ROUNDUP: Norse, Eagles, Scots, Vaqueros, Christian, Henry win

By ECS Staff
Updated: May 12, 2016

2016 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul
© East County Sports.com

EL CAJON (5-12-16) — In a result that will open eyes, the host Valhalla Norsemen finally got on the right side of the column as they were able to push across a run late to beat the Steele Canyon Cougars 3-2 and knock them out of the race for the league crown in Grossmont Hills action, Wednesday (May 11).

It was a back and forth affair between the two teams as each team’s pitching held the offense in check. The Cougars started MAKAYLA MCCARTHY (1-3, 2 RBI, 2B) while the Valhalla Norsemen started TORI BASSETTE. Each pitcher worked their magic to limit the opposing offense.

Steele Canyon was able to get a runner on in the first inning as GENTRY HOFFMAN (1-3, R) reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second but would be stranded as Bassette retired the next two batters to end the inning. Both teams would go hitless for the next couple of innings until the fourth.

The Cougars in the top of the fourth inning put a runner on when MAKAYLA STROMENGER (1-3, R) led off with a single to left field but she would be stranded as the next three batters went down in order. In the bottom of the inning the first two batters BRANDI KOHEL and KENNEDY LABSHERE each got out. So with two outs, RACHEL SHELSTROM (1-3, R) stepped up and laced a single to left, EMILY HOWARD (1-3, RBI, 2B) proceeded to smash a double to the fence in left center that was able to score Shelstrom to make it 1-0 in favor of Valhalla.

Trailing by a run, the Cougars looked to get things going in the top of the fifth but Bassette had other ideas. She was able to retire the bottom of the Cougar lineup 1-2-3. The Norsemen in the bottom of the fifth scraped together some hits and were able to push across a run to extend their lead to 2-0.

With one down, ANGELINA GUTHRO (2-3, RBI) singled, a couple of batters later SAMMY GREEN singled, Kohel singled scoring Guthro. That would be all they would get as the next batter was retired to end the inning.

Steele Canyon finally got their offense going as they roared back in the top of the sixth inning. Hoffman singled with one out, Stromenger reached on an error which advanced Hoffman to third, Stromenger stole second and McCarthy rope a double scoring both Hoffman and Stromenger to tie the score at 2-2.

Now with the score tied it was a brand new ballgame. Valhalla in the bottom of the sixth sent their middle to bottom of the lineup to the plate. The first two batters, Shelstrom and Howard each got out for the first two outs. Now only having to get the last out to get out of the inning, McCarthy faced ALEXIS INGRASSIA and was able to work the count to 0-2 against her. However the situation changed when Ingrassia took the next offering and laced it to left for a single, JAYDE HILL came into run, CAMBRIA KEISER singled and Guthro was able to single which scored Ingrassia to give the Norsemen a 3-2 lead. Steele Canyon was able to retire the next batter without any further damage.

It all came down to the top of the seventh inning for Steele Canyon as they needed to push across a run to tie the game or go home. Valhalla on the other side needed to get the final three outs of the contest to end the game.

The first batter JENNA RITTER grounded to Shelstrom at short who fielded it and threw it to first for the first out, MACKENSIE PEARLSTEIN proceeded to ground out to Howard at second who threw it to first for the second out of the inning. Down to their final out the Cougars needed to do something. Up stepped ASHLEY TAVIZON, however Bassette was able to get her to groundout to Shelstrom who threw it to first for the final out of the game.

In the losing effort, McCarthy for the Cougars tossed 7 innings, giving up 3 runs of which all were earned on 9 hits, walked 0 and struck out 4. Bassette for the Norsemen tossed 7 innings, giving up 2 runs of which only 1 was earned on 4 hits to earn the victory.

GRANITE HILLS 5, GROSSMONT 2 – In a Grossmont Hills contest that both teams needed to stay in the race, the visiting Eagles downed the Grossmont Foothillers to earn the shot at the title on Wednesday (May 11).

Granite Hills right away in the top of the first put the pressure on as HALLE KYLER (1-4, R, 2B) ripped a leadoff double, CASSIDY SHEW (3-3, 2 R) walked, KAREN CREECH (2-3, R) sacrificed both over and JESSIE LAPIERRE (1-2, RBI) hit a sacrifice fly to score Kyler to make it 1-0 early on.

Grossmont in their half of the first did their darndest to make up the deficit as CHLOE CAMARERO (2-3, R, SB, 2B) walked, stole second, DESTINY BACON (1-3, R, SB) struck out for the first out, TAYLOR BAEZ walked, SAMARIA ROOPE (3-3, RBI, 3 R, 2B) laced a single to left in which Camarero tried to come around from second to score but the throw gunned her down for the second out, the next batter ALEXIS COLLINS flied out to second for the final out of the inning.

Both teams in the second inning held each other scoreless as each team went down in order. However the game changed in the third inning as the Eagles got it together offensively.

With one out and Shew stepping to the plate, she was able to get a hold of one and hit it where it chopped off the plate for a single, Creech singled, MADISON CALDWELL (3-4, 3 RBI, 2B) singled to score Shew and Creech advanced to third on the throw home and actually came into score when the catcher made an error. With the two runs the Eagles extended their lead to 3-0. It would be all they would get in the inning.

