Griffins go 'oops' to Imperial Valley
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-20-12) — Darkhorse. At best.
Thus is the status of the Grossmont College baseball
team with three games remaining in the Pacific Coast
Athletic Conference season.
Following Thursday’s (Apr. 19) lopsided 14-4 loss
to visiting Imperial Valley, the Griffins (15-17, 11-11
PCAC) trail co-leaders Southwestern (19-13-1, 13-9 PCAC)
and San Diego Mesa (18-14, 13-9 PCAC) by two games.
Grossmont has one game remaining against each team
and another with third-place Palomar (15-18, 12-10 PCAC).
The Griffins visit the Comets Saturday (Apr. 21) at
noon.
IVC snapped a 3-3 tie with four runs in the 4th inning
and never looked back. The Arabs won the season series,
3-2.
Griffins still see light after mashing Mesa
© East County Sports.com
KEARNY MESA (4-19-12) — It doesn’t get much
closer than this. The Grossmont College Griffins still
have a shot at a happily-ever-after finish in the Pacific
Coast Athletic Conference baseball pennant race.
Here is the scenario with four games remaining:
Southwestern (18-13-1, 12-9 PCAC), San Diego Mesa (17-14,
12-9 PCAC) and Palomar (15-17, 12-9) are tied for first
place. Grossmont (15-16, 11-10 PCAC) is one game back.
The Griffins, who host Imperial Valley Thursday (Apr.
20) at 2 p.m., will face each of the tri-leaders one
time to conclude the season. Frankly, the Griffins need
a sweep to have any shot at the PCAC championship and
a spot in the regional playoffs.
Grossmont is playing well at the moment, however. The
Griffins mauled Mesa with a season-high scoring outburst
14-1 on Wednesday (Apr. 18) to close the gap to a single
game.
WESLEY WALLACE, who has compiled a .347 average (42-121),
led the Grossmont charge against the Olympians with
four hits and five RBI. JUSTIN HARGROVE (.392, 38-for-97)
was 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBI in the leadoff
spot. DALLAS SEIDEL (.408) blasted his third home run.
JUSTIN DISBRO (6-2, 1.67 ERA) limited San Diego Mesa
to five hits and one earned run in seven innings. ANTHONY
VIGIL and CHRIS ROSA pitched one shutout inning apiece
ton finish the job.
Griffins smack City, but time is ticking
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-18-12) — For Grossmont College, time
is running out.
For the moment, the Griffins remain mathematically
alive in the final days of the Pacific Coast Athletic
Conference baseball pennant race after pulverizing San
Diego City College, 9-1, on Tuesday (Apr. 17) at Noel
Mickelsen Field.
Grossmont (14-16, 10-10 PCAC) trails co-leaders Southwestern
(18-12-1, 12-8 PCAC) and San Diego Mesa (17-13, 12-8
PCAC) by two games with five to play. Third place Palomar
(14-17, 11-9 PCAC) also figures in the mix.
The Griffins started fast in their knockout of visiting
SDCC, scoring 3 runs in the 1st inning. DALLAS SEIDEL’s
bases-loaded single put Grossmont ahead to stay.
Seidel slugged a two-run home run staking Grossmont
to a 5-0 advantage in the 3rd inning. He added an RBI
single as the Griffins broke the game open 8-1.
After finishing 3-for-4 with 4 RBI, Seidel raised his
season average to .414 (48-for-116), which places him
No. 8 in the state and No. 5 in SoCal.
Four Grossmont pitchers combined to spin a 5-hitter
and not allow an earned run.
Grossmont resumes action on Wednesday (Apr. 18) at
San Diego Mesa at 2 p.m.
Disbro tops first-place Mesa
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-13-12) — Starting pitcher JUSTIN DISBRO
with relief help from MICHAEL FLORES kept Grossmont
College’s slim chances for the Pacific Coast Athletic
Conference pennant alive Thursday (Apr. 12) as the host
Griffins clipped front-running San Diego Mesa College,
6-1.
Grossmont (13-16, 9-10 PCAC) trails Mesa (17-12, 12-7
PCAC) by three games with six remaining. Those same
two teams meet again Saturday (Apr. 14) at Mesa at noon.
Disbro, a 6-foot-2, 200-pounder, scattered six hits
and did not allow an earned run while striking out 7
and walking none. That effort lowered Disbro’s
ERA to a SoCal-leading 1.71 and raised his record to
5-2.
A two-run double by DALLAS SEIDEL sparked a 4-run 3rd
inning that gave Grossmont the lead for keeps. Seidel
was 2-for-3 to hoist his season average to .402 (45-for-112).
Dallas is 'lone star' for Griffins
San Diego Mesa reclaims PCAC lead
© East County Sports.com
KEARNY MESA (4-11-12) — First baseman DALLAS SEIDEL
continued his torrid hitting for Grossmont College,
but the Griffins came up short on the scoreboard again
Tuesday (Apr. 5) as they fell to host and No. 15-ranked
San Diego Mesa, 4-3, in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference
contest.
