Local pair heading for Top 25 programs

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (11-17-07) — Two more East County pitching standouts have accepted scholarships to nationally renowned colleges.

Steele Canyon senior ANDREW BELLATTI and Santana senior JAMES NEEDY have made verbal commitments effective for the 2010 college baseball season.

Bullet throwing Bellatti, who was 7-4 with a 2.92 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 74.1 innings, is ticketed for Cal State Fullerton. Bellatti, a first team All-East County Sports pick, played a major role in leading the Cougars to their first Grossmont South League pennant.

Needy, also a standout quarterback for the Sultans, has turned in his shoulder pads to focus on baseball. He has cast his fate with the University of San Diego. The 6-foot-5 Needy posted a 6-6 mark with a 2.41 ERA as a junior last season, earning second team All-East County Sports honors.

In addition, former Christian High standout NIKO KANAKARIS is currently continuing his baseball career at Cal State Monterey Bay.

© East County Sports.com
POWAY (8-19-08) — The 8th annual high school San Diego Showcase presented by the San Diego Baseball Coaches Association will be conducted on Sunday (Aug. 24) at Poway High School. This event is San Diego’s version of the Area Code Games. It was created by local high school coaches including El Capitan’s STEVE VICKERY, Grossmont’s ROB PHILLIPS, Mission Bay’s DENNIS PUGH and Montgomery’s MANNY HERMOSILLO when the San Diego Padres discontinued their sponsorship of the prestigious Area Code Games.

Game format: Each 1/2 inning will consist of five batters. The offensive team will clear the bases after three outs

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (8-13-08) — Although ROB PHILLIPS stepped down as Grossmont High School baseball coach following an amazing 12-year run, postseason victories keep coming his way.

Most recent of the accolades passed to Phillips was handed down by the National High School Baseball Coaches of America Association (BCA), which chose the 48-year-old former Foothillers mentor as the Western United States (District 8) Coach of the Year.

The third San Diego CIF coach to receive this honor since its 16-year inception in 1992, Phillips is in the running for the organization’s National Coach of the Year. All award winners will be recognized at the BCA convention in Chicago on Dec. 5.

Phillips directed the Foothillers to four consecutive SDCIF Division II championships prior to leaving his post in June 2008. No other SDCIF baseball coach has ever won more than three section titles in a row.

“Maybe I quit too soon,” mused Phillips, who was also selected the 2008 state Baseball Coach of the Year by CalHiSports.com. Phillips shared the 2008 East County Sports.com Coach of the Year honors with Steele Canyon’s TODD SNYDER.

A former high school biology teacher and a graduate of Valhalla High, Phillips compiled a 328-153-3 record during 15 seasons that began with three campaigns at Monte Vista High (1988-90).

A painting contractor, Phillips is remodeling his new home in Point Loma. But no doubt the biggest element of his decision to leave the Foothillers was to focus on the senior year of his son, Tristan, a third baseman at Chapman University.

© East County Sports.com
TORRANCE (7-11-08) -- RYAN O'SULLIVAN of Valhalla High School, a 10th-round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants, gained a first-team berth on the All-State team, as selected by CalHiSports.com, the organization announced Thursday (July 10). Also named was Granite Hills outfielder BRIAN HUMPHRIES to the second team.

Grossmont High School pitcher LEVI STEVENS and El Capitan pitcher MILES REAGAN were both named to the All-State team by the publication. Stevens was selected to the All-Underclassmen team; Reagan was tabbed to the All-Medium size school team.

In the All-Small size school classification, Christian shortstop EDDIE YOUNG and Mountain Empire infielder JOSH BARBER were selected. Both were seniors. MORE TO COME.

While the Foothillers tied the school record for wins with a 29-7 finish and since have been ranked No. 15 in the state by Cal-HiSports.com, they said goodbye to their coach of the past 12 seasons, ROB PHILLIPS.

The champions of the Grossmont North League welcome a new head coach aboard in alum JIM EARLEY. A 1990 graduate of Grossmont, Earley has been an assistant coach with Phillips throughout his tenure and was the junior varsity head coach under now-vice principal JEFF MEREDITH for four years prior to that.

“I’ve been around here long enough to pretty much know how things run at Grossmont,” said Earley, who has taught mathematics and physical education at the school the past 10 years. “I’m looking forward to being in charge of the baseball program.”

Earley, his wife Connie and their three children, Rachel 17, Jackson 6 and Stan 5 reside in East County.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with the kids and the other coaches,” Earley said. “Nine players are returning from the varsity squad, including the bulk of the pitching staff.”

Earley will also be able to draw from a junior varsity group that finished 24-7 and a freshman team that was 17-6. Both of those teams were Grossmont North League champions.

“I know the cupboard’s not bare, that we have plenty of talent coming back and coming up,” Earley continued. “We’ve had a lot of success here and I want to keep it going.”

The final Cal-HiSports.com ratings also tabbed the Foothillers No. 11 in Southern California and the state’s fourth-best team in Division II.

In the state’s Division III ratings, El Capitan (23-10-1) is ranked No. 15.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (6-04-08) — Senior RYAN O’SULLIVAN of Valhalla has been named 2008 All-East County Sports.com Player of the Year. The 6-foot, 185 pound right-handed pitcher/shortstop posted an 8-2 record and a 2.09 ERA while striking out 81 in 67 innings.

A 3-time All-East County Sports.com first-team selection, O’Sullivan is equally effective with the bat. Many opposing teams played dodge ball with O’Sullivan. In spite of being issued 23 walks he managed to lead East County with 13 home runs. Twenty-one of his 35 hits went for extra bases. He also accounted for 67 runs, which included 34 RBI.

O’Sullivan’s name is prominent on most major league baseball’s scouting lists. Projections are little more than guesses at this point since the draft begins on Thursday (June 5). Some believe O’Sullivan will be taken high enough to convince him to turn pro; others believe he will execute the option of attending San Diego State University on a baseball scholarship.

O'Sullivan joins his older brother -- Angels minor-leaguer SEAN O'SULLIVAN -- as winner of the award as East County's best. Sean shared the award in 2003, then won it outright in 2004.

Granite Hills senior BRIAN HUMPHRIES, a 4-time All-East County Sports.com pick, is projected to be an early second-round choice. Some scouts believe he could even break into the first round. But pro baseball is not Humphries’ lone option as he has an attractive scholarship offer to Pepperdine University.

Another 3rd-year All-East County Sports.com selection, Christian High shortstop EDDIE YOUNG is expected to have his name called sometime within the first seven rounds of this week’s draft. But he, too, has the college option, with a UC-Riverside scholarship in his grasp.

Meanwhile the East County Sports.com staff handed out awards to 6-foot-6 Mount Miguel pitcher RUDDY ACOSTA (Rookie of the Year), Monte Vista senior outfielder SPENCER REED (Most Improved Player), and Grossmont senior designated hitter CASH McCLELLAN, recognized as the Unsung Hero.

The East County Coach of the Year award, as chosen by East County Sports.com staff, was shared by Grossmont’s ROB PHILLIPS and Steele Canyon’s TODD SNYDER.

Phillips, who earlier this week announced his retirement after a 15-year stint – the last 12 with the Foothillers – guided Grossmont to a SDCIF record 4th straight Division II championship. His Hillers compiled a 17-1 postseason mark during that record run. Phillips’ overall mark was 328-153-3. His teams won six section championships and six Grossmont League titles.

In his first year as Steele Canyon head coach, Snyder led the Cougars to the Grossmont South League championship. It was the first league title in the history of the six-year program. His Cougars posted 20 wins – also a Steele Canyon record.

ALL-GROSSMONT NORTH LEAGUE TEAM (Selected by League Coaches) FIRST TEAM Player School Pos. Yr Charlie Piro Grossmont OF 12 Kyle Secciani Grossmont OF 12 Josh Simms Grossmont INF 12 Tanner Rust El Capitan C 11 Miles Reagan El Capitan OF 12 Ryan Stutz Santana INF 11 Abel Cervantes ECVHS OF 11 James Needy Santana P-1B 11 Bryan Haar Grossmont INF 12 Ryne Barkley West Hills OF 12 SECOND TEAM Player School Pos. Yr Levi Stevens Grossmont LHP 11 Aaron Griffin Grossmont RHP 11 Derek Baum Grossmont C 12 Marco Mariscal El Capitan LHP 12 Brandyn Bell Santana P-DH 12 Kevin Morton El Capitan P-SS 12 Chris Rabichaud Santana OF 12 Anthony Vrolijk ECVHS INF 12 Robby Robles West Hills RHP 11 Will Crumpler West Hills SS 12 Athlete of the Year -- Charlie Piro, Grossmont Pitcher of the Year -- Levi Stevens, Grossmont Rookie of the Year -- Aaron Griffin, Grossmont Honorable Mention El Cajon Valley: Adrian Padilla (12); Efren Padilla (10); El Capitan: Cannon Nikzad (12); Korbin Kruger (11); Grossmont: Robert Reyes (12); Cash McClellan (12); Santana: Cody Smith (10); Kyle Hayes (10); West Hills: Chris Allen (11); David Bristol (12).

