Griffins second baseman Sonia Ray. (ECS file photo by Ruth Mims)

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OSKALOOSA, Iowa (6-22-12) — SONIA RAY, who languished through four years of high school ball, finally gained an opportunity to display her skills at Grossmont College and has now earned a softball scholarship to a 4-year school.

Ray, the Griffins' starting second baseman, accepted at offer from William Penn College, a member of the Midwest Collegiate Conference. The Statesman (46-19) not only advanced to the NAIA National Championship this past spring, they also led the MCC with 10 players earning berths on the MCC All-Academic team.

"Before I came to Grossmont, people would not recognize me because I came from Mount Miguel High," noted Ray. "By blending in with Grossmont's prestige athletes like MEL (GOFF, who is now at Louisiana Tech), ALYSSA (TAYLOR, now at NW Oklahoma), and ANGELA (LOVELADY, Oklahoma City Univ.) as a freshman, people began to recognize me for my performance rather than the reputation of previous organizations I had participated in."

"Once a Matador, recognized as a Griffin, and excited to be a Statesman, regardless of what uniform I have proudly worn, I've always been the same athlete."

Ray eventually wants to become a sports agent, athletic director, or coach, helping the lost, hidden-talent athletes just like herself.

"I've worked hard my whole life dreaming of the day that I will be able to participate in a sport at the University level. Now that it has come. I shared my joy the moment I signed my letter of intent, now back to work to reach the next step."

Ray is the second Griffins ballplayer to accept a scholarship since East County veteran coach DOUG HARTUNG took over this past spring; the first was HANNAH RAPOPORT, who now performs for Colorado Christian. Two others are also currently looking at offers from other 4-year schools.

"The daughter to one of my assistant coaches went to William Penn about five years ago," said Hartung about KIM WHITLOW, another former Griffins ballplayer out of El Capitan High, who graduated from WPC in 2006. "So we are well-acquainted with the program and feel Sonia will fit right in."

"Sonia is just one of the hardest worker we had. even diving and laying out for balls during practice. She'll do fine there and looks forward to the experience."

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SAN MARCOS (4-28-12/Updated 5-1-12) — A boatload of talented East County athletes once again dominated the major fastpitch awards by the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference this season in balloting by conference coaches released Friday (Apr. 27).

The pitcher of the year was Mount Miguel High product LAURA NELSON, who led Mesa College to its first title in a quarter-century.

The player of the year was Steele Canyon alum GABRIELLE BEASLEY of Southwestern, while the Jaguars' Yasmin Mossadeghi was the coach of the year.

Both Nelson and Beasley were named to the coaches' All-California state team, too.

From Grossmont College, KASEY CAMPBELL (Mira Mesa) was a first-team, all-PCAC selection, while outfielders VANESSSA McHUGH (West Hills) and ALI RIOS (Patrick Henry) were second-team honorees.

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SAN MARCOS (4-25-12) — A pair of proud programs – both the most successful in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference for more than a decade – wrapped-up the conference schedule Tuesday (Apr. 24), as Palomar College blanked visiting Grossmont College , 5-0.

The Comets, winners of a remarkable 31 straight conference crowns until this season, scored four times in the 1st inning, then Palomar pitcher Bree Burns tossed a 3-hitter at the Griffins, which shared in four of the past five PCAC championships.

The Comets received a pair of 1st-inning homers. Raea Tanielu stroked a lead-off homer, then Katie Wilford added a 3-run homer.

For Grossmont, VANESSA McHUGH and KASEY CAMPBELL gained basehits in the 3rd, then SHELBY GRIMES recorded a single in the 5th.

Palomar has one additional nonconference game remaining – Wednesday at Long Beach . A loss will prevent the Comets from reaching 20 victories for the first time since the days when the program first started in the 1970s.

At least Grossmont knows its poor season (14-20 overall, 5-10 PCAC) can be attributed to the loss of its pitcher from the fall roster. Ironically, on the same day the Griffins ended their season, it was learned that HANNAH RAPOPORT, who was recruited between semesters by Colorado Christian University , was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference player of the year.

On the flip side, the Grossmont College coaching staff announced it will join EastCountySports.com in a partnership to host an East County Senior All-Star game, just like the website has done for boys and girls basketball for more than a decade.

The event will be held at Grossmont College 's diamond on Wednesday (May 30), starting at 4 p.m. An announcement on rosters and player participation, plus coaching staffs, will be made in ensuing weeks.

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WALNUT (4-22-12) — There is something to be said for a team, no matter the sport, which refuses to roll over towards the end of a disappointing season. In this case, it's the Grossmont College women's fastpitch team.

Long eliminated from postseason consideration, the Griffins still made the most of their roadtrip to Los Angeles County , gaining a split of a 3-way doubleheader held at Mt. San Antonio College. Grossmont rallied twice to defeat Allan Hancock College , 11-9, then fell to the host Mounties, 8-0, in a ballgame which remained close throughout the early going.

"There was no score for the longest time, but Mt. SAC took advance of a couple of mistakes," said Griffins head coach DOUG HARTUNG. "They're really good for a reason."

Mounties freshman Natalie Sanchez (Bishop Amat) paced the South Coast Conference champions by throwing a no-hitter.

Meanwhile in Game One, Grossmont's offense went crazy in a back-and-forth affair with the Bulldogs of Santa Maria, coming from deficits of 5-2 and 7-5 to down the Lady Dawgs for the third time this season.

Allan Hancock scored five times in the 3rd inning to take a 5-2 lead, but Grossmont immediately tied the ballgame, capping a 3-run rally with an RBI single by VANESSA McHUGH to drive home ALLIE CIMMARRUSTI.

Again, AHC took the lead at 7-5, but Grossmont counter-punched with a 4-run rally in the 4th. Including were consecutive baseshits by KASEY CAMPBELL, JAZMINE HAMME and LINDSAY THORSTENSON. The next batter, SONIA RAY, was credited with an RBI while reaching on an error, then LAUREN VALLELY lined a hot roller through the infield for another run.

Meanwhile, MARISSA MALDONADO entered the pitching center in relief in the 6th, tossing two innings of no-hit ball to save the win for Thorstenson, who aided her own cause by going 4-for-4 at the plate and scoring twice.

Hamme went 3-for-4 with twoRBI, while McHugh and Valley each contributed two hits and a run and an RBI.

Grossmont completes the season with a special 1 p.m. start on Tuesday at Palomar.

Back tracks -- Because of computer problems at ECS.com, the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game at San Diego Mesa was skipped. The game started on Friday (Apr. 13), but was suspended because of rain in the 4th inning. The contest resumed on Monday (Apr. 16), with the Olympians taking a 6-2 decision.

For Grossmont, Cimmarrusti, the designated player, stroked a 2-run single in the 5th, bringing home Vallely and SHELBY GRIMES. Both Vallely, the right fielder, and Campbell, the catcher, registered two hits each off Mesa pitching.

On Saturday, Mesa bounced back from a mid-week setback to Southwestern, 6-4, to defeat Palomar, 7-2, to clinch its first PCAC crown since 1987.

