© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (6-8-08) – Long-time Christian High head coach ROMA DAWSON thought her tenure with the Patriots ended last summer, but circumstances forced her to return for a 22nd season. This time, the move looks permanent after the school named travel ball coach GEORGE GENTRY to head the program in 2009.

"I was shocked when I was first asked about it," said Gentry, who has 11 years of experience with area club teams. "Now, I’m pretty excited about it, although they're some tough shoes to fill.”

Gentry has spent the past two seasons as a Patriots assistant, noting he's expanded in his knowledge of the softball under Dawson.

"I've learned a different way to play the game," he added. "Roma plays a lot more small ball than I'm used to, but I also learned how to get different skills out of the girls."

Fortunately, Dawson plans to remain in the area upon her retirement, "so she'll still be around if I need some help or advice," Gentry added.

Christian loses only two seniors from a ballclub which finished in the middle of the standings in the powerful Eastern League.

"Most of our girls were young, and with three pitchers coming back, we should be strong for the next few years, especially after finishing so strong this past season."

Note -- Dawson's daughter, Sarah Dawson, a former CIF player of the year, is head coach at Louisiana Tech, which recently competed in the NCAA Division I playoffs after capturing the Western Athletic Conference crown after upsetting 17th-ranked Nevada. It was the Lady Techster's ninth playoff appearance since 1995.

2008 ALL-SAN DIEGO SECTION TEAM (Selected by the media through the San Diego Hall of Champions) FIRST TEAM Pitchers – Lisa Akamine, Escondido, Sr.; Jessica McDermott, Mt.Carmel, Sr.; Lorena Klopp, Steele Canyon, So.; Courtney Craig, El Camino, Sr.; Rachel Brown, Scripps Ranch, Sr.; Jenny Lahitte, Granite Hills, So.; Britty Balough, Santana, Sr.; Terese Diaz, Helix, Sr. Catchers – Chelsea Troupe, El Camino, Sr.; Taylor Hensley, Patrick Henry, Sr. Infielders – Trina Harrison, Oceanside, Sr.; Kellie Fox, Mt.Carmel, So.; Alyssa Dronenburg, Helix, Sr.; Ashley Lane, Escondido, Jr. Designated hitter – Laura Winter, Rancho Bernardo, So. Player of the Year – Lisa Akamine, Escondido Coach of the Year – Erin Coyne, Granite Hills SECOND TEAM Pitchers – Ciera Ashman, Patrick Henry, Sr.; Michelle McEachron, La Costa Canyon, Jr. Catchers – Justine Maeva, Mira Mesa, Sr.; ;Jessica Vasser, Mt.Carmel, Sr.; Lauren Gellerman, Westview, Jr. Infielders – Kelly Flanagan, University City, Sr.; Rachel Failla, Santana, Sr.; Jessie Owens, Santana, Jr.; Jazmin Daigle, Steele Canyon, Jr.; Vanessa Perez, Mission Hills, Sr.; Felicia Reifschneider, Morse, Sr.; Sharla Kliebstein, El Camino, So.; Brittani Bertussi, Granite Hills, Sr.; Jerrin Faausa, El Camino, Jr. Outfielders –Amanda Carpenter, Santana, Jr.

STATE RANKINGS - May 28th (Compiled by CalHiSports.com) ALL DIVISIONS -- STATE 7. Mt. Carmel 11. Escondido 18. Santana ALL DIVISIONS -- SO. CALIF. 6. Mt. Carmel 7. Escondido 11. Santana 14. Granite Hills 15. El Camino DIVISION I 7. El Camino 9. Escondido DIVISION II 1. Mt. Carmel 7. Scripps Ranch Others: Steele Canyon DIVISION III 2. Santana Others: Brawley DIVISION IV 7. Francis Parker Others: Horizon, The Bishop's DIVISION V Others: San Diego Jewish Academy NATIONAL RANKINGS -- FINAL By Student Sports magazine 27. Mt. Carmel 30 43. Escondido 3

ALL-CIF TEAMS BY DIVISION (Selected by Coaches)

