© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (5-20-09) — In the 35 seasons of San Diego CIF sanctioned softball, Steele Canyon High was able to equal one of East County's most prestigious marks.

On Tuesday (May 19), the Cougars claimed their fourth consecutive Grossmont South League championship after
skating pasting visiting Monte Vista, 10-1.

The Usual Suspects

Senior Day in the East County features Helix' (top, from left): Jessica Fernandez, Tina Noriega, Channelle McNutt, Natalie Smith, Alex Sarzyniak and Kailah Cano-Rue; from Santana, Jessie Owens and Amanda Carpenter. (Photos by Sarah Schuster, top, and Micah Owens) CLICK TO ENLARGE Senior Run at Steele Canyon features (l-r): Kelly Cash, Jazmin Daigle, Hannah Rost and Michelle Cash. (Photo by Doug Cash)

The last Grossmont Conference school to claim four straight titles was Valhalla, which capped its streak in 2006 by sharing the title with Steele Canyon. Since then, the Cougars have posted a stellar 36-4 record in league contests, topping Valhalla's 35-5 mark during its run.

JAZMIN DAIGLE, a four-year starter during the stretch of championships, paced the offense by going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. ELLE REID also collected two hits, along with IRENE BLUMENSTOCK, who also pitched the final five innings to gain the victory.

LORENA KLOPP started the game, retiring all six Monarchs she faced, before Bohe made several changes to allow all her seniors to play in the team's final regular-season home game. The other seniors include HANNAH ROST, a 4-year varsity performer, and sisters KELLY and MICHELLE CASH.

Kelly Cash opening the scoring with a 2-run triple in the 1st inning, while MEGAN HUTCHINSON added a 2-run single in the 6th.

Monte Vista 's lone run came in the 6th, when shortstop BRITTANY WRIGHT tripled to right field, then scored when the relay throw to third sailed past the defense for an unearned run on a four-base play.

The Monarchs also had a chance in the 3rd after loading the bases on three straight singles. However, Daigle prevented a ball from racing down the line and threw a strike to Kelly Cash at the plate for the force out. Michelle Cash then followed with a nice grab on a well-hit ground ball at first base to end the inning.

After that inning, Blumenstock allowed just one additional hit all contest, combining with Klopp on a 4-hitter.

Scripps Ranch took the title outright after Mira Mesa, the third prong in the deadlock entering the day, was upset by 2008 co-champion Patrick Henry.

A wild 5th inning saw the Falcons snap a 2-2 tie by scoring five times, then almost giving it all back when the Patriots scored four runs to move within 7-6.

However, Scripps Ranch pitcher Taylor Curran closed with a pair of shutout innings, aided by a double play in the 7th.

After Christian placed the first two batters on base to bring the potential tying run to the plate, MONIQUE ELLIOTT followed with a low liner into the hole, but Falcons shortstop Emily Gusse not only made a dandy back-handed catch, she was able to throw to first base for the second out.

Curran then coaxed a grounder to second to clinch the league title.

Christian received two hits each from ALLI GUNTER, ALLIE SCOTT, MARY GRABOWSKI and NICOLE MARCOS, including a double by Grabowski.

Prior to the contest, former Patriots coach ROMA DAWSON was honored with a plaque, marking her 22 seasons with the program, which included four SDCIF championships.

Meanwhile, Falcons coach Mary Jo Griswold was absent, visiting Berkeley to witness the college graduation of her oldest daughter, Katie Knoche, who is a standout field hockey player for Cal.

Valhalla 5, Granite Hills 3 – Since sharing the South League title with Steele Canyon in 2006, capping a run of four straight titles, the Norsemen struggled to a pair of seasons at .500 or below. However, Valhalla rebounded to finish all alone in second place after staving off a late rally to down the visiting Eagles at Leto Field.

Norsemen pitcher TORREY ROOK was a little bit lucky and quite a bit good in tossing a 5-hitter.

The good is obvious, limiting Granite Hills to just a pair of singles through six innings. Meanwhile, Rook aided the offense by slugging a 2-run homer to cap a 4-run outburst in the 3rd inning.

The breakout rally started on a ground-rule double by KIANA BROWN. A walk to KAITLIN McGINLEY and a pair of stolen bases put both runners into scoring position, with both getting cashed in on a sharp double to right field by ANGELA UY on an 0-2 pitch.

ROOK then deposited the very next pitch over the fence in left-center field.

However, the pitcher got a little lucky to prevent Granite Hills from getting even in the 7th.

After a walk and a single on a ball which rolled from foul territory back into fair ground along the third-base line, the Eagles received consecutive RBI singles to center by JENNY LAHITTE and JILL SCIARRA.

A fielder's choice placed the potential tying runs in scoring position when Rook caught a break.

ANGELA LOVELADY hit a hot shot up the middle, but Rook saw the ball catch her glove – not necessarily the other way around. She checked the runner at third and got the out at first. And when the next batter popped out to Uy at third base, the Norsemen clinched a second place finish.

McGinley registered a basehit to raise her batting average to .636 in GSL play, Her single in the 4th brought home Brown.

Following a forgettable 1-23 campaign as a freshman, the 4-year starter not only has a college scholarship to Western New Mexico in her pocket, Nelson blossomed into one of the most reliable pitchers in the Grossmont South League.

After throwing a 5-hitter with eight strikeouts at Helix, Nelson now owns eight career shutouts in her 83rd complete game. The workhorse has pitched more than 540 innings.

Nelson also aided the cause on offense to help produce the game's only run.

In the 4th inning, GABRIELLA NAIDAS, who recently made the transition from shortstop to catcher, opened with a basehit and was sacrificed to second base on a Nelson bunt. SHANICE SUTTON singled Naidas to third, then senior centerfielder NICOLE CUNNINGHAM singled her home on a drive to left field.

The three base hits in the inning were the only ones allowed by hard-luck losing pitcher NATALIE SMITH. The senior finished with six strikeouts, and was the lone player with multiple hits by going 2-for-3. Included was a Smith double in the 3rd when the Scotties loaded the bases, but Nelson escaped on a pop-up to TINA NORIEGA.

West Hills 9, Grossmont 3 – In the final ballgame between the schools as members of the Grossmont North League – they will swap places with Mount Miguel and Monte Vista next season – the Wolf Pack leaped to a 7-0 advantage, finishing with 16 hits. And they didn't waste time to begin the count.

Lead-off batter FAITH KORIA lifted a drive down the left-field line. By the time Grossmont dug the ball out of the corner, Koria circled the bases for an inside-the-park home run.

