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EL CAJON (5-1-10) — The ever eventful Christian High Patriots found another way to frustrate themselves in Friday’s (Apr. 30) Eastern League contest against visiting Scripps Ranch. Despite slugging three home runs, the Patriots fell to the Falcons, 15-8.

“We were terrible,” Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL said. “Plain and simple, just awful. Scripps had two pop flies drop into our infield for hits and I don’t know how many rollers we let go for hits. This is one of those games you forget and move on.”

One of the few bright spots for Christian was junior second baseman MICHAEL POTEET, who went 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double, four RBI and three runs scored.

In the five league games, Poteet has posted a .471 average (8 for 17) with three homers and 7 RBI.

JOSH SUFFRIDGE also stroked a two-run home run for the Patriots (11-10, 1-4 EL).

Scripps Ranch (19-4, 4-1 EL), which gained a share of the circuit lead with St. Augustine (14-9, 4-1 EL) when the Saints lost to Mira Mesa on Friday, collected 15 singles and two doubles off four Patriots pitchers who issued nine walks and hit two batters.

Nine of those hits and six free passes came in the 3rd inning when Scripps Ranch broke a 2-2 tie with nine runs.

Former Santana coach Jerry Henson (center) had his number (21) retired in ceremonies conducted prior to Thursday's 7-4 triumph over Monte Vista. (Montagé by Scott Seidel)

Henson earns rare honor © East County Sports.com SANTEE (5-1-10) — Former longtime Santana baseball coach JERRY HENSON was taken by surprise when present coach LARRY OEDEWALDT and the Sultans retired his uniform No. 21 in ceremonies prior to the start of Thursday’s (Apr. 29) Grossmont Valley League game against visiting Monte Vista. In his 18 seasons at the Santana helm, Henson’s Sultans posted a 340-203-4 record, which included winning the 1994 SDCIF Division III championship. Santana is a school that has produced such superstars as pitcher TERRY FORSTER, who pitched 17 seasons in the major leagues, but never had his number retired. Other Santana standouts include JIMMY TATUM, who spent a handful of seasons in the major leagues, and minor league superstar KYLE HYPES, who pitched 10 seasons before becoming a pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants. As great as all these guys were, none got their number retired. So why did Henson? That’s because he’s been a neighborhood fixture where all the area athletes wanted to play for him. He’s known for treating his players fairly and helping promote them to the next level.

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EL CAJON (4-30-10) — No. 9-ranked Helix took No. 20 Granite Hills on an unscheduled rollercoaster ride in Thursday’s (Apr. 29) Grossmont Hills League encounter in the Eagles’ lair.

The Highlanders (13-6-1, 4-1-1 GHL) blew a 5-0 lead and then bounced back from an 8-5 deficit to claim a 14-8 victory and sole possession of the GHL lead.

MAURO OLIVARRIA shaped up the Highlanders’ ship by blanking the Eagles (8-11, 4-3 GHL) on one hit over the final 4 1/3 innings to collect his first victory in three decisions. The 5-foot-10, 167-pound junior right-hander did so while striking out five and walking none.

“I think I did a better job of concentrating than I had in the past couple games pitching,” Olivarria said. “I tried not to do too much. I let the ball do the work.”

Olivarria also did the job with the bat, slashing four singles in five at-bats. He also drove in 2 runs and scored a pair.

Helix pounded out 19 hits against four Granite Hills pitchers.

“Every time I walk to the plate my main goal is not to waste an at-bat,” Olivarria said. He didn’t.

Neither did leadoff man KACY SMITH or AUSTIN GONZALEZ each of whom collected three knocks.

Helix coach COLE HOLLAND views Smith as the Highlanders’ “sparkplug, catalyst.”

The Scotties’ skipper moved Smith to the head of the batting order a few weeks back and Helix’s offense is much the healthier for it.

“Not being cocky or anything, but that’s where I belong,” said Smith who had a two-run single in the 5th inning and an RBI single in the 6th. “I’m confident batting in the leadoff spot, probably because I’ve hit there all my life.”

While most who bat at the top or the order tend to take a strike now and then, Smith said he is more aggressive when he sees a pitch he likes. A linebacker in football, he also takes advantage of his speed.

“If I hit a chopper I know I can beat it out,” said Smith, who also stole his 12th base at the expense of the Eagles.

A two-out single by TYLER SOTO gave Helix a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning. Soto capped a 4-run 2nd inning with a sacrifice fly. Olivarria also slapped a two-run single in the lucrative second frame while DYLAN NICKERSON plated a run with a base hit.

“I thought we were sailing when we got out in front like that early,” Holland said.

Not so.

Granite Hills grabbed the lead with 6 runs in the bottom of the 2nd. The Highlanders chipped in a walk, an error and a hit batter in the inning which climaxed on JARED HUNT’s grand slam.

A scoring flyball by DOUG BRANNVALL followed by an RBI single by MIKE CRABB extended the Eagles lead to 8-5 in the 3rd.

Gonzalez stroked a key blow in the Highlanders’ 5-run 6th inning with a double that tied the game 8-8. Pinch hitter BRENNAN INGRAM shattered the deadlock by lacing a two-run double to left-center field.

“It was quite a ride today,” Holland said.

On paper, the issue was decided by two Grossmont swings – JOE MUSGROVE’s two-run homer that tied the game in the bottom of the 1st and CODY SOS’s grand slam in the 3rd frame.

Those blasts were all the Foothillers (16-6, 4-3 GHL) needed to support the pitching of ROBBY NESOVIC and MARK VASQUEZ to move within striking distance of front-running Helix.

Musgrove has proven to be one of the most consistent hitters in East County. Against Grossmont Conference pitching, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound junior is connecting at a .537 clip (22-for-41) with 7 home runs, 22 RBI and 18 runs scored in 12 games.

Player of the Year? Hmm?

The unsung hero in this joust for the Foothillers was relief pitcher Vasquez, who rationed the Cougars (12-7-1, 3-2-1 GHL) to one hit and an unearned run in 3 1/3 innings as he balanced his overall record to 2-2.

Better yet, the 6-foot-3, 170-pound senior right-hander has logged a 0.88 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 16 innings.

“He’s been kinda scuffling of late,” Grossmont coach JIM EARLEY said of Vasquez. “But this is the best he’s thrown all year.”

Steele Canyon took a 2-0 lead in the opening frame. JESSE JENNER, who returned to the starting lineup as the Cougars’ third baseman, singled in the first run and the second tally came across on a throwing error.

The braintrust of the Mount Miguel Matadors

Mount Miguel Matadors at El Capitan Vaqueros (Photo & slideshow by Mark Gabriels)

It starts with the fact that the Vaqueros have won seven straight and 8 of 9 to gain their lofty position. In addition, two of El Capitan ’s losses are to teams from other states.

The rankings don’t seem to concern coach STEVE VICKERY.

“All that matters is where you end up in June,” he said.

Scoring runs has not been a problem for the Vaqueros all year. But now that the pitching staff has taken hold this is a bona fide blue ribbon ballclub.

In Thursday’s (Apr. 29) Grossmont Valley League contest, starter MICHAEL FLORES blanked the Matadors on one hit while striking out 5 and facing the minimum number of batters through five innings as El Capitan built a 6-0 lead behind him.

“Michael Flores pitched the best I’ve ever seen him throw,” said Vickery. “He was able to locate his fastball on both sides of the plate. He was in total control. It was the best I’ve seen him in two years.”

Vaqueros senior reliever MIKE WIDDOWSON gave up two hits but kept the shutout intact over the final two innings.

“Our pitching is getting to the level where we kinda thought it would be at the beginning of the year. We didn’t walk anybody today,” Vickery added.

El Capitan scored all the runs it would need in the 2nd inning. A key blow was a 3-run homer by RYAN McBURNEY.

The Vaqueros made it 6-0 in the 4th on a run-scoring single by JAKE ALVERNAZ and a sacrifice fly by SHELDON GABRIELS.

The game became a blowout in the 5th when freshman catcher ERIC LOZANO slashed a 2-run triple to center field and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

It was a frustrating setback for Mount Miguel (6-14 overall), which began the GVL with three straight wins and suddenly finds itself at 3-3.

The Sultans escaped with their third straight win as KYLE HAYES followed a two-out walk to CHRIS CAMARDA with his 7th home run of the season.

“Their guy hung a 1-1 curveball and Kyle pounced on it,” said Santana coach LARRY OEDEWALDT.

A double by ZACH BREIDT and a single by AUSTIN SEIDEL made it 3-0 after two innings.

Singles by Hayes and Breidt set the stage for a 3-run home by CAMERON BALOUGH in the 3rd inning.

Santana carried a 7-1 lead into the final frame when the Monarchs (8-13, 1-5) erupted for three runs. The key blow in the final frame was a 2-run double by CARLOS OCHOA. KEVIN STARLING followed with an RBI single for the Monarchs.

Nevertheless Santana starter Zach Oedewaldt gained his third win in four decisions thanks to a clutch relief effort by Camarda, who got the final two outs to earn his first save.

Coach Oedewaldt pointed to the Sultans’ ability to escape bases-loaded situations in the 4th and 5th innings.

“On the offensive end we took advantage of the opportunities we got,” he said.

Breidt paced Santana’s 11 hit attack with a 3-for-3 effort.

VALHALLA 7, WEST HILLS 2 – Injury-riddled Valhalla posted its first Grossmont Hills League victory over host West Hills Thursday (Apr. 29) in Santee.

The key to the Norsemen’s victory, which snapped a 6-game losing streak, was the pitching of junior right-hander BRIAN PETERSON, who scattered 6 hits in a complete game effort.

Junior catcher BRYCE MOSIER smashed 3 doubles in four at-bats while DANNY DAVIS also went 3-for-4 in the Valhalla victory.

The Norsemen (9-12, 1-6 GHL) scored all the runs they would need in the 3rd inning. Mosier sparked the rally with his second double and quickly stole third base. He scored what proved to be the winning run in that steal attempt when the West Hills catcher overthrew third base.

The rally continued as DANNY HAWKSLEY singled up the middle. Peterson followed with a base hit to put runners at the corners. AUSTIN HENSLEY then lofted a high fly ball to left field that the Wolf Pack defender dropped, allowing two runs to score.

In the 4th inning Mosier laced an RBI double to make it 4-1.

Valhalla broke the game open with three runs in the 5th. Peterson keyed the rally with a one-out single. Hensley then doubled to put runners at second and third. After JOSH AUSTEL walked to load the bases, Davis singled, scoring Peterson but Hensley was cut down at the plate. CHRIS WILKEY then ripped a 2-run triple.

ANDREW MOHRE was the hitting star for West Hills as he went 2-for-3 with a double.

Foothills Christian catcher Cody Lewis

Foothills Christian Knights vs. Vista-Calvary Chr., at San Diego Jewish Academy, Carmel Valley (Photo & slideshow by Ron Atterbury)

CODY LEWIS’s 2-run double supplied the key blow that extended the Knights lead to 4-1 in the final frame.

JOE CANTER added an RBI single in the pivotal 7th and a bases-loaded walk to BRANDON JAROSIN made it 6-1.

That was more than enough for pitcher DEREK DEYLING, who spun a complete game victory, scattering 7 hits while striking out 10 to earn his third win in eight decisions.

“Derek Deyling had a rough 1st inning then he settled down and it was his game from then on,” said Knights coach DAVE LEWIS. “We had some timely hits. I was very happy with the way we played.”

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SCRIPPS RANCH (4-29-10) — It’s not by choice that the Christian High Patriots continue to find new ways to lose.

Despite out-hitting host Scripps Ranch in Wednesday’s (Apr. 28) Eastern League tiff 9-4, the Patriots came up on the short end of a 5-2 score.

Probably the pivotal play of the game came in the 6th inning when Christian (11-9, 1-3 EL) loaded the bases to bring the go-ahead run to the plate. CODY POTEET, who was 3-for-3 on the afternoon, led off the inning with a double.

Scripps Ranch ace Phillip Walby countered by striking out the next two batters.

KENNY JENKINS drew a walk to keep the inning alive. JOSH WOLFSON then singled to load the bases. MICHAEL POTEET then sliced a sharp ground ball between first and second. The ball appeared to be headed to right field, which would have easily scored two runs had it not ticked off the heel of Wolfson, who was headed for second.

Although Michael Poteet was credited with a base hit, Wolfson was declared out because the ball hit him, ending the inning.

“That’s downright bad luck,” said Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL. “We were on the verge of making it a 1-run ballgame and that ball barely hit his back foot.”

It was a typical frustrating day for Christian. Trailing 1-0 in the 4th inning the Patriots got a lead single from ERICK ALLEN, but immediately hit into a double play. Cody Poteet followed with a base hit and scored on a booming home run to centerfield by KYLE HARRIS.

The inning continued as MICHAEL KAUFMAN WALKED and Jenkins singled. Wolfson, who was 2-for-3 in the contest, was retired for the only time in the game to bring a halt to an inning where Christian had five baserunners but scored only two runs.

“That was the fourth consecutive inning where we left at least one runner in scoring position,” said Mitchell.

With the game tied 2-2 heading into the bottom of the 5th, Scripps Ranch (18-4, 3-1 EL) parlayed three walks, a sacrifice, a stolen base, one hit and a throwing error into three runs.

Tyler Morris had the only hit in the frame, a two-run single.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-28-10) — It’s hard to imagine that a series between perennial powers Grossmont and Granite Hills could be so one-sided, but it is.

When Grossmont upended Granite Hills, 11-2, in Tuesday’s (Apr. 27) Grossmont Hills League encounter, it marked the first time the Foothillers had grounded the Eagles in 13 years.

“Just looking at their faces, I’m certain my kids didn’t realize the impact of winning a game like this,” said Foothillers coach JIM EARLEY. “I told my kids ‘a lot of you guys were in diapers the last time this happened.’”

Before Grossmont’s latest win, Granite Hills had posted a 12-0-1 series record, which included a 12-12 tie in the Grossmont North-South Tournament in 2004.

“I don’t think my kids realized that this is the first time in my 10 years at Granite Hills that I’ve had a team lose to Grossmont,” said Eagles coach JAMES DAVIS. “But it’s just one of those games... I think my kids will be fired up the next time we play them.”

Granite Hills, ranked No. 20, fell to 8-10 overall and 4-2 in Grossmont Hills League play.

“It’s a wide open race, just like all of us had expected,” Davis added.

In the latest meeting between the crosstown rivals JOE MUSGROVE pitched 5 shutout innings to earn his 7th win in 8 decisions for the No. 10 ranked Foothillers (15-6, 3-3 GHL). He struck out 7 and scattered 5 hits.

The Foothillers, who are unbeaten in nine road contests, scored in the first four innings to take a 9-0 lead.

Musgrove provided the early spark with his 6th home run of the season, a solo shot to left-center field. An inning later a base hit by WILL SOTO doubled the score.

A 2-run homer by ROBBY NESOVIC made it 4-0 in the 3rd.

EVAN POTTER keyed a 5-run 4th inning with a 2-run single. Musgrove and Nesovic contributed doubles in that frame, while BRETT ETHERTON hoisted a scoring fly-ball and CODY SOS cashed in a run with a base hit.