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EL CAJON (4-19-12) — For the first time since 1997, Grossmont College will not finish in the upper half of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference standings.

The Griffins received the bad news following Wednesday's (Apr. 18) 2-1 setback to visiting San Diego City College in the team's final regular-season home game.

The victory also gave the Knights their first season-series advantage over Grossmont since 2007, when the schools shared a conference crown which started Grossmont's current streak of four championships over a 5-year span (2007-08, 10-11).

Grossmont out-hit SDCC, 5-4, including a pair by VANESSA McHUGH (West Hills), who also stole two bases to keep her among the team leaders in both categories.

Included was a McHugh basehit to left-cenmter field in the 1st, scoring the team's lone run on a double by freshman catcher KASEY CAMPBELL (Mira Mesa).

City scored single runs in the 3rd and 6th innings, as Lisa Pena lifted a sacrifice fly to score Alexa DaRosa with the game-tying run, then Monte Vista High alum McKenna Clarke reached on an error, eventually scoring the game-winning run on a passed ball.

Grossmont closes the season with a 3-way doubleheader on Saturday at Mt. San Antonio, meeting Allan Hancock and the host Mounties, then close the campaign Tuesday at Palomar (moved to 1 p.m.).

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EL CAJON (4-13-12) — It might have been Grossmont College's last chance to make an impact in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference race this season. Instead, it was the ballclub's last stand.

Southwestern College rallied for four runs in the top of the 7th inning to overcome a 2-1 deficit, going on to Thursday's (Apr. 12) 5-3 decision over the host Griffins.

An error on a ball hit by Jaguars outfielder Jessica Ramirez allowed the go-ahead run to score.

Grossmont took the lead with a pair of runs in the 2nd on an RBI single by LAUREN VALLELY, then a sacrifice fly by ALLIE CIMMURRUSTI.

The Griffins then answered SWC with a run in the 7th on singles by Vallely, Cimmurrusti and ALI RIOS, but the Jaguars registered a pair of ground balls to hang on.

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IMPERIAL (4-5-12) — It seemed like the Grossmont Griffins were in a hurry to leave Imperial County, the longest road trip to any Pacific Coast Athletic Conference school since Imperial Valley College joined in 1984-85 – the circuit's third season.

And they seemed rushed in more ways than one.

LINDSAY THORSTENSON and ALI RIOS both displayed their speed by circling the bases on inside-the-park home runs, helping the Griffins post 11 runs in the opening innings in an easy 15-3 pasting of the Arabs in Wednesday's (Apr. 4) run-ruled shortened contest in five innings.

"Lindsay sent a ball down the right-field line, but it didn't roll out of bounds," noted Grossmont College head coach DOUG HARTUNG. "Then an inning later, Ali did the very same thing."

There is a small gap in the fence in the extreme corner of the IVC diamond, but both times, the ball failed to roll through the opening. By the time the Arabs right fielder retrieved the ball, both Griffins scored.

Thorstenson's 1st-inning homer, one of her three hits on the afternoon, came with a runner on base for her two RBI. Rios' homer, a solo shot, came an inning later. She also walked and scored three times.

Meanwhile, VANESSA McHUGH drove in runs four times, the first three coming on a bases-loaded triple in the 3rd. She also posted an RBI basehit in the 4th, making a winner of starting pitcher MARISSA MALDONADO.

All nine Grossmont starters registered at least a basehit.

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EL CAJON (3-31-12) — The aspirations for a three-peat as Pacific Coast Athletic Conference champions by Grossmont College might have really been dashed when the ballclub's expected No. 1 pitcher accepted a scholarship to a 4-year school between semesters..

Still, you need to play the games, but for the Griffins, they failed to meet expectations for the first time in more than a decade. On Friday (Mar. 30), Grossmont was all-but-mathematically eliminated from title consideration following a 9-0 setback to visiting Palomar.

The Griffins were blanked on six hits, of which two were registered by left fielder ALI RIOS. Palomar book-ended 4-run rallies in the 1st and 7th innings.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-29-12) — One poor inning keeps getting in the way of any success for the Grossmont College women's fastpitch team. And the problem is about to take the Griffins out of championship consideration.

Grossmont is on the edge of falling out of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference pennant chase after front-running San Diego Mesa snapped a 2-2 contest with four runs in the 4th inning, claiming a 6-3 decision.

Switch-hitter Rebecca Dawson burned Grossmont for two hits and three runs scored to lift the Olympians three full games ahead of the Griffins, who must sweep their final six PCAC contests to maintain a shot at the title.

LINDSAY THORSTENSON and JAZMINE HAMME each went 2-for-3 for Grossmont. Included was a Thorstenson RBI single and a Hamme double for a run and a 2-1 lead in the 1st inning.

The combination also posted consecutive singles in the 5th, with Thorstenson taking third base. But when the Mesa throw landed in the dugout, she was awarded home.

The Griffins return home Friday (Mar. 30), entertaining Palomar at 3 p.m.

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SAN DIEGO (3-22-12) — The bye date in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference schedule couldn't have come at a better time for the Grossmont College women's fastpitch team.

Facing a pair of must-win situations next week against first-place San Diego Mesa and second-place Palomar, the Griffins crawled into the break after a 3-2 setback at San Diego City . The loss dropped the G-House into a fourth-place deadlock with City's Knights after falling for the sixth time in eight starts.

Clairemont High product Paige Nicolet led SDCC, driving in two runs in the 3rd inning for a 3-0 cushion, then blanking Grossmont in all but one inning to gain the pitching victory.

The Griffins could only break through in the 5th to make things interesting.

Following a lead walk to LINDSAY THORSTENSON and a fielder's choice, KASEY CAMPBELL singled, then a ball hit by CARLA CARRILLO was booted to loaded the bases. SONIA RAY followed with a double to left-center field for two RBI, scoring both pinch-runner KARLI BULL and Campbell to ruin the shutout bid.

Grossmont also received a 2-out double by Thorstenson in the 7th, but Nicolet escaped on a grounder to shortstop.

The only good news for the Griffins was they did not lose any ground on Mesa, which was upended by Southwestern, moving both the Jaguars and Palomar to within one game of the conference-leading Olympians.

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CHULA VISTA (3-17-12) — Only once in the 21st Century has Southwestern College finished in the first division of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference. Not first place – just in the upper half of the standings with a single third-place finish in 2004, when most current players were still in elementary school.

Indeed, it's been a long, sad run in the South Bay .

However, following Friday's (Mar. 16) 4-1 win over visiting Grossmont College, the Jaguars barely learned how the other half lives, moving into a three-way tie for second place with the Griffins and Palomar.

Southwestern needed just three batters to secure a 3-0 advantage after Monica Armas followed a pair of singles with a home run to centerfield.

Both pitchers then settled in and yielded just a single run the rest of the way, yet the damage was done.

Grossmont's lone run came in the 3rd inning. Alpine's ALLIE CIMMURRUSTI walked, LAUREN VALLELY bunted her to second base, with VANESSA McHUGH, the reigning PCAC player of the week, continuing her hot streak with a sharp, RBI single to left-center field.

The Jags' remaining run came in the 5th when Michelle Centrullo got the call on a close play at the plate.