DIVISION I Player of Year – Alyssa Dronenburg, Helix. Pitcher of Year – Lisa Akamine, Escondido). First team – Lisa Akamine, Escondido, Sr.; Ashley Lane, Escondido, Jr.; Alyssa Dronenburg, Helix, Sr.; Terese Diaz, Helix, Sr.; Cierra Ashman, Patrick Henry, Sr.; Courtney Craig, El Camino, Sr.; Chelsea Troup, El Camino, Sr.; Jenny Lahitte, Granite Hills, So.; Taylor Hensley, Patrick Henry, Sr.; Alex Bitsimis, Poway, Sr. Second team – Felicia Reifschneider, Morse, Sr.; Michelle McEachren, La Costa Canyon, Jr.; Justeen Maeva, Mira Mesa, Sr.; Tina Galinato, Mira Mesa, Sr.; Monica Villarreal, Carlsbad, Jr.; Erin Doyle, Torrey Pines, Sr.; Laura Winter, Rancho Bernardo, So.; Jessica Schatz, Granite Hills, Sr.; Lauren Mario, Rancho Bernardo, So.; Lauren Carlson, Bonita Vista, Sr.

DIVISION II Player of Year – Trina Harrison-Doublet, Oceanside. Pitcher of Year – Rachel Brown, Scripps Ranch. First team – Rachel Brown, Scripps Ranch, Sr.; Lauren Gellerman, Westview, Jr.; Jessica McDermott, Mt. Carmel, Sr.; Jessica Vasser, Mt. Carmel, Sr.; Lorena Klopp, Steele Canyon, Sr.; Maggie Sevilla, Scripps Ranch, Fr.; Jasmine Daigle, Steele Canyon, Jr.; Amanda Ziegler, Westview, Sr.; Vanessa Perez, Mission Hills, Sr.; Trina Harrison-Doublet, Oceanside, Sr. Second team – Kelley Seitz, Valhalla, Sr.; Cassidy Raggett, West Hills, Sr.; Ashley Renaldi, Grossmont, Sr.; Kristi Valles, West Hills, Sr.; Megan Lerno, EC Southwest, Fr.; Adrianna Nau, Grossmont, Sr.; Jamie Jarvis, Steele Canyon, Sr.; Christian Datko, Scripps Ranch, Sr.; Alicia Ingram, Ramona, Sr.; Jordan Rhudy, Hilltop, So.

DIVISION III Player of Year – Rachel Failla, Santana. Pitcher of Year – Britty Balough, Santana. First team – Samantha Avi'i, Mar Vista, Jr.; Britty Balough, Santana, Sr.; Amanda Carpenter, Santana, Jr.; Cammi Corriea, Brawley, Sr.; Rachel Failla, Santana, Sr.; Brittany Fenn, Santana, Sr.; Kelly Flanagan, University City, Sr.; Kelsey McIlonie, Santana, Sr.; Jessica Owens, Santana, Jr.; Lauren Walsh, Cathedral, Jr. Second team – Brenda Alvarez, Montgomery, Fr.; Kaira Boccia, Cathedral, Jr.; Aliko Eddow, Cathedral, Sr.; Natalie Frias, Our Lady of Peace, Sr.; Myshayla Fryer, University City, So.; Jenna Howell, Mar Vista, So.; Trisha Kanie, Clairemont, Jr.; Laura Nelson, Mount Miguel, Jr..; Ashley Rodriguez, Clairemont, So.; Stephanie Wood, University City, So.

DIVISION IV Player of Year – Kelly Majam. Mountain Empire. Pitcher of Year – Amye McIntyre, Francis Parker. First team – Samantha Berenter, La Jolla Country Day, Sr.; Cassidy Coleman, Horizon, So.; Mandy Hoskins, Horizon, Sr.; Demi Johnson, Holtville, So.; Amanda Plum, Christian, Sr.; Amye McIntyre, Francis Parker, Jr.; Kierstie Svatos, Francis Parker, Jr.; Austin Sanders, Francis Parker, So.; Kelly Majam, Mountain Empire, Sr.; Wendy Tamayo, Mater Dei, So. Second team – Lauren Tomey, Francis Parker, Jr.; Devyn Lambell, Francis Parker, Jr.; Rachel Ortiz, Horizon, Sr.; Nicole Sikes, Horizon, Jr.; Mari Majam, Mountain Empire, So.; Allie Scott, Christian, So.; Natalie Camarda, The Bishop's; Jr.; Michelle Brunker, The Bishop's, Sr.; Kara Cartwright, Christian, Jr.; Alyssa Nisperos, Imperial, So.