Grossmont in the bottom of the third broke through as they were able to push across a couple of runs to pull within 3-2.

Again with one down, Camarero doubled, Bacon singled, Camarero stole third and came into score, a couple of batters later with 2 outs Roope stepped to the plate and ripped a double to score Bacon for the second run. Neither team would score in the fourth. In fact Kyler for the Eagles would strike out two in the bottom of the inning.

Granite Hills in the top of the fifth scratched out another run as Shew singled, Creech singled, La Pierre singled and Caldwell singled to score Shew to make it 4-2.

The Eagles added their final run in the top of the seventh inning, Shew singled, La Pierre walked, MORGAN KELLY came into run, Caldwell doubled to the right center field gap to score Kelly to make it 5-2.

The three run lead would be all Kyler would need as in the bottom of the seventh she would retire the Foothillers in order to preserve the victory.

On the day, Kyler tossed 7 innings for the victory, she gave up 2 runs both were earned on 5 hits while striking out 9. Roope for Grossmont took the loss as she tossed 7 innings, giving up 5 runs of which 3 were earned on 11 hits, walked 2 and struck out 4.

So with the victory the Eagles will now get a shot at the title on Friday in a winner take all game.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

HELIX 5, MONTE VISTA 1 – The Helix Highlanders on senior day took on the Monte Vista Monarchs in a crucial Grossmont Valley League contest and were able to come away with the victory and keep their one-game lead.

Helix in the bottom of the first got it going as FAITH KING (2-4, R, 2B) doubled to lead off the game, Senior DESTINI BULLOCK (2-3, 2 RBI, R, 2B) doubled to score King to make it 1-0. They would add another run in the bottom of the second when BRIANA REED (1-2, R) led off with a single, she would later come around to score as FRANKIE MARTINEZ (RBI) knocked her in on a ground out to make the score 2-0.

The Highlanders in the bottom of the fifth pushed across more runs as Bullock knocked in MCKENZIE FLORES (run) who had walked and moved to second on a wild pitch, Bullock advanced to second on an over throw and stole third, GABBY OLIVARRIA (1-3, RBI, R) knocked in Bullock. She moved to third on both a passed ball and wild pitch, SHAREENA LACHANCE (1-2, RBI) knocked in Olivarria to push the lead to 5-0.

Monte Vista would score their only run in the in the top of the sixth on a single and a double to round out the scoring at 5-1.

It would be all the Highlanders would give up as they were able to end the game in the top of the seventh inning to get the victory.

On the day for the Highlanders, LaChance tossed a complete game giving up 1 run on 6 hits and striking out 2. With the victory the Highlanders are guaranteed a share of the Valley League crown and can win it outright in the finale on Friday.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

EL CAPITAN 7, MOUNT MIGUEL 0 – The El Capitan Vaqueros took a trip to Spring Valley to take on the Mount Miguel Matadors came away with the Valley league victory to keep their league crown aspirations alive.

The Vaqueros would get things rolling in the top of the second inning as GRACE BURKETT (2-4, 2 R, SB) led off with a single, BAILEY OLAVESON (2-2, RBI, R, 2B) roped a double that would score Burkett to make it 1-0, a couple of batters later ALLYSON VON YOKES (1-4, 3 RBI, 2B) would reach on an error that would allow Olaveson to come around to score to push the score to 2-0.

Fast forward to the top of the fifth inning the Vaqueros looked to extend their lead and did so as ZANDRA RAGALE (1-4, R) led off by reaching on an error, SHAYLA SCHOONARD (2-2, RBI) would drive Ragale in as she ripped a single to make the score 3-0.

El Capitan in the top of the seventh rounded out their scoring with four runs. After Schoonard singled, AMANDA VASQUEZ (1-4, R, SB) hit into a fielders choice where Schoonard was thrown out at second, Vasquez stole second, Burkett singled, advancing Vasquez to third, Burkett stole second, Vasquez scored on a passed ball to make it 4-0, SAVANNAH MINSHEW (1-2, R) doubled, a couple of batters later after HANNAH HARVEY (2-2, R, 2 SB) singled and stole second, Von Yokes doubled scoring all three runners to extend the lead to 7-0.

Garnering the victory for the Vaqueros, ELENA LADDON tossed 4 innings of 3 hit ball, walked 1 and struck out 3. MADISYN WIEHER came in to relieve and tossed 3 innings of 1 hit ball and struck out 3 in the process.

The win gives the Vaqueros a chance to play spoiler in their finale against the Highlanders if they beat them both teams would share the league crown.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

CHRISTIAN 4, SCRIPPS RANCH 3 (10 INNINGS) – A late rally by the home team Patriots on their senior day over the Scripps Ranch Falcons in extra innings bolsters their playoff seeding.

The Falcons got on the board first with a run in the top of the first inning to lead 1-0 early on. Christian in their half of the first had an opportunity as SHANNON MCMAHON (1-4) and ANNA SHERBURNE (1-3) hit back to back singles but couldn’t cash in. This would be the only run of the game until the top of the seventh when Scripps Ranch scored again to make it 2-0. Prior to this, both teams pitching and defense took over and held each other.