Granite Hills avoided the shutout on a run-scoring single by DANIEL STARWALT in the 6th inning.

Instead of asking his pitchers to face Santana’s senior slugger KYLE HAYES – a .444 hitter – in critical situations, twice Williams ordered up an intentional pass.

That caught the ire of Santana junior STEVEN SOLIVAN, who was batting behind the Sultans’ cleanup hitter. Both times Solivan came through with a base hit, the first one a bases-loaded shot up the middle that broke a 2-2 tie in the 5th inning.

An inning later, Solivan followed an on-purpose walk to Hayes with an infield single to load the bases. That set the stage for ZACH BREIDT’s three-run double that staked Santana (13-7, 3-0 GVL) to a four-run cushion.

Solivan said he didn’t view the walks to Hayes to get to him as an insult, but more of a challenge.

“When I was watching them from the on-deck circle walk Kyle intentionally, I knew I had to clutch up and make them pay,” he said. “I wanted to find a hole or drive something deep.”

Solivan hit a first-pitch fastball for what proved to be the game-winning RBI in the 5th inning.

When IVAN PARMA replaced Monte Vista starter NICK SABO on the mound in the 6th, Solivan admitted he was a little more nervous.

“I didn’t have much time to study him like I did the starter,” said Solivan, who hiked his batting average to .313. “He threw a curveball and I hit a Baltimore Chop to the shortstop and beat the throw by a couple of steps.”

On Breidt’s blast Solivan was nearly nailed at the plate on the relay from the outfield. He credits Hayes for playing ‘air traffic controller.’

“Hayes is such an experienced player that he guided me home,” Solivan said. “He told me to get down and which side to come in. I knew the catcher (CARLOS OCHOA) had the plate blocked, and he tagged me on the shoulder but my whole body was across the plate by then.”

Santana coach LARRY OEDEWALDT wasn’t surprised that Solivan delivered.

“He’s aggressive, not afraid to be in pressure situations,” the coach said. “He has certainly earned more playing time.”

Monte Vista (8-12, 1-4 GVL) jumped on Santana for a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning. Parma led off with a double and scored on a single by Sabo. KEVIN STARLING then chased home Sabo, who put him himself into scoring position with a steal of second.

Santana tied it in the 2nd on a sacrifice fly by KEVIN FERREIRA and Solivan’s single.

“We were right in it until Breidt’s blast,” Williams said.

Hayes allowed only 2 earned runs over five innings, but thanks to two shutout innings of relief by JAYLEN FLEER was able to earn his 7th win in nine decisions.

Despite a solo home run by Wiggins in the 3rd inning, Mount Miguel (6-13, 3-2 GVL) claimed a 2-1 lead after four innings.

El Capitan (14-5, 3-0 GVL), which has won six in a row and 7 of 8, broke loose for five runs in the 5th inning to blunt the Matadors’ upset effort.

SHELDON GABRIELS ignited the Vaqueros turnaround inning with a double to left-center. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an infield single by Wiggins. ELDEN WHISMAN then singled to left before giving way to pinch-runner MIKE WIDDOWSON. Freshman catcher ERIC LOZANO singled to left to score Wiggins with what proved to be the winning run.

Widdowson eventually scored on a passed ball before first baseman TROY CONYERS slashed a 2-run single to left to put El Capitan in command.

Wiggins added an insurance run with a solo shot – his 5th of the season – leading off the 6th.

“In both cases the pitchers left pitches up,” Wiggins said of his home run blasts. “The first one came on a first-pitch fastball and the second on a 1-1 curveball.”

A 3-year varsity letterman, Wiggins batted in the No. 9 slot as a freshman. In his sophomore season he batted in the leadoff position until the post-season, when he batted No. 3. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound speedster began his junior season batting in the No. 2 slot before being dropped down into the No. 3 hole early in the campaign.

“It’s a lot different, batting in the No. 3 spot because you don’t see very many strikes,” Wiggins noted. “You have to learn to lay off of pitches that are out of the zone, and at first that was hard for me because I was getting myself out. As the season has progressed I’ve become more of a disciplined hitter.”

Wiggins credited junior first baseman Whisman, who was 2-for-5 against the Matadors, for ‘protecting him.’ He also gave a nod to No. 2 hitter, Gabriels for aiding him in compiling a .397 average (25-for-63).

“Tyrone Wiggins once again proved he is one of the better players in the league,” said Vickery. “He was on base all five times today. He’s been on fire since we came back from (the Horizon Tournament in) Scottsdale.”

The foundation for El Capitan’s No. 2 ranking has been the improvement of the Vaqueros’ pitching.

“Our pitching was outstanding,” said Vickery. “Andrew Riggins did a great job of keeping the ball down low. He was able to throw a curveball for strikes at anytime in the count.

“Vigil closed the door. He retired 6 of 7 hitters – he was in total command. Our pitching is coming around at the right time.”

Mount Miguel capitalized on a passed ball to take a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning.

In the 3rd inning the Matadors broke a 1-1 tie as JULIAN CHARLES laced a two-out triple to left-center and eventually scored on a single by CHRIS MAPLES.

WEST HILLS 5, HELIX 3 – Considering the West Hills Wolf Pack was predicted to finish in the cellar of the Grossmont Hills League, a 3-3 start isn’t bad. Fact is, if the Pack (10-8, 3-3 GHL) doesn’t win the league pennant, it surely will have a say as to who does.

Once again host West Hills got a chance to play spoiler. ALEX PARSONS’ RBI single broke 3-3 deadlock in the bottom of the 6th as the Wolf Pack clipped the No. 9-ranked Highlanders (12-6-1, 3-1-1) and forced the Scotties to share the circuit lead with Steele Canyon.

“We didn’t do the things we needed to do to win,” lamented Helix coach COLE HOLLAND. “We were very flat. We didn’t get any key hits late. The middle of our order only got one hit.”

The Wolf Pack sprinted to a 3-0 lead in the 3rd inning. It was a simple as 1-2-3 – MIKE CARLIN singled in a run, THOMAS HEGNER doubled in a run and AARON STARNS tripled in a run.

ANDREW MOHRE made that lead stand up for four innings as he blanked the Highlanders on 4 hits. TREVOR CLIPPINGER added a scoreless 5th inning before the Highlanders launched a comeback that tied the game at 3-3 in the 6th.

A throwing error plated the Highlanders’ first run in that inning before JAKE REED hammered a game-tying home run on a 3-2 pitch.

West Hills could easily have folded at that point but this is a new year with a different attitude.

In addition to Parsons’ clutch single the Wolf Pack used aggressive base running for an insurance run as KYLE WEINRICH stole home.

“After we lost the 3-run lead in the 6th I didn’t know how we would react,” said Pack coach JASON FOWLER. “We played good, fundamental baseball in the bottom of the 6th.”

Fowler also praised Mohre.

“He was consistently ahead of their hitters,” said Fowler. “This was only his second start and he just ran out of gas.”

STEELE CANYON 11, VALHALLA 7 – BRAD BOEHMKE and ROBBIE NELSON drove in four runs apiece and FRANK CALIFANO pitched four innings without allowing an earned run as the visiting Cougars (12-6-1, 3-1-1 GHL) clobbered struggling Valhalla in Tuesday’s (Apr. 27) Grossmont Hills League game.

“We kept them at bay most of the game,” said Steele Canyon assistant coach MARK BRUDER.

The Cougars scored four runs in the opening frame as Nelson provided the key hit with a 2-run single.

An inning later the Cougars extended their advantage to 6-0 on doubles by CLAYTON ROYER and Boehmke and a run-scoring single by ANTHONY SORRENTINO.

Steele Canyon made it 9-1 in the 4th as Nelson doubled in two and VINNY SORRENTINO singled in another. Royer finished 4-for-4 at the plate while WES JUDISH whacked a pair of doubles to spark the Cougars.

Valhalla (8-12, 0-6 GHL) finally showed some signs of offense for the first time in two weeks.

DANNY HAWKSLEY carried the torch for the Norsemen, driving in three runs with a double and a single.

“I feel I’ve got a good club,” said Valhalla skipper MIKE WILSON. “However, we’ve had too many injuries and we are struggling.”

Where Valhalla is suffering most is in its starting pitching. Two pitchers that figured prominently in Valhalla’s pre-game plans have been lost to injury. In Tuesday’s contest the Norsemen’s trio of hurlers issued 8 walks and a hit batter.

Steele Canyon’s pitching was solid as the Cougars’ trio allowed only 2 earned runs. TREVOR McKINLEY finished strong, limiting the Norsemen to 3 hits and no earned runs over the final 2 2/3 innings.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-27-10) — After spiraling to four straight losses, the Santana Sultans rebounded to open the Grossmont Valley League season with back-to-back lopsided victories over El Cajon Valley. The Sultans buried the Braves by a composite 24-1 score, including 12-1 in Monday’s (Apr. 26) makeup contest.

KYLE HAYES went 3-for-3 with three RBI and CODY SMITH slugged his 6th home run with a man aboard to propel the visiting Sultans (12-7) into a tie with idle El Capitan for the GVL lead at 2-0.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Smith, the Sultans’ senior center fielder, is batting at a .450 clip with 17 RBI.

“For a guy his size he has great bat speed,” Santana coach LARRY OEDEWALDT said of Smith. “Probably the biggest difference in his game between last year and this year is he is much better at hitting the breaking ball and off-speed pitches in general. I’m sure people recognize him for his surprising power.”

Oedewaldt admitted that Santana foes tend to pitch around Hayes.

“I think he had to go out of the strike zone for all three of his hits today,” the coach said. “All of the pitches he hit would have been balls.”

Santana pitchers JIMMY ELIAS, CHRIS CAMARDA and JAYLEN FLEER combined to stop the Braves (3-15, 0-4 GVL) on six hits.

CASEY RIVERA was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for El Cajon Valley. ESTABAN HERRERA also had two hits, including a triple for the Braves.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-25-10) — Never one to brag, Helix High head coach COLE HOLLAND is pleased to note that his Highlanders are the leaders in the Grossmont Hills League. He and his troops are equally as pleased that they have cracked the top 10 – standing at No. 9.

“Yeah, yeah, I know where we are,” Holland said. “But they don’t award championships four games into a 15-game league season.”

JAKE REED, who had difficulty finding the strike zone in his last start, was throwing bullets against the Wolf Pack as he struck out 11 in six innings to record his 4th win in seven decisions.

BRANDON LEWIS picked up the save by blanking the Wolf Pack on one hit in the final frame.

This game belonged to Reed, who also slugged a solo home run in the 3rd inning to extend Helix’ advantage to 5-0.

“I’m happy to see how Reed bounced back after walking the ballpark in his last outing,” Holland said. “We need him to be a huge factor down the stretch and I think he will be.”

The Highlanders hammered three home runs off of four West Hills pitchers, two of them coming in the 4th inning after the Wolf Pack had closed a 5-0 deficit to 5-2.

DYLAN NICKERSON followed a single by KACY SMITH with his 3rd home run. Two outs later AUSTIN GONZALEZ hit a solo shot – his 2nd – to make it 8-2.

West Hills (9-8, 2-3 GHL) did all of its scoring in the top of the 4th.

THOMAS HEGNER singled, AARON STARNS was hit by a pitch and both runners scored on a base hit by BRANDON BYRD.

“This was one of those games where we made a crucial mistake early and it cost us four runs,” said Wolf Pack coach JASON FOWLER. “We left the bases loaded twice. I told the kids that this was one of the games we will have to bounce back from.”

G1: MOUNT MIGUEL 6, MONTE VISTA 2 – The Matadors of Mount Miguel established themselves as contenders in the Grossmont Valley League by winning 3 of their first four games, including a split of Saturday’s (Apr. 24) double-header against Monte Vista.

The Matadors’ 6-foot-6, 200-pound right-hander RUDDY ACOSTA – whom the team calls “Sure Thing” – posted his third win in five decisions in the first game of the twinbill.

Acosta allowed only two hits and one earned run while striking out seven in a five inning stint.

CHRIS MAPLES picked it up from there, blanking the Monarchs over the final two frames to earn his East County leading 4th save.

Between the two, Acosta and Maples fanned 11 Monarchs.

Monte Vista sophomore LUIS LEBRON was the hard luck loser again as he saw his season record fall to 1-4. Only three of the six runs Lebron allowed were earned, but it didn’t matter.

Mount Miguel took a 4-2 lead with four runs in the 5th inning and held on for the 6-2 win.

G2: MONTE VISTA 6, MOUNT MIGUEL 0 – Monte Vista’s IVAN PARMA pitched a complete game 4-hit shutout while hoisting his record to 4-1 in Saturday’s (Apr. 24) second Grossmont Valley League game of the nightcap.

The Monarchs NICK SABO stroked a 2-run single to left field to break up a scoreless tie. PAUL O’CONNOR then singled in Sabo to make it 3-0 after three innings.

Monte Vista (8-11, 1-3 GVL) doubled the score in the 5th inning. Two Monarchs scored on an error and LUIS LEBRON added an RBI single to make it 6-love.

GRANITE HILLS 8, GROSSMONT 5 – Visiting Granite Hills out-slugged Grossmont in Saturday’s (Apr. 24) Grossmont Hills League action to post its 4th win in five starts.

Sophomore DANIEL STARWALT survived a 10-hit battering to collect his 4th win in seven decisions as the Eagles (8-9, 4-1 GHL) gained a stronghold in the GHL.

The Eagles struck quickly with 3 runs in the 1st frame. JARED HUNT doubled in the first run and CHARLIE ST. CLAIR doubled in two more.

No. 10 ranked Grossmont (14-6, 2-3 GHL) fought back with a pair of runs in the 2nd inning. ROBBY NESOVIC led off the bottom of the 2nd with a solo home run.

The Foothillers scrounged up a second run on passed balls and errors to make it a 3-2 game.

Granite Hills then stormed in front 7-2. The key blow was a grand slam home run by MIKE CRABB.

The Eagles maintained command behind the pitching of Starwalt until the 6th inning when Grossmont erupted for two runs. STEVEN BRAULT drove in both with a basehit.

Brault also pitched four innings in relief where he allowed only two hits and no earned runs while striking out four.

None of that mattered as Starwalt refused to relinquish command.

STEELE CANYON 7, VALHALLA 1 – If the Steele Canyon Cougars had to pick an MVP at the moment, it would have to be versatile junior BRAD BOEHMKE. If Boehmke doesn’t beat his foes with a bat, he beats them on the hill.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound junior, also the quarterback of the Cougars’ football team, pitched a complete game 5-hitter to boost his pitching record to 4-2 in Saturdays (Apr. 24) Grossmont Hills League game.

After Valhalla (8-11, 0-5 GHL) tied the game 1-1 on back-to-back doubles by BRYCE MOSIER and AUSTIN HENSLEY, Steele Canyon (11-6-1, 2-1-1 GHL) barged back in front with three runs in the bottom of the 4th.