Lahitte, Dronenburg, tabbed East County's best

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (6-5-08) – The change which propelled Granite Hills High to its first-ever SDCIF championship also gave promoted pitcher JENNY LAHITTE the edge in a close decision as Pitcher of the Year on the All-East County Sports.com fastpitch team for the 2008 season.

Lahitte (15-2) started her big second-half run by tossing a no-hitter against Helix on the final day of the Falcon Fiesta, then she defeated Santana in the Grossmont Conference Tournament finale. And when Eagles head coach ERIN COYNE gave Lahitte the ball as the ballclub's No. 1 pitcher over the final weeks of the season, the sophomore whipped past a trio of Top 10 ranked teams – Rancho Bernardo, Helix and La Costa Canyon – to capture the San Diego Section championship.

Lahitte nosed out Steele Canyon's LORENA KLOPP and Santana's BRITTY BALOUGH for the award, despite the others capturing league crowns and winning pitcher of the year honors, as voted by league coaches. The selection by East County Sports.com is based on the entire season, not just league contests.

Meanwhile, ALYSSA DRONENBURG was a runaway choice for Player of the Year laurels. The Helix High third baseman led East County in batting with an even .500 average, while ranking among the leaders in power categories. The senior's 8th and final home run of the season allowed the Highlanders to upset top-ranked Escondido in the Division I quarterfinals for the only loss of the season by the Cougars.

The Rookie of the Year went to AMANDA GRABLE of Santana. The first baseman's defense was equal to anyone, while she posted the top batting average of the first-year starters in all three leagues covered.

The Unsung Hero Award was shared by Mount Miguel pitcher LAURA NELSON and Valhalla shortstop AMBER REARDON. Nelson pitched virtually every inning in every Matadors ballgame all season, leading the team to their best record since 2004. Meanwhile, Reardon overcame a disappointing season with the bat by coming through in countless clutch situations, registering the game-winning hit or scoring the deciding run in half of Valhalla 's 16 victories.

Coach of the Year honors was shared by Coyne and Santana's MIKE BASS, after both captured their first CIF section championships.

Notes – Santana centerfielder AMANDA CARPENTER equaled the CIF non-Division IV record by scoring 53 times, which was first set by All-America LISA DODD of University City. Carpenter also registered 94 total bases, the region's third-best mark behind the 101 set by Steele Canyon's Klopp last season as a freshman. . . Helix pitcher TERESE DIAZ eclipsed the Grossmont Conference record for strikeouts in a season with 283, snapping the mark of Steele Canyon's SAM BEASLEY (now playing for San Diego State).

ALL-GROSSMONT SOUTH LEAGUE TEAM (Selected by League Coaches) FIRST TEAM Player School Pos. Yr Jazmin Daigle Steele Canyon 3B-1B 11 Terese Diaz Helix P 12 Alyssa Dronenburg Helix 3B 12 Jayme Jarvis Steele Canyon LF 12 Lorena Klopp Steele Canyon P-1B 10 Jenny Lahitte Granite Hills P 10 Laura Nelson Mount Miguel P 11 Jesika Perea Monte Vista C 11 Jessie Schatz Granite Hills C 12 Kelley Seitz Valhalla C 12 SECOND TEAM Player School Pos. Yr Vanessa Adame Steele Canyon OF 12 Megan Belio Granite Hills CF 11 Brittani Bertussi Granite Hills SS-P 11 Irene Blumenstock Steele Canyon 2B-P 10 Alyssa Britschgi Helix 1B 12 Whitney Mullins Monte Vista P 12 Sonia Ray Mount Miguel C 10 Torrey Rook Valhalla P 9 Natalie Smith Helix RF-P 11 Angela Uy Valhalla P 11 Pitcher of the Year Lorena Klopp, Steele Canyon Player of the Year Alyssa Dronenburg, Helix Honorable Mention Steele Canyon: Michelle Beasley (9), Gabrielle Beasley (9), Kelly Cash (10), Nicole Randel (10); Granite Hills: Amanda Omahen (12), Kylee Wilson (12); Helix: Shaley Madruga (10), Andy Martin Del Campo (12); Valhalla: Kyla Bransford (12), Amber Reardon (12), Jodie Schmehr (12); Mount Miguel: Leona Reyna (12), Gabby Waidas (11); Monte Vista: Lydia Veniegas (12), Brittany Wright (10).

