A 14th round selection of the Florida Marlins
and the 428th player drafted overall last month,
the 6-foot, 190-pound Stonecipher is batting
.257 with four doubles for the Class A Jamestown
Jammers of the short season New York-Penn League.
Stonecipher tied for the state title with 17
homers for the Griffins last season.
Sequoyah is giant among ballplayers Home run king named to All-America team
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound graduate of Mission Bay High
tied for the state home run title with Ohlone College’s
Jeff Johnson and Santa Ana College’s Jake Eccles
at 17 apiece.
Stonecipher batted .340 (55 for 159) for the 27-15
Griffins, who finished second in the Pacific Coast
Conference and advanced to the SoCal playoffs.
Although Stonecipher, who stole 25 bases and drove
in 44 runs while scoring 59, is a major college prospect,
most believe his future will be in professional baseball.
Those close to next month’s draft (June 9-11)
believe Stonecipher may even sign with the Florida
Marlins before his name is called in the draft.
Sat.,
May 9
State Playoffs
Southland Regionals
VIKINGS 10, GRIFFINS 8 (10 inn.)
(LBCC wins series 2-0)
Long Beach
(29-16)
ab r h bi
Schultz cf
Iribe ss
Costin 2b
Keener c
Guite rf
Loard dh
Roberts pr
Buchheim 1b
Hernandez 3b
Homstad lf
JSmith ph
Jefferson pr-lf
Long Beach
Golding
Mitrosilis W,6-5 Grossmont Anderson
Labarra
Bellatti L,1-1
Hamels
ip
7.1
2.2
8.0
0.1
0.2
1.0
h
7
4
8
1
1
0
r
6
2
6
2
2
0
er
2
1
4
1
1
0
bb
0
2
1
1
0
0
k
3
5
5
1
0
1
Anderson faced 2 batters in the 9th.
Bellatti faced 2 batters in the 10th.
HBP-by Anderson (Guite). PB-Keener. BK-Anderson
2, Labarre 2.
T-2:50. A-300.
Griffins' season ends
in extra-inning setback Long Beach sweeps regional series
Although the Griffins (27-15) scrambled back from
deficits of 4-1 and 8-7, their bullpen and defense
crumbled, helping Long Beach claim a 10-8 victory
in 10 innings. The victory vaults the Vikings (29-16)
into the Super Regional May 16-17 at a site to be
determined.
If they awarded a most valuable player in this brief
SoCal opening round series, Silvett, a sophomore out
of Torrey Pines High, would have to be considered.
In the two games, he was 8-for-9 with three home runs,
five RBI and five runs scored. Two of Silvett’s
home runs came on Saturday, including a solo shot
that gave Grossmont a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning.
Silvett finished with 11 home runs and 59 RBI for
the Griffins, who saw their season come to an end.
Long Beach overcame five errors which led to five
unearned runs to take the three-game series 2-0.
LBCC starting pitcher Blake Golding was on cruise
control for more than half the game. Golding faced
the minimum amount of batters (15) over a five-inning
stretch and at one point retired 11 batters in a row.
The Vikings appeared to be on their way to the easy
win until a disastrous 7th inning. Long Beach committed
four errors and Grossmont took advantage. A two-run
double by designated hitter Placone and a two-run
single by first baseman KEVIN TENNY put Grossmont
ahead 5-4.
Grossmont plated two more runs in the bottom of the
8th. Silvett launched his second homerun of the day
and Placone singled in third baseman ADAM ASPAAS to
give the Griffins a comfortable 7-4 lead.
Grossmont right-hander ZACH ANDERSON was three outs
away from a complete game, but seemed to tire in the
9th. The Griffins might have escaped even at 7-7,
but a two-out throwing error handed LBCC the go-ahead
run.
But the Griffins didn’t quit. A two-out, two-base
throwing error left the door open in the bottom of
the 9th (Grossmont was designated as the home team).
And Grossmont’s hottest hitter, Silvett, made
it costly. He lined a single down the right-field
line to tie up the game.
LBCC put the game out of reach in the top of the
10th. Jonathan Keener opened the rally after reaching
base on another Grossmont error. Randy Guite followed
with a sacrifice bunt attempt. But pitcher MARK BELLATTI’s
throw to second trying to nail Keener was too late.
After Kenner and Guite stole third and second, Brian
Loard hit a fielder’s choice grounder to first.
The throw home to get Keener was too late allowing
the go-ahead run to score. Cory Buchheim smoked an
RBI single to left for an insurance to give Long Beach
the 10-8 lead.
Sat., May 9
Southland Regionals (Best of 3)
Long Beach 10, Grossmont 8 (10 inn.) (Vikings
win series 2-0)
Palomar 5, Citrus 2 (Comets win series 2-0)
Santa Ana 12, Southwestern 2 (Dons win series 2-0)
Orange Coast 1, Ventura 0 (Pirates win series 2-0)
Mt. San Antonio 5, Cuesta 1 (series tied 1-1)
Mt. San Antonio 11, Cuetsa 6 (Mounties win series 2-1)
Cypress 11, Allan Hancock 3 (Chargers win series 2-0)
Cerritos 8, Mt. San Jacinto 7 (series tied 1-1)
Mt. San Jacinto 12, Cerritos 10 (Eagles win series 2-1)
College of the Canyons 12, Saddleback 6 (series tied
1-1)
Saddleback 6, College of the Canyons 4 (Gauchos win
series 2-1)
Fri.-Sun., May 15-17
Southland Super Regionals (Double elimination)
Friday's First Round (tentative) At Palomar
Mt. San Antonio at Palomar, noon
Santa Ana vs. Long Beach, to follow At Orange Coast
Saddleback at Orange Coast, noon
Cypress vs. Mt. San Jacinto, to follow
Grossmont's Kevin Silvett
with the slide, scoring on a 2-run basehit
by Ryan Hulbert in the 8th inning. Silvett also
homered in the 1st,
but host Long Beach City College captured the
playoff opener, 6-4. (Photo by Mike Jones)
Fri.,
May 8
State Playoffs
Southland Regionals
VIKINGS 6, GRIFFINS 4
(LBCC leads series 1-0)
Grossmont (26-14)
ab r h bi
Sarno ss
Stonecipher cf
Silvett c
Hulbert rf
Placone dh
Tenny 1b
Aspaas 3b
Means lf
McClelln ph-lf
Aguirre ph-lf
It was only three years ago when the Griffins lost
their opening game of the SoCal Regionals to host
Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo. Grossmont rebounded
from that setback to sweep Cuesta 6-3 and 8-2 a day
later to win the best-of-three series.
This is not quite déjà vu unless the
Griffins (27-14) can whip the Vikings twice on Saturday
(May 9) beginning at 11 a.m. If Grossmont wins that
one, the teams will meet in the rubber match 30 minutes
following the last out in game two of the series.
In the opener, Grossmont had a promising start as
center fielder SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER drew a one-out
walk in the 1st inning. Catcher KEVIN SILVETT followed
with his 9th home run of the season, staking the Griffins
to a 2-0 lead.
“They were pitching around Stonecipher all day,”
Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “But Silvett
is swinging it as well as he has at any point of the
season.”
Silvett, in fact, was 4-for-4 against LBCC pitcher
Matt Johnson (5-1), who rationed the remainder of
the Griffins to five hits between them.
Grossmont sophomore right-hander TODD JONES (7-2)
was the hard-luck loser as he was tagged for nine
hits but only one earned run in a complete-game effort.
The Vikings took the lead for keeps in the bottom
of the 1st. Michael Schultz led off with a double
down the left-field line and Hector Iribe was hit
by a pitch. Trevor Costin followed that with a grounder
to short that appeared to be an easy double play opportunity,
but Grossmont’s BRIAN SAGUN booted the ball to
load the bases.
Jones nearly pulled off a great escape, retiring
the next two LBCC hitters on a foul out and a strikeout.
However, he was unable to get to Vikings’ designated
hitter Brian Loard, who smacked a 2-2 pitch to left
for a double that cleared the bases, giving LBCC a
3-2 lead.
The Vikings (28-13) added three more key runs in
the bottom of the fifth.
Grossmont, which saw its six-game winning streak
end, made one last charge on RYAN HULBERT’s two-run
single in the 8th.
Fri., May 8
Southland Regionals (Best of 3)
Long Beach 6, Grossmont 4 (Vikings lead series
1-0)
Palomar 10, Citrus 2 (Comets lead series 1-0)
Santa Ana 5, Southwestern 4 (Dons lead series 1-0)
They include pitcher TODD JONES (Christian High),
catcher KEVIN SILVETT (Torry Pines), shortstop BRIAN
SAGUN (Mission Bay) and outfielder SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER
(Mission Bay), whose 17 homers tied for the state
regular-season home run title.
Infielder BEN SARNO (University City), pitcher ZACH
ANDERSON – a 10-game winner, outfielder RYAN
HULBERT (Helix) and first baseman KEVIN TENNY (Patrick
Henry) received Honorable Mention recognition.
Other East County players named to the team include
San Diego Mesa catcher ZACH TANIDA (Helix), San Diego
City infielder LOUIE CAZARES (Granite Hills) and Southwestern
outfielders AREN DODD-WADDINGTON (Helix) and TRAVIS
TAIJERON (Granite Hills).
The PCC Player of the Year honors went to Palomar
infielder Tyler Saladino (University City).
Palomar coach Buck Taylor, who led the Comets to
the PCC title, was named Coach of the Year.
2009 All-Pacific Coast
Conference Baseball Team
Player of the Year – Tyler Saladino,
Palomar Coach of the Year – Buck Taylor,
Palomar
FIRST TEAM Pitchers – Todd Jones, Grossmont;
Bobby Shore, Palomar; Sam Jew, Palomar; Relief
Pitcher – Casey Edelbrock, Palomar. Catchers – Zach Tanida, San Diego
Mesa; Kevin Silvett, Grossmont. First Base – Alfonso Casillas, Palomar;
Edgar Molina, Southwestern. Infield – Tyler Saladino, Palomar;
Terrence Buchanan, Palomar; Matt Hubbard, Palomar;
Brian Sagun, Grossmont; Louie Cazares,
San Diego City; Nick Parisi, San Diego City. Outfield – Sequoyah Stonecipher,
Grossmont; Aren Dodd-Waddington, Southwestern;
Matt Carvutto, Palomar; Brenden Webb, Palomar;
Anthony Lopez, San Diego Mesa; Tyler Bryan,
San Diego Mesa; Clifford Benson, Imperial Valley. Designated Hitter – Ryan Fariss,
Southwestern.
HONORABLE MENTION Palomar – DH/1B Leland Sisco, INF
Mitch Ferguson, OF Victor Martinez, C B.K. Santy,
P Aaron Edwards, P Travis Strong, P Sean Sanford,
P Matt Strom. Grossmont – INF Ben
Sarno, P Zach Anderson, OF Ryan Hulbert, INF
Kevin Tenny. Southwestern – C Taylor
Comford, P Lucas Sanford, OF Travis Taijeron
DH Tim Leary, INF Juan Moriel. San Diego
Mesa – P Allen Townsend, P Blake Gallacher.
San Diego City – OF Hilario Garcia,
OF Kevin Santos, P Mike Scaramella, C Alex Cann.
Imperial Valley – OF Gabriel Item,
INF Edgar Borquez, P Manuel De La Cruz.
SOUTHLAND PLAYOFFS
First Round (Best of 3 series)
Fri.-Sat., May 8-9
No. 10 Grossmont at No. 7 Long Beach
No. 12 Southwestern at No. 5 Santa Ana
No. 17 Citrus at No. 1 Palomar
Friday at 3 p.m.; Saturday at 11 a.m.(third
game to follow, if necessary)
PAIRINGS: HERE
The Griffins (27-13), who finished second in the
Pacific Coast Conference, are seeded No. 10. The Vikings
(27-15) are the No. 6 seed in the best-of-three series
that begins Friday (May 8) at 3 p.m. The teams will
meet in game two at 11 a.m. (originally scheduled
for noon) on Saturday (May 9). If the teams split,
a third game will be played on Saturday 30 minutes
following the conclusion of game two.
“Long Beach has a big ballpark,” Grossmont
coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “I don’t expect
to see the balls flying out of there.”
Perfect example of the difference between the two
teams is LBCC totaled 17 home runs in 42 games. Grossmont
sophomore SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER hit 17 by himself to
share the regular season state championship with Santa
Ana’s Jake Eccles.
Grossmont has won its last six games.
Long Beach City College won the South Coast Conference
title for the second time in four years. The Vikings
were state champions in 2006.
