Southland
Super Regionals
SCORES
|
Griffins’ reliever signs with Pittsburgh
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (7-7-10) — Grossmont College freshman
reliever KEVIN KLEIS has been a virtual unknown during
the past couple of seasons of his pitching career.
Considering that he stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 220
pounds that might seem a bit unbelievable.
How could a pitcher Kleis’ size who throws as
hard as he does be overlooked?
In brief work over two varsity seasons at Grossmont
High Kleist twirled only 3 1/3 innings. As a freshman
at Grossmont College last spring, Kleis was classified
as a closer, toiling only 18 1/3 innings while recording
three saves, a 1-2 record and a 5.51 ERA.
Nothing flashy to be sure.
But the Pittsburgh Pirates are looking at Kleis’
upside and must like what they see. A 27th round draft
pick, Kleis was pleased to announce he was about to
ink a lucrative signing bonus with the Pirates and
was slated to report to Pittsburgh’s spring training
headquarters in Tampa, Fla. on Thursday (July 8).
“About a month into the season (Pirates scout)
Sean Campbell began making regular communication with
me,” Kleis said. “He kept texting me asking
when I was going to pitch.”
That was a tough call for a reliever.
“I remember one time about the sixth inning
texting Sean telling him I was going to work the 8th
and 9th innings,” Kleis said.
Kleis will officially sign a pact with the Pirates
on Friday (July 9) and then report to the Pirates’
Gulf Coast Rookie League team in Tampa.
“Some people think I intimidate batters with
my size, but I’m not sure if that is true or
not,” Kleis said. “Every guy who steps into
the batter’s box believes he can hit whoever
is on the mound. For me it’s visa versa. I believe
I can get anyone out.”
Southern California Playoffs
Play-In Games
May 4: (16) Cuesta 5,
(17) Southwestern 4
(18) Compton 13, (15) Orange Coast 6
Regionals (best-of-3)
May 7: (1st seed) Santa Ana 5, (18) Compton 4
(2) San Diego City 5, (16) Cuesta 4
(14) Palomar 17, (3) Oxnard 5
(13) Allan Hancock 9, (4) Chaffey 8
(5) El Camino 7, (12) L.A. Pierce 2
(11) Bakersfield 9, (6) Golden West 8
(10) College of the Desert 8, (7) Cypress 7
(9) Rio Hondo 15, (8) L.A. Valley 5
May 8: Santa Ana 17, Compton 1 (Dons win series
2-0)
Cuesta 11, San Diego City 10 (series tied 1-1)
Palomar 11, Oxnard 10 (Comets win series 2-0)
Chaffey 3, Allan Hancock 2 (series tied 1-1)
El Camino 1, L.A. Pierce 0 (Warriors win series 2-0)
Golden West 5, Bakersfield 4 (series tied 1-1)
Cypress 13, College of the Desert 5 (series tied 1-1)
Rio Hondo 11, L.A. Valley 2 (Roadrunners win series
2-0)
May 9: Cuesta 20, San Diego City 7 (Cougars
win series 2-1)
Allan Hancock 19, Chaffey 14 (Bulldogs win series
2-1)
Bakersfield 4, Golden West 2 (Renegades win series
2-1)
Cypress 12, College of the Desert 4 (Chargers win
series 2-1)
All-PCAC honorees named
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (5-6-10) — Two Grossmont College players
were acknowledged in the coaches balloting for the All-Pacific
Coast Athletic Conference Baseball team.
Sophomore outfielder JEREMY BAUM (San Dieguito) was
named to the first team, while pitcher LUCAS WHITMORE
(El Capitan) gained honorable mention recognition.
The team was dominated by champion San Diego City College,
which featured Player of the Year Hunter Herrera (Point
Loma) and Coach of the Year Chris Brown.
Eight Knights were selected to the first team including
sophomore infielder LOUIS CAZARES (Granite Hills).
Palomar freshman DEREK BAUM, a Grossmont High graduate,
was chosen the All-PCAC designated hitter.
Other East County graduates earning All-PCAC honorable
mention were San Diego Mesa outfielder ANTHONY DIAZ
(Helix), Southwestern pitcher BRANDYN BELL (Santana)
and Palomar pitcher LEVI STEVENS (Grossmont).
Anything but a 'K' Classic finish
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-30-10) — Fresh off capturing its
first Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title since
1993 earlier in the week, San Diego City College still
had one remaining goal in keeping intact the perfect
pitching record of sophomore left-hander Adam Bileckyj.
And Grossmont College cooperated fully, surrendering
12 times to the Poway High product on strikes, part
of 13 strikeouts by Griffins batters in the Knights'
17-3 cakewalk in Thursday's (Apr. 29) regular season
finale at Noel Mickelsen Field.
While SDCC (26-17, 19-6 PCAC) looks forward to a
first-round South Regional ballgame, probably at its
Morley Field home on May 7, Grossmont (16-17, 10-15
PCAC) had to be disappointed at its fourth sub-.500
record in six seasons after placing fifth in the six-team
conference standings.
City built a 7-2 lead through six innings, but when
the Knights plated eight runs in the 7th, Bileckyj
was lifted to celebrate with his teammates assured
to elevate his record to 9-0.
Just like the teams' meeting on Tuesday, Grossmont
mustered just five basehits.
Griffins designated hitter SHANE BRANDO batted 2-for-5,
while left fielder JOSEPH STEINBERGER smacked a 2nd-inning
double to drive in a run, the first of his two RBI.
The only other Grossmont run came during the Knights'
fete in the 9th, when MARK BELLATTI walked
with the bases loaded.
For City College, former Granite Hills High standout
LOUIS CAZARES, the shortstop, along with second baseman
Anthony Long, both collected three hits and three
RBI.
In the lopsided finish, Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER
noted the Griffins' strike out total against San Diego
City pitching.
“It’s pretty hard to win when you can’t
hit the ball,” he said. “It’s been
a rough season.”
Good Knight, now
© East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (4-28-10) — San Diego City College
claimed its first Pacific Coast Athletic Conference
crown in more than a decade Tuesday (Apr. 27) at Morley
Field, blanking visiting Grossmont College, 16-0.
Knights starting pitcher Hunter Herrera tossed seven
innings of 3-hit ball, combining with reliever Mike
Andrede on the shutout. All five hits by the Griffins
(16-16, 10-14 PCAC) were singles, as the team also
suffered its second-biggest loss of the season. Earlier
this season Palomar beat the Griffs 18-1.
Six different San Diego City batters collected at
least three hits, including a 4-for-6, four RBI effort
by left fielder Nick Cobyeau. The Knights (25-7, 18-6
PCAC) finished with 25 basehits.
The PCAC website archives does not list records or
championship winners prior to the 2000 season.
These teams complete the regular season Thursday
(Apr. 29) at Grossmont starting at 2 p.m.
HR leader guns down Grossmont
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-25-10) — Palomar College third baseman
Alfonso Casillas drove in three runs, including a
pair on a 3rd-inning home run, leading the Comets
to a 6-3 decision over Grossmont College in Saturday's
(Apr. 24) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference ballgame
at Noel Mickelsen Field.
The homer was the 7th of the season for Casillas,
giving him a share of the PCAC lead with Octavio Corona
of Imperial Valley.
