Heading the list is right-handed pitcher BRYAN LONGPRE,
a former San Diego State prospect who bounced back
at Grossmont, yet re-emerges at the NCAA Division
I level at Cal State Northridge. This past season,
Longpre led all Pacific Coast Conference pitchers
in strikeouts in conference play.
Also gaining a Division I scholarship is second basemen
TONY JUSINO, who will play for Temple University in
Philadelphia. Jusino was a two-year starter and two-time
Pacific Coast Conference honorable mention selection.
ROSS BLONDIN, a first-team, All-PCC performer, is
headed for one of the nation's top NAIA programs a
Lubbock Christian. Blondin finished 7th in conference
batting at .358, leading the circuit with 47 RBI.
A pair of Griffins are headed for William Penn University,
in GARRETT JENNER (Steele Canyon) and catcher DAVID
RUIZ (Coconino HS/Flagstaff, Ariz.).
Two pitchers are ticketed for CSU San Bernardino in
left-hander KEVIN McCLAUGHRY and right-hander GARRETT
NELSON. McClaughry ranked third in the PCC with a
2.75 earned-run average while posting a 5-4 record.
In addition, left fielder JOSH MILLER will play for
CSU San Marcos. Following a slow start, the designated
hitter posted a 9-game hitting streak -- 11 straight
in starts -- during the second half of the season,
finishing with a .292 average (.357 to close the season.
Earlier announced was a trip to Texas A&M Kingsville
for centerfielder CLIFTON THOMAS (El Cajon Valley),
while 2007 pitcher CAMERON SELIK, who just started
pitching again following a layoff of more than a year
due to "Tommy John" elbow surgery, posted
a successful outing for the semipro Barona Stars to
open the door to accept a full-ride to the Univiersity
of Kansas.
Griffin Graffiti -- Among the honorees on the
Missouri Valley all-academic team is former Grossmont
standout JOSH MAZZOLA, a senior at Missouri State,
who posted a 3.61 grade-point average while majoring
in communications.
Olsen Inducted
During the state baseball
championships in Fresno,
former Grossmont College head coach Ed Olsen
(top photo, on left) is officially inducted
into the
CCCAA Hall of Fame. Current Griffins head coach
Randy Abshier (bottom) introduced Olsen during
ceremonies held at Fresno City College (May
23). (Photos by Russ Scoffin/Southwestern College)
2008 ALL-PACIFIC COAST
CONFERENCE TEAM (Selected by coaches)
Infielders -- Mitch Blackburn (Palomar),
ROSS BLONDIN (Grossmont), Adrian Bringas
(Southwestern), Marshal Harvey (San Diego
City), Omar Miramontes (Southwestern), Tyler
Saladino (Palomar). First Basemen – Anthony Lopez
(San Diego Mesa), Edgar Molina (Southwestern),
Guy Willeford (Palomar). Outfielders -- Jon Bernetskie (San
Diego City), Tre Dennis (South-western), Ryan
Dew (San Diego City), Jared Jordan (Southwestern),
Eric Rodriguez (Palomar). Catchers –- TRAVIS TAIJERON
(Grossmont), Zack Larson (San Diego Mesa). Designated Hitter -- Ryan Fariss (Southwestern). Pitchers -- Jorge Dryjanski (Southwestern),
Daniel Stenavich (Southwestern), Lucas Whitmore
(San Diego City). Relief Pitcher -- Kegan Sharp (Palomar). Coach of the Year – Jerry Bartow,
Southwestern.
Honorable Mention
Grossmont – Infielder Tony Jusino,
infielder Nick Spears, outfielder Joe Inzone,
Pitcher Darren Gay, pitcher Bryan Longpre, pitcher
Garrett Russell, outfielder Josh Miller, pitcher
Kevin McClaughry; Southwestern – Pitcher Lucas
Sanford, pitcher Eric Krause, pitcher Bryan
Flint, infielder Omar Manzanarez; Palomar
-- Pitcher Bobby Shore, pitcher Matt Strom,
pitcher Sam Jew, catcher Jason Laws, third baseman
Colby Ho; SDCC – Infielder Anthony
Long, pitcher Goldy Simmons, pitcher Dustin
Mercadante, pitcher Ashkon Kahualua; Mesa
– Infielder Zach Tanida; infielder
Eli Tupuola, pitcher Chad Blauer; Imperial
Valley – Pitcher Sergio Panela Jr.,
pitcher Luis Liera, pitcher Brandon Angulo,
inf. Anthony Velasco.