Seidel was 3-for-3 in the loss, raising his season
average to .394 (43 for 109). He has 15 extra-base hits,
27 RBI and nine steals for the Griffins (12-16, 8-10).
TAYLOR EICHHORST slugged his fourth home run of the
campaign with a man aboard giving Grossmont a 3-2 advantage
in the 4th.
Mesa (17-11, 12-6 PCAC), now the conference leader,
countered with two runs in the bottom of the 4th to
pull out the victory.
The same two teams meet again Thursday (Apr. 12) at
Grossmont at 2 p.m.
Griffins salvage one game from Southwestern
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-7-12) — Grossmont College snapped a
four-game losing streak Friday (Apr. 6) as they defeated
visiting Southwestern College, 5-1, in a Pacific Coast
Athletic Conference contest at Noel Mickelsen Field.
JUSTIN DISBRO (4-2) allowed only six hits and no earned
runs for the Griffins. He walked three and struck out
five.
AARON AYON retired the Jaguars (17-10-1, 11-6 PCAC)
in order in the 9th.
WESLEY WALLACE paced the Grossmont offense by going
3-for-4, including a 2-run homer that expanded the Griffins’
lead to 3-0 in the 3rd inning. It was the third home
run for Wallace this season.
The Griffins (12-15, 8-9 PCAC) are tied with Palomar
for third place, three games behind co-leaders Southwestern
and San Diego Mesa (16-11, 11-6 PCAC).
Eight games remain in the regular season, including
Tuesday’s (Apr. 10) contest when the Griffs venture
to San Diego Mesa to face the No. 15th ranked Olympians
at 2 p.m.
Griffins are missing-in-action
© East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (4-6-12) — Southwestern College dealt
visiting Grossmont College
a 6-0 defeat in Thursday’s (Apr. 5) Pacific Coast
Athletic Conference action on the Jaguars’ diamond.
It was the first time the Griffins have been blanked
all season.
No other details on the game were reported.
It was the first time Grossmont had been shutout in
38 games; Soithwestern also turned the trick the last
time in a 3-0 win on Mar. 29, 2011.
The same two teams meet again Friday (Apr. 6) at Grossmont’s
Noel Mickelsen Field at 2 p.m.
Elsewhere, Imperial Valley snapped San Diego Mesa' 7-game
win streak with a 7-5 decision, knocking the Olympians
out of their share of first place. Meanwhile, Palomar
doubled San Diego City, 8-4
Griffins continue sinking feeling
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-4-12) — A third straight loss has dropped
Grossmont College into a third-place tie with Palomar,
three games behind co-Pacific Coast Athletic Conference
leaders Southwestern and San Diego Mesa.
The Griffins (11-14, 7-8 PCAC) fell to visiting Southwestern,
12-6, on Tuesday (Apr. 3) at Noel Mickelsen Field.
Grossmont took early leads of 2-0 and 4-2 before the
Jaguars (16-9-1, 10-5 PCAC) put together a pair of 5-run
innings to take a commanding 12-5 advantage in the 5th
frame.
DALLAS SEIDEL and WESLEY WALLACE accounted for three
hits apiece as Grossmont racked up a dozen safeties
against Southwestern’s Patrick McGrath, who went
the distance. Wallace drove in two runs with a pair
of doubles and Seidel collected an RBI and his 10 double
of the season.
Ten games remain in the regular season, beginning with
Thursday’s (Apr. 5) game at Southwestern at 2 p.m.
Comets take rubber game from Grossmont
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-1-12) — Highlights were few for the
host Grossmont College Griffins as they succumbed to
visiting Palomar, 8-1, to fall further off the pace
in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference race.
The lone highlight for Grossmont was a home run by
JACK NICHOLSON in the 5th inning that cut a Palomar
lead to 3-1. It was Nicholson’s first collegiate
hit.
Grossmont’s next game will be on Tuesday (Apr.
3) when they host Southwestern at 2 p.m.
Comets bump Grossmont out of PCAC lead
© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (3-30-12) — Grossmont College fell out
of first place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference
race via a 7-2 loss at Palomar College Thursday (Mar.
29) at Myers Field.
Julian Esquibel pitched a complete-game victory and
Rich Montanez led the way offensively by going 2-for-3
with two runs scored and a walk for Palomar.
The victory ended two weeks of frustration for the
Comets, who suffered their eighth one-run loss of the
season on Wednesday at Grossmont, 5-4 in 10 innings.
Palomar hadn't won since it downed Imperial Valley 10-4
at Myers Field on March 13.
Meanwhile, the Griffins (11-12, 7-6) fell one game
back of co-leaders Southwestern and San Diego Mesa.
The Griffins scored both their runs in a two-run, three-hit
4th inning. No details were available.
Valhalla product DANNY HAWKSLEY doubled in a run and
walked for Palomar.
Grossmont will host Palomar (9-`15, 6-7 PCAC) on Saturday
(Mar. 31) at noon.
Griffins survive Palomar in 10 innings, retain share
of PCAC lead
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-29-12) — And the battle for Pacific
Coast Athletic Conference supremacy continues.