MICHERIE KORIA, ALYSSA EVJEN, and BRE AUSTIN paced the Pack with three hits each, including Austin 's run-scoring triple in the 4th. Meanwhile, ALEX MILLER went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI, while JESSICA ALDERSON and CHELSEA VELOVICH also registered two hits each.

Velovich also pitched the first five innings, striking out seven batters. NOELLE JOHNSON tossed the final two innings, escaping bases-loaded situations both times, as Grossmont stranded 12 runners on base.

After West Hills mounted its touchdown lead, the Foothillers came back with a field goal. Included was an RBI double by KELSEY ALVAREZ to score KAITLIN NICKS (single) in the 4th, then MADI HILL stroked a 2-run double an inning later to bring home HEATHER DEMENT and CORAL KASDEN, who both walked.

Santana 10, El Cajon Valley 0 (5 inn.) – On Senior Day in Santee, freshman CAITLIN ARNDT stole the show. Arndt batted 2-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs to cap the Sultans' championship run in the Grossmont North League.

Sophomore AMANDA GRABLE added a pair of doubles and scored twice in Tuesday's (May 19) run-rule decision over the Braves.

Among the soon-to-be graduates, JESSIE OWENS pitched the first 3 1/3 innings to gain the victory, combining with SHANNON FYSON on a 2-hit shutout. Owens also batted three times, but walked each time, once with the bases loaded to force home a run.

MICHELLE THILLE added a triple for the Sultans, while CARLA CARRILLO posted a double for Santana, which expects to be the top-seed when they open defense of its SDCIF Division III crown.

Tue., May 19

Eastern League FALCONS 9, PATRIOTS 6 Scripps Rch (20-6-2) Christian (15-10) 000 252 0-9 10 0 101 040 0-6 09 1 Curran and Sevilla; Gunter, Gentry (5) and Scott. W-Curran (14-3). L-Gunter (12-5). HR-none. Grossmont North League SULTANS 10, BRAVES 0 (5 inn.) ECVHS (6-18) Santana (22-6) 000 00 - 00 2 5 415 0x - 10 8 0 Mullens and D.Garcia; Owens, Fyson (4) and Carrillo, Siler (5). W-Owens (7-3). L-Mullens (2-8). HR-none. WOLF PACK 9, FOOTHILLERS 3 West Hills (21-7) Grossmont (15-13) 211 301 1 - 9 10 1 000 120 0 - 3 08 3 Velovich, Johnson (6) and M.Koria, Baggett (7); Fishtrom, Miranda (4) and Dascomb. W-Velovich (9-4). L-Fishtrom (8-6). HR-F.Koria (W), 1st, lead, inside the park.

Grossmont South League COUGARS 10, MONARCHS 1 Monte Vista (9-15-1) Steele Canyon (18-8) 000 001 0-01 04 5 321 103 x-10 12 1 Malando and Perea. Klopp, Blumenstock (3) and K.Cash, Rost (7). W-Blumenstock (7-2). L-Maldonado (6-7). HR-none. NORSEMEN 5, EAGLES 3 Granite Hills (16-9) Valhalla (18-12-1) 000 100 2 - 3 5 3 004 100 x - 5 6 4 Lahitte and Sciarra; Rook and Tellez. W-Rook (9-7). L-Lahitte (10-8). HR-Rook (V) 3rd, one on. MATADORS 1, HIGHLANDERS 0 Mount Miguel (9-15-1) Helix (7-18) 000 100 0 - 1 3 1 000 000 0 - 0 5 0 Nelson and Naidas; N.Smith and C.Smith. W-Nelson (8-11). L-N.Smith (7-17). HR-none.

West Hills' CHELSEA VELOVICH missed slamming a game-tying home run by less than a foot in the bottom of the 7th inning Monday (May 18), instead settling for an RBI double. Given a second opportunity, Santana pitcher JESSIE OWENS retired the next Wolf Pack batter on a groundout, clinching a 5-3 victory.

"I pretty much thought it was out right away," admitted Owens. "Then I was surprised when it hit the fence."

Freshman left-fielder EMILY SCHISLER quickly recovered the ball and fired it in to allow only one run to score. Owens then clinched the league title on a grounder to first base,

An earlier Santana loss to Grossmont allowed West Hills a second shot to grab a share of the league title.

"I wouldn't say we were disappointed after losing to Grossmont," added Owens, who allowed five hits while striking out five. "It made us sad, but I knew we'd get through it. We made sure we didn't go through the motions – mentally and physically."

"We definitely learned our lesson."

Defense was also a key for Santana's 3-game series sweep of the Wolf Pack. Included was another fine defensive stop by shortstop AMANDA CARPENTER.

With a Wolf Pack runner on second base, a ball was ticketed for centerfield. However, Carpenter knocked the ball down as it reached the outfield grass.

"The runner on second just kept on going, but Amanda came up throwing," Owens recalled. "It was a great throw home – she's done that a few times this season."

Meanwhile, the Wolf Pack (20-6, 8-3 GNL) committed three errors, allowing four unearned runs to score.

West Hills opened the scoring in the 1st when a drive by FAITH KORIA went for a triple when Schisler missed on her diving attempt to flag the low liner. Twin sister MICHERIE KORIA followed with a sacrifice fly for the RBI.

Santana (21-6, 10-1 GNL) answered with four runs in the 3rd, then an insurance marker in the 6th.

MICHELLE THILLE singled up the middle to score Schisler (safe on error), then Carpenter singled to left to plate Owens (single) with the go-ahead run. CARLA CARRILLO then lined to right-center to bring home Thille and Carpenter for a 4-1 lead.

Carrillo waa the lone player on either team to register two hits.

Grossmont 3, El Capitan 1 – Following a split of the first two meetings between the schools, the series clincher remain tied heading into the 7th inning before the Foothillers scored twice on a two-out rally to take an exciting Grossmont North League contest.

Three consecutive basehits by CORAL KASDEN, AUBRIE MAY and KAITLIN NICKS broke the tie. Nicks hit a short blooper which landed between the Vaqueros' shortstop and second baseman to score Kasden, with an ensuing error allowing May to also come home.

Prior to the string of singles, El Capitan threw out a runner trying to steal. Well, sort of.

Following a pitch to Kasden, the return throw to the pitch bounded away. Another infielder also failed to pick up the hot potato, so the Grossmont runner at second base headed for third. However, another infielder was able to secure the ball and throw to third for the inning's second out.