For Grossmont, the logjam for second place will be tested Wednesday (Mar. 21) when the Griffins play at San Diego City. The Knights may be in fifth place, but rest just one game behind the pack.

Note: Southwestern snapped a 20-game losing streak to Grossmont, a streak which dates back to March 31, 2004.

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EL CAJON (3-15-12) — Whenever Grossmont College plays Imperial Valley, most of the attention is directed to other Pacific Coast Athletic Conference ballgames being played concurrently.

So after another thrashing of the Arabs – this time by a 15-0, run-rule count on Wednesday's (Mar. 14) for the school's 18th consecutive victory in the series – the Griffins again received surprising news.

For the second time in as many meetings this season, Southwestern upended Palomar, this time 4-3. The decision dropped the Comets out of their share of first place with Mesa (5-1) and into a second-place deadlock with Grossmont (4-2 each) in a wild PCAC pennant race.

The Griffins (12-11 overall) saw pitchers KELSEY TOWNSEND and MARISSA MALDONADO gain the combined shutout. Townsend went the first three innings to gain the victory, then Maldonado went the final two frames to gain a qualifying save.

The offense was fueled by third baseman JAZMINE HAMME, who belted a 3-run homer in the 2nd inning to gain the early lead. For the ballgame, Hamme collected four RBI, opening the scoring with a run-scoring double in the 1st.

In addition, freshman KASEY CAMPBELL belted three doubles to drive in two runs. Arizona Western transfer ALI RIOS (Patrick Henry) also had three hits, as the left-fielder also registered two RBI.

Grossmont next meets the red-hot Jaguars, Friday (Mar. 16) at 3 p.m. at Southwestern.

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CYPRESS (3-11-12) — A challenging week on the road finished in a somewhat satisfying conclusion after Grossmont College split a pair of games as part of a 3-way doubleheader at Cypress College.

The Griffins (11-11) rode the arm of KELSEY TOWNSEND in a 4-0 shutout of Citrus. In the nightcap, the host Chargers, which opened the season as the top-ranked ballclub in Southern California, took a 13-4 decision.

Grossmont returns to Pacific Coast Athletic Conference action Wednesday, hosting Imperial Valley College in a special 1 p.m. start.

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SAN MARCOS (3-10-12) — The toughest roadtrip of the season has not gone well for Grossmont College, falling Wednesday to Mesa, 9-2, then Friday to Palomar, 11-3.

The losses dropped the Griffins from first place down to third in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference.

The trip concludes Saturday at state-ranked Cypress with a three-way doubleheader with the host Chargers and Citrus College.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-6-12) — The College of the Desert again demonstrated why it is the most improved program in California community college softball.

The Roadrunners (20-2) became the first team in the state to reach the 20-victory plateau after scoring five times in the 1st inning to drop host Grossmont College, 7-4, in Monday's (Mar. 5) non-conference game.

COD shortstop Brittany Latham started the outburst with a 3-run homer.

The ballclub opened the season with 12 straight victories. They dropped a pair at the San Diego City College Tournament, yet have since rebounded with its current 8-game win streak.

Grossmont answered with two runs in the 1st and 5th innings, with second baseman SONIA RAY delivering keys hits in both rallies.

The Griffins (10-8) saw VANESSA McHUGH open with a walk, Ray hit a grounder to the right side to advance the runner, with LINDSAY THORSTENSON and JAZMINE HAMME following with consecutive RBI singles.

In the 5th, ALLIE CIMMURRUSTI lined a single to center, later scoring on a McHugh basehit. Ray followed with an RBI double.

Grossmont opens an important 4-game roadtrip against two of the team's closest competitors in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play at San Diego Mesa on Wednesday (Mar. 7), then at Palomar on Friday. Both start at 3 p.m.

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EL CAJON (3-3-12) — For the second time in two weeks, Grossmont College relief pitcher MARISSA MALDONADO tip-toed through a difficult, 7th-inning jam, yet came away unscathed for another save to hand the Griffins a narrow 2-1 decision over San Diego City College in Friday's (Mar. 2) hard-fought Pacific Coast Athletic Conference ballgame.

Maldonado escaped from a two-on, no out situation after the visiting Knights already got one run back on a lead homer from Gloria Blanco.

The Griffins also displayed power early on, when third baseman JAZMINE HAMME hammered a 2-run shot with two outs in the 1st inning, also scoring VANESSA McHUGH (lead single).

Grossmont starting pitcher KELSEY TOWNSEND then tossed six innings of shutout ball at SDCC. But after Blanco halved the deficit, the Knights' next batters reached on a basehit and an infield error, directing head coach DOUG HARTUNG to signal the bullpen.

"Marissa came right in throwing strikes," said Hartung. "She handled the pressure very well, just like she did against Ventura two weeks ago."

On Maldonado's first pitch, she fielded a quick comebacker, throwing to Hamme at third for the force out. Moments later, Hamme registered a second out when City's Kasandra Enslin tried to surprise the defense with a stolen base attempt, yet was nailed on a solid throw by catcher CARLA CARRILLO.

The strategy really backfired when City followed with a basehit which would've tied the contest, but instead left runners in scoring position. However, Maldonado followed with a game-ending strikeout of Karla Ferreira for her third save of the season.

"Marissa was as cool as ice and didn't let anything City do bother her," added Hartung. "She was cool as ice."

With the victory, Grossmont (10-7 overall, 3-0 PCAC) captured its third straight, remaining one full game in front of Palomar for the conference lead. However, the G-House faces its most difficult part of the schedule next week, meeting both the Comets and San Diego Mesa, then a non-conference affair with preseason No. 1 ranked Cypress as part of a three-way doubleheader with Citrus.

However, a week filled with five ballgames starts Monday (Mar. 5) with a non-conference home game with College of the Desert, starting at 3 p.m.

SDCC (9-7-1, 1-2 PCAC) fell into a fourth-place deadlock with Southwestern (7-7-1, 1-2), which owns its lone conference win against Palomar.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-1-12) — Following the recruitment of several East County high school products, Southwestern College gave notice to the rest of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference that things may be changing in the South Bay after defeating perennial power Palomar, 6-3, last week.

While the Jaguars aspire for just their second season with a winning record over the past decade, they still seek a solution in defeating the Grossmont Griffins.

On Wednesday (Feb. 29), the G-House parlayed consecutive run-scoring doubles by LINDSAY THORSTENSON and JAZMINE HAMME to leap past Southwestern, 2-0, at Grossmont.

MARISSA MALDONADO yielded eight basehits, yet earned her second shutout of the season for the pitching victory, giving the Griffins their 20th straight triumph over the Jags, a streak which dates back to Mar. 31, 2004.

So just two games into the PCAC schedule, Grossmont (9-7 overall) is the only undefeated school, a half-game ahead of San Diego Mesa.

The Griffins were smoked by Jaguars pitcher Monica Armas, who struck out 10 batters, including six Ks among the top three batters in the Grossmont batting order, but a leadoff walk to LAUREN VALLELY opened the door for the game's only scoring in the 3rd inning.

