With El Capitan coach Steve Vickery (far left) looking on, Cathedral Catholic celebrates its CIFSDS Division III crown in dogpile fashion. (Photo by Greg Eichelberger; Courtesy, The East County Californian)

By Andrew Smith and Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (6-3-12) — For the El Capitan Vaqueros, they would be trying to write the kind of ending not even a Hollywood director could script. In their fourth straight championship game appearance – and the third in a row facing Cathedral Catholic – head coach STEVE VICKERY was looking to ride away into the sunset ending his storied 34-year coaching career happily ever after.

“When I tried to give my pregame talk, I really hard a hard time with it,” professed Vickery. “I really thought whoever scored first was probably going to win the game.”

It didn't take the Dons too long to strike first blood. After just 4 pitches they staked a 1-0 lead and went on to capture the San Diego CIF Division III championship, 3-1, over El Capitan (31-7) Saturday (June 2) at SDSU's Tony Gwynn Stadium.

“This one hurts pretty bad,” said senior catcher CHARLES MOORMAN. “We all wanted to go out on top for Vick, but the bounces just didn't go our way today. Not too many people around can say they have been here 4 years in a row so it's pretty special to accomplish that.”

Dons junior left-hander Stephen Gonsalves took the third pitch he saw to the right-center field gap for a triple and scored one pitch later when Hutton Moyer drove a sacrifice fly into right.

“I think SHANE COLEMAN was just a little too amped up to start the game,” Vickery said. Coleman allowed only four hits, but was the hard-luck loser. “We really were lucky to just get out of there only giving up one.”

Gonsalves had his A-game on the mound as well as he rolled his record to a perfect 10-0 on the season, pitching a complete game, scattering three hits and striking out 8.

It's not like the Vaqueros didn't have their chances though. In the top of the first JAVIER GONZALEZ led off with a single, but was stranded at third. CODY REILLY doubled in the third and Moorman walked and stole second only to be stranded as they left 4 runners in scoring position on the day.

“I thought Gonsalves threw a great game today against us,” senior TROY CONYERS said. “For a left-handed hitter he's real difficult to face because he's got real good life on his fastball and an above-average breaking ball.”

The score remained 1-0 until the sixth inning. With two outs and the bases loaded Brandon Nelson hit a ball down the third base line that found it's way into the outfield for two more runs and a 3-0 advantage.

“It really is a game of inches,” Vickery said. “The ball just took a funny hop and that stuff just happens, but it would've been really fun to come into that last inning only down one run.”

Junior JESSIE BURNS started the Vaqueros' final at-bat with a deep double to left. With two outs TRAVIS BAKER reached on an error and pinch runner AUSTIN CURO-RUIS scored, but a groundout by Gonzalez ended Vickery's claim to leave on Cloud 9.

For his last year as skipper Vickery might have done his best coaching job as he left the dugout with 647 career victories and coached El Cap to their school record 31 wins in 2012.

“He's much more than just a great coach, he's a great person,” Conyers said of his four-year mentor. “I'll always remember the things he taught me and the inspiration he gave all of us, not just as ballplayers, but also as young men.”

Even in defeat Vickery fielded handshakes from all directions – from opposing coaches, former and present players as well as a legion of fans.

“In a way this was a bittersweet win,” said Cathedral coach Gary Remiker. “Steve Vickery is a class act. There is no safe lead when you’re playing one of his teams. El Capitan makes you work for everything you get.”

The Dons won two out of three from El Capitan this season, including the Classic Division championship of the Lions Tournament.

The backhand grab by El Capitan third baseman Eric Lozano. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

El Capitan senior left-hander Troy Conyers became the school's career strikeout leader in his CIF victory over St. Augustine. His 313 K's is second-best in Grossmont Conference history. (Photo by Nathan Price, youatplay.com)

East County Record Book Career Pitching Strikeouts Ks  Player, School (Years) 376   320 313 310 290 286 286 283 278 292 276 Brian Schroeder, Christian (2000-03) George Sherrod, Helix (1960-62) Troy Conyers, El Capitan (2010-12) Matt LaChappa, El Capitan (1991-93) Eric Krause, Granite Hills (2005-07) Jeff Byrd, El Capitan (1972-74) Ryan O’Coyne, Granite Hills (1989-91) Steve Long, Mount Miguel (1971-74) Kyle Hypes, Santana (1968-69) Others Randy Meeks, Borrego Springs (1981-84) Travis Denmark, Julian (1988-90)

By Bill Dickens and Andrew Smith
© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (6-1-12) — El Capitan High pitcher TROY CONYERS took a different focus on Thursday’s (May 31) fifth round of the San Diego CIF Division III survival game against visiting St. Augustine.

