Former West Hills High pitcher AARON RICHARDSON
collected an offer from West Texas A&M.
Meanwhile, second baseman NICK SPEARS will
join former Griffins catcher MATT POWELL, who
saw his scholarship not renewed when a new coaching
staff took over at national power Cal State
Fullerton, both accepting offers from Southern
Nazarene in Oklahoma.
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
1.1
1.1
3.2
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
h
4
5
4
1
4
3
1
1
0
1
r
4
1
4
0
4
1
0
0
0
1
er
4
1
4
0
4
1
0
0
0
1
bb
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
so
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
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).
Sanford faced 5 batters in the 8th.
HBP-by Strom 2 (Blondin, Miller), by Russell 3
(Blackburn 2, Saladino), by Dwyer (Ho). WP-Russell
2, Haynal.
T-2:49.
This time the victim was GARRETT RUSSELL, who was
tagged for a pair of unearned runs to hand Palomar
a 2-0, 4th-inning lead which they carried into the
7th.
Meanwhile, the Griffins' offense lay dull and desolate,
getting shutout on three hits by Matt Strom. The transfer
from Cypress College tossed seven shutout innings
to collect his first victory of the season.
The bullpens made things interesting after racing
through the first seven innings in less than 100 minutes.
Included was a 3-run homer by Palomar first baseman
Guy Willeford, building an 8-0 lead in the 8th. But
after the Griffins awoke to score six times in the
8th, Comets shortstop Tyler Saladino went with the
wind to the opposite field in right for another 3-run
homer, ending the comeback hopes of Grossmont (17-18,
10-10 PCC).
Willeford finished with four RBI, then Keaton Sharp
recorded the final five outs to gain his PCC leading
sixth save of the season.
Grossmont's big inning started innocently enough
when catcher DAVID RUIZ, who is batting .333 (5-for-15)
this month, singled up the middle, followed by a double.
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER, who went 2-for-5, followed
with a 2-run single to get Grossmont on the board,
then a poor throw on a fielder's choice at second
allowed Stonecipher to take second base.
TRAVIS TAIJERON and JOSH MILLER followed with consecutive
run-scoring basehits, then a groundout by NICK SPEARS
made it 8-5. Sharp finally was called upon, but TONY
JUSINO reached on an infield single, then pinchhitter
GARRETT JENNER rolled into a fielder's choice for
another run.
Russell's effort continued a streak of solid pitching
by Grossmont's starters before getting lifted. Before
Russell allowed two runs in the 7th, he went 6 1/3
innings without allowing an earned run.
Earlier in the week, BRIAN LONGPRE lasted 7 innings
before allowing an earned run to San Diego City (Grossmont
scored just once during his tenure). And ROBERT STEVENS
was touched for just one earned run over six innings
-- also against the Knights -- which was supported
by just two runs while he was on the mound.
The 3-game totals point a direct finger at the slow-out-of-the-gate
Griffins' offense.
The Grossmont starting pitching staff's composites:
20.2 innings allowing just five earned runs -- a solid
2.18 earned-run average. However, the figures are
meager compared to the 1.06 ERA by opponent's starters
over the last three contests, with the Griffins scoring
an embarrassing 3 runs over 20 innings when their
starter pitching was still on the mound,
Grossmont and Palomar complete the 2-game series
at 2 p.m. Tuesday (Apr. 22) in San Marcos.
Six Grossmont errors added up to five unearned runs
for the Knights (15-17, 7-12 PCC) who pushed across
the winning marker on a two-base throwing error and
a bloop single by Marshal Harvey with two outs in
the 10th.
As if all the tomfoolery on defense wasn’t enough
to upset Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER, the lack of
production at the plate made things even more aggravating.
In their latest loss to SDCC, the Griffins (17-17,
10-9 PCC) were 5-for-20 with runners in scoring position;
just 11-for-25 advancing runners; and 0-for-4 with
runners at third base.
Trailing 4-1 after seven innings, Grossmont erupted
for a quartet of runs to take a one-run lead in the
8th. SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER slashed a bases-loaded triple
and was able to circle the bases when the Knights
muffed the relay from the outfield.
SDCC regained the lead with a pair of runs in the
bottom of the 8th but the Griffins tied it 6-6 on
NICK SPEARS’ RBI single. Grossmont had a chance
to win it in regulation with runners at first and
second with one out. SDCC reliever Gregg Olsen killed
the rally by chalking up back-to-back strikeouts.
Next up for the Griffins is a home game against Palomar
on Saturday (Apr. 19) at noon.
Blondin, a sophomore from Santa Rosa, went
7-for-11 in two games last week with a double,
four home runs, 11 RBIs and seven runs scored.
He helped lead the Griffins to a 25-8 victory
over Imperial Valley, going 4-for-6 with two
home runs, a double, five RBIs and five runs
scored.
Blondin also helped lead the way in a 13-2
win over the Arabs as he hit safely three times
in five at-bats, slugged two homers -- including
a grand slam -- drove in six runs and scored
twice.
Blondin shares the award with Palomar College
volleyball player Casey Sawyer, who led the
Comets to a 3-0 sweep of defending state champion
Irvine Valley.
"Really, it's simple," Grossmont College
centerfield CLIFTON THOMAS explained. "Once I
make the turn at first, I make the read -- then it's
on."
Thomas twice make the proper determination to leadoff
the 1st and 9th innings Tuesday (Apr. 15), scoring
both times to propel the Griffins past San Diego City
College, 3-2, at Noel Mickelsen Field.
Late-inning substitute JEFF LUCERO came through in
his only at-bat, following Thomas' second 3-bagger
with his own double -- the walk-off variety -- to
keep Grossmont (17-16, 10-8 PCC) in the postseason
chase.
"Clifton was big all game, then before the 9th,
we talked about making something happen," said
Lucero. "After he got on, the infield came in,
so I just wanted something to drive through the infield
because I've been hurt lately."
After Thomas' drive blew away from the Knights centerfielder
and 2-hopped the wall in left-center field, Lucero
went to right-center to deliver the victory.
No out when winning run scored.
GWRBI-Lucero.
E-Stevens, Whitmore, Bernetskie, Moore, Glaze.
DP-GC 1. LOB-City 5, GC 11. 2B-Glaze, Lucero.
3B-Thomas 2, Miller. SB-Long. CS-Jenner. S-Thomas
2, Moore.
San Diego City
Whitmore
Mercadante L,1-4 Grossmont
Stevens
Gay W,5-3
ip
5.0
3.0
6.0
3.0
h
5
3
2
4
r
2
1
2
0
er
1
1
1
0
bb
3
0
1
0
so
7
1
9
4
HBP-by Stevems (Cann), by Whitmore
(Moore). T-2:45.
Lucero's walkoff
game-winning double
San Diego City (14-17, 6-12 PCC) fell out of its deadlock
for 4th place after San Diego Mesa took a 4-3 decision
from Palomar, the team Grossmont is chasing in the Pacific
Coast Conference standings.
Thomas finished with a perfect outing at the plate.
He went 3-for-3, while also placing a pair of perfect
sacrifice bunts. It is believed his pair of triples
equals the school record.
Over the past month (since Mar. 11), Thomas is batting
a solid .516 (16-for-31). In his last five starts,
the sophomore is hitting at a sizzling .611 clip (11-for-18)
-- and Thomas was rested in last week's contests against
Imperial Valley (3-25-1).
Meanwhile, ROBERT STEVENS was stellar in his first
start since playing for Southwestern some four seasons
ago, carrying a no-hitter into the 6th inning before
SDCC shortstop Bobby Glaze laced the inning's first
pitch for a double toward the Knights bullpen.
"It seemed like he closed for six innings --
'Gramps' is money," noted Lucero about Stevens'
effort. "It was amazing -- I didn’t think
his arm could hold out for so long."
Stevens established his dominance early by striking
out the side in the first, finishing with nine K's
in six innings of work. Reliever DARREN GAY collected
four strikeouts over the final three frames, gaining
the victory on Lucero's game-winner.
"I was a little nervous, but once I got out
there and threw the first pitch, it all came back
to me," said Stevens, who left with no decision.
"As long as we win, that's all that matters."
Thomas scored in the 1st when ROSS BLONDIN hit a
chopper up the middle, with the only play at first
base to collect the RBI.
Both teams scored in the 3rd in similar scenarios:
a hit batsman, a failed pickoff.
For SDCC, Alex Cann was hit on a curveball which
didn't. He moved to third on the wild throw to first,
then a groundout to shortstop by Blaze scored him.
Meanwhile, Griffins catcher ADAM MOORE was plunked,
moving to second on a Thomas sacrifice, then after
TONY JUSINO singled to place runners on the corners,
City's wild throw to first allowed Moore to walk home.
The triumph clinches the season series with San Diego
City at 3-1, with the last contest between the teams
slated for 2 p.m. Thursday at Morley Field. Griffins
coach RANDY ABSHIER has never lost a season series
to the Knights since he took over Grossmont's program.
Stonecipher creamed a no-doubt 3-run homer in the
2nd inning, giving the Griffins a 5-0 lead for the
entree. Then Blondin served the dessert. The sophomore
third baseman bombed a 2-run homer in the 4th, then
blasted a grand slam in the 7th to finish with six
RBI for the second straight ballgame, powering Grossmont
past the visiting Arabs, 13-2.
Blondin finished the week by batting 7-for-11 (.636),
with four homers, 11 RBI and scoring seven times.
Too bad the rejuvenated Griffins have a bye date
on Saturday.
"The pressure's been lifted off us -- there's
no pressure to get first place anymore -- so everyone's
back playing their game and not pressing anymore,"
said Grossmont starting pitcher GARRETT RUSSELL, who
tossed six innings of 3-hit ball to collect the victory.
"And now we've put up almost 40 runs in two games."
Russell, obviously, welcomed the run support to level
his record at 4-4. He struck out six and has allowed
just one earned run in his last three appearances
cover 13 innings of work.
"I’m getting everything back after going
through a little bit of a bad streak," added
Russell. "I pitched six (shutout) innings at
Mesa , then I got the start today and pitched well.
"And with Sequoyah and Ross hitting seven homers
between them in the last two games – they’ve
got a little competition going between them -- we're
finally hitting the long ball for the first time all
season."
Stonecipher, who has taken over duties in centerfield,
capped the series by going 5-for-10 with seven RBI
and scoring five runs. His shot went out to the opposite
field in right, then later he just missed a second
consecutive multi-homer game with a drive which went
just foul down the left-field line.
Eight of Grossmont's starters collected at least
one of the ballclub's 17 hits.