May 1: Southwestern at Grossmont
College;
Former Griffins head coach Ed Olsen is honored
for his induction into the COA Hall of Fame.
Olson will be formally inducted May 23 in Fresno. (Photos by Russ Scoffin)
On a day when former Grossmont College coach ED OLSEN
was honored for his upcoming induction into the California
Community College Hall of Fame, the Griffins responded
smartly by downing Pacific Coast Conference champion
Southwestern, 9-6, at Noel Mickelsen Field.
"Winning the last game is always important --
it's something you think about all summer," said
Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. "Now you're itching
to get back in August with the fall league and get
ready for another season."
Right-fielder JOE INZONE might have fell about two
feet short of a cycle with a deep blast to the wall
in the 8th inning, but it was his RBI double in the
7th which broke a 4-4 tie, as Grossmont scored four
times to win for the 7th time in its last 10 home
games.
While Inzone's shot into the right-field corner gained
the lead, some even bigger hits were soon to follow.
Southwestern, playing without head coach Jerry Bartow
following his ejection in the teams' contest on Tuesday,
elected to walk TONY JUSINO to face DAVID RUIZ. However,
the impression teams have about the diminutive catcher
again failed miserably.
"Ruiz clutched up again after the walk to get
the right-hander vs. right-hander situation,"
said Abshier. "He put the ball in play, which
is all you need to do at this level, and got the clutch
hit."
Ruiz lined a run-scoring single to left for a 7-5
lead to cap a 2-for-4 outing at the plate. First baseman
GARRETT JENNER followed by driving in two more with
a basehit to finish 2-for-4, 3-RBI performance.
"Ruiz, being a sophomore and being here two
years, it was nice to see him get the two hits to
finish up his career here," added Abshier. "Hopefully,
we can get him a job (scholarship) somewhere."
Thurs.,
May 1
Pacific Coast Conference
GRIFFINS 9, JAGUARS 6
Southwestern
32-11 (22-3 PCC)
Grossmont
20-20 (13-12 PCC)
ab r h bi
ab r h bi
Dennis cf
Goodin ph-cf
Jordan rf
Baldvz ph-rf
Bringas 3b
Norris ph-3b
Molina 1b
Crdro ph-1b
Miramnts ss
Fariss dh
Simpson dh
Comford c
Sanchez c
Wnmkr ph-c
Torres rf
Carties ph-rf
Shirk 2b
Southwestern
Stenavich
Davis
Martinez L
Burer Grossmont
Swan
Gay
Richardson
McLaughry W,6-4
Wiley
Orozco
ip
1.0
5.1
0.1
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3.2
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
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4
5
4
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4
3
1
1
0
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4
1
4
0
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4
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HBP-by Gay (Jordan), by Orozco (Goodin).
WP-Swan. BK-Orozco. PB-Comford.
T-2:41.
"It was nice to see both those kids (Ruiz and Jenner),
who had limited time this year, come off the bench as
sophomores and do the job and help us win this ballgame."
Inzone's quest for a cycle began in the 1st, capping
a 4-run rally with an RBI triple. He added a scratch
single in the 3rd, then was given the opportunity
to go for the cycle in the 8th. Inzone was handed
a choice, high fastball, but the ball fell short of
the barrier at one of the deepest points of the ballpark,
despite the aid of a breeze blowing to right all day
long.
After the Jaguars scored once in the first, a passed
ball allowed Grossmont to tie the game, then JOSH
MILLER slapped a 2-run single for the lead.
Southwestern eventually tied the game on a solo homer
by Adrian Bringas in the 4th before Inzone collected
his game-winner in the 7th, making a winner of relief
pitcher KEVIN McLAUGHRY (6-4).
While the Jags (32-11, 22-3 PCC) are guaranteed a
ticket to the COA state playoffs, Grossmont can take
some consolation by finishing at the .500 mark at
20-20 overall with yet another first-division finish
in the PCC standings (third at 13-12).