With the triumph, Palomar (20-13, 15-8 PCAC) clinches
second place in the standings, unless they sweep two
games next week, while the Griffins (16-15, 10-13
PCAC) can twice upset front-running San Diego City
in the final week of the regular season to forge a
co-championship.
For the third straight outing, Grossmont starting
pitcher HUNTER BROWN was let down by his defense,
which saw 8 unearned runs come home during the stretch,
including three of four runs in the last two starts
by the freshman right-hander out of San Dieguito Academy.
After Palomar scored in the 1st on a Casillas double,
the Griffins immediately answered on an RBI single
by third baseman KENNY BELZER. However, the only other
Grossmont runs came late on a double-play grounder
in the 8th, then a 9th-inning RBI basehit by pinch-hitter
ANDREW HALE.
Shortstop BEN SARNO batted 2-for-4 with a double
for Grossmont, which closes the season Tuesday (Apr.
27) at Morley Field, then Thursday (Apr. 29) at home
against City College. Both contests start at 2 p.m.
Griffins rally falls short
© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (4-24-10) — The visiting Grossmont
College Griffins erupted for five runs in the 8th
inning of Friday’s (Apr. 23) Pacific Coast Athletic
Conference makeup game at Palomar College, but it
was too little too late as the Comets prevailed 10-5
to keep their hopes for a PCAC title alive.
The same two teams will meet again Saturday (Apr.
24) at noon at Grossmont’s Noel Mickelsen Field.
The Griffins (16-14, 10-12 PCAC) still have a shot
at finishing third if they can close out the season
with a three-game sweep. They are one game behind
fourth-place San Diego Mesa.
In its belated comeback bid, Grossmont plated two
runs on a combination of a hit batter, an error and
a single by CODY RAY.
KENNY BELZER then put some teeth into the rally by
belting a 3-run home run over the left-field fence,
pulling the Griffins to within four runs.
For the game, Grossmont’s BEN SARNO was 3-for-3,
with a walk, and a sac bunt. Doyle was 2-for 4 with
a stolen base.
Trailing 1-0 Grossmont nearly tied the game an inning
later. Sarno singled to left to lead off the inning.
TAYLOR EICHHORST singled to right sending Sarno to
third.
On a squeeze play attempt, JEREMY BAUM bunted back
to Palomar’s Evan Mott who fielded the ball as
he charged the plate and flipped the ball to catcher
B.K. Santy, who somehow tagged out Sarno at the plate.
Palomar (19-14, 14-8) trails PCAC leading San Diego
City College with three games remaining in the regular
season.
Griffins enjoy the desert air
Season-high 23 runs tops IVC
© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (4-21-10) — As sporadic as the Grossmont
College baseball season has been this year, the Griffins
still have a legitimate shot at finishing in third
place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference standings.
Grossmont (16-13, 10-11 PCAC) trails San Diego Mesa
and Southwestern by one game in the battle for the
No. 3 spot. Further incentive for the Griffins is
they have a chance to play spoiler, as they close
the season with two games against second-place Palomar
(Thursday, Apr. 22 and Saturday, Apr. 24) and two
against front-running San Diego City (Tuesday, Apr.
27 and Thursday, Apr. 29).
The Griffins warmed up for the final stretch Tuesday
(Apr. 20) when they steamrollered host Imperial Valley,
23-7, in a PCAC contest. Grossmont produced four more
runs in that outing than it had in its previous four
games combined.
CHRIS DOYLE accounted for 9 runs – driving in
4 and scoring 5 – with a home run, double and
a single to pace the Grossmont onslaught in the desert.
Doyle supplied the first scoring punch with a three-run
home run in the 1st inning.
JEREMY BAUM belted a 3-run bomb and JAKE VILLALOBOS
stroked a two-run single to help Grossmont make it
9-0 after two frames.
JAKE REBELO chipped in with a home run, a double
and three RBI for the Griffins.
Grossmont registered multiple numbers in each of
the first seven innings, finishing with a season high
in scoring.
Next up for the Griffins is Thursday’s (Apr.
22) matchup with Palomar in San Marcos at 2 p.m.
Griffins rally past IVC
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-17-10) — Grossmont College overcame
a 3-0 deficit to edge visiting Imperial Valley College,
6-5, in Friday’s (Apr. 16) Pacific Coast Athletic
Conference action at Noel Mickelsen Field.
After the Griffins (15-13, 9-11 PCAC) cut the deficit
on ROBERT AQUIRRE’s RBI single in the 5th, they
tied the game on CHRIS DOYLE’s 2-run homer in
the 6th. The Griffins weren’t through in the
6th, however, as they put up two more tallies on the
board.
Grossmont took the lead on CODY RAY’s RBI triple.
Ray later scored on a passed ball.
The game should have never been that close as none
of the runs allowed by Grossmont pitchers LUCAS WHITMORE
and KEVIN KLEIS were earned. Whitmore, a sophomore
southpaw, scattered 9 hits and struck out 11 over
8 1/3 innings to pick up the win. Kleis got the final
two outs to earn the save.
Grossmont begins its final five-game round of conference
play by traveling to Imperial Valley College on Tuesday
(Apr. 20) for a 2 p.m. game.
Griffins spanked by Jags
© East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (4-16-10) — The schedule says there
are six more games remaining in the Grossmont College
baseball season. And the Griffins are mathematically
still alive for a possible regional playoff berth.
Based on the Griffins latest performance – a
15-0 loss at the hands of host Southwestern College
in Thursday’s (Apr. 15) Pacific Coast Athletic
Conference action – Grossmont is four games behind
second-place Palomar and five back of front-running
San Diego City College.
For Southwestern, Brandyn Bell tossed seven strong
innings, joined by a pair of relievers on the 3-hit
shutout.
The top two teams are guaranteed regional playoff
berths. Grossmont (14-13, 8-11 PCAC) hosts Imperial
Valley on Friday (Apr. 16) at 2 p.m.
Grossmont fall to Jags
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-14-10) — It’s about time for
Grossmont College to hoist the white flag instead
of a pennant.
After falling to visiting Southwestern College 5-4
on Tuesday (Apr. 13) the Griffins now find themselves
all but eliminated from winning the Pacific Coast
Athletic Conference championship. They remain three
games out of second place with seven to play.
The Griffins took a 4-3 lead into the 9th inning
only to see Southwestern rally for two tallies, beginning
with a leadoff home run by Eduardo Arroyo, which tied
the game. After that the Jaguars walked to the go-ahead
run when Willie Heien drew a bases loaded pass to
push the Jags in front 5-4.
Southwestern reliever Josh Ruiz blanked the Griffins
over the final 2 1/3 innings to pick up the win.
Grossmont broke a 1-1 tie with a pair of tallies
in the 4th inning. BRIAN PALMER singled and scored
on a base hit by BEN VASKO to give Grossmont a 2-1
edge. MICHAEL STOWERS added an RBI single to make
it 3-1.
Southwestern tied the game with a pair of runs in
the 6th, but the Griffins regained the lead in the
7th on TAYLOR EICHHORST’s sacrifice fly.
Grossmont wasted another strong pitching effort by
JACOB HOVIS, who limited the Jaguars to four hits
and three runs over seven innings.
The Griffins (14-12, 8-10 PCAC) will travel to Southwestern
(17-12, 10-8) on Thursday (Apr. 15) in Chula Vista.
