The Usual Suspects... 2007 PCC Fastpitch Champions

Grossmont College -- 2007 Pacific Coast Conferecne women's fastpitch champions. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

COA Playoffs

Grossmont College lines up in formation along the third-base line during opening ceremonies of the COA South Regional at Cerritos College's Nancy Kelly Field. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

Following Saturday's opening game of the COA South Regional, it was dress-up night for the Grossmont Griffins fastpitch team. (Photo by Lenny Gemar) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

Grossmont College outfield LeeAnn Stroud, the Pacific Coast Conference batting champ, was named first-team All-PCC by the coaches, while Kyrstin Gemar was named second team. (File Photo by Lenny Gemar)

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SAN MARCOS (5-15-07) -- It may have been the best regular season ever by the Grossmont College women's fastpitch team with a solid 24-6 record, but the postseason continues to be a disaster, even after the games have been concluded.

Following three straight losses, including what turned out to be an unnecessary Pacific Coast Conference tiebreaker, the team was further disrespected by the other PCC coaches by naming just three Griffins to the 22-member all-conference team.

PCC batting champion LeeANN STROUD was a first-team honoree, along with a second player who vacated the team just prior to the COA playoffs, while slugger KYRSTIN GEMAR was the ballclub's lone second-team selection.

Meanwhile, Palomar and San Diego City, which tied the Griffins for the Pacific Coast championship, each saw six players named to the All-PCC teams. Included were six Comets to the first team, while the Knights were evenly split between the all-star squads.

Stroud, a freshman, ranked among the conference's top batters all season, with a late-season flurry raising her to the top of the standings, finishing with a .479 average. The Patrick Henry High product was also among the stolen base leaders, swiping 19 bases on 20 attempts (.950).

Gemar, a sophomore out of Clairemont High, finished fourth in batting at .444, hitting seven homers to finish one behind the PCC leaders and belted a conference-leading 16 doubles to post a slugging percentage of .818.

The player of the year was SIPAU LEE-NOA of Palomar by way of Helix High. The pitcher of the year was Sarah Burns of San Diego City.

Other East County products to be honored were second-teamers ROXY HESHMATY of Mesa (Grossmont HS), BRENNA McMILLAN of Southwestern (Monte Vista), and NATALIE GARRETT of San Diego City (USDHS/Cathedral).

Griffins outfield LeeAnn Stroud demonstrated her frustration following another Cerritos home run. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

Navarro limited the Griffins to just five singles, with their lone run coming on a base hit by LeeANN STROUD in the bottom of the 3rd. The two-out rally started on a walk to SARAH MOSES, then consecutive basehits to right field by MARISSA UTLEY and Stroud to score Moses.

Grossmont's Sarah Moses (22), in a rare start, scoots down the first-base line on her grounder. (Courtesy, Cerritos College)

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NORWALK (5-6-07) -- Jessica Navarro, who pitched her high school team to an undefeated Eastern League championship last season, is continuing her magic with Cerritos College. The freshman out of South Gate High tossed a 1-hit shutout and clubbed a pair of homers for six RBI, powering the 4th-seeded Falcons past Grossmont College, 9-0, in Saturday's (May 5) opening round of the COA regional playoffs.

Cerritos (31-9-1 overall) leads the best-of-3 series, 1-0, with Game 2 slated for Sunday (May 6) at noon. Should the Griffins (24-8) win, the game-breaking third contest will follow. The series winner advances to next weekend's Super Regional.

Navarro, a two-time All- Los Angeles City selection, now owns Cerritos' single-season record with 10 homers. She batted 3-for-3, opening the ballgame with an RBI single in the 1st before demonstrating her power, as the Falcons smacked four homers on the day. The final home run came off the bat of Jenel Guadagno, who send out a 2-run shot to end the game on run-rule in the 6th inning.

The only other Griffins baserunner was freshman MARISSA UTLEY, who walked and stole second base in the 3rd. She gained her first start of the season at shortstop after the previous Grossmont starter was ruled ineligible.

Sat., May 5
COA Playoffs
Southland Regional, First Round
(Best 2-out-of-3 series)
Cerritos 9, Grossmont 0 (6 inn.) (Cerritos leads series 1-0) BOXSCORE - PHOTOS (by Cerritos, of Cerritos)
Palomar 11, College of the Canyons 2 (Palomar leads series 1-0)
Riverside 8, San Diego City 0 (Riverside leads series 1-0)

© East County Sports.com
COSTA MESA (4-28-07) -- Following all of the confusion with convoluted and outdated by-laws, plus last-minute changes to determine playoff criteria from the Pacific Coast Conference to gain entry into the COA state fastpitch playoffs, Grossmont College still received its first at-large invitation in three seasons.

Despite placing third among three schools which tied for the PCC title in Thursday's (Apr. 26) special tiebreaker, the entire process proved moot when all three schools still gained postseason berths.

Grossmont (24-7), based on a power index rating of No. 12 among 46 softball-playing programs in Southern California , gained one of four at-large berths and were seeded 13th in the 16-team bracket. Meanwhile, Palomar College was seeded 7th and San Diego City gained the No.11 berth.

And the Griffins gained a familiar opponent. Just as in 2004, the Green & Gold will travel to the south Los Angeles County bedroom community of Norwalk to again meet Cerritos College .

The Falcons (30--9-1), the runner-up to top-ranked Mt. San Antonio in the South Coast Conference, were upset by Grossmont three years ago.

The Griffins then were, frankly, jobbed, when they were slated to meet a low-seeded team in the NBA basketball type playoff formula, but COA management changed to an NHL hockey based re-seeding format following Grossmont's upset victory (after the playoffs had already started), thus was forced to meet the No.1 seed instead of the No. 10 seed.

And, it seems, the COA and members of the California Community College Softball Coaches Association again ignored the rules to determine the 2007 playoff field.

Following the meeting of the seeding committee, it was discovered the committee elected to ignore both of Thursday's PCC tiebreakers to determine the pairings, with all three PCC schools told not to include Thursday's games in any paperwork supplied to the committee. And since power ratings, which are calculated solely on game results, were instrumental in determining playoff participants, it is possible that Grossmont's 7-2 loss to Palomar was not utilized to determine the team's RPI percentage.

Although official numbers were not released, it is possible that Long Beach City College , a bubble team left out of the playoff brackets, failed to advance into postseason play due to faulty numbers used by the committee.

Not that Grossmont is complaining. After enduring a conference playoff process which allowed the Griffins just one chance to improve their postseason fortunes -- compared to two chances for Palomar and San Diego City -- the team is grateful to know the season will continue, even if for just one additional contest after posting the best regular-season record in school history.

COA first-round playoff games are slated for May 4-5. Second round games in the regional are scheduled May 11-13, with the state finals to be held in Redding, May 18-20.