Thanks to the Griffins come-from-behind 5-4 victory
over Palomar in 10 innings on Wednesday (Mar. 28) at
Noel Mickelsen Field, Grossmont (11-11, 7-5 PCAC), Southwestern
(13-9-1, 7-5 PCAC) and San Diego Mesa (12-10, 7-5 PCAC)
are knotted at the top of the conference standings with
13 games remaining.
After tying the game with 2 runs with the aid of three
Palomar errors in the 8th inning, the Griffins fell
behind in the top of the 10th by a 4-3 count.
In the bottom of the 10th, WESLEY WALLACE capped a
2-run rally with an RBI single up the middle to give
Grossmont the walk-off win. Wallace finished the game
3-for-5 with a double.
MICHAEL FLORES limited the Comets to three hits and
one earned run in 6 1/3 innings. Four relievers checked
the Jaguars on two hits and no earned runs the rest
of the way with AARON AYON (2-1) picking up the win.
DALLAS SEIDEL was 2-for-5 with two RBI for Grossmont,
which travels to San Marcos to face the Comets (8-15,
5-7 PCAC) on Thursday (Mar. 29).
What a pennant race!
All six PCAC ballclubs rest within one game; Griffins
share top spot
© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (3-25-12) — Baseball pennant races just
don’t get any tighter than the current state of
affairs in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference.
One game separates the six teams in the circuit with
Grossmont (6-5, 10-11), Southwestern (6-5, 12-9-1) and
San Diego Mesa (6-5, 11-10) sharing the top spot.
The Griffins missed their chance to grab sole possession
of the penthouse on Saturday (Mar. 24) when they fell
to Imperial Valley, 3-2.
The Arabs (5-6, 10-10) scored all of their runs in
the 1st inning off starter AARON ALVA and Carlos Plascencia
and Juan Gil made them stand up.
Lost in the shuffle was the 1-hit, shutout pitching
over 7 2/3 innings by Grossmont reliever TAYLOR SHOCKEY.
The Griffins’ first tally came on a balk in the
5th inning.
In the 9th, Grossmont staged a two-out rally. LOREN
GREENWOOD was hit by a pitch and advanced to second
on a wild pitch. WESLEY WALLACE then singled up the
middle to plate Greenwood . Wallace was balked into
scoring position. HENRY ALTERADO was hit by a pitch,
but the game ended when JUSTIN HARGROVE grounded out.
Grossmont begins a three-game series against Palomar
at Noel Mickelsen Field on Tuesday (Mar. 27) at 2 p.m.
Griffins nip IVC in 13 innings, re-gain share of PCAC
lead
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-23-12) — It took the Grossmont College
Griffins 13 innings on Thursday (Mar. 22) to claim a
6-5 victory over visiting Imperial Valley and regain
the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference lead.
It is a miniscule advantage these Griffins (10-10,
6-4 PCAC) enjoy, regaining a share of first place with
Southwestern (12-8-1, 6-4 PCAC).
In its latest conquest, Grossmont pushed across the
winning run when JUSTIN HARGROVE led off with a double
to right-center on a 1-2 pitch and eventually scored
on ROBBY NELSON’s walk-off single to center field.
Grossmont erased a 3-0 deficit on a three-run home
run by TAYLOR EICHHORST in the 7th inning. It was Eichhorst’s
third homer of the season.
The Griffins forged in front with a pair of markers
in the 8th. With one out, HENRY ALTERADO doubled to
right center. DALLAS SEIDEL followed with a two-run
home run. Seidel finished 3-for-6.
BRADEN PETERS and STEPHEN HAVIER contributed two hits
apiece to Grossmont’s 13-hit assault.
AARON AYON pitched 4 2/3 innings of shutout relief
to earn his first collegiate victory.
Next up for the Griffins is a trip to Imperial Valley
Saturday (Mar. 24) at noon.
Marauding Arabs drop Grossmont in extra innings
Imperial Valley's longest PCAC win streak since 2002
© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (3-21-12) — Road swings into the Imperial
Valley often offer unusual playing conditions, including
high winds and ever-changing temperatures.
On Tuesday (Mar. 20), the weather gods again struck
on Grossmont College, which fell to surging Imperial
Valley College, 11-10 in 10 innings, in Pacific Coast
Athletic Conference action.
The victory was the third in a row for the Arabs (9-9
overall, 4-5 PCAC), marking the school's longest win
streak in conference play since 2002. The first two
wins came in a doubleheader sweep of Palomar last week.
Meanwhile, with all other PCAC ballgames in San Diego
County postponed due to wet grounds, the Griffins had
a shot to grab undisputed possession of first place.
However, the tie with Palomar now shows the Comets holding
a half-game advantage over Grossmont (9-10, 5-4 PCAC),
which lost its third straight outing.
The Griffins and IVC continue their 3-game series Thursday
(Mar. 22) at Grossmont, starting at 2 p.m.
Griffins share PCAC lead in tight pennant race
Two games separate all six ballclubs
© East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (3-17-12) — Despite losing to San Diego
City College, 6-1, for the second time in 24 hours,
Grossmont College managed to maintain a share of the
Pacific Coast Athletic Conference lead with idle Palomar.