Grossmont (1-512, 6-5 GNL) opened the scoring when May doubled in the 1st, Nicks bunted her to third, then MADI HILL lined a single for the RBI.

El Capitan (12-17, 5-8 GNL), which got its leadoff batter on base over the first four innings but failed to score, finally got the run back in the 5th.

CATHERINE BROWN opened with a one-out single, ALISHA WYCKOFF was hit by a pitch, then PAIGE BORRAS registered a basehit to center to bring home Brown.

Brown, the catcher, went 3-for-4 on the day, with the out being a deep fly out that was caught at the fence.

El Cap also loaded the bases in the 2nd, but Grossmont pitcher RACHEL STALFORD escaped with three straight strikeouts. Stalford, a sophomore, finished with a 10 strikeouts, one shy of her career best.

SARAH GROHMAN finished with six strikeouts in her final regular-season contest.

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SKYLINE (5-15-09) — The championship in the Eastern League won't be decided until the final day of the regular season, as Christian High won and received some needed assistance in Tuesday's (May 14) action.

While the Patriots run-ruled host Morse, 19-4, behind a pair of home runs by catcher ALLIE SCOTT, front-running Mira Mesa was bumped off by Scripps Ranch on a 1-hit shutout by freshman Taylor Curran.

Thus, the Patriots, Mira Mesa and Scripps Ranch are all knotted with 7-2 records with one Eastern League contest remaining. However, at least one member of the trio will not win a title.

On Tuesday (May 19), Christian will host Scripps Ranch to determine one half of the championship tandem. Meanwhile, Mira Mesa is not guaranteed a free ticket to a crown when the Marauders travel to upset-minded Patrick Henry, the ballclub which stunned Christian earlier in the week.

"It because we're practicing a lot harder," said the junior catcher. "I know I'm really focusing on technique and to dial in and focus on the ball because I haven't been performing as well as I would like this season."

Scott hit a 2-run shot in the 1st, when Christian took a 3-0 lead, then added a 3-run blast when the Patriots scored 8 times in the 3rd. Scott also added an RBI single to cap a 6-RBI performance.

Meanwhile, first baseman KARA CARTWRIGHT also carded a career high with five RBI in a 4-for-5 outing at the plate.

"We just didn't come prepared against Henry, but we've been practicing our hitting and it really helped," noted the Point Loma Nazarene bound Cartwright. "And Allie's on fire right now – she's amazing.”

NICOLE MARCOS (3-for-4) and ALLI GUNTER (2-for-3) also drove in a pair of runs, while MONIQUE ELLIOTT added three hits among the team's season-best 19 basehits.

Grossmont North League
Santana 10, El Capitan 2 – Following their upset setback to Grossmont, the Sultans still struggled early before breaking loose for five runs in the 5th inning to finally put away the visiting Vaqueros on Thursday (May 14).

A half-dozen extra-base hits were the difference for the Sultans, including a homer and a double from sophomore AMANDA GRABLE, who finished with three RBI. Meanwhile, CARLA CARRILLO posted a pair of doubles.

El Capitan, which registered nine hits – the 4th-most allowed by Santana all season – also displayed some power. LESLIE KUHEN popped a solo homer to left-centerfield to tie the game at 1-all in the 2nd, then SARAH GROHMAN singled up the middle to score PAIGE BORRAS in the 5th, chasing Sultans starting pitcher SHANNON FYSON.

However, JESSIE OWENS entered in relief to register a strikeout to end the threat and maintain a 3-2 lead. The senior then added two additional shutout innings, gaining her the East County lead with her fourth save of the season.

West Hills 11, El Cajon Valley 0 (5 inn.) – JESSICA ALDERSON and NOELLE JOHNSON combined on a 2-hit shutout in Thursday's (May 14) road victory over the Braves. The pair struck out nine batters to set-up Monday's second-change opportunity to gain a share of the Grossmont North League crown when they host Santana at 4 p.m.

Alderson jump-started West Hills with a 2-run single to score ALEX MILLER and KAELI KUNYADY when the team scored six times prior to Alderson's entrance into the pitching circle in the 1st inning.

Centerfielder TAYLOR HALLAHAN batted 2-for-2, the lone Wolf Pack player with multiple hits as the coaching staff cleared the bench early.

Despite the shutout, El Cajon Valley registered five basehits.

Klopp recorded nine strikeouts, with TINA NORIEGA the lone Helix batter to solve her by gaining both of her team's hits. Noriega, a senior, singled in the 2nd, then doubled in the 5th.

Steele Canyon scored all three of its runs in the 3rd, but only one was earned off Helix' NATALIE SMITH.

VANESSA KELLEMS opened the inning with a hard one-hopper which bounced off an infielder's chest, as the sophomore beat the throw to first for an infield single. MICHELLE BEASLEY also singled, then NICOLE RANDEL's ground ball to the right side moved both runners into scoring position.

Klopp then registered the lone RBI of the contest with a basehit to score Beasley. The other runs scored when an infield popup was dropped, allowing a pair of unearned runs to come home.

Beasley batted 2-for-4, including a pair of leadoff hits, while Klopp also went 2-for-4.

Valhalla 1, Mount Miguel 0 – Norsemen pitcher TORREY ROOK made a 2nd-inning run stand up in tossing a 3-hit shutout at the host Matadors at Trude Field.

Rook struck out 15 Matadors.

CANDICE STAMPER sent a drive to the fence in right-centerfield for a double, as second baseman NAOMI TELLEZ (walk) came all the way around the diamond to score.

The decision to send Tellez was tentative at best after Valhalla ran itself out of the inning in the 1st.

The Norsemen only collected five hits Thursday (May 14), with Stamper going 3-for-3, while KAITLIN McGINLEY also gained a single to keep her batting average in league play above the .700 mark.

Mount Miguel also saw a baserunner thrown out to end a scoring threat.

In the 5th, the Matadors loaded the bases on a leadoff bloop single by NICOLE CUNNINGHAM, a one-out bunt single by second baseman THERESE ORTEGA, then a 2-out walk to left fielder CYNTHIA BELL.

Cunningham then attempted to tie the ballgame on a pitch to the backstop, but freshman catcher NICOLE FOLEY recovered the ball in time, throwing to Rook covering the plate for the third out.

Granite Hills 10, Monte Vista 0 (5 inn.) – Eagles junior JENNY LAHITTE made it three GSL shutouts on the day Thursday (May 14) in spinning a 2-hitter at the visiting Monarchs. Lahitte struck out seven batters.