Meanwhile, the bullpen saw three relievers -- KEVIN
DWYER, BRIAN LONGPRE and ROBERT STEVENS -- toss one
inning each without allowing a hit.
Griffin Graffiti -- ROSS BLONDIN, GARRETT
NELSON and KEVIN McLAUGHRY have given verbal commitments
for college scholarships. Blondin is expected to sign
next week with Lubbock Christian (35-1), the nation's
top-ranked NAIA ballclub, while Nelson and McLaughry
-- both pitchers -- should ink paperwork to attend
NCAA Division II Cal State San Bernardino . . . At
least three others Griffins are anticipating offers
from NCAA Division I schools, hopefully by the end
of the month . . . Grossmont has hit 20 home runs
this season, 11 coming in the last two games.
It was an offensive field day for the Griffins (15-16,
8-8 PCC) as they tied the Grossmont record for home
runs in a game with eight, including four in the 6th
inning of a 25-8 victory.
“It was blustery – the wind was kicking
up and blowing out much of the day,” Grossmont
coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “Not all of those balls
would have gone out, but the majority were hit well
enough.”
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER and ROSS BLONDIN led the home
run parade with two round-trippers each. TRAVIS TAIJERON
(6-for-6, 7 RBI) was one of the Griffins clearing
the yard in a 7-run sixth inning that ballooned Grossmont’s
advantage to 20-3. Stonecipher launched a 2-run homer
in that inning as did JARED MADDEN. JEFF LUCERO also
tagged a solo shot.
It was a surprise attack for sure. Grossmont had
clubbed only 17 home runs in its first 30 games before
Tuesday’s onslaught. The Griffins established
season highs for runs and hits (29).
Nearly lost in the home run barrage was Griffins
shortstop NICK SPEARS, who went 5-for-5 and hit for
The Cycle. Spears tripled in the 2nd, homered in the
4th, doubled in the 6th and singled in the 8th and
9th innings. He was also hit by a pitch, scored 5
runs and drove in a pair.
“It’s coming down to the end of the season
and it should mean a lot to our guys to finish strong,”
Abshier said. “For some of them, this could be
their last season. For others, there are scholarships
at stake. They need to give it their best shot.
“Who knows?” Abshier continued. “If
we get hot at the end here and win our last nine,
we might have a shot at the playoffs. But we can’t
just sit around and talk about it. We have to play
like we did today – every game.”
These same two teams meet again on Thursday (Apr.
10) at Noel Mickelsen Field at 2 p.m.
Dennis
cf
Mnsnrez 2b
Bringas 3b
Norris ph-3b
Molina 1b
Miramnts ss
Cando ph-ss
Fariss dh
Comford c
Baldivier ph
Wannamkr c
Torres rf
Jordan lf
Cartier ph
JSimpson lf
No, it wasn't a football game, but as far as Southwestern
was concerned, the hits were equally as punishing
as a linebacker's after shortstop K.J. Miramontes
followed with a touchdown pass on a bomb, blasting
a 3-run homer in the 1st inning
In what was expected to be a defensive battle between
the conference leaders in earned-run average, Grossmont
starter DARREN GAY received little support out of
the gate. The first batter hit a simple ground ball,
which was booted, then on the ensuing bunt play, no
one covered first base.
Southwestern followed with "first downs"
on a single to load the bases, a sacrifice fly by
Edgar Molina, then Miramontes smacked the scoreboard
in left-center field with the long ball for a 4-0
advantage which eventually swelled to 14-2.
Miramontes finished batting 3-for-5, with the homer,
two doubles and four RBI.
Meanwhile, Jaguars starter Daniel Stenavich collected
the easy victory, moving his record to 5-0. The sophomore
out of Serra High allowed two runs over seven innings.
The Griffins scored five times on the SWC bullpen,
including a 3-run homer by designated hitter JOSH
MILLER in the 9th. The sophomore batted 3-for-4, also
adding a double and a double-play grounder which allowed
another run to score to put Grossmont on the board.
The lead went to 8-1 before a NICK SPEARS sacrifice
fly allowed Miller to score the first of his three
runs in the 6th. But Southwestern answered with six
runs in the 7th, as a pair of Grossmont relievers
failed to register an out in a dismal showing by the
Griffins bullpen.
Several members of the bench made bids for additional
playing time, as reserve catchers DAVID RUIZ and ADAM
MOORE each collected basehits in pinchhitting roles.
Ruiz lined a single to left, while a hustling Moore
beat out an infield hit. In addition, TIM WORTHY entered
late, forcing the ball to the right side to drive
home JARED MADDEN (2-for-4 with a double) from third
base.
Miller accounted for six of Grossmont’s seven
runs by either scoring or driving home the markers.
Right fielder JOE INZONE added three basehits and
scored once.
Grossmont (14-16, 7-8 PCC) will play a home-and-home
series with Imperial Valley next week. The teams meet
Tuesday (Apr. 8) in Imperial, then Thursday (Apr.
10) at Grossmont, both starting at 2 p.m.
One out when winning run scored.
GWRBI-Manzanarez.
E-Dennis. LOB-GC 7, SW 10. 2B-Blondin, Fariss.
HR-Jenner (1), 8th, one on. S-Manzanarez, Miramontes.
Grossmont
Longpre L,1-3
Stevens Southwestern
Sanford
Krause
Bringas W
ip
8.1
0.0
7.1
0.1
1.1
h
8
1
4
1
2
r
3
0
2
0
0
er
3
0
2
0
0
bb
2
0
2
0
0
so
5
0
4
1
3
Stevens faced 1 batter in the 9th.
HBP - By Longpre 2 (Comford , Jordan), by Sanford
(Jusino).
Longpre limited the first-place Jaguars (23-9, 13-3
PCC) to eight hits and 3 runs as scouts from the University
of New Mexico looked on. He struck out 5 and walked
only 2 in one of his better outings of the season.
Through the first eight innings Longpre made only
one major mistake. That was giving up a two-run double
to Ryan Fariss that broke a scoreless tie in the 6th
inning.
Grossmont (14-15, 7-7 PCC) answered back in the 8th
inning as TONY JUSINO was hit by a pitch and pinch-hitter
GARRETT JENNER jacked a monumental home run over the
wall in right field to tie it.
The Griffins might have had more that inning as SEQUOYAH
STONECIPHER walked but was cut down attempting to
steal second. ROSS BLONDIN followed with a double
off the wall that would easily have scored Stonecipher
with the go-ahead marker.
Mass confusion helped Southwestern score the winning
tally in the bottom of the 9th which came across on
Omar Manzanarez's single.
The game featured two key disputes of judgment and
rule book interpretations between the umpires and
coaches in the bottom of the 9th.
The umpires working the contest huddled more than
once to decide a disputed call. One time the men in
blue retreated to their vehicles to Google their laptop
computer to locate a particular baseball ruling. Perhaps
a rule book in pocket might have solved the problem
a bit quicker . . .
During the 15 minutes the umpires were solving the
puzzle, the fans in the stands were becoming vocally
restless. Negative chanting by the spectators resulted
in some ejections.
Grossmont was tagged with its 5th loss in six starts.
Reduced to spoilers, the Griffins will attempt to
knock off Southwestern when they host the Jaguars
on Saturday (Apr. 5) at noon.
The Olympians jumped on Grossmont starter AARON RICHARDSON
for seven runs in the first two innings and then cruised
to a 7-5 victory.
JOSH MILLER paced Grossmont (14-14, 7-6 PCC) with
a 2-run double in the 1st inning and an RBI double
in the 8th.
CLIFTON THOMAS continued his hot hitting of late with
a pair of doubles, two stolen bases and 2 runs scored.
Like Miller, Thomas totaled 3 hits in the game.
"Thomas is a major league outfielder," Grossmont
coach RANDY ABSHIER said. "He can run down anything."
Thomas has a scholarship to Texas A&M-Kingsville
in hand.
Helix High product ZACH TANIDA put Mesa (9-17, 5-8
PCC) on top to stay 3-2 with a bases-clearing triple
in the bottom of the 1st inning. TED KLEIST, a resident
of El Cajon and graduate of Cathedral Catholic, keyed
a 4-run 2nd inning with a lead off home run.
Next up the Griffins is a trip to Chula Vista where
they take on front-running Southwestern College Thursday
(Apr. 3) at 2 p.m.
Sat.,
Mar. 29
Pacific Coast Conference
GRIFFINS 11, OLYMPIANS 6
San Diego Mesa
8-17 (4-8 PCC)
Grossmont
14-13 (7-5 PCC)
ab r h bi
ab r h bi
Boyer
cf
Epperson ss
Lopez 1b
Larson c
Blauer dh
Carruesco rf
Tanida 3b
Emigh lf
Phillips 2b
The highs included clutch hitting throughout the
lineup, including sparkling performances by shortstop
NICK SPEARS and centerfielder CLIFTON THOMAS.
Spears opened his day with a game-tying, leadoff
home run in the 2nd inning, finishing 3-for-4 before
being intentionally walked in the 8th. Meanwhile,
Thomas reached base on all five of his at-bats, going
4-for-4 with a walk, including a pair of doubles and
scoring three times.
"Just helping the team out by seeing a hanging
curveball and hitting it over the fence," said
Spears, a sophomore who is looking to extend his career
at a four-year school. "Although I thought it
was foul, the ump called it fair, so whatever works.”
On the flip side, the Griffins (14-13, 7-5 PCC) committed
an unsightly five errors to continually extend Mesa
's trips to the plate. It meant a ton of extra pitches
for Grossmont starter KEVIN McCLAUGHRY, yet the left-hander
fought through six innings to gain the victory. Half
of the four runs he allowed were unearned.
"Kevin pitched well enough to win," said
head coach RANDY ABSHIER. "That's all you can
ask from any pitcher."
Meanwhile, Grossmont battered five Mesa pitchers
to the tune of Spears' homer and seven doubles among
the ballclub's 14 hits.
"The defense will be fine -- just need a little
more fungos," added Spears. "Coach throws
the best nine out there every game."
Among the key two-base hits was a liner to right-center
by designated hitter JOSH MILLER (2-for-5) for a run
in the 3rd and a 5-3 lead. Later, KEVIN TENNY sent
a drive to left-center, driving in two runs in the
5th to mount a 9-4 lead, as the Griffins scored in
each of the game's first five innings.
Tenny, receiving the start at first base, finished
with three RBI, including a run-scoring basehit in
the 2nd to give Grossmont a 3-2 lead.
The teams complete the home-and-home series Tuesday
(Apr. 1) at 2 p.m. at Mesa before the Griffins open
a 2-game set with PCC leading Southwestern.