ALL-GROSSMONT SOUTH LEAGUE TEAM (Selected by League Coaches) FIRST TEAM Player School Pos. Yr Andrew Bellatti Steele Canyon RHP 11 Mark Bellatti Steele Canyon 1B 12 Ryan O'Sullivan Valhalla RHP 12 Trevor Frank Valhalla RHP 11 Ruddy Acosta Mount Miguel RHP 10 Dylan Garcia Granite Hills 1B-DH 10 Brian Humphries Granite Hills OF 12 Travis Hopper Granite Hills LHP 11 Dean Miller Granite Hills RHP 11 Anthony Diaz Helix OF 11 SECOND TEAM Player School Pos. Yr Eric Gentry Monte Vista OF 12 Nolan Murray Steele Canyon INF 12 Spencer Reed Monte Vista OF 12 Tyler Ponciano Granite Hills C 11 Danny Hawksley Valhalla INF 10 Alex Ceballos Steele Canyon RHP 12 James Trebus Mount Miguel P-OF 12 Francisco Tellez Valhalla LHP 9 Josh Austel Valhalla OF 10 Nico Calafato Mount Miguel INF 12 Athlete of the Year -- Ryan O’Sullivan, Valhalla Pitcher of the Year -- Trevor Frank, Valhalla Rookie of the Year -- Ruddy Acosta, Mount Miguel Honorable Mention Granite Hills: Jared Rapoza (12); Kenny Belzer (12); Helix: Chase Glenn (11); Mike Andrade (11); Monte Vista: Cody Morris (12); Anthony Marcon (12); Mount Miguel: Rudy Burruel (9); Tony Alvarez (11); Steele Canyon: Jesse Jenner (9); Anthony Navarrski (12); Valhalla: Pete Thomas (10); Will Coombs (10).

ALL-EASTERN LEAGUE TEAM (Selected by League Coaches) FIRST TEAM Player School Pos. Yr Alex Bradley Mira Mesa P-OF 12 Darrell Erese Mira Mesa OF 12 Eddie Young Christian SS 12 Korey Spearin Serra OF 12 Garrett Geisburg Serra P-UTL 12 Dominique Brewington Morse OF 10 Austin Green Patrick Henry OF 12 Ryan Livingston Patrick Henry RHP 12 David Popkins St. Augustine RHP 12 Colin Myers St. Augustine RHP 12 SECOND TEAM Player School Pos. Yr Aren Dodd-Waddington Serra OF 12 Chris Lindmark Scripps Ranch INF 11 Wynston Sawyer Scripps Ranch C 10 Marshall Gorham Patrick Henry LHP 12 Joey Labatte Patrick Henry INF 12 Clark Labitan Mira Mesa RHP 12 Taylor Eichhorst Christian 1B 11 Bryan Mitchell Christian INF 12 Carlos Carriedo St. Augustine C 11 Erik Cammall St. Augustine SS 12 Athlete of the Year -- David Popkins, St. Augustine Pitcher of the Year -- Alex Bradley, Mira Mesa

ALL-CITRUS WEST LEAGUE TEAM (Selected by League Coaches) FIRST TEAM Player School Yr. Willie Heien Lutheran 11 Michael Fagan SD Jewish 10 Andrew Bryant Christian Life 11 Jake Rogers Calvary Chr. 12 Tim Williams Guajome Park 12 Jack Detar SD Jewish 11 Brandon Anderson Lutheran 12 Justin Maiolo Christian Life 11 Zach Cummings Foothills Christian 9 SECOND TEAM Player School Yr. Phil Moore Calvary Chr. 12 Justin Garcia Christian Life 11 Ian Murphy Foothills Christian 11 Sean Callahan SD Jewish 10 Mike Boyd Calvary Chr. 9 Luke Sullivan Christian Life 11 Joe Canter Foothills Christian 10 Ricky Pamensky SD Jewish 9 A.J. Miller Midway Baptist 12 Players of the Year -- Michael Fagan, San Diego Jewish Academy & Willie Heien, Lutheran Pitcher of the Year -- Michael Fagan, San Diego Jewish Academy

2005 26-8 2006 26-8 2007 27-7 2008 29-7 2005-08 108-30 (.783)

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (6-1-08) — The Grossmont Foothillers were fully cognizant of history.

Among the five previous schools to capture three consecutive CIF-San Diego Section baseball titles, only two were able to reach the title game the following year to at least gain an opportunity for a fourth crown. Those schools -- Christian in 1979, and Rancho Bernardo in 2002 -- however, neither came close to rewriting the record book, and each suffering defeats by shutout.

The top-seeded Hillers, fortunately, were way too hot to be doomed to a similar consequence.

Posting 57 runs over four consecutive postseason victories to close the season, including 10 in the first three innings of Saturday’s (May 31) SDCIF Division II championship contest, Grossmont dominated Oceanside early to easily skate past the second-seeded Pirates, 11-5, at San Diego State’s Tony Gwynn Stadium.

"We came in with momentum and we just finished it out. It was just a great season and I am so proud right now," said Hillers relief pitcher AARON GRIFFIN, who fielded a tapper back to the mound for the final out. "A four-peat -- what better way can you go out than making history."

Griffin was referring to Grossmont coach ROB PHILLIPS, who is expected to announce his retirement next week.

The balanced attack saw eight of Grossmont's starting nine score runs, handing just the second setback of the season to Oceanside starting pitcher Raymond Rodriguez (10-2), who was out of the contest one batter into the 3rd inning.

Three key hits in the early innings allowed the Foothillers (29-7) to surge to an early 10-2 advantage.

Opening the contest with a JOSH SIMMS basehit and a pair of free passes, senior catcher DEREK BAUM boomed a 2-run double to left field for a Foothillers’ 2-1 lead.

"He left a fastball up -- I went for a good pitch and he gave it to me," said Baum, who walked on his next three at-bats to finish batting .625 over the final three playoff games. "It just set the tone, then we kept hitting the ball the whole time after that."

Baum and BRYAN HAAR are the only Foothillers to play for all four ballclubs during the championship run, giving Phillips his sixth career crown in his 12 years at Grossmont.

"We won every time I was here, which was great," added Baum. "We wanted to come out fired up and swinging the bats, like we have been the last few games, and it carried over to today."

In the 2nd inning, a pair of two-out walks set the stage for senior designated hitter CASH McCLELLAN, who just missed clearing the San Diego State racquetball courts in deep right field with his 3-run homer.

"It was probably the biggest hit of my life in the biggest game of my life," said McClellan, who gave Grossmont an 8-2 advantage. "We did it for coach -- that was our goal."

An inning later, a leadoff basehit by CONOR MEREDITH chased Rodriguez, then No. 9 hitter ROBERT REYES greeted the Pirates reliever with a 2-run homer to left-center field.

"I hit a curveball and was able to elevate it and get a lot of air under it and get it to drift out of here," Reyes explained. "I didn't expect it to get out -- I thought, maybe it would get to the (warning) track -- but it just kept on carrying."

The surprising homer even gained a rise out of Phillips in the 3rd-base coach's box, who got airborne from joy when the ball surprisingly cleared the barrier.

"It was a pretty exciting moment -- a good way to go out," added Reyes, a senior outfielder for the Foothillers. "I was glad to hit one out for coach."

Meanwhile, Hillers starting pitcher LEVI STEVENS gutted out 6-plus innings for the title game victory. Despite setting Oceanside down in order just once, he overcame control problems to deliver key pitches for outs.

"I was falling behind a lot of guys and they hit it hard, but right at a lot of my guys," said Stevens, who struck out seven to overcome three walks and a hit batsman. "But when we scored early, it took a lot of pressure off me."

"Oceanside was hitting it hard, but they couldn't get the ball to fall, then we made a couple of double plays."

Senior shortstop Haar started an inning-ending double play in the 2nd inning, then Simms, Haar's middle infield partner at second base, made the toss to Haar to start another twin-killing in the 6th to keep Stevens in the game.

"That was a gritty performance by Stevens," noted Phillips. "Right now, I'm just numb because these kids are resilient -- they don't get too high, they don't get too low, they just battle the whole time."

"And going through the losers' bracket makes it even more sweet -- we did it the difficult way."

And when senior first baseman CHARLIE PIRO scored from third base on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 6th to push the margin to 11-2, it gave Grossmont a school-record 326 runs for the season -- the second-highest total in section history (334 by El Capitan, 2000).

"All we did this past week was hit the ball and be aggressive on the bases and everything else," added Phillips. "Even the last run in the 6th inning, we moved the runners up to 2nd and 3rd, because I was hoping we could get that last run because you never know in that situation what will happen."

Oceanside added three late runs in the 7th to make things a touch interesting,

"You’ve got to give it to Oceanside -- they hit the ball and they would not go away," added Griffin . "I had to give them everything I got to get that last out."

"It was just a great game, and I was glad to be out there to finish it."

Grossmont is now 8-3 all-time in championship contests; 6-1 under Phillips. Oceanside fell to 1-6 in finales, including a 3-0 loss to the Hillers to open the decade in 2001; the Pirates' lone crown came in 1966.

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (6-1-08) — Christian High senior EDDIE YOUNG looked around cavernous Tony Gwynn Stadium on the San Diego State University campus following the Patriots’ 5-1 loss to Coronado in Saturday’s (May 31) San Diego CIF Division IV finals.

Disappointed, no doubt. But bitter? Hardly.

“Playing an early game like this (10 a.m.) left us kind of flat, I thought,” said Young after the Islanders dealt him a pair of walks and held him hitless in two other at-bats. “We weren’t ourselves today. We were just trying to do too much.”

Much of the reason behind the slumber at brunch time was due to the pitching of Coronado junior Brian Crabb at crunch time. Crabb scattered six hits and struck out nine, falling just one out shy of posting his second straight playoff shutout.

Crabb carved up Christian (22-11) with a carload of curveballs.

That did not surprise Young, who has a UC Riverside scholarship in hand and remains a candidate in next week’s professional baseball draft.