Ranked No. 1 in strikeouts among section pitchers, Conyers informed his mother, Daria, that “I’m going to be more of a ground out pitcher today.”

And so the 6-foot-5, 229-pound senior southpaw proved to be as he spun a complete-game 3-hitter with a mere four strikeouts in an El Capitan 3-1 victory over St. Augustine that propelled the Vaqueros into Saturday’s (June 2) Division III championship game against Cathedral Catholic at SDSU’s Tony Gwynn Stadium. First pitch is at 1 p.m. between the two teams that split a pair of regular season meetings.

Of the 21 outs recorded by Conyers, 14 came via ground balls. Only three fly balls resulted in outs.

Despite his lowest strikeout output of the season, Conyers (9-2) set the El Capitan record for career strikeouts with 313 – besting the previous record of 310 set by MATT LaCHAPPA set in the early 1990s.

“(Saints) got me the last time I faced them,” Conyers noted. “So I made some adjustments and did a better job of commanding the inside part of the plate.”

Conyers retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced.

“We’ve got to get this last win for Coach Vic,” exclaimed Conyers, who like catcher CHUCK MOORMAN, is making his fourth consecutive appearance in the section finals.

Moorman whacked a pair of doubles and hoisted a sacrifice fly in his three trips to the plate in El Capitan ’s latest victory.

“I feel as good as I have all season swinging the bat,” said Moorman, who is 8-for-13 in five playoff games, with five doubles, one home run, 5 runs and 3 RBI.

“We lost that first game to Saints (4-3), but regrouped and decided we didn’t want to go out that way.”

Retiring El Capitan skipper Steve Vickery (right) receives congratulations from.Charles Moorman after winning his final home game in a 3-1 victory over St. Augustine in the CIF Div. III semifinals. Vickery's first Vaqueros win also came against the Saints in a 15-5 decision on Mar. 7, 1985. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com)

“That’s kind of a bookend deal, isn’t it,” Vickery remarked.

At that time a tank of gas cost $1.11 at the pump. Beverly Hills Cop was No. 1 in the box office and on top of the music charts was REO Speedwagon's “Can't Fight This Feeling.”

Twenty seven years later, Vickery just couldn't fight the feeling anymore.

“If I really start to think about it being my last game coached here I just get too emotional,” Vickery said. “Over 1,000 games coached in my time and I'm just so proud to go out with such a great group of kids. They might drive me nuts sometimes, but they are just winners.”

Vaqueros catcher Charles Moorman and pitcher Troy Conyers will play for the D-3 championship. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com)

Having previously just given up a season-high 4 earned runs in his last start against Saints, by putting El Cap in the elimination bracket Conyers was absolutely masterful, needing only 1 hour and 16 minutes to pitch his record-setting 8th complete game of the season.

“He was a victim of wanting it too bad last week,” Vickery said of the USD-bound and defending SDCIF player of the year. “He got the ball up too much and it was a little bit flatter than it normally is. I know for a fact that he couldn't wait to get on the mound today. Their club is well coached and 1 through 9 there isn't an easy out so I just so proud of the way he battled.”

At the moment Vickery stands with 647 career victories. He's only the third baseball coach in San Diego CIF history to reach 600 and is second only to Rancho Bernardo's Sam Blalock, who has busted the 800-barrier.

But it's time to bring this ship into shore and throw away the oars forever.

“I think it's definitely my time to step away and give the opportunity to some young hungry guy with a lot of ambition to carry on the tradition here,” Vickery said.

All that said, wouldn't win No. 648 be a perfect ending to a storybook career against a Cathedral Catholic team that nipped the Vaqueros in the final 3-2 just one year ago.

