Shortstop Jeff Woods 3-for-3, 4 runs, 5 RBI

Third baseman Ross Blondin, the PCC batting leader, went 4-for-4.

Clifton Thomas with a huge day... specifically, 2 triples and 7 RBI

Shortstop Jeff Woods 3-for-3, 4 runs, 5 RBI

© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (3-28-07) — Players from Grossmont College are not used to playing under the conditions that prevailed in Tuesday’s (Mar. 27) Pacific Coast Conference game at Imperial Valley College. BOXSCORE

“We heard on the radio coming in that they expected wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph,” said Grossmont College baseball coach RANDY ABSHIER. “Once we got on the field and the game got going, we could see that the weather reports were right.”

The winds were a factor, but did not dominate as much as the visiting Griffins did. Grossmont pounded out 27 hits and scored a school record in blowing out the Arabs, 33-8.

“One of our kids said the wind was blowing so hard the base umpire looked like he’d just jumped out of an airplane,” Abshier said.

Abshier noted another wind-related incident where a pitch was fouled straight back, over the backstop and returned to the field of play – courtesy of the wind – and was caught in front of the plate by Griffins catcher DAVID RUIZ.

“The wind was really strange because it was swirling in different directions all day,” Abshier said. “Our guys did a good job adjusting – we don’t even practice in anything like this. To play in a game and dominate like we did is really remarkable.”

Imperial Valley led 5-2 after two innings. The Griffins turned things their way by scoring 10 times in the 3rd frame.

Freshman CLIFTON THOMAS had a monster game for the Griffins, driving in 7 runs with a pair of triples and a single. JOHN ALIA plated 4 runs with a home run and a double, while MATT POWELL was 4-for-5 with 4 RBI.

Sophomore shortstop JEFF WOODS accounted for 9 runs, driving in 5 and scoring 4. The highlight of the afternoon for the Santana alum was his first collegiate home run – a 3-run shot during Grossmont’s 8-run 6th inning.

In a bit of irony, ROSS BLONDIN – a transfer from Santa Rosa – set a Grossmont College record with 5 walks in Tuesday’s slugfest. He also had a triple and scored 3 runs and drove in a pair.

Grossmont leadoff hitter TONY JUSINO was 4-for-5 with a double, 4 runs scored and 2 RBI.

“Obviously we had a good offensive day,” Abshier said. “We’re starting to grow up. For awhile there I thought we had so many college rookies I figured it might take us until next year to get on track. We’re still trying to piece things together, but we’re back in the race.”

Grossmont (6-7, 13-15) is only three games out of first place at the midway point in the PCC season. The Griffins host Southwestern on Thursday (Mar. 29) at 2 p.m.

Grossmont's Nick Ledesma (13), moments after stealing second base, watches IVC second baseman Jesse Lopez fire to the plate after shortstop Robert Mendoza was unable to handle a throw in the dirt. John Alia eventually scored on the 3rd-inning play. (Photo by Lenny Gemar) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

Brian Flint

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-24-07) -- A relief corps seeking relief may have found an answer in sophomore right-hander BRIAN FLINT. The transfer from Santa Rosa College tossed four shutout innings out of the Grossmont College bullpen Friday (Mar. 23), backing the Griffins to a 5-2 triumph over Imperial Valley College at Noel Mickelsen Field. BOXSCORE

Flint struck out five Arabs and yielded just three basehits, gaining his first Grossmont save in relief of AARON RICHARDSON, who struck out seven in his five innings before leaving due to a high pitch count.

Following a 7-game losing stretch, when the bullpen lost six leads, including single innings allowing 9, 7 and 7 runs in either the 7th or 8th inning, the relief staff closed out two victories during a 24-hour period.

On Thursday (Mar. 22), TYSON TAYLOR and JESSE OROZCO allowed just one run in 1 2/3 innings to stop a San Diego City College comeback attempt.

Tony Jusino flies towards third base, scoring on Ross Blondin's basehit to left in the 1st inning. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

Grossmont was the greater benefactor. After scoring 11 runs without the aid of an error in the 1st inning against City on Thursday, the Griffins scored three in the 1st against the Arabs.

Included was an RBI single by ROSS BLONDIN, who took second base when the left-fielder saw the ball drop from his glove. Blondin scored on a double to left-center by catcher MATT POWELL, who scored on a double by designated hitter JOHN ALIA.

Imperial Valley scored single runs in the 2nd and 3rd, featuring a run-scoring basehit by catcher Stephan Villanueva, then a leadoff homer to left by centerfielder Randy Andrews.

The Griffins answered with two runs in the 3rd, both unearned.

With two runners on, an Alia grounder was misplayed at second base, allowing Blondin (single) to score. Alia later scored from third when NICK LEDEZMA stole second base and the throw to the top of the diamond was in the dirt and bounced away from the middle infielders.

After the first three innings, both defenses and both staff settled down. Grossmont collected just one hit over its last five at-bats, while Flint was stopping the Arabs.

IVC pitcher Gustavo Gonzalez tossed a complete game in defeat. He struck out two without a walk, allowing nine hits yet ending the contest with five shutout innings.

The teams complete the home-and-home series Tuesday (Mar. 27) at 2 p.m. in Imperial.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-22-07) -- A pair of remarkable offensive displays eventually kept everyone guessing who would win Thursday's (Mar. 22) Pacific Coast Conference slugfest, as Grossmont College's 11-run onslaught in the 1st inning was enough to overcome a home run record by San Diego City College catcher Dante Love in a wild 14-10 decision at Noel Mickelsen Field.

The Griffins' first 10 batters in the 1st all reached base and scored in a nightmare outing by Knights starter Tim Acheson, who was finally pulled following 10 batters without retiring anyone. All nine members of the lineup collected at least one basehit in the frame, highlighted by a 3-run double by No. 9 hitter GARRETT JENNER to make it 8-0.

However, Love kept the Knights in the contest. The sophomore out of Crawford High slammed three consecutive home runs to left field -- none of them cheapies -- to tie the PCC single-game record. And when Love's 8th-inning, 2-run homer from Tuesday's meeting between the teams is included, Love pumped homers over four consecutive at-bats -- a PCC first.

The last PCC player to hit three homers in a contest was Grossmont's JOSH MAZZOLA (Santana), who accomplished the feat against Southwestern last season on Mar. 28.

The all-division college record is six homers in a game, when Florida State second baseman Marshall McDougall opened with a single, followed by six consecutive homers in a 7-for-7 outing against host Maryland on May 9, 1999. McDougall finished with NCAA records of 16 RBI and 25 total bases.

Love later walked and scored in the 9th, as the potential tying came to the on-deck circle. Then disaster nearly struck the Griffins when right-fielder NICK LEDESMA nearly lost the ball in the sun before snaring the ball to end the game and snap Grossmont's 7-game losing streak.

"In the dugout, we were praying in the 9th," said Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. "And if you're doing that, it's a bad way to coach."

During the losing skid, all seven losses occured by giving away the lead after the 6th inning. So when Ledezma found trouble in the setting sun, the thoughts of, "Here we go again," surely vibrated throughout the dugout.

TOM ADAMS (4-1) collected the victory, going 7-plus innings and striking out five. He allowed all of Love's homers -- 2-run shots in the 1st and 3rd, then a solo shot in the 5th.

"I am just seeing the ball incredibly well right now," said Love. "Too bad we couldn't win the ballgame -- that's what really counts."

"I don't know what he threw or where it was, I just know if the pitch is there, I'm hitting it -- I'm hitting everything right now."

After Love's first roundtripper staked the Knights to a 3-0 lead, Grossmont answered with station-to-station offense. Included were six singles, a pair of walks and a hit batsman before Jenner (2-for-5, two doubles) sent his shot to the fence in right-centerfield.

A walk to TONY JUSINO chased Acheson, but the City relief corps saw JOEL LOLLIS (3-for-5) collect his second hit of the inning. A double play was then sandwiched around RBI basehits by ROSS BLONDIN (2-for-3) and JEFF WOODS (2-for-4).

Grossmont (12-15, 4-7 PCC) finished with 16 hits, while SDCC (8-16, 5-6) had 14.

© East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (3-21-07) — Grossmont College’s downward spiral continued Tuesday (Mar. 20) at Morley Field as the Griffins suffered their 7th straight Pacific Coast Conference loss, falling to San Diego City College, 13-7.

This setback was one of the more frustrating during the recent slide as 10 of San Diego City’s runs were unearned. Nine of those tainted markers came in the bottom of the 8th when the Griffins blew a 7-4 lead.

“The 8th inning has been killing us,” said Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER, noting that 6 of the 7 losses in the current streak have been the result of opposing teams staging late rallies. “It’s unbelievable.”

In the decisive 8th, three of the Knights first four hitters reached base when Grossmont infielders booted ground balls. Those errors opened the floodgates for SDCC (8-15, 5-5).

Dante Love’s 2-run homer off AARON RICHARDSON capped the Knightmarish inning.

“It’s not our pitching and it’s usually not our defense that is costing us ballgames,” Abshier said. “We’re just not hitting the ball in key situations.”