Grossmont right-fielder Ryan
Hulbert races
toward the corner to make the catch. (Photo by Mike Jones)
Grossmont (27-13, 18-7) finished the PCC campaign
with a rush – winning its final six starts, including
the last two over champion Palomar (32-11-1, 19-6
PCC).
Despite the strong finish, the Griffins fell a game
short of catching the Comets and had to settle for
second place.
To add to their frustration, the Griffins won the
annual five-game series over the Comets, 3-2, capturing
the rubber match in Thursday’s (Apr. 30) regular
season finale 8-7 at Noel Mickelsen Field.
However, both teams will advance to the best-of-three
first round series of the SoCal Playoffs which begin
Saturday (May 9) at sites yet to be determined. Palomar
is a lock to open the postseason at home. Grossmont
isn’t guaranteed that luxury.
Playoff pairings will be announced on Sunday (May
3).
Meanwhile, it was an exciting conclusion to the conference
campaign. The Griffins pulled out a victory in the
see-saw battle by scoring two runs in the bottom of
the 9th.
KEVIN TENNY provided the spark in the winning rally
with a one-out single and ANTHONY VROLIJK ran for
him. ADAM ASPAAS, who was 3-for-4, drew a walk. BRIAN
SAGUN came up with a key hit, slashing an RBI single
to left field with two outs to tie the score at 7-7.
Palomar intentionally walked SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER
to get to KEVIN SILVETT with the bases loaded.
The strategy backfired as Silvett singled up the
middle scoring Aspaas with the winning run.
“That was a big one to win,” Abshier said.
“But they’re only going to get bigger from
here on out.”
Neither Stonecipher nor Santa Ana ’s Jake Eccles
hit a home run on Thursday, thus they remain tied
for the state lead at 17 apiece.
Eccles and the Dons close the regular season at Cypress
on Friday (May 1). Eccles will have played four more
games than Stonecipher at season’s end.
However, both players will have more opportunities
in the playoffs to break the tie. All statistics in
the postseason are included in the official season
totals.
Renteria lf
Ring ph
Hubbard 3b
Alnas pr
Schrimpf 3b
Saladino ss
Buchanan ss
Cassilas 1b
Webb cf
Carvutto rf
Smith rf
Frankfurth dh
Sisco ph
Tonks c
Santy c
Baumann c
Ferguson c
Stonecipher, who shares the state home run lead with
Santa Ana’s Jake Eccles, gave Grossmont (26-13,
17-7 PCC) a 5-3 advantage on a solo shot leading off
the 9th inning. KEVIN SILVETT followed with his 8th
home run, giving Grossmont the winning margin.
“We’re just trying to finish the conference
season out,” Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER understated.
His Griffins are ranked No. 8 in the Southern California
Community College RPI (Rating Percentage Index) standings,
which determines strength of schedule and weighs heavily
upon which clubs get home games in the playoffs.
As it stands now, Grossmont would host a first round
best-of-three series on May 9-10.
Palomar (32-10-1, 19-5), which is No. 1 in the SoCal
RPI rankings, is guaranteed to host series in the
first two rounds of the playoffs.
Even if the Comets should lose to Grossmont in Thursday’s
(Apr. 30) regular season finale at Noel Mickelsen
Field at 2 p.m., it’s unlikely that Palomar would
relinquish its top-seeding.
Unlike Stonecipher, who has one final joust with
Palomar remaining, Santa Ana ’s Eccles has two
games left in the season. Santa Ana is currently vying
in the Orange Empire Conference Tournament. The Dons
play at Riverside on Thursday and at Cypress on Saturday
(May 2) at noon. That should give Eccles at least
seven or eight more at-bats. Santa Ana will finish
with 43 regular season games compared to 40 for Grossmont.
Grossmont and Palomar have split four meetings this
season. ZACH ANDERSON came out of the Griffins’
bullpen to earn his 10th win after spinning 4 2/3
innings. GREG LABARRE got the final four outs to notch
his second save in as many games.
Grossmont's Sequoyah Stonecipher,
the state home run leader with 16,
was named PCC athlete of the week. (File photo by Mike Jones)
Last week, Stonecipher, a sophomore center fielder
from Mission Bay High School, went 3-for-4 with a
home run and double in a 9-8 win over Imperial Valley.
He was 2-for-2 with a homer in a 13-9 victory over
San Diego City College. And he went 2-fo4-4 with a
double in a 16-11 win over City that clinched second
place in the PCC for the Griffins.
Sounds like Saturday (Apr. 25) was a bad day for
the Griffins. Much to the contrary.
Grossmont, in fact, pounded out a 16-11 victory over
San Diego City College to clinch second place in the
conference. Palomar (32-9-1) clinched the PCC title
with a 4-2 win over Southwestern on Saturday.
Perhaps the Griffins (25-13, 15-7 PCC) should have
scheduled more games with the Knights, considering
they posted a five-game sweep by a composite score
of 64-35.
In the final meeting, there was plenty of scoring
but nobody hit a home run, although there were eight
doubles and two triples. Stonecipher went 2-for-4
with a double, three runs and one RBI.
Grossmont closes out the regular season with a two-game
series against Palomar. The Comets will host the Griffins
Tuesday (Apr. 28) in San Marcos. The two teams will
move south to Grossmont on Thursday (Apr. 30). Both
games start at 2 p.m.
Those games probably mean more to the Griffins since
they are on the bubble for hosting a 1st-round series
in the CACC Southland playoffs.
Southland Rankings
Through Apr. 23
The California Community College
Baseball Coaches Association rankings for games
through Apr. 23:
1. Palomar
(9)
2. Orange Coast (2)
3. Cypress
4. Santa Ana
5. Cuesta
6. Long Beach
7. College of the Canyons 8. Grossmont
9. Chaffey
t-10. Mt. San Jacinto
t-10. Mt. San Antonio
Griffins third baseman Brian
Sagun applies
the tag on San Diego City's Hilario Garcia
during Thursday's 13-9 victory at Grossmont. (Photo by Mike Jones)
The Griffins (24-13, 15-7 PCC) trail front-running
Palomar by three games with three remaining. Thus,
the Comets’ magic number remains at one.
Grossmont and Palomar close the regular season with
a two-game home-and-home series next week. To have
any chance at forcing Palomar to share the PCC crown,
the Griffins must beat San Diego City (13-20, 9-13
PCC) Saturday (Apr. 25) at Morley Field at noon. The
Comets could nullify any comeback hopes the Griffins
might have by knocking off Southwestern on Saturday.
Stonecipher’s home run was a two-run shot in
the 1st inning and lifted him ahead of Ohlone’s
Jeff Johnson who has 15.
The Griffins broke a 7-7 tie with four runs in the
6th inning. After BEN SARNO and Stonecipher opened
the inning with walks, KEVIN SILVETT put the Griffins
in front with a single.
Two passed balls by the Knights handed the Griffins
a couple of insurance runs.
TODD JONES has pitched better games, but his effort
was strong enough to pump his record up to 7-1.
“Jones did what he needed to do to get the win,”
Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said.
Reliever KEVIN DWYER permitted six of San Diego City
’s 20 hits, but only one run over the final 2
2/3 innings.
Grossmont Hamels
Thompson
Erese
Aspaas
Bellatti W,1-1 Imperial Valley
De La Cruz
Borquez L
ip
5.1
0.1
0.0
1.1
2.0
7.0
2.0
h
6
1
1
2
2
6
2
r
3
2
2
1
0
6
3
er
1
0
0
1
0
3
3
bb
2
1
1
0
0
4
2
k
4
1
0
0
1
6
2
Erese faced 3 batters in the 6th.
De La Cruz faced 2 batters in the 8th.
HBP-by Hamels (Benson), by Erese (Benson). WP-Thompson,
Borquez. PB-Robles, BK-Hamels.
Trailing 8-4 entering the 8th inning, the visiting
Griffins rallied for five runs in their final two
at-bats to pull out a 9-8 victory over the Arabs in
100-degree desert weather.
“It was miserable out there,” Grossmont
coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “The heat was getting
to everybody. I had to take my third baseman out because
he was seeing spots. Even at times I felt a little
wobbly kneed. The plate umpire had to wear an ice
park on his back with a towel wrapped around his neck.
“We were prepared as well as we could be with
ice towels and plenty of water.”
The Arabs (6-31, 0-21 PCC) erased a 4-0 Grossmont
(23-13, 14-7) lead by scoring seven runs in the 6th
inning.
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER ignited the Grossmont comeback
by hammering his 15th home run leading off the 8th
inning. Stonecipher, who also stole three bases and
scored three runs, is tied with Jeff Johnson of Freemont’s
Ohlone CC for the state home run lead with four games
remaining in the regular season.
In the 9th inning, KEVIN SILVETT, who was 3-for-5
with three RBI, tied the game with a two-run single.
RYAN HULBERT drove in what proved to be the winning
run with a sacrifice fly.
MARK BELLATTI, Grossmont’s fifth pitcher in
the game, worked two scoreless innings to pick up
his first win.
“Bellatti has been a good position move (from
1st base to the bullpen). He has really come on for
us a pitcher,” Abshier said. “And I thought
our starter MITCHELL HAMELS threw well.”
Grossmont kept its slim hopes for a share of the
PCC pennant alive. But the magic number for front-running
Palomar is one. If the Comets win one of their final
four or Grossmont loses one its last four, the Comets
are the champions.
Next up for the Griffins is a home game against San
Diego City College Thursday (Apr. 23) at 2 p.m.
Unfortunately, history repeats
for slumping Grossmont
And so it goes for the Grossmont College Griffins.
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER clubbed his 14th home run –
a two-run shot in the 1st inning – Saturday (Apr.
18) at Riverside City College, but the Griffins couldn’t
hold on as the Tigers prevailed, 6-3, at the Evans
Sports Complex.
Coach RANDY ABSHIER split the pitching chores among
six Griffins.
“We pitched by committee, and I thought, for
the most part, our guys did a respectable job,”
Abshier said. “But we didn’t hit.”
Sat., Apr. 18
Non-Conference
TIGERS 6, GRIFFINS 3
Grossmont (22-13)
Riverside (18-20)
200 000 100 - 3 06
1
111 010 20x - 6 10 1
Labarre, Coleman (4), Murray-Lopez (5), Aspaas
(7), Vrolijk (8), Bellatti (8) and Placone;
Marisnick, Murray (6), Reifel (8), Lollis (9)
and McMath, Neff (8). W-Marisnick (1-2). L-Labarre
(0-1). HR-Stonecipher (G,14), 1st, one on.
Grossmont (22-13) trailed only 4-2 entering the 7th
inning. The Griffins loaded the bases as CASH McCLELLAN
singled, and KEVIN TENNY and JORDAN MEANS walked with
nobody out. ROBERT AGUIRRE then lined into an unassisted
double play at third. The Griffins did salvage one
run as BRIAN SAGUN singled to score Tenny. However,
they stranded three base runners.
Riverside then regained the momentum with two runs
in the bottom of the 7th.
Five games remain in the Pacific Coast Conference
for the Griffins, who resume play on Tuesday (Apr.
21) at Imperial Valley.
Grossmont's Cash McClellan
beats the throw
home to score against Imperial Valley. (Photo by Mike Jones)
Griffins halt streak, down IVC 4-run rally in 4th features no hits
And it took a come-from-behind effort by the Griffins
to halt the skid.
The Arabs (6-30, 0-20 PCC) jumped out in front 3-0
in the 1st inning. It took Grossmont (22-12, 13-7)
two innings to erase the deficit.
The Griffins broke the tie with 4 runs in the 4th
inning and did not garner a single hit. IVC chipped
in with four walks, a hit batter, three wild pitches
and an error.
BEN SARNO paced Grossmont with three hits and three
RBI.
KEVIN DWYER pitched the first six innings to notch
the win.
Grossmont will travel to Riverside City College for
a non-conference game Saturday (Apr. 18) at 5 p.m.
This game was added to the schedule earlier this week.
Imperial Valley Rodriguez L,1-5
Flores Grossmont
Dwyer W,4-2
Hamels
Grimaud
ip
3.0
5.0
6.0
2.0
1.0
h
5
6
11
1
2
r
6
5
4
0
0
er
6
4
3
0
0
bb
5
5
1
0
0
k
0
6
5
2
0
Rodriguez faced 3 batters in the 4th.
HBP-by Rodriguez (Aguirre), by Dwyer (Carter).
WP-Flores 6.