ANGELA LOVELADY opened the scoring by slugging a 2-run homer in the 2nd inning. The senior also belted a 2-run double, giving her four RBI for the contest.

Lahitte batted 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI, while BRITTANI BERTUSSI went 2-for-3 with three RBI. Both registered doubles.

For Monte Vista, senior AMANDA AGUON snapped Lahitte's no-hit bid with a single in the 4th, then JASMINE KING recorded a basehit in the 5th.

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (5-13-09) — It was everything you'd expect in a showdown battle for first place. Standout players making big plays, several lead changes, then a clutch hit to win it.

In a ballgame featuring the heavy-weights in the Grossmont North League, Steele Canyon third baseman JAZMIN DAIGLE delivered a walkoff basehit in the bottom of the 7th inning, providing the Cougars with a 5-4 verdict over Granite Hills.

The senior punched the ball through the left side of the infield to bring home NICOLE RANDEL, then got punched for her troubles when teammates mobbed her. We assume it was accidental.

"I've got a bruise on my face – but it was worth it," said Daigle, who grounded the first pitch through the hole for the game-winner. "There was a lot of pressure, especially since everyone thought we didn't deserve to win the first time we played."

During the first round of the GSL schedule, Steele Canyon tallied nine unearned runs in a single inning to trump the Eagles.

"A lot of people thought we scored all those runs on errors, but we actually got a lot of hits," noted Daigle. "It helped spark us."

Only until the teams exchanged roles and the Cougars allowed a series of unearned runs.

Moments after LORENA KLOPP clubbed a 3-run homer to take a 3-1 advantage in the 5th, Steele Canyon committed four errors in the 6th, leading to three runs in giving the lead right back to the Eagles.

"After Lorena's homer, we were too excited and thought we had the game in the bag," admitted Daigle, who is enrolled at San Diego State for the fall unless a softball scholarship is offered over the summer. "People made some bad mistakes."

However, the Eagles returned the favor in the bottom of the 7th.

MICHELLE BEASLEY started the winning march with an infield single, scoring when a sacrifice bunt by Randel was thrown away to knot the ballgame while placing the winning runner on second base.

Klopp hit a shallow popup which was muffed for another error, then with runners on the corners, Daigle delivered.

"Jazmin has been our most consistent hitter all season," said Cougars assistant coach QUINN RENFRO. "She's always hitting the ball hard somewhere."

Klopp struck out eight to collect the victory.

Granite Hills opened the scoring on a basehit by freshman DESIREE MEJIA to bring home JENNY LAHITTE (walk) in the 4th, but Klopp countered with a 3-run homer in the 5th in the first of a series of lead changes.

"After all those errors, we thought we were going to lose," admitted Daigle. "But our team always fights back. It was pretty cool."

Beasley, the designated player, went 2-for-4 as the only player with multiple hits. Both sides collected five basehits.

Steele Canyon closes its league slate with contests against Helix and Monte Vista. Sweeping would give the Cougars a record fourth consecutive GSL title.

Monte Vista 6, Mount Miguel 5 – In another GSL contest decided in the bottom of the 7th, a throwing error allowed senior AMANDA AGUON to score the winning run, as the Monarchs rallied from deficit of 4-0 and 5-1 to trump the visiting Matadors in Tuesday's (May 12) match-up of Spring Valley rivals.

Monte Vista scored three times in the 6th to tie the ballgame, as BOBBI WOLFENDEN singled home BRITTANY WRIGHT (lead single, two stolen bases), then two others scored on wild pitches.

An inning later, Aguon led-off with a single, gaining second base when the ball was misplayed in the outfield. CAITLIN QUON then reached first on a dropped third strike, but when the throw to first sailed down the right-field line, Aguon waltzed in to win on Senior Day and enhance the Monarchs' playoff aspirations.

Mount Miguel collected 13 hits in a losing effort, including three by freshman second baseman THERESA ORTEGA.

BRIANNA RIOS, LAURA NELSON and GABRIELLA NAIDAS also added two hits each for the Matadors.

TORREY ROOK paced Valhalla with a 4-for-4 outing, scoring three times plus two RBI and a pair of stolen bases. Meanwhile, ANGELA UY and NAOMI TELLEZ added two hits and a pair of RBI each. For Uy, both hits went for doubles.

The early run production made life easy for Norsemen pitcher CANDICE STAMPER, who tossed a 3-hitter. The only runs she allowed came on a 2-run homer by Helix' KAILAH CANO-RUE in the 3rd.

El Capitan 13, El Cajon Valley 0 (5 inn.) – Senior LESLIE KUHEN, who moved to catcher in recent weeks following a rash of Vaqueros injuries, provided the biggest hit of her career. Kuhen capped Tuesday's (May 12) victory with a walkoff grand slam to down the visiting Braves.

Kuhen's slam capped a 4-for-4 performance, which also included a double. ALISHA WYCKOFF batted 3-for-4 and MEGAN MATHENY went 2-for-4, with each collecting a double.

Kuhen and PAIGE BORRAS also hit doubles in the 3rd inning, when El Capitan scored seven times to take a 9-0 lead. Meanwhile, SARAH GROHMAN tossed a 2-hit shutout for the Vaqueros.

The lone hits for the Braves came off the bats of CHELSEA BALL in the 4th and SAM JULIEN in the 5th.

Patrick Henry 9, Christian 1 – One game after gaining a share of first place in the Eastern League, the visiting Patriots stubbed their toe against sub-.500 Patrick Henry.

Patrick Henry scored three quick runs to chase Christian's starting pitcher after just 1/3 inning, hitting the scoreboard in four of its first five at-bats Tuesday (May 12).

Christian avoided the shutout in the 7th inning when AMANDA MARCOS tripled into the right-field corner, coming home on a wild pitch.

The Patriots must defeat Morse and Scripps Ranch in its two remaining league contests, then hope front-running Mira Mesa also gets upset in order to gain a share of its first-ever Eastern League pennant.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-12-09) — Hovering at the .500 mark, Grossmont High hopes to make a big run over the third and final round of Grossmont North League play in order to gain not only a postseason berth, but an opening round home game for the SDCIF playoffs.

The Foothillers started such a run for the SDCIF's double-elimination, Dronenberg playoff format, by looking to their pitcher, BRITTANY FISHTROM.

The senior registered a season-high 12 strikeouts and belted the only extra-base hit of the contest with a double, pacing Grossmont to Monday's (May 11) 10-0 decision over host El Cajon Valley.