Grossmont, which traditionally leads the PCC in home runs, has hit only 10 round-trippers in 913 at-bats this season. The Griffins have a total of 57 extra base hits as a team. They’ve also stranded 228 baserunners and show a piddly .200 team batting average when the bases are loaded.

On the upside, the Griffins (11-15, 3-7) dug out of a 4-0 hole with 4 runs in the 5th and 3 more in the 6th to lead.

“That’s the first time all season that we’ve scored in back-to-back innings,” Abshier said.

TONY JUSINO singled to begin the 5th inning rally. JOSH MILLER followed with a base hit, and GARRETT JENNER was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

CHRIS MOORE singled up the middle, scoring Jusino and Miller. One out later MATT POWELL slugged an RBI single. ROSS BLONDIN, the PCC’s leading hitter with a .420 average, pounded an RBI double of the left-field wall to tie the game at 4-4.

Footnote to the 5th – Grossmont left the bases loaded.

The Griffins took a 5-4 lead without benefit of a hit in the 6th. Miller was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After Jenner walked, Moore hit a sacrifice fly to score Miller. JEFF WOODS then doubled down the left-field line, scoring Jenner. Powell walked and Blondin blasted his second double of the game to score Woods, giving Grossmont a 7-4 advantage.

Footnote to the 6th – Grossmont had runners at second and third with one out… and left them there.

“It’s been pretty frustrating,” said Abshier.

These same two teams meet again on Thursday (Mar. 22) at Grossmont’s Noel Mickelsen Field at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (3-16-07) -- A tale of two bunts plays -- one successful, the other not -- finally settled Thursday's (Mar. 15) Pacific Coast Conference pitchers' duel at Myers Field.

And with Grossmont College riding a harsh losing streak, it's easy to determine which team got the bad bounce, allowing host Palomar College to claim a 3-1 victory, sending the Griffins to their sixth straight setback.

Moments after Grossmont catcher MATT POWELL slugged a one-out homer to right field to open the 7th inning, the Griffins were able to load the bases on a ROSS BLONDIN single, JOEL LOLLIS was hit by a pitch, then TAYLOR MONJO walked.

However, the Comets called upon reliever Kegan Sharp to get out of the jam. And when Grossmont elected to squeeze home the potential game tying run, instead the bunt went right back to the pitcher, who started an inning-ending, home-to-first double play to preserve a 2-1 lead.

In the home half of the 7th, Palomar elected to try the same strategy in a 3rd-and-1st situation by bunting. And unlike the Griffins’, the bunt by Ricky Imperial was good enough to allow Mitch Blackburn to score an important insurance run -- the only play for the defense was a throw to first base on the sacrifice.

The bunt plays ruined another strong effort by Grossmont starting pitchers, this time, an emergency effort by AARON RICHARDSON, who was called to pitch when CAMERON SELIK was unable to perform after injuring himself before tossing any official pitches.

Richardson struck out two Comets in 6 1/3 innings, with two of the three runs he allowed were unearned. Meanwhile, Palomar starter Michael Cruz matched Richardson with 6 1/3 frames, allowing just five of Grossmont's eight hits.

The Griffins (11-14 overall, 3-6 PCC) managed a pair of two-out basehits in the 9th to again place the potential tying runs on base, but closer Cameron Aspass collected the save with a fly out for Palomar (13-11, 6-3).

Blondin batted 2-for-4, giving the third baseman hits in nine of his last 10 games.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-14-07) -- There's only one word to describe the starting pitching for the Grossmont Griffins.

"Phenomenal," exclaimed Griffins coach RANDY ABSHIER. "Absolutely phenomenal."

The same couldn't be said of a disappointing day by the bullpen, as it took five pitchers to finally stop visiting Palomar College before the Comets posted seven runs in the 8th inning in Tuesday's (Mar. 13) 9-5 come-from-behind Pacific Coast Conference victory at Noel Mickelsen Field.

Abshier was not asked to describe his bullpen, but "not up to expectations" might be the polite way to express the 44-minute nightmare.

Three consecutive pitchers, all in specialty situations to give the reliever the best opportunity to get out of the inning, each failed to retire a batter. Then the go-ahead run scored on a balk, allowing Palomar's Tim Deering to waltz home.

The collapse took a potential victory away from Griffins starter TOM ADAMS. A former Grossmont High performer, "Smokey" struck out nine in seven innings of work, leaving with a 3-2 lead.

Following the balk, Comets third baseman Mitch Blackburn slammed a two-run double into the right-field corner. Three batters later, first baseman Guy Willeford sent a double to the left-field corner to cap the outburst.

Trailing 1-0, Grossmont scored three times in the 3rd.

JOHN ALIA, who went 3-for-4 and reached base on all four plate appearances, homered to left to start the inning. Shortstop JEFF WOODS later added an RBI single, followed by a sacrifice fly by catcher MATT POWELL.

Grossmont attempted to rally in the 8th with a two-out rally, placing two runners on base. ROSS BLONDIN then hit a liner to left, but the Comets outfielder -- a late-inning replacement -- was caught showboating when the ball struck the center of his glove, then bounced to the ground for a two-run error.

However, Palomar reliever Kegan Sharp entered to get the final out of the 8th, then coaxed a double play grounder to closeout the ballgame, sending the Griffins (11-13 overall, 3-5 PCC) to their fifth straight setback after initially leading the PCC with a 3-0 record.

Palomar (12-11 overall) remained in a tie for second place with Southwestern at 5-3, moving within a game of first place when frontrunner San Diego Mesa fell to San Diego City, 9-7. In other PCC action, Southwestern doubled Imperial Valley , 8-4.

Along with Alia's three hits, Woods and Powell collected two hits each, but the rest of the lineup totaled a composite 2-for-19.

Notes -- In what may be some sort of record, the teams combined to go 0-for-7 in attempting to steal bases. Coaches from both teams kept trying to place runners in motion to wake up stagnant offenses.

Signings -- Sophomore shortstop JEFF WOODS will join several other former Griffins after accepting a scholarship offer from nationally ranked Avila University of Kansas City. Woods received an 83-percent scholarship, and will join CHRIS VAN STORY, MATT GARDNER, and a roster stocked with Southern California products... Avila 's Eagles are 14-5-1 and ranked 26th in the NAIA.

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (3-11-07) – As Grossmont College coach RANDY ABSHIER sifts through the Griffins’ baseball statistics he has to scratch his head and wonder why his ballclub is tied for 4th in the Pacific Coast Conference standings.

“Right now, we are missing the ‘X’ factor,” Abshier said after the Griffins suffered their fourth straight PCC loss, 3-2, at San Diego Mesa College on Saturday (Mar. 10).

Not only was Abshier irked by the Griffins blowing a 2-1 lead by allowing two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning, he was angered by the lackluster pattern Grossmont’s offense has taken.

“We have left 209 runners on base (in 23 games) to just 150 by our opponents,” Abshier said, noting that the Griffins’ team batting average is .320 compared to their rivals’ .256.

In the latest loss to Mesa (12-8, 6-1 PCC), the Griffins wasted some sparkling pitching by freshman KEVIN McCLAUGHRY, who rationed the Olympians to one run and one hit through seven innings. Abshier removed McClaughry from the mound because the southpaw had made 101 pitches.

The usually reliable TOM ADAMS gave up two runs and three hits, including the game-winning single to Griff Erickson in the bottom of the 8th.

“They beat us with three Texas Leaguers,” Abshier said.

Grossmont took a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning on a pair of walks and singles by NICK LEDESMA and TONY JUSINO.

Mesa tied the game in the bottom of that inning on an RBI single by Skylar Harkins – the lone hit allowed by McClaughry.

The Griffins snapped the 1-1 deadlock in the 5th inning. MATT POWELL singled and advanced to second on a JOEL LOLLIS sacrifice bunt. ROSS BLONDIN then doubled off the left-center field wall giving Grossmont a 2-1 advantage.

Abshier felt the Griffins’ lead should have been much larger at that point.

“We put eight runners on in the first five innings,” he noted. “We left runners at second and third in the 2nd inning and the bases loaded in the 4th. You can’t win ballgames doing that.”

During their current four-game skid, the Griffins have scored a paltry 10 runs. Considering Grossmont has a 2.79 ERA in seven conference games only adds to the frustration.

This is a different kind of Grossmont ballclub. In the past the Griffins have ranked as the PCC’s top power-hitting unit. Not so this season, The Griffins are averaging just one homer every three games.

Grossmont hosts Palomar in a PCC contest Tuesday (Mar. 13) at 2 p.m. The same teams meet in San Marcos on Thursday (Mar. 15).

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-9-07) -- After Grossmont College scored in both the 7th and 8th innings to move within a run of visiting Mesa College , one couldn't tell if it was the conclusion of a team slump or the start of a breakthrough victory.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the latter.