JESSE JENNER, who has been sidelined with injuries for the past three weeks, led off the 4th inning with a double. FRANK CALIFANO replaced him on the bases as a pinch runner. ANDREW KING then walked and GARRETT GANDOLFO dropped a sacrifice bunt.

Valhalla pitcher TYLER JEZIERSKI fielded the bunt and fired a strike to first baseman RYAN PETERSON, who was not on the bag. That loaded the bases. Jezierski then walked ANTHONY SORRENTINO to force in the go-ahead run.

The Valhalla pitcher rebounded to strike out ROBBIE NELSON, only to walk VINNY SORRENTINO to make it 3-1. CLAYTON ROYER followed with a single to make it 4-1.

The Cougars did not find safety until they scored three runs in the 6th frame. WES JUDISH, Jenner and Gandolfo all drove in a run the break the game open.

That was plenty of space for Boehmke, who walked none and struck out four.

On the losing side, Valhalla’s Mosier accounted for two of Valhalla’s five hits, both of which were doubles.

SANTANA 12, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 – Not only did the Sultans snap a 4-game losing streak they opened the Grossmont Valley League season with a lopsided victory over the Braves on Saturday (Apr. 24) in Santee.

Senior left-hander ZACH OEDEWALDT twirled the finest 6 innings of his career, blanking the Braves on 3 hits while striking out 10 to earn his 2nd win in three decisions.

Reliever JIMMY ELIAS retired the Braves in order in the 7th frame – 2 of them on strikes.

Red-hot CODY SMITH was 4-for-4 with 4 runs and an RBI for the Sultans (11-7, 1-0 GVL). He also stole two bases.

Santana took a 4-0 lead in the opening frame with only two hits, including an RBI bang by ZACH BREIDT.

KYLE HAYES, who stroked two sacrifice flies, also contributed a run-scoring single to the Sultans’ cause in the 6-run 6th inning.

“It was a 6-0 ballgame after five innings,” said Sultans coach LARRY OEDEWALDT. “They made it a ballgame for five innings.”

CASEY RIVERA collected two of El Cajon Valley’s three hits in the loss.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-24-10) — The visiting West Hills Wolf Pack executed one of the bigger upsets in East County baseball Friday (Apr. 23) by knocking off Grossmont Hills League leading Granite Hills 9-8.

This is no lucky break, either as the Wolf Pack overcame an 8-1 deficit to deal the Eagles (7-9, 3-1 GHL) their first loss in four league games.

The centerpiece of the West Hills upset was senior ANDREW MOHRE, who was 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. Mohre’s key blast was a 2-run homer to center field to slice the Eagles’ advantage to five.

“Probably the biggest difference in our team this year from last year is last year we had too many guys trying to hit every pitch for home runs,” said Mohre after mashing his first home run.

The 5-foot-8, 160 pound Mohre also doubled in a run to help West Hills score five times in the 7th inning to allow the Wolf Pack to level its league record at 2-2 and raise its overall mark to 9-7.

That was some kind of rally, ignited by back-to-back singles by AARON STARNS and ALEX PARSONS and an RBI double by Mohre. Junior BRANDON BYRD singled to left to drive in a run, leaving runners at first and second. TIM SEABOCH laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up 90 feet.

DAVID BRYAN then tapped a roller to shortstop for an infield single, driving in Mohre, leaving runners at the corners.

Then came the biggest non-hit of the game.

Granite Hills reliever TYLER JOWORSKI uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Byrd to score the tying run from third. The ball hit catcher RYAN McCLANAHAN on the shin guard and caromed toward the Granite Hills (first base) dugout. As McClanahan scrambled to retrieve the loose ball, Bryan kept on running from second base.

Once McClanahan got the ball he fired to Joworski who was still on the move in an effort to cover the plate. The ball sailed into the third base dugout, allowing Bryan to score what proved to be the winning run.

“It’s hard enough to hit a moving target although our pitcher was slow getting off the mound to cover the plate,” Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS said. “But McClanahan’s throw wasn’t even close.”

In the bottom of the 7th Granite Hills attempted a comeback when pinch hitter AARON TEJERO delivered a single to open the frame. McClanahan was inserted into the lineup to run for Tejero. When the Eagles’ LOREN GREENWOOD attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt, he missed a curveball thrown by Wolf Pack reliever and winner THOMAS HEGNER.

Wolf Pack catcher MIKE CARLIN then executed a backdoor pickoff with a throw to first baseman Parsons, who slapped a tag on McClanahan for the first out of the inning.

After that the Eagles just rolled over and played dead.

“West Hills has never been considered a baseball school,” said West Hills alum and head coach JASON FOWLER. “We don’t have any kind of tradition like a lot of these schools have. We need to earn some respect. So far we’re doing okay.

“We play in one of the toughest leagues in the county. No matter who you are, somebody’s capable of beating you.”

West Hills hammered out 17 hits, including 4 by leadoff man Bryan and 3 each by TONY SPEARS, Mohre and Byrd.

For Granite Hills DYLAN GARCIA was the big stick with 2 doubles, a single and 3 RBI.

GROSSMONT 15, VALHALLA 1 – Grossmont junior JOE MUSGROVE sees himself as a pitcher first and a hitter second. Tough call since the 6-foot-5, 230-pound right-hander owns a 6-1 record with 35 strikeouts in 42.2 innings. Given his won-lost ledger, it’s not surprising that his ERA is 2.13

Musgrove motored through the visiting Norsemen to earn his 6th win in seven decisions as Grossmont vanquished Valhalla in Friday’s (Apr. 23) Grossmont Hills League action.

“Pitching is my future – what I want to do in my life,” said Musgrove, who held Valhalla (8-10, 0-4 GHL) to three hits over six innings. Better yet, Musgrove left the Norsemen hitless over the final four frames.

Musgrove, who also played football, continues to prove that he can swing the bat, going 4-for-4 including a 3-run homer against Valhalla. He raised his season average to .481 (26-for-54).

Musgrove credited Grossmont alum BENNY CRAIG, now a 10-year minor league veteran, for helping him swing the bat.

The numbers reflect the progress.

Nonetheless, Musgrove emphasized that he wanted to talk about pitching.

“I’ve been throwing well,” he said. “When I have trouble is when we get a big lead – that’s when staying focused becomes a problem.”

Despite his pitching expertise it’s hard to argue Musgrove’s success at the plate where he has become a superb 2-strike hitter.

“I don’t see very many fastballs, but if I do I have to be ready to jump on it,” he said.

In two of his four at-bats, Musgrove stroked basehits with a 2-strike count.

Although he’s been hidden under the radar most of the season, Musgrove has developed into one of the best two-way players in the Grossmont Conference.

“He’s a super athlete,” said Grossmont coach JIM EARLEY. “You’re not gonna find a kid his size with all the talent he has.”

In the opening inning following a single by STEVEN BRAULT and a walk to CODY SOS, Musgrove launched a 3-run homer over the left-field fence.

No. 10 ranked Grossmont (14-5, 2-3 GHL) broke the game open with 6 runs in the 3rd inning. WILL SOTO’s 2-run double was the key blow. TYLER TIMMER tagged on an RBI single in the 4th, and Brault belted a 2-run homer to ignite a 5-run 6th inning for the Foothillers.

In that 6th inning breakout Timmer doubled in a run and MATT HEMPHILL singled in another.

Valhalla, which has been squashed 49-5 in its first four Grossmont Hills League games, scored its only tally in the 2nd inning on singles by JOSH AUSTEL and AUSTIN HENSLEY and a sacrifice fly by RYAN PETERSON.

One of the few highlights for the Norsemen came on the defensive end.

Centerfielder WILL COOMBS, with the game all but out of reach, robbed Grossmont’s BRETT ETHERTON of a home run in the 5th inning with a leaping grab in the deepest reaches of the Foothillers’ Joe Gizoni Field.

That catch caused a murmur in the crowd as a major league play.

Etherton, in a joking manner, said, “I thought I had a home run on that ball but the guy made a great catch, so maybe you can just give me a non-at-bat on it.”

Sorry Brett… 0-for-1 on that at-bat.

For those that thought Grossmont might be looking ahead to Saturday’s (Apr. 24) home game against Granite Hills, they obviously got the answer.

“In this league we need every one possible,” Earley said. “You can’t save your best pitcher for anybody. You go with whose turn it is and try to get the victory. There are no freebies in this league.”

ST. AUGUSTINE 6, CHRISTIAN 3 – The Patriots stranded 8 base runners without scoring in the first three innings of Friday’s (Apr. 23) Eastern League encounter against visiting St. Augustine.

“That kinda set the tone of the game for us,” Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL said.

While the Patriots were stumbling in the abyss, Eastern League-leading St. Augustine pushed across a pair of runs thanks to two Christian errors during the first third of the contest.

It wasn’t until sophomore Nick Ruppert ripped a 3-run homer in the 7th inning that the Saints (13-8, 3-0 EL) took a firm grip.

Playing catch-up throughout the game, the Patriots (11-8, 1-2 EL) scrambled back from a 3-0 deficit with a pair of runs in the bottom of the 5th as JOSH WOLFSON singled to center and scored on MICHAEL POTEET’s first home run of the season.

Trailing 6-2 entering the last of the 7th, the Patriots picked up a run on ERICK ALLEN’s RBI single. The final frustration for the Patriots was slapping into a game-ending double play.

Christian wasted a strong pitching performance by CODY POTEET, who allowed only one earned run in six innings. He also stuck out 8, but was stuck with his second loss in five decisions.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-21-10) — Looking for some kind of theme to keep his Mount Miguel Matadors focused, coach BYRON GRIGSBY looked to the sky.

More clearly, he turned his attention to geese.

“We’ve talked about how geese fly in a Vee-formation.” Grigsby said. “If one of its members gets lazy, the rest of the geese squawk. That’s how we look at it. We are a team where every member is important. If somebody screws up, he needs to know that his teammates will jump on him. We are a unit seeking a common goal.”

Following their 8-5 victory over El Cajon Valley (3-13, 0-2) on Tuesday (Apr. 20), the Matadors now share the Grossmont Valley League lead with El Capitan. It marked the first time since the Lions Tournament that Mount Miguel had won two games in succession.

Mount Miguel (5-11, 2-0 GVL) sprinted to a 4-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning. ANDRE SIMPSON’s two-run double was the key blow.

That advantage did not hold up. The Braves battled back for a single run in the first as MELVIS CARREON’s triple was the prominent blast. El Cajon Valley tied it 4-4 with a three spot in the 2nd inning.

In that pivotal second frame, two-out doubles by KENDAL CONLEY, ANTHONY JACKSON and Carreon plus a single by EFFREN PADILLA produced three runs and a deadlock.

After swapping single runs, the game was knotted at 5-5 after five innings.

Mount Miguel scored what proved to be the winning run in the 6th frame. BRENT LEASK led off with a walk and stole second. He advanced 90 feet on a bunt by DOMINIK SAWYER. Leask cruised home on a sacrifice fly ball to right field by winning pitcher JUWUN McCRAY.

Mount Miguel tacked on two insurance runs in the 7th. With one out RUDDY ACOSTA, Simpson and JOSH IBARRA all singled to load the bases. Leask kept the uprising going with a run-scoring single. Sawyer then executed a squeeze bunt to score Simpson and provide Mount Miguel with a 3-run pad.

AARON MAPLES nailed down the victory for the Matadors by spinning two hitless innings of relief for his third save.

HELIX 7, STEELE CANYON 7 (tie; 7 inn., rain) – The host Helix Highlanders scored 6 runs in the 4th inning to erase a 6-0 deficit against Steele Canyon in Tuesday’s (Apr. 20) Grossmont Hills League encounter.

The No. 9 ranked Highlanders (11-5-1, 2-0-1 GHL) took it a step further, claiming a 7-6 edge on singles by RASHAD HARLIN and BRANDON LEWIS, followed by a run-scoring ground out by KACY SMITH.

No doubt stunned by blowing the lead, Steele Canyon (10-6-1, 1-1-1 GHL) scrambled back to tie the game in the 7th.

TAYLOR MISHLER led off with a single and scooted to second on a sacrifice bunt by ANDREW KING. Pinch-hitter ROBBIE NELSON put a superb inside-out swing on a pitch from Helix reliever ROMELLO CARBUCCIA to shoot a single down the right-field line, scoring Mishler with the tying marker.

Although the game was halted by rain at the close of the bottom of the 7th where the Highlanders stranded the potential winning run at second base, neither Helix coach COLE HOLLAND nor Steele Canyon skipper TODD SNYDER admitted being disappointed.

“I don’t talk about stuff like this but I think our kids are pretty excited about being in the Top 10,” Holland said. “We haven’t been there in a long time. We’ve flirted with it but now that we’ve gotten there our kids are flattered by getting their recognition.”

By the same token, Holland noted that Helix’ pitching has been on the shoddy side, of late. The Highlanders hurlers put the lead man on in each of the first four innings with a hit batter in the 1st and consecutive walks in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th frames.

“We walked 16 guys and hit 4 – that’s 20 free passes in the last three games,” Holland complained. “I can’t believe that we have two wins and a tie with pitching like that. Obviously we have to do a lot better than that down the stretch.”

Holland said that although the rain was evident, it wasn’t heavy enough – in his opinion – to halt the game.

“In the umpires’ view, I think the game was called as much for darkness as it was for rain,” he said.

But… the Helix field has lights…?

“It was not an option,” Holland stated.

Snyder does not expect the game to be continued or made up.

“It is what it is,” said the Cougars’ 3rd-year coach.

And that would be a tie in this situation.

“Even though we gave up a 6-0 lead I don’t think it was disappointing,” Snyder added. “A lot of teams that blew a lead like that would just fold. But our guys not only gave up the lead but showed enough resilience to come back and force a tie.”

EL CAPITAN 10, MONTE VISTA 3 – The No. 3 ranked Vaqueros, co-leaders of the Grossmont Valley League, found themselves down 2-0 after one inning in Tuesday’s (Apr. 20) ballgame at Monte Vista.

Instead of collapsing, the Vaqueros (13-5, 2-0 GVL) fought back with 10 unanswered runs for the victory.

“There’s a lot of things we preach in practice every day but one of them concerns pressure,” said El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY. “We tell our kids we want to play pressure for 21 outs.

“To make it even more clear we keep telling our kids there are two kinds of pressure – you can either apply pressure, or feel pressure.”

That philosophy was challenged in the game at Monte Vista. It was the Vaqueros who felt the early pressure. But obviously they lived up to their Top 10 ranking as they turned the game around in resounding fashion.

The pivotal inning was the 3rd. RYAN McBURNEY led of with a double to left field and advanced to third on a bunt single by SHELDON GABRIELS. TYRONE WIGGINS walked to load the bases. McBurney scored on a balk by Monte Vista ace NICK SABO, slicing the Monarchs’ advantage in half at 2-1.

Freshman ERIC LOZANO then drew a walk to reload the bases.

“That was the key at-bat of the entire ballgame, in my opinion,” Vickery said of Lozano. “He had a 3-2 count and then fouled off three straight pitches before taking the walk.”

ELDEN WHISMAN then laced a 2-run double to left-center field. The Monarchs fumbled Whisman’s ball, allowing Lozano to score and giving El Capitan a 4-2 edge.