Thurs.,
Mar. 27
Pacific Coast Conference
COMETS 9, GRIFFINS 8
Palomar
16-14 (9-2 PCC)
Grossmont
13-13 (6-5 PCC)
ab r h bi
ab r h bi
Rodriguez
cf
Blkbrn 2b-3b
JJones 3b
Alnas pr
Chstertn 2b
Willeford 1b
Saladino ss
Renteria dh
Joyce lf
Onarato rf
Lee c
The contest saw four lead changes, twice courtesy
of Griff right-fielder SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER. The freshman
snapped a 2-all deadlock in the 5th with a booming
solo homer to left, which was followed by a walk to
ROSS BLONDIN and a 2-run, opposite-field homer to
right by catcher TRAVIS TAIJERON.
Stonecipher later snapped a 7-all tie in the 8th,
lining Grossmont's third basehit of the inning to
score GARRETT JENNER.
However, the Comets (16-14, 9-2 PCC) went small ball
in the 9th, taking advantage of a hit batsman when
Eric Rodriguez led-off the 9th.
Mitch Blackburn bunted Rodriguez along, Jarend Jones
walked, then a grounder went to the right side by
clean-up hitter Guy Willeford, as the slow roller
prevented Grossmont from turning a double play to
win the game.
Saladino followed with his 2-run basehit to left
for the lead, then Comets reliever Keagan Sharp overcame
his own hit batsman in the bottom of the 9th to register
his fifth save of the season.
For Palomar, Jake Onarato slugged a 3-run homer when
the Comets scored five times in the 6th for a 7-5
advantage.
CLIFTON THOMAS, Stonecipher and Blondin recorded
two hits among the 11 for Grossmont (13-13, 6-5 PCC).
Included for Thomas was a double in the 2nd, then
an RBI single which resulted in two runs in the 6th
when the ball skipped "5-hole" (between
the legs) of the right fielder to tie the contest
at 7-7.
Palomar remains one full game behind front-running
Southwestern, which downed San Diego City, 6-2. The
Griffins remain in third place, three games behind
the Comets.
Tue.,
Mar. 25
Pacific Coast Conference
COMETS 7, GRIFFINS 5
Grossmont
13-12 (6-4 PCC)
Palomar
15-14 (8-2 PCC)
ab r h bi
ab r h bi
Thomas
cf
Jusino 2b
Blondin 3b
Taijeron c
Worthy pr
Stncphr rf
Miller dh
Spears ss
SMadden 1b
JMadden ph
Navarro rf
It was a major turnaround for all concerned. A win
over Palomar (15-14, 8-2 PCC) would have led the Comets
and Grossmont tied for second, two games off the lead.
Instead, the Griffins (13-12, 6-4 PCC) fell into deeper
into third place, three games behind front-running
Southwestern (19-9, 9-1 PCC).
The good news is the PCC schedule has 15 games remaining.
But next stop is a Thursday (Mar. 27) home game against
Palomar, which should be considered a must-win situation
for the Griffins.
It’s no secret that only the Pacific Coast Conference
champion will be invited to the post-season playoffs.
Grossmont ace DARREN GAY was pelted for 12 hits but
allowed only one earned run over 6 2/3 innings against
the Comets on Tuesday. Grossmont matched the Comets'
hit total of 13 and held a 3-2 edge in earned runs.
So much for statistics.
TRAVIS TAIJERON was 4 for 5 for Grossmont, while
JOSH MILLER was 3 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI.
“We proved we could compete with them,”
Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “The difference
was we balked in a run.”
Nonetheless, Abshier was pleased with the pitching
of DARREN GAY (4-1, 1.86 ERA) and reliever BRIAN LONGPRE.
Gay allowed 7 hits and 3 earned runs in six innings,
walking 1 and striking out 3.
“I think Gay was a little nervous,” Abshier
said. “But after giving up 2 runs in the 1st
inning, he settled in and did a great job. Gay has
pitched against two of the top teams in the state
(including Santa Ana ). Both times he’s done
well.”
Grossmont (13-11) was rationed to 4 hits by the Lasers
(19-6). Still they had a chance to tie the game in
the 8th inning. ROSS BLONDIN was hit by a pitch to
open the inning. He was immediately picked off on
a questionable call.
TRAVIS TAIJERON was hit by the next pitch. SEQUOYAH
STONECIPHER followed with a gargantuan home run, making
it a one-run ball game.
“That was the longest home run I’ve seen
at this level,” Abshier said. “It hit the
side of an apartment building about 40 feet beyond
the left field fence.”
But the Griffins could muster no more.
Grossmont will enjoy a six-day break before resuming
Pacific Coast Conference play March 25 against Palomar
in San Marcos.
Grossmont’s CLIFTON THOMAS enjoyed another profitable
outing, going 2-for-5 with 2 runs, 2 RBI and 3 stolen
bases. NICK SICA slapped a couple of doubles and scored
twice. JOSH MILLER was 2-for-3 with a homer and 2
runs scored for the Griffins 13-10.
GARRETT RUSSELL scattered four hits and did not allow
an earned run over the first 5 2/3 innings to notch
his third win in seven decisions. He struck out three
and left the mound with a 4-2 lead.
Relievers GARRETT NELSON, JOE VEGA and KEVIN McLAUGHRY
finished the job.
Grossmont travels to No. 5-ranked IVRINE VALLEY (16-8)
Wednesday (Mar. 19) in a game that could have major
playoff connotations if the Griffins can pull out
a victory.
Thurs.,
Mar. 13
Pacific Coast Conference
KNIGHTS 9, GRIFFINS 7
Grossmont
12-10 (6-3 PCC)
San Diego City
11-10 (2-7 PCC)
ab r h bi
ab r h bi
Stncipher
lf
Jusino 2b
Blondin 3b
Taijeron dh
Spears ss
Martin ss
Inzone rf
JMadden rf
Thomas cf
Jenner 1b
Ruiz c
Sica c
Miller ph
Moore c
Grossmont
Longpre
Nelson L,0-1
Stevens
Vega
Richardson San Diego City
Kuhaulua W,2-2
Briggs
Veltmann S,1
ip
5.1
0.0
0.1
1.1
1.0
8.0
0.0
1.0
h
4
0
2
1
2
12
0
0
r
3
2
1
1
2
7
0
0
er
3
0
0
1
0
7
0
0
bb
1
1
0
1
0
5
2
1
so
5
0
1
1
1
7
0
1
Nelson faced 3 batters in the 6th.
Kuhaulua faced 3 batters in the 9th.
Briggs faced 2 batters in the 9th.
HBP-by Longpre 2 (Roman, Bernetskie); by Richardson
(Roman). WP-Longpre.
Griffins give one away to Knights Thomas gains scholarship offer
Abshier was proud to announce that Griffins center
fielder CLIFTON THOMAS has verbally committed to Texas
A&M–Kingsville. The NCAA Division II Javelinas,
who have an enrollment of 6,200, are members of the
Lone Star Conference. They play their home games at
Nolan Ryan Field.
“It’s a really good deal for Clifton,”
Abshier said.
The coach wasn’t as enthusiastic about the Griffins
latest outing.
Grossmont took a 3-1 lead into the 6th and then collapsed
on defense. SDCC (11-10) capitalized on four Griffins
errors to push across five unearned runs.
“Our defense let us down,” Abshier said.
“That and we didn’t hit when it counted.”
Grossmont second baseman TONY JUSINO collected three
of the team's 12 hits, while TRAVIS TAIJERON and GARRETT
JENNER added two each, plus a pair of RBI for Jenner.
Next up for the Griffins (12-10) are a pair of non-conference
road games next week.
At El Cajon Valley High, he established an East County
record with 50 stolen bases during his senior year,
one short of the CIF San Diego Section established
set by current major-leaguer ERIC CHAVEZ of the Oakland
Athletics.
However, mired in a mild hitting slump and not reaching
base to utilize his speed has relegated Thomas to
a platoon role of late. So when he was called upon
in the 8th inning of Tuesday's (Mar. 11) Pacific Coast
Conference contest, Thomas was as surprised as anyone.
Getting hold of a hanging 2-1 pitch, Thomas hit the
Griffins' first homer in 40 innings over the right-field
fence to break a tied ballgame, lifting Grossmont
to a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over visiting San
Diego City College at Noel Mickelsen Field.
"I felt good -- it just felt good," said
Thomas. "I just got the bat on it, then the wind
helped carry it out."
The pitch sequence seemed obvious to Thomas, helping
him correctly guess the decisive pitch."
"It was 2-0 first of all and he threw the fastball,
and I just missed it," Thomas noted. "So
I knew he'd come back with an off-speed pitch and
he hung it."
ROBERT STEVENS, who looked healthy after suffering
a mild muscle pull on his pitching shoulder earlier
in the season, then capped the victory with his second
inning of 1-hit relief to collect the victory.
Tue.,
Mar. 11
Pacific Coast Conference
GRIFFINS 7, KNIGHTS 6
San Diego City
10-10 (1-7 PCC)
Grossmont
12-9 (6-2 PCC)
ab r h bi
ab r h bi
Dew
cf
Long ss-2b
Harvey 3b
Sanders c
Bernetski lf
Ortiz dh
Roman 1b
Coons rf
Aguilar 2b
Glaze ss
San Diego City
Whitmore
Simmons
Esaias
Mercadante L Grossmont
Russell
Swan
TJones
Vega
Stevens W,1-0
ip
4.0
1.1
0.0
2.2
3.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
2.0
h
5
3
2
2
3
4
2
1
1
r
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
0
0
er
1
3
2
1
2
2
1
0
0
bb
4
1
2
1
2
0
1
2
1
so
1
1
0
3
1
1
0
0
1
Whitmore faced 1 batter in the 5th.
Esaias faced 4 batters in the 6th.
TJones faced 2 batters in the 7th.
Vega faced 1 batter in the 8th.
HBP-by Whitmore (Miller). WP-Whitmore, Mercadante
2. PB-Ruiz, Sanders.
T-3:16.
For now, Thomas doesn't mind if he starts or not, just
as long as the team continues to win.
"We can all play -- everyone's got a part on
this team," Thomas added. "From here on
out we can't get beat -- we have to win every game."
Over the first five innings, not much went right
for Grossmont, especially on a key umpire's call in
the 4th when trailing 5-1.
With the bases loaded, TONY JUSINO hit a grounder
to the right side to get a run in, but when the throw
on the Knights' double play attempt sailed into the
dugout, a second run scored to halve the deficit to
5-3.
However, the base umpire ruled the runner from first
base interfered with the shortstop, calling for an
automatic double play and nullifying both runs.
"Everyone was hot," said Thomas. "But
we were just telling each other to keep our head and
we can come back and win this thing -- and we did.”