ALL-GROSSMONT NORTH LEAGUE TEAM (Selected by League Coaches) FIRST TEAM Player School Pos. Yr Cassidy Baggett West Hills 1B 12 Britty Balough Santana P 12 Amanda Carpenter Santana CF 11 Rachel Failla Santana SS 12 Brittany Fenn Santana C 12 Kelsey McIlonie Santana 3B 12 Adrianna Nau Grossmont 1B-OF 12 Jessie Owens Santana 2B-P 11 Ashley Renaldi Grossmont P 12 Kristy Valles West Hills P 12 SECOND TEAM Player School Pos. Yr Brianna Austin West Hills SS 10 Michelle Bramlage Santana DP 12 Katherine Brown El Capitan C 10 Brittany Fishtrom Grossmont P 12 Amanda Grable Santana 1B 10 Madi Hill Grossmont C 11 Micherie Koria West Hills C 10 Faith Koria West Hills RF 10 Leslie Kuhne El Capitan 3B 11 Corey Rainey ECVHS SS 12 Pitcher of the Year Britty Balough, Santana Player of the Year Rachel Failla, Santana Honorable Mention Santana: Amber Beebe (12), Charisse Grennan (12), Cara Carillo (10); Grossmont: Hannah Escalante (12), Katharine Miranda (11), Kaitlyn Nicks (9), Desiree Olson (10); West Hills: Alex Miller (10), Michelle Thille (10); El Capitan: Julianna Duncan (12), Karina Hale (12), Alyssa Wyckoff (10); El Cajon Valley: Deena Ford (9), Desiree Garcia (11), Chelsea Wilson (11).

ALL-EASTERN LEAGUE TEAM (Selected by League Coaches) FIRST TEAM Player School Yr Ciera Ashman Patrick Henry 12 Rachel Brown Scripps Ranch 12 Kayla Calabrese Morse 12 Christina Datko Scripps Ranch 12 Tina Galinato Mira Mesa 12 Taylor Hensley Patrick Henry 12 Justeen Maeva Mira Mesa 12 Isela Mohr Serra 12 Felicia Reifschneider Morse 12 Maggie Sevilla Scripps Ranch 9 SECOND TEAM Player School Yr Kara Cartwright Christian 11 Andrea Earle Scripps Ranch 10 Melanie Goff Mira Mesa 12 Lauren Harper Patrick Henry 11 Corinna Lopez Scripps Ranch 10 Amanda Plum Christian 12 Tori Schaefer Patrick Henry 12 Allie Scott Christian 10 Shannon Tillett Mira Mesa 12 Anne Vincelett Patrick Henry 12 Pitcher of the Year Rachel Brown, Scripps Ranch Athlete of the Year Ciera Ashman, Patrick Henry

© East County Sports.com
POWAY – Granite Hills and Santana high schools claimed half of the four CIF-San Diego Section fastpitch championships Saturday (May 24). The fourth-seeded Eagles upset No. 3 La Costa Canyon, 7-1, for the school's first-ever Division I crown. Meanwhile, the top-seeded Sultans seized their second Division III title in four seasons, whipping upstart Brawley, 11-1, outscoring their three postseason opponents by a 45-2 count.
FULL STORIES BELOW TEAM PICTURES.