“If we would done a better job of hitting the fastball, I don’t think his curveball would have been as effective,” Young added.

Young noted that Christian did end the regular season with an 8-6 victory over the Western League co-champion Islanders (26-8) on the Silver Strand. But that did not count for much in the rematch except, perhaps, to shift Coronado into revenge mode.

“We can take some solace in that we got here,” said Young, who was 10-for 15 with three home runs, eight RBI and eight stolen bases in six playoff games. “Obviously, it would have been more gratifying if we would have won.”

Christian’s only run came in the 7th inning when BRYAN MITCHELL singled home pinch runner MIKE FERRIERA. The Patriots left the bases loaded in the 5th and 7th innings, as Crabb stemmed the tide with inning-ending strikeouts.

Young now has his sights set on the pro draft this Thursday and Friday (June 5-6).

“It’s either that or college,” he said. “What I want to happen is to get picked high enough to make a decent signing bonus and then take off.”

From all he’s heard, Young is projected to go somewhere between the 3rd and 6th rounds.

Meanwhile Christian suffered its first loss in the playoffs and saw a five-game winning streak come to and end. While coach MIKE MITCHELL mentioned the Patriots have plenty of respect for the champion Islanders, he believes his team can hold its own.

“If we played them 10 times we’d probably go 5-5,” he said. “Unfortunately, today just wasn’t our day. They had two big 2-out base hits and that was the difference in the ballgame.”

Mitchell was talking about Justin Parsons’ 2-run single in the 3rd and Alex Rowan’s 3-run double in the 5th.

Grossmont Foothillers' (from left) Cash McClellan, Levi Stevens, Derek Baum, Conor Meredith and Bryan Haar have played baseball together since they were nine years old. On Saturday (May 31), they will play their final game together when Grossmont meets the Oceanside Pirates in the SDCIF Div. III championship game at San Diego State University's Tony Gwynn Stadium. (Photo by Toni Albright)

Grossmont High starter Conor Meredith tossed 4 2/3 innings in a rare start, yet propelling the Foothillers to the CIF championship game after stopping Steele Canyon in Thursday's Division II playback final, 17-8, at Joe Gizoni Field. (Photo by Kathy Baum)

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-30-08) -- Some ballclubs hold higher aspirations than others.

"Some teams come in and just want to beat us for league," noted Grossmont High centerfielder KYLE SECCIANI. "But our goals are always a little bigger than that."

For the Foothillers, their target -- another SDCIF Division II championship -- is now in sight. Capped by Secciani's grand slam in the 6th inning, Grossmont moved into position to make history after out-slugging Steele Canyon, 17-8, in Thursday's (May 29) playback final at Joe Gizoni Field.

"We always want to win CIF," noted Secciani. "But to win a fourth straight -- we want to be the first group to do that and I think we have a pretty good chance of doing it."

Five other San Diego Section programs -- Christian (1976-78), Francis Parker (1985-87), Mira Mesa (1990-92), Mission Bay (1995-97) and Rancho Bernardo (1999-2001) -- have captured three straight championships. But if Grossmont can slide past Oceanside in Saturday's (May 31) 4 p.m. title game at Tony Gwynn Stadium, the Hillers can re-write the record book.

"We're trying to make history because we know no one has ever gone 4-in-a-row – it's one of our goals," added senior CASH McCLELLAN, who drove in three early runs to post a quick 8-2 lead through two innings.

Grossmont (28-7) took another step at the mark by eclipsing another one.

When Secciani's slam -- his third homer of the season -- cleared the left-field barrier, it gave the Hillers 315 runs for the season to establish a school record. It was also the 4th-highest mark in CIFSDS history with one game remaining.

"I didn't know about the scoring record -- we're just trying to win and outscore our opponents," said senior catcher DEREK BAUM. "Today, we started off on fire. We’ve got the talent throughout the lineup 1-to-9 -- because we want to make history and get that fourth one for Coach (ROB) PHILLIPS."

It would also be a fourth title for BRYAN HAAR, who was a late-season, JV call-up as a freshman. He shocked Steele Canyon by stealing a pair of bases, but his main contribution was getting CONOR MEREDITH through just his second start of the season.

"Conor is not one of our main guys -- he hasn't seen a lot of innings on the mound," noted Haar. "But he stepped up and threw strikes."

Meredith lasted 4 2/3 innings, then yielded to DONOVAN D'SOUZA and AARON GRIFFIN to help him gain his second victory of the season. The statistics may not be glamorous, but he delivered exactly what the Hillers needed: innings.

"I walked a couple of guys (five), but I kept us in the game," noted Meredith, who didn't learn he was starting until 20 minutes before game time. "My changeup was really working, getting a lot of guys on their front foot. Then our guys came through from the bullpen and we finished strong."

Grossmont scored four times in each of the first three innings to mount a 12-2 advantage. But when the Cougars (20-11) scored six times in the 5th, featuring a 3-run double by MATT BELLATTI, the bullpen responded with 2 1/3 innings of shutout ball, yielding just a pair of base hits.

"I wasn't really concerned, although (Bellatti's hit) made the game a little more interesting," noted Griffin . "But Secchi's slam really sealed the deal and gave us the momentum to finish it out. He got kind of insulted when they intentionally walked the guy in front of him, but he came up big and hit the grand slam."

The first four batters in the Grossmont batting order went a composite 8-for-14.

The Hillers burst from the gate, including an RBI single in the 1st and a 2-run double in the 2nd by the University of the Pacific bound McClellan. Four walks and an error led to four more runs in the 3rd.

When Steele Canyon edged the Foothillers 2-1 in the third round of the double-elimination event, it flung Grossmont into unfamiliar territory. The Foothillers posted 12 straight wins in claiming their previous three section titles, and suddenly found themselves one loss from elimination.

“I am really proud of these kids to come back through the loser’s bracket like they did,” Phillips said. “We won three games in three days. That’s pressure, something none of our kids have experienced in the past. You never knew who it was going to be, but somebody different stepped up to be the hero in each of these last three games.”

Mark Bellatti, who drove in four runs, extended his hitting streak to a section-best 25 consecutive games with a double into the left field corner.

Despite a disappointing ending, Steele Canyon rookie coach TODD SNYDER was pleased by the Cougars’ overall performance. No doubt at the top of the list of his ballclub’s successes was winning the Grossmont South League championship and posting a school record 20 wins.

“I didn’t want to end the season on this note,” Snyder said. “We gave them too many outs – eight unearned runs.

“But I’ll be pulling for Grossmont to win their 4th CIF championship in a row. By the same token, we have a lot to be proud of, too.”

Christian pitcher Bradley Johnston tossed a complete game victory vs. Mater Dei. The Patriots advance to the CIF Division IV final against longtime rival Coronado. (Photo by The Young Family)

© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (5-28-08) -- In an intense ride which took considerably longer than 8 seconds, El Capitan High's baseball season was slipping off its mount, just one strike away from elimination from the SDCIF Division III baseball tournament.

"It was the most fun I've ever had in a game," said MILES REAGAN, the Vaqueros' right fielder. "I love just being in situations -- do-or-die situations, basically."

And in a lightning strike, Reagan delivered.

The senior sent a shot into the parking lot beyond the left-field fence for his second home run on the day to forge extra innings, then ANDY HALE lifted a sacrifice fly to left-center in the bottom of the 10th, maintaining El Capitan’s championship aspirations following Tuesday's (May 27) dramatic 13-12 victory over visiting La Jolla.

"I was just trying to hit the ball and keep it in play," added Reagan. "He hung me a curveball and I stuck the bat on it."

The same held true for Hale.

"Miles just hit a bomb -- I knew he was going to come out big. It's just awesome seeing him perform," noted Hale. "Then they threw a hanging curveball to me, and my job was to hit it in the air and try to get it out as far as I could."

"I was inspired because I was DH'ed for last game in a big game which I thought I could've contributed to it, so I stepped up this game."

The Vaqueros (23-9-1) advance to the final in the double-elimination phase of the tournament, needing to sweep a pair of ballgames from Cathedral to advance to the title game. The home series with the Dons (24-8) is Wednesday (May 28) and, if necessary, Thursday, both at 3:30 p.m.

The Vikings pounded El Capitan pitching for 20 hits. Included were six doubles, a triple, and a go-ahead homer in the 7th by Peter Sefton, the leading candidate for San Diego County male athlete of the year. The Honors student helped La Jolla win the section basketball title while earning a water polo scholarship to Stanford.

La Jolla tied the game in the 7th on a triple by Trent Jemmett -- his fifth hit of the ballgame -- and a wild pitch, Sefton then sent a tape-measure drive beyond Ashford Street in right field for his 8th homer of the season.

"It went beyond the trees out there," noted Reagan, who could appreciate the shot after hitting more than few of his own in his career. "But we came back, and now we just have to come ready to play against Cathedral."

Wyatt Hoff, who tossed a no-hitter against Brawley less than 24 hours earlier in Monday's twice-postponed, second-round contest, was called upon to pitch the 7th. Hoff extended his no-hit streak with a pair of easy groundouts until Reagan laced a 1-2 pitch rocketing past the Hostetler Field scoreboard.

The game-winning rally started when relief pitcher MARCO MARISCAL was inserted into the batting order after El Capitan designated hitters extended their hitless streak to nine at-bats. Mariscal promptly stroked a one-out single, moving to third base on a double off the bank in left by KORBIN KRUGER, who joined Reagan and Sefton in smacking his 8th homer of the season.

"Marco is known for hitting little line drives everywhere -- that was clutch and started us off," added Hale.

