Griffins Scholarship Winners -- Class of '07
John Alia	Joel Lollis	Taylor Monjo
Matt Powell	Cameron Selik	Jeff Woods

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Tony Jusino

Griffs’ Jusino hits the spot

© East County Sports.com
ABERDEEN, Md. (8-12-07) — Grossmont College freshman second baseman TONY JUSINO posted the second highest batting average (.322) for the Maryland Redbirds in the Cal Ripken Sr. Baseball Collegiate wood bat league this summer. Jusino earned a berth as the starting second baseman for the East in the league’s annual all-star game.

Equally as impressive was Jusino batted .474 in the playoffs leading the Redbirds to the semifinals. Not surprisingly, Jusino was named to the Ripken All-League team.

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Johnnie Lowe

Lowe drafted by Chi-Sox

Courtesy, Grossmont College
EL CAJON (6-12-07) -- Former Grossmont College pitcher JOHN LOWE, who pitched for Point Loma Nazarene in 2007, was selected in the sixth round of last week's Major League Draft by the Chicago White Sox.

Lowe was part of a starting pitching staff in 2006 that helped the Griffins win 30 games and advance into the Southern California Regional Playoffs. The right-hander posted an 8-2 record with a 2.33 earned-run average, striking out 72 batters over 89 innings.

Moving on to Point Loma's Sea Lions on a full scholarship -- where he became better known as Johnnie -- Lowe posted a 4-5 mark and a 3.72 ERA in the sluggers' circuit of smaller ballparks. However, Lowe's power numbers were still solid, gaining 75 strikeouts in 75 innings.

Lowe and Azusa Pacific All-America selection Scott Hodsdon (Oakland Athletics) were the highest selections out of the Golden State Athletic Conference, both in the 6th round.

"We are proud of our alumni," said Grossmont head coach Randy Abshier. "John was an important part of the 2006 team and the athletic department and coaching staff are proud for Johnnie."

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Griffins trio among All-PCC team

© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (5-10-07) -- Three members of the Grossmont College baseball team were honored with first-team berths on the All-Pacific Coast Conference team, as selected by head coaches from the circuit's six programs.

Included were Griffins infielder ROSS BLONDIN, centerfielder CLIFTON THOMAS, and utility player MATT POWELL.

Blondin was the Pacific Coast Conference batting champion title with a .394 average, falling just one hit short of a .400 season after registering 63 hits in 160 official at-bats. His hit total led all PCC batters, while Blondin finished among top five in total bases and slugging percentage.

Thomas, a constant on defense in patrolling the outfield all season, saw his batting leap over the second half of the season. The freshman carried a 6-game multi-hit streak into the final day of the season, finishing with a solid .338 average (44-for-130). Thomas also led the PCC in base stealing percentage, reaching on 11-of-12 attempts.

Powell, who played behind the plate much of the season, yet was key when injuries occurred by also playing third base or serving as designated hitter, finished with a .370 average (57-154). He closed the season on a 5-game hitting streak (9-20) and was considered a key in aiding a freshman-dominated pitching staff.

Southwestern College pitcher Vidal Nuno was tabbed player of the year, while the skippers of the PCC co-champions -- Kevin Hazlett of San Diego Mesa, and Jerry Bartow of Southwestern -- were named coaches of the year.

Honorable mention selections from the Griffins were pitcher Tom Adams (6-4, 3.09), first baseman Joel Lollis (.339) and second baseman Tony Jusino (.351).

Other picks with East County ties were first-team Mesa pitcher Bryan Paukovits (El Capitan), honorable mention Mesa infielder Ross Epperson (Steele Canyon), and honorable mention Southwestern first baseman Joe Inzone.

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Thomas promoted to Navaigator

© East County Sports.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (5-5-07) -- Grossmont College centerfielder CLIFTON THOMAS, the 2006 CIF-San Diego Section batting champion out of El Cajon Valley High, will patrol the outfields in the South this summer after being picked up by the Nashville Navigators, a wood bat development team which caters mostly to collegians.

