5 runs on 9 hits while walking 3, while Eagles pitcher Kyler garnered the victory as she tossed all 7 innings, giving up the 1 run on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 6.

STEELE CANYON 1, WEST HILLS (10 INNINGS) – In an old fashioned pitchers’ duel that saw both teams combine for 16 hits, it would be the West Hills Wolf Pack who would blink first as the Steele Canyon Cougars clawed a run in the top of the tenth inning to get the 1-0 victory in Grossmont Hills action, Wednesday (Apr.13).

It was a battle of the aces as MAKAYLA MCCARTHY took the circle for Steele Canyon and for the Wolf Pack it was RYLEIGH DOBYNS (2-4). Both didn’t disappoint as they pretty much shut down the opposition. The Cougars would get two runners on in the top of the first as MAKAYLA STROMENGER and McCarthy both singled but the threat would be quashed. West Hills in their half of the first went down in order 1-2-3. Both teams would garner singles in their respective halves of the second inning. For the Cougars, EMMA DODSON singled and for West Hills Dobyns singled.

Steele Canyon would get to Dobyns in the third inning as AUDREY BAGGE (2-5) and ASHLEY TAVIZON (1-4, R) hit back to back singles but Dobyns would work her magic as a couple of batters later get JJ VENZOR (2-5, RBI) to hit in to a fielder’s choice to end the threat and inning. A couple of innings later in the top of the fifth Dobyns again would be in a jam as leadoff hitter for the Cougars, GENTRY HOFFMAN singled to left, Bagge singled, Tavizon would be on strike three looking for the first out, Stromenger would reach on an error which advanced both Hoffman to third and Bagge to second. Again the Wolf Pack would get out of the inning thanks to a base running out and a groundout to end it.

Neither team would score in the sixth and seventh innings thus sending the game into extra innings. West Hills had a shot in the bottom seventh but both times the threat would stall.

The Wolf Pack wouldn’t have one of their better threats to score and win the game until the bottom of the ninth as they couldn’t get anything offensively. However even this almost didn’t happen as PAIGE BOWLER (1-4) and Dobyns both were retired for the first two outs. So with two down up stepped MOANA PISIA who had been hitless to this point. Facing a 1-2 count she took the next offering and smashed for a double, the next batter BROOKE SNYDER (1-3) laced a single that Pisia was able to get to third on. With runners at the corners the crowd for the Pack was hoping that they would get the hit they needed to win the game. Next up was SYDNEY CRAVEN who was looking to do something, unfortunately McCarthy was able to get her to ground back to her and she threw to first to for the third out and end the inning and send the game to the tenth inning.

So in the top of the tenth the Cougars sent up their top of the lineup to try and break through. Leadoff hitter Bagge grounded to third for the first out, Tavizon drew the one out walk, Stromenger advanced her to second on a sacrifice bunt. So with two outs Dobyns just needed to get the third and final out to get out of the inning. However McCarthy was able to work the count and draw the walk, up came Venzor with runners at first and second and two outs. She took the 0-1 count and ripped the offering to right field for a double that scored Tavizon to give the Cougars the 1-0 lead. The Cougar faithful cheered as they had just broke through for the games first run. Dobyns was able to get out of the inning without any further damage as she got SAMANTHA MILLER to ground out.

The Cougars now owned the coveted lead but it was a small one but that was ok. Now trailing, the Wolf Pack sent the top of their lineup in the bottom of the inning to try and do something. However Cougar pitcher McCarthy had other ideas as she got leadoff hitter BROOKE ROBERTS to groundout to short for the first out, the next batter SIERRA SCHLICHTING flew out to right field for the second out of the inning. The Cougars could feel it as they were one out of pulling off the victory. That they would as McCarthy would get KENDALL MARINESI to ground out to short for the final out of the inning and ball game.

The winning pitcher McCarthy went the full 10 innings giving up 7 hits, walking 0 and striking out 3 while taking the hard luck loss for the Wolf Pack Dobyns also went the full 10 innings giving up 1 run which was earned on 9 hits, walked 3 and struck out 2.