(Photo Courtesy of Susan Cooper Photography)

Granite Hills' Brittani Bertussi slaps an infield single in the 1st inning during the Eagles' 7-1 pasting of La Costa Canyon for the CIF title. (Photo by Susan Cooper Photography) Eagles finally inhale CIF success © East County Sports.com POWAY (5-25-08) – The 2007 fastpitch season at Granite Hills High was typical compared to seasons past: a strong program with little major recognition or postseason success. The Eagles were among a group rated behind top-ranked Escondido all season, and they again played second-fiddle in the shadow of Grossmont South League champion Steele Canyon. However, to spin an old cliché, these are not your mother's Granite Hills Eagles. Finding playoff success missing in past campaigns, Granite Hills stepped forward to sweep three consecutive postseason ballgames, capped by Saturday's (May 24) spanking of La Costa Canyon, 7-1, to claim the CIF-San Diego Section Division I championship at Sportsplex USA – the school's first-ever section crown. "This is the first time in Granite Hills history we've ever won CIF," exclaimed Eagles catch JESSIE SCHATZ. "I could not be prouder for my team. This was a great season." The evolution of the Eagles started from the top, when head coach ERIN COYNE trusted that the development of sophomore pitcher JENNY LAHITTE was solid enough to allow BRITTANI BERTUSSI to leave the circle and re-anchor the defense at shortstop. "I'm lucky I had a great group of girls who got the job done," said Coyne. "I think we were taken for granted and I think it benefited us. Every good win we had, people took it away and said this or that, but we outright went and did the job and got it done." "This is what everyone worked for, whether we won league or not, we won our ultimate goal." Lahitte posted a perfect 6-0 record in May, including all three playoff victories, posting an even 1.00 earned-run average in allowing just eight basehits in 21 innings. Included were a pair of 3-hitters, then spinning a 2-hitter to unsaddle the Mavericks. "We knew La Costa already has won a few championships, and we knew they were favored because they were seeded above us," noted Lahitte. "We wanted to prove everyone wrong and that an East County team can beat La Costa Canyon." Lahitte dominated with seven strikeouts, setting the Mavericks down in order in five of the seven innings, allowing just four baserunners all contest. Meanwhile, the Eagles collected 11 hits, knocking the LCC starting pitcher out of the ballgame in the 5th inning, when Granite Hills scored five times to break a 1-1 deadlock. "It's pretty crazy winning the first title in Granite Hills history," added Lahitte. "Everyone hit so well today – it was unbelievable." Leading the hit parade was junior designated player JILL SCIARRA, who went 3-for-4, including a 2-run double during the game-winning rally. "Everyone contributed, I think we were all ready to go, then we killed them out there," Sciarra declared. "We're just really happy about winning the actual goal we worked for all year. We talked about it a lot – and it feels good." Left-fielder KYLEE WILSON, who had been slumping with the bat all postseason, delivered a pair of blows to drive in runs. Following Sciarra's ground-rule double, Wilson drove her in with a basehit. Wilson later added an insurance marker in the 7th with a ground ball that allowed freshman pinchrunner SAVANNAH BROOKS to come home from third base. "Our coaches told us to come here and kick butt – we didn't want it to be a close game, we wanted to win, win win," noted Wilson. "And we knew if we wanted to go out with a bang, we needed to win CIF." "And look at us now – CIF champions!" Lahitte then took over down the stretch, retiring the five Mavericks with a slight change in pitching strategy. "We really relied on the drop ball and got a bunch of ground balls," added Schatz. "And we had confidence in our defense – they win games." "Then before the last inning, I went out to my girls at the circle and I said, 'Listen ladies, I am so proud of every single one of you. Now let's do this – let's make history.'" The Eagles defense responded with a near-perfect performance. Meanwhile, La Costa Canyon booted the ball five times. "Definitely, it's a whole different feeling from being a player to being a coach," added Coyne. "I have 14 girls to worry about, so I get more nervous before every game now than I ever did as a player." DIVISION I EAGLES 7, MAVERICKS 1 Granite Hills La Costa Canyon ab r h bi ab r h bi Belio cf Bertussi ss Schatz c Lahitte p Brooks pr Omahen 3b Sciarra dp Kurtz pr Wilson lf Zetsch rf Lovelady 2b Conway 1b 3 1 2 0 4 1 2 0 2 0 0 1 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 4 1 2 1 4 0 3 2 0 1 0 0 4 1 1 2 4 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   Cooley cf Capetz 2b Connors 3b Magliozzi c Lunn 1b Kunin dp Davis lf Black ss May rf 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 Totals