"Brittany was very consistent today, the type of performance we need to get into the playoffs," said Hillers coach JERRY LERUD.

Fishtrom matched teammates AUBRIE MAY and HEATHER DEMENT with three hits and a pair of RBI. Meanwhile, CORAL KASDEN (three hits) joined KELSEY ALVAREZ and MADI HILL in also driving in a run.

Scripps Ranch 3, Helix 1 – Although the Highlanders dropped this non-league decision Monday (May 11), head coach KELLIE BRYAN was still quite pleased with her team's performance against a team which rated among the Top 10 in the county over the first half of the season before injuries dropped the Falcons to among the honorable mention in recent weeks.

"Scripps is a really good hitting team, so to hold them to just three runs was nice," said Bryan . "(Pitcher) NATALIE SMITH held them to just five hits – it was a very strong effort on her part."

Smith also limited her walk total to just two, then aided the Scotties' offense with the lone RBI, driving in KAILAH CANO-RUE (single, stolen base) with a sharp single to centerfield in the 6th inning.

The host Falcons scored single runs in the 1st and 3rd on RBI singles from catcher Maggie Sevilla, then outfielder Corinna Lopez singled home a run in the 4th for a 3-0 advantage. Lopez went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored.

Meanwhile, Scripps Ranch freshman Taylor Curran yielded just five hits over five innings for the victory. Sophomore Meredith Brown pitched the final two frames to gain the save.

West Hills 10, El Capitan 0 – CHELSEA VELOVICH tossed three no-hit innings, then NOELLE JOHNSON tossed the final two innings to preserve the shutout, as the Wolf Pack downed the Vaqueros by run rule in Monday's (May 11) Grossmont North League ballgame. The pitching pair combined on a 1-hitter.

TAYLOR HALLAHAN belted a grand slam in the 2nd, lifting West Hills to an 8-0 advantage. It was the second homer of the season for the left-fielder, who finished the contest with five RBI.

Meanwhile, BRI AUSTIN batted 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI.

The bid for a no-hitter was broken when PAIGE BORRAS singled in the 4th for El Capitan.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-8-09) — Following years of dominating the Central/Harbor League, Christian High was swapped to the Eastern League for the 2001 season, consistently finishing in the middle of the pack in a circuit full of SDCIF Division I and II programs.

Almost a decade later, the Patriots moved into position to reclaim their championship tradition.

Displaying top form on offense, defense and pitching Thursday (May 7), Christian grabbed a share of first place after dumping Eastern League leading Mira Mesa, 4-0. Both sides are now 6-1 with three ballgames left on the regular-season schedule.

"First place? Interesting, I didn’t know that until now," said a surprised ALLI GUNTER, who tossed a 5-hit shutout at the Marauders. "My coaches worry about that stuff – I just play the game."

The first meeting between the ballclubs might have been Christian's poorest performance of the season. This time, it may have been the Patriots' best effort.

"I was really frustrated the last time we played them, so I was really fired up today," Gunter added. "I just went out there and went after them and kept throwing strikes."

Mira Mesa's lone scoring chance came in the 2nd inning, loading the bases with two outs. Marauders outfielder Joanna Asenjo followed with a hot shot ticketed for the right-field corner, which – at the least – would've tied the contest.

However, Pats first baseman KARA CARTWRIGHT made a diving stab of the low liner to end the threat.

"My team was really great backing me up, so I want to do my best for them," Gunter added. "And if a ball is hit, I know they are there to make the play."

Gunter pointed to the play of sophomore shortstop MONIQUE ELLIOTT, who made the pivot to complete an inning-ending double play in the 6th. She also made two other plays in the late going to keep the shutout intact, recovering balls in the hole and making the long throw to first base.

"Mo was on fire today on defense," said Gunter. "Nothing got past her."

Elliott also registered the game-winning RBI with a basehit to score Gunter when Christian scored twice in the 1st.

"That was a great play – our focus on defense was a lot stronger today," noted Elliott. "And we've been practicing the double play a lot of late, so I was able to tap the base and make the throw."

Christian's first five batters of the game reached to grab an early lead.

Gunter and Cartwright both singled, then catcher ALLIE SCOTT walked to load the bases. Elliott followed with a run-scoring single, then third baseman MARY GRABOWSKI was hit by a pitch to force home a second run.

In the 3rd, right-fielder RICKI GENTRY lead off with a solo homer to left, her third of the season, for a 3-0 advantage.

Said Gentry, "It was a meatball."

In the 4th, Gunter and Cartwright again posted consecutive basehits, with Gentry advancing each an additional 60 feet with a bunt. Scott followed with a grounder to the right side, with the only play going to first base as Gunter scored.

Scott was pleased with the pitching effort of Gunter, whom she's caught since the 8th grade.

"I really enjoying calling the pitches because she threw really well and hit her spots," said Scott. "I've been catching her for a very long time, so we're not afraid to throw, say, three changeups in a row, as long as it works."

"She did excellent today and everything was working."

The Patriots close their schedule at Patrick Henry and Morse, then host a third-place Scripps Ranch ballcub which should re-gain the use of its two injured players by the May 19 finale. The Falcons rest one full game behind Christian and Mira Mesa.

Steele Canyon 9, Valhalla 0 – A three-run homer by JAZMIN DAIGLE and a grand slam by LORENA KLOPP propelled the Cougars past the host Norsemen in Thursday's (May 7) showdown among two of the GSL's three ballclubs ties for first place.

Coaches from both sides noted this was not a true blowout.

"Valhalla had several calls not go their way early in the game," admitted Steele Canyon assistant coach QUINN RENFRO. "Sure we got the two big hits, but nothing else was easy about this game."

The Norsemen believed the early momentum was on their side, too.

"Our pitcher, TORREY ROOK, went strikeout, strikeout, strikeout, in the 1st," noted Valhalla coach DOUG HARTUNG. "Then KAITLIN McGINLEY led-off with a single to get us going. But everything sort of unraveled from there."

McGinley, the only Norsemen to reach base all afternoon off Klopp, the Cougars pitcher, was promptly caught stealing. McGinley later singled again and reached after getting hit by a pitch, but could never advance to second base.

The rest of the Valhalla batting order went a collective 0-for-20 against the dominating Klopp, who finished with eight strikeouts. Rook did better with 11 K's, but lost on the pair of deep drives.

In the 3rd, with Steele Canyon already leading 1-0, Daigle connected for her second homer of the season, as the Cougars scored four times in the inning to take a 5-0 lead.