Griffins are jammin' in traffic
Mount 9-0 lead in pasting Mesa
© East County Sports.com
KEARNY MESA (4-11-10) — Do you believe in miracles?
Well, that’s what it would take for Grossmont
College to overtake Pacific Coast Athletic Conference
leading San Diego City College, which maintains a
four-game edge over the Griffins with seven games
remaining in the regular season.
Grossmont (14-11, 8-9 PCAC) overpowered host San
Diego Mesa, 9-7, in a PCAC contest on Saturday (Apr.
10) to pull into a fourth-place tie with the Olympians
(9-19, 8-9). The two teams trail third-place Southwestern
by one game. They are three games behind second-place
Palomar.
So the traffic is heavy, which makes Grossmont’s
plight even tougher. Since these teams play each other
the cards would have to fall in an almost perfect
order for the Griffins to make a serious move for
the top.
“Basically, to take the conference we’d
have to win out and get some help,” said Griffins
coach RANDY ABSHIER. “That’s a pretty tall
order.”
Realistically speaking, Grossmont has a better shot
at 2nd place, albeit it still falls in the long-shot
category. Fortunately for the Griffins they have six
games – two apiece – with the three teams
ahead of them in the standings.
They also have one game left with Imperial Valley, which used to be a ‘gimmee,’ but no longer
can be classified as such. In fact the Griffins are
3-1 against IVC.
BEN SARNO paced a 14-hit attack against Mesa, collecting
4 hits in 5 at-bats. He scored 3 runs and drove in
4 as the Griffins built a 9-0 lead after 2 ½
innings.
Sarno’s 1st inning triple drove in CHRIS DOYLE
(error) with Grossmont’s first run. Sarno then
scored on TAYLOR EICHHORST’s sacrifice fly. The
1st inning uprising continued when JEREMY BAUM singled
and advanced to second on a balk. He scored on a double
by BEN VASKO.
KENNY BELZER ignited Grossmont’s 5-run 2nd inning
with a triple to center field. He coasted home on
Doyle’s ground out. Sarno kept things rolling
with a base hit to center field, then Eichhorst was
hit by a pitch. Baum singled to left to load the bases.
BRIAN PALMER then slashed a single to center to drive
in two and the Griffins were breezing. A double steal
by Baum and Palmer set the stage for JOSEPH STEINBERGER’s
double to left-center.
In the 3rd inning a two-out single by Sarno, followed
by an Eichhorst triple, completed the Grossmont scoring
for the game.
Mesa fought back with 5 runs in the bottom of the
3rd. The Olympians picked up single tallies in the
6th and 7th, but Grossmont’s LUCAS WHITMORE,
who has been primarily a starter, came on to shut
down the Olympians over the final three innings to
earn his first save.
Grossmont begins its stretch run on Tuesday (Apr.
13) when the Griffins host the Southwestern College
Jaguars at 2 p.m.
Hale the Griffins freshman
El Cap alum collects 3 RBI
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-8-10) — The Grossmont College Griffins’
flickering hopes for a second-place finish in the
Pacific Coast Athletic Conference race burned brighter
after Thursday’s (Apr. 8) key 11-9 victory over
visiting San Diego Mesa at Noel Mickelsen Field.
For once in a rare while, it was the Griffins (12-10,
7-9 PCAC) who caught the breaks, snapping a 9-9 deadlock
with two unearned runs in the bottom of the 8th inning.
They now trail fourth-place Mesa (9-18, 8-8 PCAC)
by one game. Grossmont is three games out of second
place and five games behind front running San Diego
City College.
Nine games are left in the regular season.
ANDY HALE, a freshman out of El Capitan, spiked the
Griffins offense by driving in three runs with a double
and a single in five at-bats.
KEVIN KLEIS, the fourth of Grossmont pitchers, toiled
the final three innings to log his first collegiate
win.
The Griffins, who have won three of their last four,
host San Diego Mesa on Saturday (Apr. 10) at noon.
SDCC gains PCAC series split,
closing the door on Grossmont
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-8-10) — It may not have been a last
gasp, but the Grossmont College Griffins are running
out of time after Wednesday’s (Apr. 7) Pacific
Coast Athletic Conference lackluster performance against
visiting San Diego City College at Noel Mickelsen
Field.
Thirteen Griffins struck out against the first-place
Knights (18-5, 11-4 PCAC) in a game that resulted
in a 9-4 San Diego City College victory. Grossmont
(12-11, 6-9) is now five games behind PCAC leading
SDCC with 10 to play.
Realistically speaking, the Griffins saw any hope
of winning a conference title disappear with Wednesday’s
loss. Thus, the goal must now be to finish in second
place, which, in itself, will be no small chore.
Grossmont is three games out of second place, which
doesn’t sound too far reaching. The problem is
the Griffins would have to pass three teams to reach
the second slot.
As if failing to make contact at the plate weren’t
enough of a sore spot, four Griffins errors sabotaged
the efforts of starting pitcher LUCAS WHITMORE. Five
of the seven runs Whitmore surrendered to his former
team were unearned.
High points were few for the Griffins as no one enjoyed
a multiple hit game in a seven hit attack. Probably
the biggest blow of the afternoon was JEREMY BAUM’s
leadoff homer in the bottom of the 4th, which pulled
the Griffins to within 4-2.
Grossmont never posed a serious threat after that.
The Knights pounded out 16 hits, including two by
former Granite Hills shortstop LOUIS CAZARES.
Grossmont will host San Diego Mesa College Thursday
(Apr. 8) in a PCAC contest at 2 p.m.
Griffins upend PCAC leading SDCC
© East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (4-07-10) — Grossmont College is
not exactly back in the race, but hardly left for
dead, either.
The Griffins knocked off Pacific Coast Athletic Conference
front-runner San Diego City College, 4-2, on Tuesday
(Apr. 6) at Morley Field, to pull within four games
of the first-place Knights with 11 contests remaining
in the regular season.
Relief pitcher JACOB HOVIS was the star of the show
for Grossmont (12-10, 6-8 PCAC), blanking the Knights
(17-5, 10-4) on three hits over the middle 7 innings
to log his third victory without a loss.
Shortstop JAKE VILLALOBOS, a freshman from San Pasqual,
stroked an RBI single to snap a 2-2 tie in the 6th
inning giving Grossmont the lead for keeps. Villalobos
also drove in the Griffins’ first run with a
base hit.
A solo home run by JEREMY BAUM pulled the Griffins
even at 2-all in the 5th inning.
The Griffins’ final tally came in the 8th. Singles
by JOSEPH STEINBERGER and BEN SARNO put runners at
the corners. CHRIS DOYLE then laid down a squeeze
bunt, scoring Steinberger with an insurance run.
The way the day began was typical of Grossmont College’s
season, San Diego City took a 2-0, 1st-inning lead
while chasing Grossmont starter GREG LABARRE. Then
Hovis took over.
The same two teams meet again on Wednesday (Apr.
7) at Grossmont College at 2 p.m.
Griffins walk to victory
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-31-10) — Just when it appeared the
good ship Grossmont College was making like the Titanic,
the Griffins came up for air in Tuesday’s (Mar.
30) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference baseball game.
The Griffins scored seven runs – three on bases-loaded
walks – in the 7th inning to knock off visiting
Palomar College, 7-3, in a PCAC contest at Noel Mickelsen
Field.