Clifton Thomas

The Navigators are part of the Sandlott Baseball League, one of several wood bat leagues created over the past decade.

Thomas came to the Griffins following a career of extreme highs and lows with El Cajon Valley. Along with his league, conference and section batting titles, he became the second San Diego County prep to steal 50 bases in a season, finishing one short of the 1995 record of 51 set by Mt. Carmel's Eric Chavez, currently an All-Star with the Oakland Athletics.

However, on the down side, ECVHS established a state record by losing 110 consecutive league games, as Thomas was a part of 48 of those contests in four seasons.

Despite the setbacks, Thomas was noticed. He earned a second-team berth on the All-CIF San Diego Section team and was an honorable mention All-State honoree by CalHiSports.com, drafted in the 2006 amateur draft by the Texas Rangers, selected in the 46th round (1,374th overall) as the ballclub's youngest pick.

Thomas also starred in football as a blue-chip receiver, collecting 20 touchdown passes on 86 receptions to gain a section final appearance at Qualcomm Stadium.

At Grossmont College, Thomas batted more than .400 over the final month of the season, finishing with a .331 average to rank in the Pacific Coast Conference top 20.

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A season reflected in one ballgame BOXSCORE

© East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (5-4-07) — Grossmont College’s final game of the Pacific Coast Conference season pretty much summarized how things unfolded during the Griffins’ 44-game campaign.

“If I only had a closer,” sighed Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. “We might have won this thing.”

Instead, Grossmont surrendered a 1-0 lead to host Southwestern over the final two innings, allowing the Jaguars to grab a 2-1 victory on Thursday (May 3).

That loss left the Griffins (20-24, 12-13 PCC) in fourth place, six games behind co-champions San Diego Mesa and Southwestern.

One fact that keeps gnawing at Abshier is 14 of the Griffins losses came by three runs or less. Eight of those defeats came by a one-run margin.

Grossmont, which returns 23 freshmen next season, took a 1-0 lead in the 5th inning of the finale at Southwestern. JEFF WOODS slapped a one-out single but was cut down on a force play at second as JOHN ALIA reached first base safely. A Southwestern throwing error allowed Alia to advance to second, and he eventually scored on GARRETT JENNER’S single up the middle.

Southwestern tied the game in the bottom of the 8th when Kiko Hermosillo executed a safety squeeze to score K.J. Miramontes from third.

The Jaguars (25-18, 16-9 PCC) snagged the victory in the bottom of the 9th. A one-out double by Mike Miles set the stage for a game-winning single by Miramontes.

Southwestern sophomore southpaw Vidal Nuno posted his 11th win against one loss, while Grossmont’s TOM ADAMS was the hard luck loser (6-4).

“We hit the ball hard against Nuno, but this is a big ballpark,” Abshier said. “I know two balls that JOSH MILLER hit would have been home runs in our ballpark, but were outs here.”

That’s the epitome of how things went for Grossmont this season.

“The thing I’m most proud of about the season is we had 100 percent transfer rate,” Abshier said. “All of our sophomores are going on to four-year colleges to continue their education and baseball careers.”

Griffin Graffiti -- Prior to Tuesday's home finale, Abshire introduced the six Griffins sophomores playing in their final home game. The half-dozen will all be playing at four-year schools next season, as every sophomore sans one (who instead elected to join his famiy's business) during the Abshire Era at Grossmont has received a scholarship.

The Class of '07 includes: John Alia (San Diego State), Joel Lollis (Cal State San Marcos), Taylor Monjo (Avila, MO), Matt Powell (Cal State San Marcos), Cameron Selik (UNLV) and Jeff Woods (Avila, MO).

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Jaguars spike Griffins in home finale BOXSCORE

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-2-07) -- In volleyball, it's called "the ol' husband-and-wife play."

