PLAYOFFS: Santana, Henry, Grossmont, Serra, Christian win

2016 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

 

By Adam Paul
© East County Sports.com

SANTEE (5-22-16) – Offensive firepower was the name of the game for the No. 3-seeded Santana Sultans as they mashed 5 home runs on their way to a 15-5 over the visiting No. 7-seeded Valley Center Jaguars 15-5 in 6 innings in CIF Division II second round action on Saturday (May 21).

Both teams looked to stay alive and each team did their best to keep each other off the board and did so until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Sultans scored a touchdown.

Leading things off for the Sultans, MACKENZIE BENNETT (3-4, 6 RBI, 2 R, 2 HR, 2B) took the first offering she saw and absolutely hammered it over the left field fence for the solo blast.

The next batter SYDNEY VATES (4-4, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 HR) worked the count to 2-0 before she took the offering and jacked it over the center field fence for the back-to-back solo bomb to give Santana a 2-0 lead.

The onslaught continued as RACHEL WILSON singled to center, CASSIDY MATTHIE (1-2, R) singled to center and they advanced on a miscue by the Jaguars.

With runners at second and third and no outs up stepped JORDAN TEEGARDIN (2-3, 4 RBI, 2 R, HR) who singled to left which scored Wilson and Matthie advanced to third, Teegardin stole second base, CELINE MENARD (RBI) grounded to second which scored Matthie and Teegardin advanced to third.

The Sultans led 4-0 as NICOLE PENTON MARCH (2-3, R) singled to left field, a couple of batters later MADDY MENDEZ walked, ERICA REID (1-1, R) came into run.

Santana had batted around and up again was Bennett who this time ripped a double to left field that scored both Teegardin and Penton-March, Reid would come into score as well.

When it was all said and done after the fourth inning, the Sultans led 7-0 over the Jaguars.

Valley Center a couple of innings later in the top of the sixth inning would finally put together some offense. They would put up five runs to pull within 7-5 that included a home run.

Despite only leading by a couple of runs the Sultans didn’t fret as they went to business in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Leadoff hitter Penton-March singled, ASHLEY MADRIGAL (2-4, RBI, R, 3B) hit into a fielder’s choice to third who threw out Penton-March out at second, Mendez would hit the ball to third baseman who misplayed it which led both runners to be safe and Madrigal would come around to score on the play, Mendez advanced to third on the throw, BRITTANY MUNDAY (run) came into run, Bennett came to the plate and crushed the offering over the center field fence for the 2-run homer, Vates again followed that with a home run of her own for the second time in the game, making back-to-back jacks for them.

Leading 11-5, Wilson came to the plate and doubled off the new pitcher, Matthie walked, Teegardin proceeded to blast a 3-run bomb over the left field fence to give Santana a 14-5 lead, LEXI CHAVARIN-MIRANDA (run) came into pinch hit for Penton-March, she walked and Madrigal followed that up with a triple to the right field fence that allowed Chavarin-Miranda to come around from first to score to make it 15-5 and end the game.

In the complete game victory for the Sultans, Mendez gave up 5 runs of which all were earned on 4 hits, walked 2 and fanned 6 on the day.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

*

PATRICK HENRY 8, WEST HILLS 5 – The No. 1-seeded Patrick Henry Patriots wish they could play the No. 5 West Hills Wolf Pack in all the games the rest of the playoffs because so far this season they have had their number in the three previous matchups.

As was the case the previous three times the Patriots pulled out the victory in the CIF Division I second round contest on Saturday (May 21).

West Hills started out well as they were able to jump out on top in the top of the first inning.

Leading things off ALEXIS HERRERA (1-2, R) walked, a couple of batters later MOANA PISIA (run) walked, SIERRA SCHLICHTING (run) walked, ALEX GUAY (1-3, RBI) hit a fly ball to center where it was caught which allowed Herrera to score and Pisia advanced to third, Schlichting stole second, PAIGE BOWLER (1-4, RBI, R, HR) reached on an error that allowed both Pisia and Schlichting to score to give the Wolf Pack a 3-0 lead early on. The Patriots would get out of the inning as RYLEIGH DOBYNS would fly out to end the inning.

Staked to the early lead Dobyns took the circle, but unfortunately it just wasn’t her day as the Patriots stormed their way back with 8 runs.