After an RBI single by Gabriels in the 4th, El Capitan broke the game open with 5 runs in the 6th. Winning pitcher TROY CONYERS delivered a 2-run single in the breakaway 6th. Whisman and JAKE ALVERNAZ also had run-scoring basehits in that frame.

Conyers held the Monarchs to 3 hits over six innings to collect his 3rd win in five decisions.

“That’s the best I’ve seen from him all year,” Vickery said. “He was getting on top, using his 6-foot-4 frame to his advantage. He stood tall on the rubber – like he should do, instead of dipping like he had been doing.”

Vickery also paid homage to Monte Vista starter Sabo, a 6-foot-5 left-hander who limited the Vaqueros to 4 hits over five frames.

“Sabo has good velocity, easy gas,” Vickery said. “The ball just jumps out of his hand. He’s such a great athlete I’m not sure where you’d play him but he has a live arm and a great future. If he chooses college he’ll definitely be a two-way player.”

If he gets drafted…

GRANITE HILLS 10, WEST HILLS 2 – Peaking at what would appear to be the right time, the Granite Hills Eagles bowled over another Grossmont Hills League

opponent in a lopsided manner Tuesday (Apr. 20) at West Hills.

In their first three league starts, the Eagles (7-8, 3-0 GHL) have blown out the opposition 32-4.

“It’s a good start, but that’s all it is,” said Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS. “We still have a long ways to go.”

The Eagles scored 7 runs on 6 hits in the opening frame. DANIEL STARWALT’s three-run home run was the key blow. DYLAN GARCIA also drove in a run with a base hit as did MIKE CRABB.

“They came out and hit the ball all over the yard,” said West Hills skipper JASON FOWLER. “We got behind in the count early. You can’t let a good-hitting team have their way like that.”

Eagle-eye CHARLIE ST. CLAIR was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI for Granite Hills. The sophomore shortstop is 8-for-10 in his last three games.

SDSU-bound JARED HUNT worked 6 innings, allowing just 7 hits and two runs to earn his second win in five decisions.

“One thing you can count on from Jared is he will throw strikes,” Davis said. “He did a good job today of keeping the ball down.”

DOUG BRANNVALL pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning to complete the job.

Leadoff man DAVID BRYAN accounted for all of the scoring for the Wolf Pack (8-7, 1-2 GHL). He followed singles by ALEX PARSONS and TIM SEABOCH with a scoring fly ball in the 3rd inning.

Bryan launched his first home run of the campaign leading off the 6th inning.

Granite Hills freshman JOSH ROSE also slugged his first varsity home run in the 3rd inning.

“After the first inning we were very competitive,” Fowler said, noting that the Eagles claimed only a 3-2 scoring edge.

Falling six places to No. 10 in the largest major metropolitan newspaper poll, the Foothillers (13-5) snapped a 1-1 deadlock by scoring 7 runs in the 3rd inning and 4 more in the 4th frame to create a rout.

JOE MUSGROVE keyed Grossmont’s offense with two-run singles in the 3rd and 4th innings.

What Grossmont coach JIM EARLEY was most pleased about was the pitching of three-sport standout ROBBY NESOVIC. The 6-foot-4 sophomore right-hander scattered 8 hits and allowed only one earned run in 6 2/3 innings.

“Nesovic has pitched well all year but today he kinda took it up another notch,” Earley said. “He pitched into the 7th inning. It was the best he’s thrown all year. The only reason we took him out was he was getting up there in the pitch count.

“He hadn’t gotten a start in awhile, but it was his turn to go and he did a great job. On Saturday we used up a lot of our pitching so it was good that he went as long as he did today. Our pitching is going to be well rested for the rest of the week.”

STEVEN BRAULT needed one pitch to get the final out.

Errors trashed the Valhalla pitching, causing the Norsemen (8-9, 0-3 GHL) to surrender 9 unearned runs.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 6, Vista-CALVARY CHRISTIAN 4 – CODY LEWIS survived three errors to pitch a complete-game victory over Vista Calvary Christian in Tuesday’s (Apr. 20) Citrus West League contest at Stars Field in Barona.

The senior right-hander allowed only six hits while striking out seven en route to his 3rd win in six decisions.

The Knights (5-13, 2-1) erupted for 4 runs in the 1st inning. All of the scoring came after two outs.

Lewis provided the spark with a double off the bottom of the 400 foot mark and scampered home on a double by JOE CANTER. ZAC CUMMINGS walked and both runners advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a 2-run double by HENRY LUSCHEI.

The Knights picked up a run in the 4th inning on an error and added another in the 6th on a triple by BRANDON JAROSIN and a single by AJ HOFFMAN.

“It was kind of an emotional game against Christian (a 10-5 loss on Monday, Apr. 19),” said Knights coach DAVE LEWIS. “Following that, this game was a little bit of a letdown. We hit the ball and had a good pitching performance. We kicked it around a little but overall it was a nice win.”

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-20-10) — A year ago when Christian hosted Foothills Christian in the San Diego CIF Division IV playoffs it was no contest. Although the Patriots posted an 11-1 victory, it could have been much more lopsided.

In that encounter Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL inserted 19 players in the Patriots’ victory over the Knights.

When these teams met for the second time in a non-league fracas on Monday (Apr. 19) Mitchell once again emptied his bench, but this time it only involved 13 players as the Patriots claimed a 10-5 victory.

“They are definitely an improved baseball team,” Mitchell said of the Knights. “It wasn’t very long ago when every fly ball was an adventure, but they proved against us they can make the plays and they’re not going to give you the game like they did the last time we played them.”

Luschei didn’t make the catch but he did keep a ball – that was clearly going over the fence – on the playing field. Since he is a basketball player I guess it could be called what he did ‘goal tending.’

As he swatted down Gruber’s drive, Luschei sailed over the fence backwards, out of sight... ass over teacart. As Gruber rounded second base, Luschei reappeared, jumping back into the playing field, picking up the ball and firing the ball into the infield to deny Gruber what was going to be an inside the park home run.

“That was a phenomenal, athletic play,” said Mitchell. “To block the ball and then recover quickly enough to keep the guy from circling the bases, says a lot about the kid. I know I’ve never seen it before, and the two umpires, who have been around for decades, said they’d never seen anything like it either.”

JOSH WOLFSON paced Christian’s offensive attack by going 3-for-3 with a double, a stolen base and 3 RBI as the Patriots improved to 11-7.

Five Patriots shared in the pitching chores, with CODY POTEET picking up his 3rd win in four decisions. The quintet combined for 8 strikeouts and allowed only 2 earned runs.

The top three hitters in Christian’s batting order – Wolfson, MICHAEL POTEET and Gruber – were a combined 8-for-11 with 5 RBI and 4 runs.

Christian took a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning. The Patriots loaded the bases on singles by Wolfson, Michael Poteet and a bunt hit by Gruber. ERICK ALLEN brought in Wolfson with Christian’s first sacrifice fly of the season. JOSH SUFFRIDGE then singled in Poteet to give Christian the early lead.

The Patriots tacked on a third run in the 2nd inning on a 2-out double by Wolfson and a single by Michael Poteet.

Foothills Christian (4-13) scrambled back for two tallies in the 3rd inning. After singles by BRANDON JAROSIN and AJ HOFFMAN, the Patriots helped advance them around the bases by delivering three wild pitches.

Christian capitalized on two hit batters, two walks, an error and a 2-run bloop single by Wolfson for a 5-run counter-punch, staking the Patriots to an 8-2 lead.

Foothills fought back for 3 runs in the 5th on RBI singles by JR ATTERBURY and Luschei, along with a bases loaded walk by ZAC CUMMINGS.

“All that came against Michael Poteet, who is the unluckiest pitcher in San Diego County,” Mitchell said. “They hit four balls that never left the infield grass.”

Christian put the game away in the bottom of the 5th on a sacrifice fly by Wolfson and back-to-back triples by Michael Poteet and Gruber (see above).

“This was a fun game, one that (former Foothills Christian coach) STEVE PERDUE asked us to play,” Mitchell said. “Credit to our kids – every time Foothills scored, we countered.”

Pitcher-shortstop DEREK DEYLING paced Foothills Christian’s attack with 2 hits.

Christian returns to Eastern League play by taking on St. Augustine Wednesday (Apr. 21) at Hickman Field at 3 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-18-10) — Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS knew something was in disarray as he watched sophomore shortstop CHARLIE ST. CLAIR boot routine ground balls and pop-ups on a daily basis in practice.

Davis had all but given up on St. Clair as a hitter. Thus, for the majority of the Eagles’ first 12 games St. Clair was covered by a designated hitter when it came to offense.

Until Saturday’s (Apr. 17) Grossmont Hills League opening double-header against visiting Valhalla, St. Clair was a lowly 1-for-8 as a hitter.

“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing out there because I really thought this kid had talent,” Davis said. “But I also knew that he wore contact lenses. So Wednesday – after he had another bad practice – I told him I thought he should get his eyes checked again.”
St. Clair admitted there was no reason to do that.

“He told me he wasn’t wearing his contacts,” Davis said. “So I asked him what his vision was without them. He said’20/100.’ I was stunned. His father was angry.”

Come to think of, it was downright dangerous.

“Once we convinced Charlie to wear his contacts, it was like he was a different kid,” Davis said. “He made the plays and made contact at the plate.”

St. Clair was 6-for-7 with 4 doubles 5 RBI and 4 runs scored as Granite Hills began Grossmont Hills League play by sweeping the Norsemen 9-0 and 13-2.

Neither of these games was close. In game one, the Eagles soared to a 5-0 lead after two innings. Then in the nightcap, Granite Hills erased a 1-0 deficit with a 6-run 2nd inning.

“We played with more energy in these two games than all the others put together,” Davis said. “We were a different team than we’ve been all year.”

DYLAN GARCIA smacked a two-run home run for the Eagles one out after LOREN GREENWOOD’ game-opening double.

The Eagles (6-8, 2-0 GHL) received a complete game 5-hit shutout from DANIEL STARWALT and a complete-game 6-hitter from BRENDEN NAGER.

DANNY HAWKSLEY returned to Valhalla’s lineup and was 2-for-5 as the designated hitter.

Shoddy defense cost the Norsemen (8-8, 0-2 GHL) seven unearned runs in the two games.

Helix Highlanders at Grossmont Foothillers (G1) (Slideshow by Tony Bordine)

HELIX 5, GROSSMONT 4; HELIX 9, GROSSMONT 8 (9 inn.) – If the Grossmont Foothillers thought they were going to run away with the Grossmont Hills League pennant, they forgot to inform archrival Helix.
The visiting Highlanders (11-5, 2-0 GHL) opened the league season with a pair of 1-run victories at Joe Gizoni Field.

In Round 1, Helix foiled a no-hit bid by JOE MUSGROVE by unleashing a 5-run outburst in the 6th inning, and then in the nightcap snapped a 6-6 tie with three runs in the 9th inning sparked by AUSTIN GONZALEZ’ 2-run homer.

Musgrove had a perfect game for four innings before plunking TYLER SOTO with a pitch leading off the 5th. But nothing came of that, allowing Grossmont to maintain its 2-0 lead.

ARMONDO RODRIGUEZ broke the no-hitter with a ground ball base hit to left field leading off the 6th. BRENNAN INGRAM followed with a double off the top of the right-center field wall and Rodriguez was cut down on a throw from WILL SOTO to catcher CODY SOS.

KACY SMITH kept the inning alive with a base hit, sending Ingram to third. After DYLAN NICKERSON walked to load the bases, MAURO OLIVARRIA hit the first pitch for grand slam. The Highlanders tacked on one more run on a single by JAKE REED, making it 5-2.

Perhaps the key play of the game came in the bottom of the 6th inning.

The Foothillers loaded the bases on a walk to Musgrove and base hits by TYLER TIMMER and ROBBY NESOVIC.

Will Soto then laced a sinking line drive to center field. Helix centerfielder Gonzalez made a diving catch to rob Soto and freeze the Grossmont baserunners.

“That was as big a play as there was all day,” said Helix coach COLE HOLLAND. “If he misses the ball they get three runs. If he lets it drop in front of him, they get one, maybe two.”

The Foothillers did escape with one marker on a Highlanders’ throwing error, cutting the deficit to 5-3.

Grossmont made another challenge in the bottom of the 7th. STEVEN BRAULT singled and Sos walked with one out. But Highlanders catcher DIEGO REYNOSO picked Brault off of second base. JON HOWARTH, running for Sos, eventually moved to second on a two-out passed ball, where he scored on a basehit by Musgrove.

But Helix reliever Olivarria coaxed Timmer into a game-ending ground out.

Holland noted that Helix made a key defensive change during the second game of the 5-game Cherry Field tournament in Arizona.

“We’re a different team since we made that change of moving Gonzalez to center field and Reynoso behind the plate. That was evident tonight.”

Holland praised the work of Reynoso behind the plate. “He threw out two guys tonight trying to steal and made that great backdoor pickoff.”

For the record Helix is 6-2 since making that defensive adjustment.

In the second game Grossmont jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the 1st inning. The early rally was capped by a 2-run single by Timmer.

Helix tied the game in the 3rd inning with three runs as Nickerson homered off the new scoreboard in left-center field, Gonzalez doubled in a run and the tying marker was scored on a sacrifice fly by Reynoso.

Helix took the lead 5-4 on a Nickerson ground out in the 4th inning.

Grossmont regained the lead in the 6th on Musgrove’s 2-run homer. An RBI single in the 7th inning by the Highlanders’ Gonzalez sent the game into extra innings.

Gonzalez, who was 4-for-5 with 4 RBI in the nightcap, eventually helped put the game away with his first home run of the season.

EL CAPITAN 15, MONTE VISTA 3 – BROOKS NOBLE drove in five runs as the Vaqueros rattled off 18 hits, and MICHAEL FLORES pitched six strong innings carrying El Capitan (12-5, 1-0 GVL) to a Grossmont Valley League opening win over Monte Vista Saturday (Apr. 17) in Lakeside.

The Vaqueros, who have won four straight and five out of six, did all of their scoring against the Monarchs in the 3rd (6 runs) and 6th (9 runs) innings.

But El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY was quick to note that the pivotal play – which is barely reflected in the box score – was the only double play of the game turned by the Vaqueros in the top the 6th inning.

“It was one of those highlight reel plays,” Vickery said.

Junior shortstop TYRONE WIGGINS, who was 4-for-4 with the bat, cut off a ground ball headed toward center field. He then shoveled the ball to second baseman SHELDON GABRIELS with a flick of his glove. Gabriels made a bare-handed catch as he crossed the bag and fired to first baseman TROY CONYERS to complete the inning-ending double play.

“Offensively, we seemed to feed off that play, hanging up a 9-spot in the bottom of that inning,” Vickery said.

Wiggins seemed to take the play in stride.

“I was just hoping the ball wouldn’t hit the bag,” Wiggins said. “Once I got my glove on the ball, and all my momentum was carrying me toward right field, I had only one move and that was to shovel the ball to Gabriels. I knew where he was since I saw him run in front of me when I crossed over to get the ball.