After the Griffins scored in consecutive innings for the first time in four ballgames, the Olympians went to designated hitter Max Peterson as their fourth reliever to escape a 9th-inning jam. Somehow, Peterson left the bases loaded to preserve a 5-4 triumph in Thursday's (Mar. 8) Pacific Coast Conference ballgame.

The victory, coupled with Palomar's 11-6 decision over Southwestern in 12 innings, gives Mesa (11-8 overall, 4-1PCC) undisputed possession of the PCC lead.

The slumping Griffins (11-11, 3-3 PCC) had scored in only three of 28 previous innings before the late rallies. Included were RBI singles by shortstop JEFF WOODS in both the 7th and 8th. Woods went 4-for-5 to highlight Grossmont's 13-hit attack.

And when JOEL LOLLIS followed Woods with a run-scoring single in the 8th, Mesa 's 5-1 lead was trimmed to a single run. But frustration soon returned to the Grossmont dugout.

Peterson allowed a walk and a hit batsman to start the 9th, then a sacrifice bunt by BRIAN BUDD placed the potential tying and winning runners in scoring position. An intentional walk loaded the bases, however, the left-hander got a called strike three for the second out, then an easy groundout to shortstop to gain the save for starter BRYAN PAUKOVITS.

For the contest, the Griffins stranded 13 runners. On the positiive side, the defense played error-free.

Second baseman TONY JUSINO went 3-for-5 with a run scored.

The teams complete a home-and-home series at noon Saturday (Mar. 10) at Mesa .

© East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (3-7-07) -- Grossmont College , the top hitting ballclub in the Pacific Coast Conference, suddenly can't find a way to collect a basehit.

Despite scoring three times in the 5th inning for a 3-0 advantage Tuesday (Mar. 6), hits were few and far between, allowing host Southwestern to rally back for a 9-3 decision.

The Jaguars erupted for seven runs in the 7th to gain a share of first place with San Diego Mesa as the first round of conference play concluded. The Griffins (11-10 overall, 3-2 PCC) stand alone in third, one full game behind the leaders.

"Over the last two games, we've scored in only two of 18 innings," lamented Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. "We only have a couple of guys carrying us, while we need everyone from 1-to-9 to be hitting."

JEFF WOODS, who returned to second base as Abshier continues to search for a winning combination of defense, was a part of all three runs. Woods drove in both GARRETT JENNER and TONY JUSINO with a basehit. After stealing second base, Woods scored on a double by designated hitter JOEL LOLLIS.

However, Southwestern reliever Jorge Dryjanski limited the Griffins to just two hits over the final three innings to gain the victory.

Grossmont starter TOM ADAMS lasted into the 7th, but KEVIN McCLAUGHRY (3-1) was saddled with the loss after yielding five runs in 2/3 inning.

Former Steele Canyon High performer JOE INZONE and pinch hitter Fernando Martinez knocked in two runs each in Southwestern's 7-run rally. Inzone's hit was a double to go along with his pair of stolen bases.

Grossmont returns home Thursday (Mar. 8) to begin a home-and-home series with San Diego Mesa, starting at 2 p.m. at Noel Mickelsen Field.

By Albert Padilla, Sports Writer
Courtesy, Imperial Valley Press
IMPERIAL (3-4-07) -- The Imperial Valley College baseball team scored once in the 8th and 9th innings Saturday (Mar. 3) to shock Pacific Coast Conference leading Grossmont College, 2-1.

The outcome wasn't decided until the game's final play.

With IVC's Stephan Villanueva at second base, Anthony Velasco at first base with one out, Josh Patton connected for a ground ball to third.

Grossmont third baseman ROSS BLONDIN threw to second. Second baseman TONY JUSINO caught Velasco for the forced out, but a hard slide by Velasco forced Jusino to make a bad throw to turn the double play to first.

Villanueva walked home for the game-winning run.

“That was a great job by Anthony Velasco, the runner who went hard into second,” said Arabs head coach Jim Mecate.

The Arabs rode the back of sophomore pitcher and Calexico High graduate Gustavo Gonzalez, who pitched a complete game for the victory, surrendering only one unearned run.

“My fastball was working and I felt good,” Gonzalez said.

The Griffins’ only run came in the top of the second inning when MATT POWELL scored from second base on a throwing error by IVC shortstop Robert Mendoza.

Attempting to turn a double play, Mendoza 's throw struck Grossmont catcher-designated hitter CHRIS MOORE in the face. Moore was rushed to the hospital with a broken nose, but did return home with the ballclub on the team bus.

The Griffins put the pressure on IVC all game long by getting runners on bases in every inning. But Grossmont (11-9 overall; 3-1 PCC) failed to capitalize on those opportunities.

Twice Grossmont grounded into double plays and twice a runner was caught stealing. Grossmont also left five runners on base.

“I was trying to keep the ball low and get ground balls for double plays,” Gonzalez said.

In the top of the sixth and with a runner in scoring position, Gonzalez struck out back-to-back batters to end the Griffins’ threat. He finished the game with five strikeouts.

“Mentally, he is one of the toughest guys I’ve met. He will battle ’till the end,” Mecate said.

The Arabs (7-10, 1-3) struggled offensively only collecting six hits. Grossmont starting pitcher AARON RICHARDSON pitched 6 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball and had five strikeouts.

Down 1-0 in the bottom of the eighth, Mendoza led the inning with a single. After he moved to second base on fielder’s choice, he scored on a single by Javier Gonzalez to tie the game at 1-1.

Grossmont threatened to break the tie in the top of the ninth by putting runners on the corners with only one out. The Griffins gambled on a suicide squeeze attempt, but Blondin was out at the plate on a pitch out.

“We prepared for that pitch ahead of time. We were aware of it, and we executed correctly,” Mecate said.

Javier Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Sergio Panela went 2-for-3 with a double for the Arabs.

Powell went 3-for-3 and Josh Miller went 2-for-3 for the Griffins, which complete a 3-game roadtrip Tuesday at Southwestern.

Kevin McClaughry

© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (3-3-07) -- Another lengthy -- and stellar -- performance by a member of the Grossmont College bullpen resulted in another victory Friday (Mar. 2). KEVIN McCLAUGHRY tossed 5 2/3 innings of one-hit shutout ball in the Griffins' 6-2 triumph over defending Pacific Coast Conference champion Palomar at Myers Field.

McClaughry halted a 4th-inning rally by the Comets to preserve a 4-2 lead, as Grossmont started CAMERON SELIK was recording outs, yet was obviously struggling with three walks, a wild pitch and a hit batsman.

However, McClaughry escaped the last Comets rally on a soft liner to second baseman TONY JUSINO, who tossed the ball to shortstop JEFF WOODS covering second base for an inning-ending double play.

The only "hit" registered against McClaughry was of the rule book variety. After Palomar first baseman Guy Willeford was hit by a pitch in the 8th, catcher Zane Chavez hit an apparent double play grounder to Jusino. However, the ball instead struck Willeford for an automatic out; by rule, the batter is safe at first on a single.

Otherwise, K-Mac was virtually untouchable. He struck out two and induced a variety of ground balls for out to completely stymie the Comets (8-10 overall, 1-2), which fell into fifth place among the PCC's six ballclubs.

Grossmont (11-8, 3-0) was paced on offense by right-fielder GARRETT JENNER, who batted 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Included were a run-scoring single in the 3rd to mount a 4-0 lead, then driving home two insurance runs with a double in the 5th.

The Griffins jumped to a quick 3-0 in the 2nd inning.

A sacrifice bunt which was booted was sandwiched around a pair of basehits to load the bases, then JOSH MILLER followed with a 2-run single to left. CLIFTON THOMAS added another basehit to re-load the bases, then two batters later, Woods put down a nice squeeze bunt for another run.

The other Grossmont run was scored by ROSS BLONDIN in the 3rd. Following his one-out single to right, MATT POWELL sacrificed him to second, a wild pitch moved him to third, then Blondin came home on Jenner's infield single.

Blondin and Thomas joined Jenner with three hits each, as Grossmont again reached double digits in hits with 14 off four Comets pitchers.

For Palomar, right-fielder Marcus Hatley went 2-4 with a pair of doubles and the team's lone RBI.

The Griffins continue their 3-game roadtrip with games Saturday at Imperial Valley , then Tuesday at Southwestern. They return home on Thursday to entertain San Diego Mesa, starting at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-2-07) -- One could blame it on recent rains and the lack of any decent practice time, yet Grossmont College played just a little bit less disgusting than San Diego City, taking Thursday's (Mar. 1) Pacific Coast Conference slop-fest, 14-6, at Noel Mickelsen Field.

Pitchers from the visiting Knights were particularly generous, to be polite, issuing 10 walks and hitting 5 batters with errant pitches -- talk about "Pennies from Heaven" -- in allowing the Griffins to move to the top of the PCC standings with their second victory in as many starts.

The two highlights for Grossmont including the pitching of starter TOM ADAMS and the hitting by third baseman ROSS BLONDIN.

Adams ran his record to 3-0 with seven strong innings. After allowing two quick runs to start the ballgame, Adams was touched for just two additional runs -- both unearned -- while striking out five Knights.