In the 6th, Klopp, who entered the season with 15 home runs to put her on pace to break the recently established East County career record (22, JESSIE OWENS, Christian and Santana, 2006-present), connected on just her second home run of the season. The bases-loaded drive was her first since a 2-run blast against Carlsbad in a Falcon Fiesta contest on Mar. 25.

Daigle finished with a 2-for-4 outing, an effort matched by teammate MICHELLE CASH, who also drove in a run.

Granite Hills 1, Mount Miguel 0 – Following eight consecutive starts by pitcher JENNY LAHITTE, Eagles head coach ERIN COYNE called upon BRITTANI BERTUSSI for her first pitching assignment of the season. And with the desired results.

Bertussi, who posted a 9-5 record with six shutouts last season, limited the Matadors to a mere two hits to out-duel Mount Miguel's LAURA NELSON and maintain Granite Hills' share of the Grossmont South League lead. Both pitchers struck out six batters.

The Eagles tallied the ballgame's lone score in the 4th inning.

MEGAN BELIO reached on a bunt single, stole second base, then moved to third on a passed ball. Bertussi followed with a bunt, but Belio got caught in a rundown, but when the throw home was dropped, the Murray State bound senior scored an unearned run.

The only other offense of note was a 6th-inning triple by CHAYLAH ZETSCH, although she was eventually thrown out at the plate on a grounder to Mount Miguel third baseman JEN BELL.

Helix 6, Monte Vista 1 – Playing without their head coach, Highlanders pitcher NATALIE SMITH still carried a shutout into the 7th inning in a solid performance to top the visiting Monarchs.

Smith struck out three without yielding a walk in spinning a 2-hitter.

Meanwhile, Helix scored on four of the team's six at-bats, with freshman PRECIOUS NOA and senior CHANNELLE McNUTT figuring prominently in three of the innings.

Noa, the Helix third baseman, started rallies in the 2nd and 5th innings with leadoff basehits, then capped the 6th with an RBI single. McNutt registered the opening RBI to gain credit for the game-winning RBI, then matched Noa with a leadoff single and a run scored in the 4th.

TIFFANI SPERLING also contributed with a run-scoring basehit in the 2nd to make it 2-0, then added a sacrifice bunt which set-up a run in the 4th.

Noa finished with a 3-for-4 outing at the plate, while McNutt and CLAUDETTE SMITH added a pair of hits each.

"We definitely showed the improvements we've made throughout the year," said Helix assistant coach KAT SHAW. "We made some plays on defense to back Natalie without making any errors."

Monte Vista snapped the shutout attempt when CAITLIN QUON doubled to open the 7th, then stole third base.

JESIKA PEREA followed with a grounder to third base. The defender checked the runner and threw to first, but Quon took off on the throw across the diamond, beating the relay to the plate.

Earlier on Thursday (May 7), a car on Interstate 805 blew a tire, forcing the vehicle of Scotties coach KELLIE BRYAN into the guard rail. Bryan was uninjured.

"But my car was totaled," Bryan reported Thursday night. "I was just driving along, minding my own business, then suddenly I'm flying off the side of the road – I was ping-ponging all over the freeway."

West Hills 3, Grossmont 2 – The 1st-inning blues again struck the Foothillers.

"We might as well not show up until the second inning," said Grossmont coach JERRY LERUD. "We just don't show-up ready to play."

For the fourth straight contest, the Hillers allowed their opponents to score multiple runs in their opening at-bats, then failed in their late comeback attempt. The slow start streak started with two runs by Scripps Ranch, three by El Capitan, and then six more from Santana.

On Thursday (May 7), the Wolf Pack scored all three of their runs before recording three outs. Although they collected just two additional hits the rest of the afternoon, the early outburst proved to be enough.

Just to show how asleep Grossmont can be in the first inning, West Hills was able to score two runs without the ball leaving the infield – and no official error was committed.

With FAITH KORIA (single to left) and BRE AUSTIN (walk, stolen base) both in scoring position, ALEX MILLER hit a tapper to the right side. One Grossmont defender thought the first basemen would field the ball, but she covered the base, so as the ball continued to roll toward the outfield grass, Austin hustled around for a 2-0 lead.

And when STACIA HOLDMAN followed with an RBI double to cash in Miller, Grossmont was on the wrong side of a 3-0 deficit.

The Hillers comeback featured CORAL KASDEN for single runs in the 2nd and 5th innings.

Kasden collected the RBI on Grossmont's third single of the 2nd, following basehits by AUBRIE MAY and RACHEL STALFORD. Kasden scored the run in the 5th after she and KAITLIN NICKS slapped consecutive basehits to left, followed by consecutive batters hit by a pitch – KELSEY ALVAREZ was plunked to loaded the bases, then MADI HILL took one for the RBI after forcing home a run.

Santana 13, El Cajon Valley 0 (5 inn.) – Sultans catcher CARLA CARRILLO batted 3-for-4 and drove in four runs Thursday (May 7), as Santana scored all its runs through the first three innings to top the host Braves.

Included among Carrillo's totals was a 2-run double, when the Sultans tallied seven times in the 2nd inning.

AMANDA GRABLE went 3-for-3 with three RBI and a pair of runs scored, while MICHELLE THILLE also went 3-for-3, scoring each time.

JESSIE OWENS and SHANNON FYSON limited the Braves to three hits, which included a1st-inning double by ALISSA GARCIA. El Cajon Valley also got two hits in the 5th from SAM JULIEN and DIANE FRIAS.

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (5-6-09) — For Santana High senior AMANDA CARPENTER, it was the scenario one would always want to be in – an opportunity to be a hero in an important ballgame.

In a battle of the top ballclubs in the Grossmont North League played before one of East County's largest regular-season crowds in recent years, Carpenter launched a walk-off, 2-run homer in the 8th inning Tuesday (May 5), completing the Sultans' rally to top West Hills, 5-3.

“I like to be up there when the pressure is on – I’m used to being challenged and I enjoy it," said Carpenter. "I hit it pretty solid so I thought it was going out. It’s probably the biggest hit I’ve ever had.”

The homer, an opposite-field shot past the scoreboard, was her third of the season.

"I fouled the pitch before to deep left, so I was expecting her to throw me a changeup because she’d been throwing them to me all day," she added. “Instead it was a fastball. It was a little low, but over the plate.

"I just wanted to hit the ball hard and score MICHELLE (THILLE, who walked)."

The triumph all but assured Santana a third consecutive Grossmont North League championship (second outright).