The two teams combined for 11 hits – all of
them singles.
It was hardly a classic although three Grossmont
pitchers – HUNTER BROWN, JUSTIN DISBRO and JACOB
HOVIS – combined to spin a 5-hitter with seven
strikeouts.
Palomar starter RYAN WILKINS racked up 11 strikeouts
in 6 2/3 innings, but was tagged with the loss when
his bullpen caved in.
JOSEPH STEINBERGER’s RBI single ignited Grossmont’s
big inning. KENNY BELZER’s two-run single capped
it.
The Griffins (11-10, 5-8 PCAC) still have 12 conference
games, which means they are mathematically still alive
in the PCAC race. Considering this ballclub began
the season 6-2 they cannot be counted out just yet.
Grossmont’s next game is against front-running
San Diego City College Thursday (Apr. 1) at Morley
Field at 2 p.m.
Houston, we have a problem
© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (3-28-10) — As far as the Pacific
Coast Athletic Conference baseball season goes, the
Grossmont College Griffins have hit rock bottom. They
made a resounding thud on Saturday (Mar. 27) when
they were steamrollered by host Palomar College, 18-1.
The Griffins (10-10, 4-8 PCAC) still have 13 conference
games remaining to redeem themselves. Considering
this ballclub was once 6-2, anything is possible.
Not if Grossmont turns in a paltry like it did against
the Comets (11-9, 7-5 PCAC), who moved into a three-way
tie with Southwestern and San Diego Mesa for second
place in the conference race. San Diego City (16-4,
9-3) owns a two-game lead in the PCAC race.
The Griffins mustered only three hits against three
Palomar pitchers, including a two-out double in the
9th inning by TAYLOR EICHHORST.
For Palomar, Trevor Bayless allowed an unearned run
on one hit over the first 6 1/3 innings in a game
that took only 2 hours, 34 minutes. Grossmont High
alum LEVI STEVENS came in to strike out the final
two batters in the 7th inning and wound up throwing
1 2/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless ball. Shane Philipps
finished the game and pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
The Comets supported them with a 16-hit attack, led
by Jeremy Cline, who went 4-for-5 with a double, a
triple, two runs scored and two RBI. Grossmont High
alum DEREK BAUM and Jose Rodriguez both homered for
Palomar.
Baum was 7-for-11 with three home runs as the Comets
went 3-0 during the week.
Imperial Valley 9
Grossmont 8 (11)
Boxscore |
IVC's once-in-a-decade win
Arabs stun Grossmont in 11 innings
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-26-10) — No one could remember the
last time Grossmont College lost a baseball game to
Imperial Valley College after the visiting Arabs stunned
the Griffins 9-8 in 11 innings in Thursday’s
(Mar. 25) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference contest.
IVC (6-15 overall, 2-9 PCAC) snapped an 8-8 deadlock
as Esteban Madrigal doubled and scored on a base hit
by Rudy Arellano.
The victory was the first for the Arabs at Noel Mickelsen
Field since before the 2001 season (this website's
first full season covering the Griffins). IVC also
won single home games in 2004 and 2007, giving Grossmont
a 45-3 series edge in the decade.
To make the loss even more biting was the Griffins
left the bases-loaded in the bottom of the 11th inning.
All three outs came via strikeouts.
Five Grossmont errors helped lead to the Griffins’
demise as three of Imperial Valley’s runs were
unearned.
Freshman first baseman TAYLOR EICHHORST was 3-for-4
with 4 runs scored to lead the Griffins (10-9, 4-7
PCAC).
Next up for the Griffins is a PCAC joust with Palomar
on Saturday (Mar. 27) at San Marcos. First pitch is
slated at noon.
Griffin Graffiti — In another PCAC game,
former Grossmont High standout DEREK BAUM belted a
pair of home runs as the Comets clubbed San Diego
City 16-4. Baum homered in the bottom of the first
to right, homered over the scoreboard in left in the
third and finished the day 3-for-5. He played catcher
until leaving for a pinch-hitter in the 8th inning...
Granite Hills alum LOUIS CAZARES, a sophomore shortstop
at San Diego City College, went 4-for-5 with three
RBI and two runs scored as the Knights defeated Palomar
11-4 to earn PCAC Male Athlete of the Week... Southwestern
pitcher BRANDYN BELL, a Santana High product, earned
PCAC honorable mention recognition.
Griffins start win streak
© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (3-24-10) — For the first time in nearly
a month, Grossmont College posted back-to-back victories
Tuesday (Mar. 23) as the Griffins knocked off host
Imperial Valley College, 7-2, in a Pacific Coast Athletic
Conference contest.
HUNTER BROWN scattered six hits and did not allow
an earned run during a 7-inning stint to gain
the pitching nod. JUSTIN DISBRO and JACK SHANNON pitched
the final two innings, with Shannon retiring the side
in order – two on strikeouts.
BEN SARNO and KENNY BELZER collected three hits apiece
to spark Grossmont (10-8, 4-6 PCAC).
For the Arabs, Trevor Robinson went 2-for-4 with
two runs and a triple. Octavio Corona went 2-for-3
with an RBI.
The Griffins, who are only one game out of 3rd place,
host IVC (5-13, 1-9 PCAC) on Thursday (Mar. 25) at
2 p.m.
Griffins find some relief
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-21-10) — In a battle of the bullpens,
the struggling relief corps from Grossmont College
came out on top for only the second time in March
-- barely, yet they did.
Southwestern College scored twice in the 9th and
had the potential game-tying run on third base, but
the Griffins' KEVIN KLEIS coaxed a soft grounder to
second base for the final out, giving Grossmont a
7-6 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference triumph at Noel
Mickelsen Field.
Kleis' second save of the season gave Grossmont a
split of the 2-game series.
While the Griffins (9-8, 3-6 PCAC) gained just enough
in relief for starter LUCAS WHITMORE, who allowed
three earned runs over 6 2/3 innings to collect the
victory, it was an even longer afternoon for the Jaguars
(12-8, 5-4 PCAC) after the G-House chased their starter
after just one inning and registering three quick
runs.
Clean-up hitter TAYLOR EICHHORST slugged a two-out
RBI triple to bring home leadoff batter BEN VASKO
(walk). An error brought home Eichhorst, then KENNY
BELZER belted a run-scoring double for a 3-0 advantage.
Southwestern tried to rally three times, including
a solo homer by first baseman Omar Gonzalez in the
7th, yet never quite caught up.
For the contest, Eichhorst batted 2-for-4 and scored
twice, while left fielder JOSEPH STEINBERGER -- in
his first start in PCAC play -- also went 2-for-4
with a pair of RBI, including an important run-scoring
basehit for an insurance run in the 8th.
The Griffins open a home-and-home series with Imperial
Valley with a Tuesday (Mar. 23) road game in Imperial;
they host the return contest on Thursday (Mar. 25).
Both start at 2 p.m.
Jaguars' pair beats an ace
© East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (3-19-10) — Even with the ace of
the starting pitching staff on the mound, Grossmont
College failed to get back into the Pacific Coast
Athletic Conference pennant race.
Griffins starter GREG LaBARRE was unable to get out
of the 5th inning, when the Jaguars scored five times
to post an 8-3 victory Thursday (Mar. 18) at Jaguar
Junction. It was the first setback of the season for
LaBarre (4-1), who was out-dueled in a complete-game
effort by Southwestern's BRANDYN BELL.