Grossmont second baseman Ben
Sarno avoids
an Imperial Valley College baserunner to turn
this 9th-inning double play in an 11-4 win Friday. (Photo by Mike Jones)
San Diego Mesa Gay W,5-2
Busalacchi
Townsend
AGalvan
Stoner S,1 Grossmont
Anderson L,8-3
Lopez
Thompson
Aspaas
ip
6.0
0.1
1.0
0.0
1.2
3.0
1.1
1.2
2.0
h
6
0
2
1
1
6
4
2
2
r
4
2
3
2
0
8
4
0
0
er
4
2
3
2
0
8
4
0
0
bb
2
2
3
2
1
3
1
1
0
k
3
1
0
0
1
3
1
1
2
Anderson faced 5 batters in the 4th.
AGalvan faced 3 batters in the 8th.
HBP-by Anderson (AGalvan), by Anderson (Lopez),
by Gay (Stonecipher), by Thompson (DGalvan), by
Stoner (Means). WP-AGalvan, Townsend 2, Anderson.
The visiting Olympians (18-18, 10-9 PCC) jumped out
to a 12-1 advantage and then held on as Grossmont
(21-12, 12-7 PCC) scored 10 runs over the final five
innings.
RICHARD AGUIRRE launched the Griffins’ belated
comeback with a three-run home run in the 5th inning.
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER hit a solo shot – his 13th
– in the opening frame.
The Griffins tacked on two runs without benefit of
a hit in the 7th inning, cutting the deficit to 13-6.
Eleven Griffins batted in a 5-run 8th inning.
West Hills alum SHAIN STONER paced Mesa with four
hits, including his second homer. He drove in five
runs and also pitched the final 1 2/3 innings to pick
up the save.
Former Griffin DARREN GAY pitched six innings to
earn his fifth win in seven decisions for Mesa.
Mesa, which is tied with Southwestern for third place
two games behind Grossmont, wins the season series
3-2. Over last 4 seasons, the Griffins and Olympians
have split 20 decisions.
Grossmont hosts Imperial Valley on Friday (Apr. 17)
at 2 p.m.
Grossmont College's Ben Sarno
with the diving catch to rob an Olympians batter. (Photo by Mike Jones)
When these teams met last month at Mesa it was a
similar finish. On that afternoon, the Olympians wiped
out a 5-0 Grossmont advantage by scoring 7 runs in
the bottom of the 8th to pull out a victory.
Go ahead Yogi say it... “It was like déjà
vu all over again.”
The loss dropped the Griffins (21-11, 12-6 PCC) three
games behind conference-leading Palomar with seven
games remaining. Grossmont did, however, maintain
a three-game bulge over Mesa, Southwestern and San
Diego City, all of whom are tied for third place.
“If we field a routine ground ball in that last
inning, we win 6-5,” Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER
said. “Instead, when the ball goes through our
guy’s legs, they score the tying run.”
Mesa’s winning marker crossed the plate without
the ball being hit out of the infield. Shortstop BRIAN
SAGUN made a diving stop, but threw to third base
hoping to get a force out. The Mesa runner beat the
throw and the winning run scored.
“That was the only play Brian had,” Abshier
said. “But it never should have come to that.”
The two unearned runs pinned TODD JONES with his
first loss in seven decisions.
On the bright side, Grossmont’s SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER
slugged his 12th home run in the 7th inning, extending
advantage to 6-4. Stonecipher ranks third in the state
for home runs.
KEVIN SILVETT swatted his 7th home run – a solo
shot – in the 2nd inning.
Grossmont will attempt to break a 3-game losing streak
when the Griffins host Mesa (17-18, 9-9 PCC) Thursday
(Apr. 16) at 2 p.m.
The Griffins were dealt another surprise when Antelope
Valley cancelled this Saturday's (Apr. 18) non-conference
doubleheader slated for Noel Mickelsen Field.
Grossmont College's Kevin
Dwyer (ground) applies the tag in time
to retire a San Bernardino Valley batter. The
Wolverines captured
the College of the Desert Tournament game in
Palm Desert, 18-1. (Photo by Mike Jones)
Southland Rankings
Through Apr. 2
The California Community College
Baseball Coaches Association rankings for games
through Apr. 2:
1. Orange Coast
2. Palomar
3. Santa Ana
4. Cypress
5. Cuesta
6. Long Beach 7. Grossmont
8. El Camino
9. Southwestern
10. College of the Canyons
Bottom line is the Griffins were crushed by San Bernardino
Valley College 18-1. In two previous meetings the
Griffins have beaten the Wolverines 24-8 and 10-6.
Grossmont (21-10) will have the weekend to recover
before returning to Pacific Coast Conference action
on Tuesday (Apr. 14) at San Diego Mesa College for
a 2 p.m. start.
The Griffins, who are 12-5 in the PCC, trail front-running
Palomar by two games with eight to play.
Grossmont will also host Antelope Valley in a non-conference
double-header on Saturday (Apr. 18). First game is
11 a.m.
This was a tough loss for Grossmont (21-9), since
Chaffey (20-9) is in second place in the Foothill
Conference. The Griffins are second in the Pacific
Coast Conference.
No details from the Grossmont-Chaffey game were available.
The Griffins conclude play in the COD Tournament
on Friday (Apr. 10) against San Bernardino Valley
College at 2 p.m. Grossmont has beaten the Wolverines
in two previous meetings by a combined 34-14 score.
Grossmont College's Sequoyah
Stonecipher watches as his 11th
home run of the season – a grand slam –
clears the fence in right.
The Griffins ripped tournament host College
of the Desert, 20-3. (Photo by Mike Jones)
Grossmont College coach RANDY ABSHIER’s Griffins
took three of five days off since securing second
place in the Pacific Coast Conference last week.
“I think the break from conference play helped
us,” Abshier said after the Griffins opened the
College of the Desert Tournament Wednesday (Apr. 8)
by ripping the host Roadrunners, 20-3.
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER keyed a 7-run fourth inning
by slugging a grand slam giving Grossmont a 9-1 lead.
It was the 11th round-tripper for Stonecipher, who
is tied for second in the state. Ohlone’s Jeff
Johnson is the state’s No. 1 home run hitter
with 14.
In addition, Stonecipher stole two bases and finished
with 5 RBI.
RYAN HULBERT hit a solo home run for the Griffins
(21-8) in the 5th. That ties him for fifth in the
state.
BEN SARNO was the catalyst of Grossmont’s 10-run
8th inning. He provided the initial spark with a lead
double and later in the frame slugged a three-run
home run. Sarno finished the contest with four hits,
four RBI and a double in six at-bats.
Wed., Apr. 8
College of the Desert Tournament
GRIFFINS 20, ROADRUNNERS 3
Grossmont (21-8)
Desert (6-10)
020 710 0(10)0-20 17
1
010 200 000-03
09 5
Jones, Hamels (7), Murray-Lopez (7), Grimaud
(9) and Silvett; Van Hoon, Immings (4), Isaacs
(4), Clark (8), Schmitt (8) and Gringas. W-Jones
(6-0). L-Van Hoon. HR-Stonecipher (G,11), 4th,
slam; Hulbert (G,9), 5th, solo; Sarno (G,3),
8th, two on.
Not to be overlooked was Grossmont catcher KEVIN
SILVETT, who was 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI.
“We didn’t just hit the ball, we hit it hard
like we were earlier in the season.” Abshier said.
“We swung it well, hitting balls off the wall and
over the wall. It was an all around great day on our
part.”
Sophomore right-hander TODD JONES, pitched the first
six innings to run his pitching record to 6-0.
The Griffins take on Chaffey in Thursday’s (Apr.
9) second round of the COD Tournament. They’ll
close the three-day affair against San Bernardino
on Friday (Apr. 10).
Dodd-Wdgtn cf
Jordan lf
JAguirre ph
Budd pr
Bringas 2b
Molina 1b
Taijeron rf
Fariss 3b
Goodin pr
Limon 3b
Leary dh
Comford c
Lange ph
Wannamaker c
Moriel ss
ASalgado ph
ESalgado ss
Southwestern Krause L,4-1
Wynveen
Soto
Davis
Bell Grossmont
Anderson W,8-1
ip
6.0
0.0
0.2
0.0
1.1
9.0
h
8
0
2
2
0
11
r
6
2
2
0
0
6
er
6
2
2
0
0
6
bb
0
1
0
0
1
0
k
8
0
0
0
2
8
Wynveen faced 2 batters in the 7th.
Davis faced 2 batters in the 7th.
HBP-by Anderson 4 (Leary 2, Jordan, Dodd-Waddington).
WP-Anderson, Bell. BK-Anderson.
There was plenty of scoring, a handful of home runs
and an ironman pitching effort by Grossmont sophomore
ZACH ANDERSON at Noel Mickelsen Field.
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER gave Grossmont an early sendoff
as he stroked his 10th home run of the season with
two runners on for a 3-0 lead in the opening inning.
Stonecipher is tied for 3rd in the state for home
runs, one behind the co-leaders.
NICK PLACONE keyed a four-run 7th inning with a two-run
homer. KEVIN SILVETT slugged a solo shot in the 5th.
Better yet, all of Grossmont’s starters contributed
to a 12-hit attack.
Anderson needed 132 pitches to log his third complete
game in 10 starts. He struck out 7.
“Zach has had better games,” Grossmont
coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “But it’s hard
to argue with the results. He won the game.”
Winning games is something Anderson does as well
as any pitcher in the state. Despite a 4.62 ERA, Anderson
’s 8-1 record ties him for the best mark in the
state.
Former Granite Hills High ace ERIC KRAUSE (4-1) suffered
his first loss of the season for Southwestern. He
surrendered 6 runs in as many innings, but did strike
out 8 and walk none.
The Griffins (20-8, 12-5 PCC), ranked No. 7 in Southern
California and No. 16 on the West Coast, have won
seven of their last nine games. More importantly,
they won the season series over Southwestern 3-2.
With eight PCC games remaining, Grossmont trails
front-running Palomar by two lengths. The Comets and
Griffins are slated to close the regular season with
a two-game series. So a conference certainly is not
out of reach.
“It will be good to get a break from the conference
for a while,” Abshier said.
Grossmont will participate in the College of the
Desert Tournament over Spring Break need week. The
Griffins are ticketed to play San Bernardino Valley
(Apr. 8), Chaffey (Apr. 9) and the host Roadrunners
(Apr. 10). All games start at 2 p.m.
The
Dramatic Final Play of the Game
With Grossmont leading 3-1,
Southwestern had two runners in scoring position
with
two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning. The
Jaguars get a basehit for one run, but
Griffins left-fielder Tyler Keaton hit cutoff
man Brian Sagun, who relays a strike to
catcher Nick Placone (upper-left), who makes
the catch (upper-right), then applies
the game-ending tag (bottom) on the Southwestern
baserunner for the 3-2 victory. (Photos by Mike Jones; CLICK ON PHOTOS TO
ENLARGE)
Tue.,
Mar. 31
Pacific Coast Conference
GRIFFINS 3, JAGUARS 2
Grossmont (19-8, 11-5 PCC)
ab r h bi
Sagun ss
Sarno 2b
Stonecipher cf
Silvett dh
Hulbert rf
Placone c
Tenny 1b
RAguirre 3b
Keaton lf
Southwestern, a state finalist a year ago, had the
tying runs in scoring position with two outs in the
bottom of the 9th. Jaguars pinch hitter Jose Aguirre
singled to left scoring Julian Goodin from third.
When TRAVIS TAIJERON attempted to score from second
base on the same hit, he was cut down at the plate
on a relay from left fielder TYLER KEATON to shortstop
BRIAN SAGUN to catcher NICK PLACONE for the game-ending
out.
A perfect relay saved the Griffins’ 3-2 victory
and enabled Grossmont (19-8, 11-5 PCC) to remain two
games behind Pacific Coast Conference-leading Palomar
with nine circuit encounters left.
“Darn right that was a big win,” Grossmont
coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “This is an important
week for us. We’re talking about winning season
series from the teams in our conference. Honestly,
we need to win out.”
Grossmont and Southwestern have split four meetings
this season. The rubber match is Thursday (Apr. 2)
at the Griffins’ Noel Mickelsen Field at 2 p.m.
If the Griffins can knock off the Jaguars one more
time they’ll lead the South Bay crew by four
games.
“We need to keep doing our business,” Abshier
said.
Grossmont sophomore pitcher TODD JONES was taking
care of his chores in this latest joust with the Jaguars
(19-9-1, 8-8 PCC). The Christian High product rationed
Southwestern to two runs on five hits in a route-going
performance.
“He had some giddy-up on his fastball and used
his slider as an out pitch,” Abshier said. “It
was just an all-around solid job.”
Offensively, the Griffins hardly ripped the cover
off the ball. Their two 1st inning runs were aided
by a pair of Southwestern throwing errors. The 8th
inning marker scored on KEVIN SILVETT’s ground
out.