“I don’t know, but I’d guess I had to flip the ball about 10 feet to Gabriels as he was coming to the bag. By the time I got rid of the ball I was about 5-to-10 feet from the grass.”

Added Vickery, “If we don’t make that play who knows what might have happened.”

The same thought crossed the mind of Monte Vista coach CHAD WILLIAMS.

“We had the heart of our batting order coming up,” the Monarchs mentor said. “But that was an amazing double play they made. It definitely sucked the wind out of our sails.”

Monte Vista (7-9, 0-1 GVL) took a 1-0 lead on CARLOS OCHOA’s double in the 1st inning.

That edge held up until El Capitan broke loose for 6 runs on 6 hits in the 3rd frame. ELDEN WHISMAN’s two-run single was the key blow in the El Capitan turn-around.

“It’s always good to come out of the chute and win the league opener,” said Wiggins.

The Vaqueros made a decent finish, too, piling up 8 hits in a breakout 6th inning. Noble’s grand slam was the mainline strike in this frame. TROY CONYERS also slashed a two-run single.

MOUNT MIGUEL 9, EL CAJON VALLEY 1 – Mount Miguel freshman DEANDRE SIMPSON couldn’t wait to test his new baseball bat in Saturday’s (Apr. 17) Grossmont Valley League opener in Spring Valley.

The problem for Simpson was he never got to put his new wand on the ball. Instead the 6-foot, 220-pound third baseman drew walks in all four of his at-bats against the Braves (3-12, 0-1 GVL).

“Everybody on the team wanted to use his bat and he let them,” said Mount Miguel coach BYRON GRIGSBY. “His teammates had a lot better luck using it than he did.”

Winning pitcher RUDDY ACOSTA followed an El Cajon Valley error with his long home run to left-center field in the 4th inning, giving Mount Miguel (4-11, 1-0 GVL) a 2-1 advantage. It was Acosta’s first circuit clout, and Simpson’s bat got an unofficial assist.

Acosta’s blow was also the spark to a six-run inning, which included a two-run single by PATRICK ROUSE. JOSH IBARRA and JUWUN McCRAY chipped in with run-scoring singles as well.

In the 5th, JULIAN CHARLES singled. Acosta then walked and stole second, setting the stage for CHRIS MAPLES’ two-run single.

Simpson’s magic bat had a little more influence in the 6th inning when JOAQUIN IBARRA used it to collect his first hit of the season – a solo home run to left-center.

Acosta handled the pitching chores, limiting the Braves to two hits while walking 5 and striking out 12 in a complete-game effort.

“Ruddy touched 90 (mph) a couple of times.” Grigsby said. “He’s picking up steam.”

The Matadors hope that locomotive action continues to boost the Matadors’ momentum.

Highpoints were few for El Cajon Valley which took a 1-0 lead on a Mount Miguel throwing error in the 4th. EFFREN PADILLA and MELVIS CARREON were the lone Braves to reach Acosta for hits. Both were singles.

STEELE CANYON 9, WEST HILLS 8; WEST HILLS 6, STEELE CANYON 3 – BRAD BOEHMKE broke an 8-8 tie with a bases-loaded single down the left-field line, scoring JAKE WRAGG in the bottom of the 7th inning to give host Steele Canyon a jump start in Saturday’s (Apr. 17) Grossmont Hills League first game of a season-opening doubleheader in Rancho San Diego.

The second game of the twinbill was decided by West Hills pitchers NICK PEASE and TYLER COFFEE, who combined to spin a 3-hitter to give the Wolf Pack a split of the pivotal GHL twinbill.

It was a Boehmke bonanza in the opener as the winning pitcher was also 2-for-4 with 4 RBI including a three-run home run in the opener. On the mound the junior right-hander worked 5 innings and allowed only 2 earned runs.

In the nightcap, West Hills (8-6, 1-1 GHL) broke a 1-1 tie on an RBI single by AARON STARNS in the 5th inning.

THOMAS HEGNER keyed a 3-run 6th inning with a two-run single to center extending the Wolf Pack’s lead to 5-1.

“I liked the way we bounced back from game one,” West Hills coach JASON FOWLER said. “Our pitching was sharp. It was a crisp game on both sides.”

West Hills’ ALEX PARSONS was 5-for-8 with a double and 2 RBI in the twinbill. TONY SPEARS was 4-for-6 for the Wolf Pack, collecting 3 hits in the opener.

Steele Canyon’s offense sputtered in the second game. CLAYTON ROYER had the lone big hit for the Cougars as he doubled down the right field line to score two runs in the 7th inning.

© East County Sports.com
MIRA MESA (4-17-10) — Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL, who has been guiding high school teams for well over two decades, had to bite his lip as he watched his visiting Patriots suffer a 10-2 Eastern League loss to Mira Mesa on Friday (Apr. 16).

The fact that all the runs in the game were scored in the 1st inning was aggravating enough for Mitchell and his troops, but let’s just say that he was less than satisfied with the umpiring job, as he noted three key plays that in his opinion helped determine the outcome of the game.

“I’m not saying we would have won the game,” he said. “But those two guys really influenced the outcome – and I’m not one to complain about the umpires.”

Things started out OK for Christian (10-7, 1-1 EL), which mauled Mira Mesa 11-2 only two days earlier. Leadoff man JOSH WOLFSON began the game with a walk and advanced to second on a base hit by MICHAEL POTEET. One out later ERICK ALLEN singled to center to score Wolfson. Poteet scored on a groundout by JOSH SUFFRIDGE.

After that it was a nightmare for Christian.

The Marauders scored 10 runs on four hits, three hit batters, two walks and two errors.

By Mitchell’s calculations and interpretations Mira Mesa (11-5, 1-1 EL) should have scored only four runs in the opening frame.

Mitchell noted that the arbitrars missed a catch-and-carry call that “just killed us.” Controversial calls that irked Mitchell included a ground ball hitting a base runner that wasn’t called, and an “obvious missed call” at first base.

“It’s pretty hard to beat somebody when you give them 6 outs in an inning,” Mitchell fumed. “It changed our whole game plan.”

So did hitting into four double plays.

“Being down 10-2 instead of 4-2 after one inning we were chasing eight runs and we couldn’t steal bases, play hit-and-run or sacrifice our runners along,” Mitchell said. “We had to go for the big inning, and we’re not really a big inning team.”

On the upside, Patriots relief pitcher MICHAEL KAUFMANN held Mira Mesa hitless over the final 5 innings while striking out 4.

Gone into the wind
Vaqs' Conyers slams 2 HRs

© East County Sports.com
OTAY MESA (4-16-10) — Home runs are hard to come by at Montgomery due to a steady afternoon wind that blows in from left field.

Credit No. 5 ranked El Capitan for defying the odds. The visiting Vaqueros hammered three home runs, including two to left-center field as they knocked off No. 3 ranked Montgomery 6-4 in a non-league game Thursday (Apr. 15) afternoon.

TROY CONYERS led the long-ball parade for the Vaqueros by slashing solo home runs in the 2nd and 4th innings. His home run in the 2nd that broke a scoreless tie and left El Capitan head coach STEVE VICKERY in awe.

Two innings later, Conyers jerked a home run over the right-field fence.

The Vaqueros extended their lead to 3-0 in that frame on singles by ERIC LOZANO and ELDEN WHISMAN and a ground out by BROOKS NOBLE.

In the 6th inning freshman JAKE ALVERNAZ followed a walk to Noble with a home run into the wind over the left-center field fence to give El Capitan a 5-2 advantage.

“Balls just don’t fly out of here like we were hitting them today,” Vickery observed. “I guess that says something about our team.”

El Capitan picked up an insurance run in the 7th inning without benefit of a hit. Lozano scored the run with a sacrifice fly to right center.

But the Vaqueros were not going to get out of Montgomery without a fight. ANTHONY VIGIL, who pitched into the 7th inning to earn his 3rd win without a loss, put two Aztecs on base by walking one and hitting the other.

Vickery went to the bullpen at that point, bringing in ALEX MARISCAL. Montgomery pinch-hitter Steven Schafer hammered a double to score Jovani Reynoso. Kevin Carreon’s ground out brought in another Aztecs’ run, chopping El Capitan’s advantage to two runs.

The Vaqueros eventually loaded the bases with two outs, leaving Vickery to make another pitching change. The coach summoned MICHAEL FLORES to the mound. It took the 6-foot-7, 220-pound right-hander two pitches to get the final out and earn his third save.

“We are not winning in the traditional way,” Vickery said. “And that’s frustrating at times, but we’re doing enough to win ballgames.”

El Capitan (11-5) has an SDCIF-leading 7 saves in 16 games.

“This is a team where somebody different always rises to the occasion,” Vickery added. “Conyers is pretty hot with the bat right now and my freshman that I brought up from JV (Alvernaz) has come up with some big hits.”

Vickery, of course, did not overlook the pitching of Vigil.

The senior southpaw rationed the Aztecs to three hits.

“This was by far his best start,” Vickery said of Vigil. “Earlier in the year he was over-throwing and that affected his control. I think in this start he had total command of all his pitches, right up to the end.”

Sophomore catcher-first baseman CHARLES MOORMAN will undergo surgery on his hand to remove his hamate bone. Vickery expects the Vaqueros slugger to miss three to four more weeks of the season.

The Vaqueros open Grossmont Valley League play on Saturday (Apr. 17) by hosting Monte Vista at 11 a.m.

BONITA VISTA 13, SANTANA 8 – It was a kind of déjà vu that Santana coach LARRY OEDEWALDT would just as soon forget. The Sultans blew a lead in the 7th inning – big time – in Thursday’s (Apr. 15) non-league game in Bonita Vista.

The visiting Barons scored seven runs to erase an 8-6 Santana lead. Only three days earlier the Sultans (10-5) saw a 7-2 advantage evaporate when Valhalla scored six runs in the bottom of the 7th to capture the Grossmont Conference Tournament championship.

Talk about a nightmare…

Bonita Vista pounded out seven hits in the decisive frame, including a single by Oli Lopez that tied the game 8-8. Bryan Lockey followed with a 2-run double, giving the Barons (10-6) the lead.

RBI singles by Jesse Hernandez, Troy Cruz and Victor Munoz padded the Barons’ lead, which sucked the air out of any thoughts of a comeback by Santana (10-5).

Hector Montes was 2-for-2, including a 2-run homer and pitched a scoreless 7th inning for Bonita Vista.

Despite being out-hit 14-6 Santana overcame a 5-1 deficit. In the 1st inning CODY SMITH singled and scored on a double by CHRIS CAMARDA that tied it 1-1.

Yet the Barons barged in front with four runs in the top of the 3rd.

The Sultans answered with an opposite field home run by Smith – a 3-run shot that shaved the deficit to one marker.

In the 5th inning Bonita Vista hit two batters and walked a third to load the bases. That left them with no place to put Santana slugger KYLE HAYES – and the Barons paid for it as Hayes hammered his 5th home run of the season, staking the Sultans to an 8-6 advantage.

All was well until the fateful 7th.

Santana coach LARRY OEDEWALDT was not available for comment.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 24, LUTHERAN 2 BOXSCORE – Although the Knights only got five turns at bat in Thursday’s (Apr. 15) Citrus South League rout at Lutheran, they established Foothills Christian records for runs and hits in a game.

JR ATTERBURY led the charge with 4 hits – one of them a triple – and 3 RBI for the Knights (4-12, 1-1 CSL).

Catcher CODY LEWIS was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, 3 RBI and 3 runs scored.

BRANDON JAROSIN also was 3-for-4 with two doubles, driving in 3 runs and scoring 4.

This game was probably over after the 1st inning when the Knights pushed across five tallies. Lewis laced a 2-run double to open the scoring. Canter doubled in Lewis and Jarosin and AJ HOFFMAN each contributed an RBI single.

An inning later Lewis double and Canter hit his first home run of the year to make it 7-0.

At this point in the game Foothills Christian coach DAVE LEWIS had his Knights going station-to-station. It didn’t make much difference as the Knights kept peppering three Lutheran pitchers for hits, seven of which were of the extra base variety.

The beneficiary of the Foothills Christian scoring parade was DEREK DEYLING, who fired a 5-hitter, did not allow an earned run nor a walk, and struck out 10.

“Deyling did a good job pitching – he should have had a shutout,” said coach Lewis. “We had a lot of guys who hit the ball well. We’re in league now and after we’ve been playing schools 20 times our size, this will help us.”

The Knights set a third school record with 13 runs in the 4th frame.

Foothills Christian pounded out 9 hits during that scoring spree.

Lutheran contributed two errors, three walks and a hit batter.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-15-10) — For the first time in a decade the Grossmont Conference has changed its league line-ups from Grossmont North-Grossmont South to Grossmont Hills-Grossmont Valley with new alignments.

The realignment called for Grossmont and West Hills to join the Grossmont Hills League along with Helix, Steele Canyon, Granite Hills and Valhalla.

The Grossmont Valley League is comprised of El Capitan, El Cajon Valley, Santana, Monte Vista and Mount Miguel.

Some say it was to create balance, but who really knows. Below are the predictions for this year’s baseball league races.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-15-10) — Head coach MIKE MITCHELL labeled Eastern League’s opener against visiting Mira Mesa the best performance by his Christian Patriots thus far this season.

“We made plays that we haven’t been making in the majority of our previous (15) games,” Mitchell said after the Patriots pasted an 11-2 loss on the Marauders (10-5).

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“That means we had to get 19 outs in the field,” the coach said. “Except for one meaningless error we were able to make the plays to get those outs. That hasn’t been the case most of the year, where one error has led to another and created big innings against us.”

The Patriots (10-6) built a 7-0 lead after three innings and then coasted down victory lane.

“You know, I can not remember the last time we beat Mira Mesa,” Mitchell said. “I’m not sure since I’ve been coach here that we ever have.”

Mira Mesa is a Division I school with an enrollment of 2,652, while Christian in Division IV is far smaller at 420 students.

Mitchell and the Patriots had to believe it was going to be a good day when they held Mira Mesa scoreless in the 1st inning, despite surrendering two doubles and a single.

Anthony Graham opened the ballgame with a double, but remained at second when Marcus Smith hit a comebacker to Allen for the first out. AC Herrera then slapped a single to right field. JOSH WILSON fielded the base hit and fired a strike to catcher MICHAEL GRUBER to nail Graham attempting to score from second.

Jake Portugal kept the Marauders rally alive with a ground rule double that forced Herrera to stop at third.

“If that ball doesn’t bounce over the fence, Herrera scores,” mused Mitchell. “But I guess it was a sign that our luck was changing because the next guy popped out to end the inning.”

To add insult to injury for Mira Mesa, the Patriots scored a run in the bottom of the 1st without benefit of a hit.

MICHAEL POTEET, who reached base when the Marauder catcher missed a third strike, advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a stolen base. He scored on Allen’s sacrifice fly.

Christian broke the game open with five runs in the 2nd inning. JOSH SUFFRIDGE led off the game with a long home run over the left-center field fence, doubling Christian’s lead.