Three straight basehits, capped by a 2-run single
by shortstop Juan Moriel, chased Labarre with Southwestern
leading 4-1. But the Grossmont bullpen would do no
better for the second straight outing.
Southwestern (12-7, 5-3 PCAC) would gain a walk and
a hit batsman to re-load the bases, followed by an
RBI single by Christian Mua, then a fielder's choice
grounder by Juan Taboada for another run, with Mua
later scoring on a wild pitch.
Moriel finished with a 2-for-3 outing, with two runs
and a pair of RBI.
Meanwhile, Bell struck out seven Griffins for the
victory. He allowed just four hits and one earned
run.
Grossmont third baseman KENNY BELZER gave the visitors
a quick 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly to bring home
BEN VASKO, a rare catcher who also bats leadoff. But
the Jags got even in the bottom of the 1st inning
on a balk to plate Moriel.
The advantage would mount to 8-1 before the Griffins
scored twice in the 7th.
First baseman TAYLOR EICHHORST, who went 2-for-4,
blasted a 1-out double, later scoring on an outfield
error in left on a drive by JAKE VILLALOBOS. He later
scored on a basehit by MIKE STOWERS.
The ballclubs cap a home-and-home series at noon
Saturday (Mar. 20) at Noel Mickelsen Field.
Another chance given away
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-17-10) — Grossmont College moved
into position to sweep a home-and-home series from
Pacific Coast Athletic Conference-leading San Diego
Mesa, but the bullpen failed to perform.
The Griffins relief corps allowed a pair of inherited
baserunners to score, allowing the Olympians to take
a 5-4 lead in the 6th inning, then gave up six more
runs in an 11-6 decision Tuesday (Mar. 16) at Noel
Mickelsen Field.
The setback drops Grossmont a full three games back
in the PCAC standings, but more importantly, they
would need to pass at least three schools to gain
postseason consideration, making the climb all the
more difficult.
The top of the Mesa lineup did most of the damage,
including three RBI each by centerfielder A.J. Herrera
and shortstop Jimmy Filter. Six different Olympians
registered at least two hits.
After Mesa gained a 3-0 lead in its first at-bats,
Grossmont moved even in the 2nd on back-to-back home
runs by shortstop JAKE VILLALOBOS, a 2-run shot which
followed a basehit by catcher BEN VASKO, and right
fielder JACOB REBELO.
However, Grossmont could muster just four other hits
all afternoon in continuing its team slump. Villalobos
finished with three RBI on 2-for-4 hitting.
Mesa finished with 16 hits, including three each
from Filter and second baseman Myles Dempsey.
Grossmont next opens a 2-game set with Southwestern,
playing in Chula Vista at 2 p.m. Thursday (Mar. 18),
then home at noon on Saturday (Mar. 20).
Combined 2-hitter powers Grossmont over Mesa
© East County Sports.com
KEARNY MESA (3-12-10) — After falling against
arguably the toughest pitcher in the Pacific Coast
Athletic Conference, Grossmont College stepped forward
with its own candidate to challenge for the top spot.
Sophomore left-hander GREG LaBARRE, an all-SDCIF
pitcher out of Francis Parker in 2007, tossed 5 1/3
innings of 2-hit ball, the relievers JACK SHANNON
and LUKE WHITMORE went the rest of the way without
allowing a hit, backing the Griffins to a 4-1 triumph
over PCAC leading San Diego Mesa.
The victory moved Grossmont (8-6, 2-4 PCAC) within
two games of the leaders, as Mesa fell into a 3-way
tie for the top spot with Southwestern and San Diego
City.
La Barre allowed a 1st-inning single, then didn't
allow another hit until the 6th, an RBI double by
Dillon Haupt. But by then, Grossmont had already mounted
a 4-0 lead.
Mesa had one last shot in the 9th following a pair
of walks by allowed the potential tying run to come
to the plate, but Whitmore -- normally a starting
pitcher -- coaxed an easy ground ball to first base
to garner his first career save.
Grossmont scored twice in both the 1st and 4th innings
to surge to the early lead.
The Griffins opened the contest by loading the bases,
as a KENNY BELZER basehit was sandwiched by a pair
of walks. Then with two outs, JEREMY BAUM singled
for an RBI, then Belzer scored on a wild pitch.
Three innings later, MARK BELLATTI belted a leadoff
double to right field, moving to third on JAKE VILLALOBOS'
sacrifice bunt, yet reaching base when the throw to
third base was late.
Another Mesa wild pitch would score Bellatti for
a 3-0 advantage, then Villalobos came home on a JACOB
REBELO basehit to centerfield
The cold-hitting Griffins warmed up a bit, as seven
of the nine members of the starting line-up collected
basehits, including a pair by Baum, the centerfielder.
The ballclubs complete their home-and-home series
next Tuesday (Mar. 19) at noon at Noel Mickelsen Field.
Griffins stopped by head Hunter
Courtesy, SDCC Media Relations
BALBOA PARK (3-10-10) — Sophomore right-hander
Hunter Herrera, the top pitcher in the Pacific Coast
Athletic Conference in the early going, allowed only
one run on three hits and struck out a season-high
12 batters, leading San Diego City College (10-3,
3-2 PCAC) past visiting Grossmont, 5-1, at Morley
Field.
Herrera (4-0) did not allow a hit until the 6th inning
when a ground ball by Grossmont shortstop JAKE VILLALOBOS
caromed off third base. The Griffins threatened in
the inning with runners on second and third base,
but Herrera held them off and kept them scoreless.
The Knights were also held without a run for the
first five innings by Grossmont right-hander HUNTER
BROWN, but City finally broke through in the 6th on
an RBI double by sophomore left fielder Chuck Matthey.
SDCC broke the game open in the 7th by scoring four
runs to go ahead, 5-0. Shortstop LOUIS CAZARES (Granite
Hills HS) started a two-out rally by reaching base
on an error.
First baseman Phil Creecy homered to the deepest
part of the park in center field, his second home
run in as many games and his fourth overall. Later
in the inning, Sandoval scored on an error and catcher
Corey Vasquez came home on a wild pitch.
The lone Griffins run came in the 8th, as Villalobos
(2-for-3) tripled to left-center, scoring MARK BELLATTI,
who opened the frame with a basehit, then moved to
third base on a SDCC error.
The Griffins (7-6 overall), who next plays on Thursday
(Mar. 11) at San Diego Mesa, are now 1-4 in PCAC play,
with their lone win coming against Imperial Valley.
Otherwise, they have been outscored, 32-12, in the
four conference setbacks.
One bobble bamboozles Grossmont
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-6-10) — Strike out, fly out, but
then an infield fielding error.
Shouldn't really be a major problem with your pitching
ace on the mound. But for Grossmont College, the anticipated
rain for Saturday started to fall a day early.
The Griffins pitching staff followed by hitting three
batters and allowed a pair of basehits, opening the
floodgates to give Palomar College four unearned runs,
allowing the visiting Comets to race to a 9-3 decision
at Noel Mickelsen Field.
The decision leaves both teams tied for the cellar
in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference at 1-3, as
both sides seeking answers in order to catch first-place
Mesa, which started the season at 1-9, yet have since
captured four straight PCAC ballgames.