"Southwestern was the class of the conference
and they deserved to be the champions," noted
Abshier. "While with the team we had, perhaps
we should've been better. Next year, we'll be young,
but we'll have some pitchers coming back."
Griffin Graffiti -- In ceremonies featuring
Abshier and Director of Athletics JIM SPILLERS, Olsen
was presented a custom COA Hall of Fame letterman's
jacket designed by Griffins assistant coach JOHN ENRIGHT
of Berry’s Sporting Goods to acknowledge the
veteran skipper’s accomplishments.
Vega faced 3 batters in the 6th.
HBP-by Longpre (Manzanarez), by TJones (Fariss),
by Vega 2 (Comford, Jordan), by Simpson (Inzone).
PB-Taijeron 2. BK-Simpson.
The Jaguars (32-10, 22-2 PCC) built an 8-0 lead over
the first six innings and then had to fight off a
belated Griffins rally for an 8-6 victory. Grossmont
(19-20, 12-12) left the bases-loaded in the 9th inning.
“Our middle relief pitching let us down,”
Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “Giving away
three runs like we did . . . you can’t do that
and expect to beat a quality team like Southwestern.”
Already sitting on a 5-0 lead, the Jaguars parlayed
two walks, three hit batters and a catcher’s
interference into three more runs.
Grossmont scrambled back with a two-out rally for
three runs in the 7th inning. TIM WORTHY and TONY
JUSINO had RBI singles. The first run of the frame
scored on a balk.
Back-to-back doubles by TRAVIS TAIJERON and JOE INZONE
produced another run for Grossmont in the 8th.
Once again the Griffins cranked up a two-out rally
in the 9th. Worthy singled with one out. ROSS BLONDIN
drew a two-out walk. Taijeron and JOSH MILLER followed
with RBI singles. NICK SPEARS kept the parade going
with a single to load the bases, but that’s where
the comeback crashed on a game-ending strike out.
The Griffins conclude the season on Thursday (May
1) when they host Southwestern at 2 p.m.
"It was disappointing -- we left 13 runners
on base," said Griffins coach RANDY ABSHIER.
"Except for one inning, every time we played
a runner in scoring position, we couldn't seem to
buy a hit. Just plain disappointing."
Despite a 4-run rally in the 5th inning to overcome
a 2-0 deficit, Grossmont failed to hold the lead in
falling to San Diego Mesa, 5-4, in Saturday's (Apr.
26) Pacific Coast Conference ballgame at Mesa.
"We had the bases loaded in the 1st, runners
at first and second in the 2nd and 3rd, then another
runner at second in the 4th before we finally scored,"
Abshier rehashed. "Then it was two more runners
in the 6th and two more in the 9th."
In each of the recounted at-bats, Grossmont had less
than two outs, yet failed each time to deliver against
four Olympians pitchers.
The only clutch hits came in the 5th to offset a
pair of unearned runs by Mesa in the 1st.
Following walks to ROSS BLONDIN and TRAVIS TAIJERON,
left-fielder JOSH MILLER came through with an RBI
single.
JOE INZONE walked to load the bases, KEVIN TENNEY
was hit by a pitch to force home the tying run, then
TONY JUSINO followed with a 2-run basehit for a 4-2
Grossmont advantage.
However, Mesa chipped away with single runs in the
5th, 6th and 8th innings to retake the lead, capped
by an RBI single to center by Mesa centerfielder Allen
Boyer (who was later picked off at first base).
Grossmont starting pitcher GARRETT RUSSELL posted
another solid performance, yielding only two earned
runs in six innings. Russell left with a no-decision
despite seven strikeouts and just a single walk.
Taijeron finished the 2-game series by going 4-for-4
(two hits in each contest) against Mesa to maintain
his lead in the PCC batting race with two ballgames
remaining. Taijeron was hit by a pitch twice and walked
in his other three plate appearances.
The Granite Hills High product is now batting .395
for the season (.416 in PCC action).
The Griffins (19-19, 12-11 PCC) conclude the regular
season with a home-and-home set with PCC champion
Southwestern. The games are Tuesday (Apr. 29) in Chula
Vista, then Thursday (May 1) at Grossmont's Noel Mickelsen
Field. Both start at 2 p.m.
Gay capped his stint out of the bullpen with 5 2/3
frames without yielding a run, allowing Grossmont
time to come back from deficits of 5-0 and 8-5.