Leadoff hitter HANNAH MCEWEN (3-3, RBI, 2 R, 3B) tripled, ANYA VANDERSIP (1-3, 2 RBI, R) singled scoring McEwen, CRISTIONA CACCAMISE (1-3, R) walked, Vandersip to second, both would advance on a passed ball, ANDREA WRIGHT (1-3, 2 RBI) knocked in Vandersip and Caccamise as she singled, JOSIE GONZALEZ (1-2, R) walked, LAILA SPRACKLEN (run) walked, TATYANA GUERRERO (run) reached on a fielder’s choice.

Coach MIKE APPLEBAUM decided to change pitchers after the barrage and brought in CARLY BURSCH (2-3) in to relieve Dobyns.

CASSIE VAN TIL (1-3, 2 RBI, R) proceeded to single. The Pack was finally able to get out of the inning but unfortunately the damage had been done and the Patriots now led 8-3.

Both teams held each other scoreless until the Pack in the top of the sixth inning got on the board again with 2 outs as KENDALL MARINESI (1-4, R) singled, ALYSSA BUBAR (1-3) singled, Herrera walked and BROOKE ROBERTS (1-4, RBI) singled which scored Marinesi to cut the lead in half at 8-4.

West Hills would add another run in the top of the seventh inning as Bowler would jack a 2-out solo shot to pull within 8-5 but that would be the closest they would get, as Spracklen a couple of batters later after giving up a single to Bursch would get Marinesi to ground out to second for the final out of the game.

For the Pack in the loss, Dobyns tossed 2/3 of an inning giving up 8 runs of which 6 were earned on 5 hits, walked 3 and struck out 1. In relief Bursch tossed 5 1/3 innings, giving up 0 runs on 3 hits while walking 2 and fanning 4.

For the Patriots Spracklen tossed a complete 7 inning victory, giving up 5 runs of which 3 were earned on 6 hits while walking 4 and striking out 1.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

*

GROSSMONT 6, HIGH TECH SAN DIEGO 5 – A rally and a hold allowed the No. 1-seeded Grossmont Foothillers to get the victory over No. 4-seeded High Tech SD and advance in CIF Division III second round action on Saturday (May 21).

Things didn’t go the Foothillers way the first couple of innings as High tech SD jumped out to a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning.  Momentum however changed in favor of Grossmont as they were able to get on the board in the bottom of the third inning.

Leading off for the Foothillers in the bottom of the third, KATIE APPENZELLER (2-3, 2 R) singled to right field, JESSICA WILSON (1-3, RBI, 2 R) advanced her to second on a sacrifice bunt, CHLOE CAMARERO (1-4, 2 RBI, R , 2B) banged a double to center that scored Appenzeller and DESTINY BACON (3-4, 2 RBI, 2 R) followed with an RBI single to left that scored Camarero to cut the lead to 4-2.

A couple of innings later after SAMARIA ROOPE was able to shut out High Tech the Foothillers added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Wilson led off with a walk and a couple of batters later TAYLOR BAEZ (RBI) hit a fly ball to right field that was caught but Wilson would tag and come into score to pull within 4-3 after five innings.

High Tech would tack on another run to make it 5-3 going into the bottom of the sixth inning.

Trailing by a couple of runs now the Foothillers didn’t fret as with one out in the bottom of the sixth the bats came alive. MEGAN MALWITZ 1-3, R, 2B) doubled to left center, Appenzeller singled advancing Malwitz to third, Wilson doubled to right scoring Malwitz, Camarero hit a sacrifice fly to center which scored Appenzeller and Bacon followed that with a rifled double that scored Wilson to give Grossmont a 6-5 lead and new life.

In the top of the seventh starting pitcher for Grossmont, Roope was able to retire High Tech and preserve the hard fought one run victory.

On the day Roope tossed 7 innings, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

*

CHRISTIAN 7, CALIPATRIA 1 – The No. 1-seeded Christian Patriots used a balanced game to beat the visiting No. 5-seeded Calipatria Hornets in a CIF Division IV Second Round contest, Saturday (May 21).

Christian would get on board first with a run in the bottom of the first to lead 1-0 early on. Leading things off SILENT RAIN ESPINOZA (3-3, 3 RBI, R, 2 SB) roped a single, ELLE LINDBLAD advanced her on a sacrifice bunt and a couple of batters later with 2 outs ANNA SHERBURNE (1-2, RBI, R, 2 BB) drove Espinoza in on a single.