Jusino started a double play to end the 5th, racing
behind the bag at second to grab a hot shot up the
middle. City then added a run in the 6th for a 6-1
lead, but Grossmont answered with five runs off three
Knights pitchers in the bottom half of the inning.
Pinchhitter JARED MADDEN opened with a lead single,
scoring on an RBI triple by SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER.
Jusino followed with an RBI single, and NICK SPEARS
later walked with the bases loaded.
GARRETT JENNER then entered as a pinchhitter, slugging
a 2-run single to tie the game. Thomas went in as
a defensive replacement in the 7th, then homered in
his first at bat in the 8th to make the Griffins bench
a perfect 3-for-3 for the contest.
"Everyone wants to play -- and everyone is getting
a chance," added Thomas.
The top three batters in the Grossmont lineup combined
to bat 7-for-12 with four runs and three RBI, including
a 3-for-5 effort by ROSS BLONDIN, while Stonecipher
and Jusino added two hits each.
Meanwhile, the final two Grossmont relief pitchers
-- JOE VEGA, then Stevens -- tossed four innings of
shutout ball to keep the Griffins in the contest.
The teams complete the home-and-home series at 2
p.m. Thursday (Mar. 13) at Morley Field in Balboa
Park .
Mar. 8: Imperial Valley at
Grossmont (Slideshow by Lisa Craig)
Gay blanks Imperial Valley,
remains perfect at 4-0
Now as a member of Grossmont College, Gay is pegged
in the No. 3 slot of the Griffins rotation. Yet he
continues to pitch like the team ace.
On Saturday (Mar. 8), the right-hander ran his season
record to 4-0 with his best effort of the season, yielding
just five hits in Grossmont's 9-0 conquest over Imperial
Valley College at Noel Mickelsen Field.
Sat.,
Mar. 8
Pacific Coast Conference
GRIFFINS 13, ARABS 2
Imperial Valley
2-13-1 (0-7 PCC)
Grossmont
11-9 (5-2 PCC)
ab r h bi
ab r h bi
Item
cf
Bustmnte ss
Velasco 2b
Panela p-1b
Angulo c-p
Tagg 1b
Acevedo c
DFlores 3b
Gomez lf
JJones lf
Imperial Valley
Panela L
Angulo Grossmont
Gay W,4-0
ip
7.0
1.0
9.0
h
10
2
5
r
6
3
0
er
5
0
0
bb
2
1
0
so
5
0
9
Panela faced 3 batters in the 8th.
HBP-by Angulo (Miller). WP-Panela. PB-Angulo.
T-2:28.
And just like in high school, when Gay struck out 39
batters opposed to just a single walk during his season
year, he continues to throw strikes. He struck out 9
Arabs, including five on called strikes, to keep the
game scoreless until Grossmont's offense finally broke
through in the late innings.
Through six frames, IVC starter Sergio Panela was
tagged for six earned runs in six innings in the PCC
opener last month. This go-round, he yielded just
three basehits during the same span until the roof
collapsed.
Following a line single by first baseman KEVIN TENNY,
catcher DAVID RUIZ laced a perfect hit-and-run basehit
to the right side, then stole second to place runners
in scoring position.
Pinchhitter TONY JUSINO broke the scoreless contest
with a 2-run single, then scored when ROSS BLONDIN
followed with a double for a 3-0 advantage.
The Griffins scored six times in the 8th (four unearned),
featuring a lead double by JOSH MILLER, followed by
an RBI triple by NICK SPEARS. And when pinchhitter
ANTHONY NAVARRO singled home Spears, the afternoon
for Panela and the Arabs was over.
Tenny and Ruiz, the bottom two hitters in the Griffins
lineup, combined to go 4-for-6 with four runs scored.
Designated hitter TRAVIS TAIJERON also added 2 of
Grossmont's 12 hits, while Blondin added a sacrifice
fly to complete a 2-RBI outing.
The Griffins host San Diego City on Tuesday (Mar.
11) at 2 p.m. to open a home-and-home series.
Thurs.,
Mar. 6
Pacific Coast Conference
GRIFFINS 13, ARABS 2
Grossmont
10-9 (4-2 PCC)
Imperial Valley
2-12-1 (0-6 PCC)
ab r h bi
ab r h bi
Stncipher
cf
Jusino 2b
Lucero 2b
Spears ss
Inzone rf
Miller rf
Taijeron dh
Navarro lf
Moore c
Ruiz c
Martin 3b
SMaden 1b
"I keep asking myself, 'How are we winning?'"
Abshier said. "Well, I don't know. Sure, we're
hitting the ball and playing decent defense. But our
pitching isn't anything close to what we need it to
be."
Abshier says that despite seven superb innings by
sophomore southpaw KEVIN McLAUGHRY in Grossmont's
thrashing of Imperial Valley. The Vista High product
allowed just 2 hits, walked one and struck out six.
The bullpen, however, let the shutout slip away.
As the Griffins (10-9, 4-2 PCC) continue to hover
just above the .500 mark, Abshier points to a pitching
staff that has surrendered 171 hits, 75 walks and
hit 28 batters in 156.1 innings this season. That
amounts to 274 base runners, 117 of whom have scored.
Defensively, Grossmont has turned 18 double plays,
but committed 39 errors.
"Those are not championship numbers," Abshier
said. "Our pitchers have struck out only 108
compared to all those walks and hit batters."
OK, so much for the negative.
Grossmont snapped a scoreless tie in the 4th inning
at IVC on JOE INZONE's two-run double to right-center.
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER slashed a two-run single to
cap a five-run 6th. The Arabs permitted two runs to
score on wild pitches in that frame.
TRAVIS TAIJERON supplied the key blow -- a three-run
double off the right-center field wall -- as the Griffins
expanded their advantage to 13-0. DAVID RUIZ contributed
a pinch-hit 2-run RBI triple in that frame.
These same two teams will meet Saturday (Mar. 8)
at Noel Mickelsen Field at noon.
Tue.,
Mar. 4
Pacific Coast Conference
JAGUARS 5, GRIFFINS 1
Southwestern
11-7 (5-0 PCC)
Grossmont
9-9 (3-2 PCC)
ab r h bi
ab r h bi
Dennis
cf
Manznrz 3b
Bringas 3b
Molina 1b
Miramnts ss
Fariss dh
Comford c
Torres rf
Jordan lf
Thomas cf
Miller ph
Stncipher lf
Blondin 3b
Inzone rf
Spears ss
Taijeron dh
Jusino 2b
Sica c
Lucero ph
Moore c
JMadden ph
Jenner 1b
Tenny 1b
Navarro ph
Stenavich, a right-hander out of Serra High, survived
four errors by yielding just six singles in tossing
a complete game, lifting the Jaguars to Tuesday's
(Mar. 4) 5-1 decision over the Griffins at Noel Mickelsen
Field.
"Our defense comes through for me all the time,
so a rough game is alright," noted Stenavich.
"I was able to back them up, because they're
there to back me up."
The pitcher overcame all of his defense's miscues
except one, as a ground ball by Grossmont second baseman
TONY JUSINO skipped through the 5-hole (legs) of the
Jag shortstop, allowing right fielder JOE INZONE (who
went 2-for-4) to score in the 4th inning to trim Southwestern's
lead to 3-1.
However, except for the continued hot hitting of
left fielder SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER, who also registered
two singles to hit safely in 7 of his last 9 official
times at bat, the rest of the Grossmont lineup collected
just two basehits.
"My fastball was working, but the curve was
a bit off, so I went to my slider which was working
-- I was able to throw strikes with it," Stenavich
added."
Meanwhile, Griffins starter GARRETT RUSSELL was unlucky
early despite a strong performance. Russell was tagged
for an unearned run in the 1st, then two more scored
in the 2nd when the outfield lost a ball in the sun,
resulting in a 2-run double for Jared Jordan.
The G-House bullpen was also solid, as BRIAN LONGPRE
allowed just one hit over 3 1/3 innings, followed
by AARON RICHARDSON retiring the lone batter he faced.
Grossmont (9-9 overall), now resting in third place
behind Southwestern and second-standing Palomar, opens
a home-and-home series with Imperial Valley on the
road Thursday (Mar. 6) at 2 p.m., then noon Saturday
(Mar. 15) at home.
Sat.,
Mar. 1
Pacific Coast Conference
GRIFFINS 12, OLYMPIANS 5
Grossmont
9-8 (3-1 PCC)
San Diego Mesa
3-10 (1-3 PCC)
ab r h bi
ab r h bi
Thomas
cf
Stncipher lf
Blondin 3b
Martin 3b
Inzone rf
Miller ph
Worthy rf
Spears ss
JMadden ph
Ruiz c
Jusino 2b
Navarro dh
Tenny 1b
Jenner 1b
The only missing piece in Stonecipher's bid for the
cycle was a single, although he reached base in his
final at-bat on an error.
"Sequoyah lined the ball right at the third
baseman, but it was an error, all the way," said
Grossmont College coach RANDY ABSHIER.
The Olympians were unable to get Stonecipher out
in six at-bats. The freshman from Mission Bay walked
in the 1st, tripled in the 3rd, hit a 2-run homer
to right-center in the 4th, walked in the 5th and
doubled in the 7th before reaching base on an error
in the 8th. He scored 4 runs.
In four PCC games, Stonecipher has reached base in
15 of 21 at-bats.
Grossmont pounded out 9 hits and capitalized on 13
walks and 3 hit batters.
DARREN GAY checked Mesa (3-10, 1-3 PCC) on 4 hits
and one run over 6 innings to post his 3rd victory
in as many decisions. The freshman out of Granite
Hills lowered his ERA to 1.90 over 23 2/3 innings.
He walked one and struck out 12.
Grossmont (9-8, 3-1 PCC) hosts conference-leading
Southwestern (10-7, 4-0 PCC) on Tuesday (Mar. 4) at
2 p.m.
Grossmont third baseman Ross
Blondin
circles third base following his 4th homer
of the season Thursday against Palomar.
(Photo by Rick Rowell)
Palomar desiginated hitter Jarend Jones capped the
game-opening rally with a 2-run single, then later
added a sacrifice fly in the 7th.
Grossmont stayed in contention with single runs in
the 1st, 2nd and 5th, capped by ROSS BLONDIN's fourth
home run of the season. His two-out blast to right
trimmed the deficit to 4-3.
However, Comets shortstop Tyler Saladino answered
with a 2-run homer in the 7th for an 8-3 advantage,
The Griffins countered with three markers in the 7th,
when pinchhitter JARED MADDEN and first baseman GARRETT
JENNER opened with consecutive singles.