Sat.,
Mar. 28
Pacific Coast Conference
COMETS 10, GRIFFINS 7
Palomar (23-7-1, 12-3 PCC)
ab r h bi
Martinez lf
Hubbard 3b
Saladino ss
Carvutto 1b
Webb cf
Carvutto rf
Sisco dh
Santy c
Buchanan 2b
Front-running Palomar (23-7-1, 12-3 PCC), which has
won 10 of its last 11 and five straight, leads the
season series over the Griffins 2-1. The second place
Griffins have two games remaining against the Comets
in the final week of the regular season.
Palomar pounded three home runs as part of a 14-hit
assault on four Grossmont pitchers. Alfonso Casillas,
who defeated the Griffins with a walk-off home run
two days earlier, started the home run parade with
a 2-run shot in the first inning.
The Griffins scored three runs in the bottom of
the first inning. KEVIN SILVETT’s 2-run single
was the key blow.
Grossmont made it 4-2 in the second, thanks to a
Palomar error.
But the Comets kept on scoring, snapping a 4-4 tie
with three runs in the fifth. Grossmont remained in
contention as RYAN HULBERT hammered a 2-run homer
to dead center in the bottom of the fifth.
Both starting pitchers were cuffed around but the
Comets’ bullpen restored order quicker than the
Griffins.
Not to be overlooked though was the relief work of
Grossmont’s IAN THOMPSON, who blanked Palomar
on three hits over the final 3 2/3 innings.
Grossmont travels to Southwestern for a PCC contest
on Tuesday (Mar. 31) at 2 p.m.
Freshman first baseman Alfonso Casillas drove a towering
home run to right field in the 10th inning giving
host Palomar a 5-4 victory and the conference lead.
Palomar (22-7-1, 11-3), ranked No. 3 in the latest
Southern California poll, now owns a one-game lead
over the second-place Griffins (18-7, 10-4). These
teams will play again Saturday at Grossmont’s
Noel Mickelsen Field at noon.
“We didn’t lose that game only because
of that walk-off homer,” Grossmont coach RANDY
ABSHIER said. “We struck out too many times in
pivotal situations. Too many of our guys were going
for the fences every swing.”
Grossmont, ranked No. 4 in the SoCal Poll, wasted
a strong pitching performance by ZACH ANDERSON. The
6-foot-4, 200-pound right-hander was touched up for
a dozen hits in eight innings, but allowed only one
earned run. He struck out four and walked none.
DARRELL ERESE, the second of two Grossmont relievers,
never got an out. Casillas clubbed his fifth pitch
for the game-winner.
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER gave Grossmont an early lead
when he laced a two-run home run in the first inning.
It was his ninth homer to date.
Palomar shortstop Tyler Saladino went 4-for-4 for
the third straight game. He had a double and drove
in two runs, and now has hit safely 13 times in his
last 13 at-bats.
It's High Five's all around
after Grossmont pitcher
Todd Jones retires San Diego City College in
order. (Photo by Mike Jones)
Tue.,
Mar. 24
Pacific Coast Conference
GRIFFINS 10, KNIGHTS 2
San Diego City (10-13, 6-7 PCC)
ab r h bi
Santos cf
Ancrum rf
Garcia
Cazares ss
Parisi dh
Stone rf
Callahan 1b
Smith 2b
Covyeau ph
Cann c
LoVullo ph
DeCoite 3b
Matthey cf
One of those phases where Grossmont has picked up
is in its starting pitching. Co-aces ZACH ANDERSON
and TODD JONES have posted a combined record of 11-1
for Grossmont (18-6, 10-3 PCC), which smacked visiting
San Diego City College 10-2 on Tuesday (Mar. 24) to
remain tied with Palomar for the Pacific Coast Conference
lead.
Jones scattered six hits and allowed only a solo
home run to John Callahan over seven innings en route
to his 4th win without a loss. The sophomore right-hander
struck out four.
“Todd threw like a Division I pitcher,”
said Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. “He was throwing
Cheddar. He just keeps getting better.”
While pleased with his pitching, Abshier was also
proud of Grossmont’s offense.
“We did a lot of ‘short ball’ stuff,”
he said. “I think we must have had four safety
squeezes, one of those wound up being a hit.”
Grossmont erased a 1-0 deficit with four runs in
the 4th inning.
“We hit the ball out of the infield only once
and got 4 runs.” Abshier noted.
The Griffins, who have won five straight, begin a
two-game series against the Palomar Comets (21-7-1,
10-3) Thursday (Mar. 26) in San Marcos at 2 p.m. These
teams will meet again on Saturday (Mar. 28) at Grossmont’s
Noel Mickelsen Field at noon.
Tyler Keaton races around
third base with the go-ahead run to top San
Diego City. (Photo by Mike Jones)
Sat.,
Mar. 21
Pacific Coast Conference
GRIFFINS 11, KNIGHTS 5
Grossmont (17-6, 9-3 PCC)
ab r h bi
Sagun ss
Stonecipher cf
Hulbert rf
Keaton rf
Silvett c
Placone dh
Brosnan lf
Sarno 2b
Tenny 1b
Aguirre 3b
Considering Anderson has a 7-1 record Abshier has
a valid point even though the 6-foot-4, 200-pound
hurler has an unspectacular ERA of 4.87. Anderson
has struck out 53 in 61 innings.
Forget those last two statistics. The game is about
winning and nobody is doing that more consistently
than Anderson.
Host San Diego City College jumped on Anderson for
five runs in the first two innings of Saturday’s
(Mar. 21) PCC contest at Morley Field, but the Griffins
rallied for six runs in the final three frames to
claim an 11-5 victory.
That win allowed Grossmont (17-6, 9-3 PCC) to remain
tied with Palomar for the conference lead.
Anderson nearly missed roll call in his latest start
as he was involved in a minor traffic accident en
route to Morley Field Saturday morning.
“I was more than an hour late for warm-ups,
so I had to rush my usual (pregame) routine,”
Anderson said. “I was still a little jittery
from the accident, but overall I felt good enough
to go.”
Both Abshier and Anderson agreed that the Griffins’
ace has had better stuff than he exhibited against
the Knights (10-12, 6-6 PCC).
“He was living off his fastball,” Abshier
said. “He had no breaking ball at all. His changeup
just wasn’t there. But he can bring it a little
in the mid-to-high 80s. He’s even touched 90
mph.”
A native of Santa Cruz, Anderson’s family moved
to Boise, Idaho, last year where he graduated from
Timberline High. He was primarily a first baseman
his senior season at Timberline, and worked in as
the club’s No. 3 starter.
When Anderson discovered Grossmont College on the
Internet, he eventually enrolled and reported to Abshier
as a first baseman. The Griffins did not need more
first basemen and Anderson mentioned to Abshier that
he did pitch a little.
Wise move for all as it turns out.
“He wants to leave after this one season because
he has a couple scholarship offers in his pocket,”
Abshier said. “They are good, small colleges,
but I know he could do better if he spent another
year with us.”
Anderson is not afraid of hard work. He’s a
full-time student with quality grades and also works
at night for a local drug store. Add baseball to his
daily endeavors and one can see he is an active young
man.
“He’s really matured a lot since he’s
been here,” said Abshier.
Grossmont snapped a 5-5 tie with three runs in the
7th inning. RYAN BROSNAN lit the flame with a single
up the middle. KEVIN TENNY followed with a double.
When the Knights’ center fielder misplayed Tenny’s
hit, Brosnan came in to score what proved to be the
winning run.
After a pair of walks loaded the bases RYAN HULBERT
singled up the middle driving in two more runs. Hulbert
leads Grossmont with 40 RBI.
KEVIN SILVETT, the Griffins’ top hitter with
a .429 average (39 of 91), was 3-for-6 with three
RBI against the Knights. The sophomore catcher has
19 extra-base hits, including 4 triples and 4 home
runs.
These same two teams will meet again on Tuesday (Mar.
24) at Grossmont’s Noel Mickelsen Field at 2
p.m.
Anderson, a 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher from Timberlake
High School in Boise, Ida., threw a complete-game
7-hitter to beat San Diego Mesa, 4-3, to advance his
record to 6-1 on the season.
Anderson, a freshman, allowed just two earned runs.
Thurs.,
Mar. 19
Pacific Coast Conference
GRIFFINS 15, ARABS 5
Imperial Valley (3-20, 0-11 PCC)
ab r h bi
Item cf
Villegas ss
Borquez dh
Carter 1b
Benson lf
Robles c
Lopez 3b
Flores 3b
Rosales 2b
Bustamante rf
Suarez ph
The Griffins (16-6, 8-3 PCC) are deadlocked with
Southwestern and San Diego City for the conference’s
top spot. The Knights nailed the Jaguars 10-4 on Thursday
to create the three-way tie. Grossmont meets SDCC
Saturday (Mar. 21) at Morley Field at noon.
“It’s nice to be back in first place again,”
Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “But we have
a long ways to go. We can’t let up now.”
Stonecipher hasn’t downshifted. He’s batting
at a .500 clip (11 for 22) over the last five games.
During that streak he has clubbed five home runs,
logged 10 RBI, and scored 7 runs.
Making just his third start of the season, sophomore
right-hander KEVIN DWYER allowed only three hits and
one earned run over six innings to notch his third
win in four decisions.
Tue.,
Mar. 17
Pacific Coast Conference
GRIFFINS 14, ARABS 3
He redshirted the 2007 season so he could focus on
developing his pitching.
“Taking that redshirt year was a great thing
for me,” Jones said. “It gave me a chance
to mature. Most of all, I learned to be a pitcher
instead of just a thrower.”
Grossmont College coach RANDY ABSHIER agreed.
“Todd has developed a great breaking ball and
throws in the mid-80s,” Abshier said after Grossmont
rocked host Imperial Valley 14-3 in Tuesday’s
(Mar. 17) Pacific Coast Conference contest.
Jones struck out a career high 15 batters in a complete-game
effort against IVC, pushing his season record to 3-0.
Prior to this contest Jones had not allowed an earned
run in 14 innings. He surrendered two earned runs
on Tuesday, leaving his season ERA at 1.88. Jones
now has 32 strikeouts in 43 innings.
“I don’t think I ever struck out more than
8 in a game,” Jones said. “I’m more
of a ground-ball guy.”
So what caused the sudden breakout game?
“It just happened,” Jones said. “My
fastball was moving and I was just kinda mowing them
down. Honestly, I had no idea how many strikeouts
I had, but I figured I had a few since I struck out
the side a couple of times.”
Jones credits Abshier for helping perfect his pitching
skills.
“He got me dialed in,” Jones said. “He
taught me the mental approach to pitching.”
Pitching with a lead didn’t hurt, either.
Batterymate KEVIN SILVETT put a charge in Grossmont’s
offensive attack, collecting three hits. The sophomore
out of Torrey Pines slugged a grand slam, which was
his fifth home run of the season.
Grossmont’s SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER was 3-for-6,
including his 8th home run of the season and 4th in
two games.
The Griffins (15-6, 7-3) moved into a tie with Palomar
for second place – one game behind PCC leader
Southwestern.
Grossmont and Imperial Valley will collide again
on Thursday (Mar. 19) at Grossmont’s Noel Mickelsen
Field at 2 p.m.
Thurs.,
Mar. 12
Pacific Coast Conference
GRIFFINS 4, OLYMPIANS 3
San Diego Mesa (9-13, 2-7 PCC)
ab r h bi
Chesterton 3b
Lopez lf
Tanida c
Diaz dh
Boyer pr
AGalvan 1b
DGalvan ss
Frank 2b
Waller rf
Bryan cf
But there were far more reasons for Abshier to be
pleased. His Griffins (14-6, 6-3 PCC) remain primary
contenders for the PCC crown as they trail frontrunners
Southwestern and Palomar by only one game with 16
to play.
Abshier, the Griffins’ 5th year head coach,
celebrated his 100th coaching win at Grossmont, thanks
to three solo home runs by SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER and
a complete game pitching effort by ZACH ANDERSON.
Stonecipher, who homered to all three fields off
three different Mesa pitchers, now has seven round-trippers
to share the Grossmont lead with RYAN HULBERT and
RYAN BROSNAN. The Griffins have 31 home runs as a
team.
“Every one of Stonecipher’s home runs was
a rocket,” Abshier said. “He and Anderson
carried us today.”
Not to be overlooked were the back-to-back doubles
by Hulbert and KEVIN SILVETT that gave Grossmont a
3-1 edge in the 3rd inning.
After the game, Abshier was presented a plaque by
Grossmont College Associate Dean of Athletics JIM
SPILLERS.
“Spillers was standing at home plate when the
PA announcer, CHRIS DAVIS said there was going to
be a post-season ceremony of sorts,” Abshier
said. “It was nice. My players were clapping
and there were about 100 fans still there who acknowledged
me, too.