A spiked ball is headed between two defenders, who basically say (if they had time) to each other, "I got it -- uh, you take it."

The result, obviously, is not good.

A similar, disastrous play doomed Grossmont College in its home finale Tuesday (May 1) against Pacific Coast Conference co-leading Southwestern College in a 9-5 setback.

A bunt by Jaguars freshman Omar Manzanarez was cleanly fielded by Griffins first baseman JOHN ALIA. He calmly turned and tossed the ball to the bag, covered by both second baseman TONY JUSINO and starting pitcher KEVIN McCLAUGHRY.

For purposes of this play, it doesn't really matter which defender is the husband or which is the wife. All Grossmont knows is that the ball floated between the pair untouched, opening the way for five 1st-inning runs (three unearned).

While McClaughry was unable to get out of the inning before getting pulled, Jaguars starter Donnie Anderson saw his teammates make every possible play behind him. Included were three running grabs by Manzanarez in left field to keep Southwesterm tied for first with Mesa heading into Thursday's final day of the regular season.

Grossmont would later add another error for three more unearned runs after a play which was originally ruled an inning-ending double play.

A ground ball in the 4th started like any typical twin-killing, with a toss to second base for the first out, then the relay to first. However, the ball was misplayed and bounced toward the Noel Mickelsen Field fence, as the runner originally at second headed home. The hard-luck Alia made another good play by quickly securing the loose ball and firing to catcher MATT POWELL for the out at the plate.

However, the entire team was recalled from the dugout when umpires ruled the ball, on initially skipping past the first baseman, had reached the dugout for a dead ball, giving the runner a free pass for the run.

Then things got worse. Upon Grossmont reclaiming its positions on the field, Southwestern cleanup hitter Anthony Benner drilled the next pitch over the fence in dead-centerfield. Thus, three more unearned runs scored to mount a 9-2 lead and the Jaguars coasted.

On the flip side, Anderson was tagged for 11 hits, plus eight other line drives directly at defenders for outs to escape several jams.

Only Griffins designated hitter JOEL LOLLIS could successfully solve the charmed Anderson, going 3-for-5 with a 2-run homer in the 3rd, and an RBI single in the 8th when Grossmont scored three times. The other runs came on consecutive ground balls to short by JEFF WOODS and Jusino when the Jaguars conceeded runs for outs.

In addition, centerfielder CLIFTON THOMAS batted 3-for-5 with two doubles, including one on what seemed to be a single to center, as Thomas out-hustled the defender to take the extra base. And relief pitcher AARON RICHARDSON tossed five innings of shutout ball to close the ballgame, yielding just three hits.

Since returning to the leadoff spot, Thomas now has six consecutive multi-hit games, batting a solid .519 (14-for-27) with 8 runs scored (10-for-19 during the 4-game homestand).

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Clifton Thomas

Thomas avoids holding the bag BOXSCORE

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-28-07) -- In the biggest 1st-inning explosion since scoring 11 times against San Diego City some five weeks earlier, Grossmont College registered six consecutive singles in eventually scoring six runs to open Friday's (Apr. 27) Pacific Coast Conference ballgame, racing past Imperial Valley, 11-6, at Noel Mickelsen Field.

CLIFTON THOMAS overcame a near bonehead play to open the game, and then followed with three consecutive RBI hits through the first three innings, powering the Griffins to a quick 10-0 lead en route to a sweep of their 3-game homestand.

Thomas was caught napping when he thought his soft grounder down the first-base line would go foul. Instead, the ball never curved out of play, but was misplayed by the Arabs’ first baseman -- with Thomas still standing in the batter's box.

Luckily, by the time the ball was recovered, Thomas was safe, eventually stealing another base and scoring.

After getting the eagle eye from the coaching staff (obviously, not a good thing), Thomas was all hustle the rest of the game. When Grossmont batted around in the 1st, the freshman centerfielder lined an RBI single to center -- the team's seventh hit of the rally. He later added a run-scoring infield single in the third, then lined a single to right for an 11-3 lead in the 4th.