With the bases loaded and nobody out in the 2nd, Michael Poteet provided a perfect squeeze bunt, which actually turned into a base hit and an RBI.

“Their first baseman was charging the plate so hard that Michael just pushed the ball over his head,” Mitchell noted. “That was another sign that our luck was changing.”

Gruber added a 2-run double and the Patriots final run of the inning scored on an error to make it 6-0.

Suffridge paced Christian’s 12-hit attack with a 3-for-4 effort with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.

Allen needed only 86 pitches to log Christian’s first complete game of the season.

The Matadors (3-11) were trailing 21-0 at the time. Actually the scorekeeper had to go to work and the game dragged on so long that he had to depart before the game’s conclusion.

Not that it made any difference. Mount Miguel trailed 18-0 after two innings.

“I saw something I don’t think I’ve ever seen before,” said Mount Miguel coach BYRON GRIGSBY. “We missed seven ground balls in the 2nd inning alone.”

The Titans (10-5) were quick to take advantage, scoring 14 tallies in that frame.

“We made 10 errors in the game and I think that’s conservative,” Grigsby said.

Mount Miguel’s offense consisted of singles by BRENT LEASK in the 3rd inning, RUDDY ACOSTA in the 4th, and JULIAN CHARLES in the 7th.

“This is one of those games you want to forget and start thinking about league play, which begins on Saturday (Apr.17),” Grigsby said.

Mount Miguel hosts El Cajon Valley at 11 a.m. in a Grossmont Valley League opener.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-14-10) — You won’t find the Valhalla Norsemen ranked in either of the major high school baseball polls.

Not yet anyway. Teams such as the Norsemen, who possess an overall 8-6 record are not glamorous enough to attract the attention of the average pollster. Thus, there sit the Norsemen on the outside looking in – for now.

But to see them in action... to realize how rapidly they can coil and strike like a snake... makes them a ballclub on the rise.

Leadoff hitter CISCO TELLEZ lit the fuse to the Norsemen’s comeback by launching a home run over the right field fence.

Visibly shaken by the home run, Santana pitcher CHRIS CAMARDA then bounced the next pitch off the helmet of batter BRYCE MOSIER. After that it was ping-ping-ping and Camarda was gone in favor of reliever JIMMY ELIAS.

The Norsemen treated Santana reliever Elias rudely as well. Shortstop RYAN PETERSON stroked a 2-run double to tie the game at 7-7.

BRENT MILLER took over as pinch runner for Peterson and scampered to third base on a wild pitch.

Suddenly the Norsemen had the Sultans (10-4) 90 feet away from defeat. Elias got a pop fly for the first out of the inning, but then hit CHRIS WILKEY with a pitch to put runners at the corners.

That put the immediate pressure on freshman second baseman RAMSEY ROMANO. After Romano took the first pitch from Elias for a strike, Norsemen coach MIKE WILSON decided to put the heat on by signaling a delayed steal.

Romano hit the next pitch to medium deep right field, where Camarda made the catch. Since there was only one out at the time, Camarda had only one play and that was to try to double Romano off at first base before Miller could score from third.

“I had a play on, actually,” Wilson said. “And Wilkey’s a smart base runner. I felt we were in a pretty good situation at that point.”

Camarda, realizing he had no chance at throwing out Miller, tried a back door throw to nail Wilkey at first, which would have ended regulation play and sent the game into extra innings.

“Wilkey was stealing on the play but he was alert and realized he needed to get back to first,” Wilson said.

Camarda’s throw to first base wasn’t bang-bang but it was close, as Wilkey beat the throw.

Santana was probably one pitch away from defusing the Valhalla rally from the outset as Camarda jumped ahead in the count to Tellez, 0-2.

“It was a fastball, up and in,” Tellez said of his rally-starting home run. “The funny thing is the one before that was a fastball right down the middle that I should’ve hit. Then his threw a change-up in and I just swung – I was really tense on those two pitches, and the last one I just took the 0-2 approach, looking away, reacted in and good things happened.”

In fact it was a Valhalla landslide after that. The Norsemen garnered 5 of their 11 hits in the final frame.

“Give them credit for swinging the bat as well as they did,” Santana coach LARRY OEDEWALDT said. “But we helped them by hitting a couple of batters and making a poor 0-2 pitch that ended up being a home run.”

It wasn’t all bad for Santana. The Sultans, in fact, took a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning as CORY HOSFORD walked and scored on CODY SMITH’s fourth home run of the season.

It was a similar scenario when Hosford walked and scored on Camarda’s third home run of the campaign, staking Santana to 4-2 lead.

The Sultans picked up single tallies in the 5th, 6th and 7th inning and appeared to have matters under control.

But now they know Valhalla has as potent striking power as any team in East County.

“We really struggled early in the game,” Wilson said. “But this time we finished strong. We’ve been preaching that we have to play seven innings, and I think our kids really believe that now. A game like this is one that will help us down the road. What it means is even though we’re down late, we’re not out of the game.”

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-11-10) — The Grossmont Conference Tournament championship will pit Santana at Valhalla on Tuesday (Apr. 13) at 4 p.m. No doubt this comes as somewhat of a surprise, but at the same time it involves a folder full of suspense.

These teams are hardly strangers as Santana (10-3) knocked off the Norsemen (7-6) by a 3-1 count on April 6th.

STEELE CANYON 18, MONTE VISTA 4 – The role of a designated hitter becomes more mental than physical. Nobody knows that better than ANTHONY SORRENTINO. Although by choice he would like to be Steele Canyon’s first string catcher, Sorrentino has accepted his role as designated hitter and part-time catcher.

“I’d be kidding you if I didn’t say I’d rather play in the field as well as hit,” he said. “But I know my role. I don’t look at my personal statistics. All I think about is how well we’re doing as a team. It’s not about how many hits I get, it’s about whether we win the game.”

A 5-foot-10, 200-pound senior, Sorrentino was 4-for-5 with a double, a home run and 3 RBI in Saturday’s (Apr. 10) Grossmont Conference Tournament romp over Monte Vista.

“Sure I’d like to be behind the plate every game,” said Sorrentino, whose father PAUL SORRENTINO was a draft pick of the Kansas City Royals in the early 1980s. “My grandfather also played pro ball as a catcher but I’m not sure it’s going to work out for me. It’s kind of a family tradition.”

Anthony’s father eventually left baseball and became an attorney.

“I don’t know what I want to do,” Anthony said. “As a DH I try to concentrate more and absorb as much knowledge as I can find out about pitchers on East County Sports.”

Sorrentino led off the 4th inning with a home run as the Cougars hoisted their season record to 9-5.

Sorrentino caught a couple of innings against Monte Vista but he realizes he’s not the No. 1 receiver.

Monte Vista was led by NICK SABO, who was 3-for-4 with 3 RBI.

Hayes lined a 3-2 pitch to left center field scoring JOSH HOSFORD with the winning run with one out in the bottom of the 7th of Saturday’s (Apr. 10)

Grossmont Conference Tournament contest.

“We did the same thing against Grossmont too,” said Santana coach LARRY OEDEWALDT. “Hayes hit a grand slam in the 6th inning to take the lead. He hit the game-winning RBI in that game too.”

The Sultans set up Hayes’ game-winning hit by wiping out Granite Hills’ 5-0 lead with 5 runs in the bottom of the 6th.

Hosford launched the game-winning rally with a base hit to right field. One out later CHRIS CAMARDA singled, setting the stage for Hayes.

“Their pitchers threw very well,” said Oedewaldt. “(BRENDAN NAGER) actually had a no-hitter going through the 5th inning. We were totally dominated for five innings. We were able to string together some good at-bats in the 6th inning and produce 5 runs.”

The Sultans 5-run 6th inning included RBI singles Hayes, by Camarda, a double by CAMERON BALOUGH and a sacrifice fly by ZACH BREIDT. The Eagles pitched in with a wild throw that allowed Balough to score, tying the game 5-5.

JARED HUNT paced Granite Hills offense with a pair of singles and 2 RBI.

Wiggins hasn’t lost his speed this season, but he has added a lot more sock. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Wiggins hammered a 3-run homer over the right-center field fence that gave the Vaqueros an 8-3 lead in Saturday’s (Apr. 10) Grossmont Conference Tournament contest in Lakeside.

“This is the first time all year that we’ve put together a solid game – offense, defense and pitching,” Vickery said. “Our energy was high for a full seven innings.”

After Helix (9-5) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st on singles by KACY SMITH and DYLAN NICKERSON and a pair of walks, the Vaqueros fought back with a sacrifice fly by Wiggins and 2-run homer by freshman ERIC LOZANO.

Helix tied it 3-3 in the 3rd on AUSTIN GONZALEZ’ RBI single before the Vaqueros barged in front with a hefty 5-run 4th inning.

“We’ve always been able to find ways to win,” said Vickery of his No. 5 ranked Vaqueros (10-5). “We believe that Helix is going to be a big factor in the (SDCIF) playoffs. Actually, we’re kinda glad that we’re in Division III so we don’t have to see them again.”

The Vaqueros took the lead for keeps on a 2-run double by freshman JAKE ALVERNAZ in the 4th inning.

“We brought up some (JV) kids just to give us a different look and it’s worked out well for us so far,” Vickery said.

El Capitan junior ALEX MARISCAL blanked the Highlanders over the final three innings to save the victory for ANDREW RIGGINS.

Vickery wanted to point out the play of the game was a double play turned by sophomore first baseman TROY CONYERS.

“He did a great job on the field,” Vickery said. “He probably saved three errors for our other infielders. But the 3-6-3 double play he turned in the 7th inning is one of the best double plays I’ve seen in high school baseball. It was as smooth as you’d ever see in the major leagues.”

WEST HILLS 14, EL CAJON VALLEY 8 – For struggling El Cajon Valley, Saturday’s (Apr. 10) Grossmont Conference Tournament game produced a promising start as the Braves claimed a 3-2 lead in the 1st inning.

The trouble for the Braves (3-11) though is West Hills scored in 6 of the first 7 innings, turning the game into a rout.

Credit the Braves for scoring 8 runs on only 3 hits.

MIKE CARLIN was the spearhead of West Hills 16-hit attack as he went 4-for-4 with 5 RBI. The Pack also swiped 7 bases, including 3 by Carlin.

West Hills erased a 3-2 deficit with three runs in the 2nd inning. Carlin singled in OSCAR ANDRADE (walk) with the tying run. After Carlin stole second he scored on a double by TONY SPEARS. Spears then stole third and scored on THOMAS HEGNER’s sacrifice fly.

A double by TREVOR CLIPPINGER followed by a single by Andrade put runners at the corners in the 3rd inning. DAVID BRYAN doubled in Clippinger and Carlin singled in two more runs to make it 8-3.

TYLER COFFEE and KYLE WEINRICH handled the pitching for West Hills. Coffee worked the first four frames, surrendering 3 earned runs while striking out 6 to post the victory. Weinrich worked the final three innings, giving up only one hit and no earned runs while striking out 4 to earn the save.

DAVID SANCHEZ didn’t get a hit but he did score 4 runs for the Braves.

“It was ugly but a win is a win,” said Wolf Pack coach JASON FOWLER.” We swung the bats and had some key hits. Coffee threw well – he had good stuff.”

El Cajon Valley coach MIKE RUPP echoed Fowler’s review.

“It was not a pretty game,” Rupp said. “We did very little right today. We dug ourselves too big a hole to be able to crawl out of it.”

In Saturday’s (Apr. 10) Grossmont Conference Tournament tsunami at Mount Miguel Potter accounted for 10 runs, driving in 6 and scoring 4 as the Foothillers’ leadoff hitter.

Probably his biggest contribution was a 5th inning grand slam.

Potter also keyed Grossmont’s 1st inning rally with a double to left-center and scored on STEVEN BRAULT’s ground out to make it 1-0. It seemed pretty significant at the time, but the Foothillers continued on to hammer out 17 hits, scoring in five of seven innings.

For the record Potter contributed a 2-run single in the 4th inning. He also blanked the Matadors (3-10) on one hit in the 6th inning.

It was standouts aplenty for Grossmont. JOE MUSGROVE supplied a double and a towering 2-run homer that traveled more than 400 feet to left-center field, helping Grossmont take a 6-0 lead in the 2nd inning.

Grossmont’s MARK VASQUEZ limited the Matadors to 3 hits and struck out 7 over five innings to earn the victory.

“He did a great job and probably solidified himself as our No. 3 starter,” said Foothillers coach JIM EARLEY. “He’s given us two solid starts and I like what I’ve seen. It was a little tougher today because we had a couple of long innings, but he stayed with it and got the job done.”

For Mount Miguel JOSH IBARRA accounted for 2 of Mount Miguel’s 5 hits.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 7, Chula Vista-HIGH TECH 2 – CODY LEWIS was a double threat as the visiting Foothills Christian Knights knocked off the Chula Vista High Tech Bruins in a non-league game at Sweetwater Park.

Foothills Christian (3-12) sprinted to a 4-0 lead in the 1st inning and Lewis (2-3) took it from there, scattering 7 hits while logging 10 strikeouts in a complete game effort.

DEREK DEYLING and JR ATTERBURY opened the game with back-to-back singles. The duo executed a double steal and Lewis followed with an RBI double. The Knights’ bid for a second run was denied as Atterbury was cut down in a rundown between third and home. Lewis later scored on a passed ball and BRANDON JAROSIN added an RBI single to cap the fast start.

With two outs in the 3rd HENRY LUSCHEI singled, stole second and scored on a base hit by Jarosin to make it 5-1.

“We hit the ball better today,” said Foothills Christian coach DAVE LEWIS, noting that the Knights banged out a dozen safeties.

The Knights stole 10 bases, including two each by Derek Deyling, Atterbury, Lewis and JOE CANTOR.

“It was really Cody’s game today,” said his father. “He had 10 strikeouts and got the game-winning RBI.”

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (4-9-10) — Monte Vista’s NICK SABO had a mixed performance in the Monarchs’ 9-7 Grossmont Conference Tournament victory on Thursday (Apr. 8) against host West Hills.

As a pitcher, Sabo was roughed up by the Wolf Pack but was able to escape, due in large part to his hitting. Sabo homered in the 1st inning, tripled in the 2nd inning, doubled in the 5th inning and missed the cycle by popping out in the 6th inning.

Sabo could have sulked about missing hitting for the cycle, but he was pleased by the fact that the Monarchs knocked off host West Hills on its own field.

Faced with a challenge of hitting for the cycle, Sabo worked the count to 2 balls and 0 strikes. After that he popped up to the catcher for an out.

“I was thinking too much about it and I got way under it,” said Sabo of his final at-bat.

In spite of Sabo’s big hitting performance, it took a come-from-behind effort by Monte Vista, which erased a 6-4 deficit with four markers in the 5th inning. The Monarchs’ rally consisted of RBI singles by KEVIN STARLING, JUSTIN AQUINIGOC, CARLOS OCHOA and JOEY GONSALVES.

IVAN PARMA pitched the final 5 1/3 innings, scattering 5 hits and not allowing an earned run as he posted his third win in four decisions.