"It's hard to get used to coming out of the
'pen," noted Gay. "But it's still pretty
much pitching, and you have to get the job done."
Gay (6-3) was tagged for consecutive doubles which
put Mesa back in front after Grossmont scored five
times in the 3rd inning to tie it. Included was a
2-run single by Mesa second baseman ROSS EPPERSON
( Steele Canyon ). But from that point on, the right-hander
allowed just four singles, striking out three batters.
"It was a good game," Gay added. "I'm
glad to give my team a chance to win, then they hit
the ball well."
Grossmont first baseman KEVIN TENNEY led both comebacks.
Down 5-0, the Griffins registered five consecutive
singles among seven total hits in the 3rd inning to
tie the game, capped by Tenney's run-scoring basehit
to center.
In the 5th, Tenney again tied the contest with a
2-run double, then he scored the go-ahead run when
second baseman TONY JUSINO followed with another double.
Blondin then padded the advantage with his PCC leading
9th homer of the season, going deep to right field
to score SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER (2-for-4, 2 runs) and
NICK SPEARS (3-for-5, 3 runs, 2 RBI).
Inzone, the designated hitter, also went to right
for his second home run of the season. His shot brought
home Blondin (3-for-5, 3 runs, 3 RBI) and TRAVIS TAIJERON,
the PCC's leading hitter, who added to his advantage
with a 2-for-2 outing at the plate.
Inzone batted 3-for-5. scoring twice and collecting
a career-high 5 RBI.
Taijeron, who is now batting .384 (.402 in PCC action),
registered a double, a sacrifice fly and was walked
twice.
For the ballgame, the Griffins (19-18, 12-10 PCC)
collected 18 hits, their second-highest total of the
season (29 vs. Imperial Valley , Apr. 8).
For Mesa (13-22, 9-13 PCC), shortstop Eli Tupuola
batted 3-for-4, while third baseman Zach Tanida went
2-for-5 with three RBI.
The teams complete their season series on Saturday
(Apr. 26) at noon at Mesa . Grossmont then finishes
the season with a home-and-home set against PCC champion
Southwestern, which fell to Palomar, 3-1.
ROBERT STEVENS, in his second start of the season,
provided six shutout innings despite allowing nine
hits to the Comets. But every time Palomar placed
runners on base, Stevens seemed to come through by
coaxing a ground out.
"Robert was absolutely spectacular -- even the
Palomar coaches said so after the game," said
Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. "He threw great
by keeping the ball down, but after 105 pitches, it
was time to move on after six innings even though
he felt good."
While Roberts seems to cherish his move into the
starting rotation, the same can be said for KEVIN
McCLAUGHRY, whose move to the bullpen has been equally
successful. McClaughry went the final three innings
for his first collegiate save.
While the pitching was been as good as anywhere in
the conference, Grossmont (18-18, 11-10 PCC) finally
received key hits early in the ballgame to take control
rather than the usual scheme of playing catch-up with
a single, big inning.
Included was a two-out double by JOSH MILLER, scoring
ROSS BLONDIN and NICK SPEARS for a 2-0 lead in the
1st inning. Spears later added an RBI single in the
4th after JARED MADDEN drew a bases-loaded walk.
"We got key hits when we needed them,"
added Abshier. "Miller's clutch hit was off a
pretty good pitcher in Bobby Shore -- that was nice."
Grossmont made it 5-0 in the 7th when SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER
walked, moved to third on a Spears basehit, then scored
on a double-play grounder.
Meanwhile, the Griffins' defense also sparkled –
including a double play – playing errorless ball
for the first time in eight outings.
"Defensively, we played well," added the
skipper. "When you don't play good defense, you're
missing one-third of your game and you lose, but we
put all the pieces together and won."
Second baseman TONY JUSINO paced Grossmont's 11-hit
attack with a 3-for-3 outing. Spears and first baseman
KEVIN TENNEY each went 2-for-4.
For Palomar, shortstop Tyler Saladino went 3-for-4,
including a solo homer in the 9th.
With the victory, Grossmont eliminated Palomar (23-18,
15-6 PCC) from conference title consideration, giving
the crown to Southwestern (30-9, 20-1 PCC).