Meanwhile, BRIAN FLINT tossed five strong innings for Grossmont. He allowed just one earned run, striking out three Arabs without issuing a walk. KEVIN McCLAUGHRY retired all six batters he faced to close out the game with two perfect innings.

JOHN ALIA gained the start at first base following the pregame injury to ROSS BLONDIN prior to Thursday's contest. With Blondin scratched from the lineup after being hit near the eye by a fungo bat, Alia stepped in and batted 3-for-5, including a 2-run single in the 1st.

JOEL LOLLIS and MATT POWELL added two hits and a pair of RBI each to aid the 15-hit attack for Grossmont (20-22, 12-11 PCC), which has won 9 of its last 13 PCC contests.

The Griffins complete the season with a shot at reaching the .500 plateau if they can sweep a home-and-home series with Southwestern. The series opener is 2 p.m. Tuesday (May 1) at home, following by Thursday’s season finale at the former Apache Junction in Chula Vista.

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Matt Powell

Powell gets hot at the corner BOXSCORE

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-27-07) -- Less than an hour prior to game time, sophomore catcher MATT POWELL received the word.

"I was going to start at third base -- I haven't played that position in four years," exclaimed Powell. "But I was going to give it my best shot."

Stopping several balls with catcher-like body blocks instead of his glove, Powell not only completed every play which went his way, he also slugged a solo homer as part of a 2-for-4 outing at the plate, leading Grossmont College to an 8-3 decision over visiting Imperial Valley in Thursday's (Apr. 26) Pacific Coast Conference contest.

Coupled with San Diego City's 5-2 setback to the Southwestern, the Griffins (19-22, 11-11 PCC) leaped over the Knights for fourth place in the standings.

Granted, one of the balls hit towards Powell took a bad hop, but he retrieved the ball in time to throw out the batter. But a few innings later, Powell misplayed a sharp one-hopper, yet stayed in front of the ball which hit him in the shoulder. With the dugout yelling encouragement, Powell again recovered the ball and completed the play in time.

Of course, the baseball gods are friendly in such situations. Powell followed by leading off the 3rd inning, blasting a liner over the wall in left for a solo homer and a 2-0 lead.

Grossmont scored in each of innings 2 through 5 to build an 8-0 lead, making a winner of starting pitcher TOM ADAMS. The right-hander struck out seven batters in as many innings, allowing just two late runs (one earned).

With Miller at third, DAVID RUIZ received the start behind the plate, driving in the game's opening run on a fielder's choice, then singling and scoring when the Griffins scored four times in the 4th. The inning was highlighted by a mammoth home run to left by JOSH MILLER.

An inning later, Powell (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and second baseman TONY JUSINO each had run-scoring basehits.

Imperial Valley's lone RBI was recorded by Sergio Panela, who joined teammates Stephan Villanueva and Javier Gonzalez with two hits each.

The teams complete the two-game set at Noel Mickelsen Field with a rare Friday (Apr. 27) contest, starting at 2 p.m.

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Griffins Gallery Clifton Thomas takes his lead off first base, eventually stealing second. Pacific Coast Conference batting leader Ross Blondin with another basehit. Matt Powell (left) blocks a pitch in the dirt. Griffins pitcher Brian Flint. (Photos by Lenny Gemar)

Griffins gain
another series
split BOXSCORE
Woods' 3-run
triple is difference

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-25-07) -- San Diego City College did almost everything possible to scratch and claw back into Tuesday's (Apr. 24) rubber game of its season series with Grossmont College, utilizing an array of bunts and other "small ball" tactics to push across single runs in the 6th and 7th innings to catch the Griffins at 3-all.

It took Grossmont shortstop JEFF WOODS just a single swing of the bat to undo the damage.