Two games separate the six conference teams from top
to bottom, including Grossmont (9-9, 5-3) and Palomar
(8-11, 5-3) knotted in first place. SDCC (8-9, 4-4)
is a game back.
The latest setback was truly frustrating for the Griffins,
who outhit the Knights 8-7. JUSTIN HARGROVE was 3-for-4
for Grossmont, which also received a pair of hits from
WESLEY WALLACE.
Grossmont’s only run was an unearned marker in
the 7th inning that cut the Knights advantage to 3-1.
Next up for the Griffins is a three-game series against
Imperial Valley beginning Tuesday (Mar. 20) in the desert
at 2 p.m.
For first-place Griffins, timing is everything
Imperial Valley shocks Palomar with twinbill sweep
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-15-12) — Although Grossmont College
lost for only the second time in seven Pacific Coast
Athletic Conference contests on Thursday (Mar. 15) against
visiting San Diego City 10-6, the Griffins gained sole
possession of first place.
Thanks to Imperial Valley College’s doubleheader
sweep of Palomar, 4-1 and 5-4, the Griffins (9-8, 5-3
PCAC) edged ahead of the Comets (8-12, 5-3 PCAC) by
one-half game. Grossmont travels to Morley Field to
face San Diego City Friday (Mar. 16) at 2 p.m. in a
game originally scheduled for Saturday (Mar. 17).
Trailing 3-0, the Griffins fought back with a pair
of runs in the 4th inning as TAYLOR EICHHORST slugged
his second home run of the year with a man aboard.
An inning later Grossmont took a 5-3 advantage. Singles
by JUSTIN HARGROVE and LOREN GREENWOOD got the Griffins
in gear. The runners advanced on a bunt by HENRY ALTERADO.
BRADEN PETERS brought both runners home with a double
to left, giving Grossmont its first lead. One out later
BRIAN LOCKEY doubled to left to score Peters.
J.R. ATTERBURY (Foothills Christian) went 3-for-5 with
a run for the Knights (7-9, 3-4 PCAC) who scored 7 runs
in their final four at-bats.
Grossmont bats take series opener from City
© East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (3-14-12) — The visiting Grossmont
College Griffins unleashed a 15-hit attack against three
San Diego City College pitchers en route to a 7-2 Pacific
Coast Athletic Conference victory Tuesday (Mar. 12)
at Morley Field.
The win was the sixth in the last seven starts for
Grossmont (9-7), which shares the PCAC lead with Palomar
(8-9-1) at 5-1.
DALLAS SEIDEL (3-for-5) paced Grossmont with two doubles,
one run and an RBI. JUSTIN HARGROVE added three hits
with a triple and 2 RBI, while BRADEN PETERS chased
home a pair of runs with two hits including a triple.
“The bats are alive and we are seeing the ball
well,” said Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER. “The
commitment to have a routine when they approach the
plate right now is contagious. These guys believe that
they can hit. None of the guys feel like they can be
beat when they go to the plate.”
TAYLOR EICHHORST slugged a solo home run in the 6th
inning for Grossmont.
“The veterans of the club have really taken over,”
Abshier said. “Dallas Seidel (Santana HS) and Justin
Hargrove (Fallbrook HS) are on fire. Theses guys are
tough out every time they come to the plate.”
JUSTIN DISBRO allowed only 4 hits and one run in 5
1/3 innings. He struck out 4 and walked none.
Next up for the Griffins is the second of a three-game
series against San Diego City on Thursday (Mar. 15)
at Grossmont at 2 p.m.
First-place Griffins drill last-place Mesa
© East County Sports.com
KEARNY MESA (3-9-12) — A five-run 3rd inning followed
by a three-run 4th helped visiting Grossmont College
to an early cushion en route to an 11-2 Pacific Coast
Athletic Conference romp Thursday (Mar. 8) at San Diego
Mesa College.
JUSTIN HARGROVE drove in 4 runs with a pair of doubles
to help the Griffins (8-7 overall) maintain their share
of the PCAC lead with Palomar (7-9-1) at 4-1.
First baseman DALLAS SEIDEL was only 1-for-3 but scored
three runs for Grossmont.
“The hitters are swinging it well,” Grossmont
coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “They need to keep their
focus and continue to swing at good pitches in their
counts. When they do that then good things happen. Dallas
Seidel and Justin Hargrove are on fire and continue
to hit in big situations. One through nine of our lineup
is getting it done.”
ANTHONY VIGIL (2-2). MICHAEL FLORES and CHRISTOPHER
ROSA combined to spin a 5-hitter for the Griffins. Flores
allowed only one hit and struck out three in his three
innings of relief.
“Vigil and Flores threw great today,” Abshier
added. “Both had great command of their pitches.
Vigil had a little hiccup in the fourth but battled
hard. This team has a personality of hard work and perseveres
through hard times.
“ Rosa had his first college inning today and
was outstanding to watch. The first round (of five conference
legs) is complete. We need to keep battling and competing
for our goals.”