Meanwhile, Blondin finished a perfect day at the plate, going 4-for-4 and reached a fifth time after getting plunked by a pitch. Included was a solo homer to right field to tie the game in the 1st, as Grossmont off set City's quick start with five runs to open the game.

Following Blondin's homer, the Griffins loaded the bases, with two scoring on a two-run single by left-fielder JOSH MILLER, who finished with three RBI on the day.

The Griffins went on to score nine runs in the middle three innings -- 4 in the 4th, 3 in the 5th, plus 2 in the 6th -- to blow open the game. However, four fielding errors and general ragged play did not go over well with the team's coaching staff.

The lone highlights for San Diego City (4-11, 1-1 PCC) were a pair of RBI each by catcher Dante Love and centerfielder Moises Esquivel, while reliever Brad White struck out seven Griffins over the final three innings after Grossmont mounted a 14-4 advantage.

The Griffins (10-8, 2-0 PCC) will have less than 24 hours to re-gain its focus, continuing a stretch of 3 games in 3 days with a Friday rain make-up contest at Palomar, followed by a long roadtrip to Imperial Valley on Saturday.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-25-07) -- CAMERON SELIK and KEVIN McCLAUGHRY displayed dominating pitching performances, then the wait-until-the-last-minute offense erupted for seven runs in its final at-bat, lifting Grossmont College to a 9-2 pasting of San Diego Mesa in Saturday's (Feb. 24) Pacific Coast Conference opener at Noel Mickelsen Field.

Selik struck out eight Olympians in as many innings, yielding just six hits and a single earned run. Then after the Griffins’ offense erupted to snap a 2-2 tie in the 8th inning, McClaughry struck out the side in the 9th to cap the triumph.

"That's just the team we are, we're not going to score until the 8th or 9th inning every game," said Selik. "It kills the pitchers and the coaches, but as long as the pitchers keep the team in the game, we know that the guys will come through in the late innings to win it -- although some run support in the first couple of innings would be nice."

The final Mesa batter, obviously disgruntled and disillusioned by yet another example of Grossmont’s late-inning dominance, didn't even bother running to first base when the last pitch bounced away from the catcher. It allowed for an easy throw to lift Grossmont (9-8, 1-0) to the best overall record among PCC ballclubs.

"Mesa didn't make any adjustments, so I was able to throw the slider low and in the whole time, and changeups away to the lefties," added Selik. "They never changed their swings."

Two of McClaughry's three strikeout victims committed to pitches in the dirt for outs.

"McClaughry is just nasty -- when he's on, no one's going to touch him," noted Selik. "His ball moves so much. I wish I was left-handed."

Grossmont now owns victories in five of seven contests, including wins against ranked sides in Chaffey (twice) and Santa Ana.

"Pretty much with league here, everyone is settled down," added the UNLV-bound Griffins starter. "We got all the big games out of the way against ranked teams and got a couple of wins under our belts. Now it's time to win league."

The Griffins registered 14 hits, half against Mesa starter Max Peterson, who left after seven innings with a no-decision in a tied ballgame. He struck out five, but the Olympians bullpen was tagged for the other seven hits among three relievers in the decisive 8th.

Meanwhile, the inning also turned into a nightmare homecoming for LOUIE RUSSO. The former El Capitan-Grossmont College second baseman, who transferred to Mesa over the summer, committed a key erros which opened the floodgates for five unearned runs in the deciding inning.

Twice, while playing deep at third base, Grossmont batters MICHAEL ROBERTSON and CHRIS MOORE put down consecutive bunts. The first throw by Russofinally landed in the right field corner, allowing the tiebreaker run to score; the next throw by pitcher Bryan Paukovits smacked Moore in the back for a 5-2 lead.

"I'm just reading where the defense is," explained Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. "They continued to stay back, so we continued to bunt. Mesa knew we did the same thing against Santa Ana (two days earlier), so why would we suddenly change."

Thus, the small ball continued -- effectively.

A bloop single by TONY JUSINO placed runners on the corners, then JOSH MILLER put down another bunt. The ball was surrounded by three Mesa defenders before the catcher finally picked it up after the unsure trio all looked at each other, but the throw was too late for an infield hit.

One out later, JEFF WOODS put down bunt No.4 for the inning, squeezing home Moore with the only play going to first base.

JOEL LOLLIS capped a 2-for-5 outing by following with a 2-run RBI, later scoring on Powell's second hit of the inning to finish his own 3-for-5 outing. ROSS BLONDIN also registered two hits during the rally, going 3-for-4 with two runs on the day.

Selik ran his record to 3-2 with two saves. He walked just one.

After the teams exchanged early unearned runs, Mesa grabbed its second lead at 2-1 when designated hitter Dylan Cohen singled home catcher Griff Erickson in the 6th. Grossmont immediately answered on a one-out double by JOHN ALIA, as pinchrunner NICK LEDESMA scored on a sharp single to left-centerfield by Moore.

The Grififns return to conference play Tuesday (Feb. 27), traveling to defending PCC champion Palomar. They team returns home Thursday (Mar. 1) against San Diego City. Both games start at 2 p.m.

Matt Powell

© East County Sports.com
SANTA ANA (2-23-07) -- The old adage about "taking one for the team" took on additional significance for the Grossmont College Griffins in their final outing prior to the opening of the Pacific Coast Conference schedule.

Not once, but twice, Griffins were hit by a pitch in the 9th inning, including a plunking of first baseman MATT POWELL with the bases loaded to force home the go-ahead run Thursday (Feb. 22), as Grossmont scored three times in its final at-bat to stun No. 5-ranked Santa Ana College, 5-4.

“We can beat the ranked teams, but have trouble with some of the others,” Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said. Grossmont (8-8) owns two wins over Chaffey, one-time ranked as high as No. 2 in Southern California .

The Griffins enter PCC play with the best record among the circuit's six schools. They will host San Diego Mesa Saturday (Feb. 24) at noon at Noel Mickelsen Field.

The rally in the 9th at Santa Ana started innocently enough when CLIFTON THOMAS and JEFF WOODS registered one-out basehits to force a call to the Santa Ana bullpen. However, Dons closer Eric Cendejas couldn't locate his fastball.

JOEL LOLLIS and ROSS BLONDIN followed with consecutive RBI singles to the left side to tie the ballgame. Then after a second out, CHRIS MOORE was struck by a pitch to load the bases.

One delivery later, Powell was plunked to allow Lollis to trot home.

A similar scenario nearly occurred in the bottom of the 9th, but Griffins head coach RANDY ABSHIER pulled the plug quickly.

Grossmont starter TOM ADAMS hit a Dons batter with a pitch following 8 1/3 strong innings, so Abshier called upon CAMERON SELIK, who once again displayed his magic.

Just like in his last relief appearance when he coaxed a double play grounder to cap a 4-1 victory over Chaffey last Saturday, the UNLV-bound right-hander out of Patrick Henry needed to face just one batter, getting another touch-and-throw double play on a grounder to Woods at shortstop to gain his second save.

Adams struck out four, but was tagged for six early hits when Santa Ana took a 3-0 lead. Grossmont answered with two runs in the 6th, but Dons second baseman Casey Rihn immediately answered with a solo homer for a 4-2 lead.

Griffins second baseman TONY JUSINO matched Lollis by batting 3-for-5 as part of a 13-hit attack. Included was Jusino's run-scoring infield single deep to the hole at shortstop to get Grossmont on the board. With the bases still loaded, pinch-hitter GARRETT JENNER followed with a sacrifice fly to right.

“He made a Jim Edmonds-type catch going away in the first inning,” Abshier said. “He also made two full layout catches in the left-center and right-center field gaps in the 5th and 6th innings. Thomas has to be one of the best outfielders in our conference."

© East County Sports.com
GLENDALE (2-21-07) — For the second time in less than a week, the Grossmont College Griffins crumbled on defense against the Glendale College Vaqueros. The result was a 20-4 loss.

Glendale scored in seven of its eight turns at bat Tuesday (Feb. 20), pounding out 21 hits in the process. Six Grossmont errors helped make matters worse, as the Vaqueros scored 11 unearned runs

“It wasn’t very pretty,” Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said.

Glendale, which scored six unearned runs to edge the Griffins 9-7 on Feb. 15, built a 13-0 lead before Grossmont (7-8) scored all four of its runs in the rematch in the 7th inning.

Basehits by GARRETT JENNER and CHRIS MOORE followed by a walk to OMARI SEALEY loaded the bases with nobody out. An infield error scored Jenner. Moore trotted across on a balk. JOEL LOLLIS singled in the final two runs.

Grossmont travels to Santa Ana on Thursday (Feb. 22) for a 2 p.m. non-conference game before opening the Pacific Coast Conference campaign on Saturday (Feb. 24), hosting San Diego Mesa at noon.

Joel Lollis

Manny Alonso

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-18-07) -- After being shutout on two hits over six innings, Grossmont College took advantage on a pair of late pinch-hits -- a homer by JOEL LOLLIS and a two-run double from MANNY ALONSO -- to stun Chaffey, 4-1, in Saturday's (Feb. 17) finale of a three-game homestand at Noel Mickelsen Field.