“You know me – I’m not a stats and
records guy,” Abshier added. “But this felt
pretty good.”
Grossmont will take the weekend off before traveling
to Imperial Valley College on Tuesday (Mar. 17).
“We still have an excellent shot at winning
this thing,” Abshier said. “That’s
our goal. And my job as coach is to get these guys
on to the next level. That’s the part of my job
that truly pleases me.”
Tue.,
Mar. 10
Pacific Coast Conference
OLYMPIANS 7, GRIFFINS 5
Grossmont (13-6, 5-3 PCC)
ab r h bi
Sagun ss
Aguirre 3b
Stonecipher cf
Silvett c
Hulbert rf
Placone dh
Brosnan lf
Bellatti 1b
Sarno 2b
The Griffins took a 5-0 lead into the bottom of the
8th inning and then went into a complete meltdown
as the Olympians scored 7 runs to pull out a Pacific
Coast Conference victory by a 7-5 count.
Half of the Griffins six losses overall have come
after they had built a sizable lead. Grossmont led
Compton 8-0 last month and wound up losing 9-8. Then
against East Los Angeles in the Jaguar Classic the
Griffins saw an 8-2 advantage dissolve and wound up
losing to the Huskies 11-10.
It’s been a seesaw season for Grossmont (13-6,
5-3 PCC). Seems like the Griffins have fallen behind
and held leads in almost every game they’ve played
this year.
Things started out OK for the Griffins at Mesa as
starting pitcher TODD JONES blanked the Olympians
over six innings on 4 hits. KEVIN DWYER pitched a
shutout 7th, protecting a 5-0 Grossmont lead.
After that the bullpen collapsed.
Grossmont took a 1-0 lead on a double by NICK PLACONE
and a 2-out single by MARK BELLATTI in the 2nd inning.
The Griffins staged a 2-out rally in the 3rd inning
as KEVIN SILVETT singled and RYAN HULBERT hammered
his 7th home run of the season to make it 3-0.
In the 4th inning the Griffins extended their lead
to 5-0. Bellatti provided the spark with a double.
BEN SARNO bunted up the first base line and the Mesa
pitcher threw it away, allowing Bellatti to score.
Silvett later capped the inning with an RBI single.
After that the Griffins’ offense died.
The loss dropped Grossmont into a 3rd place tie with
San Diego City , one game behind co-leaders Southwestern
and Palomar.
Grossmont will attempt to break a 3-game losing streak
when the Griffins host Mesa (9-12, 2-6 PCC) Thursday
(Mar. 12) at 2 p.m.
Sat.,
Mar. 7
Pacific Coast Conference
JAGUARS 3, GRIFFINS 2
The results, however, were not what the visiting
Grossmont College Griffins had in mind when they arrived
at Southwestern College for Saturday’s (Mar.
7) Pacific Coast Conference ballgame.
The Griffins scored two runs in the 9th inning, but
fell short as the Jaguars (15-3, 5-2 PCC) prevailed
3-2, creating a PCC logjam with four teams locked
in a tie for first place.
“One of the reasons we lost is that for five
innings we didn’t have runners on base at all,”
Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “And the
other four innings we had runners in scoring position,
but we couldn’t come up with that big, 2-out
hit. It just didn’t happen today.”
In the 9th inning, SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER put Grossmont
on the board with a leadoff home run thus spoiling
Lucas Sanford’s shutout bid. Sanford retired
the next two Griffins before KEVIN SILVETT slugged
a double off the left field wall, bringing the tying
run to the plate.
Pinch hitter NICK PLACONE hit a high chopper over
the third baseman’s head allowing pinch runner
ANTHONY VROLIJK to score from second. That finished
Sanford and the Jaguars summoned reliever Francisco
Valdez to the mound.
Valdez foiled the Griffins’ comeback when he
coaxed pinch hitter KEVIN TENNY to tap into a game-ending
groundout.
“Both teams pitched really well,” Abshier
said. “It was a very clean, well-played game.
We just didn’t hit.”
What the Griffins (13-5, 5-2 PCC) did do was waste
a strong pitching effort by ZACH ANDERSON, who scattered
8 hits and struck out 6 in a complete game effort.
Anderson was pinned with his first loss in six decisions.
Grossmont missed a golden opportunity in the 6th
inning when they put runners at the corners with two
outs and cleanup hitter RYAN BROSNAN at the plate.
But Sanford, who struck out 9, retired Brosnan to
quash the threat.
“ Sanford threw one hell of a game,” Abshier
lamented. “In the 1st inning he struck out the
side and had 5 strikeouts in the first three innings.”
Having suffered back-to-back losses for only the
second time this season, Grossmont travels to San
Diego Mesa on Tuesday (Mar. 10) for a 2 p.m. PCC contest.
Griffins baserunner Ryan Brosnan
with the slide into third base vs. Southwestern. (Photo by Mike Jones)
Thurs.,
Mar. 5
Pacific Coast Conference
JAGUARS 16, GRIFFINS 5
Southwestern (14-3-1, 4-2 PCC)
ab r h bi
Dodd-Wdgtn cf
Jordan lf
Bringas 2b
Moriel 2b
Molina 1b
Taijeron rf
Fariss 3b
Norris 3b
Leary dh
Lange dh
Comford c
Gilliland ss
On the same day when the latest the Southern California
ratings had the Griffins (13-4, 5-1 PCC) ranked No.
3, Southwestern (14-3-1, 4-2 PCC) at No. 4 and Palomar
(14-6-1, 4-2 PCC) at No. 5, Grossmont played its worst
game of the year.
The Jaguars slugged five home runs – all of
which came with runners on base – and continued
on to deal Grossmont its first conference loss. Included
in that long ball barrage was a three-run home by
Granite Hills alumni and former Griffin TRAVIS TAIJERON
in the 3rd inning.
“Our pitchers left the ball up and they capitalized
on it,” Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “They
beat us at our own game in our own ballpark. Too many
fat pitches on our part. We have to hit the corners
more.”
Seven of Grossmont’s 13 hits went for extra
bases, including a solo homer by RYAN HULBERT. It
was Hulbert’s sixth of the season.
The Griffins’ KEVIN SILVETT flirted with hitting
for the cycle for the second time this season as he
clubbed a triple, double and a single.
Southwestern teed off on seven Grossmont College
pitchers for 17 hits.
These same two teams will meet Saturday (Mar. 7)
at noon in South Bay.
Grossmont winning pitcher
Todd Jones (left) congratulates Kevin Dwyer
after
collecting his first save of the season in
the Griffins' 5-2 verdict over Palomar. (Photo by Mike Jones)
Griffins complete round at 5-0 Another come-from-behind win,
this time over Palomar, 5-2
GWRBI-Sagun.
E-Sagun, Aguirre, Webb, Sanford. LOB-GC 12, Pal
10. 2B-Aguirre, Saladino. SB-Stonecipher. HR-Brosnan
(7), 7th, one on. SF-Aguirre, Smith, Hubbard.
SB-Stonecipher.
Grossmont Jones W,2-0
Dwyer S,1
Palomar
Sanford L,2-1
Shore
ip
8.0
1.0
5.2
3.1
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Jones faced 1 batter in the 9th.
WP-Sanford. PB-Santy.
With two outs in the 6th the Griffins regained the
lead. NICK PLACONE singled up the middle and advanced
to second on a wild pickoff attempt by the pitcher.
KEVIN TENNY then singled to center, scoring Placone
to tie the game. Tenny wound up at second base on
the play when the centerfielder made a wild throw.
BEN SARNO singled to left to put runners at the corners.
That finished Palomar starter Sean Sanford. Bobby
Shore , making his first relief appearance for the
Comets, surrendered an RBI single to BRIAN SAGUN,
putting Grossmont on top.
Grossmont jumped on Shore for two more an inning
later. SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER led off with a walk and
coasted home on RYAN BROSNAN’s conference-leading
7th homer of the season.
TODD JONES scattered 9 hits and did not allow an
earned run over 8-plus innings to pick up his second
win of the season.
After Jones gave up a leadoff single in the bottom
of the 9th, KEVIN DWYER came on in relief. The Comets
proceeded to load the bases against Dwyer, but the
Griffins sophomore right-hander got the final out
for the save.
Sitting on a 2-game lead Grossmont begins the second
round of PCC action on Thursday (Mar. 5) by hosting
Southwestern at 2 p.m. The Griffins and Jaguars will
meet again on Saturday (Mar. 7) in Chula Vista at
noon.
Grossmont College right-fielder
Jared Madden races
deep to the gap to track down a line shot hit
by the Knights. The catch was one of two solid
catches by Madden (other in slideshow below)
in Saturday's 14-8 PCC home triumph by the first-place
Griffins. (Photo by Mike Jones)
San Diego City Knights at
Grossmont Griffins (Slideshow by Mike Jones)
Slow-starting Griffins again
post double figures in win
Although the Griffins (12-3) lead the conference
with a 4-0 mark, they’ve surrendered nine 1st-inning
runs. Three of their PCC foes have scored in the opening
frame, and all four have held leads.
Visiting San Diego City College took a 3-0 advantage
in the 1st inning Saturday (Feb. 28) and maintained
a 7-6 edge in the 7th. Grossmont scored eight runs
in its final two at-bats to pull out a 14-8 victory
at Noel Mickelsen Field.
The long ball played an integral part in the Griffins’
latest conquest. SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER ripped a solo
shot over the scoreboard in left field in the 1st
inning. KEVIN SILVETT spanked a two-run homer in the
3rd and RYAN HULBERT erased San Diego City’s
7-6 lead with a three-run blast in the 7th. It was
Hulbert’s 5th round-tripper and 24th as a team
for Grossmont.
Grossmont sealed the deal with four runs in the 8th.
KEVIN TENNY doubled off the top of the right field
fence to drive in the final run of that frame.
ZACH ANDERSON surrendered three runs in the 1st,
but then allowed one earned run over the next six
frames to pick up his 5th win without a loss.
Grossmont, which is 10-2 at home and 2-1 on the road,
travels to San Marcos to face second place Palomar
College Tuesday (Mar. 3) at 2 p.m.
The Griffins (11-3 overall) went on another power
trip as NICK PLACONE slugged a three-run home run,
ROBERT AGUIRRE clubbed a two-run homer and RYAN BROSNAN
smacked a solo shot, pushing Grossmont’s PCC
mark to 3-0.
Ranked No. 7 in Southern California , Grossmont rallied
from deficits of 4-0 and 5-4 in the first two innings.
The Griffins finally took the lead for keeps on JORDAN
MEANS’ RBI single in the 5th inning. They broke
it open with 4 runs in the 6th. Aguirre’s home
run was the key blow. Brosnan’s round-tripper
that inning was his 6th in 63 at-bats. BRIAN SAGUN
also drove in a run with a base hit in that frame.
It’s been an all or nothing year for Brosnan,
who has struck out 14 times yet driven in 19 runs.
“Ryan is swinging the bat well,” Grossmont
coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “He’s batting
.381. He needs to be a little more patient and selective
at the plate. But he’s like all of our hitters
– he’s very aggressive.”
That’s why Grossmont leads Southern California
in runs scored.
ADAM ASPAAS turned six innings of blue chip relief
to earn the win over IVC (0-2, 3-12), He allowed only
3 hits and one earned run. He struck out 6.
The Griffins host San Diego City College on Saturday
(Feb. 28) at noon.
San Diego Mesa Olympians at
Grossmont Griffins (Slideshow by Mike Jones)
Production on offense
keeps Griffins in first place
Two-run doubles by KEVIN TENNEY and SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER
keyed a five-run 5th inning for host Grossmont College
Tuesday (Feb. 24), as the Griffins came from behind
to defeat San Diego Mesa College, 12-7, in Pacific
Coast Conference action.
GWRBI-Tenney.
E-Silvett, Chesterton, Waller, Aguirre. DP-SDM
1. LOB-SDM 9, GC 7. 2B-Tanida, Sagun, Stone-cipher,
Tenney 2. HR–Hulbert (4) 3rd one on. SB-Tanida,
D. Galvan, Brosnan. SF-Chesterton, Sarno.
San Diego Mesa Gallacher L
Waller
Busalacchi
Stoner
Grossmont
Jones
Dwyer W,2-1
ip
4.2
1.1
1.0
1.0
3.2
5.1
h
8
2
0
1
11
3
r
10
2
0
0
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9
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1
The victory left Grossmont (10-3) tied with San Diego
City College (6-6) atop the PCC standings at 2-0.
Those teams meet at the Griffins’ Noel Mickelsen
Field on Saturday (Feb. 28) at noon.