With the victory, Steele Canyon pushed their winning streak to 4 games and beat West Hills for the first time since 2013.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

GROSSMONT 6, SANTANA 2 – In the opening day of Grossmont Hills League action, the Grossmont Foothillers scored all their runs early on and never looked back in their 6-2 victory over the host Santana Sultans, Wednesday (Apr. 13).

Things started off with a bang for the Foothillers as leadoff hitter CHLOE CAMARERO (1-2, RBI, R, HR) smashed a solo shot over the left center fence to give Grossmont a 1-0 lead early on. A couple of batters later, MEGAN MALWITZ (2-4, 2 RBI, 2 R, HR) singled, stole second base, TAYLOR BAEZ (1-2, RBI, R, 2B) would double scoring Malwitz for the 2-0 lead. Grossmont would add to their lead as they pushed across four runs in the top of the third inning for the 6-0 lead. With one out, DESTINY BACON (1-4, R) singled, Malwitz stepped to the plate and took the offering and crushed it over the left center fence for the 2-run jack. Both Baez and ALEXIS COLLINS would get on with Collins singling and both would come around to score. Baez would come into score on the single by SAMARIA ROOPE (1-3, 2 RBI).

Both teams held each other in check the rest of the way until the bottom of the sixth when the Sultans got their offense going and scored a couple of runs to make it 6-2. With one out, SYDNEY VATES (2-3, R) came up and singled, she would come around to score when MACKENZIE BENNETT (1-3, RBI) ripped a double, ERICA REID (run) came in as a courtesy runner, RACHEL WILSON (1-3, RBI) than knocked her in as she banged out a double. Unfortunately that would be all they would get as Roope was able to retire the next two batters to end the inning.

Santana would hold the Foothillers in the top of the seventh inning and get one more shot to do something. Hillers pitcher Roope had other ideas as she promptly retired the Sultans in order 1-2-3 to end the ballgame. Roope went all 7 innings, struck out 4, walked 1 and gave up 2 runs of which both were earned on 5 hits. For the Sultans, MADDY MENDEZ tossed all 7 innings, struck out 2, walked 4 and gave up 6 runs of which all were earned on 7 hits.

Grossmont with the victory now pushes their winning streak to five games.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

PATRICK HENRY 11, SERRA 0 (5 innings) – In an old fashioned showing of dominance the Patrick Henry Patriots showed the visiting Serra Conquistadors that they are the team to beat as they garnered the 11-0 victory in 5 innings in the Eastern League opener, Wednesday (Apr. 13^th).

The Patriots got it going right away in the first inning as ANYA VANDERSIP (1-3, R) singled and a couple of batters later DANI ROMERO (3-3, 3 RBI, 2 R, HR) crushed a 2-run blast to give the Patriots a 2-0 lead. They would add six more runs in the bottom of the third inning to lead 8-0. CRISTIONA CACCAMISE (1-3, R) singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, scored on the single by Romero. ANDREA WRIGHT singled moving Romero to second, SAVANNAH CHAPMAN (2-3, R) singled, LAILA SPRACKLEN (run) reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Romero, TATYANA GUERRERO (1-3, 2 R) hit in to a fielder’s choice that scored Chapman, Spracklen scored on a wild pitch.

Patrick Henry tacked on their final three runs in the bottom of the fifth as Guerrero and CASSIE VAN TIL (2-3, 2 R, 2B) singled. Both would be brought home on the 3-run bomb by HANNAH MCEWEN (2-4, 5 RBI, 2 R, HR) over the right center field fence to give the Patriots an 11-0 lead and end the game.

For the Conquistadors AMBER WOZNIAK would go 2-3, VIVIAN TOMOVICH went 1-2 and JACQUELINE KAMERY went 1-1.

