© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (6-5-11) — Helix is unquestionably one of the top overall athletic programs in East County. Yet the Highlanders have gone 23 years between capturing San Diego CIF division baseball championships.

“That’s because of the quality of competition we play against in the Grossmont Conference,” said Highlanders baseball coach COLE HOLLAND. “Just to get here (at the Division II finals) was a battle.”

Holland isn’t kidding. His team opened the season with 12 straight wins and closed it with five consecutive victories. What that added up to was disappointing third-place finish in the Grossmont Hills League and ultimately a 25-9 mark, which included capturing the SDCIF Division II crown over GHL rival Steele Canyon Saturday (June 4) at SDSU’s Tony Gwynn Stadium.

“We never talked about winning league,” said Holland. “The only thing we talked about was not just getting here, but winning this thing.”

Once again Helix (25-9) relied on its backbone, senior right-handed pitcher JAKE REED to procure a 7-3 victory over the Cougars. It was anything but vintage Reed as he surrendered a career-high dozen hits but managed to record his 4th complete game and 9th win in 10 decisions.

“Jake was coming off nine days’ rest,” Holland noted. “But I don’t think he was as sharp as he usually is.”

Even Reed admitted that he’s thrown better games.

Maybe better, but not bigger.

“We worked out butts off as sophomores, turning this program around for Coach Holland,” Reed said. “We won 9 games as freshmen, 20 as sophomores, 24 as juniors and 25 this year. I couldn’t feel any better for Coach Holland than I do right now.”

Holland was feeling pretty good himself, realizing that the Highlanders will probably be ranked on the high end of the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Top 10.

Of course, Holland says that stats don’t matter to him.

Huh… yeah, right.

Statistics do matter to Holland . He was well aware that Reed surrendered three earned runs to the Cougars (20-14), which doubled the total he allotted in 67 innings. By the same token his final season 0.63 ERA still ranks with the best in the section.

“I know they knocked me around a little bit tonight,” Reed said of Steele Canyon . “But I kept making big pitches in big parts of the game and our defense played shut-down all night.”

No question, the biggest play of the game in terms of momentum came in the top of 5th with Helix nursing a 2-1 lead.

With one out Steele Canyon’s VINNY SORRENTINO singled and darted to third on one of CLAYTON ROYER’s three hits. JESSE JENNER then hoisted a fly ball to medium left field. Helix’s BRENNAN INGRAM made the catch and then fired to the plate to cut down the potential tying run as catcher DIEGO REYNOSO tagged out Sorrentino for an inning ending double play.

“I didn’t really think I had a chance to get him,” Helix left-fielder Ingram said. “But I threw the ball as hard as I could. Diego made a great athletic play as he put the tag on Sorrentino.”

In the bottom of that inning Helix broke the game open with a five spot. The key hits in that scoring spree included a 2-run single by ROMELLO CARBUCCIA and a 2-run double by RAY PETERSON.

One might have thought that Steele Canyon could fold at that point, but the Cougars roughed up Reed for two runs and three hits in the final frame. Jenner and GARRETT GANDOLFO picked up RBI in that last ditch effort.

“Reed had his good stuff going,” said Jenner, who finished 2-for-4. “He had a biting curveball and good velo. But we just couldn’t put our hits together.”

But nobody was complaining as Helix claimed its first SDCIF championship since Holland was a batboy for the Highlanders in 1988.

Cederoth blanks top-seeded Mavericks
Steele Canyon earns first title-game berth,
will meet GHL rival Helix for Division II crown

© East County Sports.com
CARLSBAD (6-3-11) — Another fast start and a polished pitching performance by Steele Canyon High’s MICHAEL CEDEROTH on Thursday (June 2) at La Costa Canyon, earned the Cougars their first berth in a San Diego CIF championship game.

By virtue of a 7-0 victory over the top-seeded Mavericks (26-8), the Cougars (20-13) will face off against Grossmont Hills League rival Helix (24-9) Saturday (June 4) in the SDCIF Division II finale at SDSU’s Tony Gwynn Stadium. Game time is 4 p.m.

The Cougars beat Helix (24-9) in two of their Grossmont Hills League meetings.

Not to be brushed over was Steele Canyon ’s trail to the finals. Not surprisingly, the Cougars took the hard way. After falling faintly to LCC 6-1 on Saturday (May 28), it appeared that SC about ready to see its season end.

Much to the contrary. The Cougars refused to fold as they rolled over the Mavericks 6-3 on Tuesday (May 31) and then buried the dagger two days later.

“It’s taken most of the season, but I’m glad our kids have figured it out,” said Steele Canyon coach TODD SNYDER. “Our guys have been incredible in the playoffs. Not only have they shown the energy to fight back, they’ve learned what it means to be in control.”

One of the latest ingredients in Snyder’s playoff coaching strategy is how his team has been transported to La Costa Canyon. Some of it was a stroke of luck as a shortage of school buses allowed the Cougars to take a more luxurious charter bus.

DVDs were shown to occupy the players rather than to allow them to sleep, text or listen to music on their personal ipods.

“Watching the movies created good interaction, kept us as a group – not a bunch of individuals,” Snyder said. “It certainly did a lot to bring us together.”

Riding to La Costa Canyon in a charter bus for the second time in three days, the Cougars once again focused on the DVD screen en route. It was a baseball movie – “The Sandlot” – and for the second time the Cougars jumped off the bus and came out swinging.

“That’s the movie the kids picked,” which was no problem for Snyder. “Whatever works.”

After scoring two first-inning runs in Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the top-seeded Mavericks (26-8), the Cougars flexed up and slapped a five-spot on the board in their first turn at-bat in Thursday’s (June 2) elimination game that eventually earned Steele Canyon its first trip to the SDCIF championship game.

CLAYTON ROYER, who later hit a leadoff home run in the 7th inning, began the opening inning onslaught with a base hit. JESSE JENNER was hit by a pitch. After GARRETT GANDOLFO flew out to center, Jenner tagged up and went to third. WES JUDISH (2-for-4, 2 RBI) then laced a double over the left-fielder’s head, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead.

An errant pickoff throw by La Costa Canyon gave the Cougars their second run in the 1st. The Cougars piled on three more runs on a sacrifice fly by NATHAN MURRAY and base hits by ROBBY NELSON and KYLE SAGER.

Sitting on a 5-0 lead before throwing his first pitch Cederoth, a 6-foot-6 senior right-hander, limited La Costa Canyon to two harmless singles while striking out seven in a complete game effort.

“In this game I had the most fun I’ve ever had on the mound,” said Cederoth who balanced his record at 4-4. “It was a fun little puzzle for me and a guessing game for the hitters.

“After warming up in the bullpen I was really dialed in when I walked out to the mound.”

Although Cederoth hit three batters in the 4th inning, Steele Canyon ’s defense neutralized the problem by turning a double play.

Other than that spell of wildness Cederoth permitted only a pair of singles by the Mavericks’ junior catcher Matt Hall.

“Personally I’ve pitched better games but I know I’ve never had more fun,” Cederoth added. “It was a great atmosphere.”

Cederoth, who was suffering from a torn labrum during the summer, said that he’d “grown physically and emotionally this season.”

“When I started out my mechanics were all screwed up – I had no leg support,” he recalled.

Cederoth praised Cougars pitching coach JESSE EVANS for his improvement.

“I’ve done a lot of growing up these past two years on varsity. I’ve matured so much and now I know that baseball is my life.”

Noting that he loves basketball as well as baseball, Cederoth admitted that skipping his senior season on the court has benefited him on the diamond.

Cederoth has a scholarship to San Diego State in hand. But he is certain to draw attention in the Major League Baseball Draft that begins on Monday (June 6).

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (6-1-11) — A pair of East County teams have claimed berths in Saturday’s (June 4) San Diego CIF championships at SDSU’s Tony Gwynn Stadium.

El Capitan (28-5) earned a title berth against Cathedral Catholic (29-4) in the Division III finale at 1 p.m. This will be a rematch of last year’s championship contest won by the Vaqueros, 4-2, after Cathedral Catholic earned the gold ring the previous three years.