A sacrifice bunt by CLIFTON THOMAS turned into a mad
scramble when the Palomar pitcher committed two errors.
He dropped the ball to allow Thomas to reach, and
when his throw bounded into right field, Madden circled
the bases.
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER pushed Jenner home with a grounder
to the right side, then Thomas scored on a sacrifice
fly.
Grossmont
Russell
Dwyer
Richardson
Vega W,1-0
Longpre
Stevens S,3 San Diego City
Esaias L
Whitmore
Kuhaulua
ip
4.0
0.1
0.1
1.0
2.1
1.0
3.1
3.2
2.0
h
1
1
0
0
2
1
7
3
2
r
2
2
2
0
0
0
6
2
1
er
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
7
1
bb
5
0
4
1
0
0
4
2
1
so
2
0
0
0
5
0
5
1
1
Russell faced 2 batters in the 5th.
HBP-by Vega (Gorski); by Whitmore (Jenner); by
Kuhaulua (Moore). PB-Cann. BK-Vega.
Grossmont brought the potential game-tying run to the
plate following TONY JUSINO's second double of the game,
but Palomar reliever Mitchell Ferguson got pinchhitter
Jared Madden to line out to right. Then in the 9th,
the Griffins placed two runners on base, courtesy of
a walk and an error, but Keagan Sharp coaxed a groundball
to garner his first save of the season.
Grossmont next plays at San Diego Mesa, starting at
noon Saturday.
Griffins make it two in a row
It was Stonecipher's power that ignited liftoff in
Grossmont's 9-6 conference victory over San Diego
City College Tuesday (Feb. 26) at Morley Field. The
Mission Bay High graduate followed a single by CLIFTON
THOMAS with a home run to start a 4-run 3rd inning.
"It was a bomb to dead center,' Grossmont coach
RANDY ABSHIER said of Stonecipher's first collegiate
home run.
NICK SPEARS continued that scoring burst in the 3rd
with a two-run double for the Griffins (8-7, 2-0 PCC).
Six Grossmont pitchers shared mound duty, but surrendered
10 walks and hit two batters. All six of the runs
scored by the Knights (9-4, 0-1 PCC) in the 5th inning
were unearned.
Grossmont hosts Palomar in its PCC home opener on
Thursday (Feb. 28) at 2 p.m.
Grossmont opened the Pacific Coast Conference season
with a 13-1 romp over host Imperial Valley College
Saturday (Feb. 23) in the desert. NICK SPEARS led
the charge, driving in four runs with a bases-loaded
double and a pair of singles.
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHFER did his share for the Griffins
(7-7, 1-0 PCC) by reaching base in all five of his
at-bats. He singled three times, walked twice, stole
a base and scored three runs.
Designated hitter TRAVIS TAIJERON was 2-for-5 with
an RBI triple.
“We have some guys who are hitting the ball
well,” Abshier said. “Spears is hitting
.414 with nine doubles and (ROSS) BLONDIN has 18 RBI.
Stonecipher is at .385 and Taijeron and (NICK) SICA
are both batting .364.”
Four Grossmont pitchers combined to throw a six-hitter
at IVC (2-9-1, 0-1). Starter BRIAN LONGPRE worked
the first six innings to pick up the win.
Grossmont next travels to Morley Field on Tuesday
(Feb. 26) to face San Diego City in a PCC contest
at 2 p.m. Monday Update -- Spears was named
an honorable mention Pacific Coast Conference athlete
of the week for his performance.
Wed., Feb. 20 Irvine Valley at Grossmont, ccd., rain Thursday washout; Friday,too.
However, that changed on Thursday (Feb. 14), when
unexpected heavy rains (well, heavier than anticipated)
forced a postponement against Glendale at Noel Mickelsen
Field. Friday's game with Chaffey was also eliminated
by weather.
Things started out dandy for the Griffins (6-7), as
TONY JUSINO singled, CLIFTON THOMAS walked and ROSS
BLONDIN followed with a booming home run to dead center
field at Chaffey. Simple. Three batters, three runs.
Before Grossmont would score again, the Panthers (4-4)
were leading 8-3 after 4 innings.
TRAVIS TAIJERON was 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI
for Grossmont, which also got two hits and a run from
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER. Jusino scored 3 runs and Blondin
scored twice.
Chaffey out-hit the Griffins 14-8.
Grossmont returns home for 2 p.m. games against Glendale
on Wednesday (Feb. 13) and Chaffey on Thursday (Feb.
14). Blondin's 5-for-5 outing leads G-House
Blondin, batting third in the line-up, completed
a perfect 5-for-5 afternoon, while the clean-up hitting
Inzone drove in three runs including a pair on a mammoth
2-run homer, powering the Griffins (6-6) to a 13-7
triumph over College of the Desert (4-4) in the final
round of the Jaguar Classic.
“Sure, we wanted to do better in the tournament,”
said Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER of a 1-3 record
in the event. “But being at least at .500 and
carrying some momentum will help up going into Tuesday’s
game against (second-ranked) Chaffey.”
Abshier utilized a host of combinations among the
Griffins’ 3-4 batters, but a long week saw the
various pairs post a mild .208 (5-for-24) batting
average. However, Blondin quickly end the slump with
a booming double in the 1st, then demonstrated some
hustle to key a 6-run outburst in the 3rd.
With Grossmont leading 2-1 on a 2nd-inning home run
by TRAVIS TAIJERON, Blondin opened the next inning
by legging out a slow roller to the right side. On
the next pitch, Inzone, a freshman out of Steele Canyon
High, boomed a deep shot which cleared the Astrology
Department observatory in deep right field for a 4-2
lead.
Later, four additional runs scored on RBI by NICK
SICA (hit by pitch with the bases loaded), TONY JUSINO
(sacrifice fly), CLIFTON THOMAS (basehit) and Blondin
(another single).
“I’m just glad to finally win,” said
Blondin. “That rally put us on our way.”
After going 5-for-5, Blondin had a chance to equal
the school record for a 9-inning game, coming to the
plate with the bases loaded in the 8th. However, the
left-hander was hit by a pitch -- still, it was good
for another RBI.
Meanwhile, Griffins starting pitcher DARREN GAY lasted
seven innings to gain the victory. Although allowing
11 hits, the Roadrunners never produced a multiple-run
inning while Grossmont did so four times during Gay’s
stint to leave with a 12-4 lead.
He struck out 5 without issuing a walk.
Following the road contest against Chaffey, the Griffins
complete a stretch of 12-of-14 at Noel Mickelsen Field
by entertaining Glendale (Thursday) and Chaffey (Friday),
both at 2 p.m.
In the opener, Grossmont committed six errors, making
six of the first seven runs allowed to be unearned
in an 11-3 setback to East Los Angeles (5-1).
In Game Two, El Camino first baseman Ramon Martinez
slugged a 3-run homer to cap a 6-run rally in the
4th inning, leading the Warriors (5-2) to an 11-8
decision. Five of the half-dozen runs in the rally
were also unearned as the Griffins defense suddenly
disappeared after turning double plays at a near-record
pace during the first two weeks of the season.
Against East L.A. ’s Huskies, the lone Grossmont
highlight was a 2-run double by pinchhitter DALLAS
MARTIN (Santana) in the 8th inning, as three Griffins
pinchhitters slammed doubles over the final three
innings. The others were by GARRETT JENNER and JOE
INZONE.
In the nightcap with El Camino, Grossmont jumped
to a quick 4-1 lead, capped by a 2-run single by Jenner.
After the Warriors took an 11-5 lead, the Griffins
pushed three runs across in the 9th, but a basrunner
ran through a stop sign at third base and was easily
thrown out at the plate to end the game, instead of
leaving the hosts with a bases-loaded situation.
Grossmont hopes to end the ugliness Sunday (Feb.
10), completing the tournament with an 11 a.m. start
against College of the Desert at Noel Mickelson Field.
Dixon, a left-hander out of Tustin High, lasted 8 1/3
innings before Grossmont second baseman TONY JUSINO
laced a line double to the gap in right-center field.
Dixon , who transfered from Cypress College during the
off-season, then exited, with shortstop Brett Wallach
coming on to get the next two Griffins on strikeouts
for the 1-hit shutout.
"I've been waiting for this start for a long time,"
said Dixon . "I went to Cypress out of high school,
but they told me I wasn't in their plans and that I
couldn't pitch. So I was hungry to get out there."
Grossmont had three chances for hits in the early going,
but both were taken away by the OCC defense.
The best chance came in the 2nd inning, when Griffins
left fielder Josh Miller hit a sinking liner to left,
only to see the Pirates' Chris Fung race in to make
a sliding catch on his belly.
Later, Coast third baseman Drew Hillman snared a hot
grounder by Miller with a back-hand grab for the 2nd
out in the 5th. Then OCC right-fielder Mike Ferraro
went to the wall to snare a deep fly ball by Jusino
to end the 6th.
Pirates centerfielder Cory Olson (2-for-5) registered
RBI singles in the 1st and 9th innings, both times scoring
Fung, who went went 2-for-4 with a walk. Ferrero capped
the rally in the 9th with a 2-run double.
Dixon registerd 5 strikeouts, then his defense turned
an inning-ending double play in the 8th to set up the
dramatic 9th. He set the side down in order 4 times.
"After Chris (Fung) made that diving catch, I actually
started thinking about the no-hitter in the 3rd inning,
which I know is early," admitted Dixon . "But
with the way the boys were playing behind me, I really
thought I had a chance, but by the 9th, I was really
throwing on fumes."
The Griffins continue tournament play with a pair of
contests Saturday, hosting East Los Angeleds at 10 a.m.,
then El Camino at 2 p.m.
Grossmont has never lost by a no-hitter in the school's
47-year baseball history.
Metroka's blasts top Griffins
Metroka, who prepped at Mission Bay High, went to
the opposite field with a 2-run shot in the 3rd, helping
build a lead which reached 4-0. But after Grossmont
took a 6-4 lead by scoring five times in the 5th,
the Griffins elected to pitch to Metroka in the 7th
with two runners on and an open base at first.
However, the transfer from Los Angeles City College
laced a 1-0 pitch over the wall in left field for
a 3-run homer. He finished batting 4-for-4 with 5
RBI, scoring 3 times, then was intentionally walked
in the 9th.
"For some reason, I didn't think they would
pitch around me, then I just went with the pitch"
noted Metroka. "I like being here -- I like what
coach Shannon (Williams) is doing to build up our
program."
The other pair of runs by Compton (4-2) came on a
throwing error after Metroka stole third base and
waltzed home in the 1st. In the 4th, a ground ball
to the right side by shortstop Darrell Hudson allowed
Eiton Barker to score from third.