Panthers starter Garrett Hodges tossed a no-hitter over 4 2/3 innings before Grossmont registered harmless singles in the 5th and 6th innings. But Hodges' path on cruise control got detoured on his 0-2 delivery to Lollis.

"What can I say? He put it right down the middle," said Lollis, who deposited the ball over the fence in centerfield to offset Chaffey's RBI single by shortstop James Koerner in the 5th. "He made me look stupid on the second pitch, so on the last pitch, I told myself not to think and just see the ball."

While Hodges held the slight advantage early against Grossmont starter KEVIN McCLAUGHRY, the Griffins' left-hander was backed by two of three Grossmont double plays to ultimately earn the victory following 8-plus innings of work.
K-Mac struck out four and walked just one.

"It was fun, just trying to throw strikes and get outs," said McClaughry. "There was a little extra pressure because we weren't hitting, but we came through at the end and it all worked out."

Meanwhile, after Hodges exited following seven strong innings, the Chaffey bullpen faltered. A pair of pitchers were pulled after walking three batters, then a third reliever was surprised on his very first pitch.

Catcher CHRIS MOORE put down a perfect suicide bunt down the first base line, scoring MATT POWELL from third base with the go-ahead run.

"The coaches wanted to do it on the second pitch, but we said to go first pitch and surprise them -- and it surprised them," noted Moore. "It seems we're turning the corner and definitely coming on strong."

Grossmont (7-7) took three of four contests this week. Chaffey, which once owned a 6-1 ledger, dropped its fourth straight-- including two to the Griffins -- to fall to 6-5.

"Kevin threw strikes and worked inside, jamming them and getting the job done," added Moore. "And Joel is a helluva hitter and came up clutch for us."

The Panthers dugout was fuming on the squeeze strategy, which was enough to distract their own pitcher, as on the very next offering, Alonso pasted the ball to the fence in right-centerfield, scoring JOHN ALIA and TONY JUSINO.

In the 9th, McClaughry got into trouble when the first two Chaffey batters reached base on an error and a basehit. However, CAMERON SELIK, who normally is a starter, entered in relief to retire the potentially game-tying batters by getting a lazy flyout to right, then a grounder which shortstop JEFF WOODS turned into a game-ending, step-and-throw double play.

"We beat Chaffey twice -- they're a good team -- and we need to carry it over into next week when conference starts," added Lollis.

Grossmont caps the pre-conference schedule with road games next week at Glendale and Santa Ana . The Griffins return home next Saturday (Feb. 24) for their Pacific Coast Conference opener against San Diego Mesa at noon.

Tom Adams tossing a 4-hit shutout at Compton. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

While playing for Grossmont High, Adams rarely started with top figures like A.J. GRIFFIN (now the freshman closer at USD), DONNIE SNOW and TAYLOR WOHLWEND in front of him in the Foothillers' rotation, so the opportunity to display his skills was limited to just 20 total innings

Indeed, Adams seemed lost in the smoke.

Upon arriving at Grossmont College, the right-hander lost the 2006 campaign after his spleen was removed. Yet ever persistent, Adams finally received his first collegiate starting opportunity Friday (Feb. 16), making it a memorable one.

In facing just four batters above the minimum, Adams struck out five and allowed just four singles in a complete-game blanking of visiting Compton, 9-0, at Noel Mickelsen Field.

"I owe it all to my defense today. They did an excellent job today," said Adams, who has one previous save to his credit while with the Griffins. "I only got five strikeouts and they got all the other outs for me -- I couldn't be any prouder."

In a reversal of Thursday's calamitous display of defense, it was the Tartars which failed to field the ball adequately. Included were three of the team's five miscues in the 2nd inning, when Grossmont registered three unearned runs to open the scoring.

The runs were more than enough for Adams, who allowed more than one baserunner in an inning only once. At one stretch, the grey-shirt frosh set down 11 consecutive Compton batters backed by a solid defensive effort.

"We just beat ourselves, so we had to come in and be ready to play today," added Adams, who beat the Tartars with his slider. "We were ready to play, we're always ready to play,"

Meanwhile, designated hitter TAYLOR MONJO knocked home runners on three separate plate appearances to key the offense. He slugged an RBI double to highlight a 3-run rally in the 3rd for a 6-0 lead, lifted a sacrifice fly in the 6th, then singled home a run in the 8th.

"I've been pinch-hitting mostly, so hopefully, I get plenty of at-bats and get into the lineup," said Monjo. "I'll just wait and see what happens, and if I make it, it'll probably be at DH or maybe a chance at first base."

On two occasions, clean-up hitter JOHN ALIA scored on Monjo hits after reaching base with three of the Griffins' 14 hits. In addition, sophomore JEFF WOODS, the team's starting shortstop all season, made a pair of seamless switches.

In order to shore up other defensive spots, Woods was asked to rotate and play second base, which he effectively accomplished. But he also was elevated from 8th to the top of the Grossmont batting order, reaching base on his first four plate appearances, capped by a booming RBI double in the 6th.

Catcher CHRIS MOORE also added three hits, while BRIAN BUDD, the latest starter in right field, batted 2-for-4, including a 2-run single in the 3rd.

Grossmont completes its homestand by hosting 2nd-ranked Chaffey at 1 p.m. Saturday.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-16-07) -- One day, Grossmont College looks like one of the top ballclubs in Southern California . Other times, well, anything but.

Less than 48 hours after whipping 2nd-ranked Chaffey, "anything but" wielded its ugly head Thursday (Feb. 15), as the Griffins committed four errors in the first three innings, allowing five unearned runs to score in a 9-7 setback to Glendale at Noel Mickelsen Field.

"It got pretty sloppy out there -- we made plenty of mistakes, too," noted Vaqueros coach Chris Cicuto. "But we were able to capitalize and score some runs."

Among the Griffins' early miscues were a series of three playable fly balls to right field, two of which fell untouched in the windy conditions. And when a third fly ball hit the fielder's glove and fell to the ground, it marked the end for Grossmont starting pitcher AARON RICHARDSON, who lasted 2-plus innings, but needed to throw more than three dozen extra pitches while getting tagged for five runs -- all unearned.

Even with all the sloppiness, the Griffins still managed to bring the game-tying run to the plate in both the 8th and 9th innings.

Trailing 8-2 following a two-out solo homer by Glendale catcher Ben Torrie in the 7th, Griffins shortstop JEFF WOODS continued his hot hitting with an RBI double. Second baseman TONY JUSINO followed with his second sacrifice fly of the contest, then Woods scored on a JOEL LOLLIS basehit to trim the score to 8-5.

However, Glendale brought in reliever Luis Rivas to get the final out, gaining an easy fly to center.

After the Vaqueros gained a sixth unearned run in the 9th, courtesy of the host's fifth error, Woods capped a 2-for-5, 4 RBI performance with a two-run single to plate pinchrunner BRIAN BUDD and pinchhitter GARRETT JENNER.

Rivas, again facing the potential tying run at the plate, again escaped, this time on a fielder's choice grounder to give Glendale (10-5) its 7th straight victory. The Vaqueros have also won 10 of their last 11 after opening the season winless in four starts.

Lollis posted three hits for Grossmont (5-7) to equal Glendale 's hit total of 11. Griffins catcher MATT POWELL matched Woods with two hits.

The Griffins continue their 3-games-in-3-days homestand by entertaining Compton at 2 p.m. Friday (Feb. 16), then a rematch with Chaffey at 1 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 17).

Cameron Selik

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO CUCAMONGA (2-14-07) – In baseball vernacular, what CAMERON SELIK is to the Grossmont College Griffins is a stopper. He proved that again under threatening skies Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 13) as Grossmont knocked off Chaffey College — the No. 2-ranked team in Southern California — by a 6-3 margin.

Selik (2-2) pitched his second complete-game in four starts, scattering seven hits and allowing only one earned run as Grossmont snapped a three-game skid while handing Chaffey (6-3) its second straight setback.

“Cameron was working on only two days rest and he pitched a gem,” said Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. “He had a dominant slider, and six of his eight strikeouts were looking. That’s something you don’t see playing on the road.”

Selik could have folded when a second-inning error led to two unearned runs and a 3-1 Chaffey lead. The Panthers could do nothing with the 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-hander the remainder of the day, which started with a 15-minute rain delay.

Catcher MATT POWELL broke out of a slump with a pair of key doubles for the Griffins (5-6). He followed JOSH MILLER’s second-inning double with a shot off the left center-field wall to tie the game 1-1.

Powell’s second two-base blow came in the seventh inning. He advanced to third on CLIFTON THOMAS’s infield hit and scored on a throwing error. TONY JUSINO followed with an infield hit and advanced to second as Thomas scampered to third on a throwing error. Thomas scored the tying run on a wild pitch to make it 3-3.