Meanwhile, Helix (24-9) has secured a reservation in Saturday’s SDCIF Division II finals at Tony Gwynn Stadium at 4 p.m. Like the Vaqueros, the Highlanders are 3-0 in postseason play.

Two other East County outfits have a shot at a berth in the finals. Whether they make the grade will be determined in Thursday’s (June 2) elimination round.

Grossmont (25-7) hosts Torrey Pines (26-10) in a Division I duel at the Foothillers’ Joe Gizoni Field. Steele Canyon will travel farther north as the Cougars (19-13) face off against La Costa Canyon (26-7) for a Division II berth opposite Helix. Both elimination games begin at 3:30 p.m.

“It was pretty cool watching a movie on our bus ride up there (to Encinitas),” said SC senior CLAYTON ROYER, who discovered he would be the Cougars’ starting pitcher only a couple of hours prior to game time.

The DVD Royer was talking about was Will Ferrell staring in “The Anchorman.”

“Everybody on the bus was laughing and seemed to be in a good mood by the time we got to La Costa Canyon,” said Royer, who normally is the Cougars’ starting shortstop. “It was an atmosphere that fired up our whole team. We were loose. We were determined. We were ready to go.”

And so they were.

Steele Canyon (19-13) raced in front, tagging LCC ace Trent Swart for two earned runs in the opening frame. With one out, JESSE JENNER singled to right and GARRETT GANDOLFO singled to left. WES JUDISH brought home Jenner with a double down the left field line. Gandolfo scored on a ground out by BRAD BOEHMKE.

The Cougars made an early statement with a 2-0 lead against one of the top pitchers in the SDCIF.

Singles by Boehmke and NATHAN MURRAY set up another two-run inning in the 4th. An error in the outfield allowed Boehmke to score all the way from first. KYLE SAGER slashed an RBI single to make it 4-0 for Steele Canyon.

But the focus of the latest Steele Canyon victory was the pitching of Royer. The senior right-hander, who balanced his pitching ledger at 2-2, toiled 5 2/3 innings, allowing just five hits and no earned runs. He walked two and struck out three.

“They told me a couple days ago there was a chance that I might pitch this game,” said Royer. “But I never got my hopes up.”

Once Royer was assigned a “spot” start he was told the coaches expected him to throw three innings, or through the lineup one time.

Royer, however, had bigger ambitions. And proved it.

“I had to talk them into letting me go more than three,” he said.

Considering Royer did not allow a hit until the 4th inning, he was providing Steele Canyon with a bigger boost than planned. Snyder did not have to make a pitching change until the 6th inning.

Royer came into the game having pitched 15 2/3 innings with a 4.91 ERA.

“I felt strong,” Royer said. “I wanted to keep going. Actually I pitched a complete game against Vista early in the season. I knew I could do it, but coach realized that my stamina might not be the same as it was early in the season.”

“I know several guys on (LCC’s) team and they know I can pitch,” he added. “I wasn’t nervous at all. I’m just glad coach gave me the ball. I worked ahead in the count and worked backward in my strategy. I think they were all swinging at the fastball first.”

After the Cougars extended their lead to 6-1 in the 7th on Gandolfo’s 5th home run of the season, a 2-run shot with Jenner (single) aboard, it looked like it would be a cruise to the finish.

After FRANK CALIFANO got the final out in the 6th inning he headed into trouble in the final frame. That led Snyder to hand the ball to Boehmke.

Boehmke surrendered an RBI double by LCC’s Daniel Martin over the left-fielder’s head before getting the final two outs to earn his first save.

Steele Canyon roughed up Swart for six hits and three earned runs in five innings. Swart, who came into the game with a 0.51 ERA, was slapped with his 2nd loss in 11 decisions.

TORREY PINES 3, GROSSMONT 2 – The Foothillers couldn’t find their offense in Tuesday’s (May 31) semifinal against visiting Torrey Pines (26-10) as they attempted to secure a 7th straight berth in the SDCIF Division I finals.

Of course when Grossmont (25-7), which had won 15 of its previous 16, could produce only two hits against the Falcons’ Brian Thene, the Foothillers should not be surprised that they were forced into Thursday’s (June 2) battle for a championship berth against the Torrey Pines at Joe Gizoni Field.

Grossmont wasted another complete game pitching outing by JOE MUSGROVE, who scattered six hits and struck out 12 only to be pinned with his 4th loss in 11 decisions.

“What can I say, Joe threw a great game,” said Grossmont coach JIM EARLEY. “I guess the bottom line is he only had one bad inning.”

That would be the 5th. After retiring the first two batters on five pitches Musgrove surrendered a walk to Sam Wisenberg and then consecutive singles to Michael Mullen, Reed Mason and Jack Mitchell, which gave the Falcons a 3-1 lead.

Grossmont’s offense was just short of anemic against Thene. The Foothillers’ first run came without benefit of a hit as JORDAN GERLEK supplied a sacrifice fly, which at the time tied the game 1-1.

In the bottom of the 5th Grossmont’s NICK ROCHESTER hit the first pitch from Thene over the left-field fence for his 3rd home run of the season. After that both offenses went into hibernation.

The only other hit Grossmont had was a double by ROBBY NESOVIC.

Nobody in the Torrey Pines lineup had more than one hit.

LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY 9, CHRISTIAN 8 (9 inn.) – No question the best part of the Christian High baseball season was the San Diego CIF Division IV playoffs. Forget about the Patriots’ ugly 13-19-1 overall record.

When it came to the playoff round the Patriots were 3-2, having outscored their opponents 46-31.

“Averaging more than nine runs a game is pretty good, I’d say,” Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL said.

What Mitchell wouldn’t reveal was his evaluation of the umpires in Tuesday’s (May 31) semifinal loss to La Jolla Country Day (24-7).

“I know what I’d like to say but I’m not gonna do it because I don’t want it to be held against out kids in the future,” Mitchell said of the shaky umpiring situation at LJCD.

The Patriots led 6-4 heading into the bottom of the 7th but could not maintain the advantage.

Frustrating as that was, Christian once again gained an 8-6 edge in the 9th inning but crumbled in the end.

“Bottom line is we went 3-2 in the playoffs and we eliminated three of the teams we played (Palo Verde, Del Norte and Mater Dei),” Mitchell said. “But I thought we were playing our best ball at the end of the year, averaging more than nine runs a game in the postseason.

“What people don’t realize is that I know that we would have a hard time winning the Eastern League title, so we focus on the Division IV playoffs. All of those schools in our league are much bigger than we are so it would be foolish for us to believe we can conquer teams that are so much deeper than we are. It’s not like we gave up – we were just overmatched.”

La Jolla Country Day had beaten the Patriots in a regular season match 7-6 and in an earlier playoff game 9-1.

In the latest encounter the Patriots pounded three home runs – one each by MICHAEL POTEET, KYLE HARRIS and CODY POTEET.

Michael Poteet finished 3-for-4 with 3 RBI, JOSH SUFFRIDGE was 3-for-5 with 3 RBI.

CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC 1, MONTE VISTA 0 (8 inn.) — Long Beach State-bound senior NICK SABO can’t pitch a whole lot better than he did in Tuesday’s (May 31) San Diego CIF Division III semifinal at Cathedral Catholic.

“Sabo was exceptional today,” said Monte Vista coach CHAD WILLIAMS. “He chased the minimum through five innings, and only gave up two hits through seven innings. He gave us more than an opportunity to win the ballgame.”

Yet the Dons (29-4) managed to produce three of their five hits off Sabo in the bottom of the 8th inning for the only run of the game.

With one out in the extra frame, Nick Fornaca and Tommy Valles singled. That set the stage for Matt Boermeester, who then cashed in Fornaca when he doubled into the left-center gap.

“It was kind of a rough way to go out,” Williams admitted. “But it was nice to get there and be able to compete in the semifinals. At the same time it was pretty frustrating.”

Cathedral sophomores Michael Martin and Stephen Gonsalves combined to blank the Monarchs (22-11) on six hits – all singles. It was the 12th shutout of the season for the top-seeded Dons.

Monte Vista ’s best scoring threat came in the 5th inning.