“We fell behind early but chipped away,” said West Hills coach JASON FOWLER. “We did a few good things today but did some things that hurt us. We did a good job of not quitting.”

The Vaqueros’ apparent onslaught began when RYAN McBURNEY hit a 3-2 pitch for a solo home run in the 1st inning. But that was only the beginning as SHELDON GABRIELS followed with a single and scored on a double to right-center field by TYRONE WIGGINS. Wiggins scored on a basehit to left field by ELDEN WHISMAN.

BROOKS NOBLE completed the scoring with a basehit to left field to plate Whisman.

For six innings behind the pitching of MICHAEL FLORES, the early outburst seemed to be sufficient as the Vaqueros (9-5) led 4-1.

Granite Hills (4-7), which has been struggling at the plate all season, staged a miraculous comeback with 5 runs in the bottom of the 7th.

The Eagles staged their biggest rally of the season as RBI singles by TYLER JOWORSKI and MIKE CRABB cut the deficit to 7-3.

With two outs and the bases loaded AARON TEJERO doubled off the right field fence to drive in three runs. No doubt energized by the adrenaline of his first varsity hit, Tejero kept coming to third following his hit only to be cut down by a sharp El Capitan defense.

From right-fielder Noble to second baseman SHELDON GABRIELS, the relay went to third baseman GRANT KIRBY to erase Tejero by more than five feet.

“I blame myself for sending him. This one should be ‘Error: coach,’” said Eagles mentor JAMES DAVIS. “When I saw him rounding second I thought he could make it. But once I recognized their throws were so good, I knew we were in trouble.”

“Those were two outstanding relays,” El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY said proudly.

Given that the Eagles have struggled scoring runs all season, Davis was no doubt elated that his team was coming on strong in the final stretch.

“For the first six innings it was the same old story – getting runners on but not driving them in,” Davis said. “Then we got this great comeback going only to have the Granite Hills coach foul it up.”

“Our kids really bounced back from an atrocious loss (to Grossmont 13-6) and showed me something today,” said Vickery. “We had a lot of quality at-bats. I was really proud of them.”

MICHAEL FLORES and ANTHONY VIGIL combined to shut down the Eagles, with Flores earning his second win and Vigil his third save.

“ Flores pitched outstanding for 6 innings,” Vickery noted. “I was really tickled with the way he pitched.”

KYLE HAYES, who is known more for his pitching, supplied the game-winning blow – his 4th home run with the bases loaded in the 6th inning – to stake the Sultans to a 7-5 advantage.

“In the two games we’ve played against Hayes we’ve pretty much kept him under control,” Grossmont coach JIM EARLEY said. “But then he finally got us.”

Santana pitchers CHRIS CAMARDA and JAYLEN FLEER gave up 10 hits but only 2 earned runs. Probably the most noteworthy statistic was they did not issue a single walk.

“Both pitchers pitched well enough to win,” said Santana coach LARRY OEDEWALDT. “Fleer came in with runners on 1st and 2nd with nobody out. He threw two pitches for a 5-4-3 double play and the a pop out to the catcher for a save.”

While it was a nifty save for the Sultans it was a bitter defeat for Grossmont.

“For us it was a stinker,” Earley said. “We made a lot of mistakes and it all added up to a negative outcome for us.”

Grossmont broke a 1-1 tie with a pair of tallies in the 3rd inning on a two-run single by BRETT ETHERTON. The Foothillers tacked on a fourth marker on a wild pitch.

That’s when Santana began its comeback. CAMERON BALOUGH doubled and scored on a home run by ZACH BREIDT in the 5th inning.

Hayes delivered the knockout punch an inning later.

FRANCIS PARKER 10, CHRISTIAN 6 – This was a game Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL would have liked to see the Patriots tuck under their victory belt considering it matched two of the top San Diego CIF Division IV clubs in a non-league encounter Thursday (Apr. 8) at Alliant University.

By winning, Parker will probably earn the No. 1 seed in the SDCIF playoffs.

Given all the problems that Mitchell and the Patriots have endured thus far this season, that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Thus the goal for the Patriots would be to secure the No. 2 playoff seed.

Mitchell had to be elated by the Patriots’ fast start against the Lancers, taking a 3-0 lead. CODY POTEET’s two-out single cashed in JOSH WOLFSON (walk) for the first run. JOSH SUFFRIDGE followed with a 2-run double to put Christian up by a field goal.

The Patriots extended their lead to 4-0 without benefit of a hit in the 2nd inning and after that things started to fall apart.

Parker (10-3) plated five runs in the 2nd inning to take an advantage it would not lose.

By the time the Patriots scored again the Lancers were sitting on an 8-4 lead.

Christian scored two runs in the 5th inning on a bases loaded single up the middle by SHANE DILLON to make it 8-5. PAUL BARRACK drew a bases loaded walk to drive in a second run. But that would be as close as the Patriots (9-6) would get.

“We had trouble catching and throwing and we gave up eight unearned runs – that should tell you pretty much how the day was,” summarized Mitchell.

CODY POTEET is scheduled for surgery on his broken nose Monday (Apr. 12), and KENNY JENKINS will be sidelined for two weeks with a concussion.

VALHALLA 12, MOUNT MIGUEL 2 – Junior BRYCE MOSIER went 4-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBI to lift Valhalla’s record above the .500 mark in Thursday’s (Apr. 8) Grossmont Conference Tournament game with visiting Mount Miguel.

Mosier made his intentions known right away when he launched his second home run of the season in the 1st inning.

The Norsemen (7-6) doubled their advantage in the 3rd inning as AUSTIN HENSLEY singled to right and scored on a booming two-bagger to straightaway center by WILL COOMBS.

Credit Mount Miguel (3-9) for not rolling over. The Matadors erased the Valhalla lead with runs in the 4th and 5th inning.

Valhalla decided the issue in the bottom of the 5th by pushing across 7 runs.

The key blow in the big inning was RYAN PETERSON’s pinch hit 3-run double. Mosier then drove in Peterson with a base hit. JOSH AUSTEL and CHRIS WILKEY also had RBI singles in the 5th frame.

None of Mount Miguel’s runs were earned.

Valhalla starter FRANCISCO TELLEZ allowed only 4 hits and struck out 5 in 5 2/3 innings while rolling his record to 3-1. Peterson got the final out, including one on strikes to finish the job.

Lewis was also 3-for-3 with an RBI.

Not to be overlooked was Helix leadoff man KACY SMITH, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and a double.

“Kacy’s on-base percentage is over .600,” Helix coach COLE HOLLAND said. “Can’t think of a better guy to have at the top of the order.”

Smith doubled and eventually scored on TYLER SOTO’s sacrifice fly, staking Helix to a 1-0 edge in the opening frame.

El Cajon Valley counterpunched with a game-tying home run by CASEY RIVERA in the 2nd inning.

After that it was all Helix. ROMELLO CARBUCCIA’s RBI double broke the tie and launched the bottom of the 2nd inning. Lewis then singled home Carbuccia, and Smith capped the 4-run frame with his first home run of the season.

ARMONDO RODRIGUEZ followed a double by JAKE REED with his second homer in the 6th frame to cap the scoring.

OTAY RANCH 13, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 1 – Who scheduled this game?

In a classic mismatch on Thursday (Apr. 8), host Otay Ranch used an 8-run 3rd inning as a springboard toward a non-league blowout that was halted after 5 ½ innings due to darkness.

“We were just overmatched today,” Foothills coach DAVE LEWIS said. “Otay Ranch is a Division I school and we are Division V. They were ranked No. 2 (in the SDCIF) a few weeks ago and they looked like it today. They are a very good team.”

Actually, Otay Ranch (12-4) snapped a four-game losing streak after an 11-0 start to the season. Included in the Mustangs totals were a pair of home runs among a 9-hit assault.

CODY LEWIS’ RBI single in the 6th inning enabled the Knights (2-12) to avoid the shutout.

DEREK DEYLING was the hard-luck starter for Foothills Christian, as 5 of the 9 runs he allowed in 2 2/3 innings were unearned.

“Deyling pitched a very good game. Our defense just let him down,” Lewis said.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-8-10) — Another victory, another loss. So it went for the host Christian Patriots in Wednesday’s (Apr. 7) City Conference Tournament 16-2 triumph over Lincoln in a game halted after 4 ½ innings by the mercy run rule.

For what it’s worth, the Patriots (9-5) avenged an earlier 10-6 loss to the Hornets.

MICHAEL POTEET led the Patriots’ offensive scoring parade with 3 hits – two of them doubles – and 3 RBI in four at-bats. As a team, Christian clubbed six doubles, including two by ERICK ALLEN.

JOSH WOLFSON and KYLE HARRIS combined to pitch a 5-hitter against the Hornets with Wolfson picking up his 3rd win without a loss. Wolfson was also 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base. Harris was 1-for-1 with a pair of RBI.

The Patriots scored three runs on one hit in the 1st inning to take a 3-2 lead.

Christian also capitalized on 8 wild pitches by Lincoln starter Javonte Byrd in the first 1 1/3 innings to take an 11-2 advantage after two innings.

“They actually got two guys out on wild pitches because the ball was so wide of the plate that it hit the backstop and ricocheted back to the catcher, who threw to the pitcher covering at the plate,” Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL said.

One tag by Byrd following a wild pitch resulted in a tag of the neck-tie variety on Patriots KENNY JENKINS in the 2nd inning. The Hornets got the out and Jenkins was KO’d on the play.

“It wasn’t an intentional play to hurt the kid,” Mitchell assured. “But he did get clotheslined. By the time he got to the plate, Jenkins was out cold. Once we revived him, his eyes were rolling back in his head. We kept working with him and he started fluttering his eyes and talked about having blurred vision. It was one of those deals where he hit his head so hard on the ground that it knocked him out.

“I’m no doctor but I’d say he definitely had a concussion and will miss a few games, which we can’t afford since we’re so short-handed already.”

The Patriots fleet-footed center fielder was taken to the hospital.

Mitchell said he received text messages confirming the concussion, and said Jenkins was complaining about pain in his neck.

“I just hope he’s not out for too long,” Mitchell said.

At present two Patriots baseball players are on a field trip to China. ERICK ALLEN, who started in left field and was 2-for-3, will be lost for the rest of the week on a football recruiting trip to Evanagel University in Missouri.

With all of the above Mitchell is not sure he is going to be able to field more than nine players for Thursday’s (Apr. 8) key Division IV contest against Francis Parker at Alliant University at 3 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (4-7-10) — In a showdown of two of the top five teams in the San Diego CIF, the visiting Grossmont Foothillers prevailed over the El Capitan Vaqueros, 13-6, in Tuesday’s (Apr. 6) Grossmont Conference Tournament.

The No. 2 ranked Foothillers banged out 16 hits, including four by ROBBY NESOVIC.

Grossmont (11-2) broke the game open with six runs in the 4th inning to take a 10-3 lead over No. 5 ranked El Capitan (8-5).

“I’m thinking about sending (Grossmont coach) JIM EARLEY a bill for a dozen baseballs,” said Vaqueros coach STEVE VICKERY. “It seemed like every ball they hit was hit so hard it left a dent in it.”

Nesovic was 4-for-4 with 3 RBI, while winning pitcher JOE MUSGROVE was 3-for-5 with 4 RBI for the Foothillers. Both players slammed home runs.

Not to be overlooked was the hitting of BRETT ETHERTON who was 3-for-3 with 3 runs scored for Grossmont.

Earley did not admit being to being surprised by the Foothillers’ offensive onslaught but was concerned by his team’s porous defense.

“Offensively we carried the game,” Earley said. “And we did hit the ball hard. But we played in the field like a team that hadn’t practiced in four days, which was the case in our part.”

“Some teams may say, who cares how we play in the field because we’re hitting so well,” Earley said. “But I’ll tell you this, our kids take pride in our defense and they were not happy with how we played against El Capitan.”

“We left too many pitches belt high and Grossmont didn’t miss them,” Vickery noted. “I still think we have the makings of a good pitching staff but we still have some work to do.”

East County batting leader SHELDON GABRIELS was 3-for-4 for the Vaqueros to raise his average to .563 (18-for-32).

Apparently the Monarchs did not get the memo. Monte Vista capitalized on a Helix error to score three runs in the bottom of the 7th to force extra innings.

An RBI single by the Monarchs’ PAUL O’CONNOR, followed by a 2-run single by NICK SABO, sent the game into overtime.

But two innings later it appeared that Helix (8-4) had victory in hand when the Highlanders scored the go-ahead run on an errant Monte Vista throw to the plate, allowing ROMELLO CARBUCCIA to score, staking the Highlanders to a 5-4 edge.

Once again, Monte Vista (6-7) did not hoist the white flag.

Singles by O’Connor and Sabo, followed by a passed ball, set the table for JOHN BALAJADIA’s 2-run single that allowed the Monarchs to steal the victory.

“We got a big performance from (LUIS) LEBRON.” said Monte Vista coach CHAD WILLIAMS.

Lebron, a sophomore southpaw, allowed only one earned run in an eight inning stint.

“We continue to battle hard, especially when we are behind,” Williams said. “We got some big hits when we needed them.”

There's a Play at the Plate... Times Four

The Helix-Monte Vista game produced a remarkable four plays at home plate in Grossmont Conference Tournament action Tuesday. (Photos by Tony Bordine) CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Hayes pitched what was no doubt his best game of the season, spinning a complete game 2-hitter to post his East County leading 5th win in six decisions.

Hayes survived six walks to hold the Norsemen at bay. The only run he allowed was unearned.

Santana broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the 3rd inning when CODY SMITH hammered his 4th home run of the season over the right-center field fence.

The Sultans added an insurance run in the 5th inning.

Hayes took matters into his own hands for the Sultans’ first run as he hammered a solo home run in the 2nd inning.

“It was a pretty well played high school baseball game,” said Santana coach LARRY OEDEWALDT. “Both pitchers pitched well enough to win. We had a few more opportunities than they did.”

The Norsemen, who have scored as many as 21 runs in a game this season, needed an error to deny Hayes a shutout.

The hard luck loser was JOSH AUSTEL, who pitched a complete game, allowing only 7 hits but was burned by issuing 5 walks, which led to his 3rd loss in four decisions.

STEELE CANYON 5, MOUNT MIGUEL 1 (8 inn.) – Junior right-hander BRAD BOEHMKE turned in an ironman pitching performance for Steele Canyon as the usually heavy hitting Cougars’ offense struggled against host Mount Miguel in Tuesday’s (Apr. 6) Grossmont Conference Tournament.

Boehmke allowed only 4 hits and no earned runs while striking out 10 in a complete game performance that netted him his 3rd win in 5 decisions.

“The pitching performance by Boehmke was masterful,” said Cougars assistant coach MARK BRUDER. “He was in command the whole game. He was very efficient with his pitch count and he kept them off balance the whole way.”

The Cougars (8-5) finally broke through for four runs on four hits in the top of the 8th inning to avoid the upset.

ANTHONY SORRENTINO led off the 8th with a double and FRANK CALIFANO ran for him. RAY GOMEZ reached base on an infield single. ROBBIE NELSON singled to score Califano to break a 1-1 tie.