Griffins fall, creating first-place deadlock
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-7-12) — Visiting Southwestern College
snapped a 2-2 tie with a pair of runs in the 9th inning
Tuesday (Mar. 6) to snip Grossmont’s four-game
winning streak and create a tie for the Pacific Coast
Athletic Conference lead after a 4-2 decision.
The Griffins (7-7 overall), Jaguars (9-5-1) and Palomar
(6-9) are sharing the PCAC penthouse at the moment at
3-1.
Southwestern scored its winning markers thanks to a
Grossmont error and an RBI single by Francisco Gonzalez
in the final frame.
The Griffins had erased a 2-1 deficit with a run in
the bottom of the 8th inning on a two-out RBI single
by TAYLOR EICHHORST. It was Eichhorst’s single
hit and second RBI in the game.
Grossmont wasted a stellar pitching performance by
ace JUSTIN DISBRO, who scattered five hits and allowed
one earned run during an 8-inning stint. He also struck
out 7.
Next up for the Griffins is a Thursday (Mar. 8) PCAC
contest at San Diego Mesa at 2 p.m.
Griffins down Palomar, secure PCAC lead
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-4-12) — It's only three games into
a 25-game conference schedule, yet the Grossmont Griffins
find themselves in a comfortable position.
In Saturday's (Mar. 3) early Pacific Coast Athletic
Conference showdown for first place, the Griffins rallied
to down visiting Palomar College , 9-5. In addition,
Southwestern, which also held a share of the top spot
among three teams, was knocked off by a vastly improved
Imperial Valley ballclub, 10-4, leaving Grossmont all
alone for the top spot at 3-0.
Sure, it's only three games so far, yet it beats the
alternative. considering that San Diego City and San
Diego Mesa, which held the circuit's top non-conference
records entering PCAC play, are a combined 1-5 and at
the bottom of the standings.
Palomar starting pitcher Clayton Voechting carried
a 1-hit shutout into the 5th inning, holding a 1-0 lead.
But Grossmont starter Mike Flores nearly matched him
with 5 1/3 strong innings, allowing just three hits.
The Griffins answered as TAYLOR EICHHORST and WESLEY
WALLACE each batted 2-for-4 with an RBI, while LOREN
GREENWOOD (Granite Hills) added a basehit and a sacrifice
fly.
Grossmont (7-6 overall), riding a 4-game winning streak,
hosts Southwestern on Tuesday (Mar. 6) at 2 p.m.
Escape From The Valley
© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (3-2-12) — DALLAS SEIDEL and BRADEN PETERS
collected three hits and two RBI apiece Thursday (Mar.
1) as the visiting Griffins toppled Imperial Valley
College, 9-5, in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference
contest.
The victory was the third straight for the Griffins
(6-6, 2-0 PCAC), who next host Palomar on Saturday (Mar.
3) at noon.
Grossmont snapped a 1-1 tie in the 5th inning. LOREN
GREENWOOD stroked a one-out double, stole third and
cruised home when HENRY ALTERADO swatted a two-base
hit. Alterado rode home on Peters’ sacrifice fly
making it 3-1.
In the 7th, Alterado singled and scored on Peters’
triple giving Grossmont a 4-2 advantage. Seidel followed
with an RBI single and WESLEY WALLACE drove in another
run with a fly ball stretching the lead to 6-2.
IVC (5-6, 0-2 PCAC) cut the Griffins advantage to 6-5
in the bottom of the 7th. But Grossmont countered with
two tallies in the 8th on a run-scoring double by Peters
and a RBI single by Seidel.
ANTHONY VIGIL allowed one earned run in five innings
to pick up his second win in four decisions.
“It was warm and the wind was very strong,”
Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER said.
Griffins find an ace in Disbro
© East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (3-1-12) — Sophomore right-hander JUSTIN
DISBRO established himself as the ace of the Grossmont
College pitching staff, spinning a complete game in
the Griffins' 5-1 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference
season-opening victory over San Diego City Wednesday
(Feb. 29) at Morley Field.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder out of Patrick Henry High
scattered five hits, walked two and struck out eight
to earn his second win in three decisions.
However, Disbro and the Griffins (5-6, 1-0 PCAC) trailed
1-0 after four innings.
Grossmont moved in front with a pair of tallies in
the 5th frame. A single up the middle by AARON AYON
set the Griffins’ offense into motion. BRADEN PETERS
followed with a single to left.
JUSTIN HARGROVE plated Ayon with the tying run on a
base hit and LOREN GREENWOOD’s single to right
gave Grossmont the lead for keeps.
Ayon added a two-run single in the 6th and DALLAS SEIDEL
tripled in a run in the 7th.
Seven of the Grossmont starters contributed to a nine-hit
attack.
Next up for the Griffins is a PCAC game at Imperial
Valley on Thursday (Mar. 1) at 2 p.m.
Griffins snap skid, lance Pasadena
© East County Sports.com
PASADENA (2-24-12) — For the second time this season
the Grossmont College Griffins knocked off the Pasadena
City College Lancers, 11-3, Thursday (Feb. 23) in Rose
Bowl country.