With two outs RICHIE BALAJADIA was hit by a pitch and JOEY GONSALVES followed with a single. Then PAUL O’CONNOR singled up the middle, but the Dons relay from center resulted in a bang-bang play at the plate. Balajadia was called out.

“I thought he was safe,” Williams stated flatly. “That was close a play. It was a pretty controversial call.”

JUSTIN AQUINIGOC and Sabo stroked a pair of hits apiece for the Monarchs, who finished with six.

Upon reviewing the season, Williams was pleased.

“I think we over achieved as a team,” he said. “We got better from last year (a 14-16 finish). Hopefully we can continue to make progress.”

© East County Sports.com
POWAY (5-29-11) — Schizophrenic Steele Canyon came up on the brink of "Elimination Saturday" (May 28) in the SDCIF Division II playoffs at Poway High.

After losing to No.1 seed La Costa Canyon on Friday (May 27), Steele Canyon (18-13) had its back to the wall when the Cougars faced Bonita Vista for the second time this week in the third round of the playoffs.

Once again the Cougars found a way to batter Bonita Vista as they dealt the South Bay crew a 7-0 eliminating defeat.

“We came out strong and really fired up ‘cause it was a hard loss yesterday (to La Costa Canyon),” senior VINNY SORRENTINO stated.

Any chance the Barons (19-14) had of making it to the Division II semifinals was picked off by junior left-hander FRANK CALIFANO and the Cougars as they won in dominating fashion.

“Our pitching was outstanding,” Cougars coach TODD SNYDER stated. “The fact that we were able to limit them to only four hits and command the strike zone shows we’re capable of playing championship baseball.”

Califano, who wears jersey No. 13, has absolutely no aspirations of ever becoming a magician, but whenever he gets base runners he has the ability to quickly make them disappear with his pickoff move. No official statistic on Califano’s specialty is kept, although the southpaw has erased 16 runners with his crafty move.

Some might even say that Califano allows guys to get on base just so he can pick them off.

Califano held Bonita Vista hitless through four innings before leaving with a secure 4-0 lead and picked off another runner while shutting the Barons down.

“I think other coaches get upset just because he picks so many people off,” Snyder said after seeing the Barons coaching staff complain about the move almost to the point of being tossed.

“I don’t necessarily see anything wrong with it. He does come to the 45 degree angle, which is where you’re supposed to, but he’s very deceptive so he has tremendous results.”

Califano’s teammates aren’t fooled though.

“We’ve seen it so many times and know his tendencies so we know it’s coming,” Sorrentino said.

“It’s not a balk,” senior shortstop CLAYTON ROYER stated. “He works on it all the time in practice even though he’s never been able to get me.”

After hammering two homers against the Barons earlier in the week, they pitched around Royer all game as he went 1-for-3 with a double and an intentional walk. Sorrentino was 1-for-2, scoring twice while notching a double and a stolen base.

JESSE JENNER led the SC attack going 2-for-3 with a double and a pair of RBI as the Cougars have now set themselves up with a fourth round rematch at La Costa Canyon on Tuesday (May 31).

Royer can’t wait.

“We have a good chance to beat them with our lineup. We’re definitely gonna give them a run for their money.”

CHRISTIAN 15, MATER DEI 7 – Two playoff games and 30 runs – the Patriots reached their scoring pinnacle in consecutive San Diego CIF Division IV playoff outings.

Naturally both offensive outbursts seemed to inspire coach MIKE MITCHELL’s Christian High Patriots, who have refused to let the curtain fall on the 2011 season.

The Patriots (13-18-1) received another unexpected emotional boost when hard-throwing junior right-hander CODY POTEET asked to start Saturday’s (May 28)

San Diego CIF elimination game against Mater Dei (14-19) at Grossmont’s Joe Gizoni Field.

The UCLA-bound Poteet, who had not thrown a pitch since an Apr. 8 outing against Francis Parker, showed signs of rust and a lack of stamina as he surrendered five hits and six earned runs in 3 1/3 innings against the Crusaders (14-19).

“Cody asked to pitch this game and we had no problem with that,” Mitchell said. “Since his goal all along has been to focus on pitching this summer it seemed like this would be an appropriate time to start.”

Although Poteet was anything but flashy on the mound, just his presence on the bump seemed to inspire the entire Christian High baseball team.

“He gave us a monster boost,” Mitchell said. “You could tell in our dugout how much it meant having him on the mound. He gave us confidence across the board.”

None of Poteet’s teammates adhered to that more than junior KYLE HARRIS, who hammered a three-run home run, a triple and two doubles in five at-bats. Harris had a chance to hit for the cycle, but fell a single short when he slugged his second double leading off the 7th inning.

“I knew I was close to getting a Cycle,” said Harris, who also blanked Mater Dei on two hits over the final three innings of relief to earn his second save. “I got bogged down in a mid-season slump and have since been really working hard at taking the ball the other way.”

Some suggested that Harris bunt in his 7th inning at-bat to complete the cycle. However, Harris was not even thinking along those lines as the Patriots carried an eight run lead into the finale frame.

“I’m not disappointed,” said Harris, who led East County football receivers with 61 catches for 1,174 yards. “I hit the ball hard all day. Even in that last at-bat I took the ball to right field.”

Harris finished with 5 RBI and even kicked in a stolen base.

“Cody is our ace,” Harris said. “Just knowing we have him to pitch is such an emotional lift.”

Senior MICHAEL POTEET is Christian’s muscular offensive force and proved it with a booming home run leading off the 3rd inning. He also slashed a two-run single in the 6th.

You won’t find a better leadoff man than Michael’s brother Cody, who reached base in all five at-bats and scored four runs. He slugged a double and a single, reached base twice on a walk and was hit by a pitch. He also stole a base.

MONTE VISTA 8, RAMONA 6 – It was almost unnatural the way Saturday’s (May 28) San Diego CIF Division III elimination game was decided.

In the third overall meeting between these teams, taking the rubber match and earning a chance to make a run for the section title appeared to be firmly in the jaws of the Ramona Bulldogs, sitting on a 5-0 lead and needing only six more outs to challenge Cathedral Catholic for a berth in the June 4 finals at SDSU’s Tony Gwynn Stadium.

And then the one-time rolling Ramona wagon sustained a flat tire. Make that several blow outs – all self imposed – in the bottom of the 6th. This was a giveaway of nightmarish proportion in the eyes of Bulldogs coach Dean Welch.

Here is the scorecard on how Monte Vista (22-10) scored all 8 of its runs in the bottom of the 6th inning of a game played at Granite Hills High. This was hardly the charge of the light brigade. The Monarchs mustered just three singles – none of which reached the outfield grass.

That hardly told the story. It was Ramona’s suddenly ramshackle defense that committed about every miscue possible that turned the tables.

“We really haven’t been an offensive juggernaut here in the playoffs,” Monte Vista coach CHAD WILLIAMS said. “We came up in that 6th inning knowing that we had six outs to work with, and just kinda refused to go down.”

Just one inning earlier three Monarchs went down on strikes, leaving the bases loaded and permitting Ramona (19-14) to maintain its healthy 5-0 advantage.

“We just battled to put the ball in play to see what happened,” Williams said. “Obviously, we got quite fortunate there with some the mishaps they made in the 6th. The big thing is we took advantage of those mishaps.”

Bottom line is all of Monte Vista’s runs were unearned. Let’s just say the Monarchs were not upset by the official scorer.

For Welch and the Bulldogs, it was more a case of being in shock.

“I’ve never witnessed – let alone been involved in something like that,” Welch said. “I just hate for our kids to go out that way.”

Monte Vista junior second baseman RICHIE BALAJADIA was the only Monarch to generate two hits. As a team, Monte Vista totaled only six hits.

“I thought it was over for us the inning before when I got stranded at third base,” Balajadia said. “But our team just kept fighting. We got some breaks in that weird 6th inning and took advantage to come out on top. I’m just glad our season didn’t end with this game.”

VALHALLA 5, SCRIPPS RANCH 1 – In last year’s Division II playoffs Valhalla knocked the Helix Highlanders into the loser’s bracket before they came back and beat the Norsemen twice. This year it has been the exact opposite as Valhalla is going through the loser’s bracket thanks to Helix.