“This was a big win for us because it makes us 2-0 in league against West Hills," Carpenter added. "For the rest of league, we just need to make sure we don't stub our toe."

The homer capped a late rally when Santana scored in the bottom of the 7th to extend the ballgame. With two out, freshmen EMILY SCHISLER matched Carpenter with her biggest career hit, sending a double over the left-fielder's head to send CAITLIN ARNDT home from second base.

"I was so very nervous, but I kept my game face on," Schisler noted. "When I reached second base and realized that Caitlin had scored, I couldn't hold it anymore. They called time and my smile just busted right through my game face."

The one-hop shot off the fence also delighted most of the more than 200 fans at the contest.

Thille also opened the scoring in the 1st. After getting plunked by a pitch, the junior stole second base, coming home on an AMANDA GRABLE basehit to right-center.

However, West Hills, looking to gain a share of first place with a victory, bounced back to dominate the middle innings with single markers in the 3rd, 4th and 5th.

BRE AUSTIN figured in two of the Wolf Pack runs.

Austin's RBI single in the 3rd brought home KAELI HUNYADY, who beat the shift with a single up the middle, then moved into scoring position on a FAITH KORIA sacrifice bunt. Austin also scored in the 5th on a run-scoring basehit from ALEX MILLER.

In between, Miller scored in the 4th. She singled to right, stole second, then scored on a double to left-center by NOELLE JOHNSON.

West Hills also earned a chance to win the game in extra innings, but an umpire reversal limited the opportunity.

With runners in scoring position following a walk to Johnson and a double by CHELSEA VELOVICH, CASSIDY BAGGETT hit a grounder to the left side, but the throw from third sailed high, pulling the Sultans' first baseman off the bag.

However, on appeal, the home plate umpire over-ruled the base umpire.

"That was a huge play and took us out of the inning," said West Hills coach MEAGAN HARTUNG. "Instead of having the bases loaded and one out, there's only two on with two out."

Santana relief pitcher JESSIE OWENS, who tossed the final five innings, then escaped the jam with a strikeout. Owens gained her first victory since her streak of 20 consecutive victories (over three seasons) was snapped by Valhalla on Mar. 24.

With their chief GNL competitor now out of the way, just how good is Santana, which will compete in the arguably weak Division III pool of the SDCIF playoffs.

“I think we're a top 10 team," added Carpenter. "We’ve proved what we can do. We’ve come a long way since the beginning of the year.”

Christian 15, Serra 5 (6 inn.) – The Patriots prepared for Thursday's Eastern League showdown with first-place Mira Mesa after disposing of the visiting Conquistadors on Tuesday (May 5) after scoring six times in the 2nd inning.

The Q's started fast when junior catcher Jessica Olafsen hit a 2-run homer in the 1st. However, Christian stormed back when second baseman NICOLE MARCOS singled in a run, then she and outfielder JENNIE VEST scored on a triple to left field by ALLI GUNTER for a 3-2 lead.

Gunter batted 4-for-5 on the afternoon.

KARA CARTWRIGHT carried the Patriots the rest of the way, driving in four runs Tuesday (May 5). The first baseman singled in a run in the 2nd, knocked in two more in the 5th, then delivered the knockout punch with a sacrifice which gave Christian a 10-run margin to end the game in the 6th.

Marcos and Vest each batted 3-for-3, while RICKI GENTRY went 3-for-4. Gentry also gained the pitching victory, striking out three over four innings of work. MONIQUE ELLIOTT pitched the final two frames

Grossmont 6, El Capitan 5 – Moments after the Vaqueros rallied late to tie Tuesday's (May 5) Grossmont North League contest, the Foothillers' LAUREN MIRANDA doubled home AUBRIE MAY with the tie-breaking run in the bottom of the 6th to gain the home-field victory.

May opened the inning with a shot to left, then was sacrificed to third base by BRITTANY FISHTROM. However, the bunt wasn't needed when Miranda sent a drive to the gap which rolled to the fence.

The Vaqueros, which allowed a 3-0 lead to get away, tallied twice in the 6th to pull even.

The two-out rally started on the third hit of the ballgame by second baseman ALISHA WYCKOFF. LESLIE KUHEN walked, then PAIGE BORRAS singled home Wyckoff , with Kuhen later coming home on an error.

Borras also registered an RBI in the 1st when El Cap burst to a quick 3-0 lead. Her fly ball was dropped, yet she still received credit for a sacrifice fly.

However, Grossmont responded with five straight runs, the first on a May double to score MADI HILL in the 2nd, with the next four split between first baseman KELSEY ALVAREZ and catcher KATELYN DASCOMB.

Alvarez knocked in LAUREN VALLELY with a single, then scored when Dascomb clubbed her first homer of the season to grab a 4-3 advantage. Alvarez later knocked in Vallely, who reached both times on errors, for an insurance run in the 5th.

Grossmont relief pitcher RACHEL STALFORD then retired the Vaqueros in order in the 7th to gain the triumph.

Steele Canyon 2, Mount Miguel 1 – Matadors pitcher LAURA NELSON' was again victimized on errors in her second bid to upset the Cougars. Nelson tossed a 3-hitter, but a pair of unearned runs in the 5th allowed Steele Canyon to cling to its share of first place in the Grossmont South League on Tuesday (May 5).

Nelson, who struck out five, maintained a 1-0 lead thanks to NICOLE CUNNINGHAM. The centerfielder opened the 2nd inning with the first of her two doubles, advancing to third on a wild pitch.

Steele Canyon muscled back with a pair of strikeouts, but JEN BELL blooped a basehit over the Cougars' second baseman to open the scoring.

However, Steele Canyon registered two of its three hits in the 5th.

KELLY CASH and GABRIELLE BEASLEY opened with consecutive basehits. A passed ball and a throwing error allowed Cash to tie the ballgame. Moments later, a ground ball off the bat of VANESSA KELLEMS was booted to bring home Beasley, who gained the pitching victory in tossing a 5-hitter.

CORA CORDOVA registered four of Valhalla's 16 hits, while NAOMI TELLEZ and TORREY ROOK drove home two runs each in support of winning pitcher ANGELA UY, who won for the first time in nearly a month (Apr. 7 vs. Madison ).

SARAH GOSWESCH, a junior left-fielder, came off the bench to go 3-for-3, while Uy and freshman NICOLE FOLEY added a pair of hits each.

Also gaining a basehit – the first of her 4-year varsity career – was Monte Vista senior LAURA EMMEL. Her infield single set the stage for a 4-run rally by the Monarchs in the6th inning.