A fielder's choice and a ground out left VANESSA McHUGH at second base with two outs. Thorstenson followed with an RBI double to right-center field, then Hamme cleared the head of the centerfielder for another double, accounting for two of the three hits allowed by Armas. The other basehit was a two-out single to right by ALI RIOS in the 6th.

Meanwhile, Maldonado received help from her defense to escape a 3rd-inning jam, when Southwestern placed runners on the corners with no one out.

GABRIELLE BEASLEY ( Steele Canyon ) attempted to steal second base, so Grossmont catcher CARLA CARRILLO fired the ball to SONIA RAY at second base. However, Ray charged forward with no intent to get Beasley, caught the throw, then fired behind the runner at third base to nail the Jags' Michelle Centrullo wandering off the bag for a critical out.

Beasley, who lost the stolen base on the fielder's choice, finished with three hits, including a double, while Armas and Centrullo registered two hits each.

The Griffins continue their homestand Friday (Mar. 2) against San Diego City, starting at 3 p.m.

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IMPERIAL (2-25-12) — According to MIT, the "least random number" is 17. This is supposedly because in a study where respondents were asked to choose a random number from 1 to 20, "17" was the most common choice.

Other scientific studies repeated these results on many occasions, although no one knows the true reason why.

Nevertheless, there was nothing random about Grossmont College women's softball team when they increased its incredible winning streak to 17 consecutive victories against Imperial Valley College.

On Friday (Feb. 24), the Griffins continued their streak into a seventh season after blanking the host Arabs, 9-0 in five innings, in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference opener for both programs.

During the run, Grossmont (8-7 overall) has outscored their rivals to the east by a composite 171-17 – an average score of 10.1-to-1.0.

In the latest triumph, Griffins pitcher KELSEY TOWNSEND tossed a 2-hitter at the Arabs (3-12) for her second shutout of the season.

The last IVC victory in the series came on March 17, 2006.

Grossmont opens a 3-game homestand on Wednesday (Feb. 29), entertaining Southwestern in a 3 p.m. start.

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RANCHO CUCAMONGA (2-22-12) — Grossmont College will enter the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference schedule with a .500 record following Tuesday's (Feb. 21) 6-4 setback at Chaffey College.

Despite the level mark, Grossmont has played easily the toughest non-conference schedule among the six PCAC programs, including ballgames with ranked opponents such as No. 3 Cerritos, No. 5 Santa Ana, No. 7 Saddleback (twice), and No. 9 Long Beach.

Meanwhile, Chaffey may also break into the rankings with an 8-4-1 record after out-slugging Grossmont, 3-1 in home runs, to gain the victory.

The Griffins gained a 3-2 lead when third baseman JAZMINE HAMME belted a 2-run blast to left-center field in the 3rd inning. However, the Panthers answered with shots in the bottom half of the frame.

Jennifer Springs hit a leadoff homer to tie the ballgame, then third baseman Anjelica Cerecedes gave Chaffey the lead with a 2-run homer – her second of the contest. She also went deep in the 1st.

For Grossmont, LINDSAY THORSTENSON continued her season-long hot hitting, gaining two more basehits and scoring a run.

So far this season, the Griffins have played five squads listed in the Southern California preseason Top 10 rankings. San Diego City is next with a healthy three, while Palomar has played two.

The Griffins (7-7 overall) will open their PCAC slate Friday (Feb. 24) with a special 1 p.m. start at Imperial Valley.

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MIRA MESA (2-19-12) — Grossmont College, the 2010 champions of the San Diego College Tournament, again reached the championship round of the annual event held at Hourglass Field. But this time, the Griffins came up just a bit short.

Following victories over Allan Hancock (7-2) and Ventura (4-3) earlier on Saturday (Feb. 18), Saddleback ended Grossmont's 4-game winning streak with a 4-0 win in the finale.

"We played really well and keep showing improvement," said Grossmont head coach DOUG HARTUNG. "Things are going really well for us right now."

The key to the second day of the tournament was pitcher MARISSA MALDONADO. After she gained the complete-game victory against the Bulldogs to open the day's activities, she gained a save against the Pirates by stranding the potential tying and go-ahead runners in scoring position in the 7th.

Maldonado then held the top-seeded Gauchos (10-2) to their third-lowest run total of the season. Only L.A. Valley (2) and Palomar (1) allowed Saddleback to score fewer runs.

Early on, the only run allowed was of the unearned variety in the 5th, as designated player Mandy Gutierrez, who received a break from her normal catching duties, reaching on a throwing error. She came home on a basehit by freshman Kendal McElveny.

Grossmont had a chance to move even in the 6th when JAZMINE HAMME belted a 2 out triple, but she was left stranded.

Saddleback also received triples from Gutierrez and Nicki Jacobucci, making a winner of pitcher Danielle Santos, who tossed a 5-hitter.

In Grossmont's opening game, they expanded a 4-2 advantage with two runs in the 5th, then three more in the 6th which featured a 2-run homer by VANESSA McHUGH. She went 3-for-4 and scored three times.

Second baseman SONIA RAY got the offense going with a sacrifice fly in the 1st, then recorded what would become the game-winning RBI with a double in the 2nd. In addition, SHELBY GRIMES went 2-for-3 with a sac fly in the 4th.

The semifinals saw the Griffins jump to an early 3-0 lead thanks to a pair of leadoff hits.

In the 2nd, Grimes opened with a basehit, eventually scoring when KASEY CAMPBELL reached on an error. She then scored on a squeeze bunt by LAUREN VALLELY.

An inning later, McHugh opened with a double to center, coming around on a wild pitch, then another Ray sacrifice fly.

Grossmont (7-6) hits the road next week, playing at Chaffey on Tuesday (Feb. 21), then open Pacific Coast Athletic Conference action Friday (Feb. 24) at Imperial Valley.

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MIRA MESA (2-18-12) — When Grossmont College opened the season, pitcher KELSEY TOWNSEND tossed her first collegiate shutout. On Friday (Feb. 17), déjà vu occured, also against Rio Hondo College, when Griffins pitcher MARISSA MALDONADO also gained her first career shutout.

Maldonado, a Monte Vista High product, struck out four batters and yielded just five basehits, leading Grossmont to a 3-0 blanking of the Roadrunners in the pool play portion of the San Diego City College tournament, being held at Hourglass Park.

In the second pool contest, the Griffins outlasted Allan Hancock College, 7-4, gaining one of the top seeds entering Saturday's knockout round of the 17th annual tournament.

JAZMINE HAMME gave Maldonado all the support she needed by driving in all three Grossmont runs. Hamme belted a 2-run homer to left-center field, also bringing home LINDSAY THORSTENSON (basehit) in the 4th inning.

The combo also hit the board in the 6th, as Thorstenson again singled, stole second base, then Hamme laced an RBI basehit to right field.

Against the Bulldogs, VANESSA McHUGH provided the game-winning hit, snapping a 4-4 tie with their opponents from Santa Maria.

Moments after Allan Hancock got even, LAUREN VALLELY opened the 4th with a double. McHugh followed with a run-scoring basehit, as Grossmont scored three times to beat the tournament time clock to win in five innings.