Grossmont's big rally featured run-scoring hits by
CLIFTON THOMAS, NICK SPEARS (double) and JARED MADDEN
to tie the ballgame, followed by a go-ahead 2-run
single by catcher TRAVIS TAIJERON. Spears registered
two of the Griffins' 8 hits.
Meanwhile, it was a difficult outing for Griffins
starting right fielder JOE INZONE.
The Steele Canyon High product belted what many thought
was a leadoff homer in the 2nd, but the base umpire
ruled the ball hooked foul before it reached the pole.
An inning later, Inzone was forced from the game after
crashing into the wall on Metroka's initial homer.
Grossmont (5-3), which had its 3-game winning streak
snapped, continue the homestand as a site for the
Jaguar Classic. The Griffins will play four contests
over three days, beginning with Friday's 10:30 a.m.
affair with Orange Coast.
McClaughry, a sophomore out of Vista High, registered
the most dominating performance of the earlt season,
tossing a 2-hit shutout in the Griffins' 8-0 pasting
of Pasadena City College in the opening round of thr
15th annial Noel Mickelsen Invitational.
The left-hander struck out two Lancers, yielding
only two singles and a walk in his best outing since
allowing just 1 hit over 7 innings against San Diego
Mesa last season.
McClaughry only allowed a 1-out single to Justin
Zialcita in the 3rd, but the runner was picked-off
at first by K-Mac, then an 8th-inning single by Christian
Marmol was erased by the second of two double plays
turned by the Griffins.
Honorable mention went to Grossmont basketball standout
AARON TINSLEY (Helix HS), who had team-high scoring
outputs in a pair of Griffins victories to lift the
team into sole possession of second place.
Among the women, honorable mention went to Grossmont
women's basketball center SHATORI DEARMAN, a 6-1 freshman
from Eastlake High School, who posted 16 points and
10 rebounds in a loss at Imperial Valley.
Case in point is sophomore relief pitcher ROBERT
STEVENS, who saved both of Saturday's (Feb. 2) ballgames
to give Grossmont a 3-game sweep in the 15th annual
Noel Mickelsen Invitational.
Stevens tossed the final 2 1/3 innings to give the
victory to starting pitcher GARRETT RUSSELL in a 4-2
triumph over Cerro Coso.
In the wild second game, the Griffins' bullpen wasted
a 5-0 lead, but after Grossmont scored three times
in the 8th inning to reclaim the lead, Stevens set
West Los Angeles down in order in the 9th in a 9-8
decision.
“We always seem to have someone to do the job,”
said Stevens, who graduated from Helix High in 2003.
“We all just clutched up.”
Stevens was the workhorse of the Highlanders pitching
staff as both a starter and closer. He appeared in
an East County high 20 contests as a senior, earning
7 saves -- one short of the school record (Matt Haar,
1982).
“When I graduated, I went to Southwestern because
it was the right place for me at the time,” noted
Stevens. “But I’m really glad to now be
at Grossmont.”
Ironically, both the Griffins (5-2) and Southwestern
(4-0) posted 3-0 records in the tournament to put
up the season’s best starts among Pacific Coast
Conference ballclubs.
In defeating Cerro Coso and West Los Angeles, the
Griffins topped two extremely young teams, especially
West L.A. , which is fielding its first baseball team
in more than 20 years.
“For a first-year team, West L.A. is a quality
team considering that they’re all freshmen,”
noted Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. “But Stevens
definitely showed his experience.”
In the opener, Grossmont leaped to a 3-0 lead on
consecutive run-scoring doubles by JOSH MILLER and
KEVIN TENNY in the 6th. However, the Coyotes (2-4)
struck for two off Russell in the 7th before Stevens
was summoned to escape a bases-loaded jam. He coaxed
a pop-out to shortstop NICK SPEARS to end the threat,
then added two shutout innings.
In game two, the Griffins raced to a 5-0 lead through
three frames, capped by a 2-run basehit by centerfielder
CLIFTON THOMAS. However, Oilers rightfielder Ricky
Gutierrez answered with a 2-run homer in the 5th,
then a 2-run double in the 7th, then West L.A. scored
four more times in the 8th for an 9-6 lead.
So Grossmont went to its veterans to pull out the
victory.
Thomas bombed a lead-off triple, scoring on the next
pitch on Stonecipher’s double to an identical
spot to the wall in left-centerfield. Sophomore TONY
JUSINO tied the game with an RBI single, then the
Oilers’ 5th error on a grounder by pinchhitter
GARRETT JENNER allowed pinchrunner TIM WORTHY to score.
Stevens, one of two players alive the last time West
L.A. fielded a team, then set the Oilers (2-3) down
on a soft grounder and a pair of strikeouts.
Thomas finished batting 3-for-3 with a pair of walks
to reach base on all five plate appearances.
Riding the arm of KEVIN McCLAUGHRY, the left-hander
from Vista tossed a 2-hit shutout in the Griffins' 8-0
whipping of Pasadena City College in Noel Mickelsen
Tournament action Friday (Feb. 1).
McClaughry struck out 2 batters, yielding just 2 basehits
and a walk in his best outing since tossing seven innings
of 1-hit ball against San Diego Mesa during his freshman
campaign.
"Everything was working and the defense kept making
plays behind me," said McClaughry. "This game
will really help us down the road."
Last season, following a bad setback, the Griffins didn't
always get off the ground. So far this season, all aspects
of the ballclub have responded impressively.
"We're getting the job done," added McClaughry.
"That's all that counts right now."
ROSS BLONDIN paced the offense with 4 RBI, including
a 3-run homer to right in the 8th to propel Grossmont
(3-2) to a 7-0 advantage. He also lifted a sacrifice
fly in the 6th for a 4-0 lead.
Catcher NICK SICA opened the scoring with an RBI single
in the 4th, followed by a bases loaded walk to centerfielder
CLIFTON THOMAS. An inning later, shortstop NICK SPEARS
slapped a double to the left-field corner, scoring on
a basehit by second baseman TONY JUSINO.
Blondin then busted the game open with his blast, set-up
on a series of walks to Sica and Thomas, as four Pasadena
pitchers combined to walk 11 Griffins and hit 2 batters.
In the 9th, hustling pinchrunner TIM WORTHY broke up
a double play attempt at second base, forcing a wild
throw to first base which allowed first baseman SEAN
MADDEN to score from third.
Meanwhile, McClaughry allowed a 1-out single to Justin
Zialcita in the 3rd, but the runner was picked-off at
first by K-Mac, then an 8th-inning single by Christian
Marmol was erased by the second of two double plays
turned by the Griffins.
For the contest, McClaughry registered 14 groundball
outs (including a pair of double plays) and picked off
two baserunners. Pasadena stranded just two runners.
"That's exactly what we're looking for from our
starting pitching," said Grossmont coach RANDY
ABSHIER. "And the team rallied behind him, too."
Grossmont plays two games on Saturday's MicKelsen Tournamenrt
schedule. The Griffins host Cerro Coso at 10 a.m., then
meet the revived program from West Los Angeles at 2
p.m. No. 1 Santa Ana wins on walk-off grand slam
This 9th-inning grounder by
Santa Ana College's
Caleb Boyer was not fielded cleanly, allowing
two runs to score to tie Tuesday's ballgame.
The top-ranked Dons won, 11-7, in 10 innings. (Santa Ana College courtesy photo)
The Griffins (2-2) carried a 7-0 lead into the bottom
of the 5th inning at Santa Ana College. After that,
however, the Grossmont bats fell silent, the defense
became porous, and the pitchers lost control.
Santa Ana scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th
and 4 more in the last of the 10th inning to steal
an 11-7 victory over the upset-minded Griffins. Casey
Rihn slugged a grand slam with one out in the extra
frame to decide the issue. That blow came after the
Griffins committed 2 errors and the Dons generated
just one hit to tie the game in the 9th.
“That one really hurt,” lamented Grossmont
coach RANDY ABSHIER. “We gave them 6 unearned
runs. You can’t get away with stuff like that
against a quality team.”
Grossmont pounded out 6 hits to break a scoreless
deadlock with 5 runs in the 4th inning. SEAN MADDEN’s
two-run home run was the key blow.
An RBI single by ROSS BLONDIN and a run-scoring double
by JOE INZONE extended Grossmont’s advantage
to 7-0 in the top of the 5th.
The Griffins hammered out 11 hits in their first
five turns at bat, including 3-for-5 efforts by NICK
SPEARS and Blondin. Spears laced a pair of doubles,
while Blondin smacked one two-base hit and collected
2 RBI. CLIFTON THOMAS was 2-for-4 with a double and
two runs scored.
Over the final five frames, Grossmont was blanked
on three hits.
“We struck out 13 times in this game, and seven
of those came in the last five innings,” Abshier
said.
Grossmont starting pitcher DARREN GAY took a perfect
game into the 5th inning and left with a 7-1 lead.
"I was speaking with my parents about it this
morning at breakfast," noted Russell. "This
game was a tribute to JOE KENNEDY, and since we're
both starting pitchers -- and both left-handers --
getting the start for this game really meant something
to me."
And Russell pitched like it.
Overcoming a pair of early jams, Russell allowed
just one earned run to gain the complete-game victory
in the Griffins' 9-2 conquest over San Bernardino
Valley College at Noel Mickelsen Field.
Prior to Saturday's (Jan.26) home opener, a ceremony
honoring the late major league pitcher -- who honed
his skills at El Cajon Valley High and Grossmont College
-- was held, with the players announcing that the
season would be played in Kennedy's honor.
Then Russell went to the mound and emulated one of
Kennedy's many fine starts.
After allowing 10 baserunners in the first four innings,
Russell escaped by allowing just two runs (one earned),
then settled in to blank the Wolverines over the final
five frames. And he had some help along the way.
Grossmont turned four double plays behind Russell,
including a key conversion in the 4th inning when
SBVC had already taken a 2-1 lead on an unearned run.
"GARRETT (JENNER) made a great pick at first
base," Russell recalled. "That was the play
which kept me in the game and turned everything around."
Grossmont shortstop NICK SPEARS made a nice play
in simply reaching a grounder up the middle which
hit off the glove of Russell by opposing shortstop
Dustin Williams. Spear changed directions to get to
the ball, stepped on second base, and despite a throw
in the dirt, Jenner made the scoop on the bang-bang
play at first to end the inning.
Grossmont went on to score 8 unanswered runs, including
4 in the 8th on a 2-run double by SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER,
followed immediately by a 2-run homer to right by
ROSS BLONDIN.