El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY promptly sent ANTHONY LYBARGER to pinchrun for Mariscal, while Vikings coach Gary Frank elected to intentionally walk KYLE MILLS. However, Hale, who earlier put down a successful sacrifice bunt, earned a rare sacrifice double with his fly ball, allowing Lybarger to easily score.

The front five in the La Jolla lineup hit a composite 15-for-28, but several rallies ended when the bottom half of the order failed to produce. Meanwhile, the Vaqueros received run production from the entire batting order, with all nine spots either scoring or driving home runs to rally from a 5-run deficit.

Along with his 3-for-5, five RBI performance, Reagan entered to pitch in relief. He registered the final out in the 7th, going the final 3 1/3 innings for his third victory of the season by allowing just one hit.

Meanwhile, Mariscal, who tossed the three innings prior to Reagan's stint, is sure he will be ready for Wednesday's (May 28) start against Cathedral.

"I threw pretty good, but I'll be ready to pitch tomorrow (Wednesday)," noted Mariscal, who will attend Dartmouth in the fall. "I think we can get Cathedral this time."

After La Jolla scored once in the 1st, El Capitan opened with five quick runs, as the first trio of Vaqueros batters scored on Reagan's first homer, a 3-run shot.

The Vikings then scored nine consecutive runs -- three in the 3rd, and six in the 4th -- for a 10-5 cushion before the Vaqueros tied it on run-scoring hits by TANNER RUST (double) and Reagan (single) in the 4th, then three more markers in the 5th. Kruger started the outburst with a leadoff homer, Rust knocked in Hale with his second double of the season, then Rust scored the tying run on a balk.

In the 6th, El Capitan -- in another rare event -- registered three sacrifices in the same inning for the tie-breaking run.

Kruger reached on an error -- one of five by the Vikes -- then Mills reached base when his bunt was also booted. Hale sacrificed both into scoring position, with BROOKS NOBLE lifting a fly ball to score pinchrunner MATT EICHELBERGER.

Rush and Noble both recorded two hits and a pair of RBI, while Kruger and TYRONE WIGGINS added two basehits each.

For La Jolla (20-10), centerfielder Robbie Beathard survived swallowing a bug (which briefly delayed the ballgame) by joining Hoff with three hits each, while Sefton and Jimmy Filter had two hits apiece.

SANTANA 5, MISSION BAY 4 – It’s no secret what the Santana Sultans are facing in their quest to reach Saturday’s (May 31) SDCIF Division III finals at Tony Gwynn Stadium. They need a road sweep of two games against perennial power Montgomery .

The makeup between the Sultans and the Aztecs is strikingly similar – sort of like mirror images. A low-scoring game is most certainly in the offing when the Sultans (21-12-1) begin their uphill climb against the Aztecs (23-7).

Santana pulled a narrow escape in Tuesday’s (May 27) contest to eliminate Mission Bay (21-12) in the third round of the playoffs. All four of Santana’s hits in the game came during a five-run 1st inning.

The Sultans’ offensive scoring spree began with two outs and one runner on base.

A single to right by sophomore KYLE HAYES plated the Sultans first run. JOSH POND then lined a single to left-center to make it 2-0. The Sultans were on a roll at this stage, as KYLE ROMERO doubled to left-center to make it 3-0.

Mission Bay pitcher Francisco Valdez added fuel to Santana’s fire with two hit batters and a walk, stretching the Sultans’ advantage to 5-0.

“It was our lucky day – we should have gone to Vegas,” laughed Sultans coach JERRY HENSON.

Valdez (8-5) slammed the breaks on the Sultans after that.

“After that first inning we went 1-2-3 and out the rest of the way in every inning,” said Henson. “We never got a guy on base after the first inning.”

One of the late-season success stories for the Sultans has been the work of 6-foot-6 senior right-hander Pond.

Pond blanked the Bucs over the final 2 1/3 innings without allowing a hit.

“It’s been a strange year for me,” he said. “But I just flipped the switch on about two weeks ago and everything’s going my way. It’s helped my confidence tremendously.”

Pond has been a contributor in two ways. His recent surge at the plate has pushed his average to .306, but it’s been his pitching that has caught Henson’s eye.

“He came in and threw another dynamite ballgame,” Henson said. “He did an outstanding job – he shut the door on them.”

On May 21 Pond hit a mammoth home run into the wind at Mission Bay even though the Sultans lost the game. It’s not by coincidence that Pond has been able to turn his game around.

“Hitting-wise I’ve opened my stance more,” Pond said. “And as far as pitching goes, I’m throwing at a three-quarter angle, which is giving me more whip on my pitches. My velocity is definitely up and I’m catching the plate a lot more than I was.”

One of eight Santana seniors, Pond believes the Sultans can overtake Montgomery to qualify for a berth in Saturday’s championship game.

“I think we match up well with Montgomery ,” he said. “And I’m sure we’re headed for a close ballgame with those guys. But you have to give Montgomery credit for what they’ve done.

“To go out as champions would be huge for our team and especially for the seniors.”

GROSSMONT 20, MT. CARMEL 12 – With its quest for making history hanging on the edge of extinction, the host Grossmont Foothillers came out swinging in Tuesday’s (May 27) third round of the San Diego CIF Division II playoffs at Joe Gizoni Field.

And even at that, the Foothillers found themselves down 2-0 before they had their first at-bat.

The Foothillers (26-7) responded to the early strike by the Sundevils (15-18) with seven runs and eight hits in the bottom of the 1st. JOSH SIMMS led Grossmont’s early onslaught with a leadoff home run and a double in the opening frame.

“We know we have to pick up our offense and we wanted to show people that we are as good as they think we are,” said Simms, who was 4-for-4 with two home runs and four runs scored.

Grossmont riddled four Mt. Carmel pitchers for 17 hits, including a 4-for-4 effort by senior CASH McCLELLAN, who clubbed three doubles, scored four runs and drove in four more.

“We realized this was a do-or-die game for us and we came out all pumped up,” said McClellan, who raised his average to .394. “Josh’s home run got us going and we just took off from there.”

Late-season sparkplug BRENNAN GEARY made another major delivery for the Foothillers, slugging a 3-run homer during an 8-run 5th inning to put the victory over the Sundevils on ice.

Geary finished the game 2-for-4 with four RBI. His second circuit clout of the season was Grossmont’s 4th of the game.

Grossmont coach ROB PHILLIPS, who is hoping to direct the Foothillers to a record four straight SDCIF Division II championship, recognized the firepower.

“We haven’t hit like this since our first nine games of the season,” he said. “Now it’s a matter of making it carry over. If we continue to hit like this we’ll be OK.”

The biggest question mark for the Foothillers is whether their thin pitching staff will hold up in the stretch run.

“I think we have enough pitching,” Phillips said. “But I think Dennis Ackerman (SDCIF section commissioner) should have started this week’s 10-inning pitching limit on Wednesday because, after all, Tuesday’s games were really Saturday’s games.”

Phillips, along with other coaches in the section, were talking about the blanket rain-out of Friday’s (May 23) games, pushing the schedule back a full day.

In other words, games that were scheduled for Saturday were played on Tuesday. The schedule, which originally called for Wednesday (May 28) to be an off day, is now a play day due to the rainout. Thus half of the teams still in contention are obliged to play four games in five days.

VISTA 6, GRANITE HILLS 5 (9 inn.) – Had it not been for a first-inning error, Granite Hills pitcher DEAN MILLER might have provided his Eagles teammates with a more favorable outcome in Tuesday’s (May 27) third round of the SDCIF Division I playoffs against visiting Vista.

After Vista tagged Miller for five runs in the opening frame – four of them unearned – Miller tightened his grip on the Panthers (22-11). He allowed a pair of two-out singles in the 2nd inning and then proceeded to retire 18 batters in a row.

Miller allowed only one hit over the final seven innings of his 8 2/3 inning stint.

Reliever RONNIE VON HAGEN came on in the 9th inning to get the final out.

Losses like this one aren’t easy to swallow. Miller held Vista motionless from the 3rd into the 8th inning when he gave up a two-out walk to Jordan Alexander with the game tied 5-5. Alexander immediately stole second, but Miller responded by striking out Trevor Koons to end the inning.

Miller, who threw only 102 pitches, got two quick outs in the top of the 9th before pinch-hitter John Leal drew a walk and stole second.

That brought up a most unlikely hero in freshman Sean Campbell.

After spending the majority of the season on the JV level, Campbell ’s role with the Vista varsity had consisted primarily of keeping score. For some reason Panthers coach Rick Lepire decided to put the bat in Campbell ’s hands with the game on the line. A daring move, for sure, considering Campbell had only three varsity plate appearances.

Working the count to three balls and one strike, Campbell connected for a base hit to right-center field. It wasn’t a bullet, it wasn’t a rocket. It wasn’t even a line drive. It was more like a pop fly that evaded the Granite Hills defenders. Bottom line: It was good enough to score Leal from second base with the winning run.

“I saw everyone in the dugout cheering,” said Campbell after collecting his first varsity hit. “Inside, I was going crazy, but I wanted to keep my composure when I was standing on the bag at first.”

Credit Granite Hills (22-10), a team that has been mired in a slump for the better part of three weeks, for not folding after Vista ’s fast start. It was clearly an uphill battle for the Eagles, who seemed stunned that they were chasing five runs from the get-go.

The Granite Hills comeback bid began in the 2nd inning. KENNY BELZER singled and JOSH QUERIONES followed with a double. Belzer coasted home on DANIEL VINTON’s groundout, cutting the deficit to four.