The Griffins held the early lead when SHELBY GRIMES connected on a 2-out basehit to center in the first. KELSEY TOWNSEND gained the team's pitching victory.

Among the five tournament pool winners, Grossmont gained the No. 3 seed entering a single-elimination phase of the tournament. Pairings were not available at press time.

Grossmont College second baseman Sonia Ray waits for the ball to post the fielder's choice out on Santa Ana College freshman Keila Tenorio. (Photo by Ruth Mims) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

NEW Griffins Photo Gallery HERE

East County athlete gains PCAC honor © East County Sports.com SAN MARCOS (2-13-12) — Former Monte Vista softball player McKENNA CLARK was named one of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference athletes of the week for the period ending Sunday (Feb. 12). Clark, a freshman shortstop, turned a pair of double plays in a 7-1 victory over Glendale. With the bat, she went 2-for-3 and scored twice against the Vaqueros, then went 2-for-3 with a home run to help San Diego City run-rule L.A. Pierce, 8-0.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-11-12) — Santa Ana College pitcher Kaitlyn Hooper matched her fall ball performance.

After falling to Grossmont College, 3-1, last autumn, the sophomore again limited the Griffins to three runs on eight hits. But this time, the 5th-ranked Donas’ offense erupted for double-digits to take Friday's (Feb. 10) 11-3 non-conference decision.

The three runs by Grossmont (3-5) was a season-low after the team was scoring at a near-record rate entering the ballgame.

Griffins left fielder VANESSA McHUGH again paced the offense with two more hits. Included was a 1st-inning triple, eventually scoring on a LINDSAY THORSTENSON sacrifice fly. McHugh later singled and scored in the 6th, knocked in by JAZMINE HAMME's basehit.

With the win, Santa Ana (6-2) snapped a 2-game losing streak (to state-ranked opponents Cerritos in extra innings, and Saddleback) after opening the season with five consecutive triumphs.

Grossmont takes a week off before participating at the annual San Diego City College Tournament, to be held at Hourglass Field, located next to Miramar College in Mira Mesa on Friday (Feb. 17). The Griffins will meet Rio Hondo and Allan Hancock in pool play, with the knockout round slated for the following day.

Santa Ana is coached by former Point Loma Nazarene standout Jessica Rapoza, an NAIA honorable mention All-America utility player who later played professionally with the NPF Arizona Heat. She was inducted into the PLNU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-7-12) — The red-hot bats of the Grossmont College women's fastpitch team continued to tear it up at near-record levels.

Fueled by a 4-for-4 performance by shortstop SONIA RAY, the Griffins matched a season high with 15 runs while collecting 16 basehits to stomp Santiago Canyon College, 15-6, in Monday's (Feb. 6) non-conference game.

Ray, a Mount Miguel High product, drove in a run and scored twice, helping Grossmont (3-4) score nine runs over the first three innings in snapping a 4-game losing streak.

Left fielder VANESSA McHUGH also continued her torrid hitting, going 2-for-4 plus a sacrifice fly to drive in three runs. Her final pair of RBI came in the 6th inning, when Grossmont registered six runs to invoke the run rule.

Center fielder LINDSAY "L.T." THORSTENSON also collected a pair of basehits, driving in two and scoring twice, while third baseman JAZMINE HAMME and shortstop SHELBY GRIMES also recorded two RBI each.

Through seven ballgames this season, Grossmont is averaging 8.7 runs per outing, the third-best start in school history; the 2007 Griffins scored 77 runs (11.0) in their first seven contests.

For the visiting Hawks (1-7), sophomore Lana Rutkin hit a 2-run homer to right field in the 6th to cut the Griffins' lead to 9-6.

Grossmont continues its homestand by hosting Santa Ana on Friday (Feb. 10) at 2 p.m.

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (2-4-12) — Part of the reason for the slow start by the Grossmont College women's fastpitch team was the surprise absence of Grossmont High product HANNAH RAPOPORT. Following in the footsteps of the departed MELANIE GOFF, the two-time Pacific Coast Athletic Conference player of the year who now plays for Louisiana Tech, Rapoport was dueling to become the Griffins' No. 1 pitcher during the fall schedule.

However, solid outings by Rapoport in the fall was good enough for Daven Bond, the first coach for the new Colorado Christian University softball program, to offer her a scholarship to the NCAA Division II member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

"Hannah proved to be a tough batter to get out during the four games I saw her play during the fall, including two with (state-ranked) Saddleback" said Grossmont head coach DOUG HARTUNG. "Hannah spun a 3-hitter in a 3-1 complete-game win against Santa Ana, too. Her presence will be missed."

Last season, with Goff in front of her, Rapoport was an All-PCAC performer in center field. She ranked among PCAC leaders with a .347 batting average, leading the circuit with 21 stolen bases (in just 22 attempts). Rapoport placed fourth in runs scored (35), and struck out a mere four times in 122 plate appearances.

She will now play for a coach who pitched for three Major League Baseball organizations, then compiled a 768-218 record with the Colorado Stampede 18 Gold club program since 1994.

Colorado Christian was slated to debut its program this weekend, but recent snows cancelled both ballgames. Thus, the Cougars will commence play in next weekend's Eckerd College Invitational in St. Petersburg, Fla.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-2-12) — Christina Bolin drove in four runs with a pair of doubles and a sacrifice fly, powering 7th-ranked Saddleback College to a 14-6 pasting of Grossmont College in the Griffins' home opener Wednesday (Feb. 1).

The Gauchos (3-1) built a 10-0 lead through two innings thanks to four early errors by the Griffins, eventually leading to a run-rule decision after five innings.

"We can't continue to make mistakes on defense, because it magnifies everything else that went wrong," said head coach DOUG HARTUNG. "At least we know what we have to work on."

Offense isn't one of them after again scoring no fewer than five runs in all six ballgames this season.

Catcher CARLA CARRILLO led the way by driving in three runs. She slugged a two-run single in the 3rd, then an RBI basehit in the 4th, with both liners going to centerfield.

VANESSA McHUGH scored on Carrillo's first hit, while LINDSAY THORSTENSON came home on both of the backstop's hits.

With the setback, Grossmont (2-4) lost its fourth straight – albeit, three to state-ranked programs – one game short of the team's longest skid since 2003.

Grossmont continues its 3-game homestand Monday (Feb. 6), hosting Santiago Canyon College of Orange at 3 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (1-31-12) — Former Mount Miguel High pitcher LAURA NELSON was named one of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference's players of the week for the period ending Sun., Jan. 29.

Nelson, a freshman left-hander, notched three victories for Mesa College at the Glendale College Tournament, downing Santiago Canyon, Chaffey and San Diego City.

© East County Sports.com
NORWALK (2-1-12) — Third-ranked Cerritos College bombed five home runs Tuesday (Jan. 31), including a pair each by freshman first baseman Andrea Arellano and sophomore designated player Jackie Flores, powering the Falcons to a 19-5 thrashing in a non-conference contest at Nancy Kelly Field.

The Falcons (3-1) raked 21 hits to send Grossmont (2-3) to its third straight setback.

The Griffins' offense continued to shine despite the loss, including the play of third baseman VANESSA McHUGH, who posted two more hits.