Trailing 6-5 as they entered the 5th frame, the Griffins
capitalized on three of Mesa ’s nine walks to
regain a 5-1 lead they’d blown. RYAN HULBERT
and KEVIN SILVETT drew walks. One out later, Tenney
blasted a two-run double to right-center to put Grossmont
on top.
BRIAN SAGUN then cashed in Tenney with a base hit.
ROBERT AGUIRRE followed with a walk setting the stage
for Stonecipher’s double.
“We’ve been able to take advantage of other
people’s mistakes,” Grossmont coach RANDY
ABSHIER said. “That and we had a bunch of clutch
two-out hits today.” That included a two-run
single by JARED MADDEN helping stake the Griffins
to a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning.
Grossmont’s hitters are seeing more breaking
balls than they did a week or so ago.
“In some cases we’ve been pressing, because
we are an aggressive team,” Abshier said. “But
overall we’ve been fairly patient. We will take
the walk.”
Sophomore right-hander KEVIN DWYER limited the Olympians
to one earned run and three hits over 5 1/3 innings
to pick up his second win in three decisions.
Next up for Grossmont is a home encounter against
Imperial Valley College Thursday (Feb. 26) at 2 p.m.
PCC Notes – Former Granite Hills High
infielder LOUIS CAZARES has been selected Pacific
Coast Conference Men’s Athlete of the Week. A
freshman shortstop at San Diego City, Cazares went
4-for-6 with a home run and three runs scored as the
Knights opened the PCC season with a 10-9 win over
Mesa in 12 innings.
Grossmont Griffins at Southwestern
Jaguars (Slideshow by Mike Jones)
Griffins need extra hour, yet
down defending PCC titlist Hulbert delivers GW hit in 12th
Despite lengthy dry spells from practice due to the
recent wave of inclement weather, Hulbert and the
Griffins continue to rank among the state leaders
in batting.
Grossmont
Anderson
Dwyer
LaBarre
Erese W,1-0
Hamels S,1 Southwestern
Krause
Valdez
Wynveen
Myers L
Davis
ip
6.0
2.0
0.0
3.2
0.1
5.1
1.1
1.1
3.2
0.1
h
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LaBarre faced 1 batter in the 9th.
HBP-By Anderson (Taijeron), by Dwyer (Jordan),
by Krause 2 (Hulbert, Sarno).
Hulbert, who clubbed a pair of grand slams earlier
this season, supplied the game-winning hit in Saturday’s
(Feb. 21) Pacific Coast Conference opener as the Griffins
edged host Southwestern, 9-8 in 12 innings.
Grossmont (9-3, 1-0 PCC) rallied from deficits of 2-1
and 6-5 before blowing an 8-6 lead in the 9th inning
to the defending conference champion.
In the 12th, with one out, RYAN BROSNAN singled.
Hulbert then ripped a one-hop shot to the right-center
wall allowing Brosnan to score the winning marker.
“Any time we beat Southwestern, it’s a
good thing,” Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said.
“To do it in the conference opener makes it that
much better.”
The fact that Southwestern, a state finalist last
year – is off to a 10-2-1 start – only adds
to the satisfaction.
BRIAN SAGUN blasted four hits and two RBI to pace
Grossmont’s 14-hit attack. SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER
was 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two steals.
Five Griffins shared the pitching chores with reliever
DARRELL ERESE spinning 3 2/3 shutout innings to log
the win. MITCHELL HAMELS got the final out for the save.
Southwestern, which opened the year with a state-best
10 victories without a defeat, now is winless (0-2-1)
in its last three outings.
Grossmont plays its next three games at home starting
with Tuesday’s (Feb. 24) 2 p.m. PCC meeting with
San Diego Mesa.
Elsewhere — Opening Day lasted longer
for all six schools, with all three PCC contests going
into extra innings. San Diego City also needed 12
frames to nip San Diego Mesa 10-9, while Palomar needed
11 innings to take down Imperial Valley 7-5.
Schedule Changes — Because of recent
rains, many Southland programs have been cooperating
to switch dates to incorporate make-up games or newly
scheduled contests onto team schedules. For Grossmont,
the PCC game with Imperial Valley on Apr. 18 will
now be played a day earlier to Apr. 17 with a start
time of 2 p.m. In its place, the Griffins will host
Antelope Valley in a noon doubleheader on Apr. 18h.
Getting
extension
Grossmont College right-fielder
Jared Madden with the great diving catch to
rob an
Orange Coast batter. The visiting Pirates still
won, 12-7, in Jaguar Classic action. (Photo by Mike Jones)
It really didn’t matter, though, as visiting
Orange Coast College roped six Grossmont pitchers
for 22 hits on its way to a 12-7 knockout of the Griffins
(8-3) at Noel Mickelsen Field. That decision gave
Grossmont a split in the four-game tournament.
The final score does not tell the whole story, however.
Grossmont scored six runs in the bottom of the 8th
inning to slice Orange Coast’s advantage to 8-7.
KEVIN SILVETT’s two-run single was the big hit
in that inning, which also saw two hit batters, two
walks, a passed ball and an error.
“About that time I’m thinking, ‘now
if we can just get three quick outs’ in the 9th
inning we’ll have a shot at winning this thing,”
Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “We had our
3-4-5 guys coming up in the bottom of the 9th.”
Brett Wallach, son of former Los Angeles Dodgers
slugger, hammered a two-run home run, keying a four-run
9th for the Pirates (5-5).
Sat., Feb. 14
PIRATES 12, GRIFFINS 7
Orange Coast (5-5)
Grossmont (8-3)
000 110 334–12 22
3
100 000 060– 7 8 1
Lilcon, Hong (8), Krogman (9) and Berryhill.
Dwyer, Murray-Lopez (7), Erese (7), Soden (8),
Thompson (9), Vrolijk (9) and Silvett. W-Lilcon.
L-Dwyer (1-1). HR-Wallach (OCC), 9th, one on.
That momentum-crushing blow finished the Griffins.
Weather permitting, Grossmont hosts Compton Tuesday
(Feb. 17) at 2 p.m. The Griffins are slated to travel
to Pasadena on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Grossmont then
opens the Pacific Coast Conference campaign against
defending state finalist Southwestern on Saturday
(Feb. 21) at noon in South Bay.
Target
Practice
Top: Griffins pitcher Todd
Jones allowed just
a single run on two basehits over 7 innings
to
dominate College of the Desert, 11-1. Bottom:
Grossmont catcher Nick Placone applies the tag
on East Los Angeles baserunner Tony Andrade. (Photos by Mike Jones) CLICK PHOTOS FOR ENLARGEMENTS
In fact, the Griffins clubbed seven home runs, but
had to settle for a split when their defense broke
down in the waning innings of the nightcap. They defeated
College of the Desert 11-1 and then blew an 8-2 lead
in losing to East Los Angeles, 11-10.
Grossmont’s RYAN BROSNAN homered in each game,
raising his season total to five. SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER
hit a pair of round-trippers against East L.A. After
the Huskies scored six runs in the top of the 9th
to take an 11-8 lead over the Griffins, Stonecipher
and Brosnan pounded back-to-back homers in the bottom
of the 9th inning with one out.
Grossmont’s seven errors handed the Huskies
five unearned runs.
ROBERT AQUIRRE and JARED MADDEN joined Grossmont’s
home run parade in the romp over COD. BEN SARNO slapped
a solo shot against East L.A.
Sophomore right-hander TODD JONES was the pitching
star for the Griffins (8-2). He limited the Roadrunners
to two hits and one run over seven innings to pick
up the victory. He struck out five and walked two.
Weather permitting, Grossmont will host Orange Coast,
Saturday (Feb. 14) at noon.
Fri., Feb. 13
GRIFFINS 11, ROADRUNNERS 1
Fri., Feb. 13 HUSKIES 11, GRIFFINS 10
Desert (1-7)
Grossmont (8-1)
000 001 000– 1
2 0
005 015 00x–11 13 0
East L.A. (4-3)
Grossmont (8-2)
101 000 216–11 16
3
320 012 002–10 12 7
Custer, Clark (3), Meyer (6), Isaacs (7) and
Morgan. Jones, Coleman (8), Aspaas (9) and Silvett.
W-Jones (1-0). L-Custer. HRs – Brosnan
(G-4), 3rd, one on; Aguirre (G-1), 5th solo;
Stewart (COD) 6th, solo; Madden (G-1) 6th, one
on.
Garcia, Vargas (5),
Gomez (9) and Franco; LaBarre, Hamels (6), Lopez
(6), Erese (8), Soden (9), Aspaas (9) and Placone.
W-Vargas. L-Soden (0-1). S-Gomez. HRs–Sarno
(G-2), 2nd, solo; Stonecipher (G-1,2)5th solo
and 9th solo; Brosnan (G-5), 9th solo.
Although we can't mathematically
prove
it, we're darn sure Grossmont College's
Ryan Hulbert (22, above) tops all state
community colleges after slugging his 3rd
grand slam of the season in Thursday's
14-6 triumph over visiting El Camino
in Jaguar Classic tournament action. (Photos by Mike Jones) CLICK PHOTOS FOR ENLARGEMENTS
Hulbert's third slam, 5 RBI,
powers G-House past El Camino
The 7-day hiatus didn’t seem to bother the Griffins,
who showed little signs of rust – especially at
the plate. Grossmont raked three El Camino pitchers
for a dozen hits en route to a 14-6 victory over the
visitors from Torrance.
Sophomore RYAN HULBERT blasted his third grand slam
in eight games to spark the Griffins (7-1). His latest
shot capped a 5-run 6th inning and advanced Grossmont’s
advantage over El Camino (4-3-1) to 9-3.
Hulbert, batting at a .471 clip (16-for-34) now has
21 RBI to rank among the state leaders. He had five
RBI against El Camino.
Catcher KEVIN SILVETT also came out swinging for
the Griffins, picking up four hits – falling
a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. He clubbed
an RBI triple in the 4th inning, slicing ELCO's early
edge to 3-1.
Thurs., Feb. 12
GRIFFINS 14, WARRIORS 6
El Camino (4-3-1)
Grossmont (7-1)
300 000 300– 6
8 1
000 315 05x–14 12 1
Moen, Link (6), Stephenson (8) and Gelbrich.
Anderson , Hamels (7), Erese (8), Soden (9)
and Silvett. W-Anderson (4-0). L-Moen (1-1).
HR-Hulbert (G-3), 6th, slam.
BEN SARNO also had three hits and one RBI for Grossmont.
Right-hander ZACK ANDERSON toiled 6 2/3 innings to
earn his 4th win without a loss. He struck out 12,
giving him 22 whiffs in the last 14 innings.
Weather permitting, Grossmont hosts College of the Desert
at 10 a.m. and East Los Angeles at 2 p.m. in Friday’s
(Feb. 13) second and third rounds of Jaguar Classic
action.
Top: Grossmont's Ben Sarno
dives safely
into first base. Bottom: Ryan Brosnan belts
a double; he also hit his 3rd home run. (Photos by Mike Jones)
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound freshman outfielder put
a charge in a pitch and drove it over the center field
fence in the 3rd inning to break a 2-2 tie in Thursday’s
(Feb. 5) opening round of the 16th annual Noel Mickelsen
Tournament. The Griffins went on to clip Cerro Coso
College of Ridgecrest, 8-4.
Brosnan’s blast was his third for the Griffins
(6-1), who are unbeaten in five starts at home.
Grossmont pulled away from the visiting Coyotes 7-3
with three runs in the 6th inning. BEN SARNO’s
two-run homer was the key blow.
SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER and Brosnan contributed three
hits apiece to Grossmont’s 12-hit attack.
Thurs., Feb. 5
GRIFFINS 8, COYOTES 4
Cerro Coso (2-3)
Grossmont (6-1)
011 001 001-4 6
3
201 103 01x-8 12 3
Wright, Swaford (6)
and Orr, Gust (8). Anderson , Erese (8). Soden
(9) and Silvett. W-Anderson (3-0). L-Wright. Brosnan
(G-3), 3rd, solo; Sarno (G-1), 6th, one on; Romero
(CC) 9th, solo.
Freshman right-hander ZACH ANDERSON scattered five
hits and allowed only two earned runs over seven innings
to log his third win without a loss. He struck out
10.
About half the game was played in a light rain, but
there were no stoppages.
Weather permitting, Grossmont will host Pasadena
City College Friday (Feb. 6); and West Los Angeles
Saturday (Feb. 7) in the final two rounds of the Noel
Mickelsen Tournament.
Both games start at 2 p.m.
Hulbert, a Helix High product, had an amazing
week with the bat. Included were a pair of grand
slam home runs — one was a game-winner
against 2nd-ranked Fresno — to help the
Griffins open the season with a perfect 5-0
mark.