Grossmont scored the winning runs in the eighth frame. JOHN ALIA doubled and advanced to third on Miller’s sacrifice bunt. After Powell walked, both runners advanced on a passed ball with Alia scoring the winning marker. JEFF WOODS then doubled in the left center-field gap, scoring Powell. Thomas capped the scoring with an RBI single.

Jusino, Alia, Powell, Woods and Thomas contributed two hits apiece to Grossmont’s 11-hit total.

“We got some timely hitting today,” Abshier said. “We’re hitting .360 as a team, but up until today weren’t getting very many clutch hits. We’ve left on 97 runners in 11 games.”

The weather nearly cut Grossmont off at the pass. Much of the game was played in a steady drizzle, but the rain intensified in the late innings.

“We got thunder and lightning right at the end of the game,” Abshier noted. “I’m just glad we got the game in.”

More than that though, Abshier was pleased to get a victory.

Grossmont returns home to host Glendale Thursday (Feb. 15), Compton Friday (Feb. 16) and Chaffey Saturday (Feb. 17). The first two games begin at 2 p.m. and the Saturday contest starts at 1 p.m.

Jeff Woods

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-12-07) -- The Grossmont Griffins knew they could play with some of the top programs in Southern California , but youthful mistakes cost them ballgames in the first two days of the Jaguar Classic.

Determined not to allow the same thing to happen in Sunday's (Feb. 11) tournament finale, the Griffins rebounded from an early deficit, yet still allowed victory to slip away in an 11-10 setback to East Los Angeles at Noel Mickelsen Field.

The Huskies (9-2) chased a Grossmont starting pitcher early for the third straight contest after building a10-3 lead. But after the Griffins scratched back to knot the score at 10-all, ELAC shortstop Scott Stroud singled home catcher Jack Hall in the 9th to hang an 0-3 mark on Grossmont (4-6) in the event.

"What a horrible weekend," said Griffins coach RANDY ABSHIER. "This is just a freshmen team and it showed."

Abshier hinted at the silver lining of a talented roster, but its inexperience of youth is going through some growing pains. And the weekend was even more frustrating due to the misty and sometimes rainy conditions -- the ballgame took 4:02 to complete in one of the longest 9-inning ballgames in school history.

One of the positives was the Griffins' ability to jump on opponents’ mistakes, taking advantage of five East L.A. errors to produce five unearned runs. Included was an interesting 5th-inning at bat when Grossmont scored four times without the aid of a basehit after Huskies pitchers walked the first four batters.

Then in the 7th, shortstop JEFF WOODS capped a big outing by scoring for the third time to complete the climb from a 7-run deficit. Woods, a Santana High product, finished batting 2-for-3 and an RBI, plus reaching on a walk and getting hit by a pitch. He also made two nice throws on defense to gun down Huskies batters.

Four other Griffins -- TONY JUSINO, JOEL LOLLIS, ROSS BLONDIN and MATT POWELL -- added two hits each.

East L.A. broke the tie with a two-out rally, brokering a pair of walks, then a basehit by Huskies left-fielder Jordan Larson (3-for-4) to load the bases. On the single, the Huskies runner going to third base slipped and fell on the wet playing field, unable to score, but Stroud followed with another basehit.

Releiver Nick Kennedy then survived a two-out hit by Lollis to close out the victory. Kennedy tossed the final 3 1/3 innings to garner his first triumph of the season.

The Griffins will play four non-conference games next week, starting with a Tuesday (Feb. 13) outing at Chaffey, following by a homestandof 3 games in as many days, starting on Thursday (Feb. 15) against Glendale.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-11-07) -- Grossmont College third baseman ROSS BLONDIN struck for four hits, including a 2-run homer and a double, otherwise, the Griffins had little to offer in a 14-4 setback to Orange Coast in Saturday's (Feb. 10) second day of the Jaguar Classic. Orange Coast also took its morning contest, 5-1, over Arizona Western College.

After Blondin bombed his homer to right field to open the scoring in the 1st, Grossmont failed to deliver in all three basic categories, including: poor pitch location, especially with two strikes; errant throws on defense, including missing several cutoff men or directing the ball wide of the target; and lack of clutch hitting.

Minutes after Coast (4-3) registered four multiple-run innings, Grossmont skipper RANDY ABSHIER held a team meeting, reminding the squad that berths throughout the starting line-up are still available prior to the Pacific Coast Conference opener in two weeks.

In the meantime, the Griffins complete tournament play with an 11 a.m. start Sunday (Feb. 11) against powerful East Los Angeles (10-1) -- weather permitting.

Blondin was one of the few bright spots for Grossmont. Following his opening blast over the wall in right field, he doubled in the 3rd, then added a pair of basehits, including an RBI single in the 9th.

The only other Griffins run came in the 4th when JOSH MILLER stole second base, and when the catcher's throw sailed into center field, CHRIS MOORE waltzed home to trim the OCC lead to 10-3.

For the contest, Coast collected 18 hits, including three by Rokoitz, while five others had two each, including right fielder Mike Ferraro, who hit a 2-run homer in the 7th. Keith Demorgandie (2-0) pitched the first seven frames to gain the victory, striking out eight, then David Jacobson struck out four Griffins in two innings of work.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-10-07) -- El Camino College placed five runs on the scoreboard before registering an out, then escaped a late Grossmont College rally to secure a 7-3 victory during Friday's (Feb. 9) opening day of the Jaguar Classic.

The Warriors parlayed three singles with a pair of walks, a hit batsman and a critical throwing error into the quick lead, chasing the Griffins' starting pitcher. Included was a two-run basehit by first baseman Ramon Martinez.

However, former Grossmont High student TOM ADAMS, who did not pitch for the Foothillers because of injuries, came on to toss nine innings of relief to give the hosts a chance to rally. That opportunity came in the 8th when the Griffins scored twice to trim the deficit to 6-3.

Following run-scoring basehits by OMARI SEALEY and TONY JUSINO, Grossmont loaded the bases to bring the potential go-ahead run to the plate. However, El Camino reliever Percy Perez entered to record a strikeout to escape the jam, making a winner of Warriors starter Alan Gatz, who scattered five hits over 7 2/3 innings.

Adams completed one of the longest relief stints in school history, allowing five hits while striking out eight batters. He allowed just two runs, both on hits to El Camino right-fielder Billy Madden, who lined a single to left in the 2nd for a 6-0 lead, then a blooper for a basehit to right in the 9th for an insurance run.

Grossmont's other run came on a two-out, solo homer to right by CLIFTON THOMAS in the 3rd. The loss snapped the Griffins' 2-game winning streak.

Earlier in the day, also at Noel Mickelsen Field, El Camino scored six times in the 9th to break a tie and down Irvine Valley, 9-3, to give the Warriors (6-4) the first day lead in the tournament.

Grossmont continues Jaguar Classic play with games (weather permitting) at 2 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 10) against Orange Coast , then 11 a.m. Sunday (Feb. 11) against East Los Angeles.

Tony Jusino

Joel Lollis

© East County Sports.com
COMPTON (2-08-07) — In a rare night game, Grossmont College proved it can swing the bat with the best of them Wednesday night (Feb. 7) as Compton College dedicated its new $9 million Urban Youth Facility, sponsored by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After the Dodgers – led by Nomar Garciaparra – put on a late afternoon clinic, it was time for the Griffins and the Compton College Tartars to get down to the business of their non-league contest.

It took 3½ hours for the Griffins to prevail 16-9.

TONY JUSINO collected 5 hits in 7 at-bats to drive in 4 runs and score 3 to lead Grossmont’s 18 hit attack.

JOEL LOLLIS belted 2 home runs – one an inside-the-park job – and logged 4 RBI. He also scored 3 runs.

“His second home run was a mammoth shot over a giant scoreboard in left field,” Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “This is a big league complex with major league dimensions. There are no cheap home runs here. JOSH MILLER hit 3 balls that would have been out of our park, but none of them got out of this yard.”

Grossmont (4-3) pounded out 18 hits and scored in every inning but the 6th.

CLIFTON THOMAS was 2-for-2 with 3 runs scored, a stolen base and a sacrifice bunt. ROSS BLONDIN and MANNY ALONSO also had 2 hits for the Griffins.

Freshman AARON RICHARDSON pitched 6 strong innings without allowing an earned run to gain his first college win. The southpaw allowed only 4 hits, struck out 7 and walked one.

BRIAN LONGPRE pitched 2 innings in relief, allowing only one hit and no earned runs. JASON LAMBERT pitched the 9th.

“Richardson threw the ball really well, had good control,” said Abshier.

Next up for the Griffins is the Southwestern Jaguar Classic this weekend. Grossmont hosts El Camino Friday (Feb. 9) at 2 p.m.; Orange Coast Saturday (Feb. 10) at 2 p.m., and East Los Angeles on Sunday (Feb. 11) at 11 a.m.

Josh Miller

© East County Sports.com
PALM DESERT (2-4-07) — Grossmont College coach RANDY ABSHIER is probably trying to find a way to get San Bernardino Valley College put into the Pacific Coast Conference.

After all, the Griffins have won 3 of 4 from the Wolverines, including a 7-4 verdict on Saturday’s (Feb. 3) final day of the College of the Desert Classic.