McHugh opened the ballgame with a double on the game's very first pitch, moved to third on a LINDSAY THORSTENSON basehit, then scored on a double steal for a quick 1-0 Griffins lead.

However, Cerritos answered with four runs in the 1st, capped by a 2-run hit by Arellano, then six more runs in the 2nd, capped by Flores' 3-run blast.

Thorstenson, the centerfielder, and first baseman JAZMIN HAMME, matched McHugh by batting 2-for-3 each.

Second baseman SONIA RAY added a 2-run basehit in the 4th, while designated player KASEY CAMPBELL also drove in a run.

The Griffins will battle 7th-ranked Saddleback in their home opener, slated for 3 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 1).

© East County Sports.com
GLENDALE (1-29-12) — In a battle of ballclubs with similar recent successes and failures, 9th-ranked Long Beach City College staved off a late Grossmont College rally to take an 9-8 decision in Saturday's (Jan. 28) opening knockout round of the Glendale College Tournament.

For the Griffins (2-2), VANESSA McHUGH batted 4-for-5 with three runs scored and a pair of RBI.

Both programs advanced to the state playoffs for the fifth consecutive year last season, but both were also eliminated in the first round, as Grossmont fell to Saddleback, while the Vikings were swept by Palomar.

Grossmont gains an early revenge opportunity, opening its home schedule Wednesday (Feb. 1) at 3 p.m. against Saddleback. The Gauchos are ranked 7th in the preseason Southland coaches poll.

© East County Sports.com
GLENDALE (1-28-12) — The DOUG HARTUING coaching era at Grossmont College is off to a strong start after the Griffins posted a 2-1 record following the opening day of the annual Glendale College Tournament.

Grossmont displayed solid offense in all three outing, defeating Rio Hondo (15-0) and Pasadena (7-3) before falling to the host Vaqueros (6-5) in a time-shortened ballgame.

The Griffins just moved to within a run on a 3-run homer by sophomore transfer CARLA CARILLO. It was the second homer of the ballgame for the Santana High product, but then the clock expired before Grossmont had an opportunity to complete the rally.

"The tournament has a drop-dead timing rule," explained Hartung. "Other than that, I was extremely pleased with the team's effort all day long."

Pitcher KELSEY TOWNSEND was the hard-lock loser to Glendale, but she started the day in style, tossing a shutout against Rio Hondo's Roadrunners to capture her collegiate debut.

Townsend, a Mira Mesa High product (just like MELANIE GOFF, the two-time Pacific Coast Athletic Conference pitcher of the year for Grossmont over the past two seasons), struck out three in tossing a 1-hitter. The lone hit was a 2nd-inning triple, but she preserved the shutout by coaxing a groundout to the next batter.

The offense was led by third baseman VANESSA McHUGH (West Hills) and center fielder LINDSAY THORSTENSON (Patrick Henry), who both registered two hits and a pair of runs scored, while left fielder SUMMER GREEN collected a pair of RBI.

In the middle game of the team's tripleheader, MARIZA MALDONADO (Monte Vista) gained her first pitching victory of the season by outlasting Pasadena. She allowed six hits and struck out three in a complete-game effort.

Freshman third baseman JAZMINE HAMME (University City) and sophomore shortstop SHELBY GRIMES (Patrick Henry) each registered a pair of hits and drove in a run.

"We received key hits from almost everyone throughout the lineup," added Hartung.

Grossmont finished in second place in its pool, gaining a Saturday (Jan. 28) 1 p.m. meeting with Long Beach City College (3-0), which captured the opposite pool in the tournament, in action at the Glendale Sports Complex.

Doug Hartung takes over the Griffins this spring

The Hartung File

2004 CIF D-II champs 2003 CIF D-II runners-up 2005 CIF D-III runners-up 2004 SDCIF Coach/Year 2004 & '09 East County Coach of the Year

Yr School Record 02  03  04  05  06  07  08  09  10  11 Valhalla   Valhalla* Valhalla* Valhalla* Valhalla* Valhalla Valhalla Valhalla Valhalla ECVHS 16-14-3 23-8-1 31-4-0 26-6-2 19-10-0 13-17-0 16-16-0 19-14-1 22-11-0 8-19-0 TOT 10 Years 193-124-7 *league champions Also coached 10 seasons at ECVHS in 1980s.

By Nick Pellegrino & John O. Rollo
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-27-12) — Following a 14-year career with 316 victories and four Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championships over the past five seasons, the RICK TRESTRAIL era coaching the Grossmont College women's fastpitch team came to an end last summer.

However, the program will remain in good hands.

Taking over for the 2012 season will be DOUG HARTUNG, one of the East County's most recognizable names over the past decade.

In nine seasons at Valhalla High, then last season with El Cajon Valley, Hartung posted a composite 193-124-7 record. Throw in his coaching record from the 1980s (records not available at press time), Hartung is one of the few coaches in CIF San Diego Section history to collect more than 250 career triumphs.

Hartung was the San Diego County coach of the year, as voted by the San Diego Hall of Champions, after upending Escondido to claim the CIF Division II championship in 2004. His Norsemen ballclubs also advanced to the title game in 2003 and 2005. In addition, his teams captured the old Grossmont South League crown a record-tieing four consecutive seasons (2003-06), plus, he was twice honored East County Sports coach of the year ('04 and '09).

Hartung welcomes the return of longtime Griffins assistant coach ANA LANDEROS, while BRUCE WHITLOW, who coincidentally coached last season both at Grossmont with Trestrail and with Hartung at ECVHS last season, remains on staff. Another newcomer is STEVE WISNOSKY, a veteran of Hartung-coached ballclubs.

ROSTER
In an attempt to advance to state playoff competition for a record sixth straight season, Grossmont's 16 player roster features just three returning players: second baseman SONIA RAY (Mount Miguel), outfielder LAUREN VALLELY (Grossmont HS), and utility specialist SHELBY DULAC-SHIELDS (Eastlake). But there are a ton of experienced transfers to soften the burden.

“We will be a very competitive team, one that will be limited in the power department, relying on defense and pitching," he noted. "And the schedule will be very tough and demanding."

Leading the pitching corps will be freshman KELSEY TOWNSEND, who was lost in an extremely deep pitching rotation last season with Mira Mesa, the Grossmont Conference Tournament titlist. Townsend pitched behind Marauders sophomore Katiyana Mauga, a first-team, All-San Diego Section choice in 2011, thus Townsend comes to Grossmont in anticipation of gaining notice from major-college scouts.

“We will lean on Kelsey,” Hartung noted.

Townsend will be joined in the circle by right-handers MARIZA MALDONADO (Monte Vista) and Dulac-Shields.

Catching will belong to the tandem of sophomore CARLA CARRILLO, a transfer from Iowa Lakes College who graduated from Santana, and freshman KASEY CAMPBELL (Mira Mesa) – a duo Hartung describes as “having strong arms and excellent leadership skills.”

Hartung feels he will field a remaining lineup composed of six sophomores and one freshman. At first base will be JENNA HOWELL (a San Diego City College transfer out of Mar Vista), second base belongs to Ray, while sophomore SHELBY GRIMES (Patrick Henry) will be the shortstop. Freshman JAZMINE HAMME (University City) will occupy third base.