The Norsemen (15-17) now have a chance for the whole thing to come full circle and repay Helix after beating Eastern League co-champs Scripps Ranch 5-1 Saturday (May 28) afternoon in an elimination game at Poway High.

After losing to the Falcons 7-0 earlier this year in the Classic Division of the Lions Tournament starting pitcher ROBBIE SCHMIDT knew what he was up against when he took the mound.

“Thank God the wind was blowing in from right field ‘cause they love to hit the ball to the opposite field,” he said. “I just tried to keep them off-balance because they’re a good fastball hitting team. I was lucky my off-speed stuff was working, especially my changeup.”

Schmidt held the Falcons’ offense to just one early run while scattering only 4 hits.

“He was absolutely fantastic,” his head coach MIKE WILSON proclaimed. “He pitched well and hit his spots, which is what he has to do since he’s not an over-powering pitcher.”

Catcher BRYCE MOSIER picked the perfect time to get on a roll at the plate as he reached base in all four plate appearances and got the Norsemen on the board early with a solo shot in their first at-bat, bombing a 2-1 curveball over the left field wall.

“I switched up my stance a little this week and it’s been working,” the senior said. “I’m hitting the ball better the opposite way and I crushed that curveball so I’m trusting my hands a little bit more.”

After the Falcons (21-10) tied things up in the bottom of the frame the game stayed knotted at 1-1 until Mosier got things going in the 5th. With one out he singled and brought AUSTIN HENSLEY to the plate and he delivered smashing a fastball into the left-center field gap, scoring Mosier with the eventual game-winning RBI to give the Norsemen a 2-1 lead.

“In my first two at-bats I was thinking too much,” Hensley admitted. “I was guessing on pitches so I just tried to not think and went with the pitch.”

Scripps Ranch came right back in the bottom half of the same inning after Connor Wilson led off with a single. Pinch runner Austin Dennis then stole 2nd base and with the aid of an errant throw he was standing 90 feet away on third with no outs with the game-tying run.

Nursing a one run lead the Norsemen brought the infield in. Schmidt pitched his way out of it after inducing a ground ball for the first out, then striking out the next batter and getting a slow roller to short for the third.

“Every time Robbie comes out he shows a ton of heart,” his catcher Mosier stated. “He throws everything for strikes and when he knows he needs to put one in the dirt he knows I’ll block it for him so I never have to worry about anything. We work good together.”

CHRIS WILKEY, pinch-runner JUSTIN CSUKRAN and Mosier would go on to add three insurance runs in the top of the 7th when the Falcons defense fell apart as all of them were unearned.

After losing one of their top hitters FRANCISCO TELLEZ to Tommy John surgery Wilson has been looking for a spark and Mosier has supplied one with 3 dingers in as many games this week.

“He’s hot and we definitely need that right now. I’ve had to do some different things with our lineup and Bryce has stepped it up big time,” Wilson said.

Now that the Norsemen have made the final four of Division II they will be facing Helix for the 11th time in the last two years with the record being split down the middle 5-5. The Norsemen staked a 3-1 advantage over them this year and need two wins next week to reach the championship round.

“(Helix) Coach (COLE) HOLLAND and I talked before the game today and he’s actually looking into getting me a parking spot over there,” Wilson said. “Sometimes I feel like I’m over there more than he is.”
— Andrew Smith contributed to this report.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-28-11) — Three East County teams advanced to Tuesday’s (May 31) semifinals of the San Diego CIF baseball playoffs with victories on Friday (May 27).

Grossmont (25-6) slid past visiting San Pasqual 6-2 in a second round Division I game at Joe Gizoni Field. In Division II, Helix (23-9) smacked Scripps Ranch 8-0, while El Capitan (27-5) bombed Brawley 11-0 in a Division III bout. Each of those Inland teams is one victory short of reaching the section finals Saturday (June 4) at San Diego State’s Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Should any member of that trio stumble in the semifinals, they will get another opportunity to recover in a tie-breaker game on Thursday (June 2). Oh boy, is this fun.

Meanwhile, Saturday (May 28) features a full elimination round.

In Division II, Steele Canyon (17-13) takes on Bonita Vista (19-13) at Poway at 11 a.m. followed by a Valhalla (14-17) joust against Scripps Ranch (21-9) on the Titans’ diamond at 2. Monte Vista (21-10) meets Ramona (19-13) in a Division III rematch at Granite Hills at 11. Christian takes on Mater Dei at Grossmont High at 2 p.m. in a Division IV exit game.

GROSSMONT 6, SAN PASQUAL 2 – Grossmont junior right-hander ROBBY NESOVIC has been a perfect “10” this season for the Foothillers, although odds are that neither he nor his teammates have ever seen the movie of the same name starring Bo Derek.

“I’m pretty proud of that record,” Nesovic said after turning in a complete game victory in Friday’s (May 27) SDCIF Division II second round game.

It was clearly not Nesovic’s finest hours as he surrendered two runs on nine hits yet managed to get all 21 outs.

“I wasn’t feeling my fastball like I normally do,” he said after capturing his 10th win without a loss and holding his ERA at 0.93. “I had to rely on my curveball a lot more than I usually do.”

But this guy Nesovic, who is a primary recruit of Stanford and USC, actually used his bat to give Grossmont a 3-2 lead on an RBI single during a 5-run 4th inning.

The Foothillers (25-6) had tied the game on a double by right-fielder MATT HEMPHILL.

“Their pitcher left a fastball up and away and I was able to make contact,” said Hemphill.

But Hemphill’s greatest contribution was one of those things that are not recorded in boxscores. In the top of the 4th inning he made a perfect throw to catcher JORDAN GERLEK to cut down San Pasqual’s Trevor Clark and hold the Eagles’ lead at 2-0.

“I really thought I was going to be a pitcher but when I saw that we had (JOE) MUSGROVE and Nesovic, I realized that might not be the case,” said Hemphill. “I’ve always been prone to be a pitcher, but I love to swing the bat so I wasn’t disappointed when they asked me to play the outfield.”

Grossmont then broke the game open with five runs in the bottom of the 4th inning.

In addition to Hemphill’s key blow, TYLER TIMMER slashed a 2-run single to cap the big inning.

“I was never worried when we were down because I knew we’d come back,” Timmer said. “We had the momentum and the 3-2 lead so I knew if I could add to that it would only make things better. The guy threw me a changeup. I was a little out in front but I got it down (through the middle).”

As coach JIM EARLEY has stressed to his team, winning on Friday in the playoffs is pivotal to making it into the finals. Thus if the Foothillers win on Tuesday (May 31) they will reach the SDCIF finals for the 7th straight season.

“I think the fact that Nesovic hadn’t pitched for 10 days caused him to struggle early on,” said Earley. “But once he settled in I knew we had ‘em.”

Despite falling behind 2-0 Earley said he wasn’t worried.

“There was no panic on the faces of our kids,” he said. “They knew what it meant to win this game and now we have Joe and Robby ready to go again. I’m not saying we’re guaranteed to make it to the finals, but I don’t think there’s a team out there that can beat Joe and Robby back-to-back on our field.”

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior right-hander twirled a four-hitter and struck out eight in six innings as he raised his record to 8-1 in Friday’s (May 27) San Diego CIF Division II second round playoff game in La Mesa.

Reed’s efforts against Scripps Ranch (21-9) lowered his season ERA to an East County low 0.35, while hoisting his season record to 8-1. He has two saves and 82 strikeouts in 60 innings.

“I think Jake will get drafted, but personally I think his interests would be best served in college for three years,” Helix coach COLE HOLLAND said. “But, of course, it is his choice.”

Reed, who plays third base when he’s not on the mound, scored what proved to be the winning run in the 1st inning on a base hit by DIEGO REYNOSO.

A bases-loaded walk to MAURO OLIVARRIA forced in a second run and KACY SMITH’s single made it 3-0 after two innings.

In the 3rd inning, Reynoso, who has been battling walking pneumonia for the past week, drew a walk to open the door to a 3-run Helix inning. ROMELLO CARBUCCIA and DARYL BIBBS each had an RBI single, and Reed capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly.