All indications pointed to a dark cloud hanging for
Grossmont.
After turning a double play in the 1st inning, Palomar
designated hitter DEREK BAUM (Grossmont High) followed
with a solo homer. In the 3rd, Grossmont nearly escaped
a jam with two quick outs, but Comets catcher David
Ring answered with a 3-run homer for a 4-0 lead.
The Griffins collected an unearned run in the 4th
when ADAM ASPAAS singled to right, bringing home third
baseman KENNY BELZER, who reached on a fielding error,
then into scoring position on a throwing error.
The only other Grossmont runs came on a Belzer double
and an Aspaas single, both in the 5th. However, the
Palomar bullpen allowed just one additional hit the
rest of the way to snap a 3-game losing streak.
Aspaas batted 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI, while Belzer
went 2-for-4, but the remainder of the line-up went
a composite 2-for-27 against Palomar (5-6, 1-3 PCAC).
LUCAS WHITMORE (2-2) took the loss for Grossmont (7-5,
1-3 PCAC), which sits in a 3-way tie that includes
Imperial Valley.
The Griffins are on the road all next week, meeting
San Diego City at Morley Field on Tuesday (Mar. 9),
then start second-round action at San Diego Mesa on
Thursday (Mar 11). Both start at 2 p.m.
Grossmont rebounds over IVC
© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (3-5-10) — On an afternoon when Grossmont
College finally collected its first Pacific Coast Athletic
Conference victory, the decision turned out to be exponentially
welcome.
Not only did the Griffins jump back into the PCAC race
following Thursday's (Mar. 4) conquest of Imperial Valley
College, 15-6, conference front-runners Palomar and
Southwestern both suffered setbacks to allow the Green
& Gold to gain a game in the standings on both perennial
powers.
Grossmont (7-4, 1-2 PCAC) gets another opportunity to
gain ground on Friday (Mar. 5), as Saturday's home game
against Palomar has been moved due to pending rain forecast
for this weekend. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at
Noel Mickelsen Field.
Five proved to be the number of the day to take care
of the Arabs.
The Griffins posted multiple-run innings five times,
taking advantage of five IVC errors, as five different
players drove home two or more runs each.
Leading the parade was right fielder CHRIS DOYLE and
designated hitter ADAM ASPAAS, who both collected two
hits, three RBI and scored a run. Also driving home
a pair of runs was left fielder BRIAN PALMER, center
fielder JEREMY BAUM and catcher CODY RAY, who stroked
a home run.
The lead could have been greater, but Imperial Valley
(5-6, 1-2 PCAC) escaped several jams by turning three
double plays.
Grossmont struck for four runs in the 2nd inning to
stake starting pitcher GREG LaBARRE to an early lead.
By the time the right-hander exited in the 6th, the
lead extended to 11-2, giving him the victory after
just 5-plus frames of work. He struck out four.
From the bullpen, JUSTIN DISBRO registered a pair of
shutout innings, while MATT SWAN tossed a perfect 8th
inning.
|
|
|
Eichhorst honored
© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (3-4-10) — Grossmont College
first baseman TAYLOR EICHHORST was honored as
the Pacific Coast Athletic Confernce's Male
Athlete of the Week.
The freshman out of Christian High, hit three
homers to equal a school record, and had a double
and four RBI in an 11-7 win over Compton, at
the MLB Urban Youth Academy complex.
|
Another Griffins rally falls short
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-3-10) — The final score was misleading,
but the results were stinging – another tough
loss for Grossmont College.
Trailing all Tuesday (Mar. 2) afternoon, the Griffins
closed the gap to a single run by the end of the 8th
inning. But hopes of a positive finish evaporated
in the top of the 9th as the visiting Jaguars scored
4 runs and continued on to dump the 17th-ranked Griffins
11-6 in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference contest.
The loss was the second in as many PCAC games for
Grossmont (6-4). Not exactly the start coach RANDY
ABSHIER had in mind.
Against Southwestern (8-3, 1-0), the Grossmont pitching
staff was cuffed around for 15 hits, including two
home runs. First baseman Omar Gonzalez drove in three
runs with a home run and a double to pace Southwestern.
Leadoff man WILLIE HEIEN, a product of Lutheran High
and a resident of La Mesa, was 3-for-4 for the Jags.
For Grossmont CHRIS DOYLE was 3-for-5 with a home
run, two runs and two RBI. KENNY BELZER was 2-for-4
raising his season average to .452 (19-for-42).
He also logged his team-best 15th RBI and ADAM ASPAAS
smacked a solo home run.
Next up for the Griffins is a trip to Imperial Valley
on Thursday (Mar. 4) at 2 p.m.
Mesa takes another bite out of the Griffins, 7-2
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (2-27-10) — When Grossmont College
fell one game short of capturing the Pacific Coast
Athletic Conference pennant a year ago, the Griffins
could point the finger at San Diego Mesa for setting
up a roadblock.
Mesa (2-9, 1-0 PCAC) is becoming a nemesis for the
Griffins (6-3, 0-1), who lost last year’s season
series to the Olympians 3-2 and succumbed in Friday’s
(Feb. 26) PCAC opener at Mesa, 7-2.
“Give them credit, they hit the ball well in
the clutch and we didn’t,” said Grossmont
coach RANDY ABSHIER. “Most of our hits came with
two outs.”
|
|
|
Pitcher Lucas Whitmore
(Photo by Hal Summers)
|
Too bad, considering Grossmont outhit the Olympians
13-11.
What really took the air out of the Griffins offense
was their Nos. 4-5-6 hitters were a collective 2-for-13
with six strikeouts.
After Mesa jumped on Grossmont ace LUCAS WHITMORE
(2-1) for three runs in the first three frames, the
Griffins fought back by knocking in a pair of markers
in the top of the 4th.
BEN VASKO started the Grossmont rally with a base
hit to center field. He advanced to second on BRIAN
PALMER’s ground out. JEREMY BAUM singled to right,
scoring Vasko. On the play, however, Baum was erased
trying to go to second. BEN SARNO kept the two-out
rally alive with a single and coasted home on CHRIS
DOYLE’s triple.
Palmer, a product of Palm Desert High, paced Grossmont’s
offense with three hits in four at-bats.
Mesa broke the game open with 4 runs in the 8th inning
against three Grossmont relievers.
Eichhorst belts three HRs for Griffins
Frosh first baseman collect 14 total bases
© East County Sports.com
COMPTON (2-26-10) — It was old-fashion Grossmont
College baseball Thursday (Feb. 25) at Major League
Baseball's Urban Youth Academy. The Griffins were
playing long ball and freshman first baseman TAYLOR
EICHHORST was the star of the show.
Eichhorst hammered three home runs and a double while
driving in four runs as Grossmont clubbed Compton
11-7. It was the sixth win in eight starts for the
Griffins.
“All three balls were hit well,” Grossmont
College coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “The first
one cleared a 12 foot fence in left and the other
two he hit over the scoreboard.”
Eichhorst’s three circuit-clouts, which tied
a Grossmont College record shared by several, raised
his season home run total to four. He also has six
doubles and 9 RBI to go with a .342 (13 for 38)
batting average.
Freshman third baseman KENNY BELZER was 2-for-5 with
his second home run of the season. He now sports a .485
average (16 for 33) and has a team-best 14 RBI.