The outfield will consist of Vallely in right field, sophomore LINDSAY THORSTENSON (Patrick Henry) in center, while right will be contested between sophomores SUMMER GREEN (a San Diego Mesa transfer out of King City HS) and ALI RIOS (an Arizona Western College transfer out of Patrick Henry).

Grossmont (25-9 last year) will open the season with their annual appearance in the Glendale Tournament on Friday (Jan. 27), where they will face Rio Hondo, Pasadena and the host Vaqueros on Opening Day. The Griffins home schedule begins on Wednesday (Feb. 1) at 3 p.m. against Saddleback, the team which finally eliminated them in the state championship.

Melanie Goff

La.Tech Bio Page

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
RUSTON, La. (9-15-11) — Grossmont College standout MELANIE GOFF, the two-time Pacific Coast Athletic Conference pitcher of the year, has re-gained a Division I softball scholarship after accepting an offer from Louisiana Tech of the Western Athleitc Conference.

Goff was signed by Lady Techsters head coach SARAH DAWSON, the former Christian High standout who later became MVP of Women's Pro Fastpitch.

"We're excited about the addition of Melanie to our squad for the upcoming season," said Dawson. "Hr primary role will be as a pitcher, but her athleticism will also give her the chance to contribute on defense as well as in the lineup."

The Mira Mesa High product was originally signed by Arkansas, but a change in the coaching staff saw Goff lose her scholarship, so she returned home and joined the Griffins, capturing a pair of PCAC championships.

"I know it is Mel's dream to be playing Division I ball," added Dawson. "She had a long road to get to this point, so I am xcited to see her get the opportunity to contribute to our team."

Louisiana Tech is currently renovating its playing field in preperation to hosting the WAC Championships this spring. Last season during the event, the Lady Techsters upset nationally-ranked Fresno State in key a deep run in the postseason event.

Along with her pitching achievements, Goff led the PCAC in batting as well, gaining a first-team berth on the all-state team.

"We're so happy for Mel to get back with a Division I program," said Griffins assistant coach ANA LANDEROS. "She has to be one of the best to ever play for Grossmont, so it's great to see her get rewarded for all of her hard work."

Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Race for The Triple Crown
BATTING Avg Goff, GC Taylor, GC LeBeau, Pal Norris, GC McGowan, SDM Whitmore, SDC Dinner, SDM .495 .443 .434 .434 .409 .404 .400	HOME RUNS No. Taylor, GC Norris, GC Mathis, Pal 10 6 6 RBI No. Taylor, GC Norris, GC LeBeau, Pal 41 39 34

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (6-10-11) — RICK TRESTRAIL, who salvaged the Grossmont College women's fastpitch program from folding when he took over as head coach prior to the 1998 season, is stepping down from the post following 14 successful seasons.

Trestrail, who posted a 316-165-3 (.656) mark, built the team into a preeminent program in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference, finishing in first or second place over the past 13 consecutive seasons, including four PCAC championships in the last five years.

Trestrail's impact on the Griffins athletic program is immeasurable.

"Rick had a very illustrious and fulfilling career," said JIM SPILLERS, Grossmont's director of athletics. "He'll probably teach three more semesters, so resigning from his coaching component will be his first step toward total retirement."

Trestrail, 63, plans to spend more time on his six acres of land he owns in San Diego's back country near Julian.

“I’ve been coaching for 41 years, so I think it’s time for me to move on and do something else,” Trestrail said. “I have a bunch of hobbies I want to spend more time doing.”

Since he was 14, Trestrail has played drums and performed in a variety of rock-and-roll bands. He and his band have stepped away from the nightclub scene and now play at private functions.

“I still enjoy music a lot,” Trestrail said.

He is also a Hot Rod enthusiast.

“I built a 1934 Ford coupe with three windows and 383cc stroker engine,” Trestrail said. “I’ve shown that car at several car shows. My band has also played at some car shows.”

Prior to coaching the Grossmont College softball team, Trestrail spent part of three decades coaching high school and college football. He was a defensive assistant at his alma mater Poway High (1972-79), was a head coach at Sacred Heart in San Francisco and head coach at University of St. Mary College in Leavenworth, Kan., for four years.

Under Trestrail, Grossmont fastpitch went 25-9 this past season, giving him a 5-year ledger of 139-51 (.732) to cap his career along with winning four PCAC pennants.

Hartung named replacement
Meanwhile, Spillers already announced a replacement for Trestrail, naming El Cajon Valley High head softball coach DOUG HARTUNG to take over.

"It all came together this past week," said Hartung, who started his second stint with the Braves in 2011 after nearly a full decade of success at Valhalla, where he captured the 2004 SDCIF championship and was a two-time East County coach of the year. "I'm pretty excited to take a step up and keep the program competitive."

According to Hartung, BRUCE WHITLOW, his long-time assistant, first interviewed for the position, but when it was determined that he couldn't accept it, he directed Grossmont toward Hartung's direction.

Whitlow will remain on Hartung's coaching staff, while ANA LANDEROS, who's been a part of Grossmont softball for a decade as a successful player or assistant coach under Trestrail, will also be retained.

"Bruce has been with me for 17 or 18 years," noted Hartung. "But keeping Ana will be important for continuity in the program. She's been instrumental with recruiting, which is also something I look forward to doing, too."

© East County Sports.com
SACRAMENTO (5-9-11) — Despite being ousted in the opening round of the CCCAA state playoffs in two games, there was plenty of good news for the Grossmont College women's fastpitch team.

Griffins pitcher MELANIE GOFF gained a berth to the all-state community college team, while catcher ALYSSA TAYLOR was tabbed to the all-Southern California team, as selected by the state coaches association.

Goff, the 2-time Pacific Coast Athletic Conference pitcher of the year, also led all PCAC players in batting as well. Her achievements landed the sophomore from Mira Mesa High among the top 10 in the balloting.

Meanwhile, Taylor, who finished second to Goff in batting while leading the PCAC in home runs and RBI to just miss capturing the rare Triple Crown, was an easy pick on the Southland team. The sophomore is out of La Jolla High.

State players of the year were Adriana Perez (Antelope Valley) and Mckaylee Pittman (College of the Siskiyous). Pitchers of the year were Kailey Snyder (Santa Barbara) and Cortney Allen (Sacramento). Coaches of the tear were Paula Congleton (Santa Barbara) and Nicole Borg (College of San Matro).

Grossmont, the PCAC champions for the fourth time in five seasons, were eliminated by Saddleback College, 10-0 in 5 innings, in Sunday's (May 8) ballgame, giving the Gauchos from Mission Viejo a 2-game sweep of the best-of-3 series to advance to next weekend's Super Regionals.