Bibbs led off the 5th inning with his first home run of the season. Olivarria added an RBI double in the same inning to close the scoring.

“The biggest thing was we didn’t see anybody from our league today,” Holland said. “We played six playoff games last year and five of them were against teams from our league.

“Honestly it’s just really nice to see somebody besides our league. We want to show other teams what we’re all about.”

VALHALLA 3, POINT LOMA 0 – Experienced pitching has been a slim suit for the Valhalla Norsemen (14-17) this season. But despite an injury-riddled staff, the Norsemen have found a way to pull a bevy of upsets and keep on playing into the final week of the playoff season.

Freshman MITCH COOMBS carried a no-hitter into the 5th inning and wound up being rewarded with his 3rd win in four decisions after working 6 1/3 innings in Friday’s (May 27) SDCIF Division II elimination round against Point Loma (15-15).

After allowing what seemed to be a sure victory slip through his hands on Wednesday (May 25) at Helix, Coombs had little time to regain his composure.

“This guy is a 15-year-old,” said Valhalla coach MIKE WILSON of Coombs. “I’m proud of the way he bounced back – he’s a trooper. We’ve put him in critical situations all year and most of the time he has come up huge. He’s going to be a good pitcher because he knows how to handle pressure.”

Williams pointed out that the Norsemen played error-free defense, which supported both of his pitchers.

Junior ROBBIE SCHMIDT who has also had his moments to sparkle, came on to get the final two outs and earn his first save against the Pointers.

Valhalla scored all of its runs in the 4th inning. BRYCE MOSIER supplied the spark with a ground rule double to left field. After AUSTIN HENSLEY was hit by a pitch, KYLE McBRIDE walked to load the bases. KYLE PROVANCHA followed with another walk to plate Mosier with what proved to be the winning run.

RYAN PETERSEN then laced a single to right field to drive in two runs and put the game on ice.

MONTE VISTA 5, SANTANA 1 – They say it’s difficult to beat a team four times in the same season. But the Monte Vista Monarchs executed the trick in Friday’s (May 27) SDCIF Division III second round playoff game.

“Yeah, we have four wins over Santana, but it keeps getting closer every time,” Monarchs coach CHAD WILLIAMS said. “I’m glad we don’t have to play them anymore this season.”

The game took on a nightmarish beginning for the Monarchs (21-10). Santana (11-19-1) had a run before Monte Vista could record an out.

ZACH BREIDT slashed a sharp ground ball that turned into a bad-bounce single to set the Santana offense into motion. Monarchs sophomore starting pitcher PAUL O’CONNOR then lost sight of home plate and proceeded to walk TYLER WEISS, CHRIS CAMARDA and CAMERON BALOUGH in succession to force in a run.

That was enough wildness for Williams, who summoned junior first baseman LUIS LEBRON to the mound while reassigning O’Connor to third base.

Lebron shut down the Santana rally with a strikeout and a double-play initiated by O’Connor.

“He was able to control the momentum of the game,” Williams said of Lebron.

Lebron blanked the Sultans on three singles to record his 7th win in 10 decisions. The crafty left-hander struck out four and walked none.

Monte Vista overhauled the Sultans with two runs in the 4th inning. NICK SABO led off with a single and CARLOS OCHOA walked. JUSTIN AQUINIGOC then singled in Sabo to tie it up. RIELLY DIAZ stroked a one-out single to give Monte Vista the lead.

Aquiningoc added a second RBI single as Monte Vista extended its advantage to 4-1.

JOHN BALAJADIA’s sacrifice fly made it 5-1 in the 6th.

CHRISTIAN 15, DEL NORTE 5 – The POTEET brothers – MICHAEL and CODY – drove in seven runs between them as the visiting Patriots eliminated Del Norte in Friday’s (May 27) SDCIF Division IV second round elimination game.

After falling behind 3-1 after three innings, the Patriots (12-18-1) erupted for 9 runs in the 4th inning and continued on for their highest offensive output of the season.

Thirteen Patriots came to the plate and nine of them scored before the Nighthawks (18-14) could record an out. Michael Poteet, who was 2-for-4 with four RBI and 3 runs scored, laced a two-run double to dead center in the big inning.

Cody Poteet stroked a two-run single to ignite a 5-run 7th inning. STEVEN JOHNSTON added a two-run single in the same frame.

“It felt good – we swung the bats well and got a little momentum going into tomorrow (against Mater Dei),” Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL said.

JOSH SUFFRIDGE pitched a 4-hitter over the first five innings to log the pitching nod for the Patriots.

Mitchell is looking ahead to Christian’s clash against Mater Dei.

“This is a rivalry that goes back 16 years,” Mitchell said. “We’ve met each other probably 15 times in the playoffs. I love playing them. (Crusaders coach) Eddie (Johnson) and I are good friends. He called me before the game today to wish me luck. Obviously he’s better at giving up good luck than I am.”

LA COSTA CANYON 6, STEELE CANYON 1 – Inconsistency continued to plague visiting Steele Canyon (17-13) as the Cougars succumbed to top-seeded La Costa Canyon in Friday’s (May 27) second round of the SDCIF Division II playoffs.

The Mavericks (26-6) nicked Steele Canyon ’s 6-foot-6 senior pitcher MICHAEL CEDEROTH for single markers in each of the first three innings.

“When Michael can locate his pitches he’s untouchable,” said Steele Canyon coach TODD SNYDER. “He was unable to do that consistently today and that hurt him. La Costa Canyon has a similar approach to El Capitan – if you’re off the mark, you’re gonna feel it.”

Cederoth, who has a scholarship to San Diego State in hand and is recognized as a prominent draft pick, didn’t do much to impress La Costa Canyon. He struck out nine but walked five, surrendered eight hits and uncorked three wild pitches in a complete game effort.

The game was still up for grabs until the Mavericks pushed across three runs in the 6th inning.

Junior Andrew Hinkle limited the Cougars to five hits, raising his season record to 4-0.

“Their guy didn’t have overpowering stuff,” Snyder said. “But we never really seemed comfortable. We didn’t hit a ball hard all day. We gave them a lot of easy outs – didn’t put any pressure on them.”

The Cougars avoided a shutout in the 4th inning when BRAD BOEHMKE singled to center, advanced to second on NATHAN MURRAY’s sacrifice and scored on ROBBY NELSON’s single to left.

ROCK ACADEMY 5, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 0 – Freshman southpaw Hudson Pearson blanked the Foothills Christian Knights on a complete-game 5-hitter in Friday’s (May 27) SDCIF Division V elimination game at the Santee Sportsplex.

“We had runners on, just couldn’t get the big hit,” said Foothills Christian coach DAVE LEWIS said. “It was a very good baseball game. (The Rock) has probably 79-80 kids in school and 20 of them are baseball players.”

Rock (19-7) also edged the Knights (12-13) in a regular season game 10-7.

I’m proud of our guys – we made it to CIF three years in a row. This year we made it to the third game,” Lewis added.

It was an afternoon for infielders to absorb grounder after grounder to throw out baserunners, including nice plays by shortstops Daryl Bibbs (top) of Helix and Valhalla's Ramsey Romano. (Photos by Tony Bordine) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