The Eagles collected two hits in the 3rd inning but a pickoff at first base by winning pitcher Bobby Orozco killed that budding rally.

In the 4th inning the Eagles put together consecutive singles by Belzer, Queriones and TYLER PONCIANO to make it 5-2. Once again Vinton brought home a run with a ground ball to make it a two-run deficit.

At that point the game had the earmarkings of a Cinderella finish for Granite Hills. The Eagles closed the gap to a single run in the 5th inning as BRIAN HUMPHRIES doubled, advanced to third on an error and scored on Belzer’s sacrifice fly.

Although Granite Hills left five runners in scoring position the Eagles still had a chance for a dramatic finish. Humphries, leading off the 7th, fouled off five pitches with a two-strike count before grounding a single up the middle.

Realizing that Humphries was a threat to steal, Orozco made several throws to first, hoping to keeping the Eagles speedster anchored at first. But eventually Orozco made a wild throw, allowing Humphries to scamper all the way around to third with nobody out.

JARED RAPOZA then singled to left, scoring Humphries with the tying run. All the momentum was on Granite Hills’ side at this juncture. Sophomore BRIAN CARROLL, who was inserted as a pinchrunner for Rapoza, promptly stole second. DYLAN GARCIA hoisted a fly ball to right field, allowing Carroll to tag and advance to third.

Victory was only 90 feet away for Granite Hills. The Panthers, however, were not about to let Belzer – who was 2-for-2 with an RBI up to that point – to beat them. Thus, the senior third baseman was issued an intentional walk, putting runners at the corners.

Orozco (10-2), who went the distance for the Panthers, escaped by recording a strikeout and a groundout to send the game into extra innings.

Granite Hills, the defending champion and No. 2 seed in Division I, was in position to win the game in the 8th inning. With a runner at second base and two outs, Lepire ordered an intentional walk to Humphries. Once again the pressure was on Rapoza, and he delivered, smacking a sharp groundball over the third base bag that would have easily scored JARED HUNT from second base.

However, Vista third baseman John Davis foiled the Eagles plan with a diving stop. After gloving the ball Davis jumped to his feet and tagged third to end the inning.

“That was the play of the game right there,” said Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS. “I thought for sure that ball was going through and we were going to win the game.”

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-25-08) — It was a red-letter day in Steele Canyon’s six-year baseball history on Saturday (May 24) at Grossmont’s Joe Gizoni Field.

Not only did the visiting Cougars (20-9) establish a school record for victories, they also snapped Grossmont’s four-year playoff winning streak at 13 games.

Overcoming a 1-0 deficit with a pair of runs in the 6th inning, Steele Canyon captured a 2-1 victory over the three-time defending San Diego CIF Division II champions.

The Cougars, who have won nine straight and 13 of their last 14, are only one victory short of qualifying for an SDCIF Division II championship date at San Diego State’s Tony Gwynn Stadium on Saturday (May 31).

It was difficult to tell what part of Saturday’s overthrow of the perennial kingpins satisfied Steele Canyon the most, although the Cougars did paw each other with a championship-style jump-around after the final out.

“We’re definitely for real,” said Steele Canyon pitcher ANDREW BELLATTI, who turned back the Foothillers with a complete-game five hitter. “Yeah, I think we have to prove ourselves, but we just keep doing it over and over.”

Steele Canyon’s road to victory was a little bit bumpier than in past games. The Cougars blew a bases-loaded situation trailing 1-0 in the 3rd inning when MARK BELLATTI was cut down at the plate attempting to score on a LEVI STEVENS’ pitch that got away from catcher DEREK BAUM.

The Hillers caught a break when the errant toss ricocheted off a post back to Baum, who make a perfect throw to Stevens in time to get the inning-ending out.

Steele Canyon left the bases loaded again in the 5th inning.

In the 6th inning the Cougars had runners at first and second with two outs on walks by Stevens. This time they capitalized as No. 9 hitter MICHAEL CASTRO – who had struck out in two previous at-bats – singled to left, scoring DONNIE FRANK with the tying run.

“It was a first pitch fastball,” Castro said. “(Stevens) had got me out twice before on curveballs so I was looking for anything but a curveball. So when he threw me a fastball I jumped on it.”

Following Castro’s clutch stroke, Grossmont coach ROB PHILLIPS elected to intentionally walk Mark Bellatti to load the bases. Phillips then replaced Stevens with reliever AARON GRIFFIN.

With the game on the line, NOLAN MURRAY – who ranks among the leaders for being hit by a pitch – was plunked by Griffin ’s first serve of the game. That allowed MARLON PORTER to score from third with what proved to be the winning run.

Griffin then got an inning-ending strikeout and retired the Cougars in order in the 7th.

Grossmont kept the pressure on Steele Canyon ace Andrew Bellatti, who managed to survive all seven innings despite surrendering six walks, three hit batters and five singles.

“I knew once I got the lead my stuff was good enough to hold ‘em off,” he said.

Although Bellatti’s pitching was not overpowering or flashy, it was sturdy.

“Bellatti has probably pitched better games statistically, but this game was special,” said Cougars coach TODD SNYDER. “Just the atmosphere… they bring out a ton of fans and it’s a little bit of a hostile environment.

“But Andrew’s always been a big game pitcher and he always rises up to the challenge like he did today.”

Close calls have become commonplace for the Cougars, who are 11-6 in games decided by three runs or less. Eight of their victories have come by a one-run margin.

For the first time in four years Grossmont faces an uphill climb to become the first section team in history to win four consecutive division championships.

“The thing for us is we’ve had a good run in the playoffs,” Phillips said. “And now we’re going to have to do it a different way – see if we can bounce back. This is uncharted territory for us. Now we have to win three straight to even get to the finals. We’re going to see what we’re made of.”

Grossmont hosts Mt. Carmel on Tuesday (May 27) at 3:30 in a must-win situation.

CHRISTIAN 8, MATER DEI 7 (8 inn.) – Although the Christian Patriots were virtually strangled during the final third of the Eastern League season, Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL continues to insist that that was good for his ballclub.

After concluding the league season with three straight losses, the Patriots used a season-ending upset of Coronado as a springboard for a dramatic finish.

Christian has clubbed 10 home runs in its last four games – three of them coming in the SDCIF Division IV playoffs. During that stretch the Patriots have outscored the opposition, 47-21.

At the forefront of that surge has been senior shortstop EDDIE YOUNG, who provided a game-winning home run in the bottom of the 8th inning of Saturday’s (May 24) victory over visiting Mater Dei in the Division IV playoffs.

It was Young’s 4th home run in as many games, and his 9th of the season.

“It was a 3-0 count and Coach Mitchell gave me the green light,” said Young, who was 8-for-11 with seven stolen bases in three playoff victories this week. “The guy threw me a fastball up and in. I took a hard swing and hit a towering fly ball to right field. Coach Mitchell said this one landed about 30 feet over the fence. The funny thing about it is I’m really more of a line-drive guy.”

It was the second time this season that Young has homered on a 3-0 pitch.

“Everybody knew he was going to try to sneak a fastball by me,” added Young, who hit his first home run in the season opener against King’s Academy in Sunnyvale.

TAYLOR EICHHORST broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the 3rd inning when he hammered a 2-run homer on a 3-2 pitch into the swimming pool beyond the left field fence.

“That was a mammoth shot,” said Mitchell.

The Patriots’ 5-3 lead, however, did not hold up for long, as Mater Dei (18-14) punched across four markers in the 5th inning to gain a 7-5 edge. Christian Castro supplied the key in the Crusaders’ victory bid as he slugged a bases-loaded triple.

The Patriots tied the game 7-7 in the bottom of the 5th inning. SHAUN DAY, who was 3-for-4 in the game, provided the spark with a leadoff single which climaxed with bases-loaded walks to BRAD ROBERTSON and Young.

“I think what turned our season around was beating Coronado ,” said Young. “And now we want it all – we’re going after it.”

Not many teams have hit more home runs than Christian, which also received a 2-run blast from NIKO KANAKARIS to gain a 3-1 lead in the 1st inning against Mater Dei.

The Patriots (21-10) need one more victory to qualify for a berth in the Division IV championships on Saturday (May 31) at San Diego State ’s Tony Gwynn Stadium.

“It’s amazing how much difference there is between needing one win or two at this point in the season,” Mitchell said.

SANTANA 7, ST. AUGUSTINE 5 – Despite struggling to the finish line of the regular season, coach JERRY HENSON’s Santana Sultans are no pushovers.

Just ask St. Augustine , a team Santana (20-12-1) defeated for the second time this year in the second round of Saturday’s (May 24) Division III SDCIF playoffs in Santee.

Santana soared in front of the visiting Saints 7-1 after four innings, and then put their fate in the hands of pitchers KYLE HAYES, BRANDYN BELL and JAMES NEEDY.

The Santana trio held the Saints to four hits and one earned run. Bell picked up his 8th win in 11 decisions, stuffing the Saints on two hits while striking out four in four innings.

“ Bell came in and did a dynamite job in relief,” Henson said of his senior pitcher.

CHRIS RABICHAUD spearheaded the Santana offense with a 2-run single in the 3rd and an RBI single in the 4th.

KYLE ROMERO, who has struggled at the plate yet provided some key hits in crucial situations for the Sultans, scored two runs and drove in a run with a basehit.

“We have had the pitching to win all year,” said Romero. “It’s just been a matter of getting some runs. I think we’ve kinda been heating up in the playoffs and done a better job of bunching our hits like we did today.”

It was the second time Santana has beaten Eastern League tri-champion St. Augustine this season.