"Garrett pitched an exceptional game, and the
pick at first by the other Garrett was a great play,
too," noted Abshier. "The whole game was
centered around what we do on the mound, and that's
where we going to win games this year. All of the
other little mistakes we can fix."
Blondin batted 3-for-4, with an RBI double in the
7th, a walk and scored twice. Second baseman TONY
JUSINO added three of Grossmont's 13 hits, also scoring
twice from the leadoff spot.
"Last year, we had an especially young team,
but now we have a good mix of older and younger players,"
added Abshier. "You can see the difference in
how we handle tough situations and not get rattled."
GRIFFINS 9, WOLVERINES
2
SBVC (1-2)
GC (2-1)
001 100 000 - 2 10 2
010 200 24x - 9 13 2
Robinson, Victoria (7), Veleker (8) and
Baker; Russell and Sica. W-Russell (1-0).
L-Robinson (0-1). HR-Blondin (G), 8th,
one on.
Stonecipher and freshman catcher NICK SICA each added
two hits, while Jenner also used his bat with a sacrifice
fly in the 7th. Sica's second hit tied the game in the
5th, then Stonecipher knocked home Jusino with a go-ahead
basehit later in the inning.
Grossmont took the 3-game, season-opening series,
2-1. The Griffins return home Tuesday, hosting Santa
Ana at 2 p.m.
UPDATE: Ceremonies will start
at 12:50 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m. single
game against San Bernardino Valley College.
The changes were due to field conditions from
the recent rain. MORE
HERE
San Bernardino won the opener 14-8 before sophomore
southpaw KEVIN McCLAUGHRY earned the Griffins a split
with a complete game 6-1 victory in the nightcap.
Both contests went seven innings. The same two teams
meet at Noel Mickelsen Field Saturday at 1 p.m.
McClaughry was touched up for 10 hits, while striking
out 4 and walking only one.
Transfer NICK SPEARS, who batted .421 in Pacific
Coast Conference play at San Diego City as a freshman,
led Grossmont’s second game charge with three
hits including a pair of doubles. He drove in a run
and scored one.
Returning second baseman TONY JUSINO was 3-for-4
with an RBI and a stolen base. SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER,
a freshman out of Mission Bay High, was 2-for-3 with
a triple and a double.
The Griffins started fast, scoring 4 runs in the
top of the 1st inning of the opener. But just as quickly
Grossmont pitching surrendered 7 runs in the bottom
of the inning.
JOE INZONE, a product of Steele Canyon , drove in
three runs with a pair of hits in the opener for Grossmont.
CLIFTON THOMAS was 1-for-2 with a pair of steals,
2 walks and 2 runs scored.
Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER was pleased with the
Griffins’ offensive work and the pitching of
McClaughry.
The Griffins return 10 players from last year’s
20-24 club. The list includes pitchers AARON RICHARDSON,
BRIAN LONGPRE, GARRETT RUSSELL, THOMAS WILEY, and
McClaughry; infielders ROSS BLONDIN and Jusino; and
outfielders Thomas, JOSH MILLER and GARRETT JENNER.
Top Grossmont newcomers include catchers TRAVIS TAIJERON
(Granite Hills), NICK SICA (Santana), infielders DALLAS
MARTIN (Santana), LOUIS CAZARES (Granite Hills), outfielders
Stonecipher, ANTHONY NAVARRO (Rancho Bernardo) and
pitchers DARREN GAY (Granite Hills), TODD JONES (Christian),
KEVIN DWYER (Patrick Henry), MATT SWAN (Scripps Ranch)
and JOE VEGA (Otay Ranch).
Ed Olsen
Former Griffins coach
elected to JC Baseball
Hall of Fame
It all starts with his 516-376-7 record, which ranks
among state's top 10 for coaching victories.
The Olsen legacy doesn't stop there. He's guided
11 Griffins into the major leagues and helped an additional
355 players receive some form of scholarship.
Even with all that excitement under his belt, Olsen
was ecstatic when he learned that he'd been elected
to the California Community College Baseball Coaches
Association Hall of Fame. Olsen will be inducted in
the CCCBA Hall of Fame on May 23 in Fresno, site of
the state baseball championships.
Ed Olsen
"I'm so happy with that honor and I can't thank
people enough, like (his former assistant and Grossmont's
current head coach) RANDY ABSHIER," Olsen said.
"Alot of people are responsible for this."
Players who reached the big leagues under Olsen'
Grossmont tutelage are: MARCUS GILES (Atlanta, San
Diego, Colorado); JEFF KARSTENS (N.Y. Yankees); KEVIN
CORREIA (San Francisco); STEVE PHOENIX (Oakland);
the late JOE KENNEDY (Tampa Bay, Colorado, Oakland,
Arizona, Toronto); JOHN BARNES (Minnesota); MIKE HARTLEY
(L.A. Dodgers, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Japan); MIKE
JUDD (L.A. Dodgers); TOM FORDHAM (Chicago White Sox);
MATT HENSLEY (L.A. Angels); and FERNANDO CORTEZ (Tampa
Bay, Kansas City).
Olsen's tenure as an East County coach, which ended
with his retirement from Grossmont College following
the 2004 season, includes 10 years at El Capitan High
where he helped pitcher JEFF BYRD reach the major
leagues with the expansion Toronto Blue Jays in 1977.
This is Olsen's third induction into a Hall of Fame.
He is in the La Jolla High Hall of Fame as a player
and in El Capitan's Hall of Fame as a coach.
Olsen toiled for 11 professional baseball organizations
as player, manager, coach and scout.
In 2004, Ed Olsen (12) holds
an award given by the team on his 512 career
victories. (File photo by Greg Eichelberger)
Grossmont College catcher MATT POWELL, who finished
as the 5th-leading batter in the Pacific Coast Conference
with a .370 average to earn a first team berth this
past season, thought he had a scholarship lined-up
for Cal State San Marcos.
"Matt was all set to go there," said Griffins
coach RANDY ABSHIER. "Then I got a call from
BYU."
The Cougars were in desperate need of a catcher and
contacted Abshier, but when the Grossmont coach called
his recently graduated player about the good news,
he was too late.
"Matt was playing for me with the Barona Stars,"
noted MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN, the longtime manager of one
of the Southland’s most successful National Baseball
Congress semipro programs. "And some scouts showed
up one day -- and Matt had the game of his life."
Unknown to Powell or Deutschman, members of the coaching
staff from Cal State Fullerton, the four-time NCAA
Division I champions, were watching. And Powell was
unstoppable.
"I guess he had two homers, a triple and threw
out a couple of runners," Abshier explained.
"So when I called Matt, he said, 'Coach, I've
already signed with Fullerton.'"
Powell, who started behind the plate over a majority
of the season, proved effective when injuries hit
the infield, filling in at third base and as designated
hitter to earn his All-PCC berth as the utility player.
He closed the season batting .450 over the final weeks
of the season, finishing his campaign with a 5-game
hitting streak which carried over into his summer
season with the Barona Stars.
Powell is part of Grossmont's sophomore class of
'07 which all earned scholarships. The others included
JOHN ALIA (Cal State Dominguez Hills), TAYLOR MONJO
and JEFF WOODS (both to Avila , MO), and JOEL LOLLIS
(Cal State San Marcos).
Right-handed pitcher CAMERON SELIK earned a scholarship
to UNLV, but he will serve as Grossmont's graduate
assistant coach in 2008 following "Tommy John"
surgery for reconstruction of the ulner collateral
ligament in his elbow. In fact, Selik just started
throwing again this week.
In addition, freshman MICHAEL ROBERTSON, who saw
limited action this past season, will join Alia at
Dominguez Hills, which is located near his home.
Equally as impressive was Jusino batted .474 in the
playoffs leading the Redbirds to the semifinals. Not
surprisingly, Jusino was named to the Ripken All-League
team.
Johnnie Lowe
Lowe drafted by Chi-Sox
Courtesy, Grossmont College
EL CAJON (6-12-07) -- Former Grossmont College pitcher
JOHN LOWE, who pitched for Point Loma Nazarene in
2007, was selected in the sixth round of last week's
Major League Draft by the Chicago White Sox.
Lowe was part of a starting pitching staff in 2006
that helped the Griffins win 30 games and advance
into the Southern California Regional Playoffs. The
right-hander posted an 8-2 record with a 2.33 earned-run
average, striking out 72 batters over 89 innings.
Moving on to Point Loma's Sea Lions on a full scholarship
-- where he became better known as Johnnie -- Lowe
posted a 4-5 mark and a 3.72 ERA in the sluggers'
circuit of smaller ballparks. However, Lowe's power
numbers were still solid, gaining 75 strikeouts in
75 innings.
Lowe and Azusa Pacific All-America selection Scott
Hodsdon (Oakland Athletics) were the highest selections
out of the Golden State Athletic Conference, both
in the 6th round.
"We are proud of our alumni," said Grossmont
head coach Randy Abshier. "John was an important
part of the 2006 team and the athletic department
and coaching staff are proud for Johnnie."
STANDINGS
- SCHEDULE/SCORES - LINKS
17
Kennedy
2007 SEASON HERE 2006 SEASON HERE State Scoreboard HERE
Conference Statistics
Website HERE
Pacific
Coast Conf.
Conf.
Overall
Regular Season FINAL
W-L
GB
W-L-T
Southwestern Jaguars
22-3
--
40-14-0
Palomar Comets
18-7
4.0
27-21-0
Grossmont Griffins
13-12
9.0
20-20-0
San Diego City Knights
11-14
11.0
19-19-0
San Diego Mesa Olympians
10-15
12.0
14-24-0
Imperial Valley Arabs
1-24
21.0
3-32-1
COA State Playoffs Complete North/South BracketsHERE
South Region
- Play-In Game
Tue., May 6 No. 15 Palomar 3, No. 18 Santa Barbara 0
South Region
- First Round (Best of 3)
Fri., May 9
No. 5 Southwestern 3, No. 12 El Camino (29-14) 2
No. 2 Cuesta (31-13-1) 12, Palomar 5 Sat., May 10
No. 5 Southwestern 5, No. 12 El Camino (29-15) 1
No. 2 Cuesta (32-13-1) 6, Palomar 5
South Region -
Super Regional, at Santa Ana Fri.-Sun., May 16-18
May 16: Southwestern 6, Irvine Valley 5
May 17: Southwestern 8, Santa Ana 6
May 18: Santa Ana 13, Southwestern 9
May 18: Final -- Southwestern 11, Santa Ana 9
State Championships
Sat.-Mon., May 24-26 At Fresno City College
May 24: Sierra 6, Southwestern 3
May 24: Riverside 8, West Valley 6
May 25: Southwestern 11, West Valley 3
May 25: Sierra 6, Riverside 1
May 25: Southwestern 7, Riverside 6
May 26: Southwestern 7, Sierra 3
May 26: Sierra 6, Southwestern 2
Fri., Jan. 25 Grossmont 8-6, San Bernardino Valley 14-1
Pima (Ariz.) 11, San Diego City 7
San Diego Mesa at Cypress, ppd., rain (moved to
Feb. 12)
Southwestern at Mt. San Jacinto, ppd., rain
Palomar at Santa Ana, ppd., rain
Imperial Valley at Compton, ppd., rain
Sat., Jan. 26 Grossmont 9, San Bernardino Valley 2
San Diego City 4-4, Arizona Western 0-10 STORY
Cypress 6, Palomar 5
Southwetsern at Chaffey (DH), ppd., wet grounds
Imperial Valley at Compton (DH), ppd., rain
Sun., Jan. 27
San Diego City at Arizona Western's Caballero Classic,
ccd., rain
Tue., Jan. 29 Santa Ana 11, Grossmont 7 (10 inn.)