He batted .524 (11-for-21) for the week, including
four extra-base hits.
Hulbert shares the award with former Granite
Hills standout ERIC KRAUSE, who gained a pair
of pitching wins for Southwestern College. Included
was 5 2/3 solid innings against Fresno.
Honorable mention went to another Granite Hills
alum, LOUIS CAZARES, who batted 9-for-11 over
three ball-games for San Diego City College.
Season-opening win streak ends
after Grossmont bungles 8-0 lead
The Griffins, in fact, caved in on defense and made
some poor pitching choices as they blew an 8-0 lead
and lost to host Compton College 9-8.
Keith Murakami slugged a two-run home run off Grossmont
reliever MITCHELL HAMELS with one out in the bottom
of the 8th inning to give Compton its first win in
three starts.
That was the crowning blow, but the five unearned
runs – thanks to three Grossmont errors –
is what really turned the game into a downward spiral
for the Griffins (5-1).
Things started out OK for Grossmont with three runs
in the 1st inning. RYAN HULBERT ripped a two-run single
and then scored on a double by KEVIN SILVETT.
Tue., Feb. 3
TARTARS 9, GRIFFINS 8
Grossmont (5-1)
Compton (1-2)
300 050 000-8 13 3
000 025 02x-9 16 1
Jones, Vrolijk (6),
Lopez (6), Grimaud (7), Hamels (7) and Silvett.
Fernandez, Taylor (5), Montezuma (9) and Jenks.
W-Taylor. L-Hamels (2-1). S-Moctezuma. HR-Silvett
(G-2), 5th, two on; Murakami (C) 8th, one on.
Grossmont extended its advantage to 8-0 with five runs
in the 5th inning. SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER, who was 3-for-5
on the day, singled in the first run. Hulbert followed
with a base hit and his 15th RBI of the season. Silvett
then unloaded with a three-run home run – his second
circuit clout of the season.
Silvett and Stonecipher had three hits apiece for
Grossmont.
Weather permitting, Grossmont will host the annual
Noel Mickelsen Tournament this weekend. The Griffins
are slated to play Cerro Coso on Thursday (Feb. 5),
Pasadena City College Friday (Feb. 6), and West Los
Angeles Saturday (Feb. 7). All three games start at
2 p.m.
Play 1: Grossmont catcher
Nick Placone blocks the
plate for the out on Reedley's Brett Hacker.
Play 2: The Griffins' Ryan Hulbert is
safe on his slide home. (Photos by Mike Jones)
RYAN HULBERT, a seasoned veteran who last had a big
year with the bat at Helix High in 2003 when he stroked
at a .337 clip with 7 homers, is off to a slam bang
start for the unbeaten Griffins this spring.
Emphasize the word SLAM!
Grossmont
10,
Reedley 6
Grossmont
10,
SBVC 6
For the second time in as many games Saturday (Jan.
31) at Noel Mickelsen Field, Hulbert blasted a grand
slam in the 6th inning, permitting the Griffins to
erase a 6-5 deficit en route to a 10-6 win over visiting
Reedley.
Grossmont completed its second double-header sweep
by whipping San Bernardino Valley College 10-6 Saturday
afternoon.
The Griffins (5-0) are batting .362 as a team with
67 hits and are averaging more than 13 runs per game.
Hulbert, who was 3-for-4 against San Bernardino ,
is the leader of the bat pack with a .524 mark (11-for-21).
In addition to his two home runs, he has a pair of
doubles and a dozen RBI.
Serrato, McCullough
(3), Mullaney (5) and Carmona, Perez (5); Dwyer,
Coleman (6), Grimaud (7), Erese (8), Soden (9)
and Silvett. W-Dwyer (1-0). L-Serrato. HR-Brosnan
(G-2), 4th, one on.
G-HOUSE ON THE OFFENSIVE
Game#
1
2
3
4
5
TOTAL
Runs
24
12
10
10
10
66
Hits
20
11
13
9
14
67
Santana alum RYAN BROSNAN (2006) also is carrying
a big club for Grossmont. Not known for his power
in high school, Brosnan clouted a two-run home run
in the win over San Bernardino . It was his second
circuit blast and helped hoist his average to .375
(9-for-24). He has 8 RBI.
Sophomore JARED MADDEN was 5-for-8 with three RBI
in Saturday’s sweep.
Catcher NICK PLACONE was 2-for-4 with a solo home
run against Reedley.
All five of Grossmont’s wins have been come-from-behind
efforts.
“Perseverance has been the word for this team,”
Abshier said. “These guys have jelled quickly.
Even when they’re down they never believe they’re
out of it. They just have a certain swagger to them.”
Grossmont travels to Compton College on Tuesday (Feb.
3) for a 2 p.m. non-conference game against the Tartars.
The Griffins (3-0) have pounded out 44 hits and scored
46 runs in their first 22 innings, including Friday’s
(Jan. 30) non-conference home-opening sweep of Porterville
12-3 and Fresno City College 10-5.
So far the Griffins have enjoyed an 11-run inning,
two 8-run innings and a pair of 5-run frames.
“For this early in the season we’re swinging
the bats really well,” Abshier said. “And
our defense has been pretty solid for the most part.”
The big blow for Grossmont in Friday’s sweep
was RYAN HULBERT’s grand slam that snapped a
5-5 deadlock in the 5th inning against Fresno –
the No. 2 ranked team in the state.
Earlier against Fresno , RYAN BROSNAN blasted a 3-run
homer to key a 5-run 3rd inning, giving the Griffins
a four-run lead. Brosnan and Hulbert had two hits
apiece against the Rams.
Fri., Jan. 30
GRIFFINS 12, PIRATES 3
Porterville
Grossmont (2-0)
000 200 100- 3
5 6
030 180 00x-12 11 3
Hebert, Finkle (5),
Ponce (7) Montani (8) and Jones; Hamels (5) Lopez
(7), Vrolijk (8), Soden (9) and Silvett. W-Hamels
(1-0). L-Herbert. HR-Silvett (G), 5th two on.
GRIFFINS 10, RAMS 5
Fresno
Grossmont (3-0)
010 310 000- 5 13
1
005 050 00x-10 13 1
Alcala, Bordagaray (5),
Marks (5) and Sullivan; LaBarre, Anderson (5)
and Silvett. W-Anderson (2-0). L–Bordagaray
(5). HR–Brosnan (G) 3rd, two on; Jones (F)
3rd, two on; Hulbert (G) 5th, slam.
ZACH ANDERSON retired seven straight and 16 of the
18 batters he faced in 5 1/3 innings of shutout relief
to notch the win over Fresno . Anderson owns two of
Grossmont’s wins to date.
BRIAN SAGUN was 5-for-9 with 4 runs and 3 RBI in
the two games for Grossmont. KEVIN SILVETT’s
three-run homer was the major blow in an 8-run
swing inning as the Griffins pulverized Porterville
in the morning game. SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER was 2-for-5
with an RBI against the Pirates.
Grossmont hosts Reedley (10 a.m.) and San Bernardino
Valley (2 p.m.) in a nonconference twinbill on Saturday
(Jan. 31) at Noel Mickelsen Field.
“When the sun started to go down it was extremely
cold,” Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said.
Unlike the Griffins’ bats. Grossmont scored
in five of the six innings, including 8 runs in the
3rd and 11 in the 6th.
“The word for the day was resilience,” Abshier
said. That is, the Griffins survived three home runs
by the Wolverines in the first four innings. Grossmont
scored the final 13 runs.
KEVIN TENNEY (Patrick Henry) drove in four runs with
a double and a pair of singles to spark Grossmont.
BEN SARNO (University City) accounted for seven runs
(four scored, 3 RBI) going 3-for-5 with a triple.
RYAN BROSNAN (Santana) chimed in with four hits –
one a triple – 3 RBI and 3 runs, while RYAN HULBERT
(Helix) was 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles, 3 RBI
and 3 runs. Both of Hulbert’s doubles came in
the 3rd inning.
JORDAN MEANS (Serra) teed off on San Berdoo pitching
for two hits and 3 RBI. ADAM ASPAAS (Mission Hills)
had a double, 3 RBI and scored 3 times.
Grossmont played flawless defense, while the Wolverines
committed 6 errors – all in the 6th frame.
Tue., Jan. 27
GRIFFINS 24, WOLVERINES 8
Grossmont (1-0)
SBVC (0-1)
028 12(11) – 24
20 0
131 300 – 8 12 6
Anderson, Hamels (6) and Silvett,
Placone (6); Mullaney, Lopez (3), Garner (3),
McCullough (3), Robertson (3), Serrato (5), McDaniel
(6) and Perez. W-Anderson (1-0). L-Mullaney (0-1).
HRs: Lewis (SB) 2nd, one; Williams (SB) 2nd, solo;
Luenio (SB) 4th, 2 on.
“We got 16 kids into the game, and they all
contributed,” Abshier said. “Overall, it
was a nice start for a team made up predominantly
of freshmen.”
Grossmont returns home to host a double-header on
Friday (Jan. 30), taking on Porterville at 10 a.m.
and Fresno City – the No. 2 ranked team in the
state – at 2 p.m.
On Saturday (Jan. 31), the Griffins entertain Reedley
at 10 a.m., followed by a rematch with San Bernardino
Valley at 2 p.m.
Not that Abshier believes his club lacks the ability
to challenge defending Pacific Coast Conference champion
and state runner-up Southwestern in the 2009 pennant
race.
Grossmont is coming off back-to-back lackluster seasons,
including a 20-20 finish last spring.
Sequoyah
Stonecipher
Kevin Silvett
Greg LaBarre
Yet, the return of SEQUOYAH
STONECIPHER in center field and the addition of
San Diego State transfer KEVIN SILVETT (Torrey Pines)
behind the plate are major pluses. Mission Bay High
product BRIAN SAGUN will help shore up the defense at
shortstop.
“Defense is our strength,” Abshier said.
ZACH ANDERSON, a 6-foot-4 freshman right-hander from
Timberline High School out of Boise, Idaho, should
be the Griffins No. 1 starter. Freshman southpaw GREG
LaBARRE from Francis Parker and returning right-hander
TODD JONES should also figure into the mix.
DARRELL ERESE, a freshman out of Mira Mesa, will
also do some pitching as well as El Capitan grad JOSH
SODEN.
Although his primary position at El Cajon Valley
High last year was shortstop, ANTHONY VROLIJK will
move to the mound for the Griffins.
Steele Canyon’s MARK BELLATTI, who batted .433
with 12 home runs and 32 RBI for the Cougars a year
ago, will share first base duties with El Capitan’s
ANDY HALE and serve as the club designated hitter
at times.
Third base belongs to ADAM ASPAAS (Mission Hills).
JORDAN MEANS out of Serra High swings a solid bat
as does Grossmont High product CASH McCLELLAN (.354,
5 home runs). Both should wind up somewhere in the
lineup.
“Twenty-five of our 33 guys are freshmen,”
Abshier said. “So obviously we are a young team.
We have some power, but I think we will be more of
a hit-and-run team.
“I’m excited about this team,” Abshier
said. “They are a bunch of fun guys.”
2009 State Scoreboard
HERE
2009 PCC Team Logs HERE
Fri., May 16 Palomar Super Regional Palomar 5, Mt. San Antonio 0
Santa Ana 6, Long Beach 0
Orange Coast Super Regional
Cypress 6, Mt. San Jacinto 0
Orange Coast 13, Saddleback 8
Sat., May 17 Palomar Super Regional Santa Ana 7, Palomar 4. W–Meza (11-1).
L–Jew (10-2). Sv–Perez (1).
Notable: Tyler Saladino (P) 2-4, double, RBI; Terrence
Buchanan 2-3, stolen base. Records: Santa Ana (36-11),
Palomar (35-11-1)
Long Beach City 2, Mt. SAC 1 (Mt. SAC eliminated)
Palomar 7, Long Beach City 3 (Beach eliminated).
W–Strom (4-1). L–Smith 4-2). HR–Webb
(P).
Notable: Buchanan (P) 2-3, 3 stolen bases; Alfonso
Casillas (P) 2-4, double; Leland Sisco (P) 2-4,
RBI. Records: Palomar (36-11-1), Long Beach (30-17)
Orange Coast Super Regional
Mt. San Jacinto vs. Saddleback, at Golden West
Cypress at Orange Coast
Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 loser
Sun., May 18
Palomar SUper Regional
Championship
Santa Ana 10, Palomar 7 (Palomar eliminated)
W–Capito (12-2). L–Bright (0-1).