"Laura really deserved it," said head coach SIG CHABROWSKI. "She works hard to get through all of her physical disadvantages, then to have the hit means something in the game was really special."

The 4-foot-2 Emmel followed a lead single by AYAKA GRESHAM by sending a roller to the hole at shortstop, beating the throw across the diamond.

Monte Vista then got on the scoreboard on a one-out double by CAITLINE QUON, followed by consecutive RBIs by ALEX ROSS and BRITTANY WRIGHT. Later, AMBER McMILLAN also registered a run-scoring single.

Quon, the Monarchs' second baseman, went 2-for-3 with a double.

Granite Hills 6, Helix 0 – Eagles junior JENNY LAHITTE scattered seven hits, as the Highlanders were blanked for the second time in 24 hours during Tuesday's (May 5) South League affair. Lahitte struck out 11 batters.

MORGAN KURTZ paced Granite Hills with three hits, including an RBI triple, while Lahitte stroked a pair of doubles and drove in two runs.

JILL SCIARRA added two hits as part of 12 total hits by the Eagles.

Helix saw third baseman PRECIOUS NOA go a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, then was called upon to make her first pitching performance of the season in relief, allowing just one unearned run in 2 1/3 innings.

© East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (5-5-09) — Valhalla High sophomore TORREY ROOK didn't need to do any work from the pitching circle to move herself into position to gain a victory on Monday (May 4).

Rook started the game with a 3-run homer in the 1st inning, as the Norsemen posted a 5-3 wire-to-wire victory over host Bonita Vista in a key non-league ballgame between SDCIF Division II programs.

"It's good to win an important game like this," said Rook, who struck out a season-high 11 batters. "We hit really well even though Bonita played really good defense today."

The whole game may have been decided on the game's fifth batter, when Bonita Vista moved into position to escape a messy opening inning.

KAITLIN McGINLEY started with a lead double, followed by a basehit by CORA CORDOVA. Barons freshman pitcher Jennifer Hartman retired the next two batters, then was careful when facing Rook.

"She kept pitching me low and outside, but she finally gave me one to hit," noted Rook, who took the ball deep to left-centerfield. "It felt good to finally hit one."

Rook later completed a 4-RBI performance by walking with the bases loaded to cap a 2-run rally in the 5th. The first run came on a dropped third strike which allowed ANGELA UY to reach first while McGinley, who batted 3-for-4 to continue her hot streak, rolled in from third to make it 4-1.

Bonita Vista added a pair of unearned runs in the 6th, but Rook retired the Barons in the 7th to gain an edge when the SDCIF seeding committee meets at the conclusion of the regular season.

Both teams have taken different directions to move among the top teams in their classification, but the edge now goes to the Norsemen despite a lower-than-expected 14-11-1 overall record against one of the strongest schedules in their division.

"We just need to step it up on defense – our hitting is real good," added Rook.

Meanwhile, Bonita Vista (14-4), which owns victories over Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa and Carlsbad , won't get tested again until meeting No. 10 Hilltop, the co-leader of the Mesa League, during the final week of the season in a home-and-home series.

Carrillo's 2-for-3 outing featured a pair of encounters with the fence. The first smacked the barrier in right-center for an RBI double in the 4th. An inning later, she carried past the boundary to cap a 3-RBI performance.

However, El Capitan 's problems occurred much earlier, as five of the 10 walks issued by Vaqueros pitchers helped lead to five Santana runs in the 2nd.

Carrillo, Fyson and AMANDA CARPENTER registered a pair of hits each.

El Cap's lone hit was not involved in its 3rd-inning run.

EMILY LAFF walked and stole second base, then a dropped fly ball placed runners on the corners. The Vaqueros tried a double steal, with the runner going to second base getting thrown out by Carrillo, but Laff beat the return throw home.

CHELSEA VELOVICH and JESSICA ALDERSON combined on a 2-hit shutout.

Meanwhile, nearly half of the West Hills line-up registered both two hits and a pair of RBI. Included were catcher MICHERIE KORIA, centerfielder ALYSSA EVJEN, left fielder TAYLOR HALLAHAN and third baseman NOELLE JOHNSON.

Scripps Ranch 3, Grossmont 1 – The injury problems plaguing the Falcons pitching staff called for a major change in strategy. So the coaches stayed with their starter for two innings, then went to a reliever, then back to the starter, and again back to the reliever.

Call it crazy, but after the host Foothillers scored an early run on two hits in the 1st inning, they would only register one additional hit the rest of the afternoon, falling in Monday's (May 4) non-league contest.

The ballgames was originally slated for Saturday, but was rescheduled due to SAT testing.

Both teams struck early, scoring all of the game's runs in the first two innings.

Down 2-0, Grossmont halved the deficit when third baseman MADI HILL walked with two outs, coming around on basehits by KELSEY ALVAREZ and KAITLYN NICKS.

Francis Parker's Amye McIntyre (Photo by Nancy Goodman)

McIntyre, in retiring all 21 Highlanders batters, struck out a season-high 19 batters, bettering by one her previous best of 18 against Our Lady of Peace. It was also her fifth straight outing to register double-digits in strikeouts, giving the 2008 CalHiSports' all-state honoree a total of 237 for the season.

McIntyre is also a club team teammate with Valhalla 's TORREY ROOK on Power Surge Gold-18.

The career mark is 925 by former Patrick Henry standout Donna Kerr (2004-07).

© East County Sports.com
UNIVERSITY CITY (5-2-09) — Steele Canyon High has utilized five different pitchers this season, the most of any East County ballclub. Despite all these options, the three Cougars called upon to pitch Friday (May 1) failed to find the strike zone, as nine free passes on walks allowed University City to claim a 4-2 non-league victory.

The Centurions, leaders of the Western League, captured their fourth straight game after rallying from a 2-0 deficit by scoring all four of their runs in the 5th inning. Two of the walks were cashed in on a basehit by catcher Alexis Curtiss, then Adriana Angulo singled in the go-ahead run.

Otherwise, University City (8-5-2) only registered two other basehits.

Steele Canyon's bats were on, as LORENA KLOPP went 3-for-4, while NICOLE RANDEL and ELLE REID added two hits each. But the Cougars' side of the scoreboard only saw single markers over the first two innings.

An inning later, Reid opened with a basehit, coming around on a bunt, a grounder to the right side and a wild pitch.

Steele Canyon again loaded the bases in the 6th, but relief pitcher Amanda Hansen escaped the jam, saving the victory for starter Stephanie Wood.