“I’m proud that we knocked off St. Augustine. They have got the best of us the last couple of years,” said Henson. “We finally got some run production – got some timely hitting with runners in scoring position. We got more runs than hits for a change.”

This game could easily have turned into a blowout had it not been for the steady hitting of Colin Hoffman, who was 3-for-4, including a 3-run homer for the Saints (18-14).

But by the same token, all but one of the Saints runs were unearned.

Henson was quick to salute his coaching staff for helping make the Santana field playable due to inclement weather the previous 24 hours.

“PAT CAVALCANTE, my assistant coach, and I got to the field about 8 o’clock this morning and worked on it for about four hours,” Henson said. “If it wasn’t for him helping me I would never have gotten it (ready to play on).”

Santana’s playoff survival depends on whether the Sultans can win at Mission Bay on Tuesday (May 27), 3:30 p.m.

The Eagles (22-9), who have scored more than four runs only twice in their last 10 games, were rationed to three singles by a pair of Patrick Henry pitchers. Yet somehow they remain alive in the double elimination tournament.

Much of the credit for Granite Hills’ latest conquest goes to Eagles pitcher TRAVIS HOPPER. The junior southpaw wasn’t flashy, but he was effective. He checked the Patriots on five singles and did not allow an earned run while recording his 7th complete game and 8th win in 10 starts.

“He was kind of in a midseason slump for awhile but pitched much, much better today,” said Eagles coach JAMES DAVIS. “It was more like vintage Hopper, where he changed speeds well and made them put the ball in play.”

The Eagles’ meager “attack” manufactured two runs in the 1st inning to erase a 1-0 deficit. BRIAN HUMPHRIES walked and stole second. JARED RAPOZA followed with a base on balls, but DYLAN GARCIA lined to short on a 3-1 pitch. KENNY BELZER then singled in Humphries to tie the game.

With two outs, the Patriots (20-11) tried to pick off Belzer at first base and the throw from the catcher sailed down the right field line, allowing Rapoza to score from third with the go-ahead run.

“They were trying a backdoor pickoff of Belzer,” said Davis. “I don’t even think he had that big of a lead but we were lucky that they threw the ball away.”

Granite Hills’ next playoff game is Tuesday (May 27) when they host Vista (21-11) at 3:30.

The top-seeded Vaqueros missed a scoring chance in the 1st inning when pitcher KEVIN MORTON singled and stole second with one out. He was stranded there.

An inning later KORBIN KRUGER singled and moved up 90 feet on KYLE MILLS’ bunt. A wild pitch advanced Kruger to third but Cathedral starting and winning pitcher Ryan Wilkins blew third strikes past the next two Vaqueros hitters to quell that threat.

In the 3rd inning El Capitan tried a different strategy. Morton drew a two-out walk and stole second. MILES REAGAN followed with a walk, but once again Wilkins escaped by getting a called third strike for the final out of the frame.

Wilkins then retired eight Vaqueros in a row before Reagan ripped his 7th home run of the season into the parking lot beyond the left-center field fence with one out in the 6th. That blow cut Cathedral’s advantage to 4-1, but once again Wilkins rebounded by recording back-to-back strikeouts.

“He’s a competitor,” said Cathedral coach GARY REMIKER of his senior right-hander, who limited the Vaqueros to four hits while striking out nine. “He was working ahead all day. He was changing speeds well, keeping them off balance. We’re not afraid to give him the ball against anybody.”

In the meantime Cathedral (25-8) was churning out clutch hits of its own.

Credit Vaqueros pitcher Morton for playing a nifty game of dodge ball after the Dons capitalized on a misplayed flyball double to take a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning.

In the first four innings Morton stranded five Cathedral runners in scoring position. His Vaqueros teammates, however, clearly could not muster much offensive support.

“The bottom line is when you only score one run you don’t win a lot of ballgames,” said El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY. “Not that we didn’t have our chances. We had guys in scoring position, we just didn’t come through with the big hit. You’ve gotta do that at this time of the season.”

Vickery tipped his hat to Wilkins, crediting him for keeping the ball down lower in the zone than did Morton, but added “It wasn’t like he was unhittable. We just didn’t connect.”

Cathedral connected – in lightening mode fashion. Chris Wilson doubled, then Tyler Gaffney doubled and Casey Husband followed by hammering a home run onto Ashwood Street , giving the Dons a 4-0 advantage.

All three of those hits came after Morton had gotten two strikes in the count.

“Kevin just couldn’t finish today,” said Vickery. “He’s working too hard trying to be perfect.”

On Tuesday (May 27) El Capitan will entertain the winner of Monday’s (May 26) Brawley at La Jolla contest.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-23-08, 3:30 p.m.) -- All CIF-San Diego Section playoff baseball games for Friday (May 23) have been postponed by rain.

All of Friday's games are re-scheduled -- at the site of the higher seeded ballclub; no neutral site contests -- for Saturday.

The CIF-San Diego Section office lists Saturday's game times to be 11 a.m., but some schools have pushed ballgames back to the afternoon due to drainage issues at various ballparks, thus, game times will vary (for example, El Capitan will play at 2 p.m.). East County Sports.com will post the new times as they become available.

Press release from the CIFSDS Office (5-23-08, 11:48 a.m.):

UPDATE CIFSDS BASEBALL -- ALL SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF GAMES SCHEULED FOR TODAY ARE CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER AND POSSIBLE THUNDERSTORMS. (1) THEY WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR TOMMORROW SAT MAY 24TH AT THE SCHEDULED SITE @ 11:00AM. (2) SATURDAY'S SCHEDULED 3RD ROUND GAMES (SUPER SATURDAY) ARE CANCELLED--THEY ARE RESCHEDULED TO TUES MAY 27th 3:30PM @ THE HOME OF THE HIGHER SEED (ADMISSION TO BE CHARGED). (3) TUESDAY MAY 27TH 4TH ROUND GAMES ARE MOVEDTO WED MAY 28TH AT THE HOME OF THE HIGHER SEED (ADMISSION TO BE CHARGED). THE REASON FOR THIS DECISION IS THAT IF SOME GAMES ARE PLAYED TODAY AND SOME NOT, SUPER SATURDAY GAMES WILL BE AFFECTED AND COMMUNICATION WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR ALL INVOLVED TO MAKE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. -- CIFSDS OFFICE

Moments after Mt. Carmel made it a 1-run game, freshman Jesse Jenner (above) opened the bottom of the 6th inning with his first career home run, as Steele Canyon tallied five times in an 8-3 victory. (Photo by M. Montague)

May 21: Mt. Carmel at Steele Canyon (Top Slideshow by M. Montague) (Bottom Slideshow by Brandi Entrekin)

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (5-22-08) -- Mt. Carmel High was cautious in its dealings with Steele Canyon High slugger MARK BELLATTI. The Sundevils did not want to let the Cougars slugger beat them. That strategy panned out.

What the North County club did not expect was the abilities of the youngest member of the Steele Canyon squad.

Cougars catcher JESSE JENNER, a 14-year old freshman, capped a series of three quality at-bats with his first career home run, scoring the first of five runs in the 6th inning to power Steele Canyon past the visiting Sundevils, 8-3, in Wednesday's (May 21) first round of the CIF Division II playoffs.

ALEX CEBALLOS pitched six solid innings, allowing just five hits to earn the first postseason victory in school history.

"I saw a fastball and jumped on it," said Jenner. "They wanted to get ahead and work early on the count, but I got ahold of the first pitch."

While Bellatti was walked three times -- twice intentionally -- to prevent his hefty bat from doing any damage, Mt. Carmel’s strategy soon back-fired when six other members of the Cougars knocked in runs, with Jenner in the middle of all three rallies, increasing his contribution with each ensuing at-bat.

Following a DONNIE FRANK walk to open the 2nd inning, Jenner placed a successful sacrifice bunt, with Frank scoring when MARLON PORTER tripled for a 1-0 lead.

Two innings later, Jenner stroked a leadoff double to left-centerfield. MICHAEL CASTRO singled Jenner home, then scored himself on the third Bellatti walk and a basehit by Murray.

The back-breaking blow was next. After Mt. Carmel scored an unearned in the 6th to close the gap to 3-2, Jenner opened the floodgates with a shot over the fence in left.

"We needed those clutch runs," added Jenner. "We all came through throughout the lineup."

JORDAN HINDI later added an RBI single, with an error adding a second run on the play for a 6-3 lead. Hindi then scored when ANDREW BELLATTI stroked a 2-run homer to left.

Meanwhile, Ceballos quickly realized Mt. Carmel 's gameplan to beat him, but he was unwilling to participate.

"It seemed they were all hitting the ball the other way," noted Ceballos. "So I tried to bust them in and force them to ground out."

Except for a solo homer by Sundevils first baseman Nick Egan to open the 6th, practically everything off Ceballos was on the ground.

"Not much was working -- just the fastball," noted the pitcher. "I was just throwing 2-seammers when I needed it to get my outs."

Ceballos pitched six full innings, but with his pitch count remaining low, he may be needed for ballgames over the weekend during the double-elimination phase of the CIF tournament.

"I'll be there, I just hope we can sneak up on people," Ceballos added. "But around Grossmont, they're starting to hear our names a lot, so it'll be pretty tough."

Steele Canyon head coach TODD SNYDER was pleased with his team's adjustments both on offense and defense.

"We had to take a different approach because they were pitching around Mark Bellatti, who's been a spark to our offense," said Snyder. "And Alex threw well, even though he couldn't find his offspeed pitch."