After JOEL LOLLIS (hit by pitch), ROSS BLONDIN (single) and MATT POWELL (walk) loaded the bases to open the 7th, Woods chased all three home with a ringing triple to dead-centerfield against the drawn-in defense, the decisive blow in the Griffins' 8-3 Pacific Coast Conference triumph at Noel Mickelsen Field.

The blow capped a big offensive showing by the top of the Grossmont line-up, which went a composite 11-for-22 against SDCC pitchers, including three hits each by Blondin and Powell.

Meanwhile, Griffins reliever BRIAN LONGPRE was nearly perfect to collect the victory.

Summoned to prevent the Knights from scoring in the 7th, pinchhitter PAT AKERS was still able to hit a weak grounder to first base, allowing John Bernetskie (3-for-4, double) to trot home with the equalizer. However, no other City batter reached base, as Longpre set down all eight batters he faced, striking out two in an impressive stint out of the bullpen.

CLIFTON THOMAS returned to the top of the lineup and went 2-for-5, including the first of consecutive doubles in the 1st, scoring on a Lollis double. Lollis later scored on an error, one of three unearned runs allowed by City due to errors.

Thomas later singled in the 8th, scoring on a two-out basehit by Powell.

The victory gave Grossmont the season series over SDCC, 3-2, and gave the Griffins a split of their fourth straight PCC series.

Grossmont completes the homestand with single games against Imperial Valley both Thursday (Apr. 27) and Friday (Apr. 28), each starting at 2 p.m.

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Knights blank Griffins BOXSCORE

© East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (4-22-07) — Grossmont College coach RANDY ABSHIER couldn’t find a whole lot that he liked about the Griffins’ 7-0 Pacific Coast Conference loss to San Diego City College at Morley Field on Saturday (Apr. 21).

Abshier’s focus for the final five games of the season is to evaluate his freshman class.

“We want to see who can play and who doesn’t want to play,” Abshier said. “That will help us base some of our decisions for next season.”

Jedon Matthews’s solo home run in the 2nd inning off Grossmont’s starter and loser BRIAN FLINT would be all the firepower the Knights (16-21, 10-10 PCC) would need.

One of the few bright spots for the Griffins was CLIFTON THOMAS, who produced his second straight 2-hit game. Thomas had a double and a single against the Knights’ GOLDIE SIMMONS, who pitched a complete game 5-hit shutout. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound right-hander, a product of Monte Vista, struck out seven and walked three.

Grossmont’s ROSS BLONDIN, the conference batting leader entering the week, was 2-for-4 against Simmons.

The same two teams will meet for the final time of the season on Tuesday (Apr. 24) at Noel Mickelsen Field at 2 p.m.

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Comets eliminate Grossmont BOXSCORE

© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (4-20-07) -- Although the conclusion was foregone weeks ago, Grossmont College was finally mathematically eliminated from the Pacific Coast Conference pennant race when Palomar College gained a split of the teams' 2-game series following Thursday's (Apr. 19) 2-1 victory at Myers Field.

The Comets bullpen tossed three innings of shutout ball, allowing just one hit to save the triumph for starter Nick Vincent, who struck out nine Griffins in his six innings.

Right-fielder Joey Fandel snapped a 2-2 tie for Palomar (20-17, 11-8 PCC), singling through the left side with the bases loaded to drive home a pair of runs in the 6th.

Grossmont (17-21, 9-10 PCC) jumped on Vincent early when centerfield CLIFTON THOMAS (2-for-4) doubled to center to open the contest, eventually scoring on a double play grounder.

Thomas also scored in the 5th to tie the contest. He registered another lead hit with a single, moved to third on a double by shortstop JEFF WOODS, then trotted home on a deep sacrifice fly to center by JOEL LOLLIS.

Woods and second baseman TONY JUSINO each added two hits for the Griffins.

For Palomar, designated hitter Kevin Seaver went 2-for-3 with an RBI, as both ballclubs collected eight hits.