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EL CAJON (4-26-07) -- In an improbable photo finish, Grossmont College gained a share of its first-ever Pacific Coast Conference softball championship when both of Wednesday's (Apr. 25) ballgames went the Griffins' way.

With the regular season extended a day for a pair of rain make-ups, Grossmont took care of business by downing visiting San Diego Mesa, 7-2. Meanwhile, the news from San Marcos via cell phone came moments later, as San Diego City punched across three unearned runs in the 7th inning to shock Palomar, 4-2, to also grab a portion of the title.

For Grossmont and SDCC, it was the schools' their first-ever PCC crowns. SDCC-PALOMAR GAME STORY HERE (Courtesy of The North County Times)

Meanwhile for the Comets, winning their 22nd consecutive PCC crown must be bittersweet. They blew a 2-game lead in the standings over the final week of the season, capped by a disastrous 7th inning against the Knights.

One out away from clinching yet another title outright, an easy ground ball was handled by the Palomar second baseman, who flipped the ball underhand to first for the championship -- oops, the ball was dropped.

The tying run scored on missing the easiest of plays, as the Knights added two more runs, then held Palomar scoreless in the bottom of the 7th. Like Grossmont, City captured the season series from the Comets, 2-games-to-1.

Grossmont overcame an early run by a Mesa ballclub determined to play spoiler, as KYRSTIN GEMAR was at the center of all three innings when the Griffins put runs on the scoreboard.

In the 1st, following a game-tying single by LAUREN HASTINGS to score LeeANN STROUD (single and a stolen base), Gemar went to left field with her 7th home run of the season.

Gemar, better known for driving home runs, instead scored two additional times after reaching base to lead off innings.

In the 4th, Gemar reached on an error, eventually scoring on a STEPHANIE ROBERTS double to right-center. LAURA SMITH followed with a walk, coming home with Roberts two batters later when MARISSA UTLEY bombed a shot that short-hopped the fence in left for a 2-run double and a 6-2 lead.

JESSE PETERSON shutout the Olympians over the final 5 1/3 innings in a 5-hitter. She struck out five, walked one, with only one run being earned.

Wednesday night -- The conference, following a review of its by-laws, determined that tiebreaker games will be necessary to designate which school would get the conference's top seed for the COA playoffs. Thus, a 2-game, 3-team playoff format was devised.

Through a blind draw, Grossmont received a bye into the final, and Palomar earned the right to hosts two contests. San Diego City and Palomar will play in the "semifinal" Thursday (Apr. 26) at 1 p.m., with the second game against the Griffins starting 30 minutes later, following the conclusion of the opener.

The use of the tiebreaker is the first in the PCC since 2003, when City and Mesa held a 1-game playoff to determine third place in the conference and priority entrance into the postseason.

Kyrstin Gemar golfs this pitch for a sacrifice fly to left field in the 11th inning, triggering a grand celebration as Grossmont topped Palomar, 7-6. (Photos by Lenny Gemar)

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IMPERIAL (4-25-07) -- Less than 24 hours after upending -- not upsetting -- Palomar College, the Grossmont Griffins trek to unseat the Comets from the top of the Pacific Coast Conference lead nearly came crashing down like at house of cards.

Imperial Valley pitcher Jennifer Aguilar was handling the Griffins with ease, tossing a 2-hitter through five innings, with Grossmont desperately seeking answers after just four batters were able to reach base in 95-degree temperatures in the Mojave Desert.

Then the Arabs placed the ballgame on a silver platter for the taking.

A pair of outfield errors allowed the tying and go-ahead runs to score, as a shaken Aguilar yielded eight hits in the 6th inning alone, allowing Grossmont to steamroll to a 9-run outburst and a 10-2 run-rule victory in six innings.

The win sets up an easy scenario as the PCC schedule gets extended into Wednesday (Apr. 25) with a pair of rain make-up affairs.

The Griffins must defeat visiting San Diego Mesa, the last school to tie for the PCC title in an era before Grossmont fielded a fastpitch program. Then San Diego City, which is tied with Grossmont for second place one full game behind Palomar, must defeat the Comets to forge a 3-way tie for the conference championship.

Both contests are slated for 3 p.m.

The big inning started harmlessly enough, when NICOLE BOUCHEREAU singled to left. KYRSTIN GEMAR followed with a basehit, but when the centerfielder allowed the ball to skip past her, Bouchereau circled the bases to tie the contest.

Two batters later, MARISSIA UTLEY’s pop fly to center was dropped, suddenly giving Grossmont the lead as Gemar scrambled home.

The end of Imperial Valley's season came crashing.

ASHLEY MOTTOLA shocked the Arabs with a bunt single, then STEPHANIE ROBERTS garnered a pair of RBI with a double to center. Three batters later, REBECCA OSBORNE collected two RBI with a double, then Bouchereau and Gemar each registered their second hits of the inning, each scoring a run.

Gemar finished batting 3-for-4 with a run and four RBI, leaving four Griffins -- Bouchereau, Gemar, MARISSA UTLEY and LeeANN STROUD -- battling for the PCC batting title.

Mottola gained the victory, striking out four. Aguilar finished with seven strikeouts and allowing just three earned runs.

The Usual Suspects... Jumping for Joy

Grossmont College became the first Pacific Coast Conferecne school to capture a season series from Palomar, as the Griffins leap in celebration following Kyrstin Gemar's sacrifice fly in the 11th inning for a 7-6 triumph. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

GROSSMONT vs. PALOMAR PHOTO GALLERY HERE (90-plus photos)

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EL CAJON (4-24-07) -- Grossmont College's best, last chance to move even with Palomar in both the standings and Monday's (Apr. 23) Pacific Coast Conference ballgame seemed to blow up in the Griffins’ faces.

Trailing 5-4, yet with the bases loaded and the season in the balance, Grossmont had the rug swiftly removed from under its comeback attack. The visiting Comets escaped a 5th-inning hole by completing an improbable triple play, then scored an insurance run in the 7th to move within three outs of clinching a 23rd straight PCC title.

However, the Griffins were not fazed.

The hosts scored twice in the 7th to force extra innings, then again in the 11th -- the tying and winning runs coming off the bat of KYRSTIN GEMAR -- helping Grossmont secure a stunning 7-6 verdict.

The G-House took the season series from Palomar for the first-time ever, and could even secure a share of the conference championship with a little assistance on Tuesday (Apr. 24).

Palomar completes its season against San Diego City, the hottest PCC ballclub currently, with victories by both the Knights and Griffins (at Imperial Valley) forging a 3-way deadlock at the top of the standings, forcing a long, laundry list of rain make-ups games on Wednesday.

Gemar came through in the clutch all afternoon, driving home four runs courtesy of the performance at the top of the batting order. Leadoff batter LeeANN STROUD, in an outing dedicated to her late grandfather, reached base five times and scored four times to propel the comeback from a 4-1 deficit.

In the 5th, walked to SARAH MOSES and Stroud were followed by base hit by REBECCA OSBORNE, NICOLE BOUCHEREAU and Gemar, the latter two to drive in runs. Catcher LAUREN HASTINGS then sent a sinking liner to right field for an apparent go-ahead single, however, the Comets' Jade Fa'asua charged forward to not only make a shoestring catch fast, but fired to first base for a double play.

Palomar then fired to second base, but Bouchereau returned to the bag in time. And with the play going to the top of the diamond, the runner at third was sent home in attempt to steal a run, but the Comets were ready, completing a 9-3-6-2 triple play.

Grossmont still countered the momentum swing as the top of the order again set the table for the sluggers.

Stroud walked for the third time to lead-off, then Osborne (3-for-4, 2 runs) doubled to place the tying runs in scoring position. Bouchereau plated Stroud with a safety squeeze bunt, then Gemar brought home Osborne with a sacrifice fly to center.

Meanwhile, Palomar's offense was stuck after scoring four times in the 3rd. From then on, Grossmont pitcher JESSE PETERSON allowed just one run (unearned) over the final 8 innings, utilizing an array of first-pitch screwballs against Comets side noted for swinging at the first pitch.

Peterson struck out one and yielded just two earned runs, out-pitching fellow Helix High alum SIPAU LEE-NOA, who was tagged for 7 runs, yielding 11 hits and walking 6 batters.

Two of the hits came in the decisive 11th inning.

Stroud smacked a one-out double down the left-field line, Osborne walked, then Bouchereau singled to right-center to load the bases. Gemar followed with a hard grounder to third, which was collected by Jerica Fa'asua, sister of the Palomar outfielder.

After stepping on the bag for the second out, instead of firing to first base for an inning-ending double play to get to "un-fleet" Gemar, Fa'asua went to home plate. Although it was unclear whether the ball hit the catcher's glove flush or deflected off the baserunner, Osborne scored to cap the 3 1/2-hour ballgame.

Palomar (23-22), which went 88-2 in the 21st Century in PCC play under its old coaching regime, is now 10-3 with new management this season. Grossmont (22-6) and SDCC (29-10-1) are one game back at 9-4 in PCC action.

The Usual Suspects

Members of the Griffins women's fastpitch team takes some time to enjoy an afternoon of action at a recent Grossmont College baseball game. Seated at Michelsen Field are (from left): Veteran assistant coach Ana Landeros, Jesse Peterson, Stephanie Roberts, Sarah Moses and LeeAnn Stroud. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (4-19-07) -- It was the ultimate of all days for Grossmont College to lay an egg.

After nipping San Diego City College in their previous meeting, the Griffins were both shaken and stirred as the Knights rebounded for a 9-1 victory in Wednesday's (Apr. 18) rematch at City's Hock Field. But that wasn't the story.

Palomar College, the 22-time and only champion in Pacific Coast Conference history, which has never lost to any conference opponent except for Grossmont, laid an even bigger egg.

Despite scoring five times in the 7th inning to force extra innings, Imperial Valley refused to roll over by scoring in the 8th for a shocking 9-8 triumph over the Comets.

If Grossmont had won, they would've moved into position to gain a share of the PCC title for the first time ever by defeating Palomar when the teams, which have split two contests this season, go heads-up next Monday. Instead, the Griffins revert back to the same position they've held for the past three weeks: attempt to sweep the rest of the season, which is now down to three ballgames, then hope for the unthinkable by having someone else finally beat Palomar.

But on the day the Grossmont offense and pitching fizzled, "someday" finally occurred after 22 seasons.

The only run came on a sacrifice fly by REBECCA OSBORNE in the 5th, scoring pinchrunner SARAH MOSES. STEHPANIE ROBERTS opened the inning with a basehit to right field, with Moses moving to third on a double to left-center by catcher LAUREN HASTINGS.

But the run was way too late after SDCC pounced on Grossmont's starting pitching for four runs in the 1st, then five more markers in the 2nd.

Grossmont, which is en route to its most successful season ever with a current 21-6 overall record, caps the campaign by hosting San Diego Mesa Friday (Apr. 20) and Palomar Monday (Apr. 23), then goes to Imperial Valley to meet the rising Arabs on Tuesday (Apr. 24).

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-12-07) -- According to Southwestern College's website, the Jaguars softball program has "shown constant improvement" under its current coaching regime.

The statistics beg to differ (see chart below).

Grossmont College rolled to its 12th consecutive Pacific Coast Conference victory over Southwestern, including Wednesday's (Apr. 11) easy 20-0 drubbing of the Jags. The loss placed SWC on the precipice of clinching last-place for the second straight season, leaving the ballclub with just a single first-division finish in seven seasons this decade.

Meanwhile, the Griffins (21-5 overall) can clinch second place in the PCC for the seventh consecutive season with a triumph next Wednesday (Apr. 18) at San Diego City -- Grossmont's nearest challenger.

KYRSTIN GEMAR paced the offensive assault by driving home five runs, including one on her club-leading 6th home run of the season -- a solo shot to left in the 2nd inning. The sophomore third-basemen went 4-for-4, including a pair of doubles, matching her team-best season-high for hits set Jan. 29th against Mt. San Jacinto.

First baseman STEPHANIE ROBERTS added three hits and a pair of runs scored in the rout, while JESSE PETERSON tossed her fourth shutout -- two vs. Southwestern.

The contest was the Griffins''s 100th conference game this decade, posting a mark of 65-35 --- the second-best to Palomar.

© East County Sports.com
SANTA ANA (4-10-07) -- Grossmont College returned from spring break with a full roster, as did Santa Ana College. However, the umpires failed to make it, causing a cancellation of Monday's (Apr. 9) scheduled non-conference game in Orange County.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-4-07) -- There would be no postgame interview for Grossmont College pitcher ASHLEY MOTTOLA. She was in too much of a hurry.

Minutes later, Mottola was in her truck and beating the visiting Arabs to the freeway, heading east to the Colorado River for, well, whatever college students do during spring break.

It took the freshman from Santana High just 78 minutes in equaling her best outing. She also threw a 3-hit shutout at Victor Valley in February. And she did it while utilizing a different strategy, vacating her fastball with a variety of riseballs, as frustrated IVC saw 12 batters retired on pop-ups.

Grossmont moves to 20-5 overall (7-3 PCC), while the Arabs (22-11-1, 5-6) saw a 4-game unbeaten streak snapped one day after winning the San Diego City College tournament.

The Griffins scored single runs in the 1st and 4th for all of the ballgame's offense.

MARISSA UTLEY opened things up for Grossmont with a walk and a stolen base. Utley moved to third on a REBECCA OSBORNE single, then home on a basehit to the opposite field in right by LeeANN STROUD.

Grossmont travels to Santa Ana for a non-conference game on Monday (Apr. 9), then start the third and final round of PCC action next Wednesday (Apr. 11) at home to last-place Southwestern (4-21).

Griffins catcher Lauren Hastings drills a basehit against Palomar (top), while second baseman Rebecca Osborne puts down a bunt in Friday's action. (Photos by Lenny Gemar)

Fri., Mar. 30 COMETS 19, GRIFFINS 6 Grossmont (19-5) Palomar (20-16) 220 11 - 06 10 0 21(15) 1x - 19 18 0 Peterson, Mottola (3) and Hastings; Lee-Noa and Jaime. W-Lee-Noa. L-Peterson (7-2). HR-Ja. Fa'asua (P), 1st, 1 on, and 4th, solo; Je. Fa'asua (P), 3rd, 2 on.

© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (3-31-07) -- Grossmont College owns its handful of victories over Palomar College, but to win twice in a season would be a new achievement against the perennial Pacific Coast Conference champions.

So when the Griffins, following an earlier 10-7 triumph, held a 4-3 lead going into the 3rd inning of Friday's (Mar. 30) second of three meetings this season, optimism was started to flourish.

Palomar batted around twice in the 3rd, sending 19 players to the plate in scoring 15 runs -- all earned -- to stomp out the Griffins, 19-6, to improve its conference lead to two full games over Grossmont.

The Fa'asua sisters -- Jade and Jerica of El Camino HS -- each belted homers in the inning, as the Comets parlayed 14 hits and a pair of walks into their monster inning. Jade also hit a 2-run homer in the 1st.

The Griffins entertain Imperial Valley at 1 p.m. Wednesday (Apr. 4) -- the team's only game during spring break. Grossmont has seven games left in the regular season.

© East County Sports.com
KEARNY MESA (3-28-07) -- Just when Grossmont College thought it was in position to challenge Palomar College for the Pacific Coast Conference title, a reality check derailed the team's plans.

San Diego Mesa pitcher Alyssa Casiple, the reigning PCC woman athlete of the week, avoided the award jinx to down the visiting Griffins, 7-4. Coupled with Palomar's 5-0 blanking of San Diego City on Wednesday (Mar. 27), the Comets assumed pole possession of first place by a full game over Grossmont (19-4 overall, 6-2PCC). Mesa moves to 15-16 (3-6 PCC).

Casiple handled the heart of the Griffins line-up, limiting their big guns to 3-for-16 hitting -- all singles. And when Grossmont moved into position to rally in both the 3rd and 4th innings, the Serra High product registered key strikeouts to escape both times.

MARISSA UTLEY, one of the state's batting leaders, recorded another perfect day at the plate. She went 3-for-3 with a double and a pair of RBI. ASHLEY MOTTOLA went 2-for-3, including an RBI basehit to score ASHLEY KOOPMAN in the 4th, as the Griffins out-hit Mesa, 10-9.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-22-07) -- "Posterized" -- a recently developed term used by sportscasters to describe a star player (usually in basketball) making an opponent look foolish, particularly on a slam dunk, which often gets photographed and eventually sold as a wall poster.

So beware: If you get burned on defense, you might get posterized.

Grossmont College attempted its own version of "posterization" (?) for Wednesday's (Mar. 21) Pacific Coast Conference women's fastpitch contest, lining the outfield fence with individual posters honoring each member of the Griffins.

And in the 8th inning, the posterized whammy struck visiting San Diego City College.

With the Knights attempting a baseball-type strategy by bringing in their outfielders to prevent LeeANN STROUD from scoring while at second base, KYRSTIN GEMAR utilized her bat to posterize SDCC, slamming a one-out, walk-off double over the head of the left fielder to score Stroud, propelling Grossmont to a 3-2 triumph.

"It feels amazing," said Gemar. "I was struggling, but I finally got a hit in the game."

The victory keeps the Griffins (19-3 overall) in a first-place deadlock with Palomar -- a 5-3 victor over Imperial Valley -- at the top of the PCC standings at 7-1, while sending the Knights (23-7, 4-3) to their second straight conference setback. Grossmont now owns seven straight wins, with the last loss coming against SDCC in the PCC opener.

Stroud opened the 8th with a walk, then was sacrificed to second on a LAUREN HASTINGS bunt. Gemar followed by sending a line drive over the left-fielder's head, short-hopping the fence for the game-winning hit.

A touch of advice from a pitcher allowed Gemar to come through after going 0-for-3 earlier in the ballgame.

"JESSIE PETERSON thought I was struggling a bit, so she told me to move up in the box," noted Gemar. "And it worked wonders."

"The coaches told us this is the latest in the season Grossmont has ever been in first place, so to be a part of it is great."

The Griffins came back from a 2-0 deficit. After City registered a pair of unearned runs, Grossmont answered twice in the 5th to knot the ballgame.

The rally started when the Griffins immediately loaded the bases, when ASHLEY KOOPMAN walked, followed by basehits to left field by STEPHANIE ROBERTS and ASHLEY MOTTOLA.

REBECCA OSBORNE followed with a single past the second baseman to score Koopman. One out later, Stroud placed down a bunt on a squeeze play. The ball was played to the plate, but the Knights catcher was unable to catch the ball, allowing pinchrunner SARAH MOSES to score on the sacrifice.

Stroud was credited with the RBI off losing pitcher Sarah Burns of SDCC, a native of Edmond, Okla., starting in place of regular starter Natalie Garrett, who also did not pitch in the Knights' non-conference victory Tuesday against Skagit Valley ( Wash. ). Christina Duong was called to pitch against the Cardinals from the Pacific Northwest .

Grossmont, which has a bye this Friday, plays a pair of tough road games next week, traveling to San Diego Mesa and Palomar.

TOP: Lauren Hastings with a victory slide after Grossmont blanked Southwestern, 7-0. BOTTOM: LeeAnn Stroud appeals to the umpire while pointing at a Jaguars infielder, claiming she was pushed off second base. The umpire agreed -- she was safe. (Photos by Lenny Gemar)

TOP: Stephanie Roberts bombs a double to the left-centerfield fence. BOTTOM: Nicole Bouchereau slides safely to score a run for the Griffins (18-3). (Photos by Lenny Gemar)

© East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (3-17-06) -- Even with a look-ahead situation staring them in the face, the Grossmont Griffins took care of business Friday (Mar. 16), riding the arm of pitcher JESSE PETERSON en route to a 5-hit shutout of Southwestern College, 7-0.

The triumph sets-up Wednesday's (Mar. 21) showdown for the Pacific Coast Conference lead with San Diego City -- only with a catch. The Knights were upset at home by Imperial Valley, 1-0, snapping the 3-way tie and leaving the Griffins (18-3 overall, 5-1 PCC) and Palomar at the top of the PCC table.

Palomar travels to Imperial Valley on Wednesday, in what could prove to be the most pivotal day of the season.

Unlike the first meeting against Southwestern, when the Griffins needed to rally in their final at-bat to win, this contest was a wire-to-wire effort, starting with Peterson.

"Jesse pitched a really good game for us," said Grossmont left-fielder LeeANN STROUD, who ranks fourth in PCC batting with a .476 average. "She moves the ball around really well -- she just kept us going."

Peterson struck out only two Jaguars, instead getting an array of ground balls and routine fly balls.

"That's an area where Jesse has really improved," added Stroud. "She's learned to trust her defense and not force herself to make every out by overthrowing the ball."

Of course, getting staked to an early 5-0 lead doesn't hurt either.

In the 2nd, ASHLEY KOOPMAN doubled home ASHLEY MOTTOLA, then scored on a Southwestern throwing error for a 2-0 advantage.

An inning later, the Griffins strung together five consecutive hits to produce three additional runs to finally subdue South western (3-15, 0-6), keeping the Jags winless in PCC play.

LAUREN HASTINGS started the streak with a double, followed by basehits from NICOLE BOUCHEREAU, Mottola, Koopman and STEPHANIE ROBERTS -- the later three scoring runs, as the Griffins continue to gain run production from all segments of the batting order.

"This is one of the best teams I've ever been on," added Stroud, who played for several solid ballclubs at Patrick Henry High. "Even if one person isn't hitting, there's always someone there to pick them up."

Bouchereau capped a two-RBI day by driving home Hastings in the 5th, while Stroud scored in the 6th when she singled, stole second base, moved to third on an error, then scored on a sacrifice fly by KYRSTIN GEMAR.

Gemar batted 3-for-3, including a pair of doubles, and drew an intentional walk, to help the Griffins down defending PCC champion Palomar. The sophomore drove home two runs in the contest

Aguilar posted a pair of shutout last week, but lost to Grossmont earlier this week.

Griffins second baseman Rebecca Osborne gets the jump on a grounder up the middle. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (3-15-07) -- It wasn't the best 24 hours for Grossmont College pitcher ASHLEY MOTTOLA.

Late Tuesday night, the Griffins freshman learned of the death of her aunt, leading towards a long night with family, but without much sleep. Throw in a long, 2-hour roadtrip to the Imperial Valley, and expectations were narrowed.

"Ashley only got about two hours sleep," said Griffins assistant coach ANA LANDEROS. "But the whole team got together and dedicated the game to Ashley's aunt."

And Mottola came through with one of her better efforts of the season, spinning a 5-hitter to run her season record to 11-2 after topping the Arabs, 3-1, in Wednesday's (Mar. 14) Pacific Coast Conference ballgame. The victory maintained the status quo at the top of the PCC standings at 4-1, as Grossmont (17-3), San Diego City and Palomar all won.

Mottola struck out three and walked just one, then was supported by three early runs.

In the 3rd, basehits by REBECCA OSBORNE and MARISSA UTLEY, plus a pair of IVC errors, gave Grossmont a quick 2-0 advantage.

One inning later, speed from an unexpected source led to another Griffins run.

ASHLEY "Wheels" KOOPMAN, who doesn't rank among the team's swiftest players, shocked everyone by stealing second base following her two-out single to right. The base proved important as STEPHANIE ROBERTS plated Koopman with a sharp single to center.

The Arabs (16-6, 2-3 PCC) answered with an RBI single by pitcher Jennifer Aguilar in the 6th, but Mottola retired IVC in order in the 7th for the triumph, running the Griffins' winning streak to five straight (9 wins in their last 10).

Utley's single ran her hitting streak to 8 games (16 in her last 17) to match her season high.

Ashley Koopman battlkes the sun to make the catch in right field in the Griffins' 7-2 non-conference victory over visiting Santiago Canyon College. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

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EL CAJON (3-13-07) -- Stepping away from the Pacific Coast Conference schedule for a day, Grossmont College enjoyed a "stat padder" against Santiago Canyon College, a first-year program based in Orange. On Monday (Mar. 12), the Griffins scored in four of their first five at-bats to cruise to an easy 7-2 decision over the Hawks.

KYRSTIN GEMAR batted 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, extending her streak with a double to four straight games. Meanwhile, MARISSA UTLEY added an RBI single to run her hitting streak to 7 games, one short of her season high. The outfielder also has hits in 15 of her last 16 outings.

Grossmont's 11-hit attack also featured a pair of RBI from winning pitcher JESSE PETERSON, who struck out five Hawks to run her record to 6-1.

"Jesse might give up a hit here and there, but she also killed innings right after that by getting a ground ball," said assistant coach ANA LANDEROS. "She actually pitched one of her best games of the year."

ASHLEY KOOPMAN also knocked home a run for Grossmont (16-3), which returns to PCC action Wednesday (Mar. 14) with an early 1 p.m. start at Imperial Valley.

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EL CAJON (3-9-07) -- No one is daring enough to say it was a breakthrough victory. No one is stating there will finally be a new Pacific Coast Conference champion.

The only thing the Grossmont Griffins are saying is they own a share of first place with the 21-time defending champions from Palomar College after scoring three runs in the 6th to top the Comets, 10-7, in Thursday’s (Mar. 8) marquee fastpitch contest.

"It fells good to come out and be in first place," said ASHLEY MOTTOLA, Grossmont's winning pitcher. "We just had a bunch of girls hit bombs for us."

Grossmont saw a 6-1 lead slip away, but the Griffins were confident they would come through after Palomar scored an unearned run in the top of the 6th to level the game at 7-all.

"We already knocked their No. 1 pitcher out of the game," noted assistant coach ANA LANDEROS. "So the team was confident they could get the job done against their No. 2 pitcher, too."

The momentous two-out rally started innocently enough with a basehit by LeeANN STROUD, who then stole second base. Then the heart of the Griffins lineup produced like they have time after time all season.

"Everyone on this team can hit, which makes it a lot easier on us pitchers," noted Mottola, who raised her record to 10-2. "We know that we come out and pitch tough, but if we make a mistake, the team can still comeback."

Catcher LAUREN HASTINGS slapped a single to center to score Stroud for the go-ahead run. So Palomar's coaching staff, after getting burned twice earlier by pitching to KYRSTIN GEMAR, intentionally walked the Griffins' leading power hitter, but the strategy backfired.

NICOLE BOUCHEREAU slammed a double to the fence in left to drive home Hastings and Gemar for a 3-run cushion. Mottola then survived a lead single in the 7th to set down three straight Comets, propelling the teams into a tie for the PCC lead.

San Diego City can make it a 3-way tie at 3-1 with a victory at Southwestern on Friday.

Following a solo homer by Palomar's Ginalee Davis in the 1st, the Griffins answered with two runs in the 1st and four more in the 2nd for a 6-1 advantage. Both times, Palomar pitched to Gemar with a runner on second base and an open base at first.

However, Gemar and Bouchereau responded with back-to-back RBI doubles for a 2-1 lead, then Gemar registered her second double to produce a run in the 2nd. Hastings also added a 2-run single earlier in the inning.

Gemar finished 3-for-3 plus the intentional walk, collecting a pair of doubles and two RBI.

Grossmont will bypass tournament action this weekend, instead hosting Santiago Canyon in a non-conference home game Monday at 3 p.m.

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EL CAJON (3-8-07) -- Grossmont College raked visiting San Diego Mesa pitching for six doubles among its 10 hits, as the Griffins jumped to a quick 4-0 en route to an 8-4 decision over the Olympians in Wednesday's (Mar. 7) Pacific Coast Conference women's fastpitch contest.

Included were a pair of two-base hits by shortstop NICOLE BOUCHEREAU, who gained her first double in the 1st inning when Grossmont batters reached second base three times in striking for a 4-0 advantage.

The triumph moved Grossmont (14-3 overall, 2-1 PCC) into a second place tie with San Diego City, which fell to frontrunning Palomar, 11-0. The Comets visit Grossmont today (Thursday) at 3 p.m. in a key contest, as former Helix High standout SIPAU LEE-NOA expected to pitch for Palomar.

For the sixth straight outing, the Griffins either scored big or allowed a big rally in the 1st inning. Fortunately, the hosts did the swinging of the bats.

Following a lead single by California state batting leader MARISSA UTLEY, who entered batting an even .600 for the season, LeeANN STROUD reached on a fielder's choice to set-up the Grossmont power hitters.

Catcher LAUREN HASTINGS followed with a two-run double, then scored on Bouchereau's double. The 2005 All-America selection then scored on a double by ASHLEY MOTTOLA, who gained the pitching victory.

Mottola (9-2) set down 10 of the first 11 batters she faced -- one reached on an error -- before Mesa answered with three runs in the 4th. Two came home on a double by Caley Loud, the Alaska native who prepped in the Nevada desert at Pahrump Valley.

Hastings capped a 2-for-4, two RBI, two runs, two stolen bases performance with a fielder's choice grounder for an insurance run in the 6th.

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EL CAJON (3-7-07) -- Grossmont College avoided an embarrassing pothole against a team with the poorest record in the Pacific Coast Conference, scoring twice in the bottom of the 7th to escape a challenge by Southwestern, 6-5.

The visiting Jaguars rallied twice, coming back from a 3-0 deficit to the ballgame, then scoring twice in the 7th to assume a 5-4 lead. A setback could've hampered the Griffins’ hopes to challenge for the conference title, but the team rallied back to win on KYRSTIN GEMAR's game-winning double off former Monte Vista pitcher BREANNA McMILLAN.

LeeANN STROUD opened the 7th with a double to left. LAUREN HASTINGS followed with a sacrifice bunt, but when the throw to third sailed into left field, Stroud easily scored. One batter later, Gemar sent a shot to the fence, raising Grossmont's record to 13-3 overall (1-1 PCC) to move within one full game of front-running Palomar and San Diego City.

The Griffins stormed to a 3-0 lead in the first. Consecutive one-out basehits by Stroud, Hastings and Gemar scored the first run. NICOLE BOUCHEREAU followed with a sacrifice fly, then a grounder to third by ASHLEY MOTTOLA was booted for the third run. Mottola (8-2) would eventually gain the pitching victory in relief.

Grossmont continues its 3-game homestand against San Diego Mesa on Wednesday (Mar. 7), then Palomar on Thursday (Mar.8). Both start at 3 p.m.

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SAN DIEGO (3-3-07/REVISED 3-4-07)) -- The last time San Diego City College fielded a championship level women's fastpitch team was... well, perhaps never.

But look at the Knights now. They ran their overall record to a Pacific Coast Conference best 19-4 after storming past visiting Grossmont, 8-3, at Betty Hock Field.

SDCC (19-4, 2-0 PCC) scored all eight of its runs in the opening three innings against a revamped Griffins lineup. The changes occured due to an absence of a key starter.

"Her grandmother suffered a stroke," said assistant coach ANA LANDEROS. "So we needed to rotate 4 or 5 players around into positions they don't normally play."

By the time Grossmont made the necessary adjustments, they trailed 8-0, yet almost made a game of it after scoring three times in the 5th inning.

California state batting leader MARISSA UTLEY, who went 3-for-4 to push her season average above the unheard of .600 plateau, registered one of her two doubles to score REBECCA OSBORNE tokey the rally.

Utley's second double led-off the 7th, eventually reaching home on a sacrifice fly by KYRSTIN GEMAR. However, the run was nullified when the play turned into a game-ending double play when the throw home instead went to first base, as another Griffins baserunner never got back to the bag.

Grossmont will open a 3-game homestand over a 3-day period next week. Included is a Tuesday rain make-up contest with Southwestern, followed by scheduled ballgames against San Diego Mesa on Wednesday, then Palomar on Thursday. All start at 3 p.m.

Ashley Mottola ran her pitching record to 7-1, and slugged a triple to down Ventura, 4-2. (File Photo by Lenny Gemar)

And the focus may be on the Grossmont Griffins.

On Saturday, Ventura and Glendale colleges came to town and swept 3-way doubleheaders from San Diego City and San Diego Mesa. But when the invaders from the north visited the Griffins on Sunday (Feb. 25), it was Grossmont which secured the sweep, rallying in both contests to top Ventura, 4-2, then Glendale, 10-6.

In Game One, Ventura jumped to a quick 2-0 lead, but Grossmont scored twice in both the 2nd and 3rd innings for the lead, then ASHLEY MOTTOLA blanked the Pirates over the final five innings. Mottola ran her record to 7-1.

Sophomore catcher LAUREN HASTINGS broke the tie with her first home run of the season. Her solo shot to center made her the seventh Griffins player to homer this season, setting a school-record for most players to go deep in a single season.

Hastings was also the recipient of three strong throws to the plate, as the over-aggressive Ventura baserunners had three players nailed at the plate by Grossmont outfielders. Included were a pair of throws by MARISSA UTLEY, one on a relay to NICOLE BOUCHEREAU in the 1st, then a direct throw to the plate in the 4th. In the 6th, the relay went from ASHLEY KOOPMAN to REBECCA OSBORNE to Hastings.

Mottola also aided her own cause with an RBI triple in the 2nd, eventually scoring the tying run on an Osborne basehit. Then after Hastings' homer, consecutive doubles by KYRSTIN GEMAR and Bouchereau provided the insurance run.

Glendale was also guilty trying to put pressure on Grossmont's defense by taking extra bases, especially in the 7th, which cost them the game.

With a Gauchos runner 60 feet away from scoring, third baseman Gemar fielded a grounder, checked the runner standing a few strides away, then fired to first for the first out. However, the runner then headed home, but first baseman STEPHANIE ROBERTS threw home to Hastings for the double play.

But Glendale continued to run themselves out of the inning.

Following a double, the Gauchos scored on a single as the throw home was late, but when the batter attempted to take an extra base behind the throw home, Hastings fired a strike to Bouchereau at second for the out to end the ballgame.

Grossmont had trailed 5-1, but erupted for eight runs in the 5th.

Utley, who went 3-for-3 with three runs and a pair of stolen bases, following with a two-run double for an 8-5 lead, then LeeANN STROUD singled to plate Utley.

The Grifins open PCC play by hosting Southwestern, the only conference member not sporting a near-.500 or better record. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

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EL CAJON (2-22-07) -- Grossmont College announced that Friday's scheduled women's fastpitch doubleheader with San Bernardino Valley College has been cancelled.

The Woilverines, which was blanked by Imperial Valley, 5-0, on Feb. 14, to fall to 5-5 overall, had been attempting to get out of the games for several weeks according to the Grossmont coaching staff. Even though SBVC has schedule points remaining, the school now won't play for two full weeks entering Foothill Conference play.

The only victories for San Bernardino Valley are against lesser programs in Santa Monica, Orange Coast, L.A. Pierce and East L.A. (in an international tiebreaker).

Meanwhile, the Griffins (10-2) host Glendale and Ventura in a 3-way doubleheader on Sunday. The Glendale game is at 10 a.m.; the meeting with the Pirates will follow.

© East County Sports.com
MENIFEE (2-19-07) -- Undeterred following its first losses of the season, Grossmont College returned to the winner's circle Sunday (Feb. 18) by sweeping a pair of games at Mt. San Jacinto College's Soboba Tournament.

The Griffins (10-2) used the long ball to blank Victor Valley, 8-0, then held off a late rally by Rio Hondo to trim the Roadrunners, 6-3.

For the second time this season, Grossmont belted four homers in a single game to bounce the Rams. In this game, all four were solo shots.

LAUREN HASTINGS went long in the first when Grossmont jumped out to a 2-0 lead, then REBECCA OSBORNE went deep in the 2nd. One inning later, KYRSTIN GEMAR slammed her club-leading fifth homer to leadoff, then NICOLE BOUCHEREAU went back-to-back with her fourth of the season.

Stroud (Patrick Henry HS) singled home two when the Griffins took a 4-0 lead in the 2nd. Rio Hondo answered with three runs in the 3rd, but Stroud lifted a sacrifice fly for another run in a 2-run rally in the 4th.

Meanwhile, JESSE PETERSON completed the contest with three shutout innings, limiting the Roadrunners to just five hits. She was supported by a double by ASHLEY KOOPMAN

Marissa Utley slides safely into home for the run. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

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EL CAJON (2-18-06) -- The best start in Grossmont College women’s fastpitch history came to a crashing halt Saturday (Feb. 17), when visiting Chaffey came to town and swept a non-conference doubleheader from the Griffins, 5-1 and 6-4.

The Panthers overcame an early home run by Grossmont's NICOLE BOUCHEREAU, who collected her 8th consecutive hit over three contests. She drilled the ball to deep centerfield, where the Chaffey outfielder misplayed it, as the ball bounced off her glove and over the fence for a solo homer.

In Game Two, Chaffey saw a 4-1 lead disappear when the Griffins rallied for three runs in the 6th.

Catcher LAUREN HASTINGS trimmed the deficit to a single run with a 2-run double to right-centerfield. Cleanup hitter KYRSTIN GEMAR then crossed-up the Panthers defense by placing a perfect squeeze bunt to plate Hastings.

The ball actually rolled foul, but when no one on the Panthers touched it, it came back into fair territory as Gemar was officially credited with a basehit when no one covered first base, too.

However, despite the blunders on defense, Chaffey (13-5) won the game in the 7th on a two-run homer to right-center by sophomore first baseman Katherine Zimmerman, giving the victory to reliever Brittany Patterson.

Grossmont (8-2) caps a busy weekend of six games in three days by participating in Sunday's (Feb. 18) Mt. San Jacinto Tournament. The Griffins return home to open a five-game homestand on Friday (Feb. 23) with a scheduled doubleheader against San Bernardino Valley.

PANTHERS 5, GRIFFINS 1 Chaffey (12-5) Grossmont (8-1) 000 200 3 -- 5 8 0 010 000 0 -- 1 4 0 Beam and Rodriquez; Mottola (5-1) and Hastings. HR-Bouchereau (GC), 2nd, solo.	PANTHERS 6, GRIFFINS 4 Chaffey (13-5) Grossmont (8-2) 001 300 2 - 6 07 2 001 003 0 - 4 10 5 Beam, Patterson (6; W) and Rod-riquez; Peterson (3-1) and Hastings. HR-Zimmerman (Chf), 7th, 1 on.
Nicole Bouchereau belts her second homer of Friday's contest (left), trotting home (right) after collecting 12 total bases in 4 at-bats against Barstow. (Photos by Lenny Gemar)

Bouchereau registers 10 RBI
in sweep by undefeated Griffins

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EL CAJON (2-17-07) -- Transfer shortstop NICOLE BOUCHEREAU was obviously pleased after going 3-for-3 with a pair of triples and three RBI in Grossmont College's 12-1 romp over Barstow in the first game of Friday's (Feb. 16) doubleheader.

However, the 2005 All-America selection from Santa Barbara City College was just getting started.

Bouchereau, with the opportunity to hit for the cycle with a double in her final at-bat, instead slugged her second 3-run homer of the contest, finishing with 7 RBI for the game and 10 total for the day, powering the undefeated Griffins (8-0) to the sweep following an 18-0 pasting of the visiting Vikings.

"I've never been more disappointed in hitting a homer in my life," mused Bouchereau, who finished with 12 total bases in the game, completing her record afternoon by batting 7-for-7 with two homers, three triples and a pair of basehits.

Although she never did double, no one told Bouchereau on her second homer she could've broken diamond sports etiquette by stopping at second instead of scoring. But that would've rubbed it in against a lowly Barstow side which fell to 1-13.

In Game One, ASHLEY MOTTOLA tossed a two-hitter, then JESSE PETERSON finished with a one-hit shutout. Both games were called after five innings. The lone hit off Peterson, who was coming off a no-hit effort against Orange Coast, came in the 1st. Along with Bouchereau's homers, KYRSTIN GEMAR slugged a two-run homer to open the scoring.

Grossmont (8-0) completes a 7-game homestand at noon Saturday (Feb. 17) with a twinbill against state-ranked Chaffey.

Ashley Mottola not only was the winning pitcher in Game One against Orange Coast, she also slugged this two-run homer for the undefeated Griffins. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

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EL CAJON (2-10-07) -- It was the type of effort JESSE PETERSON never would have expected when she pitched in high school.

Following several seasons of limited success as a prep, the sophomore is discovering new-found levels of prosperity after tossing her first no-htter Friday (Feb. 9), completing Grossmont College's doubleheader sweep of visiting Orange Coast, 9-3 and 9-0.

"I've worked so hard to get to this point," said Peterson, who finished two walks shy of a perfect game. "I'm finally reaching my full potential and it's because I came here."

The pair of victories kept the Griffins' record perfect through six contests, with the offense continuing to dominate, but now with improving pitching.

In the opener, freshman ASHLEY MOTTOLA allowed just one earned run and six hits to gain the victory. The Santana High product aided her own cause with a two-run homer when the Griffins plated five runs in the 4th to break open a 3-2 lead.

"We just don't have any doubts about any girls on this team," added Peterson. "Our 6-0 record is well-deserved."

Grossmont has posted 65 runs in its six starts (10.8 average), collecting 11 hits in both outings against Coast (2-6).

In the opener, centerfielder MARISSA UTLEY posted a pair of RBI singles, while also stealing two bases. Game Two featured a bases-loaded clearing double from LeeANN STROUD.

In addition, shortstop NICOLE BOUCHEREAU, who was a first-team All-America selection for Santa Barbara City College in 2005, extended her hitting streak with a lead double to start the 5-run rally in the opener.

The Griffins complete their 9-game homestand with three doubleheaders next week, hosting Point Loma Nazarene (Feb. 14), Barstow (Feb. 16) and Chaffey (Feb. 17). All start at noon.

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EL CAJON (2-8-07) -- Scoring in double figures for the fourth straight outing, there seems to be no end to the run production generated by the Grossmont College women's fastpitch team. The Griffins continued their torrid offense by exploding for seven runs in the 1st inning Wednesday (Feb. 7), going on to paste visiting Saddleback, 10-8.

"We're hitting -- what more can I say," said Grossmont assistant coach ANA LANDEROS. "Everyone's just coming through when we really need a hit."

The onslaught started with the very first batter when MARISSA UTLEY, who registered the game-winning hit in the Grossmont's last outing at El Camino, rocketed a leadoff homer to left field for a 1-0 lead.

The Griffins would eventually bat-around for a 7-0 advantage, including a 3-run double to the fence in right-center field by REBECCA OSBORNE. The second baseman finished batting 2-for-3 with four RBI and a pair of runs scored, including an RBI basehit in the 5th to push the advantage to 10-4.

In addition, LeeANN STROUD batted 3-for-4 and STEPHANIE ROBERTS went 2-for-4, as Grossmont opened a 9-game homestand.

Saddleback (2-3) rallied with four unearned runs in the 6th, but Griffins pitcher ASHLEY MOTTOLA hung on to collect the victory.

Grossmont hosts four doubleheaders over an 8-day period, starting Friday (Feb. 9) at noon against Orange Coast . The Pirates (0-3) dropped their opener to San Diego City, 6-0, then dropped a doubleheader to Imperial Valley, 6-2 and 6-4, on Wednesday, as OCC opens its season with five contests against Pacific Coast Conference opponents.

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TORRRANCE (2-3-07) -- KYRSTIN GEMAR smashed a pair of home runs and completed a "walkoff double play," while STEPHANIE ROBERTS added another homer, helping Grossmont College outlast host El Camino College, 10-9, in Friday's (Feb. 2) non-conference slugfest.

Marissa Utley is all smiles to the dugout following her go-ahead, 7th-inning double to beat El Camino. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

Both players went deep in the 7th inning to tie the ballgame, with MARISSA UTLEY (El Cajon Valley) ultimately winning the game on a double to the fence in left field, as the undefeated Griffins (3-0) pushed across four runs to cap a rally from an early 8-2 deficit.

In Grossmont's final at-bat, Gemar led off with her third homer in as many starts this season. NICOLE BOUCHEREAU walked, then Roberts hit her homer to tie the game.

LeeANN STROUD kept the rally going with a one-out single, then Utley sent her liner over the left fielder's head. Utley also scored three times.

Gemar jump-started Grossmont to a 2-0 lead with a 2-run homer in the 1st, finishing the day with four RBI. However, the Warriors (1-2) scored three times in the 1st, then five more in the 2nd, with most of the runs unearned as the Griffins committed five errors in the ballgame.

However, the Griffins scored twice in the 5th and 6th innings, as the team registered 11 of their 17 hits over the final three frames.

JESSE PETERSON (Helix) pitched the final three innings to gain the victory in relief, allowing just one hit and an unearned run. But she needed some assistance in the bottom of the 7th.

After the Warriors' leadoff batter walked, the Griffs were on the ropes, but it was Gemar to the rescue once more.

With one out, Gemar, patrolling center field, snared a line drive and fired a strike to first base to double off the potential game-tying run to end the thrilling comeback win with a walkoff double play.

Grossmont's home opener is Wednesday (Feb. 7) at 3 p.m. against Saddleback.

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SAN JACINTO (01-30-07) -- If the Grossmont College Griffins are going to be successful this year, they'll probably have to do it with their bats.

So far, so good.

A four-run 7th inning helped the Griffins steal a 10-7 season-opening victory over Mt. San Jacinto Monday (Jan. 29). In game two of the opening twinbill, Grossmont scored in all seven innings, hammering out a school-record 23 hits on its way to a 17-10 conquest and a sweep during a long afternoon.

Grossmont sophomore catcher LAUREN HASTINGS went 6-for-10 with two doubles, a triple, six RBI and four runs scored in the two games.

STEPHANIE ROBERTS (West Hills HS) sparked Grossmont's momentum, shifting a first-game rally with a lead-off triple. LEEANN STROUD (Patrick Henry HS) singled Roberts in to tie it, but the batter was later called out for leaving her base too soon on an attempted advancement. MARISSA UTLEY (El Cajon Valley HS) rekindled the rally with a single and two stolen bases.

REBECCA OSBORNE (Grossmont HS) singled home Utley with what proved to be the winning run. Osborne charged home on a Hastings' double. KYRSTIN GEMAR capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly.

Gemar was the offensive leader in game two with four hits in five trips. She drove in four runs with a home run and a triple, also scoring three times.

ASHLEY KOOPMAN (West Hills HS) was also 4-for-5 for the Griffins, driving in two runs and scoring once. Utley was 3-for-6 with two RBI, Osborne drove in a pair of runs with two hits and Stroud added three hits and two RBI.

ASHLEY MOTTOLA (Santana HS) picked up both pitching wins for the Griffins, pitching a complete game in the opener and 5 1/3 frames in the nightcap. She did not have a whole lot of defensive support as Grossmont committed nine errors in the two games.

Grossmont travels to Torrance to face El Camino College on Friday (Feb. 2) at 2 p.m.