WESLEY WALLACE fell a home run short of hitting for
the cycle for Grossmont (4-6), which snapped a three-game
losing streak. He drove in two runs with a double and
a triple and scored once.
DALLAS SEIDEL also ripped off three hits, a double
and three RBI for the Griffins, who also received a
three-hit performance (two doubles) from BRADEN PETERS.
As a team, Grossmont totaled 14 hits while building
an 11-1 lead.
JUSTIN DISBRO, ANTHONY VIGIL, KYLE SAGER, RICHARD LEDFORD
and ERIC CRUZ combined to shut down the Lancers (2-7).
Vigil picked up his first win in three decisions by
spinning three shutout innings.
Next up for Grossmont is the Pacific Coast Athletic
Conference season opener against San Diego City Tuesday
(Feb. 28) at Morley Field, 2 p.m.
Down 7-0, huge Grossmont rally falls short
© East County Sports.com
FULLERTON (2-22-12) — The Grossmont College Griffins
scored 6 runs on 2 hits in one inning of Tuesday’s
(Feb. 21) non-conference contest at Fullerton.
Trouble is the Griffins produced just 5 hits and failed
to score in the eight other innings and came up on the
short end of a 7-6 score against the Hornets (3-6-1).
It was Grossmont’s first road game of the season.
Fullerton jumped in front 5-0 in the 2nd inning and
extended its advantage to 7-0 in the 6th.
Then the Griffins countered with their 6-run frame
in the 7th.
LOREN GREENWOOD stroked a two-run single to cap the
big Grossmont inning that also included an RBI single
by TAYLOR EICHHORST. The Griffins left the bases loaded.
Griffins relievers DAVID RHODEN and ERIC CRUZ limited
the Hornets to 2 runs and 7 hits over the final 6 innings.
Grossmont travels to Pasadena on Thursday (Feb. 23)
for a non-conference game at 2 p.m. The Griffins edged
the Lancers 9-8 earlier in the season.
Griffins give No. 5 Cypress a scare
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-19-12) — Facing one of California's
top programs annually, Grossmont College battled back
with two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to knot
Saturday's (Feb. 18) Jaguar Classic ballgame with powerful
Cypress College.
But the Chargers have captured four state championships
over the past 20 seasons for a reason.
Following RBI singles to center field by designated
hitter AARON AYON and pinch hitter STEPHEN HAVIER to
get even at 8-all, Cypress immediately responded with
an 8-run outburst in the 9th, stroking eight hits and
aided by a pair of errors to claim a 15-8 decision at
Noel Mickelsen Field.
The setback ended Grossmont's season-opening homestand
with a 3-5 record. Cypress, ranked fifth in the Southland,
moved to 7-2.
Left fielder WESLEY WALLACE and Ayon contributed three
hits each for Grossmont, including back-to-back shots
to open the 8th.
Wallace tripled to deep left-center, immediately scoring
on the very next pitch to Ayon, who laced a basehit
to shallow left-center to trim the deficit to 8-7.
BRADEN PETERS placed down a sacrifice bunt to move
Ayon to second base, then Havier send the ball through
the pitcher's mound for a run-scoring single
However, when Ayon took the mound, Cypress chased him
after four straight hits without recording an out. Four
additional singles allowed six runs to score, then a
pair of errors led to a pair of unearned runs.
For the Griffins, DALLAS SEIDEL added two more hits,
raising his batting average to a club-leading .429 this
season, while his .786 slugging percentage ranks second
to Wallace (.818), who fell a home run short of a cycle.
In addition, catcher BRIAN LOCKEY drove in a pair of
runs when Grossmont scored five times in the 5th to
assume a 5-2 advantage.
The Griffins start a 4-game roadtrip Tuesday (Feb.
21) at Fullerton.
Griffins left standing
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-18-12) — For the second straight outing,
Grossmont College first baseman DALLAS SEIDEL was one
hit away from completing a cycle.
In his last game, it was a single which eluded Seidel
from the rare feat. In Friday's (Feb. 17) opening round
of the Jaguar Classic, Seidel needed not only a home
run for the cycle, but he also needed one of the batters
in front of him to reach base in the 9th inning to give
him a chance to also tie the score with a 2-run blast.
However, East Los Angeles College reliever Leonard
De La Rosa retired the Griffins in order in bottom of
the 9th inning, leaving Seidel stranded on deck to save
a 5-3 victory for the visiting Huskies (4-3) at Noel
Mickelsen Field.
Seidel finished with another 3-for-4 outing, driving
in a pair of runs for the Griffins (3-4).
In the 3rd, his single to right center, sent ZACH BREIDT
home (single) to tie the game at 1-1. Two innings later,
Seidel tripled into the right-field bullpen, allowing
HENRY ALTERADO to circle the bases for a 2-1 advantage.
East L.A. would reclaim the lead at 3-2, but Grossmont
again got even when BRADEN PETERS lined a basehit to
center in the 6th, bringing home WESLEY WALLACE.
However, Huskies center fielder Robert Gonzalez slugged
a 2-run double in the 7th for the game-winning hit.
De La Rosa then entered to toss three innings of 1-hit,
shutout relief to register the save.
For Grossmont, right fielder TAYLOR EICHHORST also
batted 3-for-4
The Griffins complete a season-opening, 9-game homestand
with another Jaguar Classic contest, hosting Cypress
at 2 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 18).
|
Griffins gain PCAC honors
© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (2-13-12) — Grossmont College
basketball forward CASEY HEALY was named co-winner
of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference male
athlete of the week award for the period ending
Sunday (Feb. 12).
Healy, a sophomore from Petaluma, twice tallied
16 points, leading the Griffins to victories over
Cuyamaca and MiraCosta. The triumphs guarantee
the Griffins no worse than a third-place finish
this season and an opportunity for a playoff berth.
Healy shot a sizzling 80 percent from the field
(16-for-20), plus added eight rebounds and six
assists. He shared the award with Imperial Valley
baseball player Jacinto Garcia, who has led the
Arabs to the only winning record (4-1) among all
PCAC ballclubs through the first two weeks of
the season.
Honorable mention went to Griffins baseball left
fielder WESLEY WALLACE, who batted 6-for-12 with
a pair of homers last week for the Griffins, which
hold the second-best record among all PCAC programs.
Five of his six hits went for extra bases (2 triples
and a double), giving Wallace an outstanding 1.705
slugging percentage.
|
NEW
Griffins Baseball
Photo Gallery HERE
|
Griffins gain split in
Mickelsen openers
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-11-12) — Grossmont College reaffirmed
something they already knew following the opening round
of the 19th annual Noel Mickelsen Invitational: they
are in the middle of the Southern California community
college baseball universe.
On Saturday (Feb. 10), the Griffins (3-3) fell to 8th-ranked
Chaffey, 10-4, then bounced back to whip winless West
Los Angeles, 16-3.
In downing the Wildcats, Grossmont scored in seven
of its eight trips to the plate, capped by a 6-run outburst
in the 8th inning as part of a season-best 17-hit attack.
Right fielder TAYLOR EICHHORST went 4-for-5 with three
runs and a pair of RBI, while first baseman DALLAS SEIDEL
went 2-for-5 and knocked in three runs.
Meanwhile, left fielder WES WALLACE belted his second
home of the season. He followed an Eichhorst double
with a shot to left-center field to clinch the victory
for starting pitcher MIKE FLORES, who tossed six strong
innings with five strikeouts.
Wallace went 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs
scored. He just missed completing the cycle, also posting
a double and a triple, but missed the feat with the
needed single.
Against Chaffey, Grossmont pitcher JUSTIN DISBRO tossed
6 2/3 innings of strong ball, but five Griffins errors
saw Disbro get tagged for five unearned runs, including
a pair of miscues in the 7th, when Chaffey was gifted
three runs to mount a 6-1 advantage.
Catcher BRIAN LOCKEY continues his torrid hitting,
going 2-for-4 with three RBI, including a 2-run homer
down the left-field line in the 8th, also scoring BRADEN
PETERS (walked).
Grossmont completes the tournament Tuesday (Feb. 14),
hosting L.A. Harbor at 2 p.m.
 |
Grossmont College catcher Brian
Lockey drove
in three runs with an 8th-inning double for the
game-winning hit to down visiting Pasadena, 9-8.
(Photo by Ruth Mims)
CLICK PHOTO TO SEE "THE" HIT
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE
(Baseball photos follow the softball
photos) |
Baseball dream comes true
for Griffins catcher Lockey
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-11-12) — Facing the classic childhood
dream situation – bases loaded, two outs, and here
comes the 3-2 pitch – Grossmont College catcher
BRIAN LOCKEY bombed a 3-run double to center field,
allowing the Griffins to snag a 9-8 verdict over visiting
Pasadena City College in a non-conference game Friday
(Feb. 10).
For Lockey, who batted 3-for-4 with four RBI against
the Lancers, the only deviation on his dream hit: it
came in the bottom of the 8th inning instead of the
9th.
But that was okay after Grossmont relief pitcher AARON
AYON took the mound. He struck out the first two batters
he faced, eventually saving the game for fellow bullpen
mate DAVID RHODEN, who tossed three frames of shutout
ball on just three hits, although all three inherited
Pasadena runners scored to increase the Lancers lead
to 8-4.
Ayon, who started the ballgame at third base, also
added two hits as a batter.
Grossmont rallied when left fielder WESLEY WALLACE
opened the 6th with a solo homer past the Noel Mickelsen
Field scoreboard in left, then the Griffins tacked on
four more in the 8th.
The game-winning rally saw the bottom third of the
Grossmont batting order get it started.
First baseman DALLAS SEIDEL opened with a basehit,
designated hitter STEPHEN HAVIER walked, with Seidel
scoring on a basehit to right by center fielder ZACH
BREIDT, who went 2-for-3 and walked once from the No.
9 slot.
Three batters later, following a walk to BRADEN PETERS
and a pair of outs, Lockey launched a liner on a 3-2
pitch to the fence.