Steele Canyon will travel to meet the top-seeded Foothillers on Friday (May 23) at 3:30 p.m.

EL CAPITAN 9, BRAWLEY 8 – El Capitan ’s KORBIN KRUGER began the season with a bang, driving in home runs and extra base hits galore. But then he hit a midseason crisis – few hits, no home runs, no RBI. Not only did that frustrate Kruger, it hurt the Vaqueros.

Kruger proved that he’s back on his game again in Wednesday’s (May 21) opening round of the SDCIF Division III playoffs against visiting Brawley (17-11).

It took little time for Kruger to make an impact against the Wildcats, who left the door open with a 2-out error in the bottom of the 1st inning. He hammered a curveball over the left-center field fence into the student parking lot, staking top-seeded El Capitan to a 3-0 lead.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time after practice, working on my hitting,” Kruger said. “The coaches did a good job of helping me fix a flaw. I wasn’t loading up and bringing my hands back. I was hitting off my front foot too much, and that’s why I was struggling.”

The Vaqueros’ advantage vanished in the 3rd inning as they began a litany of errors that gave Brawley seven unearned runs.

With the score tied 3-3 in the 3rd MILES REAGAN belted a 2-run shot, putting El Capitan back in front.

The Vaqueros appeared to have the game put away in the 5th as CANNON NIKZAD singled in a run and Kruger belted his 7th home run of the season with a man aboard, giving the Vaqueros an 8-3 edge.

Brawley boldly overcame that deficit, thanks to a plateful of errors by the Vaqueros (22-8-1), tying the game 8-8 in the 6th inning.

No question, El Capitan starter MARCO MARISCAL had a right to be bitter. The Dartmouth-bound senior pitcher was burned for seven unearned runs in 5 2/3 innings and left the game with no decision.

JOSH SODEN, who hasn’t pitched for a couple of weeks, came out of the El Capitan bullpen to pick up his 6th win in seven decisions, toiling the final 1 1/3 inning.

The Vaqueros’ tie-breaking run came in the bottom of the 7th inning. Nikzad lined a one-out single to right, and ANTHONY LYBARGER ran for him. After Kruger and KYLE MILLS walked to load the bases, CRAIG LEAVITT ripped a sharp ground ball to shortstop.

Brawley attempted to execute the double play but could get only one out as Lybarger scored the winning run.

Brawley was a tough customer – probably one the Vaqueros did not expect.

With two outs in the 3rd inning Brawley’s Juan Muñoz singled up the middle followed by Dylan Mohamed with a single to left. Adrian Rubio hit a groundball to first to load the bases. What followed next was open to interpretation.

Mariscal picked off Rubio by 15 feet and all players were running off the field when the umpire screamed “Balk!” Instead of the third out, Muñoz scored from third.

El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY hotly disputed the call. Nevermind… the call would stand, and Brawley went on to score two more runs on Josh Steimel’s double.

In the 6th inning El Capitan made two errors and gave up four hits that led to five runs, tying the score at 8-8.

“The first game out of the chute is always the toughest,” said Vickery of the playoffs. “I was very disappointed in our infield defense. It has cost us this year, it’s been our Achilles Heel all year. I was proud of the way we kept the offensive pressure on (Brawley).”

GROSSMONT 13, SAN YSIDRO 0 – For only the second time in 29 games the visiting San Ysidro Cougars suffered a shutout when they engaged the top-seeded Foothillers at Grossmont’s Joe Gizoni Field on Wednesday (May 21) in the opening round of the Division II SDCIF playoffs.

Credit AARON GRIFFIN, with relief help from DONOVAN D’SOUZA, for stringing up the zeroes.

Griffin, a 6-foot-5 junior right-hander, rationed the Cougars to three hits over five innings while striking out seven en route to his 10th win against one loss. His 10 wins is one less than county leader Cole Sulser of Ramona.

“I know it doesn’t look like it when you look at the final score, but it was a close game through the first four innings,” said Foothillers coach ROB PHILLIPS, who hopes to guide Grossmont to a record breaking 4th straight SDCIF Division II championship.

Grossmont (25-6) broke the game open with nine runs in the bottom of the 5th inning. D’Souza picked it up from there, blanking the Cougars on one hit over the final two frames.

BRENNAN GEARY, who has been a late season starters for the Foothillers, hammered a solo home run off the scoreboard to give Grossmont a 4-0 lead in the 4th inning.

DEREK BAUM belted a 2-run double to cap Grossmont’s 9-run 5th.

Nearly lost in the Grossmont offensive outburst was the pitching of Griffin. He retired the first 10 batters he faced, and then found himself in trouble after the Cougars (18-11) loaded the bases with two singles and a hit batter with one out in the 4th inning. Griffin then silenced the threat with a pop-up and a strikeout.

San Ysidro loaded the bases an inning later and still came up empty as Grossmont won it’s 6th straight and 11th in its last 12 starts.

While Phillips was pleased with the convincing victory, his focus rapidly changed to Grossmont South League champion Steele Canyon – the next team scheduled to visit Joe Gizoni Field on Friday (May 23) at 3:30.

“I know they’re in our conference but since we haven’t played them this year I don’t know much about them,” Phillips said. “And that’s scary.”

CHRISTIAN 11, SANTA FE CHRISTIAN 3 – After bouncing off the walls against competition in the premier Eastern League, the Patriots of Christian High have found their comfort zone in the SDCIF Division IV playoffs.

For the second time in two post-season outings the Patriots (20-10) pulverized a Division IV foe on Wednesday (May 21) before a home crowd.

“We swung the bats pretty well today, hit the ball hard,” said Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL.

But not before falling behind visiting Santa Fe Christian 1-0 in the top of the 2nd.

The Patriots’ game was spiked by the longball. ADAM NASH smashed the first of his two home runs with a man aboard in the 2nd inning, giving Christian a lead it would not lose. He added a 3-run homer to anchor a 5-run 3rd inning, propelling Christian into 7-1 lead.

Nash has hit three home runs in his last three games.

So has teammate EDDIE YOUNG, who led off the 3rd frame with a rocket over the right-center field fence.

It wasn’t all about the longball for Christian, however, as SHAUN DAY plated a run with a squeeze bunt in the pivotal 3rd inning.

NIKO KANAKARIS, who has been mired in a lengthy slump, broke loose by going 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI against Santa Fe Christian (13-12).

BRADLEY JOHNSTON was the beneficiary of Christian’s latest offensive assault. The senior right-hander scattered seven hits and allowed only two earned runs in six innings as he posted his 4th win of the season.

Mitchell compared Johnston ’s pitching style to that of Padres soon-to-be Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux.

“Johnston reminds me of a veteran 40-year-old who doesn’t have a lot on the ball, doesn’t throw real hard,” said Mitchell. “But his ball has real good movement and he changes speeds a lot. He’s one of those guys that batters walk back to the dugout muttering ‘He’s got nothing,’ but they do it when they just made an out.”

While pitcher DEAN MILLER did a better than decent job on the mound as he twirled a 6-hitter en route to his 5th complete game, the Eagles (21-9) sputtered offensively.

“It’s not like we didn’t have any chances to score,” Davis said.

Granite Hills left six runners in scoring position, including the potential tying run in the 7th inning of Wednesday’s (May 21) SDCIF Division I playoff opener against visiting La Costa Canyon (20-12).

Perhaps the most bitter of the latest disappointments came in the 7th inning. TYLER PONCIANO led off with a single to right, and one out later Miller drew his second walk. BRIAN HUMPHRIES, who was 2-for-4, including an RBI single in the 5th, could do no more in this at-bat than advance the runners on an infield groundout.

JARED RAPOZA then knocked a groundball back through the middle.

“I really thought that ball was going to make it through and we would tie the game,” Davis said.

That didn’t happen though, as Mavericks freshman shortstop Phillip Evans broke behind second base to cutoff Rapoza’s bid to be a hero and fired to first base to end the game.

“We had too many defensive collapses and it seemed like they made every play,” Davis said.

La Costa Canyon ’s defense denied two other possible scoring chances. The Eagles had Miller at second base with two outs in a scoreless game in the 3rd inning when Rapoza hit a sinking line drive that appeared headed for the right-field corner. However LCC first baseman Brandyn Delgado speared Rapoza’s shot to end the inning.

Mavericks second baseman Garrett Smith took away a hit and an RBI from JARED HUNT when he made a diving stop and throw in the 4th inning.

“That was another ball I thought was through, but the guy made a good play,” Davis said of Smith, the son of Philadelphia Phillies third base coach Steve Smith.

La Costa Canyon bunched four of its six hits into a 3-run 5th inning. The key blow was Delgado’s 2-run double to right center.

“It’s frustrating, but we’ve gotta bounce back,” said Davis. “It’ll be another day at the field on Friday.”

That’s when Granite Hills will host Eastern League tri-champion Patrick Henry at 3:30.

MISSION BAY 8, SANTANA 2 – For a team that relies on its pitching and defense to create a low-scoring game, the Sultans figured to face a mirror image in Wednesday’s (May 21) first round of the Division III SDCIF playoffs.

But by the time the visiting Sultans got used to the cool beach breezes they found themselves down 8-0 after two innings. They never recovered.

“We got off to a bad start,” said Santana skipper JERRY HENSON. “For the first two innings our pitching and defense lost us the ballgame. We just never really got it going today.”

A throwing error by the Sultans handed Mission Bay a 2-0 first inning lead. It got worse in the 2nd frame.

Santana starter JAMES NEEDY – in what had to be his poorest outing of the year – was victimized by shoddy fielding, poor control and clever bunts by the Buccaneers.