Grossmont broke the game open with 6 runs in the
7th inning. BEN SARNO chipped in with a two-run double.
ALEX OHLSON and BRIAN PALMER contributed two hits
apiece to Grossmont’s 12-hit attack. CHRIS DOYLE
had two RBI.
Schedule Change — In an effort to stay
a step ahead of the rain, Grossmont College has moved
its opening of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference
season up to Friday (Feb. 26) at San Diego Mesa College.
First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. The game was originally
scheduled for Saturday.
Griffins from 7-0 deficit, stun East Los Angeles
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-19-10) — Despite another slow start,
Grossmont College overcame a 7-0 deficit to down visiting
East Los Angeles 11-7 in Friday’s (Feb. 19) second
round of the Jaguar Invitational at Noel Mickelsen
Field.
Five of the Huskies runs were unearned.
“It seems like we are always coming from behind,”
said Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. “That’s
not the way this game is supposed to be played.”
Grossmont (5-2) kept pecking away and eventually
took an 8-7 advantage on a two-run double by BEN VASKO
(2-for-4, 3 RBI) in the bottom of the 5th. It was
Vasko’s second two-base blow in the game.
BRAIN PALMER was 2-for-3 with three RBI for the Griffins,
while KENNY BELZER was 3-for-3 with a triple, 2 runs
scored and a pair of RBI.
Five Griffins pitchers combined to scatter 10 hits
and strike out 10. Reliever JACOB HOVIS picked up
his second win allowing just one unearned run and
four hits during a 3 2/3 inning stint. He logged 4
strikeouts.
Weather permitting, Grossmont will close the tournament
Saturday (Feb. 20) by hosting College of the Desert
at noon.
|
Orange Coast 5
Grossmont 4 (10)
|
Top-rated Pirates overcome
late Grossmont comeback
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-19-10) — Orange Coast scored an unearned
run in the 10th inning of Thursday’s (Feb. 18)
Jaguar Invitational opener to edge host Grossmont
College 5-4 at Noel Mickelsen Field.
The Griffins (4-2, who saw their three-game winning
streak end, face East Los Angeles College Friday (Feb.
19) at 1:30 p.m. and College of the Desert Saturday
(Feb. 20) at noon. Both games are at Mickelsen Field.
Trailing Orange Coast – the No. 1-ranked team
in Southern California – by a 4-1 count heading
into the bottom of the 7th, the Griffins began their
comeback with two outs in the last of the 7th before
tying it in the 9th.
JEREMY BAUM ignited the 2-run 7th with a base hit.
CHRIS DOYLE followed with a triple, slicing the Pirates’
edge to 4-2. Doyle scored on an error.
Once again in the 9th it was Baum who keyed the game-tying
rally as he led off with a double. Back-to-back bunts
by Doyle and BEN SARNO brought Baum around to score.
Sarno executed a squeeze play.
Reliever JACK SHANNON allowed only one hit and struck
out 5 in three innings, but was tagged with the loss
due to a throwing error.
“This was a tough loss,” Grossmont coach
RANDY ABSHIER said. “We were better than them.
Just didn't get the breaks. Errors at this level will
hurt you every time. Two errors gave them two runs
and we just didn't capitalize when we had our chances.”
Grossmont ace LUCAS WHITMORE struck out 8 in seven
innings while allowing 10 hits and 3 earned runs.
Whitmore has not walked a batter in 19 innings this
season. He has logged 21 strikeouts.
“He threw another good game,” Abshier said.
“The errors hurt him.”
A pair of 6-packs for Grossmont
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-16-10) — Using a pair of 6-run innings,
host Grossmont College knocked off San Bernardino
Valley College, 12-11, in a makeup game Monday (Feb.
15) at Noel Mickelsen Field.
A two-run single by PAUL OUNJIAN keyed Grossmont’s
initial half-dozen burst in the 2nd inning for a 6-1
lead.
That lead didn’t hold up long as the Wolverines
(0-5) tied it with 5 runs in the top of the 4th.
Grossmont countered with a second six-pack in the
bottom of the 4th. KENNY BELZER’s bases-loaded
single gave the Griffins (4-1) an 8-6 advantage they
wouldn’t lose.
Belzer has supplied the game-winning RBI in every
Grossmont win thus far this season. The freshman out
of Granite Hills has 11 RBI fueled by a .450
batting average (9-for-20).
Ounjian (Torrey Pines) was 2-for-2 with two runs
scored and 3 RBI for the Griffins, who have won three
straight.
Six-foot-8 freshman closer KEVIN KLEIS out of Grossmont
High struck out two of the three batters he faced
in the 9th inning to earn his first college save.
Next up for the Griffins is the 29th annual Jaguar
Classic that begins Thursday (Feb. 18) when Grossmont
hosts Orange Coast at 1 p.m. The Griffins face College
of the Desert Friday at 1 p.m. and East Los Angeles
on Saturday at noon. All games are at Mickelsen Field.
Griffins pitching impressive
Whitmore, Labarre dominate to down
Cerro Coso, Pasadena City
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-14-10) — It was all about pitching
in Saturday’s (Feb. 13) final rounds of the 17th
annual Mickelsen Invitational at Grossmont College.
Left-hander LUCAS WHITMORE pitched six shutout innings
as the Griffins ground up Ridgecrest’s Cerro
Coso College, 9-3, in the morning and then GREG LABARRE
allowed only one hit in six innings of the nightcap
as the Griffins blanked Pasadena City College, 7-0.
“We got spectacular pitching today,” said
Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. “LaBarre just
missed a no-no, giving up just a scratch single in
the 2nd inning.”
Pasadena’s Mike Vasquez beat out an infield
roller for the Lancers’ lone hit in the 2nd inning.
LaBarre, a sophomore southpaw out of Francis Parker,
struck out seven and walked only one.
Whitmore (2-0) scattered six hits while keeping his
ERA at 0.00 for 12 innings this season. The transfer
from San Diego City has struck out 13 and walked none
during this span.
Backing up LaBarre were JACK SHANNON, who spun two
shutout innings, and BRAD ROBERTSON, who worked a
scoreless 9th. The Grossmont trio combined for 11
strikeouts.
KENNY BELZER, a freshman third baseman out of Granite
Hills, has been wielding a hot bat. He’s hitting
at a .500 clip (8-for-16) with a home run and
9 RBI for the Griffins (3-1).
Against Cerro Coso, Belzer was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI.
He gave Grossmont a 1st inning lead with a single.
He drove in another with a base hit in the 2nd as
the Griffins claimed a 4-0 advantage.
JEREMY BAUM blasted a 2-run homer in the win over
Cerro Coso, while leadoff man BEN SARNO had two hits
and scored 3 runs. TAYLOR EICHHORST was 2-for-5 with
an RBI double.
Against Pasadena, Belzer broke a scoreless deadlock
with an RBI single in the 3rd inning.
Baum had three hits – including two doubles
– to pace Grossmont’s 13-hit assault on
two Pasadena pitchers.
The Griffins will host San Bernardino Valley College
in a rain makeup game on Monday (Feb. 15) at 11 a.m.
Slippery glove leads to loss to Oilers
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-13-10) — A dropped fly ball with
the bases loaded in the 1st inning led to five unearned
runs for visiting West Los Angeles College in Friday’s
(Feb. 12) opening round of the Mickelsen Invitational
at Grossmont College.