The Griffins came from behind twice in their latest victory over San Bernardino Valley. A two run single by JOSH MILLER with two outs gave the Griffins a 2-1 lead in the 3rd inning.

Then, with San Bernardino leading 4-2, the Griffins broke loose for four runs in the 7th inning to regain the lead.

San Bernardino’s pitchers provided plenty of help in that Grossmont rally.

JOEL LOLLIS ignited the rally with a 2-out double. Wolverine pitchers then issued consecutive walks to ROSS BLONDIN, JOHN ALIA, and MANNY ALONSO to score Lollis. Blondin and Alia scored the tying and go-ahead runs on wild pitches. GARRETT JENNER singled in an insurance run to cap the inning.

Grossmont picked up an additional run in the 8th as CLIFTON THOMAS doubled, advanced to third on TONY JUSINO’s fly ball to center, and scored on a wild pitch.

Thomas was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles on the day. Alia was also 3-for-4 and scored twice. Miller and Lollis chipped in with two hits apiece.

Freshman southpaw KEVIN McCLAUGHRY pitched the first six innings to earn the victory. He scattered 7 hits while allowing 3 earned runs and struck out 3.

TOM ADAMS pitched three innings of hitless relief to earn the save. He struck out 5 and walked one. Adams has not allowed a hit in six innings of relief work.

Grossmont, 3-3 against all comers, travels to Compton for a 6 p.m. game on Wednesday (Feb. 7).

Ross Blondin

© East County Sports.com
PALM DESERT (2-2-07) — Sophomore CAMERON SELIK deserved a better fate in Thursday’s (Feb. 1) first round of the College of the Desert Tournament. The UNLV-bound right-hander pitched a complete game, scattering seven hits while striking out seven and walking only two.

Yet, he and the Grossmont College Griffins wound up on the wrong side of a 3-0 score in losing to SoCal power Cypress College.

“Selik was masterful,” said Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. “He certainly pitched well enough to win.”

The Griffins (2-2) pounded out a dozen hits – all singles – but left 13 runners on base. They stranded 10 in the first six innings, three times leaving runners at first and second base.

JOEL LOLLIS was 3-for-4 for Grossmont. GARRETT JENNER and JEFF WOODS also had a pair of singles for the Griffins.

A year ago, Cypress eliminated Grossmont from the COA playoffs, as the Griffins fell one round short of the state finals.

Grossmont faces tournament host College of the Desert Friday (Feb. 2) at 2 p.m. and then closes out the weekend with a fourth meeting of the young season against San Bernardino Valley College on Sunday (Feb. 3) at 2 p.m.

Tony Jusino

© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (1-30-07) -- When you open the season batting .667 (8-for-12), with four extra base hits including a walk-off, game-winning home run, it was a no-brainer for the decision-makers at the Pacific Coast Conference to make Grossmont College second baseman TONY JUSINO one of its Male Athletes of the Week.

Jusino shared the award with Imperial Valley College slugger Gustavo Gonzalez.

Jusino, a freshman out of Rancho Bernardo High School, also scored six runs, including a game-winning romp around the diamond after slugging a 2-run homer in extra innings to give the Griffins a doubleheader sweep of San Bernardino Valley College. Jusino registered five RBI in the nightcap, giving him six in the weekend series against the Wolverines.

Gonzalez went 4-for-5 with five RBI in the Arabs' doubleheader sweep of Compton.

Grossmont College basketball guard MAURICE CLADY, who scored consecutive career highs of 21 and 35 points last week, was an honorable mention PCC selection. Included was the game-tying basket in regulation, then the game-winning basket in overtime, leading the Griffins to an upset over Cuyamaca.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-28-07) -- TONY JUSINO wasn't considered a top prospect coming out of Rancho Bernardo High, with no professional scouts or 4-year college coaches knocking on his door. However, based on a recommendation, Grossmont College coach RANDY ABSHIER took a second look at the versatile second baseman and recruited him.

Following the first weekend of the season, Abshier couldn't be happier.

Jusino capped a 4-hit game with a walkoff, 2-run homer in extra innings, lifting the Griffins to Saturday's (Jan. 27) doubleheader sweep of visiting San Bernardino Valley College, 11-4 and 9-7 in 8 innings, at Noel Mickelsen Field.

Jusino, who bats leadoff in the Grossmont lineup, batted 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the opener, then his first collegiate homer capped a 4-for-5, 5 RBI effort in the nightcap to help Grossmont (2-1) rally from a 7-0 deficit.

"We did everything we could to comeback all weekend," said Jusino, who would have been the game's final batter -- because of pending darkness -- if he made an out. "We got great outings from our pitchers and a ton of key hits to win."

Jusino's blast to right field capped a comeback from a 7-0 deficit, as Grossmont scored five times in the 5th and two more times in the 6th. The rally was triggered by a strong showing by the bullpen, which retired all nine batters it faced. The final seven Wolverines batters were retired by KEVIN McCLAUGHRY, who registered his first collegiate victory.

"I like intense situations, then the whole team fed off each other," said McClaughry, who was aided on a great defensive stop by shortstop JEFF WOODS, who went deep in the hole to recover a grounder for the first out in the 8th. "Everyone was working together."

Griffins starter Brian Flint struck out five SBVC batters in as many innings, but was burned by three Grossmont errors, plus two other failed plays to keep innings alive. However, SBVC batters were stopped by relievers Jason Lambert, who struck out both batters he faced, then McClaughry, who also struck out two.

The comeback started with a 5-run outburst in the 5th. Included were sacrifice flies by Woods and JOHN ALIA, while CLIFTON THOMAS short-hopped the fence down the left-field line for an RBI double.

Jusino then tied the game in the 6th. Following a ground ball for an RBI by Thomas, Jusino sent a double to right to score Woods, who earlier doubled.

In the opener, Grossmont trailed 2-0, but another big outburst in the 5th was the key.

The Griffins scored seven times, including a go-ahead, two-run single by San Diego State transfer first baseman JOEL LOLLIS, then following a basehit by Alia, pinchitter ROSS BLONDIN slugged a two-run homer to right-centerfield.

Grossmont starter Cameron Selik, who already has a baseball scholarship to UNLV for 2008 in his pocket, struck out nine in his six innings to collect the victory. He dominated SBVC batters with his curveball.

"Actually, I didn't have very good stuff today," noted Selik."But whenever I got ahead in the count, they chased the curve, so I just made sure I stayed ahead all day."

Thomas, who stole 50 bases for El Cajon Valley HS last season, went a combined 2-for-6 in the twinbill. Both hits scored single runs, plus two of his outs pushed across runs for a four RBI afternoon in his home debut.

Blondin, who earned a Game Two start with his homer in the opener, went 2-for-3 in each contest. Lollis also collected four hits on the day.

For the Wolverines (1-2), Aaron Larsen entered as a pinchitter in the opener, slugging a double then a solo homer in the 9th. He started at third base in Game Two, recording a double and a sacrifice fly before Grossmont finally retired him twice.

© East County Sports.com
SAN BERNARDINO (1-27-07) -- Although Grossmont College came from behind twice in Friday's (Jan. 26) season opener at San Bernardino Valley College, the Griffins still wound up on the short end of an 8-7 score.

Grossmont, which hosts San Bernardino in a double-header Saturday (Jan. 27) at Noel Mickelsen Field at 11 a.m., tied Friday's game with two runs in the top of the 9th. JEFF WOODS singled, TAYLOR MONJO walked and both runners advanced on TONY JUSINO's sacrifice bunt.

CHRIS MOORE singled both runners in to make it 7-7.

However, SBVC fused together a walk, an error, hit batter and a base hit to drive home the inning run in the bottom of the 9th.

The Griffins pounded out a dozen hits, including a two-run double by JOEL LOLLIS and a triple by Jusino. Moore was 2-for-3 with a pair of walks and three RBI. GARRETT JENNER and MATT POWELL had two hits and one RBI apiece. Jusino was 2-for-4 with two runs.

It was a rough start for Grossmont southpaw AARON RICHARDSON, who was tagged for 10 hits and seven earned runs. He served up a pair of three-run home runs, although one was carried out by a strong wind. He struck out four and walked three.

"I'm disappointed that we lost, but not with our effort," Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said. "Richardson did a better job than his numbers show. Defensively, we did some good things."

Grossmont outfielders CLIFTON THOMAS and JOHN ALIA each threw out a Wolverines base runner at the plate.

© East County Sports.com
SAN BERNARDINO (1-26-07) -- Freshman southpaw AARON RICHARDSON gets the call when the Grossmont College Griffins open the baseball season Friday (Jan. 26) at San Bernardino Valley College at 2 p.m.

Richardson, a 6-foot-3, 185-pounder out of West Hills High where he struck out 83 in 59 innings a year ago, should be one of Grossmont's top starters this season.

"We changed his arm angle and that has given him more velocity," said Grossmont's third-year head coach RANDY ABSHIER. "He's up to about 88 (mph) now, but his control -- that's the thing. He's not walking so many like he did in high school."