Sophomore Austin Curo-Ruis jumps for joy after scoring against St. Augustine in Tuesday's 7-5 CIF fourth-round victory. CLICK PHOTO TO SEE THE PLAY. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

By Andrew Smith
© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (5-30-12) — El Capitan High head coach STEVE VICKERY will always consider the Vaqueros’ Hostetler Field a second home.

After the final out on Tuesday (May 29) against St. Augustine, he spent time giving each of his grandkids perhaps one final ride seated next to him on the ATV, sweeping around the infield.

Holding a 5-2 lead in the 6th inning, the Vaqueros seemed to have everything locked up to force Thursday's (May 31) rubber match at El Capitan with a trip to Saturday’s (June 2) San Diego CIF Division III final.

But after the Saints pulled off a shocker down the stretch, the seniors of El Capitan counterpunched with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to keep its season alive to seal the 7-5 victory. TROY CONYERS came in to pitch a perfect 7th inning to extend the season and avoid elimination.

“I keep telling the kids I just want to know when my final game is.” Vickery said of career win No. 646. But his ride isn't quite over yet even though the Vaqueros keep extending their school record with their 30th win this season. “I just hope it's the second of June.”

The crucial sixth inning began with a pinch-hit, two-run home run by the Saints' Ariel Kenney made it a one run game, then Nick Ruppert followed with a solo shot to make it 5-5. Not only was it the first time St. Augustine (26-8) had gone back-to-back, it was the first time all year anyone on their team had connected on a round-tripper.

“I've been saying it all along, we've been saving them up for a good cause,” said Saints coach Craig da Luz. “I'm just glad they both remembered how to run around the bases the right way.”

Fortunately, the El Capitan upperclassmen swiftly rebounded on a JAVIER GONZALEZ single. ERIC LOZANO laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt and CHARLES MOORMAN followed with a single to drive in the go-ahead run.

Javier Gonzalez (8) of El Capitan is safe after the throw sails high to St. Augustine sophomore first baseman Tyler Herburger The ballclubs again meet on Thursday. (Photo by Nathan Price, youatplay.com)

“I had to get him home any way possible. The last game they threw me so much off-speed I was just kinda sitting on it and then adjusting to the fastball,” divulged Moorman after belting a fastball for a solo homer in the 3rd and smashing another for a double in the 5th inning to later score on a CURREN FACER single.

Moorman’s final line read 3-for-4 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI. He was only a triple short of the cycle, but the senior signal-caller also made the two defensive plays of the game. On a check swing with two men on he threw behind the runner at first for the third out, killing a potential Saints rally.

But the one which drew a hanging star from the press box was a foul pop-up that he reached over the wall fully extended for the out.

“He has gotten so much better in the playoffs, it's unreal,” Vickery said of his senior catcher. “His focus is so good right now it just seems like nobody can get him out. He's figuring out what they are trying to do to him and he's thinking right along with them and making the adjustments.”

JESSIE BURNS plated Moorman in the 6th with a single and earlier he also smashed a double off the top of the left-center field fence and scored on a CONRAD STANTON pinch-hit single.

Conyers plated the first marker of the day with a double in the top of the opening inning, but admitted he enjoyed recording his second save of the season the most.

“I love closing because it's just a different mindset than starting,” the USD-bound 6-foot-5, 229-pound southpaw said. “You don't have to worry about stamina at all so you can just come out and wing it. After they beat us and we beat them it's kinda a little rivalry forming. If Chuck (Moorman) continues to hit the way he is and setting the table for the rest of us, I like our chances.”

But first the two teams will again collide at Hostetler Field on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. to determine whose season will end.

CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS – Third Round

East County's Final Three

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-27-12) — And now there are three. That is, El Capitan, Valhalla and Christian high schools are still alive in the San Diego CIF playoffs.

When action resumes in Tuesday’s (May 29) fourth round, the upstart Norsemen (15-19) will travel to La Costa Canyon (20-9-1) where they face a must-win situation against the No. 2 seeded Mavericks.

In Division III, El Capitan (29-6) hosts St. Augustine (26-7) in need of back-to-back victories to qualify for a fourth consecutive trip to the section finals Saturday (June 2) at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Christian (16-16), meanwhile, needs a pair of conquests of The Rock Academy (beginning Tuesday) to reach Friday’s (June 1) Division V finals against heavily favored Vista-Calvary Christian at a site to be determined.

All of the weekday action commences at 3:30 p.m.