Grossmont travels to Morley Field to meet San Diego City College at noon Saturday (Apr. 21), then host the Knights next Tuesday (Apr. 24) at 2 p.m.

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Miller's walk-off homer propels Griffins BOXSCORE

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-18-07) -- It's hard to believe that any ballgame which features 22 runs at the home run-friendly confines of Noel Mickelsen Field did not include a home run.

So JOSH MILLER did something about returning balance to the ballpark.

Minutes after Grossmont College scored twice in the bottom of the 10th inning to extend Tuesday's (Apr. 17) Pacific Coast Conference contest, Miller came up as a pinchhitter and led-off the 11th with a walk-off homer to left, lifting the Griffins to a wild 12-11 verdict over visiting Palomar College.

"TONY JUSINO kept us in it to end the 10th, then I knew I would be coming up the next inning," said Miller. "I was just looking for a good pitch after taking a first strike."

The contest featured 30 hits off 13 different pitchers (8 from Palomar), five lead changes and plenty of drama. However, the biggest play of the ballgame will not be found in any boxscore.

After the Comets scored twice in the 10th for an 11-9 advantage, Grossmont first baseman JOEL LOLLIS came up with two important plays. Moments after he singled home JEFF WOODS (3-for-5, 4 runs) to cap a 4-for-6 performance, Lollis didn't concede anything on a fly ball to left, tagging up to take second base to stun the Palomar defense -- and the Grossmont bench, which erupted en masse..

"That was the key to the 10th inning," noted Griffins coach RANDY ABSHIER. "That right there -- you don't teach that -- was just heads-up. I was shocked when I saw it."

"Most guys would just take their lead and go halfway, then run back to first."

Taking the base proved important two batters later, when Jusino pulled a 1-2 pitch to right for a two-out, RBI single to again tie the back-and-forth contest.

"Joel just made a big play -- plays like that determine outcomes of games," said Jusino, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI, including a pair of sacrifice flies. "Then on my hit, it's always difficult when the other team uses a bunch of pitchers, but you adjust and take what you get and I was able to get my pitch."

Relief pitcher NICK CHRISTENSON, who entered to get the final out in the 10th, limited Palomar to just an infield single in the near-perfect 11th. But not without some help.

Rightfielder MANNY ALONSO hustled to the wall to make a nice grab, then a hot shot to the right side was flagged by Lollis at first base to end the inning.

Five pitches later, Miller sent a 3-1 pitch over the barrier in left -- his first career walkoff homer at any level.

With the victory, Grossmont moved into a tie for fourth place with San Diego City, and now with a chance to catch Palomar, who rest just one game in front of the Griffins, when the teams conclude the home-and-home series at 2 p.m. Thursday (Apr. 19) in San Marcos.

For the Comets, shortstop Ricky Imperiali and first baseman Guy Williford each registered three hits and three RBI.

The season series is current even at 2 victories each.

Notes -- Over the weekend, third baseman ROSS BLONDIN took over the PCC lead in batting with a .396 average. On Tuesday, Blondin went 2-for-4 to raise his mark to.399, while second-standing Zane Chavez of Palomar did not play, remaining at .388... In conference play only, Blondin also tops the circuit with a .462 average... Shortstop JEFF WOODS hit a pair of doubles in a 3-for-5 outing, becoming the fifth PCC player to reach double figures in doubles. Lollis is the leader with his 15th two-base hit in the 4th inning.

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Griffins trip Mesa with minimal offense BOXSCORE

© East County Sports.com
KEARNY MESA (4-13-07) -- Earlier in the week, the San Diego Padres won a ballgame despite producing just two basehits. Several East County baseball and softball teams were victorious, too, utilizing a minimum number of hits.

So when in Rome, do as Romans do?

Grossmont College did in Thursday's (Apr. 12) visit to play Mesa College’s Olympians. The Griffins parlayed just three hits into a pair of runs, but it was enough to defeat the leaders of the Pacific Coast Conference, 2-1.