.No.. Name................... Pos B-T Hgt Yr High School (Last) Hometown 1 Angela Lovelady SS R-R 5-6 So Granite Hills El Cajon 4 Katie Secord OF R-R 5-3 Fr Mountain Empire Pine Valley 6 Sonia Ray 2B R-R 5-6 Fr Mount Miguel Spring Valley 9 Kim Ariza Util L-R 5-5 Fr Wood HS '06/SDSU Vacaville 12 Hannah Rapoport Util L-L 5-6 Fr Grossmont HS La Mesa 15 Lauren Vallely Util R-R 5-6 Fr Grossmont HS La Mesa 17 Clarissa Norris Util R-R 5-4 Fr Grossmont HS La Mesa 5/21 Melanie Goff P S-R 5-10 So Mira Mesa San Diego 22 Marissa Maldonado P R-R 5-3 Fr Monte Vista Casa de Oro 25 Alyssa Taylor Util R-R 5-8 So La Jolla La Jolla — Shelby Eulac-Shields Util R-R 5-3 So Eastlake Chula Vista Head Coach: Rick Trestrail. Assistants: Ana Landeros, Bruce Whitlow.

© East County Sports.com
STARKVILLE, Miss. (5-5-10) — Grossmont College shortstop ANGELA LOVELADY, a product of Granite Hills High, has been named to the 2010 All-America community college team by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

Lovelady, a freshman shortstop, paced the Griffins with a .454 batting average during the regular season. She ranked 11th among all Southern California community college batters – second among all shortstops – and was runner-up to fellow All-America selection Danielle LeBeau of Palomar for the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference batting title.

Lovelady also ranked among the state leaders in doubles, helping lead Grossmont (now 29-7) to its third PCAC title in four seasons.

Earlier, Lovelady was named to the All-Southland team, but failed to make the all-state team, which saw a different panel of coaches instead tab Griffins pitcher MELANIE GOFF for honors.

Melanie Goff

Angela Lovelady

© East County Sports.com
MENEFEE (4-26-10) — Grossmont College workhorse MELANIE GOFF, who ranked among the state leaders in complete games and innings pitched all season, was named to the All-California state community college women's fastpitch team, the coaches association announced.

Goff, a Mira Mesa High product, posted a 23-7 overall record, finishing second in Southern California in total victories behind only Hillary Perez-Ashley of Cerritos, the state's co-pitcher of the year with Sierra's Samantha Baker.

Perez-Ashley, who posted a 30-1 record for the top-ranked Falcons, also edged Goff as the Southland leader in shutouts, 9-to-8.

Goff tossed 24 complete games over more than 175 innings during the regular season.

Meanwhile, Griffins shortstop ANGELA LOVELADY was named to the all-Southern California team by the same 3CWFCA panel.

Lovelady ranked second in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference with a .454 batting average, leading the circuit in doubles while tying with teammate BRITT WRIGHT for the conference lead in runs scored. Lovelady also ranked first in doubles, and second in total basehits, home runs and RBI.

She follows the footsteps of older sister ASHLEY LOVELADY, who was an all-state selection as a Grossmont catcher in 2009.

The Griffins (27-7) will host College of the Canyons (28-11) in the first round of the state playoffs, beginning with Game One of a best-of-3 set on Saturday (May 1) at 2 p.m.

Melanie Goff	Angela Lovelady
Alyssa Taylor	Kylee Wilson
Britt Wright	Kelley Seitz

© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (4-23-10) — Grossmont College pitcher MELANIE GOFF, an unexpected addition to the Griffins prior to the season, has been named the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference's Pitcher of the Year. The voting was conducted by conference coaches at Thursday's (Apr. 22) postseason meeting.

Goff, a product of Mira Mesa High, ranked among the Southern California leaders in both record and ERA all season. Goff was joined on the honor roll of first-team selections by four of her teammates. The list includes catcher KYLEE WILSON (Granite Hills), centerfielder BRITT WRIGHT (transfer from Chabot College), third baseman ALYSSA TAYLOR (La Jolla) and shortstop ANGELA LOVELADY (Granite Hills).

However, conference coaches refused to acknowledge a changing of the guard at the top of the PCAC, which Grossmont has claimed in three of the past four seasons. Palomar, which captured an amazing 22 straight PCAC crowns prior to the Griffins' current streak, received six first-team berths as opposed to five for Grossmont, plus nine overall picks to just six for the Griffins.

Leading the Comets was pitcher Danielle LeBeau, who also played other positions this season unlike Goff, thus was given the Player of the Year award.

On the second team was Grossmont's Kelley Seitz (Valhalla), who was named as a utility player; she is both a first baseman and designated player.

Kyrstin Gemar (DSU photo)

LOCAL COVERAGE The Dickinson Press

Yahoo! Sports STORY

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© East County Sports.com
Near PATTERSON LAKE, N.D. (11-3-09/Updated 11-4-09) — Former Grossmont College women's fastpitch standout KYRSTIN GEMAR and two of her teammates from Dickinson State University, who disappeared Sunday (Nov. 1) on a stargazing trip, were found dead Tuesday near the southwestern North Dakota campus, local authorities announced.

Gemar, 22, along with Afton Williamson, 20, of Lake Elsinore, and Ashley Neufeld, 21, of Brandon, Manitoba, were found in Gemar's white 1997 Jeep Cherokee at the bottom of a 12-foot deep pond on a farm outside of Dickinson, N.D.

Around 11:20 p.m. CT Sunday, the group twice called a friend for help, about one minute apart, before the line cut out on Sunday according to Dickinson police. One woman was difficult to understand during a 40-second call, with the friend telling authorities of hearing the woman say they were near a lake and water.

A 2007 file photo of Kyrstin Gemar slugging a game-winning sacrifice fly for the Griffins. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

Story on CNN.com, 11-5-2009

It was determined that Gemar and one of the other women attempted to call for assistance from an air bubble inside the submerged vehicle before tragically drowning. No determination on how the vehicle went into the lake has been announced.

"A couple of our former players knew about them being missing Monday, so we were hoping all day for them — using the present tense when talking positive about them," said Griffins assistant coach ANA LANDEROS. "Then we heard the news — it's so sad."

It was the second major disaster for the Gemar family recently. Last year, their house burned down in a fire.

"Their family is so awesome, and now this happened," added Landeros. "There isn't much you can say."

The combination of talents saw several colleges make her scholarship offers, yet Gemar selected a small NAIA school to continue her college career.

"Krystin was used exclusively as a designated hitter while rehabbing her shoulder," Landeros added about the former All-Pacific Coast Conference pitcher, who unseated Palomar for the 2007 conference championship. "But she was going to pitch again this season."

Since a person can only participate in two seasons at community colleges, most members of the current Grossmont roster did not know Gemar. The lone player who did is San Diego City College transfer first baseman Caitlin Aimalefoa, who was a teammate at Clairemont High School.

Dickinson State features several local players on the roster of the nationally ranked Blue Hawks. Included are former Steele Canyon High outfielder VANESSA ADAME, and former Grossmont College and Granite Hills High pitcher CHARNEL ZETSCH.

A 2007 file photo of (l-r) Kyrstin Gemar, Marissa Utley, and Lauren Hastings celebrating another victory after the Griffins raised their record to 6-0. (Photo by Lenny Gemar) Editor's Note: By coincidence, Lenny Gemar, Krystin's father, was the official team photographer in 2007, while also supplying photos for East County Sports.