Richardson issued 46 walks in his 59 innings, which negated the fact that he allowed only 29 hits.

"He throws a great slider, splitty, change-up and curveball," Abshier said. "The slider is his pitch. It sinks and runs in from the left side."

Only four Griffins return from last year's 30-18 team that advanced to the Southern California Super Regionals. On top of that, 23 of the 33 players on the Grossmont roster this year are freshmen.

"As you can see, we are awfully young," Abshier said. "We won't come close to hitting 62 home runs like we did last year. We are going to play more small ball. We have solid pitching and defensively we are better off."

Abshier will count on sophomore right-hander CAMERON SELIK to carry much of the pitching load. A seldom-used pitcher as a senior at Patrick Henry High, Selik came on to prove himself worthy of pitching under pressure as a Grossmont freshman reliever last season.

A 6-4, 225-pound right-hander, Selik appeared in 19 games last year, including one start. He posted a 2-1 record with four saves in 42.2 innings.

All-Pacific Coast Conference catcher MATT POWELL (.373. 8 HRs, 30 RBI) returns as does slick-fielding shortstop JEFF WOODS (Santana).

Top Grossmont newcomers include a handful of SDSU bounce-backs, including hard-throwing right-hander ANTHONY YBARRA (Granite Hills) and first baseman JOEL LOLLIS (St. Augustine/SDSU).

Rancho Bernardo High grad TONY JUSINO (.303) appears to have won the second base job, while ROSS BLANDON, a transfer from Allen Hancock JC in Santa Maria, has the edge at third base.

The outfield picture is a bit more cloudy since nine of the 10 candidates are freshmen.

San Diego CIF stolen base leader CLIFTON THOMAS, who swiped 50 bags in 55 attempts, is bidding for a starting role in center field.

Grossmont opens its home season on Saturday (Jan. 27) with a double-header against San Bernardino beginning at 11 a.m.

GROSSMONT COLLEGE 2007 BASEBALL ROSTER
No.	Pitchers	Pos	T-B	Hgt	Wgt	Yr	Last School
3	Aaron Richardson	LHP	L-L	6-3	185	Fr	West Hills HS
10	Brian Longpre	RHP	R-R	6-2	180	Fr	San Diego State
15	Jason Lambert	RHP	R-R	6-1	200	So	Santa Barbara CC
18	Ian Disiere	RHP	R-R	6-0	150	Fr	Burroughs HS/Burbank
19	Jesse Orozco	RHP	R-R	6-3	190	Fr	Poway HS
22	Brian Flint	RHP	R-R	6-4	220	So	Santa Rosa JC
23	Cameron Selik	RHP	R-R	6-4	225	So	Patrick Henry HS
24	Anthony Ybarra	RHP	R-R	6-4	225	So	San Diego St./Granite Hills
27	Kevin McClaughry	LHP	L-L	6-3	170	Fr	Vista HS
29	Tom Adams	RHP	R-R	6-0	175	Fr	Grossmont HS
32	Nick Christenson	LHP	L-L	6-3	180	Fr	South Salem (OR) HS
35	Tyson Taylor	RHP	R-R	6-3	185	Fr	Scripps Ranch HS
45	Keagan Beaton	LHP	L-L	6-2	230	So	Madonna Univ. (MI)
No.	Catchers	Pos	T-B	Hgt	Wgt	Yr	Last School
4	Chris Moore	C	R-R	6-0	185	Fr	Valhalla HS
9	David Ruiz	C	R-R	5-7	155	Fr	Coconino HS/Flagstaff, AZ
20	Matt Powell	C	R-R	5-10	210	So	Mission Bay HS
No.	Infielders	Pos	T-B	Hgt	Wgt	Yr	Last School
2	Tony Jusino	2B	R-L	5-10	160	Fr	Rancho Bernardo
8	Casey Fujishige	Util.	R-R	5-10	180	Fr	Pearl City (HI) HS
11	Jeff Woods	SS-3B	R-R	5-11	195	So	Santana HS
14	Ross Blondin	3B-1B	R-L	6-3	200	Fr	Crd. Newman/Santa Rosa
16	Joel Lollis	1B	R-R	6-3	200	So	San Diego State/St.Aug.HS
25	Taylor Monjo	1B-DH	R-L	6-3	200	So	University City HS
28	Ivan Castro	3B	R-R	5-10	210	Fr	Castle Park HS
No.	Outfielders	Pos	T-B	Hgt	Wgt	Yr	Last School
1	Josh Miller	OF	R-R	5-10	175	Fr	Granite Hills HS
5	Garrett Jenner	OF	R-L	6-1	190	Fr	Steele Canyon HS
6	Clifton Thomas	OF	L-L	5-9	170	Fr	El Cajon Valley HS
7	Ryan Brosnan	OF	R-R	5-9	185	Fr	Santana HS
13	Nick Ledesma	OF	L-L	6-1	185	Fr	Helix HS
17	Michael Robertson	OF	R-R	5-9	200	Fr	La Salle HS/Pasadena
21	Brian Budd	OF	R-R	6-2	175	Fr	San Diego St./Morro Bay HS
26	Manny Alonso	OF	R-R	6-3	225	Fr	Castle Park HS
31	John Alia	OF	R-R	6-4	215	So	Sonoma State
34	Omari Sealey	OF	R-R	6-0	180	Fr	Skyline HS/Oakland

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-21-07) -- For the third straight season, the White team came out on top, grabbbing a 7-2 decision in Saturday's (Jan. 20) Green-White Game for the Grossmont College baseball team.

The Griffins, which moved to within one game of the final round of the state championships last season, open the season Friday at San Bernardino Valley, then hosts the Wolverines in a doubleheader next Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. at Noel Mickelson Field.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-20-07) -- Grossmont College will host its annual Green-White Game today (Sat., Jan. 20), at Noel Mickelson Field. First pitch for the intrasquad scrimmage is slated for 10 a.m. The public is welcome to attend to check out the 2007 Griffins.

Josh Mazzola

Mazzola to slug for Missouri St.

East County Sports.com
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (8-23-06) -- Third baseman JOSH MAZZOLA, the top power-hitter for Grossmont College last season, has accepted a scholarship to continue his collegiate career with Missouri State University.

Mazzola dusted a club-leading 14 home runs for the Pacific Coast Conference runner-up Griffins (30-18) last spring, moving the Griffins to within one round of the state championships.

The product of Santana High ranked first in RBI (48) and game-wining hits (9), second in doubles (11), and registered a solid .343 batting average. Included was an 8-for-24 effort during the postseason, with seven of his hits going for extra bases (7 doubles, 1 home run, .750 slugging percentage).

For his efforts, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Mazzola was selected to the All-PCC first team.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-31-06) -- A year ago when SEAN O'SULLIVAN was a senior at Valhalla High, he was stunned when the Los Angeles Angels chose him in the 3rd round of the 2005 June pro baseball draft.

After all, he had been led to believe by scouts and those so-called people in the know that he could be a 1st-round pick. Thus, when the first two rounds passed and his name had not been called, O'Sullivan and his family were, well, upset.

Now, after a successful season at Grossmont College, O'Sullivan and the Angels came to terms Monday night (May 29) with L.A. area scout Tim Cochran handling the paperwork.

The signing bonus of $500,000 plus $56,000 for college was similar to the Angels' original offer.

"This is a new chapter in my life," said O'Sullivan, a JC All-America who batted .408 for Grossmont College this spring with 18 doubles, eight home runs and 41 RBI. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound right-hander was 7-4 pitching with a 2.17 ERA and was named the Pacific Coast Conference MVP.

"I want to start rolling forward," O'Sullivan said. "I want to make it to the big leagues in three or four years."

So what was O'Sullivan's first order of business with his influx of money?

"My girlfriend (Sabrina) wants to buy a puppy," O'Sullivan said. Maybe the latest addition to the Angels' family will spring for that.

On a personal front, the rookie pitcher, who will report to the Angels' Class A Pioneer League farm club in Orem, Utah, is focused on purchasing a new car.

"Nothing too pricey, though," O'Sullivan said.

That's a practical start

East County Sports.com
FRESNO (5-28-06) -- Grossmont College freshman right-handed pitcher / designated hitter SEAN O'SULLIVAN and Palomar sophomore third baseman Jeff Tezak have been selected to the community college All-America first team.

The standouts also were selected to the All-State first team by the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association.

O'Sullivan, a Valhalla High product who was drafted in the third round of the June 2005 draft by the Los Angeles Angels, batted .408 for the Griffins with 18 doubles, eight home runs and 41 RBIs. He was 7-4 pitching with a 2.17 earned run average.

Tezak, a Mt. Carmel High alum, batted .364 for the Comets with 16 doubles, a home run, 35 RBIs and 15 stolen bases on 16 attempts. He signed with Santa Clara on May 17.

Palomar red-shirt freshman pitcher Nick Vincent (9-2, 1.51 ERA), a right-hander out of Ramona High, was selected to the all-state second team and All-Southern California first team.