The Griffins (2-2) play twice Saturday (Feb. 11) on
the opening day of the 19th annual Noel Mickelsen Invitational.
They will host Chaffey at 10 a.m., then West Los Angeles
at 2 p.m.
|
2012 Rankings
State Coaches
Assoc.
|
Southern California
1. Santa Ana
2. Orange Coast
3. Rio Hondo
4. Palomar
5. Cypress
6. Glendale
7. Cuesta
8. Chaffey
9. Riverside
10. Allan Hancock |
Northern California
1. San Joaquin Delta
2. San Mateo
3. Ohlone
4. Sierra
5. Chabot
6. Merced
7. Feather River
8. Diablo Valley
9. Sacramento
10. Solano |
Mission: Halfway Possible
Griffins split twinbill with L.A. Mission College
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-5-12) — JUSTIN DISBRO scattered five
hits and allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings Saturday
(Feb. 4) as host Grossmont College clipped visiting
L.A. Mission College, 6-1, in the first game of a non-conference
double-header.
Mission won the nightcap, 7-6, leaving the Griffins
with a 1-2 record to date.
Disbro, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-hander out of Patrick
Henry High, struck out three. Relievers TAYLOR SHOCKEY
(Bonita Vista) and ERIC CRUZ (Orange Glen) completed
the job. The Grossmont trio totaled 6 strikeouts and
did not walk a batter.
“Disbro pitched like a veteran,” Grossmont
coach RANDY ABSHIER said.
HENRY ALTERADO (Brawley) drove in two runs with a pair
of hits to pace the Griffins. TAYLOR EICHHORST (Christian)
pounded two hits, including a double and an RBI. Leadoff
man JUSTIN HARGROVE (Fallbrook) was 2-for-4 with an
RBI as well. AARON AYON (Montgomery) contributed a scoring
fly ball in the opener and plated a pair with two sacrifice
flies in game two.
Three Grossmont errors handed the Eagles (1-1) four
unearned runs in the nightcap. Starter MICHAEL FLORES
(El Capitan) was the hard-luck loser surrendering just
one earned run in 4 1/3 frames.
DALLAS SEIDEL (Santana) and WESLEY WALLACE (Mt. Carmel)
swatted two hits and chalked one RBI each in Grossmont’s
loss.
Next up for the Griffins is a home game Friday (Feb.
10) against Pasadena City College at 2 p.m.
Griffins get Ram'd in opener
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-4-12) — It wasn’t the season opener
the Grossmont College baseball team had in mind as the
visiting Victor Valley Rams rocked the Griffins, 8-1,
on Friday (Feb. 3) at Noel Mickelsen Field. BOXSCORE
The Griffins will host L.A. Mission in a Saturday (Feb.
4) doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.
Against Victor Valley, AARON AYON, BRADEN PETERS and
HENRY ALTERADO had two hits apiece for the Griffins.
Ayon homered in the 6th inning. Alterado got hits in
his first college at-bats.
Steele Canyon freshman KYLE SAGER pitched 2 1/3 innings
of shutout relief.
“We are young,” Grossmont coach RANDY ABSHIER
said “But I see the players working to get better.
We just need the learning curve to set in quick.”
“To win we need to hit in the clutch situations
and we didn't do that today. Left nine on base and struck
out six times."
2012 PREVIEW
Griffins open season with
9 straight home games
After winning 10 of final 11 in '11, optimism
abounds
By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-3-13) — Few coaching positions provide
the challenge of rebuilding a team more than that of
mentoring at the community college level.
Just ask Grossmont College baseball skipper RANDY ABSHIER.
As the Griffins prepare to open the 2012 baseball season
Friday (Feb. 3) by hosting Victor Valley at 2 p.m. at
Noel Mickelsen Field, Abshier will welcome back 7 sophomores
and greet 19 freshmen.
One advantage Grossmont has going is the Griffins open
the campaign with nine straight home games. They host
L.A. Mission in a Saturday (Feb. 4) doubleheader beginning
at 10 a.m.
The Griffins finished the season with an overall mark
of 18-16-1, which included winning 10 of their final
11 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference games a year ago.
The strong finish gave the Griffins a 13-12 which earned
them a fourth-place conference standing.
Head of the returning class is left-handed pitcher
ANTHONY VIGIL (4-0, 1.96 ERA), an all-conference pick.
Keep in mind Grossmont posted the 4th-lowest ERA in
the state (2.38) while posting a.268 (new bat) team
average in the PCAC last season.
Pitching once again appears to be Grossmont’s
strength, however other than Vigil this is an untested
crew.
Grossmont is loaded behind the plate with ALL-CIF receiver
BRIAN LOCKEY (Bonita Vista) and STEPHEN HAVIAR (Cathedral
Catholic) battling JUSTIN HARGROVE (Fallbrook) for the
job.
TAYLOR EICHHORST (Christian) and WESLEY WALLACE (Mt.
Carmel) provide a veteran presence in the outfield.
On the flip side, the Griffins infield is “Griffin
Green.”
|