Helix' Smith punches walkoff winner By Andrew Smith © Special to East County Sports.com LA MESA (5-26-11) — With the largest field in San Diego’s CIF playoff history, it leads to some intriguing rematches. The Helix baseball team is a conundrum and if any team has been a thorn in the Scotties side all year it has been Valhalla. Helix had quality wins all year over some big name teams, but Valhalla had its number, beating the Norsemen all three times they had met in Grossmont Hills League play. They even handed the Highlanders their first loss of the season when they were undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the county. So obviously – playoffs aside – there was a healthy rivalry brewing. After winning a play-in game Tuesday (May 24) against Oceanside in spectacular fashion, Valhalla looked primed to beat Helix for the fourth time this season until the Highlanders pulled off a remarkable late inning comeback. KACY SMITH finished things off with a game winning walk-off single to allow the Highlanders to beat the Norsemen 4-3 in the bottom of the 7th inning. With the Helix bats quiet for most of the day things looked gloomy for the Highlanders after BRYCE MOSIER hit his second home run of the day to put the Norsemen up 3-1 in the sixth. Mosier had three dingers on the year and they all came at the expense of the Highlanders on their home field. “I've made a couple of adjustments at the plate this past week. I'm doing a leg lift now to keep me closed on outside pitches and it gives me more power,” Mosier said. “I hit mistakes today. It’s what is expected out of me. Not to mention I love playing at Helix.” BRANDON LEWIS threw a complete game for the Scotties, recording 10 strikeouts without walking any to post his 4th win in five decisions. But even he knew he made a couple of mistakes, dealing to Mosier. “They kill you inside,” Lewis said of the bombs. “As a pitcher you never want to give up homers and then you give up two to the same guy. You just have to block them out, keep grinding and pound the strike zone.” Holding a 2-run lead with the bottom of the Helix lineup due up in their last at-bat things looked grim for the No. 2 seed Highlanders. Don’t tell the Scotties that though, as they finally showed their bite to finally collect a victory over Valhalla. DARYL BIBBS started things with a double. BRENNAN INGRAM, RAY PETERSON and JAKE REED all followed with singles to cut the deficit to 3-2, setting the stage for MAURO OLIVARRIA. Olivarria drew a bases loaded walk with no outs to tie the game. That set the stage for Smith, who laced a liner down the third base line to give the Highlanders an improbable come-from-behind victory and move them into Friday’s (May 27) match-up against Scripps Ranch in the winner’s bracket of the Division II playoffs. “I just wanted to hit the ball somewhere hard,” said Smith, who bats third in the lineup. “I got lucky and sneaked one through fair territory. Without all those clutch hits before me I’m never in that position in the first place though.” Reed, Smith, Bibbs and Ingram each collected two hits on the day and Olivarria plated two RBI’s as the Highlanders finally got the Valhalla monkey off their backs. “It’s a huge relief to finally beat these guys,” Lewis stated. “We’re on a roll right now so we just have to take it one game at a time and keep thing rolling.” “We only hit one ball hard in the first 6 innings,” Holland said. “But we found a way to get it done and that says a lot about us. I’m looking forward to Friday, but this was definitely too close for comfort.” In the last two years Helix and Valhalla have met 10 times with each team winning five. Eight of those games have been decided by one run, but the Highlanders have claimed three walkoff wins in the four playoff contests.

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (5-26-11) — Steele Canyon might have played its best game of the season in Wednesday’s (May 25) San Diego CIF Division II opener against visiting Bonita Vista (18-13).

The Cougars (17-12), who have become East County’s Master of the Inconsistent, produced four home runs as they bowled over the Barons, 8-2, to advance to Friday’s (May 27) second round of the playoffs at top-seeded La Costa Canyon (25-6).

Ironically, three of the Steele Canyon homers were hit by players that had not cleared the fences all season.

Leadoff man CLAYTON ROYER hit solo home runs in the 1st and 4th innings, and added an RBI double in the 6-run, 5th frame that decided the game.

But the premier longball blow for Steele Canyon was delivered by KYLE SAGER. It was a 3-run shot that helped give the Cougars a 6-2 lead in the 5th inning. Sager’s first home run of the season came with winning pitcher BRAD BOEHMKE (walk) and ROBBY NELSON (single) on board.

“I’ve been struggling at the plate all year,” Sager said. “So it was good to barrel up on one finally.”

While Sager was 2-for-4 at the plate another major contribution was cutting down a Bonita Vista runner at third base with a strong throw from right field. At the time Bonita Vista was leading 2-1 and was on the verge of pulling away.

“I knew their runner was going all the way so I scooped up the ball and came up throwing,” Sager said.

Sager’s peg was on the mark as third sacker WES JUDISH took the throw and applied the tag for the out.

Both of Royer’s home runs came when he was behind in the count – 0 balls, 2 strikes.

“I can’t believe they threw me fastballs both times,” said Royer who raked a pair of no doubters over the right-field fence.

During Steele Canyon’s home run barrage it was Judish’s 4th home run of the season that broke the tie in the 5th inning.

“Yeah, the 5th inning was fun. We certainly have the capability of putting together a big inning,” said Cougars coach TODD SNYDER. “The problem is we need to be somewhat regular with it.”

Royer finished the game with three runs and three RBI in the leadoff spot. Judish and Sager also had two hits apiece.

Boehmke, the surprise starting pitcher for the Cougars, scattered nine hits as he went the distance to post his 2nd win in four decisions.

But this year Montgomery (17-12) is having a so-call “off” season. It would probably be hard to convince Vaqueros coach STEVE VICKERY that the Aztecs are struggling.

“The toughest game in the playoffs is always the first one,” Vickery said. “ Montgomery came in with a good quality win against Mission Bay.”

Fortunately for El Capitan the Vaqueros pitching staff came up big once again in Wednesday’s (May 25) SDCIF playoff opener.

Junior KEVIN GINKEL limited Montgomery to three hits and no earned runs over five innings to post his 9th win without a loss.

“Ginkel threw the ball extremely well,” Vickery noted. “He’s just been under the radar – he’s been our biggest surprise this year. His ball really moves. He has two really good pitches: his fastball moves a good 3-5 inches every time he throws it, and he has an outstanding slider. Today he discovered a changeup and was really effective with it.”

Six-foot-7, 220-pound MICHAEL FLORES finished the job, allowing only one run and three hits over the final two frames to log his first save.

The 2nd seeded Vaqueros (26-5) took the early lead. With two outs in the 1st inning CHUCK MOORMAN singled to right and TROY CONYERS walked. CURREN FACER followed with a single up the middle to make it 1-0.

In the 3rd Conyers singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a two-out double by sophomore ERIC LOZANO.

After Montgomery cut the lead in half in the 4th Conyers led off the bottom of the 5th with his 7th home run of the season.

“The ball stayed at 12 feet off the ground until it went over the fence in right field and across the street,” Vickery said.

The Vaqueros will host Brawley (19-9) in Friday (May 27) in the second round of the playoffs. El Capitan has won 12 in a row and 18 out of 19.

GROSSMONT 9, MISSION HILLS 1 – Grossmont coach JIM EARLEY isn’t joking when he says, “Now we are the only out-of-town team in the North County Tournament.”

Earley’s Foothillers (24-6) are the only non-North County crew vying for the San Diego CIF Division I playoffs.

No. 2 seed Grossmont rolled over visiting Mission Hills (18-15) in typical fashion to advance to Friday’s (May 27) second round of the winner’s bracket against San Pasqual (24-7) at Joe Gizoni Field.

The latest conquest was spearheaded by double-threat senior JOE MUSGROVE. Not only did the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Musgrove hoist a towering three-run home run in Grossmont’s six-run 6th inning, he gave an overpowering pitching performance as well.

Veteran onlookers labeled Musgrove’s 9th home run as a “Dave Kingman Shot” that the former 6-foot-6 major leaguer used to make famous a couple of decades ago.

Plays at the Plate

Grossmont received the benefit on both close plays at home plate in Wednesday's CIF First Round contest against Mission Hills at Joe Gizona Field. At the top, the Hillers' Jon Howarth slides in safely for the run. Meanwhile, Grossmont catcher Jordan Gerlak hangs on to the ball while absorbing contact by the Grizzlies runner. (Photos by Tim Soto) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

“This was vintage ‘Joe’,” Earley said. “I don’t care who he was facing today, he would have shut them down. He was on. He dialed it up when he needed to (onsite radar guns showed him peaking at 94 mph) and threw his nasty slider when he wanted to. No doubt this was one of Joe’s best games.”

ROBBY NESOVIC gave Grossmont a 3-0 lead with a three-run home run in the 4th inning. It was Nesovic’s sixth round-tripper and his fourth game-winning RBI.

Not to be overlooked in Grossmont’s home run derby was NICK ROCHESTER, who ripped a solo shot during the Foothillers’six-run 6th inning. Musgrove’s home run in that frame was a three-run drive.

In his pre-game preparations Williams drove to Costco to help replenish the Monarchs’snack bar. When he returned to his vehicle he saw that his truck had a flat tire – and game time was approaching.