DIVISION II
VALHALLA 5, HELIX 3 – It’s been a weird rivalry between the Norsemen and Highlanders this season. During the regular campaign, Helix swept the three Grossmont Hills League meetings, but stumbled for the second time in the third round of postseason activity Saturday (May 26) in La Mesa.

Making his first varsity pitching start, Valhalla junior center-fielder CONNOR HOPKINS was golden for 4 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit and two base runners. Not bad for a guy who had hurled only 9 innings of relief earlier in the season.

Hopkins’ effort was based on pitching to contact. No strikeouts. No walks. One hit batter. A two-out double by RAY PETERSON in the 1st inning was the only hit the Highlanders mustered through the first 4 1/3 innings against Hopkins.

Obviously a major underdog in the tournament, Valhalla teed off on hard-throwing Helix right-hander BRANDON LEWIS for all of their five runs in the 3rd inning. What had to antagonize Helix (21-11) even more was the fact that the Norsemen launched their only scoring inning with two outs and nobody on base.

JORDAN QSAR lit the rally with a two-out walk and RAMSEY ROMANO rifled a 2-run homer over the left field fence. But the Norsemen weren’t through. AUSTIN HENSLEY singled and KYLE McBRIDE reached base on an infield error. Hopkins singled to score Hensley and FOSTER McNARY followed with a base hit to make it 4-0. Helix handed the Norsemen an extra run with a wild pickoff throw at third base.

Suddenly the Highlanders were looking at a 5-0 deficit.

The Highlanders’ comeback bid came in the 5th inning when they chased Hopkins and reliever Romano with a 3-run rally. Helix loaded the bases with one out on singles by GREG GARCIA and AUSTIN HOPWOOD. After RORY WAGNER walked to load the bases, Valhalla coach MIKE WILSON made a pitching move, bringing in his ace reliever, Romano.

Romano pegged DARYL BIBBS with a pitch off the top of the helmet to force in one run. ROMELLO CARBUCCIA then walked to force in a second run.

That was all for Romano, who gave the ball to SEAN FLANNERY. The junior left-hander blanked the Highlanders on one hit over the final 2 2/3 innings for his first save of the season.

“Our senior class made two CIF championship game appearances and won one trophy,” said Helix coach COLE HOLLAND. “That says a lot about them. Our three-year seniors – DIEGO REYNOSO, KACY SMITH, Carbuccia and Lewis – won 69 games.

“This has been a really fun group to coach. I wish we could have taken it all the way but I’m happy for what we accomplished.”

Meanwhile Valhalla, which was predicted to finish in the lower echelon of the Grossmont Hills League, is hoping to complete its Cinderella season.

“When we started out we thought we knew who were going to be our leaders but a lot of things have changed,” Wilson said. “It’s taken us a good part of the season to get going. Flannery turned out to be our workhorse and he came through when we needed him most.

“We had to beg our way into the playoffs,” added Wilson of the Norsemen who received a No. 11 seed. “We’ve had a tough season but we’ve found a way to keep on playing and that’s a credit to all of our kids. It’s still an uphill battle, but we always seem to get a spark from somebody different. We’re in this thing to win it.”

DIVISION III
EL CAPITAN 2, WEST HILLS 0 — El Capitan head coach STEVE VICKERY's Vaqueros have spent the majority of his final season ranked No. 1 in the polls mostly because of their outstanding pitching staff. Having not lost back-to-back games all year they were in an unusual position on Saturday (May 26).

Their backs were up against the wall as they faced off against former Grossmont North League rival West Hills. But for the losing team it was the end of the line – for Vickery it was possibly his last game as skipper.

“We really wanted to win this one bad for coach,” starting and winning pitcher SHANE COLEMAN said. “For all of us seniors too. We know we can beat Saints twice and get back to Tony Gwynn Stadium for the championship next Saturday (June 2).”

Defense and pitching ruled as the Wolf Pack (18-15) and Vaqueros (29-6) combined to turn five double plays. It was only fitting by the ending of the day that one SPENCER NIELSEN swing of the bat produced the final outcome and if you were to blink you might have missed both runs being scored.

Coleman pitched six shutout innings combined with MATT DE ROSIER's 6th save to give the Vaqueros the opportunity to avenge a loss to St. