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FINAL
2007 Statistics HERE
Beasley
honored as EA Sports All-AmericanHenry's Kerr also on first team©
East County Sports.com BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (7-21-07) -- Nine players from
California highlight the second annual EA Sports High School All-America fastpitch
softball teams, including a pair of CIF San Diego Section standouts in Steele
Canyon's SAM BEASLEY and Patrick Henry''s Donna Kerr. They were rated among 30
players named to the first team, as selected by the editors of Student
Sports. Florida prep Kelsi Dunne was tabbed EA Sports' national
player of the year,while Diane Laffey of Michigan was the coach of the year. Beasley
was honored among the utility players for both her pitching and hitting abilities. The
San Diego State bound Beasley went undefeated in two seasons of playoff action,
leading the Cougars to consecutive CIF-SDS Division III championships. She also
collected 61 hits this past season, the second-highest total in section history,
helping her gain Player of the Year honors by the San Diego Hall of Champions
and an All-California state berth from CalHiSports. She also
finished with seven homers, 24 RBI, and an ERA of 1.11 with 148 strikeouts. Meanwhile,
Kerr, one of three first-team honorees headed for UCLA, did not go unnoticed even
after the Patriots for disqualified from participating in the CIF playoffs. Kerr
as another EA Sports All-American who represented the U.S. in the Netherlands
this summer as part of the Jr. National team. Last summer, Kerr was
the winning pitcher for her club team, the OC Batbusters, at ASA Gold Nationals.
She continued her success in her senior season at Henry, throwing several no-hitters
and one-hitters with a season high 17 strikeouts against Madison. She ended her
career with 914 strikeouts. Five Inlanders gain All-State honors Beasley,
Bass, among Elite 30© East County Sports.com TORRANCE
(6-29-07) -- Five East County fastpitch players are among a list of 14 standouts
from San Diego County honored on various All-California teams announced Friday
(June 29) by CalHiSports.com. Included on two all-state lists are
Steele Canyon's SAM BEASLEY and LORENA KLOPP. Both were tabbed to the all-state
team among medium-size schools, of which Beasley was tabbed player of the year
earlier in the week. Beasley also ranked among the top overall players on the
All-State Elite 30, while Klopp, a finalist for freshman of the year honors, was
a second-team pick on the All-Underclass team. Also gaining an All-State
citations was Santana High pitcher SHAE BASS. Like, Beasley, the Michigan State
bound Bass was on the all-star roster for medium-size schools. Meanwhile,
JESSIE OWENS of Christian and KELLY MAJAM of Mountain Empire were honored among
the 30 best in the All-State Small Schools division. Other CIF-San Diego
Section players honored were junior pitcher Jessica McDermott and senior catcher
Chelsea Bemis, who both led Mt. Carmel to its first section championship. Each
were named to the All-State second-team. Bemis will play for Louisville next season. Also
named to the second team was Vista catcher Audrey Roderfeld and Oceanside shortstop
Trina Harrison-Doublet. Escondido junior pitcher Lisa Akamine was named
to the All-State Underclass first team along with McDermott and Harrison-Doublet.
Akamine committed to Penn State prior to last month's CIF playoffs. Patrick
Henry pitcher Donna Kerr (UCLA) was selected to the All-State first team along
with Beasley (San Diego State). Mira Mesa pitcher Melissa Tillett (Northern Iowa)
was on the second team, although she out-polled Kerr for Eastern League pitcher
of the year laurels.. Joining Owens and Majam on the All-State Small Schools
Team was sophomore infielder Lauren Tomey, who helped Francis Parker to the CIF
Div. IV crown over Christian. This 'n' data -- Klopp (101) and Beasley
(99) did establish an East County record for total bases, while the Cougars' team
total of 530 breaks the existing state record listed in the CalHiSports
record book... Steele Canyon also set CIF-SDS records for home runs (36) in a
season and triples (5) in a game... Beasley's 62 hits were one short of the section
mark set by Lisa Dodd (University City), who now plays for UCLA. Beasley
named State Player of the YearTeammate Klopp to receive All-Underclassmen
berth© East County Sports.com TORRANCE (6-24-07) -- San
Diego State bound pitcher SAM BEASLEY of Steele Canyon High became just the second
fastpitch athlete from San Diego County to be named one of CalHiSports'
California State players of the year. Beasley headed the publication's All-State
team for medium size schools, joining former University City standout LISA DODD
(UCLA) to earn the honor since teams were first selected following the 1981 season. Meanwhile,
Steele Canyon teammate LORENA KLOPP, who played first base when not spelling Beasley
in the pitching circle, is expected to be selected to state all-underclassmen
team when CalHiSports makes its announcemenyt later this week. Plus, the Cougars
were selected the top Division III ballclub in California under the direction
of head coach JULIE BOHE. Beasley capped her high school career with dominant
performance in the CIF San Diego Section championships. She capped a 6-0 postseason
run over two seasons by whipping Cathedral Catholic and Santana en route to a
second straight second title. Against Catholic, she equaled a second record
with three homers while striking out 15 in a complete-game shutout victory. Beasley
capped her career with a victory over the Grossmont Conference rival Sultans,
posting a 15-4 record with 1.12 ERA with 148 strikeouts, along with slugging a
solid .521 batting average. Earlier, Beasley was named CIF-SDS player of
the year by both the media (San Diego Hall of Champions and San Diego Union-Tribune)
and coaches (CIF Division III player of the year). Klopp led all East County
batters with a .531 average this past season, including nine homers and an East
County record 60 RBI (second-best in section history). She compiled 101 total
bases, which is believed to be a record, while amassing a 7-2 pitching record.
CalHiSports is expected to announce that Klopp was one of the finalists
for the State Frosh of the Year award. The last state freshman of the year
from San Diego was Monte Vista's KELLY HOWARD (now Kelly Howard Warren) in 1989.
Later a two-time All-America at UCLA, she served as an assistant coach at San
Diego State until being named the head coach at Cal State San Marcos last month. The
numbers -- During the Cougars' team banquet, Bohe announced that Beasley's
uniform No. 7 will be retired.
|
Steele Canyon senior pitcher Sam Beasley -- the 2007 East County Fastpitch
Player of the year. (Photo by Susan Cooper Photography) | Beasley
tabbed East County's Player of the Year Also named county's best by
San Diego Hall of Champions© East County Sports.com EL
CAJON (6-8-07) --The CIF Division III playoffs didn't serve as a tiebreaker to
determine East County's player of the year, it only served as validation. Following
a 3-homer hitting performance in the semifinals, Steele Canyon pitcher SAM BEASLEY
out-dueled her opponent with a shutout in the final to gain the school's second
straight San Diego Section championship. And when you throw in a season batting
average hovering above .500, the multifaceted Beasley was the selection to top
the 2007 All-East County fastpitch team. With a scholarship
to San Diego State in her pocket, Beasley is also a leading finalist for the player
of the year award for the entire county. The All-County Team, as selected by the
media through the San Diego Hall of Champions, will be released Saturday. San
Diego Hall of Champions' 2007 All-CIFSDS
Team | Sam
Beasley CIF Player of the Year | First
Team Sam Beasley, Steele Canyon Shae Bass, Santana Lorena Klopp,
Steele Canyon | Second
Team Jazmin Daigle, Steele Canyon Jessie Owens, Christian Nicole
Rivera, Granite Hills (Complete Team Listed Below) |
|
Three
other Cougars joined Beasley on the first team, including freshman first baseman
LORENA KLOPP, who accumulated more than 100 total bases en route to both the batting
and home run titles this season. The others were corner infielder JAZMIN DAIGLE
and catcher HANNAH ROST. Obviously, Klopp was tabbed Rookie
of the Year, too. Steele Canyon's JULIE BOHE was named Coach of the Year after
winning a second straight section crown. With Beasley taking
the overall player award, Santana senior SHAE BASS won the pitcher of the year
citation. The Michigan State bound righthander led the region with 19 victories
while batting a solid .387. The Unsung Hero Award went to a
player not named among the 30 on either the first or second team. Outfielder ANDREA
NEDDEN of Grossmont overcame a mediocre start to the season with a blazing finish,
stroking homers over three consecutive games, then a week later registering late,
key hits three times to deliver the game-winning RBI each time to keep the Foothillers
in contention. KYLEE KRINGS of West Hills, the coaches' North
League pitcher of the year, captured the ERA title at 0.60. The senior posted
an 11-2 record. Bass was the North's overall player of the year, barely capturing
the strikeout title with 150, nipping Christian's JESSIE OWENS (149) and Beasley
(148). In the South, Beasley (pitcher) and NICOLE RIVERA, who
plans to walk-on at San Diego State, were honored by league coaches. Other
first team selections on the All-East County team included: Santana's Kelsey McIlonie
and Amanda Carpenter; West Hills' Brianna LaChusa and Krings; Christian's Owens
and school valedictorian Sarah Seymour; Granite Hills' Rivera and Brittani Bertussi;
Grossmont catcher Cammi Moore and Mount Miguel pitcher Laura Nelson. 2007
All-East County Fastpitch Team Selected by
East County Sports.com staff | FIRST
TEAM | Name..................... | School............. | ..Pos... | Yr. | Shae
Bass | Santana | P-SS | 12 | Sam
Beasley | Steele Canyon | P | 12 | Brittani
Bertussi | Granite Hills | P-SS | 10 | Amanda
Carpenter | Santana | CF | 10 | Jazmin
Daigle | Steele Canyon | 3B-1B | 10 | Lorena
Klopp | Steele Canyon | 1B | 9 | Kylee
Krings | West Hills | P | 12 | Brianna
LaChusa | West Hills | RF | 12 | Kelsey
McIlonie | Santana | 3B | 11 | Cammi
Moore | Grossmont | C | 12 | Laura
Nelson | Mount Miguel | P-1B | 10 | Jessie
Owens | Christian | P-SS | 10 | Nicole
Rivera | Granite Hills | SS-3B | 12 | Hannah
Rost | Steele Canyon | C | 10 | Sarah
Seymour | Christian | 1B | 12 |
| SECOND
TEAM | Name | School.................. | Pos. | Yr. | Danielle
Balough | Santana | 2B | 12 | Britty
Balough | Santana | P | 11 | Sharlana
Burner | West Hills | CF | 12 | Alyssa
Dronenburg | Helix | SS | 11 | Rosie
Gonzales | Mount Miguel | SS | 12 | Megan
Green | Grossmont | SS | 12 | Jayme
Jarvis | Steele Canyon | OF | 11 | Faith
Koria | West Hills | 2B | 9 | Mandy
Obney | Granite Hills | DP | 12 | Amanda
Plum | Christian | 3B | 11 | Amber
Reardon | Valhalla | SS | 11 | Brenna
Sandberg | West Hills | P | 12 | Jessie
Schatz | Granite Hills | C | 11 | Kelley
Seitz | Valhalla | C | 11 | Kristina
Wynns | Christian | OF | 10 |
| Player
of the Year Sam Beasley, Steele Canyon | Pitcher
of the Year Shae Bass, Santana | Rookie
of the Year Lorena Klopp, Steele Canyon | Unsung
Hero Award Andrea Nedden, Grossmont | Coach
of the Year Julie Bohe, Steele Canyon |
| All-Freshmen
Team | Brianna
Austin, West Hills Aly Gunter, Christian Lorena Klopp, Steele Canyon Faith
Koria, West Hills Jenny Lahitte, Granite Hills Brittany Wright, Monte Vista |
|
San
Diego Hall of Champions All-CIF San Diego Section Team (Selected by
media panel with input from coaches)
Player
of the Year Sam Beasley, Steele Canyon | Coach
of the Year Ruby Chavez, Mt. Carmel | First
team Pitchers: Lisa Akamine, Escondido, Jr.; Shae Bass, Santana,
Sr.; Sam Beasley, Steele Canyon, Sr.; Alexa Datko, Scripps Ranch, Sr.; Donna
Kerr, Patrick Henry, Sr.; Jessica McDermott, Mt. Carmel, Jr.; Whitney Orellana,
Mission Hills, Sr.; Melissa Tillett, Mira Mesa, Sr.; Catchers: Chelsea
Bemis, Mt. Carmel, Sr.; Justeen Maeva, Mira Mesa, Jr.; Audrey Roderfeld, Vista,
Sr.; Fielders: Jennie Auger, Rancho Bernardo, Sr.; Trina Harrison-Doublet,
Oceanside, Jr.; Lorena Klopp, Steele Canyon, Fr.; Jace Williams, La Costa
Canyon, Sr. | Second team Pitchers:
Courtney Craig, El Camino, Jr.; Jessie Owens, Christian, So.; Brooke Petty,
Vista, Sr.; Kristina Pickett, Mar Vista, Sr.; Alex Villalobos, San Pasqual, Sr.; Catchers:
Chelsea Troupe, El Camino, Jr.; Kristina Wright, Escondido, Jr.; Fielders:
Jazmin Daigle, Steele Canyon, So.; Mary Episcopo, Torrey Pines, Sr.; Kellie
Fox, Mt. Carmel, Fr.; Vanessa Perez, Mission Hills, Jr.; Felicia Reifschneider,
Morse, Jr.; Nicole Rivera, Granite Hills, Sr.; Katie Sigler, Scripps Ranch,
Sr.; Jessica Vasser, Mt. Carmel, Jr. |
|
All-CIF
San Diego Section Teams by Divisions (Selected by coaches)
DIVISION
I First teamAshley Lane (Escondido) So.; Lisa Akamine (Escondido)
Jr.; Melissa Tillett (Mira Mesa) Sr.; Martina Galinato (Mira Mesa) Jr.; Courtney
Craig (El Camino) Jr.; Jace Williams (La Costa Canyon) Sr.; Donna Kerr (Patrick
Henry) Sr.; Jennie Auger (Rancho Bernardo) Sr.; Mary Episcopo (Torrey Pines) Sr.;
Brook Petty (Vista) Sr. Second teamMegan Lerma (Escondido) Sr.;
Justine Mauva (Mira Mesa) Jr.; Mariah Gearhart (Bonita Vista) Sr.; Christy Cavano
(Poway) Sr.; Teryn Kennan (La Costa Canyon) Sr.; Erin Doyle (Torrey Pines) Jr.;
Audrey Roderfeld (Vista) Sr.; Taylor Hensley (Patrick Henry) Jr.; Leslie McDaniel
(Carlsbad) Sr.; Nicole Rivera (Granite Hills) Sr. Player of the YearLisa
Akamine (Es). Pitcher of the YearMelissa Tillett (MM). Team
championEscondido. | DIVISION
II First teamKylee Krings (West Hills) Sr.; Cammi Moore (Grossmont)
Sr.; Whitney Orellana (Mission Hills) Sr.; Jessica McDermott (Mt. Carmel)
Jr.; Chelsea Bemis (Mt. Carmel) Sr.; Katie Sigler (Scripps Ranch) Sr.; Alexandra
Villalobos (San Pasqual) Sr.; Lauren Gellerman (Westview) So.; Kellie Fox (Mt.
Carmel) Fr.; Kristen Pickett (Mar Vista) Sr. Second teamChelcy
Klingfuss (Point Loma) So.; Vanessa Perez (Mission Hills) Jr.; Alexa Datko (Scripps
Ranch) Sr.; Ashley Estepa (Westview) Jr.; Brianna LaChusa (West Hills) Sr.;
Jessica Vasser (Mt. Carmel) Jr.; Danielle Smith (San Pasqual) So.; Sharlana
Burner (West Hills) Sr.; Debbie Burnett (Mar Vista) Sr.; Ashley Walkup (Hilltop)
Sr. Player of the YearChelsea Bemis (Mt. Carmel). Pitcher
of the YearJessica McDermott (Mt. Carmel). Team championMt.
Carmel. | DIVISION
III First teamDanielle Balough (Santana) Sr.; Shae Bass (Santana) Sr.;
Samantha Beasley (Steele Canyon) Sr.; Jazmin Daigle (Steele Canyon) So.; Aliko
Eddow (Cathedral Catholic) Jr.; Lorena Klopp (Steele Canyon) Fr.; Kelsey McIlonie
(Santana) Jr.; Amber Reardon (Valhalla) Jr.; Hannah Rost (Steele Canyon) So.;
Kristina Wright (Ramona) Jr. Second teamRachel Faila (Santana) Jr.;
Natalie Farias (Our Lady of Peace) Jr.; Kelly Flanagan (University City) Jr.;
Victoria Halshaw-Wade (Our Lady of Peace) Jr.; Nicole Jones (Madison) Jr.; Sarah
Miller (University City) Sr.; Laura Nelson (Mount Miguel) So.; Cortney
Reynaga (San Dieguito Academy) Sr.; Alyssa Rosales (Cathedral Catholic) Sr.; Lauren
Walsh (Cathedral Catholic) So. Player of the YearSamantha Beasley
(SC). Pitcher of the YearShae Bass (Sa). Team championSteele
Canyon. | DIVISION IV First teamKelly
Majam (Mtn. Empire) Jr.; Cassidy Coleman (Horizon) Fr.; Amye McIntyre (Francis
Parker) So.; Samantha Berenter (La Jolla Country Day) Jr.; Lauren Tomey (Francis
Parker) So.; Jessie Owens (Christian) So.; Mandy Hoskins (Horizon) Jr.;
Allie Scott (Christian) Fr.; Mari Majam (Mtn. Empire) Fr.; Caschjen Davis
(Imperial) Sr.
Second teamRachel Ortiz (Horizon) Jr.; Kristina
Wynns (Christian) So.; Amanda Plum (Christian) Jr.; Sarah Seymour (Christian)
Sr.; Kierstie Svatos (Francis Parker) So.; Ali Adelman (San Diego Jewish Academy)
Jr.; Rosie Harris (Coronado) Jr.; Rene Delagrammaticas (Santa Fe Christian) Sr.;
Ari Sanders (Francis Parker) Jr.; Natalie Camarda (The Bishop's) So. Player
of the YearKelly Majam (ME). Pitcher of the YearAmye McIntyre
(FP). Team championFrancis Parker. |
|
Grossmont
Conference All-League Teams (Selected by the coaches) | All-Grossmont
North League First Team Danielle Balough Santana 2B Senior Shae
Bass Santana P-SS Senior Sharlana Burner West Hills CF Senior Rachel Failla
Santana 1B Junior Faith Koria West Hills 2B Frosh Kylee Krings West Hills
P Senior Brianna LaChusa West Hills RF Senior Kelsey McIlonie Santana
3B Junior Cammi Moore Grossmont C Senior Kindra Myers Grossmont 1B Senior
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Shae Bass, Santana PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Kylee Krings,
West Hills Second Team Britty Balough Santana P Junior
Michelle Bramlage Santana LF Junior Amanda Carpenter Santana CF Soph.
Amanda Combs El Capitan C Senior Megan Green Grossmont SS Senior Melissa
Hill West Hills SS Senior Stasia Holdman West Hills 3B Soph. Adriana Nau
Grossmont LF Junior Andrea Nedden Grossmont RF Senior Brenna Sandberg
West Hills P Senior Honorable Mention El Cajon Valley - Jessica
Cope.(12), Desiree Garcia (10), Corey Rainey (11). El Capitan - Leslie Kohne
(10), Julianna Duncan (11), Ashley Whitmore (12). Grossmont - Kierstin English
(12), Brittney Fishtrom (10), Amber Lovelady (12), Ashley Renaldi (11).
Santana - Brittany Fenn (11), Bree Padilla (12), Sarah Smith (12). West Hills
- Cassidy Baggett (10), Jayleen Bush (12), Kristy Valles (11). | All-Grossmont
South League First Team Samantha Beasley Steele Canyon P Senior
Nicole Rivera Granite Hills SS Senior Laura Nelson Mount Miguel P-1B Soph.
Lorena Klopp Steele Canyon 1B Frosh Alyssa Dronenburg Helix SS Junior
Amber Reardon Valhalla SS Junior Hannah Rost Steele Canyon C Soph. Brittani
Bertussi Granite Hills P-SS Soph. Christine Jacobites Helix P Senior Jazmin
Daigle Steele Canyon 3B-1B Soph. PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Sam Beasley, Steele
Cyn. PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nicole Rivera, Granite Hills Second Team
Kelley Seitz Valhalla C Junior Rosie Gonzales Mount Miguel SS Senior Jessie
Schatz Granite Hills C Junior Natalie Smith Helix P Soph. Jayme Jarvis
Steele Canyon OF Junior Mandy Obney Granite Hills C-DP Senior Celina
Cruz Valhalla P-OF Junior Jodie Schmehr Valhalla 2B Junior Vanessa Adame
Steele Canyon 2B Junior Andi Martin Del Campo Helix C Junior Honorable
Mention Granite Hills - Megan Belio (10), Jenny Lahitte (9). Helix
- Jessica Fernandez (10), Beth Amann (12), Candice Krom (12). Monte Vista
- Whitney Mullins (11), Jesika Perea (10), Brittany Wright (9), Amanda Ward (12).
Mount Miguel - Catrina Jones (12), Gabby Naidas (10), Sonia Ram (9). Steele
Canyon - Lisa Mongelli (12), Erika Beasley (11), Nicole Randel (9). Valhalla
- Kyla Bransford (11), Meagan McGirr (11), Toni Rosacker (12), Angela Uy (10). | All-Eastern
League First team Melissa Tillett (Mira Mesa) Sr.; Donna Kerr (Patrick
Henry) Sr.; Alexa Datko (Scripps Ranch) Sr.; Katie Sigler (Scripps Ranch) Sr.;
Justeen Maeva (Mira Mesa) Jr.; Taylor Hensley (Patrick Henry) Jr.; Felicia Reifschneider
(Morse) Jr.; Jessie Owens (Christian) So.; Martina Galinato (Mira Mesa) Jr.; Ciera
Ashman (Patrick Henry) Jr.Second team Rachel Brown (Scripps Ranch)
Jr.; Tori Schaefer (Patrick Henry) Jr.; Kayla Calarese (Morse) Jr.; Isela Mohr
(Serra) Jr.; Shannon Tillett (Mira Mesa) So.; Danielle Smith (Mira Mesa) Sr.;
Melanie Goff (Mira Mesa) Jr.; Allie Scott (Christian) Fr.; Amanda Plum (Christian)
Jr.; Jackie Nguyen (Scripps Ranch) Jr. Player of the Year Katie
Sigler (SR). Pitcher of the Year Melissa Tillett (MM). |
Dawson
retires from Christian© East County Sports.com ALPINE (6-4-07)
-- Much is known about the coaching success of Christian High School's ROMA DAWSON,
featuring 11 berths to the CIF-San Diego Section softball championship game, including
last week's Division IV finale. | The
1964 ASA
National Champion Erv Lind Florist softball team of Portland, Ore., featuring
second baseman Roma Dawson (front row, far right). (Contributed by teammate
Carolyn Fitzwater, an ASA Hall of Famer) | But few
recall her days as a second baseman, playing in the ASA Women's Open Division
at a young age."There wasn't much out there at the time for girls
in sports," said Dawson. "But softball was one of the few sports organized
at the local and national level, so I was playing Women's Open Division at 14." Fortunately
for Dawson, her hometown of Portland, Ore., featured one of the nation's top club
programs. The sponsor was Erv Lind Florist, with the owner serving 26 years as
the team's head coach. "They won a championship back in 1944,"
noted Dawson. "And when I joined the team, I was a shortstop, but was soon
moved to second base." To capture a national title back then, one
must beat the perennial power Raybestos Brakettes of Stratford, Conn., a club
which owns a record 27 ASA national crowns from 1958 through last season's title.In
1963, the teams met in the final, which the Brakettes hosted and won. But at a
neutral site in 1964, Dawson 's team earned a national championship. "To
come so close to winning on their field in 1963 was something," Dawson noted.
"But in 1964, we became U.S. champions by winning the whole thing the next
year in Orlando, Fla." Dawson's championship ballclub was so
good, it was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and Museum's Class of
1993, which also featured a Rose Bowl champion football team from the University
of Oregon. Eventually, Dawson married and relocated to San Diego
County, where all three of her daughters -- Amy, Sarah and Ruth -- were among
the top players in San Diego County history -- and the reason Dawson became involved
in coaching. "Rene Palafox was the head coach at Christian at
the time, and I became the JV coach when Amy was a freshman in 1986," noted
Dawson. "And when the varsity made the playoffs, Rene allowed me to join
the varsity coaching staff. I was so happy Rene allowed me to play a small part
in winning CIF that year.'" Three seasons later, Palafox moved
on to Valhalla High, leaving Dawson in charge of a Patriots program which captured
five section titles in a span of 17 seasons. However, there will not be a sixth
championship under her tutelage, as late last week, Dawson turned in her papers
to the Christian High staff to announce her retirement from the program. "There
were a lot of great players and a lot of great teams while I was coaching here,
but coaching my daughters is what I'll remember most," said Dawson . "But
I hope all my players learned that life's lessons were about more than softball
only." Sarah has been the most successful in the sport since
leaving Christian. She is currently head coach at Louisiana Tech after an All-America
career at UL-Monroe, still holding several NCAA Division I records. In 1997, she
was named MVP of the women's pro league (now known as National Pro Fastpitch). "Amy
was always very competitive -- not that my other daughters weren't," noted
Dawson . "Sarah had to pitch every game because we didn't have any other
pitcher until Ruth joined the team as a freshman, so we used her a little bit
just in case Sarah got hurt." Pitching has always been the backbone
with Christian softball The 1986 CIF champs featured SDCIF player
of the year MICHELLE WESSON. Sarah received the same honor in the 1993 season,
then Ruth gained the award for 1994. Since then, other Patriots to
gain Player of the Year laurels under Dawson include: ALY DUNN (1996), RENE HENSON
(2000-'01), JENNY RAY (2002) and three-time winner MELISSA OWENS (2003-05), who
now stars for San Diego State. Dawson still plans to attend games
and assist the program when needed when not tending to her 90-year old mother.
The new coach will inherit a ballclub which loses just one senior in first baseman
SARAH SEYMOUR, the school's co-valedictorian.
CIF
FINALS PHOTO GALLERY Now Posted! | CIF
PLAYOFFS -- ChampionshipsBeasley carries Steele Canyon to second
straight CIF crown © East County Sports.com SAN DIEGO
(5-27-07) For Steele Canyon's SAM BEASLEY, the senior's final foray in
a high school fastpitch contest featured an appearance on her future diamond playing
for San Diego State. And she made a quick delivery to the Aztecs coaching staff. In
her first at-bat, Beasley smacked a pitch off the yellow line at the top of the
centerfield fence, directly in front of the coaching staff which will mentor her
for the next four years. Not that she will need any assistance. Carrying
the Cougars (27-6-1) upon her shoulders, Beasley dominated an opponent for the
second straight outing, slugging a pair of doubles and pitching a 6-hit shutout
to lift Steele Canyon past Grossmont Conference rival Santana, 8-0, to capture
back-to-back San Diego CIF Division III fastpitch championships. "My
seniors certainly went out with a bang, but I will especially miss Sam for several
reasons," said Cougars coach Julie Bohe. "She, above all, deserved that
(CIF) Sportsmanship Award today." Beasley struck out seven, including
two to escape jams after Santana placed two runners in scoring position in the
2nd and 5th innings. And her two hits gave her 62 for the season, one shy of the
section record set by University City's Lisa Dodd, the state player of the year
in 2004. | Steele
Canyon catcher Hannah Rost (right) is checked out by the coaching staff, including
head coach Julie Bohe (in red), after getting hit by a pitch in the ankle. Moments
later, Rost stole her second base of the championship. (Photo by Adolfo
Villanueva) | "It
was crunch time and we crunched -- that's how it is." -- Cougars
catcher Hannah Rost |
Its nice to
go out with a big win like this, said Beasley. "I was just ready to
come here and play and hit. I wasn't trying to do anything big, just get on base
and help my team out." The player with the best view of Beasley's talents
may be catcher HANNAH ROST, who helped her capture eight consecutive victories
to close the season. "Sam is an amazing player and she always will
be -- Sam will never be forgotten at our school, " Rost said. "She's
the strongest hitter on this team, so when she hit the top of the wall, we all
knew we had the momentum up and we got it done." "We started focusing
a lot more on hitting and that's what we accomplished. It was crunch time and
we crunched -- that's how it is." While the focus was on Beasley, who
nearly smashed five consecutive home runs over the course of Thursday's 12-0 semifinals
demolition of Cathedral Catholic and Saturday's (May 26) licking of the Sultans
in the title contest, several other Cougars stepped forward with big contests,
too. "Our team stepped it up when they needed to,"added Bohe of
a team which established a CIFSDS record for team homers. "We've got some
good hitters and they proved it." | STEELE
CANYON HIGH SCHOOL "COUGARS" 2007
CIFSDS FASTPITCH CHAMPIONS |
Included
was first baseman LORENA KLOPP, who slugged a 2-run single in the 1st inning,
giving her 59 RBI for the season -- the second-highest total in San Diego Section
history. "I was kind of under pressure, but when Sam hit the double,
we all got pumped up and knew we could hit SHAE (BASS, the Santana pitcher),"
said Klopp. "It's really exciting to come through like that and drive in
two runs at the beginning of the CIF final." The East County home run
champion failed to go deep over the final month of the season due to injury woes,
so the freshman adjusted and batted for average upon her return to continue her
RBI count, helping Steele Canyon close the season riding a 14-game winning streak. "Sam's
is amazing, so it was a good opportunity for me to play with her this year,"
Klopp added. "I heard a lot about her and everything I heard was true, whether
it was her hitting or pitching, or her leadership and how she helps everyone out." Third
baseman LISA MONGELLI added a two-run basehit in the 4th for a 4-0 advantage,
then JAZMIN DAIGLE knocked runners home in the 5th and 7th, as the Cougars scored
twice each time in their second wire-to-wire triumph over Santana (28-4) this
season.
Sat.,
May 26 CIF Division III -- Championship COUGARS 8, SULTANS 0 |
Steele Canyon | ab
r h bi | Santana | ab
r h bi |
Adame cf SBeasley p Rost
c Klopp 1b Scranton pr Daigle 3b Larson pr Jarvis lf Randel
dp Blumenstock 2b Mongelli ss KCash rf |
4 0 0 0 4 2 2 0 3 3 1 0 4 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 3 1
2 2 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 1 4 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 4 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 | DBalough
2b Carpenter cf Bass p-ss Brzeczek pr McIlonie 3b Failla 1b Bramlage
lf BBalough dp-p Padilla rf Fenn c SSmith ss |
4 0 1 0 4 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0
0 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
Totals 32
8 9 8 | Totals
26 0 6 0 |
Steele Canyon (26-6-1) Santana
(28-5) |
200 220 2 - 8 9 0 000 000 0 - 0 6 2 | GWRBI-Klopp. E-McIlonie,
DBalough. LOB-Steele Canyon 6, Santana 8. 2B-SBeasley 2. SB-Rost 2. S-Padilla. |
Steele Canyon |
| |
r | |
| | SBeasley
W,15-4 | 7.0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | Santana | | | | | | | Bass
L,19-4 | 4.0 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4 | BBalough | 3.0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Bass
faced 4 batters in the 5th. WP-SBeasley. HBP-by BBalough (Rost). T-1:50. |
| "Everyone seems to get big hits for our team,"
noted Mongelli. "But it all comes down to Sam -- she's an amazing player
and all she asks is for you to work hard for us to win." Along with
two shutouts this season, Beasley posted a 6-0 postseason pitching record over
the past two seasons. "Even I was getting a little nervous, but working
hard outside of school practice helped, then my team was there to back me up,"
added Beasley, who plans to major in keniseiology at SDSU. For Santana,
the only players to solve Beasley were centerfielder AMANDA CARPENTER (3-for-4)
and left fielder MICHELLE BRAMLAGE (2-for-3) -- all on singles -- plus a basehit
by DANIELLE BALOUGH. "They're just a much more talented ballclub than
we are," said first-year Sultans coach MIKE BASS. "We had a great season,
but we have to work so much harder than Steele Canyon does. They are easily the
better team." It was the fourth straight Final Four appearance by Santana,
which includes winning the 2004 championship, followed by a pair of difficult
setbacks in the semifinals the previous two seasons. Brittany Fenn, the
catcher, won the CIF Sportsmanship Award for Santana.
Sat.,
May 26 CIF Division IV -- Championship LANCERS 4, PATRIOTS 2 |
Christian | ab
r h bi | Parker | ab
r h bi |
Owens ss-p-ss KWynns lf-ss-lf Plum
3b Seymour 1b Scott c Graul rf NWynns cf-lf Gunter p Marcos
2b Royce p-cf Gentry pr Cartwright ph |
3 1 1 0 3 1 1 0 3 0 0 1 3 0 1 1 3 0 0 0 2
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
| ArSanders
cf Tomey 2b Svatos c McIntyre p Ahern pr Polese 1b Lambell ss Rapopost
lf Gross 3b LSanders 2b | 4
0 0 0 4 2 3 2 4 0 3 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 1 3 0 2 0 2 1
0 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 | Totals
23 2 4 2 | Totals
27 4 10 4 |
Christian (20-9) Francis
Parker (18-8) |
000 002 0 - 2 04
2 120 001 x - 4 10 1 | GWRBI-Svatos. E-Seymour,
KWynns, McIntyre. DP-Christian 1, Parker 1. LOB-Christian 7, parker 8. 2B-Tomey,
Svatos. SB-Owens 2, KWynns. SF-Plum, Polese. |
Christian |
| |
r | |
| | Royce
L,5-2 | 0.1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Owens | 2.2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | Gunter | 3.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Francis
Parker | | | | | | | McIntyre
W | 7.0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Division IV Francis Parker 4, Christian 2 --
This championship may have been decided in Thursday's semifinals, when Patriots
pitcher JESSIE OWENS hyper-extended her knee on the next-to-last play of a narrow
victory over Horizon Christian. Although not starting as the pitcher, Owens
entered in relief for 2 2/3 innings, but more was needed on several fronts by
second-seeded Christian. "We were playing to go with JENNA (ROYCE)
and see how long she could last, and if Parker got any hits, I would go it and
see how long I could last," noted Owens. "I tried my best, but my knee
starting hurting me early on, so I had to be taken out -- I didn't want that,
but it had to be done." "I proud of our team for not giving up.
We did come back, which was great." Meanwhile, the defending champion
Lancers stormed from the No. 5 position to close the season with eight straight
victories, including decisions over the top two seeded teams -- No. 1 Imperial
and the Patriots -- in the Final Four to repeat as section titlists. Lauren
Tomey paced Parker by batting 3-for-4, including a double in the 1st when the
Lancers took a 2-0 lead after Christian stranded a pair of runners in the top
of the inning. Owens entered late in the 1st, but Tomey got to her, too,
adding a 2-run single in the 2nd for a 4-0 advantage. Tomey also singled and scored
in the 6th for an insurance run after Christian trimmed the deficit to 3-2. "The
girls had a great season, fought hard and to keep that victory on Thursday evening,"
said Patriots coach ROMA DAWSON, who was making her 8th title game appearance.
"We just came out and gave it our best." The Patriots comeback
included consecutive basehits by Owens and KRISTINA WYNNS, a sacrifice fly by
AMANDA PLUM, then a run-scoring single by first baseman SARAH SEYMOUR, the lone
senior on the Christian roster. Win
Pct. -- FINAL | Player | School | W-L-S | Britty
Balough | Santana | 9-1-2 | Chelsea
Velovich | West Hills | 6-1-0 | Kylee
Krings | West Hills | 11-2-0 | Shae
Bass | Santana | 19-4-0 | Sam
Beasley | Steele Canyon | 15-4-1 | Lorena
Klopp | Steele Canyon | 7-2-0 | Jessie
Owens | Christian | 10-6-1 | Jenny
Lahitte | Granite Hills | 5-3-0 | Brenna
Sandberg | West Hills | 7-5-1 | Brittani
Bertussi | Granite Hills | 6-4-0 | Megan
McGirr | Valhalla | 5-4-1 | Brittney
Fishtrom | Grossmont | 7-5-1 | Megan
Belio | Granite Hills | 4-4-0 | Ashley
Renaldi | Grossmont | 9-9-0 | Christine
Jacobites | Helix | 8-9-0 | Others: | | | Erika
Beasley | Steele Canyon | 5-0-0 | Aly
Gunter | Christian | 5-1-1 | Jenna
Royce | Christian | 5-2-1 | Other
saves -- N.Smith (H) 2, Blumenstock (SC) 1, Maldonado (MV) 1, K.McMillan (MV)
1. | Shutouts (complete games)
-- Bass (S) 9, S.Beasley (SC) 7, B.Balough (S) 6, Sandberg (WH) 4, Bertussi
(GH) 3, Duncan (EC) 3, Fishtrom (G) 3, Grohamn (EC) 3, Klopp (SC) 3, Krings (WH)
3. Shutouts (CGs and shared) -- Bass (S) 12, B.Balough (S) 9, S.Beasley
(SC) 9, Krings (WH) 5, Sandberg (WH) 5, Jacobites (H) 4, D.Smith (H) 4. |
Home
Run Leaders -- FINAL | Player | School | HR | Lorena
Klopp | Steele Canyon | 9 | Hannah
Rost | Steele Canyon | 8 | Sam
Beasley | Steele Canyon | 7 | Jayme
Jarvis | Steele Canyon | 7 | Cammi
Moore | Grossmont | 7 | Laura
Nelson | Mount Miguel | 7 | Jessie
Owens | Christian | 7 | Stasia
Holdman | West Hills | 5 | Kelley
Seitz | Valhalla | 5 | Danielle
Balough | Santana | 4 | Shae
Bass | Santana | 4 | Brittani
Bertussi | Granite Hills | 4 | Kelsey
McIlonie | Santana | 4 | Andrea
Nedden | Grossmont | 4 | Jodie
Schmehr | Valhalla | 4 | Sarah
Seymour | Christian | 4 | Adriana
Nau | Grossmont | 3 | Amanda
Plum | Christian | 3 | Amber
Reardon | Valhalla | 3 |
|
"We
had so many people sick or injured that couldn't play, but our team never gives
up," said Seymour. "I'm very proud of our team and I couldn't have asked
for a better season. We played really well and all these girls are amazing and
I love them all." Seymour was the Christian High selection for the
CIF Sportsmanship Award, given to one member of each team advancing to the finals
in every division. "Since I was the only senior, no one's won a CIF
title except me, there were nerves to deal with, but the team still played very
well," added Seymour, who plans to major in biology or Pre-Med while playing
both basketball and softball at Dordt College (Iowa). We're only losing
Sarah and getting some good players (Christian) Junior High," Owens added.
"So we should again do well in our (CIF) division and we'll be good in league,
too -- I think we might even win both. The decision on whether to fill the
pitching void or the one at shortstop didn't occur until minutes before the first
pitch. "We had to wait right up until this morning to see who would
be ready to go," Dawson recalled. "Part of it was our shortstop (KARA
CARTWRIGHT) came down with a virus or soemthing, so we had to decide which hole
to plus." "Jenna's stepped up big for us all season long, but
she didn't get the support that I though she deserved in that 1st inning, maybe
1st-inning jitters, I don't know." The coaching staff elected to start
Owens at shortstop and Royce in the circle, but the backup lan was soon vacated.
Nevertheless, the Patriots trimmed a 3-run deficit to a single run, with the potentioal
tying and go-ahead runners on base in the 6th and 7th innings. "They
kept fighting back, while Parker had a terrific year and showed what they're made
of," added Dawson. "Give them credit." "And Sarah's
a great senior leader. I know she wanted to go out with that title, but I couldn't
have asked for anything more from a senior than what she's shown this season.
She's ready for the next step." Parker catcher Kierstie Svatos went
3-for-4, with an RBI double in the 1st, as the Lancers out-hit the Patriots, 10-4. "We
may have been a low seed, but I don't think there were too many Division IV teams
that really wanted to draw us early," said Parker coach Jim Tomey. "We
played some tough teams throughout the year, but our luck wasn't too good in the
middle of the season, but by the end, we were locked in and playing really sharp
ball, and I felt real good about our chances." Parker features four
East County products, including three starters: leftfielder Hannah Rapopost of
La Mesa, and El Cajon residents Lindsey Gross, the third baseman, and centerfielder
Ari Sanders. CIF PLAYOFFS -- Semifinals Beasley goes
homer-homer-homer; Cougars in position for Div. III repeat ©
East County Sports.com POWAY (5-25-07) -- It's been four years since the
graduation of All-American LISA DODD, the 2003 California State Player of the
Year, since San Diego has witnessed an effort which combined both outstanding
hitting and pitching by a single player. San Diego State bound pitcher
SAM BEASLEY placed her name among exclusive company by equaling a CIF-San Diego
Section mark by blasting three home runs while also tossing a 3-hit shutout, allowing
defending Division III champion Steele Canyon to steamroll Cathedral Catholic,
12-0, in Thursday's (May 24) section semifinals. The wipeout propelled
the top-seeded Cougars (26-6-1) into position to repeat as champions, only if
they can stop Grossmont Conference rival Santana in Saturday's (May 26) championship
contest, slated for San Diego State at 12:30 p.m. The second-seeded Sultans overcame
a sluggish start to whip Dodd's old team from University City, 11-6. DID
YOU KNOW? According to the CalHiSports state record book, Sam Beasley
became the 6th player in California history to hit two homers in an inning. | Beasley,
who hit her homers in consecutive at-bats to give her seven for the season, included
a pair in a dramatic 10-run rally in the 4th inning. She narrowly missed making
it four consecutive bombs as her line drive to centerfield in the 7th was easily
above the barrier, but Lady Dons outfielder Aliko Eddow, who just switched from
left to center an inning earlier, stabbed the ball before it raced past her to
prevent history.
Thurs.,
May 24 CIF Division III -- Semifinals COUGARS 12, LADY DONS 0 |
Steele Canyon | ab
r h bi | Cathedral | ab
r h bi |
Adame cf Blumenstock ph-cf SBeasley
p Rost c Mahoney rf Klopp 1b Larson pr Daigle 3b Fuentes pr Jarvis
lf Randel dp KCash rf-c Mongelli ss EBeasley 2b |
4 2 2 3 1 0 0 0 5 3 3 4 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0
2 1 0 1 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 4 1 2 2 4 1 0 1 4 1 1
1 0 0 0 0 | Eddow lf-cf Ramirez rf Gallando
ph-rf NRosales 2b Agre c Walsh cf McBrayer lf Fischer 1b ARosales
3b Gonzales ss Conlon dp | 3
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
1 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 |
Totals 35 12 11 12 |
Totals 24 0 3 0 |
Steele
Canyon (26-6-1) Cathedral (20-11) |
000 (10)20 0-12 11 1 000 000 0-00
03 2 | GWRBI-SBeasley. E-EBeasley,
Gonzales, NRosales. LOB-SC 6, Cath 5. 2B-Mongelli. HR-SBeasley 3 (7), 4th, lead,
4th, 1 on, 5th, b2b; Adame (2), 5th, solo. SB-Randel, Rost. |
Steele Canyon |
| |
r | |
| | SBeasley
W,14-4 | 7.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | Cathedral | | | | | | | Boccia
L | 3.1 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 2 | Byrne | 3.2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
WP-SBeasley. T-2:00. Note:
Sam Beasley equaled CIF-San Diego Section record with 3 home runs; equaled CIF
State record with 2 homers in an inning. | | "That
was a really good catch, but I don't feel bad about it," said Beasley. "We
got the win as the team was ready to play." Still, Beasley holds
court with a choice group whom all advanced to NCAA Division I programs. The list
features Kristin Goodall (Mission Bay HS; Cal State Fullerton), Jennette Franco
(Francis Parker; So. Methodist in volleyball), Megan McAllistar (Carlsbad; Georgia)
and Kelsey Quist (Calvin Christian; Princeton), who twice hit three homers in
a single ballgame. "I was just ready to hit when I got up there
-- I wasn't thinking about it, even after I hit my third one," added Beasley.
"I was just worried about putting the ball in play." The
Cougars' four homers lifted their team total to 36 for the season, eclipsing the
section mark of 34 set by McAllistar's Lancers ballclub in 2003. Beasley
dominated a Cathedral (19-10) side which downed Madison then upset 4th-seeded
Ramona to advance to the Final Four, only to again fall to the Cougars. Beasley
also blanked the Lady Dons in last season's title contest, 6-0, on a 4-hitter.
This time, the senior right-hander more than doubled her strikeout total,
escalating from 7 to 15 punchouts, collecting 14 of the Dons' first 16 outs on
'K's. Cathedral starter Kiara Boccia started strong, too, carrying
a no-hitter into the 4th inning. But the sophomore found no answers in the second
go-round through the Steele Canyon line-up -- nine of the 10 runs were earned.
Beasley started the explosion with a leadoff homer which carried an estimated
240 feet. Following an out, the next nine Cougars reached base, featuring a 2-run
single by NICOLE RANDEL and an RBI ground-rule double by LISA MONGELLI. THE
CIFSDS SOFTBALL RECORD BOOK You've heard about it. Read it
HERE (Note:
.pdf format) | Beasley added a second home to the identical
spot just right of straightaway center, but much deeper, as the first two shots
by the left-handed hitter carried a combined 500 feet. Both came on 1-1 counts.
An inning later, VANESSA ADAME belted what turned out to be a solo homer
to set the section team record. Her drive hit the top of the temporary
outfield fence at Sportsplex USA , then flipped over. However, the field umpires
each signaled different rulings. One indicated a homer, but the other called for
a ground-rule double. Following a pow-wow among all three officials,
Adame was awarded her second homer of the season, then Beasley followed with back-to-back
shots for her third home run to etch her name in the record book. Adame
finished 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI, while Randel and LORENA KLOPP added
two hits each in an 11-hit attack (11 earned runs). Meanwhile, the
heart of the Cathedral lineup was kept off the board, as No. 9 hitter Brooke Conlon,
the designated player, garnered two of the Dons' three basehits. Steele
Canyon (26-6-1) now meets a Sultans ballclub which won the SDCIF crown in 2004,
then suffered heartbreak losses in the semifinals during the past two seasons.
The teams met on Mar. 26 in the Grossmont Conference Tournament, as the Cougars
claimed a 5-1 decision on a 3-hitter by Beasley. "We played
them earlier in the season, and we know they'll be ready to play," noted
Beasley."So we have to come to play -- we better be ready." Santana
11, University City 6 -- When Michigan State bound pitcher SHAE BASS had a
rare poor outing, BRITTY BALOUGH entered to not only prevent giving up the lead,
she tossed three shutout innings to gain the victory in relief and advance Santana
to the San Diego CIF Division III championship game after rallying late to sedate
the Centurions. Balough is now 9-1 this season with three complete-game
shutouts.
Thurs.,
May 24 CIF Division III -- Semifinals SULTANS 11, CENTURIONS 6 |
Santana | ab
r h bi | University City | ab
r h bi |
DBalough 2b Carpenter cf Bass
p-ss Brzeczek pr McIlonie 3b Failla 1b Bramlage lf BBalough dp-p Padilla
rf Cook pr Brzeczek pr Fenn c Ocen-odoge pr SSmith ss |
4 1 3 3 5 0 3 2 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 5 1
0 0 5 2 2 1 5 1 1 0 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 1 3 1 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 | Clement 3b Taniyama cf SFryer
2b-p Flanagan 1b Coleman dp Miller c Girdner rf Hamme ss Harvey
lf NFryer lf Wood p-2b | 3
2 1 0 3 2 1 0 4 1 1 0 4 1 2 4 3 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 4 0 1 0 4 0
0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
Totals 37 11 14 8 |
Totals 31 6 7 4 |
Santana
(28-4) University City (17-9) |
030 125 0 - 11 14 4 200 040 0 - 06
07 4 | GWRBI-Carpenter. E-Failla,
SSmith, Carpenter 2, Flanagan, Hamme 2, Harvey. LOB-San 10, UC 8. 2B-Carpenter,
Fenn. HR-Flanagan, 6th, two on. SB-Flangan. S-Taniyama. SF-DBalough. |
Santana | |
| r |
|
| | Bass | 4.0 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | BBalough
W,9-1 | 3.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | University
City | | | | | | | Wood
L | 5.2 | 14 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 3 | SFryer | 1.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Bass
faced 6 batters in the 5th. WP-Bass, Wood. PB-Miller 2. | | Bass
failed to get out of the 5th inning, failing to register an out against six batters,
of which four scored to knot the game at 6-6. The big blow featured a game-tying,
3-run homer by University City first baseman Kelly Flanagan, who plays for the
East County based 3rd Degree club program. But Balough, entering with
two runners on and no one out, registered a pair of strikeouts and a routine grounder
for an out to escape. The momentum swing was apparent and immediate, as the Sultans
(28-4) responded with five markers in the 6th to punch their ticket to the final.
Key hits included the go-ahead basehit by MICHELLE BRAMLAGE to score Bass,
who utilized her bat to started the game-winning rally when her pitching arm failed
her. She opened with a lead walk, followed by a KELSEY McILONIE basehit.
DANIELLE BALOUGH and AMANDA CARPENTER later added consecutive RBI singles
for the Grossmont North League titlists. The duo also moved the Sultans in front
after trailing 2-0 after one inning. In the 2nd, a Balough basehit tied the contest,
then she scored on a Carpenter double for a 3-2 advantage which later climbed
to 6-2. The tandem collected three hits each in the Sultans' 14-hit
attack. Now they get ready for Steele Canyon . "With our defense,
we have a lot support, so we shut a lot of teams out," noted Carpenter, a
sophomore centerfielder. "It'll help that we've played them already, because
we know what to expect and we know what Sam's pitching is like." Santana
is among the section leaders with 16 shutouts. Bass owns nine of them, while sharing
four others with Britty Balough. And with such lofty numbers, no one on the Sultans
believes Bass will be anything but ready in preparation for the All-East County
final.
Thurs.,
May 24 CIF Division IV -- Semifinals PATRIOTS 6. PANTHERS 5 |
Christian | ab
r h bi | Horizon Chr. | ab
r h bi |
Owens p Royce p Cartwright
ss Plum 3b Seymour 1b Scott c Gunter pr KWynns cf Graul rf NWynns
lf Gentry dp Marcos 2b | 3
2 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 4 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
1 1 2 0 0 1 4 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | Robinson
2b Walls ss Ortiz 3b Hokins c Coleman p Sikes dp Hall rf Lubben-Halverson
ph Tirk cf Egbuna 1b Roderick 1b | 3
1 2 2 4 1 0 0 4 0 1 1 4 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 1
1 0 3 1 1 0 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 |
Totals 30 6 3 3 |
Totals 29 5 8 3 |
Christian
(20-8) Horizon Christian (22-3) |
400 200 0 - 6 3 5 001 000 4 - 5 8 4 | GWRBI-Owens. E-Graul
2, Marcos, Cartwright, Owens, Ortiz, Hall, Walls 2. LOB-Chr 9, Hor 5. HR-Owens
(7), 1st, lead. SB-Robinson, Walls. CS-Ortiz. S-Cartwright, Robinson. |
Christian |
| |
r | |
| | Owens
W,10-6 | 6.2 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 9 | Royce
S,1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Horizon
Christian | | | | | | | Coleman
L,12-2 | 7.0 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 8 |
WP-Owens
2. PB-Hoskins, Scott. T-1:54. | | "Shae
is really strong mentally," added Carpenter. "So she'll be ready for
Steele Canyon ." Some of the players believe Santana may be better
prepared to challenge for the title, thus a bounce back will be forthcoming.
"We've been progressing along since we got a new coach (MIKE BASS,
Shae's father)," explained Bramlage, a junior leftfielder, who went 2-for-4
and scored twice. "We've been practicing a lot more to get ready for days
like this." Christian 6, Horizon Christian 5 -- The postseason
aspirations of the Christian Patriots nearly blew up in a frightening 7th inning.
Or did their hopes actually vanish, with the effects not taking place for another
48 hours? After failing to reach the championship game last season following
six straight finals appearances (including three Division IV crowns), the Patriots
are back -- but at what cost? Four errors allowed Horizon Christian
to score four times in the bottom of the 7th inning to trim a 6-1 deficit down
to a single run, but Patriots pitcher JESSIE OWENS thought she was going to catch
a short popfly in front of the plate for the final out. However,
catcher ALLIE SCOTT also charged to the ball and the players, both calling for
the ball, collided. Owens dropped the ball while injuring her leg, as people realized
the season hopes for the Patriots could be dashed. | While
Jessie Owens was being tended to with her injury, players and coaches from
both ballclubs, including Rachel Ortiz (above) of Horizon Christian, take
to their knees in prayer. (Photo by Dan Dangel) | On
this day, JENNA ROYCE entered from off the bench and collected the final out,
but the status of Owens could determine if Christian can add to a list of six
SDCIF crowns, including four under current head coach ROMA DAWSON. "The
trainer said I only hyper-extended my knee," said Owens. "But I'll be
in there no matter what." The determined Owens, who is known
"for going at only one speed, and that's at her very best all of the time,"
according to Dawson , was carried off the field in the arms of an assistant coach.
But she was gingerly walking un-aided following the ballgame to the relief of
Patriots followers. Owens opened the contest with a leadoff home run
to left, as Christian scored four times in the 1st, including RBI singles by outfielders
KRISTINA WYNNS and ALYSSA GRAUL, before the sophomore entered the pitching circle.
She breezed along by spinning a 4-hitter through six innings, then struckout
her 9th batter to open the 7th. However, the defense was charged with four errors,
capped by Owens' drop on the collision, leaving the Panthers with the potential
tying and winning runs on base. Royce came in and collected two
quick strikes, but her third pitch was in the dirt and rolled about 10 feet behind
the catcher. However, Scott recovered the ball and fired to third baseman AMANDA
PLUM to nail the runner to end the contest and advance Christian to the championship
round. The second-seeded Patriots (20-8) will meet defending champion
Francis Parker, which upset top-seeded Imperial, 2-1 in 8 innings. The Lancers
seek to become the first team to repeat as Division IV titlists since the divisions
were revamped in 1994. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m. from SDSU.
Thurs.,
May 24 CIF Division II -- Semifinals GRIZZLIES 2, WOLF PACK 1 |
Mission Hills | ab
r h bi | West Hills | ab
r h bi |
Perez ss Orellana p Vlahes
3b Parsons 2b Alvarez c DBlackwood cf Jenski 1b Provencher rf Erickson
dp Burns dp Rodriguez lf | 3
1 1 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 3 0 1 1 3 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | Burner
cf Iavelli cf MKoria dp LaChusa rf Baggett 3b Valles 2b FKoria
lf Bush 1b Cobb c MelHill ss | 2
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 3 1 1 0 3 0 2 1 3 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 3 0
0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 | Totals
26 2 4 1 | Totals
26 1 6 1 |
Mission Hills (19-13) West
Hills (25-9) |
000 001 1 - 2 4 1 000 001 0 - 1 6 1 | GWRBI-none. E-Perez,
Hill. LOB-MH 4,WH 5. 2B-Baggett. SB-Perez, FKoria. CS-Burner. S-Jenski, Cobb. |
Mission Hills |
| |
r | |
| | Orellana
W,16-12 | 7.0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | West
Hills | | | | | | | Sandberg
L,7-5 | 7.0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Mission Hills 2, West Hills 1 -- The Wolf Pack
again got bit in the semifinals as the 7th-seeded Grizzlies posted another upset
to reach the Division II final. The San Marcos based ballclub will get a chance
to win its second title in three years after downing and no-hitting
2nd-seeded Scripps Ranch in the quarterfinals, and now the 3rd seeds from West
Hills. Starting pitchers BRENNA SANDBERG of the Wolf Pack and the Grizzlies'
Whitney Orellana both carried shutouts into the 6th inning, including a 1-hitter
by Sandberg. However, Mission Hills collected a pair of infield
singles, then a line basehit to left field by clean-up hitter Jordan Parsons to
score Vanessa Perez and snap the pitchers' duel. West Hills answered
back in the home half of the 6th when BRIANNA LaCHUSA dropped a single over the
head of the second baseman, then sophomore CASSIDY BAGGETT drilled an RBI double
to the fence in right-centerfield to level the contest. The Grizzlies
also responded immediately, parlaying an error, a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch
to score Donna Blackwood. The final chance for West Hills saw FAITH
KORIA reach on a lead infield single, then stealing second base, but Orellana
coaxed a popout to shortstop then recorded two of her 12 strikeouts to end it.
Sandberg also struck out 12 batters. "I'm still glad because
we were able to come back from a really, really rough beginning to our season,"
said Baggett of the team's 1-5 start, yet finishing with 24 victories in the final
28 starts. "We were able to come back and kick butt." "You
can not get down, and we learned to stick up for each other and stay up. It's
the only thing you can do to be successful." Baggett, the third
baseman, batted 2-for-3, matching Koria's effort. West Hills was
also hampered by the loss of several players during its playoff run. BRIANNA
AUSTIN was lost in the quarterfinals after breaking a finger, STASIA HOLDMAN missed
the last 10 days with an ankle, then SHARLANA BURNER came out after the 3rd inning
after getting roughed up when caught attempting to steal second base.
| Santana's
Amanda Carpenter slugged a 2-run homer in the 1st inning, jump-starting the
Sultans to a 2-0 lead in besting Monte Vista in Tuesday's CIF Division III softball
quarterfinals. (Photo by Sheila Bass) | CIF
PLAYOFFS -- Quarterfinals Sultans, Cougars remain on track in Div. III
© East County Sports.com SANTEE (5-23-07) -- The Santana
Sultans play the part of the underdog much better than the favorite's role, so
when the San Diego CIF Division III fastpitch seedings came out listing them behind
defending champion Steele Canyon, it may be all that is needed to propel the Sultans
to their first section title since 2004. Santana took the first
step by taking control in what proved to be the decisive opening inning, rolling
past Grossmont Conference rival Monte Vista, 6-1, in Tuesday's (May 22) SDCIF
quarterfinals. AMANDA CARPENTER smacked a 2-run homer and MICHELLE
BRAMLAGE powered a 2-run triple in the opening frame for a 4-0 cushion after preventing
the Monarchs from scoring moments earlier. Singles by BRITTANY WRIGHT
and LYDIA VENIEGAS, plus a stolen base, placed Monte Vista runners at 2nd and
3rd. However, Santana pitcher SHAE BASS escaped the logjam with two of her seven
strikeouts, then coaxed a short flyball to prevent the Monarchs from scoring.
Bass, moments after being told she would move to shortstop, then utilized
her stick for some insurance. She opened the 5th with a solo homer just to the
left of dead-centerfield for a 5-0 lead. "A lot of people thought
we were down on ourselves after losing to West Hills," noted Santana third
baseman KELSEY McILONIE. "But we played a solid game, so we weren't feeling
bad." "We came into this game without a big head and stayed
focused on what we needed to do." | The
Sultans' Britty Balough tossed the final two innings to complete a 6-1 victory
over Monte Vista in the CIF Dov. III quarterfinals. (Photos by Sheila
Bass) | The Usual Suspects | |
| After
holding Monte Vista scoreless in the 1st, DANIELLE BALOUGH started the rally with
a lead walk, then Carpenter went deep. Bass followed with a basehit, then stole
second, with RACHEL FAILLA walking to set the table for Bramlage's blast. The
other Santana run came in the 6th as BRITTANY FENN doubled off the fence in left-center,
missing a homer by just over a foot, with Bass collecting her second RBI with
a double to the opposite field in right. Monte Vista , which played
solid despite the 1st inning shortcoming, never rolled over and played a solid
contest. The Monarchs punched through in the 7th to avert the shutout by an RBI
single by pinchhitter SHANNON WRIGHT, scoring pinchrunner MARIZA MALDANADO.
Following the contest, Santana's opening for a berth in the Div. III final
grew a touch wider. Instead of meeting third-seeded Brawley, the Sultans will
instead meet University City, which traveled to the desert to upset the Wildcats,
2-1. Steele Canyon 7, Valhalla 1 -- One could appreciate
the position Cougars coach JULIE BOHE faced after her side committed three errors
in the 1st inning, allowing Valhalla's JODIE SCHMEHR to score for a 1-0 lead.
"I was ready to take a Valium," said Bohe of the tension relief
medication. "We were shaking in our boots." However, the
defending SDCIF Division III titlists quickly regrouped, answering three times
in the home-half of the 1st en route to an easy triumph in a sloppy contest featuring
five errors by both ballclubs. | Steele
Canyon's Jazmin Daigle strokes a 2-run double, part of a 4 RBI outing. (Photos
by Chris Edwards) |
| "Fortunately,
after Valhalla got a run and still had the bases loaded, SAM (BEASLEY) got us
out of it by striking out the next two batters," added Bohe. Beasley
finished by striking out eight Norsemen without issuing a walk in tossing a 2-hitter
to start another playoff run for the Cougars. The senior also delivered with the
bat, going 4-for-4 to raise her season average to .580. Meanwhile, third baseman
JAZMIN DAIGLE drove in four runs, including a two-run line single in the 1st to
claim the lead for keeps. "Jaz made it another big game,"
added Bohe. "Every time she comes up with runners on base, she always seems
to knock someone in." VANESSA ADAME opened by getting hit by a
pitch, a Beasley single and an error put two runners in scoring position, then
catcher HANNAH ROST singled home Adame to tie the contest. Daigle followed with
a drive to left-centerfield for the lead, then later added a two-run double in
the 5th for a 5-1 advantage. Rost and LORENA KLOPP added run-scoring
basehits in the 6th to cap the scoring. "Sam, Jaz and Hannah
were our studs," added the coach. "And when Sam pitches like she did
today, you can't beat her." Steele Canyon will get a championship
rematch in the semifinals by meeting Cathedral Catholic, which upset fourth-seeded
Ramona in a 10-8 slugfest up on the mountain. The Cougars downed the Lady Dons
in the 2006 finale, 6-0. Christian 12, San Diego Jewish 3 --
Despite a few knocks from opponents in the Eastern League, a circuit mainly composed
of large Division I and II schools, the Patriots delivered a few blows of their
own to finish in the upper half of the standings. So meeting a team
with a gleaming record, but against second-string competition, allowed Christian
to clearly demonstrate how fastpitch is really played. Indeed, it's a role the
Pats relish year after year to advance deep into the SDCIF Division IV playoffs.
On Tuesday (May 22), sophomore JESSIE OWENS clearly was the superior pitcher,
needed for just the first five innings to dominate the supposedly indomitable
Lions. And when you throw in Owens' afternoon at the plate -- 3-for-4 with a home
run and a pair of doubles -- the Patriots punched their ticket to their seventh
straight Final Four appearance. But it was more than just Owens.
KARA CARTWRIGHT and ALLIE SCOTT also batted 3-for-4, as Christian accumulated
16 hits --the ballclub's third-highest total of the season. "We
were focused on driving the ball better," noted coach ROMA DAWSON, who's
troops rebounded from a 2-hit performance in a victory in Saturday's first round.
"We had some hard hit balls all game." Owens opened the
stretch with a two-out double in the 3rd, as the Pats pieced together five consecutive
hits to mount a 4-1 lead. Owens scored on a basehit by Cartwright, who came home
on a double by AMANDA PLUM. SARAH SEYMOUR and ALLIE SCOTT added to the rally with
singles. Owens, who scored three times, opened the 5th with a solo
home run -- her sixth of the season -- then Christian completed the rout with
four runs in the 6th. In the frame, ALY GENTRY stroked a two-run single, while
Seymour blasted a two-run triple, one of six extra-base hits by the Patriots.
For the contest, Christian pitchers struck out 16 batters, with Owens collecting
10 in her five frames, then JENNA ROYCE garnered all six of her outs on strikes
in relief. West Hills 2, Mar Vista 1 (8 inn.) -- Twice during
the final week of the regular season, KYLEE KRINGS entered in relief to collect
victories to lift the Wolf Pack to a share of the Grossmont North League pennant.
But the roles were reversed in Tuesday's (May 22) SDCIF Division II quarterfinals.
Krings tossed four solid innings in a starting assignment, getting tagged
for just one unearned run, then BRENNA SANDBERG entered as the change-of-pace
pitcher, helping keep visiting Mar Vista off-balance and give the Wolf Pack the
opportunity to rally. West Hills holds recent success over the Mariners,
including a 1-hit shutout by Krings at the Hilltop Tournament two seasons ago.
"Our group of seniors beat them as 10th-graders, and against their
pitcher who was also a 10th-grader," noted Pack coach STEVE SUTTON. "Take
away our error and we win this one easily, too." Tue.,
May 22 CIF PLAYOFFS -- Quarterfinals DIVISION II WOLF PACK 2, MARINERS
1 (8 inn.) | Mar Vista (21-11) West
Hills (25-8) | 001 000 00 - 1 3 3 000
010 01 - 2 7 1 | No out when winning run scored. Pickett
and Anderson; Krings, Sandberg (5) and Austin, Cobb (4). W-Sandberg (7-4). L-Pickett.
HR-none. |
DIVISION
II SUNDEVILS 8, FOOTHILLERS 2 | Grossmont
(15-14-1) Mt. Carmel (27-3) | 003
000 0 - 3 9 3 300 302 x - 8 7 0 | Fishtrom,
Renaldi (4) and Moore; McDermott and Vasser, Bemis (3). W-McDermott (23-3). L-Fishtrom
(7-5). HRFox (MtC) 1st, two on; Doremus (MtC) 6th, one on. |
DIVISION
III COUGARS 7, NORSEMEN 1 | Valhalla
(13-17) Steele Canyon (25-6-1) | 100
000 0-1 02 5 300 022 x-7 11 5 | Uy,
Houston (3), McGirr (6) and Seitz, Gonzales (6); S.Beasley and Rost. W-S.Beasley
(13-4). L-Uy (4-7). HR-none |
DIVISION
III SULTANS 6, MONARCHS 1 | Monte Vista
(12-19-1) Santana (27-4) | 000 000
1-1 05 0 400 011 x-6 11 2 | Mullins
and Pera, Ward (2); Bass, B.Balough (6) and Fenn. W-Bass (19-3). L-Mullins (9-14).
HR-Carpenter (S), 1st, one on; Bass (S), 5th, lead. |
DIVISION
IV PATRIOTS 12, LIONS 3 | SD Jewish
(20-2-1) Christian (19-8) | 100 002
0 - 03 06 4 004 224
x - 12 16 0 | Adelman and Luther; Owens, Royce
(6) and Scott. W-Owens (9-6). L-Adelman (17-2). HR-Sheela (SDJ), 1st, solo; Owens
(C), 5th, lead. |
DIVISION
IV LANCERS 3, RED HAWKS 1 | Francis
Parker (16-8) Mtn. Empire (17-6) | 200
001 0 - 3 6 2 000 010 0 - 1 4 1 | McIntyre
and Svatos. K. Majam and S. Daniels. W-McIntyre (14-8). L-K.Majam (15-6). |
| A
gamble in the outfield turned a single into a runner at third base when a dive
for the ball came up short, as Mar Vista cashed-in the misjudgment for a run in
the 3rd. However, Krings and Sandberg dominated the whole contest, as only one
other baserunner ever reached scoring position. Meanwhile, West Hills
answered with runs in the 5th and 8th innings to secure the rally. MOCHERIE
KORIA opened the 5th with a single, moved to second on a JAYLEEN BUSH grounder
to the right side, then stole third base. MELISSA HILL followed with a potential
inning-ending grounder toward second base, but the fielding error allowed Koria
to level the contest. Another error doomed the Mariners in the 8th.
SHARLANA BURNER and FAITH KORIA opened the inning with bunt singles, with
a throwing error on the second bunt moving both runners into scoring position.
Senior BRIANNA LaCHUSA followed with the walkoff, RBI single to score Burner,
advancing West Hills into the semifinals. The third-seeded Wolf
Pack (25-8), winners of 24 of their last 27 outings, will avoid meeting second-seeded
Scripps Ranch in one of Thursday's (May 24) final four pairings, instead meeting
Mission Hills (18-13), which scored twice in the 7th to upset the Falcons, 2-0.
Mt. Carmel 8, Grossmont 3 -- In the past, the Foothillers has reached
Mt. Carmel junior Jessica McDermott, the reigning Palomar League pitcher of the
year, who paced the Sundevils to the top of the Division II bracket as the top
seed. And Grossmont tagged her again early, answering Mt. Carmel 's 3-run effort
in the 1st with three of its own to tie the contest in the 3rd. But
that would be all the runs McDermott (23-3) would allow, despite yielding nine
hits to the Hillers in the round-of-8 contest in Rancho Penasquitos. Since
falling in the final of the North County Tournament to Mission Hills back on Mar.
22, the Sundevils have gone exactly two months without a setback in stringing
together 19 consecutive victories. Grossmont's season ends at 15-14-1,
yet can take some solace in scoring the most runs off Mt. Carmel since the Devils
yielded five markers to Granite Hills in Cougar Classic play way back on Mar.
9. Kellie Fox smacked a 3-run homer for the quick Mt. Carmel lead.
Maggie Doremus (3-for-4) put the Sundevils back in front with a 2-run single in
the 4th, followed by an RBI on a fielder's choice by Chelsea Bemis, who later
smacked a 2-run homer in the 6th. Grossmont scoring details were
not reported.
| Christian
freshman Aly Gunter gained the victory in relief. (Photo by Jeanne
Royce) | CIF PLAYOFFS -- First Round Plum places
pressure for the Patriots © East County Sports.com EL
CAJON (5-20-07) -- With the proliferation of small, private schools springing
up throughout the county -- many offering high school sports activities -- a full
field of 16 teams comprised the San Diego CIF Division IV playoff bracket, unlike
pools of 12 schools in the remaining divisions. Thus, there are no longer any
byes for the top seeds, including No. 2 Christian, which came out flat against
The Bishop's, the next-to-last team to gain a postseason berth. However,
third baseman AMANDA PLUM put on the pressure which finally undid the Knights,
helping the Patriots score three times in their final at-bat to secure a 3-2 victory
in Saturday's (May 19) opening round of the SDCIF playoffs. Plum
placed a perfect bunt which left The Bishop's defense with no play except a desperate
attempt to get KARA CARTWRIGHT at the plate. And when the toss was too late, the
game was tied, as the Knights would commit four errors in the inning for all three
(unearned) runs to advance Christian to Tuesday's (May 22) round-of-8.
"We just needed to play with more energy," said Plum , who surprised
the defense with a rare bunt by the ballclub's No. 3 hitter. "I don't bunt
very often, but we needed to do something to get the run in, then Kara did a great
job running from third." For five innings, The Bishop's sailed
along on a 1-hit shutout by Natalie Carmarda, who struck out 11 in her six innings
of work. | Christian
High's Amanda Plum (3) is ruled safe after taking the extra base following
her game-tying bunt single in the 6th inning. The No. 2 Patriots downed
The Bishop's School, 3-2, in Saturday's CIF opener. (Photo by Jeanne Royce) |
| "I
think a lot of people thought we'd walk over them, just expecting to win,"
added Plum. "But she had a good changeup, which is why we didn't hit her."
JESSIE OWENS opened the inning with a short popfly to shortstop, but the
ball was dropped and the hustling Owens raced to second base. Cartwright followed
with a bunt to sacrifice Owens, but the throw went to right field and Christian
halved the deficit to 2-1. Plum's bunt left her at second base,
moving to third on a dropped third strike for The Bishop's' third error, then
a fly ball by catcher ALLIE SCOTT was dropped to score the go-ahead run.
Meanwhile, freshman ALY GUNTER gained the pitching victory in relief.
Gunter entered a 1-0 game with the bases loaded and no one out in the 5th.
However, she walked in a run on a series of tight pitches which didn't go her
way. "That was interesting," Gunter explained about the
calls. "But I learned from Jessie not to let the umpire know you're upset
with a call." "So I turned to Jessie (at shortstop) and
made a face -- she knows how I feel." Owens went the first
4-plus innings, striking out five and walking four. Two of the free passes plus
an error allowed the Knights to break the scoreless game in the 4th. "But
we played really solid defense after we scored," added Gunter. "They
knew we got a second chance after we messed up their defense by putting pressure
on them with our bats." | | | Valhalla's
Amber Reardon gets full extention on what proved to be the game-winning homer
-- a two-run shot in the 3rd inning -- to power the Norsemen past Clairemont,
4-2. (Photos by Chris Edwards) |
| Gunter
did get one break. Trailing 2-0 and the bases still loaded, the frosh apparently
hit a batter with a pitch, forcing home a run. However, the home plate
umpire asked the base umpire if the batter had checked her swing -- long after
the runner from third was in the dugout celebrating with teammates. The outside
official said she had not checked, thus the call became a strike and erased the
hit-by-pitch. Carmarda finished with a 2-hitter despite the setback.
The only other hit Christian had was a 2nd-inning single by ALLYSSA GRAUL.
Knights catcher MICHELLE BRUNKER went 3-for-4. Valhalla
4, Clairemont 2 -- For the fourth consecutive season, Clairemont's Chieftains
were eliminated from the playoffs by an East County school, as the Norsemen took
the honors for the second time in three seasons. This go-round,
it was AMBER REARDON who sent the Chieftains packing, snapping a 2-2 deadlock
with her third home run of the season. The junior drilled a 2-run shot to left-centerfield
in the 3rd, with catcher KELLEY SEITZ (single) scoring in front of the shortstop.
MEGAN McGIRR then entered the contest and tossed four shutout innings to
gain the pitching victory in relief. She yielded just three basehits and never
was threatened. "Megan got a ton of ground balls," noted
Norsemen coach DOUG HARTUNG. "She just came in and shut them down."
The Norsemen jumped to a 2-0 lead during their first at-bat. JODIE
SCHMEHR hit a one-out double to left, reaching third on a single by Reardon. CELINA
CRUZ answered with a sacrifice fly to left to score Schmehr, then KYLA BRANSFORD
went the opposite way with a single to right-center to bring home Reardon.
Clairemont tied the game in the 2nd on a double by sophomore second baseman
Shelby Turner. | | | Adriana
Nau (top) and Cammi Moore (center) each belted 2-run homers, then Andrea
Nedden hit a grand slam to power Grossmont. |
| Grossmont
11, Hilltop 3 -- Although most observers were pleased with the new CIF playoff
procedures to determine seeds and brackets, this was one pairing which left more
than a few people scratching their heads. Hilltop received the 8th seed,
thus, were able to host the 9th seeded Foothillers, but a closer look questions
how the decision was made between teams with similar records. The Lancers
own quality victories over, well, we couldn't find any unless you count three
wins over teams which barely qualified for the postseason. Meanwhile, Grossmont
played, arguably, one of the toughest schedules in the San Diego Section, with
10 of the Hillers' losses coming against teams seeded among the top three in their
respective divisions (3-Santana, 2-Scripps Ranch, 2-Mt.Carmel, 2-West Hills, 1-Steele
Canyon), plus triumphs over four playoff teams -- all higher rated then those
defeated by Hilltop. So it came as no surprise when the Foothillers
sojourned to the South Bay and placed the lumber on Hilltop. Grossmont equaled
a season high by clouting three home runs to race to a quick 10-0 lead after just
2 1/2 innings. Included were 2-run bombs by ADRIANA NAU and CAMMI
MOORE for a 5-0 lead through two frames, then ANDREA NEDDEN continued the assault
with a grand slam in the 3rd. The trio drove in all 11 of the Hillers' runs.
"I hope the bats stay alive for Tuesday," noted Grossmont coach
JERRY LERUD of his team's upcoming meeting with top-ranked Mt. Carmel . "If
we keep them hot, then we'll be ready to play." Nedden finished
with five RBI on 3-for-5 hitting. Along with the slam, she opened the ballgame
with an RBI double in the 1st, then added a triple in the 7th to fall just a single
short of a cycle. Nau and Moore added three RBI each. Nau went 4-for-4,
driving home Nedden in the 7th. Moore 's other RBI came on a bases-loaded walk.
Meanwhile, while the offense was shooting fireworks, almost overlooked
were the pitching of ASHLEY RENALDI and BRITTNEY FISHTROM. Renaldi tossed four
shutout innings for the victory, then Fishtrom lasted the final three frames for
her first save of the season. Monte Vista 8, Our Lady of Peace
1 -- WHITNEY MULLINS stayed strong while waiting for the Monarchs' offense
to awaken, carrying a shutout into the 6th to defeat the host Pilots at Serra
Mesa Recreation Center. Mullins struck out five, then went 3-for-4
at the plate with an RBI. "Whitney's been the mainstay of our
pitching staff, especially with ROSIE ABEYTA playing hurt all season," said
Monte Vista coach SIG CHABROWSKI. "Whitney came in and takes care of business."
For the long time, it looked like a single run in the 1st would hold up,
but the Monarchs finally erupted for five runs in the 6th to make quick work of
the 7th seeds. The key hit was a bases-loaded double by second baseman
SHAAKIRAH RANSOM. The sophomore sent a shot to the fence-less, left-centerfield
gap, easily clearing the bases. Ransom, who earlier doubled, had a shot at a grand
slam, but was ruled out at third for missing the bag. Sat.,
May 19 CIF PLAYOFFS DIVISION I FALCONS 6, EAGLES 4 | Granite
Hills (15-11) Torrey Pines (17-13-1) |
000 130 0-4 7 1 101 400 x-6 9 1 | Bertusii
and Schatz; Ratchuk and Schubert. W-Ratchuk (11-9). L-Bertussi (6-4). HR-Episcopo
(TP, 4) 3rd, solo. |
DIVISION
II FOOTHILLERS 11, LANCERS 3 | Grossmont
(15-13-1) Hilltop (15-13) | 325 000
1-11 16 0 002 001 0-03 06
1 | Renaldi, Fishtrom (5) and Moore, Escalante
(5); Vila, Rhudy (3) and Valen. W-Renaldi (9-9). L-Vila. S-Fishtrom (1). HR-Nau
(G,3), 1st, one on; Moore (G,7), 2nd, one on; Nedden (G,4), 3rd, slam. |
DIVISION
III NORSEMEN 4, CHIEFTAINS 2 | Clairemont
(10-16-1) Valhalla (13-16) | 020 000
0 - 2 7 0 202 000 x - 4 7 1 | Nicolet,
Douglas (6) and L.Wood; Cruz, McGirr (4) and Houston. W-McGirr (5-4). L-Nicolet.
HR-Reardon (V,3), 3rd, one on. |
DIVISION
III MONARCHS 8, PILOTS 1 | Monte Vista
(12-18-1) Our Lady/Peace (23-5) | 100
005 2-8 12 0 000 001 0-1 06 3 | Mullins
and Perea; Farris and Pinnell. W-Mullins (9-13). L-Farris. HR-none. |
DIVISION
IV PATRIOTS 3, KNIGHTS 2 | The Bishop's
(6-15) Christian (18-8) | 000 110
0 - 2 4 4 000 003 x - 3 2 2 | Camarda and
Brunker; Owens, Gunter (5) and Scott. W-Gunter (5-1). L-Camarda. HR-none. |
| BRITTANY
PORTER added a pair of RBI with run-scoring hits in the 6th and 7th, while AMANDA
AGUON and centerfielder LYDIA VENIEGAS went 2-for-4 each. With the triumph,
Monte Vista gains a quarterfinals date with 2nd-seeded Santana, slated for 3:30
p.m. Tuesday (May 22). Torrey Pines 6, Granite Hills 4 -- The
site of the Eagles' greatest triumph this season was also the location of their
ultimate demise. Returning to Torrey Pines, where they earlier captured the Falcon
Fiesta tournament championship, the battle to see which side would gain a shot
at top-ranked Mira Mesa went to the hosts, which held on after mounting a 6-1
advantage. Mary Episcopo, who went 2-for-3 for Torrey Pines, started
a 4-run rally in the 4th with a solo homer. She also earlier knocked in a run
for a 2 RBI outing. The inning featured just a single hit, as the
Falcons parlayed a pair of walks and four bunts, including squeeze bunts for runs
by Episcopo and Shannon Smoot. The last two runs then scored on a wild pitch,
as one runner scooted home, but when a throw targeted to nail a runner at third
base sailed to the outfield, another runner also scored. However,
Granite Hills made things interesting. After Falcons pitcher Kelly
Ratchuk limited the Eagles to two hits through four innings, the visitors answered
in the 5th, which opened with a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases.
Torrey Pines catcher Wendy Schubert registered one out on a throw to the
plate on a fielder's choice, but NICOLE RIVERA followed with a two-run double,
then another runner came home on a wild pitch. Rivera finished batting
2-for-4, also scoring in the 4th following a walk and a stolen base, one of her
two thefts on the day. Granite Hills got on the scoreboard on a strange, two-out
play, where Schubert caught a short popup, but when runners were unsure whether
she had caught the ball, she fired to second base resulting in a rundown to get
another baserunner. Rivera finished batting 2-for-4, while MEGAN BELIO went
2-for-2, as the pair collected more than half of the Eagles' seven hits.
CIF
FASTPITCH PLAYOFFS | Div.
I | Div.
II | Div.
III | 1.
Mira Mesa 2. Vista 3. Escondido 4. Rancho Bernardo 5. Poway 6.
La Costa Canyon 7. El Camino 8. Torrey Pines 9. Granite Hills 10.
Bonita Vista 11. Rancho BV 12. Carlsbad | 1.
Mt. Carmel 2. Scripps Ranch 3. West Hills 4. Westview 5. San
Pasqual 6. Mar Vista 7. Mission Hills 8. Hilltop 9. Grossmont 10.
Point Loma 11. Eastlake 12. EC-Southwest | 1.
Steele Canyon 2. Santana 3. Brawley 4. Ramona 5. Cathedral 6.
University City 7. Our Lady of Peace 8. Valhalla 9. Clairemont 10.
Monte Vista 11. San Dieguito Aca. 12. Madison | Saturday's
Games Granite Hills at Torrey Pines, 10 a.m. (winner vs. Mira Mesa) Carlsbad
at Poway (winner vs. Rancho Bernardo) Rancho Buena Vusta at La
Costa Canyon (winner vs. Escondido) Bonita Vista at El Camino (winner
vs. Vista) | Saturday's Games Grossmont
at Hilltop, 10 a.m. (winner vs. Mt. Carmel) EC-Southwest at San
Pasqual (winner vs. Westview) Eastlake vs. Mar Vista (winner vs.
West Hills) Point Loma at Mission Hills (winner vs. Scripps
Ranch) | Saturday's Games Clairemont
at Valhalla, 10 a.m. (winner vs. Steele Canyon) Madison
at Cathedral (winner vs. Ramona) San Dieguito Aca. at University
City (winner vs. Brawley) Monte Vista vs. OLP at Serra Mesa
Rec. Ctr., 2 p.m. (winner vs. Santana) | Div.
IV | SCHEDULE | 1.
Imperial 2. Christian 3. Horizon Christian 4. Mountain Empire 5.
Francis Parker 6. Marian Catholic 7. San Diego Jewish Academy 8. Coronado 9.
Holtville 10. La Jolla Country Day 11. Palo Verde 12. Guajome Park 13.
Santa Fe Christian 14. Borrego 15. The Bishop's 16. Julian | Saturday's
Games Holtville at Coronado Julian at Imperial Guajome
Park at Franics Parker Santa Fe Christian at Mountain Empire
Palo
Verde at Marian Catholic Borrego at Horizon Christian LJCD at
SD Jewish A. The Bishop's at Christian, 2 p.m. | First
Round Sat., May 19 Home Sites Quarterfinals Tue., May
22 Home Sites, 3:30 p.m. Semifinals Thurs., May 24 Sportsplex
USA, Poway
Championships Sat., May 26 San Diego State Dates,
sites, subject to change | Game
Times to be announced. |
|
| In
the middle of the celebration is West Hills junior Kristy Valles (light blue
helmet, hugging No. 5) following her game-winning hit in the bottom of the
8th to nip Santana, 1-0, to share the GNL crown. (Photo by Adolfo
Villanueva) |
| Wolf Pack provides
turnabout for GNL title © East County Sports.com SANTEE
(5-17-07) -- West Hills High started a lap down to open the season, with the engine
smoking, yet they were once again in contention at the finish line when the games
really counted. Playing catch-up to Santana all season long in both the
county rankings and the Grossmont North League standings, the Wolf Pack roared
back to grab a share of the title on the final day of the regular season Wednesday
(May 16) after nipping the Sultans, 1-0 in 8 innings. The decision allowed the
teams to finish in a dead heat with 10-2 records in league play. KRISTY
VALLES provided the game's lone run with a soaring double over the left-fielder's
head, allowing FAITH KORIA (walk, stolen base) to score on the walk-off blast
to the fence. | The
Wolf Pack tap and slap hands and gloves to prepare for action. (Photo by
Adolfo Villanueva) |
| "It
just showed the composure of the girls," said West Hills coach STEVE SUTTON
of his team which staggered out of the gate at 1-5, but has captured 23 of 26
ballgames to close the season. "We always knew we were a good team."
Santana took the teams' first meeting, but the Wolf Pack posted consecutive
shutouts of the Sultans, this time on a combined 2-hitter by BRENNA SANDBERG and
KYLEE KRINGS. Sandberg completed her Senior Day performance with five strikeouts
in five frames of no-hit ball. Krings then gained two outs on strikes over the
final three innings to collect the victory. Valles finished with a pair
of stolen bases, while CASSIDY BAGGETT batted 2-for-2 plus a walk for the Wolf
Pack. REGULAR
SEASON FINAL Win Pct. (Min. 7 decisions; thru
May 16) | Player | School | W-L-S | Britty
Balough | Santana | 8-1-2 | Shae
Bass | Santana | 18-3-0 |
Chelsea Velovich | West Hills | 6-1-0 | Kylee
Krings | West Hills | 11-2-0 | Lorena
Klopp | Steele Canyon | 7-2-0 | Sam
Beasley | Steele Canyon | 12-4-1 | Brittney
Fishtrom | Grossmont | 7-4-0 | Brittani
Bertussi | Granite Hills | 6-3-0 | Jenny
Lahitte | Granite Hills | 5-3-0 | Brenna
Sandberg | West Hills | 6-4-1 | Jessie
Owens | Christian | 8-6-1 | Megan
Belio | Granite Hills | 4-4-0 | Megan
McGirr | Valhalla | 4-4-0 | Christine
Jacobites | Helix | 8-9-0 | Ashley
Renaldi | Grossmont | 8-9-0 | Others: | | | Erika
Beasley | Steele Canyon | 5-0-0 | Jenna
Royce | Christian | 5-1-0 | Other
saves -- Blumenstock (SC) 1, Gunter (C) 1, Maldonado (MV) 1, McGirr (V) 1,
K.McMillan (MV) 1, N.Smith (H) 1. |
Home
Run Leaders (Thru May 16) | Player | School | HR | Lorena
Klopp | Steele Canyon | 9 | Hannah
Rost | Steele Canyon | 8 | Jayme
Jarvis | Steele Canyon | 7 | Laura
Nelson | Mount Miguel | 7 | Cammi
Moore | Grossmont | 6 | Stasia
Holdman | West Hills | 5 | Jessie
Owens | Christian | 5 | Kelley
Seitz | Valhalla | 5 | Danielle
Balough | Santana | 4 | Sam
Beasley | Steele Canyon | 4 | Brittani
Bertussi | Granite Hills | 4 | Kelsey
McIlonie | Santana | 4 | Jodie
Schmehr | Valhalla | 4 | Sarah
Seymour | Christian | 4 | Shae
Bass | Santana | 3 | Andrea
Nedden | Grossmont | 3 | Amanda
Plum | Christian | 3 | 2
-- Dronenburg (H), Hill (G), Lahitte (GH; both slams), Nau (G), Nedden (G),
Perea (MV), Renaldi (G), Schatz (GH), Scott (C). |
| With
the victory, West Hills (24-8) hopes to climb in the seedings for the CIF Division
II championships, perhaps reaching as high as the No. 3 slot behind Mt. Carmel
and Scripps Ranch. Meanwhile, Santana (26-4), the top-ranked Division III school
by both of the county's major media polls, will now be in a dogfight for the top
seed with Steele Canyon. The complete pairings in all division are slated
to be released Thursday (May 17) night by the CIF-San Diego Section office. The
same situation resulting in a co-championship occurred two years ago, but the
roles were reversed when Santana also took a 1-0 decision in 8 innings to forge
the deadlock. El Capitan 3, Grossmont 0 -- The Vaqueros, an obvious
bubble team in an attempt to secure a CIF Division III playoff berth, gave it
their best shot of the season in downing the visiting Foothillers behind a 5-hit
shutout by junior JULIANNA DUNCAN. It was El Cap's second straight shutout victory
to close the regular season. "It was probably Julianna's best performance
of the season," noted Vaqueros coach JOE COTA. "She frustrated Grossmont
by hitting her spots -- she did a great job." The possible invitation
to the postseason will not be determined until Thursday night, but there was additional
motivation for the Vaqueros. "If we won, I agreed to let them dye my
hair any color they want," added Cota, who is no longer endowed with a thick,
wavey mane from his youth. El Capitan (7-15) captured 3 of its last 5 ballgames
after making several changes on defense. "One of them was moving CATHERINE
BROWN to shortstop," Cota noted. "But she was unsure about playing there,
but told her, 'You're the one.' So she goes out there and made some nice plays
-- she did a great job, too." While the pitching and defense held true,
the offense did just enough by posting three runs in the 3rd inning for the game's
lone scoring. Following consecutive basehit by PAIGE BORRAS and SARAH GROHMAN,
LESLIE KUHNE made it three straight singles to drive home Borras. An error knocked
in another run, then AMANDA COMBS slugged a double to complete the team's biggest
single-inning outburst of the month. Steele Canyon 5, Helix 1 --
The Cougars became the first Grossmont Conference school to post an undefeated
ledger in either league this decade by completing a 10-0 slate in the Grossmont
South League after topping the host Highlanders. Steele Canyon outscored its GSL
opponents by a 78-5 count, including five shutouts while allowing just a single
run in the remaining five contests. East County's top home run hitting team
added to three more to their totals, including back-to-back shots by VANESSA ADAME
and SAM BEASLEY to open the scoring in the 3rd inning. It would be all the offense
needed by Beasley, who tossed a 2-hitter and struckout five in raising her season
pitching record to 12-4. Helix shortstop ALYSSA DRONENBURG immediately responded
with an RBI single to center, scoring BETH AMANN, who was hit by a pitch, then
advanced into scoring position on an error. However, the Cougars' big bats
answered back when JAYME JARVIS led off the 4th with her seventh homer of the
season. LISA MONGELLI followed with a basehit, coming around the diamond on a
pair of stolen bases and a throwing error. Steele Canyon placed the finishing
touches on its league title when LORENA KLOPP doubled in the 5th, racing home
on an RBI single by JAZMIN DAIGLE. The Cougars (24-6-1) closed the regular slate
with an 11-game winning streak, plus win in 14 of their last 16 outings.
Wed.,
May 16 Grossmont North League WOLF PACK 1, SULTANS 0 (8 inn.) | Santana
(26-4) West Hills (24-8) | 000 000
00 - 0 2 2 000 000 01 - 1 7 1 | No out
when winning run scored. Bass and Fenn; Sandberg, Krings (6) and Cobb. W-Krings
(11-2). L-Bass (18-3). HR-none. |
VAQUEROS
3, FOOTHILLERS 0 | Grossmont (14-13-1) El
Capitan (8-15) | 000 000 0 - 0 5 1 003
000 x - 3 8 1 | Fishtrom, Renaldi (6) and
Moore; Duncan and Combs. W-Duncan (5-7). L-Fishtrom (7-4). HR-none. |
Grossmont
South League EAGLES 1, MATADORS 0 | Granute
Hills (15-10) Mount Miguel (7-21) | 100
000 0 - 1 2 0 000 000 0 - 0 5 0 | Belio
and Schatz; Fabela, Nelson (1) and C.Jones. W-Belio (4-4). L-Fabela (0-10). HR-none |
NORSEMEN
2, MONARCHS 0 | Monte Vista (11-18-1) Valhalla
(12-16) | 000 000 0 - 0 2 2 000 000
2 - 2 6 0 | Mullins and Perea; Uy and Seitz.
W-Uy (4-6). L-Mullins (8-13). HR-Seitz (V), 7th, one on, walk-off. |
COUGARS
5, HIGHLANDERS 1 | Steele Canyon (24-6-1) Helix
(11-14) | 002 210 0-5 10 1 001 000
0-1 02 1 | S.Bealsey
and Rost; Jacobites, Diaz (4) and Martin del Campo. W-S.Beasley (12-4). L-Jacobites
(8-9). HR-Adame (SC), 3rd, solo; S.Beasley (SC), 3rd, b2b; Jarvis (SC), 4th, lead. |
| Valhalla
2, Monte Vista 0 -- Sophomore pitcher ANGELA UY carried a perfect game into
the 7th inning, but it wasn't until the bottom of the 7th when this game was decided
when junior catcher KELLEY SEITZ bombed a 2-run, walkoff homer to power the Norsemen
past the Monarchs. Uy retired 18 consecutive batters, then survived
a Monte Vista rally in the 7th, when the visitors registered its lone hits. Monarchs
third baseman BRITTANY WRIGHT snapped Uy's streak with a double, then a roller
by LYDIA VENIEGAS barely skipped into left field. And with the Norsemen defense
more concerned about Wright, a heads-up Veniegas slipped into second base to place
a pair of runners into scoring position. However, Uy escaped by converting
a double play and coaxing a lazy fly ball for an out. "Angela caught
a soft liner right at her feet," said Valhalla coach DOUG HARTUNG. "Then
she threw to CELINA CRUZ at 3rd base for the second out." Senior Day
at Valhalla saw KAYLA DeSTEFANO gain a rare start in centerfield. But she contributed
heavily. "Kayla's only had a few hits all year," added the coach.
"But she came through despite sitting on the bench all season." DeStefano,
who went 2-for-3, reached base on a two-out error in the 7th. Sietz followed with
her 5th homer of the season, sending a no-doubter over the fence in left-centerfield. Granite
Hills 1, Mount Miguel 0 -- The Eagles needed just four batters to score, then
rode the pitching arm of MEGAN BELIO to blank the Matadors to secure second place
all to themselves in the South League. Designated player MANDY OBNEY provided
one of just two hits allowed by the Matadors all afternoon, but it would be enough. Following
a pair of one-out walks to JESSIE SCHATZ and Belio, Obney laced a double to the
fence in left, scoring Schatz. Mount Miguel then switched pitchers, as LAURA
NELSON tossed 6 2/3 innings of 1-hit ball. However, Belio (4-4) struck out eight
batters in her 5-hit shutout in her first start in two weeks when she fell to
the Matadors. It was also her first victory since Apr. 19 against Helix. Santana
clinches, but exclusivity sought © East County Sports.com SANTEE
(5-16-07) -- The Santana Sultans staved off a late Grossmont rally, but the pressure
only just began. Even with the clinching of at least a share of the Grossmont
North League championship following Tuesday's (May 14) 4-3 victory over the defending
champion Foothillers, the Sultans now hope to avoid a feat they performed to share
the 2005 title. Trailing West Hills by one game heading into the final week
of the season, Santana nipped the Wolf Pack on the next-to-last day of the season,
1-0 in 8 innings, to forge a co-title. Now the roles are reversed as West Hills
hosts the Sultans in Wednesday's (May 16) regular season finale. A victory
by West Hills means a fourth crown in six seasons, while preventing Santana from
its first outright title in a decade. Santana 4, Grossmont 3 -- Sultans
senior SHAE BASS pitched six strong innings, leaving with a 4-2 lead, then reliever
BRITTY BALOUGH left the potential tying and winning runners on base to guarantee
no worse than the school's second GSL crown in three seasons. Santana shared the
2005 title with West Hills. Balough allowed a pair of basehits, with an
error allowing an unearned run to score to halve the lead. Then it was decision
time for Sultans coach MIKE BASS. With Grossmont catcher CAMMI MOORE, who had
earlier bombed her 7th homer of the year, coming to the plate, the intentional
walk was issued to place the potential winning run on base. Tue.,
May 15 Grossmont North League WOLF PACK 8, BRAVES 1 | West
Hills (23-8) El Cajon Valley (3-17) |
010 160 0 - 8 11 2 000 001 0 - 1 00 3 | Krings,
Sandberg (4), Velovich (6) and Fenn; Wilson and Garcia. W-Krings (10-2). L-Wilson
(3-17). HR-none. |
SULTANS
4, FOOTHILLERS 3 | Grossmont (14-12-1) Santana
(26-3) | 010 001 1 - 3 6 0 002 110
x - 4 6 1 | Renaldi, Fishtrom (5) and Moore;
Bass, B.Balough (7) and Fenn. W-Bass (18-2). L-Renaldi (8-9). HR-Moore (G), 2nd
lead; D.Balough (S), 4th, solo. |
| However,
Balough escaped with a groundout to Shae Bass at shortstop to cap Senior Day in
eastern Santee. Grossmont took an early 1-0 lead in the 2nd. ANDREA
NEDDEN walked, Moore started her 3-for-3 outing with a basehit, then ADRIANA NAU
walked to load the bases. ANGELA LOVELADY followed with a ground ball to the right
side for a fielder's choice and the run. Santana then posted four runs over
the next three innings to mount a 4-1 advantage. Consecutive doubles by
KELSEY McILONIE and RACHEL FAILLA produced a run in the 3rd, then Failla scored
on a basehit by MICHELLE BRAMLAGE. DANIELLE BALOUGH followed with a one-out,
solo homer in the 4th, then Britty Balough singled home a run in the 5th.
West Hills 8, El Cajon Valley 1 -- There's no telling who will pitch
Wednesday's (May 16) game for the Wolf Pack after all three of their starters
saw work in a combined no-hitter of the Braves. KYLEE KRINGS gained
the win after going the first (designated) three innings, striking out four batters.
BREANNA SANDBERG struck out three in her two innings, then CHELSEA VELOVICH struck
out three over the final two frames, although tagged for an unearned run on a
trio of miscues. EMILY RAULS reached on an error in the 6th, advancing to
second on an illegal pitch, then took two bases on a wild pitch which bounded
around the backstop. By then, the Wolf Pack had already mounted an 8-0 lead,
including six runs in the 5th. With the bases loaded, a basehit by MELISSA
HILL scored MICHERIE KORIA, Sandberg doubled to score KRISTY VALLES and KAITLIN
COBB. The rally continued when CASSIDY BAGGETT doubled to score Sandberg,
with Baggett coming home on a basehit by BROOKE COWAN. El Cajon Valley,which
opened the season with a 3-1 mark, closes its year with a 3-17 overall record. Diaz'
return marked by no-hitter© East County Sports.com SPRING
VALLEY (5-15-07) -- As far as TERESE DIAZ is concerned, just throw the results
from her first game back pitching for Helix High in the trash heap. Instead, place
her second game for preservation in her trophy case. Diaz captured her first
victory wearing Scotties green, tossing a no-hitter at Monte Vista in Monday's
(May 14) 3-0 Grossmont South League decision. It was the junior's second no-hitter
of the season, having blanked Valhalla in a Cougar Classic contest back on March
8 -- a contest which was halted after 5 innings. However, her second no-hitter
didn't become official until minutes after the ballgame had ended, as both coaches
came together to discuss the scoring on a grounder to the left-side of the infield
in the 4th inning. "LYDIA VENIEGAS hit a sharp grounder, but the throw
pulled the first baseman two feet off the bag," said Monarchs coach SIG CHABROWSKI.
"It was an error all the way." And since the home team's scorebook
is the official book, Helix coach MARK PAULE was more than pleased that there
would be no controversy for his player who has been the subject of speculation
when the CIF ruled she was eligible for a midseason transfer. "It was
all about softball today," noted Paule. "And Terese was on. She had
great stuff -- both her command and her location -- and we played good defense
behind her." Unlike Diaz' debut against Granite Hills, when five errors
led to six unearned runs, the Scotties' defense made the plays, with both coaches
noting there were no single great plays with the glove needed to keep the no-hitter
alive -- it was pretty routine... at least for a no-hitter. Following the error,
Monte Vista placed runners on the corners because of a dropped third strike, but
Diaz escaped the jam with another strikeout. For the ballgame, she fanned 13 batters
without issuing a walk. She also slugged a 1st-inning solo homer to left-center
for all the offense she would need. Helix later single runs scored in
the 4th and 7th innings, both times by barely beating throws to the plate. JESSICA
FERNANDEZ made it 2-0 with a double, a steal of third, and when the throw scooted
into left field, she barely beat the throw home from the outfield. CHANEL
McNUTT also barely made it from third. The senior was checked back on a ground
ball to the left side, but the throw to first skipped past the defender. McNutt
streaked for home, but the Monarchs second baseman backed up the play and fired
home, but a split-second too late. Diaz is now 5-4 for the season, 1-1 with
the Scotties. West Hills 5, Grossmont 4 -- Moments after the host
Foothillers scored three times in the 6th to complete a rally from a 3-0 deficit,
the Wolf Pack answered with a pair of markers in the 7th to eliminate the Hillers
from Grossmont North League title consideration. KAITLIN COBB came through
with the big, two-out hit, lining a drive to the gap in right-centerfield. FAITH
KORIA, who reached on a bloop single to left, easily scored, but third base coach
STEVE SUTTON kept pumping his arm to signal MELISSA HILL (walked) to also race
home from first base, barely beating the throw for the go-ahead run. KYLEE
KRINGS, who entered in relief in the 6th after Grossmont took the lead, set the
Hillers down in order in the 7th to gain the triumph. Krings raised her record
to 9-2, now ranking third among East County pitchers in victories. West
Hills started fast with two quick runs in the 1st. BRIANNA AUSTIN scored from
third by beating the throw from shortstop on a grounder by CASSIDY BAGGETT. With
the bases still loaded, JAYLEEN BUSH registered an RBI single to plate BRIANNA
LaCHUSA. In the 4th, the Pack's advantage went to 3-0 on three consecutive
walks to SHARLANA BURNER, Austin and LaChusa, followed by a slow roller to third
base by KRISTY VALLES for another run. Grossmont's bats finally awoke in
the 5th when KINDRA MYERS doubled and stole third base, eventually scoring on
a single to centerfield by ANGELA LOVELADY. One inning later, CAMMI MOORE
drilled a 2-run double to score CORAL CASDEN and ANDREA NEDDEN to tie the contest.
Moore then scored the go-ahead run on a double to left-centerfield by ADRIANA
NAU. "This one was a tough one to lose," said Hillers coach JERRY
LERUD. "And now we have to play Santana, so we've got 24 hours to turn it
around." Steele Canyon 5, Mount Miguel 1 -- The Matadors hung
tight with the Grossmont South League champions for most of the contest before
the Cougars snapped a 1-1 deadlock by posting four runs in the 5th inning. However,
it was an unorthodox way of getting the offense rolling, as the first three batters
all reached on bunts for basehits. "We weren't doing much with the
bats, so we tried to do something to get us going," said head coach JULIE
BOHE, who saw SAM BEASLEY, VANESSA ADAME and NICOLE RANDEL all do their best impression
of San Diego Padres pitcher GREG MADDOX -- one of the Majors League's top bunters. LORENA
KLOPP just missed her second grand slam of the week, this time settling for a
sacrifice fly to left to score Beasley to break the tie. JAZMIN DAIGLE broke the
ballgame open with a 2-run double, followed by an RBI single by KELLY CASH. Mount
Miguel took a 1-0 lead in the 2nd behind COREE MOLINA. GIGI RAMIREZ started the
frame by reaching on an error, with a failed fielder's choice and a hit batter
loading the bases. Molina followed with a solid single to left to score Ramirez. The
Cougars immediately got even when LISA MONGELLI walked, eventually scoring on
a Beasley single. Meanwhile, younger sister ERIKA BEASLEY moved her pitching record
to 5-0 by tossing a 4-hitter at the Matadors. However, an unusual double play
in the 6th saved her. After allowing a triple to Ramirez, a grounder to
third base forced Ramirez to stay when the defender checked the baserunner, but
she took off for home on the throw to first. The relay came home to catcher HANNAH
ROST. However, Rost missed the tag, but Ramirez also missed home plate, but a
second effort by Rost allowed her to make the tag to end the inning. Mon.,
May 14 Grossmont North League VAQUEROS 4, BRAVES 0 | El
Cajon Valley (3-16) El Capitan (7-15) |
000 000 0 - 0 1 1 002 002 x - 4 8 0 | Wilson
and Garcia; Grohman and Combs. W-Grohman (3-7). L-Wilson (3-16). HR-none. |
WOLF
PACK 5, FOOTHILLERS 4 | West Hills (22-8) Grossmont
(14-11-1) | 200 100 2 - 5 6 1 000
013 0 - 4 5 3 | Velovich, Krings (6) and Cobb;
Fishtrom, Renaldi (4) and Moore. W-Krings (9-2). L-Renaldi (8-8).HR-none. |
Grossmont
South League HIGHLANDERS 3, MONARCHS 0 | Helix
(11-13) Monte Vista (11-17-1) | 100
100 1 - 3 5 3 000 000 0 - 0 0 1 | Diaz
and Martin del Campo; Mullins and Perea. W-Diaz (5-4; 1-1). L-Mullins (8-12).
HR-Diaz (H), 4th, solo. |
COUGARS
4, MATADORS 1 | Mount Miguel (7-20) Steele
Canyon (23-6-1) | 010 000 0 - 1 4 6 010
040 x - 5 8 1 | Nelson and C.Jones; E.Beasley
and Rost. W-E.Beasley (5-0). L-Nelson (5-9). HR-none. |
EAGLES
3, NORSEMEN 0 | Valhalla (11-16) Granite
Hills (14-10) | 000 000 0 - 0 2 1 101
010 x - 3 5 1 | Cruz and Houston; Lahitte
and Schatz. W-Lahitte (5-3). L-Cruz (3-5). HR-Bertussi (GH), 1st, solo. |
| Granite
Hills 3, Valhalla 0 -- BRITTANI BERTUSSI jumpstarted the Eagles with a 1st-inning
solo home run, the only offense needed by pitcher JENNY LAHITTE, who spun a 2-hitter
in sinking the Norsemen. After Bertussi collected her 4th homer of the
season, Lahitte overcame some early wildness to strikeout six batters for her
shutout. She walked four. MEGAN BELIO was the focal points for the other
Granite Hills runs. In the 3rd, Belio singled, moved to second on a passed
ball, then while stealing third she came home and scored on a throwing error.
Two innings later, Belio was credited with the RBI by bringing home KYLEE WILSON,
who doubled to left, moved to third on a LAUREN HAGEMANN sacrifice bunt, then
after walk to JORDAN CONWAY came home on Belio's low liner to left field. El
Capitan 4, El Cajon Valley 0 -- Sophomore SARAH GROHMAN tossed her third shutout
of the season, helping the Vaqueros maintain their playoff aspirations in the
CIF Division III pool. Grohman was effectively wild in tossing a 1-hitter.
She walked eight batters, but kept El Cajon Valley batters on their toes all day
while striking out 12, allowing only a single basehit to MEGAN HILL with one out
in the 6th inning. Grohman also delivered at the plate, stroking an RBI
double to right field in the 6th, when El Capitan doubled its lead. They opened
the scoring with a pair of runs in the 3rd, when a passed ball allowed CARINA
HALE to score, then a ground ball to the right side by CATHERINE BROWN allowed
LESLIE KUHNE to trot home. JULIANNA DUNCAN hit a one-out single to open
the 6th, scoring on Grohman's hit. El Capitan then received consecutive basehits
by Hale, Kohne and Brown to chase Grohman home. In Division III, there are
seven teams with winning records, following by four others with double-digit victory
totals. That leaves the Vaqueros (7-15) in a battle with Mount Miguel (7-20),
Madison (9-15) and four others teams with six wins for the division's final postseason
berth. Higher goals set by GSL champion Cougars©
East County Sports.com JAMUL (5-11-07) -- On a day when Steele Canyon High
clinched its first outright Grossmont South League softball crown, Cougars coach
JULIE BOHE made it known there are more lofty goals yet to achieve. "After we blew
it last year and had to share the league title, everyone knew we wanted to win
the title by ourselves this year," said Bohe. "But we also wanted to
go undefeated in league, too." The Cougars -- the defending CIF Division
III titlists -- sit just two victories away from a perfect GSL slate after whipping
second-place Granite Hills, 9-0. In one of several outstanding pitching
performances throughout the East County on Thursday (May 10), senior SAM BEASLEY
was in control throughout in spinning a 2-hit shutout at the Eagles. Beasley struck
out six and allowed just two harmless singles all afternoon. "Sam
put a serious hurt on them -- they never touched her," added Bohe. "She
pitched a great game." Freshman LORENA KLOPP, the heir apparent as
starting pitcher upon Beasley's graduation, remains perfect at the plate since
returning from injury. For the second time this week, Klopp reached base on all
four of her at-bats (8-for-8, 3 hits, 5 walks), including a 2-run homer to give
Steele Canyon a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning. VANESSA ADAME opened the
inning with a single, stole second, went to third on a Beasley single, then scored
on a wild pitch. Klopp followed with a shot that handily cleared the fence in
left and rolled to The Great Wall for her East County leading 9th shot of the
season. | Steele
Canyon head coach Julie Bohe (in red) holds a quick meeting with her Cougars,
which clinched the South League crown. At far left is shortstop Lisa Mongelli,
followed by Bohe, corner infielder Jazmin Daigle and left fielder Jayme Jarvis. (Photo
by Adolfo Villanueva) |
| Klopp
is within two homers of the East County record, set in 2005 by KASEY MYTINGER
of West Hills. Adame finished with a 3-for-4 performance, while team
captain JAYME JARVIS went 2-for-4 and reached base on all four trips to the plate. The
only Eagles hits were recorded by catcher JESSIE SCHATZ to lead the 2nd, and
shortstop NICOLE RIVERA in the 4th. Monte Vista 7, Mount Miguel 1 --
Coaches always seem to forget that they take losses a whole lot harder than the
playersdo. So the Monarchs' staff had to be more than pleased by coming back from
an unsightly, double-digit wipeout to storm back and defeat the Matadors. "Everyone
assumed we were dead in the water," explained Monte Vista coach SIG CHABROWSKI.
"After the Steele Canyon game, we could've been demoralized. But we came
back hard in practice and took care of business, then we came out today and produced." Four
times, the Monarchs scored a pair of runs in an inning to slowly stretch the lead
to move within a game of second-place Granite Hills. BRITTANY WRIGHT led
the charge by going 4-for-4, including RBI singles in the 3rd and 5th innings.
The freshman also stole a pair of bases. In between Wrights run-scoring
hits, KAITLYN McMILLAN hit her first homer of the season, a 2-run shot in the
4th. Catcher JESIKA PEREA batted 3-for-4 and scored three times, while AMANDA
AGUON added a pair of hits. Both are sophomores. Trailing 6-0, Mount Miguel
gained its lone run in the 6th. COREE MOLINA slugged a double to centerfield,
then pinchrunner KELSEY QUIJADA moved to third on a GABBY NAIDAS single past the
second baseman, then scored on a sacrifice fly to left by catcher CATRINA JONES. It
was the lone blemish on the pitching line of Monarchs starter WHITNEY MULLINS,
who yielded just five hits. Helix 8, Valhalla 0 -- Senior pitcher
CHRISTINE JACOBITES spun a 3-hit shutout to lead the Highlanders past the free-falling
Norsemen. It took most of the season, yet Jacobites was finally able to level
her pitching record, which now rests at 8-8 heading into the final week of the
regular season. The Scotties' triumph also made a mess of the Grossmont
South League standings. While Steele Canyon has clinched the title, Granite Hills
sits in second place at 4-4, while the four remaining ballclubs are all at 3-5
in GSL play. Jacobites took the place of mid-season transfer TERESE DIAZ,
whose return to Helix was most inhospitable after getting hit around Tuesday by
Granite Hills. So a motivated Jacobites took control early, carrying a no-hitter
into the 4th inning. "Christine threw a fantastic game," said
Helix coach MARK PAULE, who also acknowledged that Diaz was cleared to play by
both CIF and school administrators. "And she got a lot of solid defensive
support behind her." Included were several stops by shortstop ALYSSA
DRONENBURG to aid with Jacobites' shutout. The Highlanders jumped on Valhalla
by scoring seven times in their first trip to the plate. Dronenburg opened
the assault with a basehit, followed by a walk to JESSICA FERNANDEZ. Helix then
registered four consecutive singles -- by Diaz, NATALIE SMITH, BAILEY REID and
Jacobites -- for a 3-0 lead, then ALYSSA BRITSCHGI bombed a 2-run double to break
it open. Smith (2-for-2) added another RBI hit in the 4th to cap the scoring.
Patrick Henry 8, Christian 0 -- According to sources -- except the
offices of the SDCIF -- Patrick Henry senior Donna Kerr tossed her final game
as a high school pitcher -- and she went out in style, striking out 19 in tossing
a no-hitter at the visiting Christian Patriots. Reports from Patrick
Henry coaches, players and parents indicate that the team played its final contest
after self-reporting a rules violation by using an ineligible player for six contests.
However, San Diego Section officials still have not officially ruled on the violation. A
section rule, implemented for the 2006-07 school year, states a team will be prevented
from participating in the playoffs if it forfeits too many contests. In the case
of softball that number is four ballgames -- the Patriots are reporting six games
in question. However, only two are league games four are tournament games.
The problem here is the CIFs foggy interpretation of their own guidelines
has left the Henry Patriots in limbo. (Editor's Note -- When Henry reported
this game result to local media outlets, they stated the team's overall record
at 15-11-1, which includes the forfeits). Thus, if Kerr completed her
season on Thursday (May 10), it may be the space needed by Mira Mesa pitcher Melissa
Tillett to be the section's all-time strikeout artist with as many as three extra
games in the postseason in which to pitch. Christian head coach ROMA DAWSON,
who has seen both pitchers throughout their careers, is more than familiar with
standout strikeout performers. Included is her daughter, former record-holder
SARAH DAWSON, a former collegiate All-American who now is coaching at Louisiana-Monroe. "Let
me just say that both (college) teams will be really pleased with their selections,"
said Roma Dawson. "Donna pitched a great game today, but Melissa gave us
fits, too. Just when we thought we had either of them figured out to get some
hits, they adjust and are unhittable once again." "They both get
the job done." Kerr is ticketed for UCLA on scholarship, while Tillett
is heading for Northern Iowa. Meanwhile, Christian pitcher JENNA ROYCE saw
her perfect record get clipped. However, knowing your lone loss in a 5-1 ledger
was against one of the best takes some sting out of the wound -- making for some
fancy story-telling in years to come. With the City Conference season ending
a week before the Grossmont Conference does, Christian will have about 12 days
to prepare for the CIF playoffs. The Patriots are in contention with defending
champion Francis Parker and '06 runner-up Imperial for the top seed. Imperial
defeated Christian in last season's semifinals, then nipped the Pats in a 5-inning,
time-limit shortened contest at the Valley Center Tournament in March.
Thurs.,
May 10 Grossmont North League WOLF PACK 7, VAQUEROS 0 | El
Capitan (6-15) West Hills (21-8) |
000 000 0 - 0 01 0 021 400 x - 7 10 0 | Grohman
and Combs; Sandberg and Cobb, M.Koria (5). W-Sandberg (6-4). L-Grohman (2-7).
HR-none. |
SULTANS
15, BRAVES 0 (6 inn.) | Santana (25-3) El
Cajon Valley(3-15) | 2(10)0 003-15 15
0 000 000-00 02 3 | Bass,
B.Balough (6) and Fenn, Carillo (2); Wilson and Garcia. W-Bass (17-2). L-Wilson
(3-15). HR-none. |
Grossmont
South League COUGARS 8, EAGLES 0 | Granite
Hills (13-10) Steele Cyn (22-6-1) | 000
000 0 - 0 02 1 301 014 x - 9 11 0 | Bertussi
and Schatz; S.Beasley and Rost. W-S.Beasley (11-4). L-Bertussi (6-3). HR-Klopp
(SC, 9), 1st, one on. |
MONARCHS
8, MATADORS 1 | Monte Vista (11-16-1) Mount
Miguel (7-19) | 002 220 2 - 8 14 0 000
001 0 - 1 05 0 | Mullins
and Perea; Nelson and C.Jones. W-Mullins (8-11). L-Nelson (5-8). HR-K.McMillan
(MV), 4th, one on. |
HIGHLANDERS
8, NORSEMEN 0 | Valhalla (11-15) Helix
(10-13) | 000 000 0 - 0 03
2 700 100 x - 8 12 1 | McGirr, Cruz (1)
and Seitz; Jacobites, D.Smith (7) and Martin del Campo. W-Jacobites (8-8). L-McGirr
(4-4). HR-none. |
Eastern
League PATRIOTS 8, PATRIOTS 0 | Christian
(17-8) Patrick Henry (15-11-1) | 000
000 0-0 00 5 030 014 x-8 10 1 | Royce,
Gunter (5) and Scott; Kerr and Hensley. W-Kerr. L-Royce (5-1). Notable: Donna
Kerr (PH), no-hitter, 19 Ks. |
Non-League FOOTHILLERS
1, MUSTANGS 0 (8 inn.) | Grossmont (14-10-1) Otay
Ranch (19-9) | 000 000 01 - 1 3 1 000
000 00 - 0 3 1 | Renaldi and Moore; Galindo
and Marin. W-Renaldi (8-7). L-Galindo (3-3). HR-none. |
| Grossmont
1, Otay Ranch 0 (8 inn.) -- In an important, non-league contest which could
determine if either side gains a home game in the opening round of the playoffs,
the Division II Foothillers finally found a gap in the massive outfield of their
South Bay opponent's field to outlast the Division I Mustangs. ANDREA
NEDDEN continued her recent assault at the plate, belting a triple to right-centerfield
to score MEGAN GREEN for the game's only run in the 8th inning. Nedden's hot streak
began three weeks ago when she hit homers over three consecutive games, and has
continued with either extra-base hits or key basehits for runs to keep Grossmont
in contention. "She's just seeing the ball real well," said Hillers
coach JERRY LERUD. "It can be a 2-strike count, yet she's still hitting the
ball hard every time." The rally started when AMBER LOVELADY walked,
then Green reached on a fielder's choice. Nedden then pounded the ball to the
gap and circled the bases. However, she was sent home in an effort for an inside-the-park
homer, but was out at the plate. "Stupid coach," admitted the
skipper. Meanwhile, pitcher ASHLEY RENALDI was hardly touched by Otay Ranch
to collect the victory. She allowed just three soft singles, striking out eight
and gaining four assists on tappers back to the circle. The Hillers also
turned a pair of early double plays to keep the game scoreless. In the 1st,
one of Renaldi's assists led to a pitcher-to-shortstop-to-first twin-killing,
as Green made a strong throw to KENDRA MYERS. An inning later, catcher CAMMI MOORE
quickly moved laterally to collect a short popfly, then fired to second baseman
DESIREE OLSON to beat the Mustangs runner back to the bag. The only time
Renaldi was in trouble came in the 4th when the Mustangs collected two of their
hits, loading the bases with no one out. But she preserved the shutout with a
pair of strikeouts, then a grounder to Green at shortstop. Otay Ranch pitcher
Rebecca Galindo also yielded just three hits, yet took the loss. West
Hills 7, El Capitan 0 -- Senior pitcher BRENNA SANDBERG spun a 1-hit shutout
to lift the Wolf Pack to another 20-victory season. Sandberg struck out 14 Vaqueros
to register a season-best performance. MELISSA HILL stroked a double and
a triple, including a key double to score a pair runs in the 4th. West Hills scored
four times in the inning, including an RBI single by catcher KAITLIN COBB. CASSIDY
BAGGETT and SHARLANA BURNER added two hits each as part of a 12-hit attack, including
a double by Baggett, while JAYLEEN BUSH had an RBI double in the 2nd to open the
scoring. Santana 15, El Cajon Valley 0 -- The Sultans scored 10 times
in the 2nd inning to bury the Braves in a contest called after six innings. Winning
pitcher SHAE BASS struck out eight batters in her 2-hit shutout, and went 2-for-2
at the plate. NICOLE BRZECZEK batted 2-for-3 for Santana (25-3). Granite
Hills back on the up swing © East County Sports.com EL
CAJON (5-9-07) -- First-year Granite Hills High coach ERIN COYNE doesn't care
what the reason is except to note her Eagles are back to their winning ways. Coyne's
troops scored in five of their six at-bats Tuesday (May 8), pulling away for an
easy 7-1 sautéing of visiting Helix. The triumph gives Granite Hills sole
possession of second place in the Grossmont North League, enhancing the ballclub's
playoff possibilities. "We're finally putting our hits together,"
noted Coyne. "And you can look to BRITTANI (BERTUSSI) and NICOLE (RIVERA)
for leading us there." Bertussi and Rivera have been the constants
on a team which scalded the ball all season, yet found difficulty in driving home
runs. But not against the Highlanders. In almost every inning, when there
was a runner in scoring position, someone stepped forward to garnish the inning
with a run-scoring hit. "It's nice to see the team putting things together,"
added Coyne. "It's been a real up-and-down year." Bertussi, Rivera
and catcher JESSIE SCHATZ each posted two hits, as Rivera collected two RBI. Included
was a squeeze bunt to score CHAYLAH ZETSCH in the 2nd, then brought home Bertussi
with a basehit in the 4th. | | Granite
Hills' Nicole Rivera (top) awaits the ball at shortstop, while pitcher Brittani
Bertussi makes the pitch in the Eagles' 7-1 decision. (Photos by Adolfo
Villanueva ) |
| Bertussi and Schatz
also had one RBI each, along with KYLEE WILSON and JORDAN CONWAY. Bertussi also
pitched a 4-hitter to collect the victory, allowing Helix' lone run without a
basehit. Meanwhile, Helix welcomed the reacquisition of junior TERESE
DIAZ, who was the pitcher for her hometown school of Ramona High during the Cougar
Classic earlier this season, including a shutout of Valhalla. Diaz was a
second-team All-Valley League performer while batting .384 last season as a sophomore
for the Bulldogs after earning second-team honors in the Grossmont South League
as a freshman in 2005. Although she struggled in the circle in her return
with the Scotties, she did collect the team's lone RBI on a bases-loaded walk
to cut the deficit to 4-1 in the 3rd. Santana 5, El Capitan 1 -- Trailing
early, the Vaqueros once again moved to within a run against a team above them
in the standings, only to again be frustrated in a loss to the 3rd-ranked Sultans. Down
2-0, SARAH GROHMAN led-off the 3rd with a single, then came all the way around
to score when LESLIE KUHEN tripled deep. However, Santana immediately answered
with three additional runs to halt the comeback efforts of El Capitan. SHAE
BASS got the rally started with a double, with a KELSEY McILONIE single placing
runners at the corners. RACHEL FAILLA brought Bass home on a fielder's choice,
while a grounder by MICHELLE BRAMLAGE was misplayed for another run. Tue.,
May 8 Grossmont North League SULTANS 5, VAQUEROS 1 | El
Capitan (6-14) Santana (24-3) | 001
000 0 - 1 03 3 203 000 x - 5 11 0 | Duncan
and Combs; B.Balough and Fenn. W-B.Balough (8-1). L-Duncan (4-7). HR-D.Balough
(S), 1st, solo. |
FOOTHILLERS
7, BRAVES 3 | El Cajon Valley (3-14) Grossmont
(13-10-1) | 000 001 2 - 3 7 2 240
010 x - 7 7 0 | Wilson and Garcia; Fishtrom,
Renaldi (6) and Moore, Escalante (2). W-Fishtrom (7-3). L-Wilson (3-14). HR-none. |
Grossmont
South League MATADORS 4, NORSEMEN 2 | Mount
Miguel (7-18) Valhalla (11-14) | 000
003 1 - 4 6 3 200 000 0 - 2 2 0 | Nelson
and C.Jones; Uy, Cruz (7) and Seitz. W-Nelson (5-7). L-Uy (3-6). HR-Reardon (V),
1st, one on; Nelson 2 (MM), 6th, lead, and 7th, solo; Sutton (MM), 6th, one on. |
COUGARS
26, MONARCHS 0 | Steele Cyn (21-6-1) Monte
Vista (10-16-1) | 318 (14)0-26 26 0 000
00-00 04 5 | E.Beasley
and Cash, Rost (3); Mullins, Maldonado (3), Abeyta (3), Mullins (4) and Perea.
W-E.Beasley (4-0). L-Mullins (7-11). HR-Jarvis 2 (SC), 3rd, two on, and 4th, two
on; Rost (SC), 4th, slam. |
EAGLES
7, HIGHLANDERS 1 | Helix (9-13) Granite
Hills (13-9) | 001 000 0 - 1 4 5 121
102 x - 7 9 0 | Diaz and Martin del Campo;
Bertussi and Schatz. W-Bertussi (6-2). L-Diaz (0-1). HR-none. |
Eastern
League PATRIOTS 10, TIGERS 4 | Christian
(17-7) Morse (7-16) | 150 022 0 -
10 12 0 100 002 1 - 04 06
1 | Owens and Scott; Tirado and Calabrese,
Reifschneider (7). W-Owens (8-6). L-Tirado. HR-none. |
| Santana
raced to a quick 2-0 advantage. DANIELLE BALOUGH opened the 1st with a solo homer,
following by singles from AMANDA CARPENTER, Bass and McIlonie for another run.
McIlonie finished with a 3-for-3 outing, while Balough went 2-for-4 including
a double. Meanwhile, BRITTY BALOUGH pitched a 3-hitter for the Sultans, lifting
her record to 8-1 to match Bass (16-2) for the best winning percentage among East
County pitchers. Santana is now 1 1/2 games in front of 9th-ranked West
Hills in the Grossmont North League standings, but the Wolf Pack has an extra
game still to play before the ballclubs complete the regular season with a head-to-head
showdown on Wed., May 16, at West Hills. Christian 10, Morse 4 --
The Patriots moved into position for a first-division finish in the Eastern League
after breaking a tied ballgame by scoring five times in the 2nd inning to tap
out the Tigers. JESSIE OWENS provided much of the offense and all of the
pitching for Christian. Along with her seven strikeouts, the sophomore batted
3-for-5, including a two-run single in the 2nd to help increase the margin to
6-1. Senior first baseman SARAH SEYMOUR, freshman catcher ALLIE SCOTT and
sophomore outfield KRISTINA WYNNS each aided a 13-hit attack with two hits each. Seymour
provided an RBI single in the 2nd, then led-off the 5th with a basehit, eventually
scoring for a 7-1 advantage. Scott doubled and later scored on a KARA CARTWRIGHT
knock in the 5th, then Wynns completed the scoring by driving home a pair -- ALLISON
GUNTER and Owens -- with a double to left-centerfield in the 6th. Christian
retained its hold on fourth place in league play, but may be elevated into third
place if and when the CIF makes a ruling on the Patrick Henry situation. Although
the CIF office failed to return the communication efforts of East County Sports.com,
officials at Henry, in a self-policing action, turned itself in for use of an
ineligible player in six contests. Included were a pair of league contests, with
the ensuing forfeitures -- if and when declared by the CIF -- would drop the Henry
Patriots in the standings and completely out of the section playoffs.
| | Helix
catcher Andi Martin del Campo (top) frames a pitch from Ramona High transfer
Terese Diaz, who is pictured in discussion with Scotties head coach Mark Paule. (Photos
by Adolfo Villanueva ) |
| Grossmont
7, El Cajon Valley 3 -- ANDREA NEDDEN stroked run-scoring singles in both
the 1st and 2nd innings, as the Hillers jumped to a quick 6-0 lead to baste the
Braves.Nedden, a senior, followed an RBI single by ADRIANA NAU in the 1st with
one of her own for a 2-0 lead. An inning later, Nedden capped a 4-run outburst
with another drive to left field. The rally also included a run-scoring
double to the fence in centerfield by MEGAN GREEN to score MADDY HILL, while AMBER
LOVELADY reached base for the second time in the ballgame on an error, yet was
credited with the RBI when the only play would've been to first base. A
year ago, MARISSA UTLEY was the lone diamond in the rough for the Braves. She
just completed a solid season as one of the state's batting leaders for Grossmont
College. This season, the gemstone is JESSICA COPE, who now has hits in 8 of her
last 11 outings with another RBI single for El Cajon Valley. Cope scored
in the 6th when she singled, took second on a wild pitch, stole third, then scored
on a basehit by MEGAN HILL. An inning later, Cope singled again to drive home
COREY RAINEY, followed by an RBI basehit by catcher DESIREE GARCIA to plate KARI
SATROM. Mount Miguel 4, Valhalla 2 -- Matadors pitcher LAURA NELSON
tossed a 2-hitter and slugged a pair of home runs, leading Mount Miguel to its
third triumph in five starts while keeping the Norsemen reeling with their fourth
consecutive setback. Nelson was tagged early on a 2-run homer by AMBER REARDON
in the 1st inning, then settled in by allowing just one basehit the rest of the
way. She struck out four batters. The Matadors didn't commence their
comeback until the late innings.In the 6th, Nelson parked a solo shot to halve
the lead, then Mount Miguel took the lead on a basehit by SONIA RAY, followed
by a 2-run homer by SHANICE SUTTON to left-centerfield. Nelson completed
the comeback by belting her 7th homer of the season -- a two-out shot -- to move
into third place among the East County leaders. The Norsemen tried to comeback
with their only other hit of the afternoon in the home-half of the 7th, but Nelson
stranded the runner to move her season record to 5-7 after opening the campaign
with a 1-6 ledger. Ray finished with two hits for the Matadors, while CATRINA
JONES posting the team's other basehit. Steele Canyon 26, Monte Vista
0 -- The 5th-ranked Cougars went with their third-string pitcher, but it was
more than enough to paste the struggling Monarchs. ERIKA BEASLEY only struck
out three batters, but scattered five hits to run her record to 4-0. Three of
the victories were by shutout by the junior. The offense featured a pair
of home runs by JAYME JARVIS -- a pair of 3-run shots -- to move into fourth place
among the East County leaders. Jarvis finished batting 3-for-5 and scored five
times in addition to her six RBI. Meanwhile, catcher HANNAH ROST, in her
first start since returning from a rib injury, smacked a grand slam, catching
teammate LORENA KLOPP for the region lead with her 8th homer of the season. Rost's
slam came in the 4th inning, when Steele Canyon posted 14 runs against three pitchers
to expand the lead from 12-0 to 26-0. Four errors aided the big inning. Centerfielder
VANESSA ADAME registered four hits, scoring four times and driving in a pair.
Corner infielder JAZMIN DAIGLE and left-side infielder LISA MONGELLI also recorded
four hits each. The result could've been worse, as Klopp marked her return
to the line-up by just missing a grand slam on a line drive which hit near the
top of the fence. Klopp was officially 1-for-1 while being intentionally walked
three times -- once to lead-off an inning! Needless to say, Monte Vista
was steaming following the contest, believing the Cougars ran up the score, citing
several examples, including Steele Canyon stealing after the whisking was well-established.
Steele Canyon noted that the team's only steal came when the score was still just
4-0. North League headed for another photo finish ©
East County Sports.com SANTEE (5-8-07) -- Santana High is heading down
to the wire for the third straight season in the race for the Grossmont North
League fastpitch title. Only the Sultans are hoping for a repeat of the 2005 season
and not last season's disappointment. With a chance to wrap-up its second
championship in three seasons Monday (May 7), the GNL campaign will instead come
down to the final week of the season after West Hills pitcher KYLEE KRINGS shutout
the visiting Sultans, 2-0, at Wolf Pack Field. Krings struck out seven batters
without issuing a walk, escaping jams in the 2nd and 7th innings to move West
Hills to within a game of the league leaders entering the third round of league
play. Two years ago, the Sultans posted shutouts of Grossmont and West Hills
during the final week of the regular season to forge a co-championship with the
Wolf Pack, but saw the title slip from their hands with late losses in 2006.
This go-round, West Hills made a 2-run rally in the 1st inning stand-up, escaping
a 2nd-and-3rd situation with a strikeout in the 2nd, then capping the triumph
with a groundball out to again strand a pair of Santana baserunners in the 7th.
"Kylee got out of it every time Santana got runners on base," said
Wolf Pack coach STEVE SUTTON. "One of those innings we made an error, but
she still made some nice pitches to get out of it." The Pack were
able to chase Sultans starter SHAE BASS following four innings of work, including
a trio of major scoring threats. But they only scored during their team's first
at-bat. MICHERIE KORIA started by getting hit by a pitch, one of two plunkings
she absorbed to reach base. BRIANNA LaCHUSA and KRISTY VALLES followed with basehits
to load the bases, then STASIA HOLDMAN drove home Koria and LaChusa with a single
to the gap in right-centerfield. Holdman and LaChusa each went 2-for-3 for
West Hills, along with MELISSA HILL. West Hills again loaded the bases in
the 2nd, then had two runners aboard with no out in the 4th and 5th, but Bass
kept the hosts off the scoreboard the first two times, then BRITTY BALOUGH prevented
any additional scoring in the 5th. Grossmont 7, El Capitan 2 -- Like
West Hills, the Foothillers were facing elimination Monday (May 7), but staved
off a Vaqueros rally by scoring four times in the 7th to break open a close contest.
Included were 2-run singles by CORAL KASDEN and MADDIE HILL to keep Grossmont
in title contention. The Hillers' ASHLEY RENALDI and the Vaqueros' SARAH
JO GROHMAN battled through four innings of scoreless action before the visitors
from Grossmont finally broke through. ANDREA NEDDEN tripled to deep right
to bring home ANGELA LOVELADY, who reached on a one-out single. Nedden then scored
on a squeeze bunt by AMBER LOVELADY, who later stole second base, then came home
when a pickoff throw sailed into centerfield. El Capitan swiftly came back
to keep things interesting. PAIGE BORRAS struck a one-out single, then freshman
right fielder KELSEY MOODY blasted her first career homer, sending a shot to left-centerfield
to trim the deficit to 3-2. Mon.,
May 7 Grossmont North League FOOTHILLERS 7, VAQUEROS 2 | Grossmont
(12-10-1) El Capitan (6-13) | 000
030 4 - 7 6 0 000 020 0 - 2 6 5 | Renaldi
and Moore, Escalante (6); Grohman, Duncan (7) and Combs. W-Renaldi (7-7). L-Grohman
(2-6). HR-Borras (EC), 5th, one on. |
WOLF
PACK 2, SULTANS 0 | Santana (23-3) West
Hills (20-8) | 000 000 0 - 0 5 1 200
000 x - 2 8 1 | Bass, B.Balough (5) and Fenn;
Krings and Cobb. W-Krings (8-2). L-Bass (16-2). HR-none. |
| However,
Grossmont scored four late runs to remain in third place, resting just two games
behind front-running Santana. Amber Lovelady walked and went to third
on a single by Nedden, who promptly stole second. KASDEN plated both on a sharp
basehit to left for a 5-2 lead. Later in the inning, CAMMI MOORE and KENDRA
MYERS both stroked basehits, a fielder's choice advanced Moore and erased Myers,
then Hill went deep to center for a pair of additional runs. Renaldi struck
out three while blanking El Cap in six of her innings of work, leveling her season
record to 7-7. The Vaqs didn't help their cause with five errors. The GNL's
top three teams avoid each other this week, then meet head-to-head all next week
to determine a titlist. The slate includes West Hills at Grossmont (Mon., May
14), Grossmont at Santana (Tue., May 15), and Santana at West Hills (Wed., May
16), each slated for 4 p.m. starts.
| Steele
Canyon senior Sam Beasley tossed a 1-hit shutout at Valhalla, striking out
six and facing just one batter over the minimum in a 3-0 triumph. (Photo
by Chris Edwards) |
| Another portrait
of a champion © East County Sports.com RANCHO SAN
DIEGO (5-4-07) -- With two brisk brush strokes, Steele Canyon all-but-mathematically
captured a second straight Grossmont South League fastpitch title Thursday (May
3), utilizing home runs by senior SAM BEASLEY and freshman IRENE BLUMENSTOCK to
subdue host Valhalla, 3-0. A year ago, both ballclubs shared the GSL title,
but the Cougars were determined to make sure history would not repeat. "That
was one of our goals all year -- win the title outright," said Steele Canyon
coach JULIE BOHE. "Someone new always seems to step forward and hit a home
run for us." | | | | Steele
Canyon senior Sam Beasley rips her third homer of the season, sending
a shot over Valhalla's championship banner in center despite the effort
of Norsemen outfielder Kayla DeStefano. Both teams shared the 2006 Grossmont
South League title, but in 2007, the Cougars' magic number is 1. (Photos
by Chris Edwards) DOUBLE-CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE | |
| Beasley
tagged her third homer of the season with two out in the 3rd inning, then Blumenstock
followed a walk to JAYME JARVIS with her two-run shot to left-centerfield in the
6th. The production of power was all Beasley needed to become East County's
second pitcher to reach the 10-win plateau in tossing a 3-hit shutout. She struck
out 6 Norsemen to run her season ledger to 10-4. "A couple of good
things happened," added Bohe. "Although we didn't get many hits, we
made the most of what we did get. And the defense was solid behind Sam." Following
a pair of clunkers, Valhalla was solid, too. They utilized three pitchers in the
staff's 4-hitter, then the Norsemen also displayed some good glovework, including
turning a double play when leftfielder JESSIE APPLEBAUM caught a line drive, then
firing to first base for the second out. It was Applebaum's sixth outfield assist
of the season to rank among the East County leaders. "We played very
well, too," said Valhalla coach DOUH HARTUNG, despite dropping its third
straight. "We made some really good plays on defense in both the infield
and the outfield or it could've been a lot worse." Two of Valhalla
's three hits were collected by first baseman KYLA BRANSFORD, who sent liners
to left field for a double and a single. Added Hartung, "The last two
games were horrible, but we showed we can still play with the top teams in our
division. Our season is anything but over." Granite Hills 3, Monte
Vista 2 -- The host Eagles needed just two batters to get on the scoreboard
when BRITTANI BERTUSSI pumped a 2-run homer to centerfield. But it took 6 2/3
innings before they hit the scoreboard again, when MANDY OBNEY drew a bases-loaded
walk for the walk-off run to nip the Monarchs. The triumph made a complete
mess of the South League standings, as Granite Hills moved into a second-place
deadlock with Valhalla, with three other schools just one game back in a 5-horse
race to finish second behind Steele Canyon with two weeks remaining in the regular
season. Despite results as irregular as a heartbeat, the Eagles don't seem
concerned and believe they can beat out the rest of the pack for the runner-up
tag. "We're hitting the ball and the defense played good -- we didn't
make any errors," said Eagles pitcher JENNY LAHITTE. "So we're happy
to be winning again." It was a severe about-face for the Eagles, but
the team doesn't believe they have been as inconsistent as their ledger shows. "Our
offense isn't really stagnant -- we've been hitting, but just not putting those
hits together," explained Bertussi, who had two hits while striking the ball
solid in all four at-bats. "It's just a mental thing. We just need to practice
hard and keep winning." The winning run in the bottom of the 7th
was setup on a miscue on an easy groundball which was booted. Following a lead
single by JORDAN CONWAY, LAUREN HAGEMANN sacrificed her to second, MEGAN BELIO
reached on the error, then Bertussi lined a sharp single, but Conway was forced
to hold at third. Monte Vista pitcher WHITNEY MULLINS, like she twice
accomplished in the 5th, coaxed another popout for the second out. But four pitches
below the strike zone to Obney forced home the deciding run. Trailing 2-0
early, the Monarchs drew even in the 4th. Catcher JESIKA PEREA walked with one
out, Mullins bombed a double which short-hopped the fence in left for the first
run, then Mullins scored on a two out single by AMBER McMILLIN. However,
the Eagles nailed McMillin attempting to take an extra base, then turned a double
play in the 6th when a baserunner took off for second base on a strikeout, but
was nailed on a strong throw by catcher JESSIE SCHATZ. Bertussi and Mullins
were the lone players with multiple hits, gaining two each. Helix 7, Mount
Miguel 0 -- Something needed to give in this pairing of ballclubs rising on
the confidence scale, as the Highlanders used a pair of pitchers to stop the visiting
Matadors on just three hits.CHRISTINE JACOBITES went the first four innings
to earn the win for Helix, striking out three, then NATALIE SMITH pitched the
final three frames to collect her second save of the season. The Scotties
scored six times on six hits in the 3rd to break the game open, creating a 3-way
tie between the schools plus Monte Vista for fourth place, yet just one game out
of second place. The breakout inning opened on consecutive doubles by ALYSSA
DRONENBURG and BETH AMANN. Later, Smith and ALYSSA BRITSCHGI posted run-scoring
singles, then MELISSA FARRIOR capped the outburst with a 2-run double down the
left-field line. Helix catcher ANDI MARTIN DEL CAMPO batted 3-for-4, while
Dronenburg, Smith and JESSICA FERNANDEZ added two hits each as part of a 13-hit
attack. Santana 3, Grossmont 0 -- Sultans senior SHAE BASS faced
just one batter above the minimum, flattening the Foothillers with a dominating
1-hit shutout. Bass struck out nine batters, as the only hit was a line single
to center by Grossmont catcher CAMMI MOORE in the 4th. With its second
win in the head-to-head series, Santana pushed the Hillers on the brink of elimination
for title consideration in the Grossmont North League, with the Sultans in position
to do the same to West Hills in Monday's (May 7) showdown in western Santee. Santana
forged four hits into a pair of 1st-inning runs. DANIELLE BALOUGH (left-center)
and AMANDA CARPENTER (right field) both singled, with KELSEY McILONIE driving
home Balough with a basehit to center, then Carpenter scoring on a double-steal
with K-Mac. The other Sultans run came home on a single to right field by
MICHELLE BRAMLAGE in the 6th, scoring McIlonie, who singled then advanced on a
walk to RACHEL FAILLA. Meanwhile, Bass only needed one strong effort on
defense all afternoon, as BREE PADILLA ran down a drive to the gap in left-center
field in the 4th. Thurs.,
May 3 Grossmont North League SULTANS 3, FOOTHILLERS 0 | Grossmont
(11-10-1) Santana (23-2) | 000 000
0 - 0 1 1 200 001 x - 3 8 0 | Fishtrom
and Moore; S.Bass and Fenn. W-S.Bass (16-1). L-Fishtrom (6-3). HR-none. |
WOLF
PACK 11, BRAVES 0 | West Hills (19-8) El
Cajon Valley (3-13) | 013 421 0-11 15
1 000 000 0-00 02
1 | Velovich, Krings (7) and Austin, Cobb
(3); Wilson and Garcia. W-Velovich (6-1). L-Wilson (3-13). HR-Holdman 2 (WH, 5),
2nd, lead, and 4th, two on. |
Grossmont
South League HIGHLANDERS 7, MATADORS 0 | Mount
Miguel (6-18) Helix (9-12) | 000 000
0 - 0 03 1 006 100 x - 7 13 1 | Nelson
and C.Jones; Jacobites, D.Smith (5) and Martin del Campo. W-Jacobites (7-8). L-Nelson
(4-7). S-D.Smith (2). HR-none. |
COUGARS
3, NORSEMEN 0 | Steele Canyon (20-6-1) Valhalla
(11-13) | 001 002 0-3 4 0 000 000
0-0 3 0 | S.Beasley and Cash; Uy, Cruz (4),
MeGirr (7) and Seitz. W-S.Beasley (10-4). L-Uy (3-5). HR-S.Beasley (SC, 3), 3rd,
solo; Blumenstock (SC), 6th, one on. |
EAGLES
3, MONARCHS 2 | Monte Vista (6-18) Granite
Hills (12-9) | 000 200 0 - 2 6 2 200
000 1 - 3 8 0 | Two out when winning run scored. Mullins
and Perea; Lahitte and Schatz. W-Lahitte (4-3). L-Mullins (7-10). HR-Bertussi
(GH, 3), 1st, one on. |
Eastern
League PATRIOTS 17, CONQUISTADORS 1 | Serra
(7-18-1) Christian (16-7) | 000 010
- 01 01 1 523 16x
- 17 22 2 | Called after 6 innings. Ryan,
Gotfredson (3), Cannan (5) and Olfasen; Owens, Royce (5) and Scott, Gentry (3).
W-Owens (7-6). L-Ryan. S-Royce (1). HR-none. |
| West
Hills 11, El Cajon Valley 0 -- Sophomore STASIA HOLDMAN slugged a pair of
home runs to move among the East County leaders, adding a double and driving in
five runs to power the visiting Wolf Pack over the Braves. Holdman opened
the scoring with a lead homer in the 2nd, then sent out a 2-run shot in the 4th
to push the lead to 8-0. The third baseman now ranks in a tie for third place
with five bombs for the season. CHELSEA VELOVICH tossed six innings of 2-hit
ball for the victory, then KYLEE KRINGS tossed a perfect 7th to keep the Wolf
Pack in contact with Santana. "Even with our loss to Grossmont, we
still knew we have to beat Santana twice anyway," said West Hills coach STEVE
SUTTON. "Monday is the big game for us." Both El Cajon Valley
hits were collected by catcher DESIREE GARCIA, who pounded a pair of doubles for
the Braves. For West Hills, KAITLIN COBB and SHARLANA BURNER also posted two hits,
including a 2-run double by Cobb. Christian 17, Serra 1 -- The collapsing
Conquistadors, who opened the season with a 5-1 record to gain a finals berth
in the Friar Classic tournament, continued their freefall at the hands of the
Patriots. Christian dealt Serra its 12th straight setback -- 0-12-1 in last
13 -- by scoring in all five of its team at-bats in a contest mercifully called
after six innings. KARA CARTWRIGHT posted a career outing by going 4-for-4,
including a bases-loaded triple in the 1st to mount a 5-0 lead. The sophomore
finished with four RBI and four runs to pace a season-best 22-hit attack by the
Patriots. However, it was an early defensive stop which captured the Q's. "ALLYSSA
GRAUL made a key play for us," said Pats coach ROMA DAWSON. "It set
the tone for the whole game and gave the defense some energy." On a
basehit to right, Graul collected the ball and fired home, nailing a player at
the plate for the out to keep the game scoreless in the top of the 1st. The hit
was the lone safety allowed by Christian pitchers, as JESSIE OWENS went the first
four innings for the victory, then JENNA ROYCE went the last two innings without
allowing a hit. "The whole team is hitting the ball well -- not just
one or two players, but the entire line-up," added Dawson. "Even against
(top-ranked) Mira Mesa, we hit the ball well." Leading the hit parade
was KRISTINE WYNNS, who matched Cartwright with four hits, including a triple,
while Owens and AMANDA PLUM added three hits each. Along with her arm, Graul
aided with her bat, driving home a season-best three runs, matching SARAH SEYMOUR
with two hits each. With the triumph, the Patriots moved to within a game
of Patrick Henry, as the teams conclude the Eastern League schedule next Thursday
(May 10) in San Carlos. Monarchs, Matadors, escape the deep
freeze © East County Sports.com SPRING VALLEY (5-2-07)
-- Since the beginning of the season, young and inexperienced rosters at Monte
Vista and Mount Miguel high schools displayed some promise with improving pitching
and defense, but the offenses remained suspended in Ice Age conditions -- cold,
cold, cold. But maybe former Vice President Al Gore is correct -- there
could be signs of warming in Spring Valley -- as both the Monarchs and Matadors
started to heat up the bats Tuesday (May 1), leading to a pair of upset victories.
Monte Vista 7, Valhalla 0 -- "Maybe our bats were in the freezer,"
said Monarchs coach SIG CHABROWSKI on his team's hitting woes. "We stopped
hitting after we got back from Vegas, so winning two straight games is great."
Claiming a second consecutive triumph is nice, but who they defeated was even
better after WHITNEY MULLINS yielded just four hits in shutting out the second-place
Norsemen. And it wasn't just one or two players swinging the bats; the
entire line-up chipped in. Led by 2-for-4 outings by LYDIA VENIEGAS, JESIKA PEREA
and KAITLYN McMILLAN, eight of the Monte Vista starters registered basehits off
a pair of Valhalla pitchers. Following three scoreless frames, the Monarchs
erupted for four runs on five hits in the 4th inning. Key blows included consecutive
RBI basehits by AMANDA WARD and McMillan, then AMANDA AGUON scored both of them
with a 2-run triple to straightaway centerfield. AMBER "A-Mac"
McMILLAN added an RBI single in the 5th to bring home Perea, then Veniegas powered
a 2-run double in the 6th, although she was thrown attempting to extend her blow
to a triple. "They certainly had our number today," said Valhalla
coach DOUG HARTUNG. "We had been playing so well to get above.500, but it's
been a long two days for us." The Norsemen, after buzzing to three
straight vcitories, have dropped two straight to slip back under the .500 mark
at 11-12 overall. Meanwhile, Monte Vista (10-14-1) forged into the first division
of the Grossmont North League standings, resting in a 3-way tie for third place.
Mount Miguel 6, Granite Hills 5 -- The biggest victory by the Matadors
in three seasons nearly slipped away in the bottom of the 7th, yet winning pitcher
LAURA NELSON persevered for the team's second victory in three starts to join
the Eagles and Monte Vista in a deadlock for third place. Trailing 6-1,
the Eagles pushed across four runs in their final at-bat and had the game-tieing
runner on base, but Nelson coaxed a foul popup which was corraled by catcher CATRINA
JONES to secure the victory. A pair of Eagles errors -- part of a season-poor
8 committed by the hosts -- allowed Mount Miguel to snap a 1-1 deadlock by pushing
across four unearned runs in the 5th. With the bases loaded and no out,
a hard grounder by SHANICE SUTTON was booted, allowing the go-ahead run to score.
SONIA RAY was credited with an RBI on her fielder's choice grounder up the middle,
then COREE MOLINA knocked in a run on her tapper to the pitcher, who went to first
base for the out. Although she didn't know it at the time, a 7th-inning
run scored by ROSIE GONZALES on a single and three additional Eagles errors --
two on one play -- proved important when Granite Hills mounted a late, late comeback.
A wild pitch scored one run, with MANDY OBNEY later drilling a 2-run double
to left-centerfield, eventually scoring on JENNY LAHITTE's single before Nelson
closed the door on the frustrated, schizophrenic Eagles. A few weeks after capturing
the Falcon Fiesta, Granite Hills is suddenly battling for its postseason lives
with its three straight setback after holding a share of the early Grossmont South
League lead. Gonzales (San Diego Renegades) will play at NCAA Division
II University of Mary (N.D.) of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference on
scholarship next season.
Tue.,
May 1 Grossmont North League VAQUEROS 15, BRAVES 0 | El
Capitan (6-12) El Cajon Valley (3-12) |
405 401 1-15 18 0 000 000 0-00 03
5 | Grohman and Combs; Wilson and Garcia.
W-Grohman (2-5). L-Wilson (3-12). HR-none. |
FOOTHILLERS
2, WOLF PACK 1 | West Hills (18-8) Grossmont
(11-9-1) | 100 000 0 - 1 6 2 000
020 x - 2 3 2 | Sandberg and Cobb; Renaldi
and Moore. W-Renaldi (6-7). L-Sandberg (5-4). HR-none. |
Grossmont
South League MATADORS 6, EAGLES 5 | Mount
Miguel (6-17) Granite Hills (11-9) | 100
040 1 - 6 06 2 001 000 4 - 5 11 8 | Nelson
and C.Jones; Belio and Schatz. W-Nelson (4-6). L-Belio (3-4). HR-none. |
MONARCHS
7, NORSEMEN 0 | Valhalla (11-12) Monte
Vista (10-14-1) | 000 000 0 - 0 4 2 000
412 x - 7 9 1 | Cruz, McGirr (6) and Houston;
Mullins and Perea. W-Mullins (7-9). L-Cruz (3-4). HR-none. |
COUGARS
2, HIGHLANDERS 0 | Helix (8-12) Steele
Cyn (19-6-1) | 000 000 0 - 0 03
0 000 101 x - 2 11 2 | Jacobites and Martin
del Campo; E.Beasley, S.Beasley (5) and Cash. W-E.Beasley (3-0). L-Jacobites (6-8).
S-S.Beasley (1). HR-none. |
Eastern
League MARAUDERS 7, PATRIOTS 3 | Mira
Mesa (26-1) Christian (15-7) | 030
010 3 - 7 10 2 000 100 2 - 3 08 2 | M.Tillett
and Maeva; Owens and Scott. W-M.Tillett. L-Owens (6-6). HR-S.Tillett (MM), 2nd,
lead; Maeva (MM), 5th, lead. |
| Steele
Canyon 2, Helix 0 -- Highlanders pitcher CHRISTINE JACOBITES played the role
of magician, escaping difficult circumstances all contest long by stranding 11
baserunners in holding the Cougars to their poorest outing on offense since the
Grossmont Conference Tournament more than a month ago. But if your team
doesn't score, it's hard to win after sisters ERIKA and SAM BEASLEY combined to
blank the visiting Scotties on three hits. Erika went the opening four innings,
running her record to 3-0 after her older sister mopped up with three innings
of 1-hit ball for her first save of the season. Sam Beasley was also at
the center of both Steele Canyon rallies for runs. In the 4th, the senior walked
with the bases loaded to force home a run, then she smacked a two-out triple down
the left-field line in the 6th, scoring on JAZMIN DAIGLE's sharp single to right.
The opening run was set-up when NICOLE RANDEL and KELLY CASH recorded back-to-back
basehits, then VANESSA ADAME walked to load the bases. Cash again played for injured
starting catcher HANNAH ROST (ribs), while LORENA KLOPP (back) was also missing
from the lineup card. However, the rest of the Cougars assisted on defense
by turning a pair of double plays. Grossmont 2, West Hills 1 --
The Foothillers answered an early Wolf Pack run -- barely -- to forge a tie for
second place between the teams in the Grossmont North League table. Grossmont
collected just three hits all afternoon, all coming in the 4th inning for the
team's only sign of life on offense. "Timing, timing, timing,"
noted Foothillers coach JERRY LERUD. "It was just one inning which got away
from her, but it was enough to win." CORAL KASDEN ended the no-hit
bid by West Hills pitcher BRENNA SANDBERG with a lead single to left field, then
CAMMI MOORE was struck by a pitch. KENDRA MYERS and ADRIANA NAU followed
with consecutive RBI singles -- Myers to right field, Nau to left -- before Sandberg
regained control. She struck out 10 batters for West Hills in defeat. Meanwhile,
Hillers starter ASHLEY RENALDI struck out five, overcoming an unearned run in
the 1st with 6 2/3 innings oif shutout ball to gain her second consecutive victory.
The lone run was scored by SHARLANA BURNER, who went around the bases on an
error, a steal of second base, a wild pitch to third, then home on an RBI single
to right by BRIANNA AUSTIN. West Hills later placed two runners in scoring
position in the 6th, but Renaldi escaped on a popout to second and a short flyball
to the shortstop. "This was a nice confidance builder," said
Grossmont coach JERRY LERUD. "And it was nice to see a pitcher go the distance
for us." El Capitan 15, El Cajon Valley 0 -- Vaqueros pitcher
SARAH GROHMAN earned her second victory of the season -- both by shutout -- in
spinning a 3-hitter at the host Braves. Grohman struckout a career-high
15 batters, then was backed by an 18-hit attack, including a perfect 5-for-5 outing
by LESLIE KUHNE. Centerfielder ASHLEY WHITMORE batted 3-for-5 with a triple,
leftfielder SARAH LAFF also added a triple, and first baseman JULIANNA DUNCAN
went 2-for-3, as El Capitan jumped out to a fast 4-0 lead, pushing the advantage
to 13-0 through four innings. El Cajon Valley received a double to left
by DESIREE GARCIA, while EMILY RAWLS added a pair of solid singles. Mira
Mesa 7, Christian 3 -- Unlike the teams' initial, one-sided meeting, the Patriots
were able to tag Marauders pitcher Melissa Tillett for eight hits, although they
still fell in the Eastern League contest to the San Diego Section's top-ranked
ballclub. Tillett added to her ever-mounting career strikeout total with
15 -- she ranks among the top five in CIF-San Diego Section history -- but Christian
threatened several times to keep things interesting. Included was an RBI
by Kara Cartwright in the 4th, then SARAH SEYMOUR boomed a 2-run double to center
in the 7th, scoring both ALY GUNTER (walk) and JESSIE OWENS (single), who moved
into scoring position on a KRISTINA WYNNS single. Owens struck out six
Mira Mesa batters, but allowed leadoff homers to junior catcher Shannon Tillett
(2nd inning) and junior catcher Justeen Maeva (5th).
|