Records: SA (37-11), Pal (36-13-1)
Orange Coast Super Regional
No report.
a-16th annual Noel Mickelson Invitational
b-Southwestern Tournament
c-College of the Desert Tournament
*Pacific Coast Conference contest
2009 State Scoreboard
HERE
2009 PCC Team Logs HERE
Tue., Jan. 27
Grossmont 24, San Bernardino Valley 8 (6 inn.,
darkness)
Palomar 5, Cypress 2
San Diego Mesa 8, College of the Desert 4
Southwestern 8, Saddleback 2
Victor Valley 16, Imperial Valley 8
Victor Valley 7, Imperial Valley 2
Thurs., Jan.
28
Santa Ana 9, Palomar 6
Fri., Jan. 30 Grossmont 12, Porterville 3 Grossmont, 10, Fresno 5
Cypress 11, San Diego Mesa 3
San Bernardino Valley 7, San Diego City 6
San Diego City 8, Reedley 6
Southwestern 10, San Bernardino Valley 1
Imperial Valley 7, Barstow 5
Barstow 9, Imperial Valley 6
Golden West vs. Palomar, at Bakersfield, ppd., rain
Palomar at Bakersfield, ppd., rain
Sat., Jan. 31 Grossmont10, Reedley 6 Grossmont10, San Bernardino Valley
6
San Diego Mesa 6, Porterville 5
Palomar 11, Bakersfield 2
Irvine Valley 6, Palomar 5
Palomar 8, Golden West 8 (tie; time limit)
Southwestern 5, Fresno 2
Southwestern 21, Reedley 3
San Diego Cigty 11, Porterville 5
Fresno 9, San Diego City 8
Tue., Feb. 3
Compton 9, Grossmont 8
Palomar 2, Saddleback 0
San Diego City 8, L.A. Pierce 7
San Diego Mesa 13, College of the Desert 7
Southwestern 7, Arizona Western 2
Thurs., Feb. 5 Grossmont 8, Cerro Coso 4
Palomar 3, Fullerton 2
Palomar at Mt. San Antonio, ppd., rain
San Diego Mesa at Irvine Valley, ppd., rain
Mt. San Jacinto 8. Imperial Valley 1
Mt. San Jacinto 17, Imperial Valley 5
Fri., Feb. 6
Pasadena at Grossmont, ppd., rain
Imperial Valley 11, Barstow 5
Imperial Valley 13, Barstow 10
Palomar vs. Ventura, , ppd., rain (Sun., Feb. 8)
Cerro Coso at San Diego City, ppd., rain
San Diego Mesa at Rio Hondo, ppd., rain
West Los Angeles at Southwestern, ppd., rain
Sat., Feb. 7
West Los Angeles at Grossmont, ppd., rain
West Los Angeles at San Diego City, ppd., rain
Cerro Coso at Southwestern, ppd., rain
Pasadena at San Diego City, ppd., rain
Pasadena at Southwestern, ppd., rain
San Diego Mesa vs. Bakersfield, ppd., rain
Sun., Feb. 8
San Diego Mesa 15, Rio Hondo 10
Rio Hondo 10, San Diego Mesa 7
Palomar vs. Ventura, at Mt. San Antonio, ccd., rain
Mon., Feb. 9
Orange Coast at Palomar, ppd., rain (moved to
Feb. 11, at OCC)
Tue., Feb. 10
Santa Ana at Grossmont, ppd., rain
Arizona Western 11, San Diego City 2
Palomar 6, College of the Desert 0
Cypress 15, San Diego Mesa 7
Southwestern 12, Orange Coast 1
Wed., Feb. 11
Orange Coast 4, Palomar 1
Thurs., Feb.
12 Grossmont 14, El Camino 6
Mt. San Jacinto 7, Imperial Valley 0
Mt. San Jacinto 8, Imperial Valley 3
Orange Coast 17, San Diego City 9
Palomar 12, L.A. Pierce 7
Southwestern 11, College of the Desert 3
Fri., Feb. 13 Grossmont 11, College of the Desert 1
East Los Angeles 11, Grossmont 10
El Camino 10, San Diego City 6
El Camino 10, San Diego City 5
Mt. San Antonio 5, Palomar 3
Southwestern 5, Orange Coast 1
San Diego Mesa 9, Moorpark 1
Sat., Feb. 14
Orange Coast 12, Grossmont 7
San Diego City 10, East Los Angeles 6
Southwestern 7, El Camino 1
Palomar 22, Rio Hondo 2
San Diego Mesa 6, Oxnard 5
San Diego Mesa 4, Bakersfield 3
Sun., Feb. 15
Southwestern 13, East Los Angeles 4
Porterville 11, San Diego Mesa 9
Tue., Feb. 17
Compton at Grossmont, ppd., wet grounds
Saddleback 10, San Diego Mesa 3
Palomar 3, College of the Desert 1
Imperial Valley at Victor Valley, ppd., wet grounds
(moved to Feb. 19)
Golden West at Southwestern, ppd. wet grounds (moved
to Feb. 19)
Thurs., Feb.
19
Cerritos 5, San Diego Mesa 3
Palomar 12, Mt. San Jacinto 5
Golden West 8, Southwestern 1
Victor Valley 7, Imperial Valley 6
Victor Valley 12, Imperial Valley 5
Sat., Feb. 21
*Grossmont 9, Southwestern 8 (12 inn.)
*San Diego City 10, San Diego Mesa 9 (12 inn.)
*Palomar 7, Imperial Valley 5 (11 inn.)
Tue., Feb. 24
*Grossmont 12, San Diego Mesa 7
*San Diego City 6, Palomar 5 (10 inn.)
*Southwestern 18, Imperial Valley 2
Thurs., Feb.
26
Grossmont 11, Imperial Valley 6
Southwestern 16, San Diego City 5
Palomar 8, San Diego Mesa 6
Fri., Feb. 27
San Diego Mesa 11, Imperial Valley 5
Sat., Feb. 28
Grossmont 14, San Diego City 8
Palomar 5, Southwestern 3
Tue., Mar. 3
Grossmont 5, Palomar 2
Southwestern 10, San Diego Mesa 3
San Diego City 11, Imperial Valley 5
Thurs., Mar.
5
Southwestern 16, Grossmont 5
San Diego City 5, San Diego Mesa 4
Palomar 12, Imperial Valley 0
Sat., Mar. 7 Southwestern 3, Grossmont 2 Palomar 12, Imperial Valley 3
San Diego City 12, San Diego Mesa 4
Tue., Mar. 10
San Diego Mesa 7, Grossmont 5
Southwestern 14, Imperial Valley 13
Palomar 7, San Diego City 1
Thurs., Mar.
12 Grossmont 4, San Diego Mesa 3
Palomar 14, San Diego City 1
Southwestern 10, Imperial Valley 1
Fri., Mar. 13
Southwestern 14, San Bernardino Valley 5
San Diego Mesa 8, Irvine Valley 3
Sat., Mar. 14
Palomar 5, Mt. San Antonio 3
Porterville at Southwestern (DH), ccd.
Tue., Mar. 17
Grossmont 14, Imperial Valley 3
San Diego Mesa 13, Palomar 3
Southwestern 12, San Diego City 10
Thurs., Mar.
19 Grossmont 15, Imperial Valley 5
San Diego City 10, Southwestern 4
Palomar 15, San Diego Mesa 0
Fri., Mar. 20
San Diego Mesa 5, Imperial Valley 4
Sat., Mar. 21
Grossmont 11, San Diego City 5
Palomar 9, Southwestern 2
Tue., Mar. 24
Grossmont 10, San Diego City 2
Palomar 10, Southwestern 6
San Diego Mesa 14, Imperial Valley 5
Thurs., Mar.
26
Palomar 5, Grossmont 4 (10 inn.)
San Diego Mesa 4, Southwestern 3
San Diego City 18, Imperial Valley 10
Fri., Mar. 27
San Diego City 15, Imperial Valley 7
Sat., Mar. 28
Palomar 10, Grossmont 7
San Diego Mesa 7, Southwestern 4
Tue., Mar. 31
Grossmont 3, Southwestern 2
San Diego Mesa 3, San Diego City 0
Palomar 25, Imperial Valley 2
Thurs., Apr. 2
Grossmont 10, Southwestern 6
Palomar 4, Imperial Valley 1
San Diego City 5, San Diego Mesa 4
Fri., Apr. 3
Santa Ana 11, San Diego Mesa 2
Mon., Apr. 6
Orange Coast 15, San Diego Mesa 9
Tue., Apr. 7
Southwestern 25, Pasadena 3
Mt. San Jacinto 3, Palomar 3
San Diego Mesa -- Palomar-Mesa Tournament - ?
Wed., Apr. 8
Grossmont 20, College of the Desert 3
Chaffey 11, Southwestern 8
Palomar 2, Orange Coast 0
Mt. San Jacinto 12, San Diego Mesa 8
Compton 4, Imperial Valley 2
Imperial Valley 3, Compton 2
San Diego City vs. San Bernardino Valley, no report
Thurs., Apr. 9 Chaffey 10, Grossmont 8
Palomar 7, Mt. San Jacinto 3
Imperial Valley 5, Compton 2
Imperial Valley 7, Compton 1
Southwestern 10, San Bernardino Valley 3
San Diego City at College of the Desert, no report
Fri., Apr. 10 San Bernardino Valley 18, Grossmont 1
Chaffey 18, San Diego City 4
Southwestern 6, College of the Desert 1
Tue., Apr. 14 San Diego Mesa 7, Grossmont 6
Southwestern 18, Imperial Valley 8
Palomar 17, San Diego City 5
Thurs., Apr. 16
San Diego Mesa 13, Grossmont 11
Palomar 7, San Diego City 2
Southwestern 7, Imperial Valley 0
Fri., Apr. 17 Grossmont 11, Imperial Valley 4
Sat., Apr. 18
Antelope Valley at Grossmont (DH), cancelled
College of the Desert at Riverside, cancelled
Riverside 6, Grossmont 3
Southwestern 7, San Diego City 4
Palomar 7, San Diego Mesa 6
Tue., Apr. 21 Grossmont 9, Imperial Valley 8
Southwestern 9, San Diego City 1
Palomar 16, San Diego Mesa 1
Thurs., Apr. 23 Grossmont 13, San Diego City 9
Southwestern 8, Palomar 7
San Diego Mesa 11, Imperial Valley 3
Fri., Apr. 24
San Diego Mesa 25, Imperial Valley 4.
Sat., Apr. 25
Grossmont 16, San Diego City 11
Palomar 4, Southwestern 2
Tue., Apr. 28
Grossmont 6, Palomar 3
Southwestern 15, San Diego Mesa 10
San Diego City 3, Imperial Valley 1
Thur., Apr. 30
Grossmont 8, Palomar 7
Southwestern 4, San Diego Mesa 3
San Diego City 5, Imperial Valley 0
END REGULAR SEASON
STATE PLAYOFFS
Southland Play-In Games Tue., May 5
No. 15 Ventura 12, No. 18 Chaffey 11
No. 17 Citrus 21, No. 16 Rio Hondo 8
Southland Regional
(Best of 3 series) Fri., May 8 No. 6 Long Beach 6, No. 10 Grossmont 4
No. 5 Santa Ana 10, No. 12 Southwestern 2
No. 1 Palomar 10, No. 17 Citrus 2
Southland Regional
(Best of 3 series) Sat., May 9 Long Beach 10, Grossmont 8 (10 inn.) (Vikings
win series 2-0)
Palomar 5, Citrus 2 (Comets win series 2-0)
Santa Ana 12, Southwestern 2 (Dons win series 2-0)
2008 COA State
Playoffs Complete North/South BracketsHERE
South Region
- Play-In Game
Tue., May 6 No. 15 Palomar 3, No. 18 Santa Barbara 0
South Region
- First Round (Best of 3)
Fri., May 9
No. 5 Southwestern 3, No. 12 El Camino (29-14) 2
No. 2 Cuesta (31-13-1) 12, Palomar 5 Sat., May 10
No. 5 Southwestern 5, No. 12 El Camino (29-15) 1
No. 2 Cuesta (32-13-1) 6, Palomar 5
South Region -
Super Regional, at Santa Ana Fri.-Sun., May 16-18
May 16: Southwestern 6, Irvine Valley 5
May 17: Southwestern 8, Santa Ana 6
May 18: Santa Ana 13, Southwestern 9
May 18: Final -- Southwestern 11, Santa Ana 9
State Championships
Sat.-Mon., May 24-26 At Fresno City College
May 24: Sierra 6, Southwestern 3
May 24: Riverside 8, West Valley 6
May 25: Southwestern 11, West Valley 3
May 25: Sierra 6, Riverside 1
May 25: Southwestern 7, Riverside 6
May 26: Southwestern 7, Sierra 3
May 26: Sierra 6, Southwestern 2