It wasn't the best strategy ever invoked, but when you've lost five consecutive ballgames, one will try almost anything.

"Right now, we're playing a lot of the freshman to see what they can do and get ready for next year," said Griffins coach RANDY ABSHIER. "We're just playing the spoilers role."

Just like the non-conference schedule, when Grossmont plays its best ball against the top-rated teams from throughout Southern California, the Griffins did well against Mesa . The Olympians (19-15 overall) are 12-5 in PCC play, with Grossmont (16-2-, 8-9 PCC) handing them two of the defeats.

This time, it was the pitching combination of BRIAN FLINT, KEVIN McCLAUGHRY and BRIAN LONGPRE which kept the Olympians in check.

Flint matched his longest outing of conference play with five solid innings, but he left the game with no-decision in a scoreless contest.

McClaughry followed with a steady 1 1/3 innings, yielding an unearned run. But when Mesa continued its threat in the 7th, Longpre got out of the inning then mopped up to finish the final 2 2/3 frames for the save.

Grossmont, which failed to produce a hit until the 5th after 4 1/3 innings of no-hit ball by Mesa's BRYAN PAUKOVITS ( El Capitan ), broke the scoreless game in the 6th.

JEFF WOODS, who returned to the top of the batting order, lined a double to open the frame. ROSS BLONDIN followed with a bunt in the sacrifice situation, but when the ball rolled under Paukovits' glove, both Griffins were safe to place runners on the corners.

Catcher MATT POWELL followed with a hard grounder to the left side, as the third baseman conceded the run in an attempt to start a double play. However, the throw to second base sailed into right field, as Powell was credited with an RBI as Woods scored.

JOEL LOLLIS followed with another grounder, as Mesa completed the double play, but Blondin scored for a 2-0 lead. Both runs off Paukovits were unearned.

Mesa answered with its own unearned run in the 7th on a throwing error, as the throw to the plate to prevent LOUIE RUSSO ( Steele Canyon ) from scoring went to the backstop.

Besides Woods' double, the only other Grossmont hits were a pair of singles by designated hitter TAYLOR MONJO.

The Griffins have a bye this weekend, next starting a home-and-home series with slumping Palomar on Tuesday (Apr. 17) at home at Noel Mickelsen Field. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.

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Griffins rally once, not twice BOXSCORE

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-11-07) -- Grossmont College right-fielder GARRETT JENNER slugged a two-run double to climb the Griffins out of an early 2-0 hole, but after visiting San Diego Mesa regained the lead at 6-2, the hosts' second comeback effort fell just short, allowing the first-place Olympians to take a 6-5 Pacific Coast Conference victory at Noel Mickelson Field.

Mesa (19-14 overall, 12-4 PCC) now holds a two-game lead over Palomar and Southwestern, while Grossmont (15-20, 7-9 PCC) fell five full games off the pace with nine contests remaining.

Jenner batted 2-for-4 with two RBI, and saw another run come home when he hit into a double play in the 8th. However, the rest of the team managed just two additional hits in the combined 4-hitter by Mesa's Max Peterson and Noel Avison.

The Olympians gained their initial lead when designated hitter LOUIS RUSSO (Steele Canyon) lifted a solo homer to left in the 3rd. Jenner's double tied the ballgame, but Mesa scored twice in both the 6th and 8th, the latter coming on a 2-run homer to right-centerfield by third baseman Dylan Cohen.

The Griffins made things interesting in the 9th when centerfielder CLIFTON THOMAS lined a double into the corner in left. He came around on a passed ball and a grounder to the right side by TONY JUSINO. However, Avison earned his third save with a fly ball out, sending Grossmont to its fifth straight setback.

The only other Grossmont hit was a line single to center by designated hitter JOSH MILLER to open the 3rd, but he was later caught stealing.

The ballclubs meet again at 2 p.m. Thursday (Apr. 12) at Mesa.