The Griffins (1-1) fell behind 7-0 in that sad sack
first frame, but made a stout rally before falling
9-8 to the Oilers.
Grossmont will host Cerro Coso of Ridgemont in Saturday’s
(Feb. 13) second round of the tournament at 10 a.m.
Later in the day Pasadena City College visits the
Griffins at 2 p.m.
A two-run home run by KENNY BELZER launched Grossmont’s
comeback bid in the 4th inning. BEN VASKO clubbed
a 3-run home run in the 8th, slicing the Wildcats
(1-2) advantage to 7-5.
West LA countered with a pair of markers in the 9th.
But the Griffins weren’t done just yet.
JEREMY BAUM started a Grossmont rally with a one-out
walk. Belzer followed with a single. Both runners
scored on an outfield error. BRIAN PALMER kept things
alive with an RBI single. Palmer, who carried the
potential tying run, was stranded at first base as
the game ended.
For the record, 11 of the 17 runs scored in the game
were unearned thanks to six errors – 3 apiece.
Vasko, a product of Mt. Carmel High, accounted for
three of Grossmont’s 10 hits.
Griffins pound Porterville behind frosh Eichhorst
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-6-10) — Freshman designated hitter
TAYLOR EICHHORST began his collegiate career with
a bang on Friday (Feb. 5) as the Griffins pulverized
the visiting Porterville Pirates 11-1 in the season
opener for both teams.
A product of Christian High, Eichhorst keyed a 3-run
1st inning with an RBI double. He also doubled in
a run as Grossmont made it 6-0 in the 2nd inning.
Eichhorst saved his best shot for the 4th inning
when he rapped a home run just inside the left field
foul pole extending the Griffins advantage to 8-0.
Catcher CODY RAY also enjoyed a successful debut
for the Griffins. Ray, a freshman out of Rancho Bernardo,
drove in 2 runs with a pair of singles and a home
run over the left field scoreboard.
PAUL OUNJIAN was 2-for-3 with an RBI. JEREMY BAUM
added 2 stolen bases and one RBI. KENNY BELZER drove
in a pair of runs with a single and a sacrifice fly.
Grossmont scored in each of the first seven innings,
supporting the seven-hit pitching of LUCAS WHITMORE,
JUSTIN DISBRO, RYAN MURRAY-LOPEZ and KEVIN KLEIS.
Whitmore toiled the first six frames, permitting
just 4 hits while striking out 6 and walking none
to earn the win.
Weather permitting Grossmont will host San Bernardino
Valley College Saturday (Feb. 6) at 11 a.m.
Griffins: '10 Preview
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-6-10) — A year ago RANDY ABSHIER
and his Grossmont College Griffins fell one game short
of capturing the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference
championship.
And that had to hurt, considering the Griffins won
the season series from every team except fourth place
San Diego Mesa College, which topped the Griffins
in three of five meetings.
Grossmont, which finished 27-15 overall and 18-7
in the PCAC race, edged conference champion Palomar
in three out of five, but Mesa cost the Griffins the
pennant. The Griffins advanced to the Southern California
Regionals before seeing their season end.
Abshier believes this year’s crew has the pitching
to soar even deeper into the post-season.
“This could be the best all-around pitching
staff I’ve ever had,” said Abshier, who
is beginning his 6th season at the Griffins’
helm. “We have a great mixture of veterans with
a good nucleus of freshmen who can fight for starting
spots.”
At the moment Abshier has 15 pitchers on his staff.
“From top to bottom, I have no problem throwing
any of them at any time,” he said.
The ace of the staff is San Diego City transfer and
El Capitan graduate LUCAS WHITMORE.
“I have scouts calling me all the time,”
Abshier said of the sophomore southpaw. “His
fastball is in the upper 80s and he has a tremendous
change-up and a slider to go along with it.”
GREG LaBARRE, another sophomore southpaw out of Francis
Parker, figures in the pitching plans as well.
Returning sophomore 6-foot-4, 200 pound left-hander
MATT SWAN (Scripps Ranch), has also caught the eyes
of pro scouts.
St. Augustine grad, freshman EDWARD TROVATO and DEAN
MILLER (Granite Hills) should also contribute to the
Griffins pitching plans.
“Trovato throws in the range of 89-91 mph,”
said Abshier.
Miller posted a 5-3 record with 3 saves and a 3.59
ERA while striking out 58 batters in 51 innings as
a senior.
“Miller has a big league curve ball,” Abshier
said.
Perhaps the biggest surprise on the Grossmont staff
is 6-8, 225-pound freshman KEVIN KLEIS.
“I don’t think he pitched more than five
innings in high school (Grossmont), but this guy can
throw 92 mph,” Abshier said. “He’s
a raw talent and the pro scouts know it.”
Other pitchers making an immediate impact include
Christian High right-hander BRAD ROBERTSON, La Costa
Canyon southpaw JACOB RAFAELE, Patrick Henry’s
JUSTIN DISBRO and San Dieguito left-hander JACK SHANNON.
Behind the plate sophomore BEN VASKO ( Mt. Carmel
) has the starting edge, although Grossmont High product
ALEX OHLSON and Rancho Bernardo’s CODY RAY also
figure in the mix.
Infield figured to be a Grossmont strength until
returning shortstop BRIAN SAGUN suffered a broken
leg during the offseason. He will miss all of this
year and cause Abshier to shift his infield around.
Academic All-American BEN SARNO, who batted .317
as a freshman, will take Sagun’s place.
The remainder of the Grossmont infield will feature
sophomore MARK BELLATI at first base, letterman ROBERT
AGUIRRE at second base, and Granite Hills graduate
KENNY BELZER (6-4, 215) at third base.
“Belzer is the strongest power guy we’ve
had since JOSH MAZZOLA (now in the San Francisco Giants
minor league chain),” Abshier said.
The outfield is probably the most unsettled part
of the team, considering there are no returning starters.
Abshier is counting on freshman BRIAN PALMER (Palm
Desert High) to lock down the left field spot, and
Torrey Pines graduate PAUL OUNJIAN to patrol center
field.
Right field is open. Contenders for the starting
job include Christian High grad MIKE STOWERS, who
batted .318 with 19 RBI as a senior. Patrick
Henry product JACOB REBELO and Santa Barbara City
College transfer JEREMY BAUM, sophomore JOSEPH STEINBERGER
could also earn playing time.
Christian High slugger TAYLOR EICHHORST, who blasted
11 home runs and drove in 36 runs while batting .297
as a senior, will probably be the Griffins designated
hitter.
“Rain has kept us off our field for most of
the preseason,” Abshier said. “But I think
that the fact that we didn’t have any intersession
(classes) or summer school hurt us even more. I hope
we can overcome that, and I think we can. We’re
a big, physical team that can pass the eyeball drill.”
2009 SEASON
Sequoyah is giant among ballplayers
Home run king named to All-America team
| Stonecipher
signs with Marlins
© East County Sports.com
JAMESTOWN, Penn. (7-1-09) — All-America
outfielder SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER of Grossmont
College is off to a respectable start after
10 games of professional baseball.
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.
|
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-29-09) — Grossmont College sophomore
outfielder SEQUOYAH STONECIPHER has been named to
the Southern California 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.