Although Williams made it to the game in plenty of time – supplies in hand – he had to believe this was a bad omen.

As a matter of fact after two innings his Monarchs were trailing the Bulldogs 4-0.

Junior shortstop Jackson Willeford drove in three runs during that span to provide the Bulldogs (19-12) with the spark.

“Our energy level just wasn’t there,” Williams said.

“It took us until the 7th inning to come to life offensively,” Williams said.

Trailing 4-1 entering the bottom of the 7th, the Monarchs loaded the bases on singles by REILLY DIAZ and RICHIE BALAJADIA and a walk to JOEY GONSALVES.

Monte Vista shortstop John Belajadia gains the force out on Ramona's Zack Adamos. (Photo by Nathan Price, youatplay.com) VIEW/PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Williams went on to say that the game should not have come down to that play at the plate.

“If we could have gotten a clutch hit at any point in the game that call wouldn’t have mattered,” he said.

It was a tough loss for Sabo, who allowed only three earned runs and struck out four in his 5th
complete game.

CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC 7, SANTANA 1 – Things were looking pretty good when Santana starter STEVEN SOLIVAN struck out the side in the bottom of the 1st inning of Wednesday’s (May 25) San Diego CIF Division III first round game against top-seeded Cathedral Catholic.

“I thought, hey, maybe we can play with these guys,” Santana coach LARRY OEDEWALDT said.

An inning later the Dons (27-4) parlayed a pair of singles and two walks into a 2-0 edge.

Santana (11-18-1) counterpunched with a marker in the 3rd. ZACH BREIDT, TYLER WEISS and CHRIS CAMARDA strung together three singles to cut Cathedral’s lead in half.

Probably the most painful part of this afternoon came in the 4th inning as the Dons scored twice without benefit of a hit.

“After four innings they had four runs and two hits and we had 1 run and 7 hits,” Oedewaldt said. Santana would not garner another hit over the final three innings.

Foothills Christian's Trevor Tinney. (Photo by Rob Atterbury) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

The second-seeded Panthers (20-10) pounced on Foothills Christian ace J.R. ATTERBURY for six earned runs to take a 6-0 lead.

The key blow was a grand slam by Spencer Moran.

“This field is kinda small,” Knights coach DAVE LEWIS said. “That ball went 310, 320 feet at most. Most anywhere else it’s a double, maybe a triple.”

Horizon stretched that advantage to 8-0 after four frames before the Knights (13-13) pushed across their only two runs in the 5th inning.

JUSTIN LANCASTER led off with a walk and NOAH GULA doubled for the Knights. Horizon then turned a pop fly into a double play to all but destroy the Foothills Christian inning. HENRY LUSCHEI followed with a walk and then stole second base. On the throw to second, Lancaster darted home from third. Atterbury then doubled home Luschei.

But that was it from an offensive standpoint for Foothills Christian, which faces off against The Rock Academy in Friday’s (May 27) elimination round.

“We just did not play very well,” Lewis said. “We had four errors, four hit batters and walked four. As well as we played on Tuesday (a 15-1 win over Calvin Christian), we played as poorly today.

“Horizon is a good team. They are ranked No. 2 for a reason. They had some size – they had a lot of big kids.”

LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY 9, CHRISTIAN 1 – Host and second-seeded La Jolla Country Day scored in all six of its at-bats to roll past the Christian High Patriots in Wednesday’s (May 25) first round of the San Diego CIF Division IV playoffs.

LJCD’s Tommy Edman and Ian Lutz combined to spin a five-hitter at the Patriots (11-18-1), who did not find the scoreboard until the 7th inning. BRENDAN RYAN slashed a one-out double and scored on CODY POTEET’s two-base hit.

These teams met in the Patriots Invitational for the tournament championship and Torreys (21-8) prevailed 7-6.

Moments after Helix' Kacy Smith receives congratulations for his walkoff basehit to topple Valhalla, 4-3, the rest of the Scotties dugout joins in the celebration. (Photos by Tony Bordine)

Tougher than it looks

Foothills Christian first baseman J.R. Atterbury snags this Calvin Christian popup. Backing up on the play is second baseman Trevor Tinney. (Photo by Rob Atterbury) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

Meanwhile, it was a difficult day for shortstop Daniel Kidd (15) of Palo Verde Valley, who failed to corral the ball on wide throws to second base, including on a steal by Christian's Shin Kuroda. (Photos by Nathan Price, youatplay.com) VIEW/PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Nothing Hokie about it El Cap's Mariscal to pitch for VA Tech © East County Sports.com LAKESIDE (5-23-11) — El Capitan senior submariner ALEX MARISCAL is proof that if you do something unique you draw attention. The 6-foot-1, 158-pound knuckles-scraping right-hander has accepted a scholarship to Virginia Tech. “The Virginia Tech coaching staff was impressed with Alex's submarine pitching style and summer travel team stats (0.71 ERA over 29.2 innings pitched),” El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY said. “They’ve had sub-style pitchers before, so they can tell if a kid who throws that way will be successful. “As a result, they offered Alex a slot last fall when they saw a video of him and also saw him pitch at a Virginia Tech camp.” Entering the playoffs this week, Mariscal toted a 1-1 record and a 1.66 ERA in 25.1 innings for the 25-5 Grossmont Valley League champion Vaqueros. “He’s worked hard to get where he’s going,” Vickery said. Among the factors that swayed Mariscal to Virgina Tech was the coaching staff, the university itself and the fact that it has a top notch Visual Communications Design Program.

Christian stings Palo Verde Valley By Andrew Smith © Special to East County Sports.com EL CAJON (5-25-11) — It’s been an up and down season for the Christian Patriots. They struggled defensively through a tough stretch of the season, then once they cured their play in the field, the bats went cold for a while. After entering the playoffs losing 6 of their last 7 contests, the Patriots picked an opportune time to finally put all the pieces together in Tuesday’s (May 24) Division IV San Diego CIF play-in game against Palo Verde Valley, advancing following a dominating 7-1 victory. Junior CODY POTEET finished the regular season with the second most hits in East County, but the team finished in sixth place in the tough Eastern League. “All the stuff that happened in the regular season doesn’t matter anymore,” Poteet said. “Right now I’m just trying to do everything I can in the postseason to help my team win.” After spotting the Yellowjackets a run in the 1st inning the Patriots’ pitchers shut them down, only allowing 4 more hits off starter JOSH SUFFRIDGE and then Christian pushed at least one man across in every at-bat except the 2nd inning. Poteet went 3-for-4 at the dish and raised his overall season average to a smoldering .495 while scoring three times. “I focus to get on base and use my speed ‘cause I got great hitters behind me to get me in,” he said. KYLE HARRIS went 3-for-3 with 3 RBI and SHIN KURODA went 2-for-3 with a pair himself and also notched a couple of pilfers on the day. “I feel great ‘cause I’ve been struggling at the plate lately, but today I finally got my swing back,” said Harris. Kuroda was also excited with his swing afterwards. “I’m just so happy because I had a hot hand today,” Kuroda said. Kuroda bats almost like a replica of Ichiro Suzuki and head coach MIKE MITCHELL even says when he imitates him in practice he has the entire team laughing because it is so hilarious, but knows he has found a diamond in the rough. “We weren’t quite sure what we were getting with him (Kuroda) because he’s great in practice,” said Mitchell. “But you never know how a kid will react in a game situation, so I started him low in the lineup and he just impressively worked his way up.” After the early lead the most noise made by the Jackets was in the top of the 3rd inning when a swarm of bees in the outfield caused a delay. “My main focus was to let them hit the ball so I could get out of there as fast as I could,” Sufferidge said. “Pitching is so important in the playoffs, so I just tried to keep my pitch count down and let my defense do the work for me.” “He did a great job minimizing pitches,” Mitchell said.” Only throwing 60 pitches in five innings is like an extended bullpen session. Our whole goal is to win this whole thing, so now we can bring him back Friday.” The Patriots now move on and try to avenge an earlier season 7-6 defeat against No. 2 seeded La Jolla Country Day in Wednesday’s (May 25) first round of the double-elimination playoffs.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-25-11) — As Valhalla High was going through its pre-game drills for Tuesday’s (May 24) San Diego CIF Division II play-in contest against Oceanside, the Norsemen had a surprise visitor – Valhalla first baseman FRANCISCO TELLEZ.