However the lead didn’t last as the Hornets in the top of the second took advantage of a leadoff walk and a single along with a miscue to knot the score at 1-1.  The Patriots broke the game open in the bottom of the third inning off the new pitcher for the Hornets who had come in the game in the second inning.

Leadoff hitter Anna Sherburne walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, AMARA HARRIS (1-3, R) got on, both advanced on another wild pitch, LAUREN SHERBURNE (1-3, R) walked and ALEXA HENDERSON (2-2, RBI, R) walked scoring Anna Sherburne to give the Patriots a 2-1 lead.

A couple of batters later with one out COURTNEY SKJERVE (RBI) was hit by a pitch scoring a run, Espinoza drove in a couple of runs with a single. When it was all said and done the Patriots led 6-1 over the Hornets.

The Patriots would tack on their final run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Henderson led off with a single, she would be forced out at second as MALLORY STEELE (R, SB) hit into a fielder’s choice, she stole second and Espinoza knocked her in with a single to push the score to 7-1, Espinoza would steal second before the inning ended.

Patriots starting pitcher ASHLEY CARTER (1-4) who up to the point of the top of the seventh inning had only allowed a couple of hits was able to retire the Hornets in order 1-2-3 to end the game and give Christian the big victory.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

*

SERRA 7, BISHOP’S 5 – The No. 3-seeded Serra Conquistadors used a late innings rally and took advantage of the opportunities afforded them to come back and over take the host No. 2-seeded Bishop’s Knights to get the victory in the CIF Division III Second Round, Saturday (May 21).

The host Knights jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the first inning and would score 4 runs over the fourth and fifth inning to lead 5-0.  Things looked good for them as they were able to shut down the Conquistadors bats and get to the pitching.

However the Conquistadors finally woke up in the top of the sixth to get on the board and cut into the Knights lead.

Leadoff hitter AMBER WOZNIAK (2 R) walked, TAYLOR CURLEY (1-3, RBI, R, 2B) looped a double over first base to advance Wozniak to third base. Serra was now in business with runners at second and third with no outs.

The next batter SELA FALLON (2-3, 3 RBI) took the offering and ripped a singled to center that scored Wozniak to make the score 5-1 and advanced Curley to third base, JORDAN GRAVES reached on a fielder’s choice to second where Fallon was out at second but Curley was able to cross the plate to push the score to 5-2.

Serra behind MEGAN POOLE who had come into relief VIVIAN TOMOVICH (2-5, 2 RBI, 2 R, HR) was able to retire the Knights in order in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Heading into the top of the seventh and facing a possible last at bat the Conquistadors calmly took advantage of their opportunities.

Leading things off ABIGAIL WARDEN, she was able to get on via a hit by pitch, JORDAN EVERETTE (run) came into run, Tomovich laced a single to right field giving Serra runners at first and second, Wozniak walked to load the bases, Curley proceeded to work the count until she drew the bases loaded walk to score Everette which brought the score to 5-3.

With the bases still loaded, up stepped Fallon who on a 0-1 count singled to left field scoring Tomovich and Wozniak to tie the game at 5-5 and bring the Conquistador faithful to a loud roar.

It would be all the Conquistadors would get in the inning as it would end on a double play but not before new life came to Serra. In the bottom of the seventh inning besides a runner being safe on a dropped third strike Poole was able to retire the Knights to force extra innings.

Bishops in the top of the eighth got two quick outs on the Conquistadors. So with two outs and it looking like nothing was going to happen up stepped DARBY TIBBETTS (1-4, R), who hit a ground ball that got through for a single to left field.

The next batter Tomovich worked the count to 2-0 and on the very next pitch got a hold of one and crushed it over the left field fence for the 2-run bomb and the 7-5 lead along with changing the tide of the game.

Bishop’s got out of the inning on the very next at bat to head into the bottom of the inning now trailing.

Serra was now in control with all the momentum and all they needed to do was to get the final three outs to claim the victory and so they could advance.

Taking care of business is what Poole did in the bottom of the inning as she got the first out on a ground ball to Wozniak who fielded it and threw it to first for the first out. The next batter grounded out to second for the second out of the inning and the third batter hit a hard lined shot to short where Wozniak caught it for the final out of the game.

On the day in the victory the Conquistadors Tomovich tossed 4 1/3 innings, gave up 5 runs of which 3 were earned on 9 hits, walked 1 and struck out 1. Gaining the victory was Poole who tossed 3 2/3 innings, 0 runs on 0 hits and struck out 1.

By Adam Paul, © EastCountySports.com

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