Still, Mission Bay (21-10) did not have to do much to blow the game open. Of the Bucs six runs in the 2nd inning, two scored on walks, one on a hit batter, two on an error and another on a groundout.

Needy recorded only three outs as he was stung for seven runs (four of them earned).

By the time 6-foot-6 senior JOSH POND came on in relief the issue had been decided. However, Pond turned in a powerful performance, allowing just one hit and no earned runs during a five inning stint. He struck out three and walked none.

MIKE MANRING pitched a shutout 6th to complete what was a fine relief effort by the Sultans’ bullpen.

Pond did more than pitch, as he pounded a solo home run in the 3rd inning into a strong headwind blowing in from left field to make it 8-1.

“Pond did a great all-around job today,” said Henson.

Third baseman KYLE HAYES, who was 3-for-3 against Mission Bay ace Francisco Valdez (8-4), singled in the Sultans’ final run in the 4th frame.

Shortstop RYAN STUTZ set up Hayes’ RBI when he followed a walk to CHRIS RABICHAUD with a base hit down the third base line.

As poorly as the Sultans (19-12-1), they have to be somewhat relieved that this is a double elimination tournament. In other words, they’ll get another chance when they host St. Augustine at 3:30 on Friday (May 23).

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (5-21-08) — Pitching has not been a problem for the Santana Sultans this season. That proved true again in Tuesday’s (May 20) play-in round of the Division III San Diego CIF playoffs.

BRANDYN BELL and JOSH POND combined to limit visiting University City to six hits and one earned run. Meanwhile the Santana offense reached double scoring digits for only the sixth time in 31 games, rolling to an 11-2 victory.

Santana coach JERRY HENSON has been searching for a leadoff hitter all year. He may have found one in ANTHONY MORENO, who drove in four runs with a double and a single against the Centurions (10-18).

Moreno banged a single up the middle to drive in two runs in the 2nd inning, staking Santana (19-11-1) to a 5-2 lead.

In the 6th inning Moreno put the capper on the Sultans’ playoff plans as he doubled in two runs, stretching Santana’s lead to 10-2.

“It’s all about advancing,” said Henson. “We were able to do that and still got a lot of people in the game.”

HILLTOP 5, VALHALLA 2 – A five-run 5th inning by the visiting Hilltop Lancers in Tuesday’s (May 20) SDCIF Division II play-in round of the playoffs brought a sudden end to the Valhalla Norsemen’s season.

Although Valhalla (21-10) received solid pitching from TREVOR FRANK and JAKE BOEKAMP, they were overmatched by the nifty work of Hilltop’s Dominic Bowen.

“Bowen pitched a good game and kept them in the ballgame,” said Valhalla coach MIKE WILSON.

Bowen struck out 10 and did not allow an earned run in a complete game effort.

Frank rationed the Lancers (16-13) to five hits over six innings and gave up the only earned run of the game.

Valhalla could easily have been shutout had it not been for two 4th inning errors by the Lancers. The Norsemen returned the favor by committing two of their three errors in Hilltop’s only scoring inning.

The difference was provided by Hilltop’s Joey Orozco, who blasted a 3-run double over the left-fielder’s head.

Both teams had six hits, with MATT GONZALES and JOSH AUSTEL garnering two apiece for the Norsemen.

“We had our chances, leaving 11 guys on base, but just couldn't get any timely hits,” Wilson said.

CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC 3, MOUNT MIGUEL 0 – This SDCIF Division III play-in tussle had the ear markings of a notable upset Tuesday (May 20) at Cathedral Catholic.

Prior to the start of the season Cathderal Catholic (23-8) garnered the most first-place votes in the Union-Tribune’s preseason poll. Yet Poway, due to more second and third place votes, gained the nod for the No. 1 ranking. Cathedral settled for No. 2.

Albeit one of the section’s top-hitting units, the Dons have struggled at times. That was evident in the play-in game against the Matadors (11-18) where each team could muster just 2 hits.

Mount Miguel’s 6-foot-6 sophomore right-hander RUDDY ACOSTA, a budding star professional scouts project to be an early pick in the 2010 draft, deserved a better fate. Acosta struck out 6 and walked 3, but each of the Dons’ hits – a triple by Ray Daspit and a single by Ryan Wilkins drove in runs. Three walks did not help Acosta’s cause.

Other factors did support Acosta’s strong-armed effort.

“We played flawless defense,” said Mount Miguel coach BYRON GRIGSBY.

On the offensive end, however, the Matadors, who closed the campaign with eight straight losses, were limited to a double by LUCAS GOLDEN and a single by ERIC POOLE on the arm of Cathedral’s Jake Staton.

“Staton hit four of our guys and we still couldn’t find a way to score,” lamented Grigsby. “We couldn’t capitalize on the breaks.”

CHRISTIAN 22, VISTA-CALVARY CHRISTIAN 5 – Veteran coach MIKE MITCHELL of Christian was almost embarrassed as he reported the demolition of Vista Calvary Christian (15-8) in Tuesday’s (May 20) opening round of the SDCIF Division IV playoffs.

Trailing 2-1, the Patriots (19-10) erupted for 11 runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. And the rout was on.

The Patriots sent 16 batters to the plate in the blowout frame that included a 2-run double by ADAM NASH and 2-run singles by MICHAEL GRUBER and TAYLOR EICHHORST.

EDDIE YOUNG, the Patriots’ stalwart leadoff hitter, was 5-for-5 with 5 RBI, including his 7th home run.

NIKO KANAKARIS launched his 8th home run while finishing 2-for-4 with 4 RBI and three runs scored.

Gruber, who has been struggling at the plate the majority of the season, accounted for six runs as he went 3-for-4.

“This game moves us forward… It was a good chance to get everyone some playing time,” said Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL.

SAN YSIDRO 9, WEST HILLS 6 – Stalked by adversity throughout the second half of the season, host West Hills failed to pass its play-in test in Tuesday’s (May 20) SDCIF Division II playoffs against the Cougars.

San Ysidro (19-10) snapped a 3-3 tie by scoring six runs in the 4th inning to gain a lead it would never lose. A 2-run single by Edwin Salgado and a 2-run triple by Antonio Carrillo were the key blows in the pivotal inning.

The Wolf Pack (13-16) scrambled back for three runs in the 6th inning and should have had more if not for base-running lapses.

TONY SPEARS, who was 3-for-4 with three runs scored, slashed a 2-run single to left field.

“I really thought we were on our way then,” said West Hills coach CHRIS BAUM. “But we made a base-running blunder which led to the first out of the inning at third base.”

That mental error took the wind out of the Pack’s comeback as West Hills scored only one more run in the 6th frame – that coming on a wild pitch.

For one of the few times this season West Hills junior right-hander ROBBY ROBLES was roughed up for eight earned runs in 3 1/3 innings. Reliever BRANDON HAMILTON came on to hold the Cougars scoreless over the final 3 2/3 innings.

“We’re not satisfied that we just got into the playoffs,” Baum said. “We wanted more. But we made too many mental errors.”

As Baum reviewed a rocky season that included a clerical error that led to four forfeit losses as well as a couple of key injuries, he said he had to be satisfied that West Hills finished 17-12 on the field.

“In my seven years of coaching I’ve never felt so close to a team as I did to this one,” he said. “These kids played their hearts out. I just wish we would have had a better ending.”

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (5-17-08) — Seeded first in Division II of the San Diego CIF playoffs that begin with a play-in round on Tuesday (May 20), the Grossmont Foothillers are looking to make history.

Grossmont (24-6), which has claimed the last three SDCIF Division II championships, has its eyes on making it a 4-Peat. If successful in that quest, the Foothillers would be the first team in the SDCIF’s 47-year history to capture four section titles in succession.

Coach ROB PHILLIPS’ Foothillers are 12-0 during those three post-season championship drives. They’ll begin their bid for a 4th title on Wednesday (May 21) when they host the winner of Tuesday’s San Ysidro-at-West Hills play-in game at 3:30 p.m. MORE BELOW BRACKETS

“What happened in the past isn’t going to help us win this year,” he said. “But I like our chances.”

Grossmont closed the regular season with wins in 10 of its last 11 starts to procure its third straight Grossmont North League flag. The Hillers will ride a five-game winning streak into the playoffs.

Nine East County teams earned bids to the playoffs.

El Capitan (21-8-1) grabbed the top seed in Division III, while Granite Hills (21-8) was seeded No. 2 in Division I. Christian (18-10), which clipped Coronado (21-8) in the final game of the regular season 8-6 on the peninsula, is seeded No. 2 behind the Western League co-champion Islanders.

“We got what we deserved,” El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY said of his club’s lofty ranking. “We played an incredibly tough schedule. We were 8-4 against league champions (including state powers from Arizona, Colorado and Utah).”

Grossmont South League champion Steele Canyon (17-9), which has never been seeded in the playoffs, earned the No. 4 slot in Division II. The Cougars thus skip the play-in round and begin the 8-team double-elimination tournament on Wednesday by hosting the Mt. Carmel-at-Mission Hills winner.

In Tuesday’s play-in round, Mount Miguel (11-17) and sophomore pitching sensation RUDDY ACOSTA travel to Cathedral Catholic (22-8) in what could result in a major upset in Division III; Santana (18-11-1) hosts University City (10-17) in another Division III encounter; Valhalla (21-9) hosts Hilltop (15-13) while West Hills (13-15) entertains San Ysidro (18-10-1) in Division II; and Christian welcomes Vista Calvary Christian (15-7).

All play-in and first round games begin at 3:30 p.m.