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Did you know?... Jeff Woods was named Pacific Coast Conference Male Athlete of the Week for his performance during March 27-31.

Slumping Griffins enhance
another relief star

© East County Sports.com
RIVERSIDE (4-5-07) -- Another new line-up combination by Grossmont College only produced one thing: another stellar effort from an unknown from an opponent's bullpen.

On Thursday (Apr. 5), the newcomer was Riverside freshman right-hander Erick Carrillo, who blanked the Griffins over 6 1/3 innings of relief in the Tigers' 7-3 triumph in Fullerton Tournament action.

For a few innings, Grossmont's bats looked to awaken slightly, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to get even with Riverside . Included was the second run of the ballgame scored by second baseman TONY JUSINO. After his walk, ROSS BLONDIN singled to left, then both advanced into scoring position of a wild pitch.

MATT POWELL, who served as the designated hitter this week to gain some rest and allow some of the younger players a chance at starting in the field, followed with a two-run double.

Powel finished by batting 2-for-4 and all three RBI, including a run-scoring basehit to plate Jusino (double) in the 1st.

Thurs., Apr. 5 Fullerton Tournament TIGERS 7, GRIFFINS 3 Grossmont (15-19) Riverside (21-11) 102 000 000 - 3 08 1 300 210 01x - 7 10 1 McClerghry, Adams (4), Christensen (8) and Ruiz; Hollingsworth, Dorado (3), Carrillo (3) and Torres. W-Carrillo. L-McClaughry (2-4).

However, Carrillo, who entered the contest with just 15 innings of action under his belt, stopped the 3rd-inning rally, then allowing just three singles during his relief stint to raise his record to 2-0.

The Griffins (15-19) return to Pacific Coast Conference action in an important series Thursday (Apr. 12), hosting San Diego Mesa in a 2 p.m. contest at Noel Mickelsen Field in the first of a home-and-home series with the conference-leading Olympians.

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Unheralded reliever stops Grossmont

© East County Sports.com
IRVINE (4-4-07) -- Grossmont College rallied from a 5-1 deficit to tie before running into an unknown buzzsaw out of the Irvine Valley bullpen.

Lasers reliever Joel Garcia, who tossed just 13 innings all season with no decisions or saves, struck out seven batters in 3 1/3 innings of 1-hit relief, then Irvine Valley pushed over the tiebreaker run in the 6th to nip the Griffins, 6-5, in Wednesday's (Apr. 4) Fullerton Tournament ballgame.

Opponents were batting well over .300 against Garcia, but the Griffins failed to solve the sophomore from El Toro, who teamed with IVC starter Kirk Barnard to strikeout 10 Grossmont batters.

Irvine Valley (13-18) received a solo homer by Brian Ferrante in the 1st, then a run in the 2nd for a 2-0 lead, extending the advantage to four runs through three frames.

However, the Griffins (15-18) immediately responded to level the game at 5-5 in the 4th.

MATT POWELL gained a lead single, was sacrificed to second by JEFF WOODS, then a basehit by CLIFTON THOMAS placed runners on the corners.

Wed., Apr. 4 Fullerton Tournament LASERS 6, GRIFFINS 5 Grossmont (15-19) Irvine Val. (13-18) 001 400 100 - 5 99 1 113 001 00X - 6 10 0 Flint. Longpre (6) and Ruiz; Barnard, J.Garcia (6) and Rnedetti. W-J.Garcia (1-0). L-Flint. HR-Ferrente (IVC), 1st,solo.

Pinchhitter NICK LEDESMA hit into a fielder's choice for a run, then Grossmont loaded the bases on a GARRETT JENNGER single and a walk to DAVID RUIZ, who made the start at catcher.

JOEL LOLLIS followed with a walk to force home a run, then TONY JUSINO tied the game with a two-run single.

Grossmont completes tournament play Thursday (Apr. 12) at 2 p.m. with a ballgame at Riverside.

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Dons snap offensive slump vs. Griffins

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