It got really interesting in the bottom of the seventh as the Patriots showed why they are a team to reckon with in the playoffs. Leadoff batter LAUREN SHERBURNE (1-5, 3B, R) rifled a triple, however the next two batters were retired for two outs. So facing a possibility of not scoring, up stepped SILENT RAIN ESPINOZA (3-5, 3 RBI, R, 2 2B, HR) who promptly took the offering and crushed it over the fence for the 2-run game tying jack to knot the score 2-2. This really got the crowd going for the Patriots and silenced the Falcons and their fans. The Patriots were finally retired and now the game went into extra innings.

Neither team did anything in the eighth inning. The Falcons in the top of the ninth pushed across a run to take a 3-2 lead. However it didn’t last as the Patriots in the bottom of the ninth struck again and scratched a run to tie the game.

Leadoff hitter COURTNEY SKJERVE (2 SB, 2 R) walked, stole second, Espinoza walked, ASHLEY CARTER bunted for a single, both Sherburne and McMahon went down for the first two outs, AMARA HARRIS roped a single to score Skjerve to tie the game at 3-3.

Christian was able to sit down the Falcons down in order in the top of the 10^th inning. It was an opportunity for the Patriots as they had shut down the Falcons to get to this point. The first two batters were retired giving the Falcons a chance to get out of the inning unharmed. However Skjerve walked, stole second, up stepped Espinoza who promptly ripped a double that scored Skjerve for the game winning RBI at 4-3. Everyone went bonkers on the Patriots side as they had just beaten the top team in the Eastern League.

Pitching wise for the Patriots, ASHLEY CARTER tossed all 10 innings, giving up 3 runs of which 1 was earned on 8 hits, walked 2 and fanned 2 on the day in the victory.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

PATRICK HENRY 16, MORSE 4 (5 INNINGS) – In Eastern League action and on senior day the Patrick Henry Patriots made short work as they tamed the Morse Tigers.

The Tigers scored first as they pushed across a run in the top of the first to lead 1-0 early on. However the Patriots turned things around and never looked back as they scored eight runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Leadoff hitter HANNAH MCEWEN (1-2, RBI, 2 R) was hit by a pitch, she stole second base, a couple of batters later CRISTIONA CACCAMISE (1-4, RBI, R) knocked in McEwen, DANI ROMERO (2-3, 4 RBI, 4 R, 2 HR) blasted a 2-run jack to make it 3-1, ANDREA WRIGHT (2-2, R) singled and would score on a double by SAVANNAH CHAPMAN (2-2, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2B) to make it 4-1, TATYANA GUERRERO (1-3, 2 RBI, R) knocked her in on a single, CASSIE VAN TIL (1-1, 2 RBI, R, 3B) tripled in RUBY GONZALEZ (2 R) and would score as well to push the score to 8-1.

The Patriots pushed across four more runs in the bottom of the second inning to extend their lead to 12-1. Romero scored, Chapman singled and scored, Guerrero reached on a fielders choice and scored, Ruby Gonzalez walked and would come around to score.

Patrick Henry pushed across two more in the third inning. Romero in the bottom of the fourth would bomb a 2-run blast that would score McEwen who had walked to extend the lead 15-1. Morse in the top of the fifth scored three runs to bring the score to 15-4.

The Patriots behind the RBI double by ANYA VANERSIP (1-3, 2 RBI, 2B) that scored McEwen rounded out their scoring.

Ruby Gonzalez garnered the victory tossing 5 innings of 4 hit ball, giving 4 runs of which 3 were earned, walked 3 and struck out 4.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

MIRA MESA 9, SERRA 6 – The visiting Serra Conquistadors took on the Mira Mesa Marauders in Eastern League action and couldn’t hold off the rally by Mira Mesa in the middle innings to unfortunately drop the contest, Wednesday (May 11).

VIVIAN TOMOVICH (1-3) singled, BRIANNA CORONADO (2 R) came into run, AMBER WOZNIAK (3-4, 2 RBI, R, 2B) singled, TAYLOR CURLEY (3-4, 2 RBI, 2 2B) singled in Coronado and MEGAN POOLE (2-3, RBI, R) knocked in Wozniak to lead 2-0. However the lead didn’t last long as the Marauders pushed across 3 runs to take a 3-2 lead.

Serra would retake the lead as VALERIE VALADEZ (2-3, R) singled, DARBY TIBBETTS (2-4, R) singled, Tomovich walked, Coronado came into run, Wozniak doubled in both Valadez and Tibbetts and Curley doubled in Coronado to lead 5-3. Unfortunately the lead didn’t last as Mira Mesa scored 6 runs over the third and fourth innings to lead 9-5.

The Conquistadors tried to come back as they were able to push across a run in the top of the fifth as Poole singled, JORDAN GRAVES walked, JACQUELINE KAMERY (1-2, RBI) singled scoring Poole to make it 9-6. Unfortunately this would be the closes the Conquistadors would get.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com