A Mount Miguel error extended the Cougars’ lead to 3-1, and ANDREW KING completed the scoring with a ground rule 2-run double.

The Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the opening frame on an RBI single by Gomez.

Mount Miguel (3-8) tied the contest in the 5th on a leadoff single by ANTHONY ORTEGA, who eventually scored on a throwing error by the Cougars.

Once again Mount Miguel wasted a strong pitching performance by senior ace right-hander RUDDY ACOSTA, who scattered 7 hits and allowed only one run over 6 innings.

Acosta, who struck out 7 and walked only 2, might have remained in the game if he had not reached his pitch count, according to Matadors coach BYRON GRIGSBY.

“Acosta was really on his game today,” Grigsby said. “His velocity is not quite there but he’s getting close. We need to be more aggressive at the plate.”

GRANITE HILLS 15, EL CAJON VALLEY 4 – The Granite Hills Eagles celebrated their 4th win in 10 starts in Tuesday’s (Apr. 6) Grossmont Conference Tournament, but lost another three-year starter — most likely for the season — in the process.

While the Eagles were registering a season scoring high at the expense of the Braves (3-9), they also lost senior second baseman DANIEL VINTON… again.

The injury-plagued Vinton, who was 2-for-4 with 4 RBI in Granite Hills’ latest conquest, suffered a dislocated shoulder while making a diving catch to rob an El Cajon Valley bid for a Texas Leaguer in the 6th inning.

“It was a great catch to be sure,” Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS said. “After he made the catch he was on the ground writhing in pain. I knew it was serious.”

Vinton left the game under his own power.

By Davis’ calculations, Vinton has suffered 40 shoulder dislocations to go along with 30 seizures. That includes three shoulder surgeries – not the kind of statistics players want to acquire.

“I feel so bad for Daniel,” Davis said. “It’s so sad. Here he is having a good game with the bat, which we need so badly, and he suffers another injury.”

Davis noted the disappointing numbers compiled by Vinton and UCLA-bound center fielder BRIAN CARROLL (probably out for the season with a knee injury suffered in football).

“I calculated this… as three year starters they could have played in 180 games combined, yet they played only 55 between the two of them because of injuries,” Davis said. “Carroll had 45 hits as a junior and Vinton – despite all his problems – has a career average of .360.”

Granite Hills broke the game open with six runs in the 2nd inning. Vinton supplied a 2-run single and DYLAN GARCIA hammered a 3-run homer.

JARED HUNT allowed only two earned runs in five innings to post his first win in three decisions for the Eagles.

It was the same old story for El Cajon Valley.

“We are playing better defense, just making errors in crucial situations,” said Braves coach MIKE RUPP. “We’re making errors when we need to be making plays.”

Rupp pointed out that Granite Hills’ first seven runs were unearned.

POINT LOMA 11, CHRISTIAN 3 – Coach MIKE MITCHELL had to pinch himself to believe he was not dreaming when he watched the host Pointers score 8 runs after two outs to break a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the 6th inning of Tuesday’s (Apr. 6) City Conference Tournament at Dana Middle School.

Christian was one out away from carrying the tie game into the 7th inning.

“They had a guy at first base and we had two outs,” Mitchell said.

That’s when the shower began. And we’re not talking about rain, either.

“They hit only one line drive,” Mitchell said. “The rest were bloopers and ground balls.”

Mitchell was asked if Point Loma (7-5) had used wooden bats instead of aluminum wands, would the Pointers been able to collect 7 of their 11 hits during that scoring spree.

Mitchell said, simply, “No way. They would not have scored one run in that inning.”

None the less, Mitchell gave credit to Point Loma’s hitters.

“They did a good job with two strikes,” he said. “Four of their 7 hits in the 6th inning came with two strikes.”

Christian’s ERICK ALLEN kept the Patriots in the game with his bat and his arm. He was 3-for-3 with an RBI single in the 2nd inning when his team took a 3-0 lead. On the mound, when Allen’s pitch count went past the 100 mark, Mitchell had to making a pitching change.

It didn’t matter. The Pointers kept spraying base hits all over the diamond.

“Erick was one strike away from putting up a zero in the 6th,” Mitchell said. “He had an 0-2 count with runners at 2nd and 3rd and their hitter bloops one just over our first baseman’s head and about a foot inside the right field foul line. Two runs scored.

MICHAEL GRUBER also had three hits and scored a run for the Patriots. MICHAEL KAUFMAN, Allen and JOSH SUFFRIDGE each picked up a RBI for Christian in its lone scoring inning.

The short-handed Patriots (8-5) will host Lincoln in a City Conference Tournament tilt on Wednesday (Apr. 7). These teams met earlier in the season with the Hornets prevailing 10-6.

© East County Sports.com
TUCSON, Ariz. (4-4-10) — Helix pounded out 17 hits in Saturday’s (Apr. 3) final round of the Cherry Field Classic, rolling over the Panthers of Pomona (Colo.), 18-7, in a game that was called after six innings because the Highlanders needed to catch a plane back to San Diego.

After being run-ruled in the tournament opener on Wednesday (Mar. 31) the Highlanders came back to win four straight to capture the consolation championship.

TYLER SOTO followed with a base hit, stole second and scored on DIEGO REYNOSO’s double. The Highlanders went on to load the bases when ARMONDO RODRIGUEZ singled and KACY SMITH was hit by a pitch.

JAKE REED emptied the bases when he tripled to left-center field. AUSTIN GONZALEZ’ sacrifice fly cashed in Reed to complete the opening frame scoring.

“The really good thing about this tournament for us is we broke out with the bats,” said Helix coach COLE HOLLAND. “There were other good things but that’s what pleased me the most.”

Olivarria was one of three Highlanders to bang out 3 hits against Pomona. In addition to his first home run, he ripped a double and drove in 4 runs. For the 5-game tournament set Olivarria batted .684 (13-for-19) with 8 RBI hitting in the No. 2 slot.

Eight of Helix’ hits in the tournament finale went for extra bases, including a pair of double by Soto.

BRANDON LEWIS, ROMELLO CARBUCCIA and CHRIS SALTZMAN limited Pomona to 6 hits and 3 earned runs, with Carbuccia gaining his 2nd win in as many decisions.

© East County Sports.com
TUCSON, Ariz. (4-3-10) — They still can’t get MAURO OLIVARRIA out in the Cherry Field Classic. The junior second baseman went 2-for-4 as Helix edged the Ralston Valley (Colo.) Mustangs, 7-6, on Friday (Apr. 2).

In four tournament games, Olivarria has 10 hits in 15 at-bats – for a .667 batting average.

Helix scored the winning run in the 7th inning on only one hit. The go-ahead marker came across on the Mustangs’ 5th error of the game.

In the 1st inning, three Mustangs’ errors handed the Highlanders two runs.

“I guess that’s what you get from an 8 a.m. start,” said Helix coach COLE HOLLAND. It was the second time in the tournament that the Highlanders (7-3) have had an 8 a.m. starting call.

Helix finished with 6 hits. Two of those came in the 3rd inning when Olivarria led off with a single and BRENNAN INGRAM pinch ran for him. Two outs later DIEGO REYNOSO doubled, scoring Ingram and staking Helix to a 3-0 lead.

Ralston Valley fought back for four runs in the bottom of the 3rd to take the lead.

The Highlanders tied it in the 5th as DYLAN NICKERSON doubled and eventually scored on a bunt single by AUSTIN GONZALEZ.

Ralston Valley countered with a run in the bottom of the 5th.

Helix forged in front 6-5 with two runs in the 6th inning. After BRANDON LEWIS’ sacrifice fly scored KACY SMITH (walk) to tie it, JAKE REED (single) scored on the second passed ball of the inning.

“I know they (the Mustangs) didn’t play very well defensively, but we hit some balls hard,” Holland said. “I really don’t think 8 a.m. is the best time to play a baseball game, especially when you find out at midnight the night before that that’s the starting time.

“So what we did was eat breakfast at 6:30 at the hotel and got to the field at 7:20. We didn’t take any infield or outfield – we just showed up and played.”

Helix concludes the tournament on Saturday (Apr. 3), taking on Pomona (Colo.) at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (4-2-10) — CHAD WILLIAMS’ inauguration as Monte Vista’s baseball coach had a rocky beginning, to say the least. The Monarchs promptly lost six of their first seven games and a long season appeared to be in the making.

Then came the Lions Tournament and the battle of the big cats. Monte Vista’s pride was suddenly totally focused, chewing up competition with relative ease.

After defeating Fair Oaks-Del Campo, 5-4, in Thursday’s (Apr. 1) Division 4A semifinal, the Monarchs went on the prowl for the division championship against Grass Valley-Nevada Union at San Diego High, but came up short, falling 9-5.

The prospects of a crown were looking pretty good as Monte Vista took a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning.

Freshman PAUL O’CONNOR homered to right field on a 3-2 pitch. NICK SABO followed with a double off the center field wall. CARLOS OCHOA struck out but reached base when the catcher dropped the third strike. As Ochoa hustled to first, Sabo scurried to third as on the play, drawing a wild throw from the catcher. By the time the dust (mud?) settled, Sabo scored and Ochoa was standing on second.

KEVIN STARLING then singled in Ochoa to make it 3-0.

After that Monte Vista went five innings without scoring, but mounted a last gasp rally in the 7th.

IVAN PARMA led off the final frame with a home run to right-center. O’Connor followed with a double, so the Monarchs’ hopes for a miracle comeback were growing. Two outs later Starling singled to score O’Connor but that’s as close as Monte Vista (5-7) could get.

For the two games Parma was 4-for-7 with 3 RBI in the Monte Vista leadoff spot. Starling was 3-for-7.

“For the whole tournament it was nice to see how my team responded,” Williams said. “We showed a lot of energy. We learned a lot of lessons this week. We got key hits and made key plays when we had to. We got good pitching and had contributions from everybody.”

The Cougars carried a 10-4 lead into the 6th inning, but some shoddy defense nearly eliminated them from the tournament.

Califano and Boehmke survived five Steele Canyon errors resulting in five unearned runs to push the Cougars into the championship game against Ramona at Southwestern College.

In the title bout Steele Canyon stabilized its defense and did not commit an error while three Cougars pitchers combined to fire a 5-hitter.

Unfortunately for Steele Canyon, one of those hits was a home run by Ramona’s Jackson Willeford.

The usually heavy-hitting Cougars were rationed to three singles, including one of the infield variety, against Bulldog fireballers Cody Willingham and Curtis Sullivan.

Despite the defeat in the finals, Steele Canyon coach TODD SNYDER wasn’t disappointed by the Cougars’ showing.

“This tournament was a good experience for us,” Snyder said.

In the victory over Bonita Vista (8-5), the Cougars pounded out 14 hits.

ANTHONY SORRENTINO led the hitting parade by going 2-for-3 with a double and 3 RBI. WES JUDISH and Boehmke were each 2-for-4 with 2 RBI in the opener.

All seven of the Cougars’ runs in the 3rd inning, which wiped out a 3-0 Bonita Vista lead, came with two outs. Boehmke and Sorrentino each had a 2-run double in that frame.

“We showed we can score a lot of runs,” said Snyder. “If we get some decent pitching and defense we will be a competitive team.”

Temecula-GREAT OAK 7, VALHALLA 3 – The heavy-hitting Norsemen erupted for three runs in the 1st inning of Thursday’s (Apr. 1) Lions Tournament Premier Division semifinal against Great Oak of Temecula.

After that, the Norsemen (6-5) received a cold shower at the hands of the Wolfpack (10-4), which went on to capture the Premier Division championship by beating McLean (Va.) 10-6.

“We hit into a couple of double plays that just killed us,” said Valhalla coach MIKE WILSON. “And our pitchers were not getting their off-speed pitches over. Little mistakes like that against a good team like Great Oaks is gonna cost you.”

The Norsemen saw their 5-game winning streak come to an end.

Defense was Valhalla’s Achilles’ heel as four errors led to three early unearned runs for the Wolfpack.

That probably wouldn’t have mattered if Valhalla had been able to maintain its tournament averages of banging out more than 15 hits and scoring more than 11 runs as they did in the first three games.

Valhalla’s offense consisted of a 2-run single by DANNY DAVIS and an RBI base hit by JOSH AUSTEL in the opening frame. After that the Norsemen flatlined.

McLEAN (Va.) 2, GROSSMONT 0 – Grossmont has lost only twice in 12 starts. Both time the Foothillers lost 2-0, including Thursday’s (Apr. 1) Lions Tournament Premier Division semifinal game at Joe Gizoni Field against the Highlanders from Virginia.

And you know how Foothillers feel about teams called the Highlanders… no matter what state they may be from.

The Foothillers left two runners on in the 2nd inning, the bases loaded in the 6th and two runners in scoring position in the 7th against McLean’s Sean Fitzgerald. The 6-foot-2 right-hander is regarded as a major pro prospect according to Grossmont coach JIM EARLEY.

“It’s not like we lost to some slouch,” Earley said. “This guy’s legit.”

Reliever Josh Sborz picked up the save for the Highlanders as the Foothillers were shut out for the second time since SDCIF No. 1 ranked Montgomery blanked them in the Aztec-Foothiller Classic on March 20.

CODY SOS and BRETT ETHERTON had two hits apiece for the Foothillers.

Grossmont’s MARK VASQUEZ made his first start and spun four shutout innings, allowing three hits while striking out three.

SCRIPPS RANCH 4, CHRISTIAN 1 – The Patriots of Christian lost more than a game in Thursday’s (Apr. 1) Lions Tournament Division 5A semifinals against Scripps Ranch.

“The worst part about today was we have lost CODY POTEET for I don’t know how long,” said Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL. “He was hit by a pitch and broke his nose. The ball ricocheted off the bill of his cap and hit (Falcons) catcher (Wynston Sawyer) in the throat. They both went down.”

Sawyer, the Division 5A MVP, was able to return to the game while Poteet headed for the hospital.

The Patriots (8-4) could muster only three hits – one an RBI double by JOSH SUFFERIDGE in the 3rd inning – against the Scripps Ranch pitchers Dylan Tye and Nathan Williams.

Tye worked up the first six innings to pick up the pitching nod. Williams sent the Patriots packing when he struck out the side in the 7th for the save.

TEMECULA VALLEY at GRANITE HILLS – The Eagles’ Lions Tournament Classic Division game slated for Thursday (Apr. 1) was canceled due to wet grounds.

PACIFIC PALISADES at SANTANA – The Sultans' Lions Tournament Premier Division consolation game scheduled for Thursday (Apr. 1) was canceled due to wet grounds.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-1-10) — Five East County teams advanced to Thursday’s (Apr. 1) division semifinals of the 60th annual Lions Baseball Tournament. Of course, if you believe the weather reports these games will never happen.

Never believe a Southern California weatherman. He doesn’t know garden watering from third base. Every once in awhile they get lucky so the weather is usually nothing more than a coin flip – wet or dry.

In Division 6A at Southwestern College, Steele Canyon (6-4) will duel with Bonita Vista in the 1 p.m. semifinals for the right to play in the division finals against the Ramona-Eastlake winner at 4 p.m.