After week off, Griffins clinch tie for PCAC title

2016 GROSSMONT COLLEGE BASEBALL

 

By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com

 

EL CAJON (4-27-16) — The 15th ranked Grossmont College Griffins were a bunch of happy guys as they left Noel Mickelsen Field on Tuesday (April 26) as they left the yard after defeating the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles by a 6-0 final in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game.

 

The win was also big as far as the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championship race was concerned.  By winning, the Griffins (24-10, 17-5 PCAC) shrunk their magic number to one, meaning that they have clinched no worse than a tie for the PCAC crown for this year, with Palomar having the slim chance of finishing in a tie with the Griffins.

 

As far as Tuesday’s Griffins game, the team looked well after having a week off.  There were no signs of rust on anyone in the Green and Gold.  All nine starters got at least one hit in the game, while ALAN STRONG (8-1, Santana) allowed only one hit (in the fifth inning) across his seven innings of work.  During his time on the mound, he walked three and struck out seven.

 

CABOT VAN TIL (Patrick Henry) got the game underway with a single up the middle.  TANNER PERRY (Steele Canyon) doubled to left field allowing Van Til to move to third.  The first out of the day for the Griffins produced a run as ROBERT BOSTEDT (Granite Hills) hit a sacrifice fly to mid left field, which was deep enough to allow Van Til to tag and score for a 1-0 lead.

 

ANDRES RIOS (Mater Dei, San Diego) hit a deep fly ball to left center field that carried with the wind beyond the wall for his third home run of the season and a 2-0 lead.

 

NOAH STROHL (La Jolla) doubled to right center field with one out.  TRAVOR BEARD (San Clemente) singled down the right field line allowing Strohl to move up to third.  JUSTIN MITCHELL (Granite Hills) hit a deep fly to left that was caught in middle depth.  Strohl scored as he tagged up and scored.  Beard advanced to second base when the relay throw from the third baseman went off target to home plate. The left side of the Eagle defense wasn’t done making mistakes in the third inning.  The very next play saw the shortstop was high and was not able to be caught by the first baseman, allowing Rios to arrive safely at second.  Beard scored on the play for a 4-0 Griffin lead.

 

After taking a couple of innings to catch their breath, the Griffins got back at it in the sixth.

 

JUSTEN BURKEY (San Pasqual) singled through the right side to get the frame going.  MICHAEL DIFFLEY (Granite Hills) took the other side and singled through the left to get it to first and second.  Van Til reached on a fielder’s choice to move Diffley to second while Burkey was forced out at third.  Perry also reached on a fielder’s choice, gunning Van Til down at second.  Bostedt singled to left field to bring in Diffley for a 5-0 lead.  Perry overran second, and was back picked on the play.

 

Strohl absolutely tattooed a fast ball by the Eagles reliever that the left fielder just stood and watched as it flew over his head.  The ball probably landed halfway down the hill towards State Route 52 East.  When the  freshman touched home it was 6-0 Griffins.

 

AARON CROSS (Mater Dei, Orange County) and ANDREW SCHULTZ (Patrick Henry) came in and finished off the eighth and ninth innings.

 

The Griffins will travel to Hemet to face the Eagles on their home field for their sophomore day on Thursday (April 28).  Grossmont will have their final home game of the regular season on Friday.

 

By the time Grossmont returns to San Diego County on Thursday they could already know that they have the PCAC championship outright.  If Palomar can not come from behind in a game against City that will be finished prior to their regularly scheduled game, the banner will belong to Grossmont.  Even if Palomar does come from behind and wins both games, Grossmont could have the banner if they beat the Eagles themselves.

 

Griffin notes:  A pair of Griffins were seen talking to a couple of Top 25 Division I recruiters and pro scouts after the game.

 

 

Mt. San Jacinto  0

Grossmont  6

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