So what does that mean?

Tellez, who underwent Tommy John Surgery on Tuesday morning, was at the Valhalla ballpark four hours later.

“That says a lot about the kid right there,” said Valhalla coach MIKE WILSON said. “I think just him being there gave our side some momentum.”

Although Tellez gave his team a pep talk, it took his words four innings to sink in as visiting Oceanside (13-17) took a 6-0 lead, only to watch Wilson's troops rally for an improbable 8-6 triumph.

The Norsemen (13-16) scrambled back by scoring eight runs in the middle three frames. The key blow was a 2-run home run in the 5th inning by senior CHRIS WILKEY that vaulted Valhalla in front 7-6.

“It was a first pitch fastball that he left up,” recalled Wilkey of his first varsity home run. “All I was looking for was a pitch that I could drive to the outfield to get the tying run home from third. But I knew I hit the ball pretty well and I was able to get it over the left-center field fence.”

“You should have seen the grin on his face after his came into the dugout after that home run,” Wilson said. “I knew that had to make him feel special, and he was.”

Valhalla’s defense caved in in the early stages, handing the Pirates five unearned runs and spoiling the pitching of starter NINO TUTINO.

Reliever ROBBIE SCHMIDT helped restore order by blanking the Pirates on three hits over the final 3 2/3 innings.

“As poorly as we played at the start, we realized we didn’t want our season to end,” said Wilkey.

Wilkey doffed his cap to Tellez.

“I know everybody is disappointed that he’s not with us right now but he carried us for most of the season when we were struggling,” Wilkey said. “We’d like to win the whole thing for him as well as us.”

Other key hits in Valhalla ’s comeback included a 2-run double by KYLE McBRIDE during a 6-run 5th inning.

SANTANA 7, UNIVERSITY CITY 1 – All Santana coach LARRY OEDEWALDT wanted was a chance for his Sultans (11-17-1) to taste the San Diego CIF Division III playoffs. Even to receive the early invite seemed like a bit of a longshot.

But the biggest step was finding a way to knock off host University City (12-14) in Tuesday’s (May 24) SDCIF Division III play-in round. The Sultans were up to the challenge, however, as they zipped to a 2-0 first inning lead on CAMERON BALOUGH’s 5th home run with TYLER WEISS (single) aboard.

JONATHAN ALEGRIA spearheaded Santana’s 12-hit attack by going 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI and a stolen base.

Not to be overlooked was SEAN ROSS, who plated three runs with a pair of sacrifice flies and a base hit.

Santana received some solid pitching from the tandem of CHRIS CAMARDA and JAYLEN FLEER, who scattered 10 University City hits. Fleer twirled the final five shutout innings to lower his season ERA to 3.09 while balancing his ledger at 4-4.

Three of University City ’s 10 hits came off the bat of Johnny Sharghi.

Fresh after one knockout, Santana eyes a major upset on Wednesday (May 25) when the Sultans visit top-seeded Cathedral Catholic (26-4) in North County at 3:30 p.m.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 15, CALVIN CHRISTIAN 1 – According to Knights’ head coach DAVE LEWIS, Tuesday’s (May 24) San Diego CIF Division V play-in victory was the first post-season win in the history of the Foothills Christian baseball program.

But this win was a no-doubter. A 7-run 4th inning in Tuesday’s (May 24) play-in joust against visiting Calvin Christian turned a 3-1 edge into a lopsided victory and a ticket to the Division V double-elimination tournament.

Foothills (13-12) will face off against Horizon (19-10) at the Sunshine Colt League complex off Home Avenue.

Junior JORDAN LANCASTER drove in four runs with a triple and two singles to guide the Knights’ 15-hit attack. He slashed a two-run triple to break a 1-1 deadlock in the 2nd inning.

A two-run double by HENRY LUSCHEI keyed the Knights’ big inning at Stars Field.

Foothills standout J.R. ATTERBURY was 4-for-4 with two runs and a pair of RBI, and BRANDON JAROSIN also drove in three runs.

The pitching spotlight belonged ZACK TOMLIN, who pitched a complete game 5-hitter to roll his record to 5-2.

“This could have been the best game we’ve played the whole year. Tomlin was just nails on the mound. He really pitched well,” Lewis said.

“They say this is the first ( San Diego ) CIF playoff game that Foothills Christian baseball has ever won,” he added.

“Three years ago we lost to Christian in the play-in round. Christian went on to win the Division IV championship. And last year we lost to Olympian in the first game.”

BONITA VISTA 8, WEST HILLS 1 – For a team that was overmatched in one of the tougher leagues in the San Diego CIF, West Hills played well up to the end of the regular season.

In Tuesday’s (May 24) SDCIF Division II play-in round, Wolf Pack coach JASON FOWLER was not pleased by what he saw from his troops.

“Stuff we worked on in practice just yesterday, we didn’t execute today,” Fowler said. “It was kinda like we were just glad that we made it and were just happy to be out there. It was a bad showing for us today.”

Fowler, who just completed his second year at the West Hills (9-19) helm, said “We have a lot of guys returning so I think we’ll be OK in the long run. This is just another step toward building the program.”

Highlights in the finale were few for West Hills, which surrendered six earned runs and 10 hits to Bonita Vista (18-12). The Barons visit Steele Canyon in Wednesday’s (May 25) opening round of the eight-team Division II double-elimination tournament.

Christian High's Josh Suffridge (right) makes the dive for home plate, beating the tag from Palo Verde Valley catcher Nick Edmond in the Patriots' 7-1 CIF Div. V triumph. (Photos by Nathan Price, youatplay.com) VIEW/PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

© East County Sports.com
LINDA VISTA (5-22-11) — Although the majority of the Grossmont Conference baseball coaches believe this is where the best ball in the San Diego CIF is played, not one of the 10 East County teams qualifying for the playoffs received a No. 1 seed.

However, three East County squads were awarded a No. 2 seed – Grossmont (23-6) in Division I; Helix (21-9) in Division II; and El Capitan (25-5) in Division III. Steele Canyon (16-12) is seeded No. 4 in Division II and Monte Vista (20-9) is the No. 4 seed in Division III.

Teams earning a top four seed in each of the five divisions do not have to participate in Tuesday’s (May 24) play-in round. They are automatically byed into the double-elimination round that commences on Wednesday (May 25).

All games begin at 3:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

One surprise was Granite Hills (13-15) failed to make the Division I playoffs for only the second time in 26 years. That seemed a bit odd considering MaxPreps.com rated Granite Hills’schedule as the toughest in the San Diego Section. By the same token, not one of the 12 playoff teams in Division I has a losing record.

Since there are 60 teams in this year’s playoff tournament – the largest field in section history – there are certain to be a galore of rematches. One that jumps out right away is in Division II. If Valhalla (12-16) can get past visiting Oceanside (13-15) in the Division II play-in round, the Norsemen will travel to Helix on Wednesday. Valhalla was 3-0 vs. the Highlanders during Grossmont Hills League action.

Grossmont has reached the Division II finals the last six years, winning five times. The Foothillers skunked the Highlanders 8-0 last year, but there will be no rematch between those teams as they are in different divisions.

El Capitan is seeking a third straight section championship. The Vaqueros clipped Cathedral Catholic 4-2 in last year’s Division III final after having topped Grossmont 5-2 in the 2009 Division II title bout.

Top-ranked Rancho Bernardo (23-6) was awarded the No. 1 seed in Division I. La Costa Canyon (24-6) is the No. 1 seed in Division II. Other top seeds are: Cathedral Catholic (26-4) in Division III, Francis Parker (25-4) in Division IV and Santa Fe Christian (19-6) in Division V.

Other East County playoff entries include West Hills (9-18) in Division II; Santana (10-17-1) in Division III; Christian (10-17-1) in Division IV; and Foothills Christian (12-12 in Division V.

The playoffs culminate with the finals for Division I through Division IV on Saturday, June 4 at San Diego State ’s Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Division V final will be played on Friday, June 3 at Cathedral Catholic.