Barstow 5, Imperial Valley 3
Scottsdale (Ariz.) at San Diego City, ccd., wet
grounds
San Diego Mesa at Irvine Valley, ppd., wet grounds
Wed., Jan. 30
Scottsdale (Ariz.) at San Diego City, ccd., wet
grounds
Thurs., Jan. 31
Cerro Coso at Grossmont, ppd., wet grounds
San Diego Mesa 8, Santa Ana 2 STORY
Southwestern 17, Cerro Coso 1
Imperial Valley 6, Victor Valley 5 STORY
Victor Valley 4, Imperial Valley 4, tie (4 inn.,
darkness) STORY
Cerritos 7, Palomar 3
Fri., Feb. 1 Grossmont 8, Pasadena 0
Palomar 10, Ventura 0
Southwestern 9, West Los Angeles 8
Cerritos 6, San Diego Mesa 4 STORY
San Diego City 8-1, Cerro Coso 3-0
Sat., Feb. 2 Grossmont 4, Cerro Coso 2 Grossmont 9, West Los Angeles 8
Southwestern 7, Pasadena 3
Southwestern 10, Irvine Valley 7
West Los Angeles 7, San Diego City 6
San Diego City 10, Pasadena 0
Palomar 8, Chaffey 4
Ventura 7, San Diego Mesa 5
Tue., Feb. 5
Orange Coast 11, Southwestern 8
San Diego Mesa at Fullerton, ppd., wet grounds
Thurs., Feb. 7
Compton 7, Grossmont 6
Mt. San Jacinto 2-12, Imperial Valley 1-5
Fullerton 15, Palomar 12
Fri., Feb. 8
Orange Coast 4, Grossmont 0
Palomar 12, Ventura 5
Mt. San Antonio 4, Palomar 1
El Camino 9, Southwestern 6
San Diego City 6, Arizona Western 3
San Diego City 8, East Los Angeles 1
College of the Desert 7, Arizona Western 2
Barstow 11, Imperial Valley 10 (10 inn.); second
game, ccd.
Moorpark 2, San Diego Mesa 0
Sat., Feb. 9
East Los Angeles 11, Grossmont 3
El Camino 11, Grossmont 8
San Bernardino Valley 5, Palomar 4
San Diego City 12, Orange Coast 4
Southwestern 13, College of the Desert 8
San Diego Mesa 5, Bakersfield 4
Sun., Feb. 10 Grossmont 13, College of the Desert 7
East Los Angeles 13-9, Southwestern 8-8
San Diego City 11, El Camino 10
L.A. Pierce 7, San Diego Mesa 4
Tue., Feb. 12 Chaffey 13, Grossmont 8 (7 inn., darkness)
Mt. San Jacinto 5, Palomar 3 STORY
Cypress (9-0) 3, San Diego Mesa 1 STORY
Thurs., Feb. 14
Fullerton 2, Southwestern 0 STORY
Glendale at Grossmont, ccd., rain
L.A. Pierce at Palomar, ppd., rain (moved to
2-15, at Mt. San Antonio, 5)
Imperial Valley at Victor Valley, ppd., rain
Fri., Feb. 15
Chaffey at Grossmont, ccd., rain
Imperial Valley 16, Mt. San Jacinto 6
Mt. San Jacinto 8, Imperial Valley 6
Palomar 8, Mt. San Antonio 4
L.A. Pierce 7, Palomar 5
Southwestern at Golden West, ppd., rain
San Diego Mesa at Fullerton, ppd., rain
Sat., Feb. 16
Palomar 11, Rio Hondo 1
Long Beach 6, Southwestern 5
Chaffey at San Diego Mesa, ccd., rain
Mon., Feb. 18
No games scheduled
Tue., Feb. 19
Grossmont at Glendale, ccd.
Orange Coast 5, Palomar 4
College of the Desert 4, Imperial Valley 2
Saddleback 4, San Diego Mesa 2
Wed., Feb. 20
Irvine Valley at Grossmont, ccd., rain
Orange Coast at Southwestern, ppd., rain
Spain National Team at San Diego City, ccd., rain
Palomar at San Bernardino Valley, ccd., rain
Thurs., Feb. 21
Irvine Valley 6, San Diego Mesa 1
Long Beach 6, Southwestern 5
San Diego City 5, Spain National Team 4
Fri., Feb. 22
No games scheduled
Sat., Feb. 23
*Grossmont13, Imperial Valley 1
*Southwestern 12, San Diego Mesa 11
*Palomar at San Diego City, ppd., wet grounds
Mon., Feb. 25
No games scheduled
Tue., Feb. 26
*Grossmont 9, San Diego City 6
*Palomar 5, San Diego Mesa 2
*Southwestern 6, Imperial Valley 3
Wed., Feb. 27
*Palomar 15, San Diego City 6
Thurs., Feb. 28
*Palomar 8, Grossmont 6
*San Diego Mesa 3, Imperial Valley 2
*Southwestern 13, San Diego City 2
Fri., Feb. 29
No games scheduled
Sat., Mar. 1
*Grossmont 12, San Diego Mesa 5
*Southwestern 9, Palomar 2
*San Diego City 10, Imperial Valley 9
Tue., Mar. 4
*Southwestern 5, Grossmont 1
*San Diego Mesa 7, San Diego City 4 (10 inn.)
*Palomar 9, Imperial Valley 0
Thurs., Mar. 6
*Grossmont 13, Imperial Valley 2
*Palomar 7, San Diego City 4
*Southwestern 9, San Diego Mesa 1
Sat., Mar. 8
*Grossmont 9, Imperial Valley 0
*Southwestern 2, San Diego Mesa 0
*Palomar 4, San Diego City 2
Tue., Mar. 11
*Grossmont 7, San Diego City 6
*Palomar 13, San Diego Mesa 4
*Southwestern 26, Imperial Valley 1
Thurs., Mar. 13 *San Diego City 9, Grossmont 7
*Southwestern 22, Imperial Valley 5
*San Diego Mesa 5, Palomar 2
Fri., Mar. 14
Santa Ana 4, San Diego Mesa 1
Southwestern 4, Orange Coast 3
Sat., Mar. 15
Golden West 5, San Diego City 3
Tue., Mar 18
Grossmont 8, Compton 4
Mt. San Jacinto 5, Palomar 3
Southwestern 5, Moorpark 4
Southwestern 7, Antelope Valley 2
Wed., Mar. 19 Irvine Valley 3, Grossmont 2
Fullerton, San Diego City 2
Mt. San Jacinto 7, Palomar 4
Orange Coast 5, Palomar 1
San Diego Mesa 5, San Joaquin Delta 0 Santa Barbara 3, Southwestern 2 (10 inn.)
Compton 6-8, Imperial Valley 5-2
Thurs., Mar.
20
Southwestern 5, L.A. Mission 4
Palomar 10, San Joaquin Delta 4
Orange Coast 5, San Diego Mesa 1
San Diego Mesa 4, Mt. San Jacinto 3
Fri., Mar. 21
Palomar 13, San Bernardino Valley 5
Tue., Mar. 25 Palomar 7, Grossmont 5
Imperial Valley 5, San Diego Mesa 4
San Diego City 15, Southwestern 7
Thurs., Mar.
27 Palomar 9, Grossmont 8
Southwetsern 6, San Diego City 2
San Diego Mesa 13, Imperial Valley 1
Sat., Mar. 29 Grossmont 11, San Diego Mesa 6
Southwestern 3, Palomar 2 (10 inn.)
San Diego City 11, Imperial Valley 2
Tue., Apr. 1
San Diego Mesa 7, Grossmont 5
Southwestern 7, Palomar 2
San Diego City 23, Imperial Valley 1
Thurs., Apr.
3 Southwestern 3, Grossmont 2
Palomar 7, Imperial Valley 2
San Diego Mesa 4, San Diego City 3
Sat., Apr. 5
Southwestern 14, Grossmont 7
Palomar 14, Imperial Valley 2
San Diego City 12, San Diego Mesa 0
Tue., Apr. 8
Grossmont 25, Imperial Valley 8
Southwestern 10, San Diego Mesa 9
Palomar 6, San Diego City 2
Thurs., Apr. 10 Grossmont 13, Imperial Valley 2
Palomar 10, San Diego City 9
Southwestern 10, San Diego Mesa 6
Tue., Apr. 15 Grossmont 3, San Diego City 2
San Diego Mesa 4, Palomar 3
Southwestern 15, Imperial Valley 3
Thurs., Apr.
17 San Diego City 7, Grossmont 6 (10 inn.)
Southwestern 12, Imperial Valley 2
Palomar 8, San Diego Mesa 4
Fri., Apr. 18
San Diego Mesa 8, Imperial Valley 1
Sat., Apr. 19
Palomar 11, Grossmont 6
Southwestern 9, San Diego City 0
Tue., Apr. 22
Grossmont 5, Palomar 2
Southwestern 3, San Diego City 2
San Diego Mesa 14, Imperial Valley 6
Thurs., Apr. 24 Grossmont 15, San Diego Mesa 8
Palomar 3, Southwestern 1
San Diego City 7, Imperial Valley 2
Sat., Apr. 26
San Diego Mesa 5, Grossmont 4
Southwestern 9, Palomar 5
San Diego City 24, Imperial Valley 7
Tue., Apr. 29 Southwestern 8, Grossmont 6
San Diego City 4, San Diego Mesa 2
Palomar 13, Imperial Valley 2
Thurs., May 1 Grossmont 9, Southwestern 6
Palomar 4, Imperial Valley 1
San Diego City 11, San Diego Mesa 10
END REGULAR SEASON