Pitching wise for Serra, MEGAN POOLE took the loss as she went 4 innings, striking out 1 and walking 1, giving up 11 runs of which 6 were earned on 12 hits. Patrick Henry countered with RUBY GONZALEZ who tossed all 5 innings, struck out 2 and walked 2 and gave up 4 hits in the victory.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

CHRISTIAN 18, MORSE 0 – Runs a plenty for the visiting Christian Patriots as they smashed the Morse Tigers 18-0 in 5 to take the Eastern League opener, Wednesday (Apr. 13^th).

Things got rolling in the top of the first inning for the Patriots as they put up five runs to lead 5-0 early on. Leadoff hitter SILENT RAIN ESPINOZA (3-5, RBI, 3 R, 2B) reached on an error by the left fielder, ELLE LINDBLAD reached on an error by the third basemen, ASHLEY CARTER (3-5, RBI, 4 R, 2 2B) roped a double, SHANNON MCMAHON (3-3, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2B) walked, AMARA HARRIS hit into a fielder’s choice, LAUREN SHERBURNE (3-3, RBI, R) knocked in a run and MALLORY STEELE (1-2, RBI) knocked in a run. All of the runners that got on for Christian came around to score.

Christian repeated the first inning in the second inning as they scored 5 more runs to lead 10-0. McMahon would double in three runs which saw ANNA SHERBURNE (3-4, RBI, 3 R, 2B) single, Carter reach on a fielder’s choice and Lindblad walk. Lauren Sherburne would also single and score a run.

Patriot pitcher Carter tossed a gem in which she went 5 innings, 0 runs on 4 hits, walked 1 and struck out 6 on the day.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

HELIX 17, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 (5 innings) – The host Highlanders exploded for runs early and often as they pounded the El Cajon Valley Braves to garner the Grossmont Valley opener 17-0, Wednesday (Apr.13^th).

Helix raced out to an early 8-0 lead after the first inning and never looked back as they scored in all of the first four innings. The big day for the Highlanders went to KENDI SWINTON as she went 3-3 and knocked in 4 runs which included a homerun of which was her first career varsity blast. Others included SHAREENA LACHANCE who went 3-4 and knocked in 2 runs, GABRIELA OLIVARRIA who went 2-3 scored 3 runs and knocked in 2 runs.

In the circle for the Highlanders was BRIANA REED who tossed 3 innings and struck out 6 while giving up 2 hits in the victory.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

MOTNE VISTA 17, MOUNT MIGUEL 7 – The Monte Vista Monarchs hosted the Mount Miguel Matadors and were able to get the Grossmont Valley opening day victory 17-7.

Things started off strong for the Matadors as they scored 2 runs in the top of the first inning but the lead wouldn’t last as the Monarchs knotted the score at 2-2 with a couple of runs in their half of the first. Monte Vista would go on to score 3 more runs in the bottom of the second to lead 5-2. Their biggest output came in their half of the third when they put up an 11 spot to take a 16-2 lead.

However the Matadors despite being down wouldn’t go away as they scored twice in the fourth inning to pull within 16-4. They tacked on 3 runs in the top half of the fifth but that was all they would get the rest of the game

Big day for the Monarchs would go to CIERA ROSS who went 2-3 and drove in 3 runs and scored 2 runs, also CYNTHIA VALENCIA who drove in a pair of runs and also scored a pair.

Getting the victory for the Monarchs, EMILY BODTKE who tossed 3 innings of 3 hit ball, giving up 2 runs of which 1 was earned while walking 2 and striking out 5.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

UNIVERSITY CITY 9, EL CAPITAN 4 – The El Capitan Vaqueros would put up some runs but too many errors would cost El Capitan as they dropped the 9-4 non-league contest to the visiting University City Centurions, Wednesday (Apr. 13^th).

The Vaqueros would come back from a 1-0 deficit as they would push across 2 runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-1 lead as both MARIA LOTTA and GRACE BURKETT singled and would come around to score. However the lead wouldn’t last as University City would score two runs in the top of the second to take the 3-2 lead of which they would never relinquish the rest of the game.

El Capitan would score their only other runs in the bottom of the fifth when MADISYN WIEHER would walk and Burkett singled, both would come into score when BAILY OLAVESON and KIM GARCIA would drive runs in to make it 9-4.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com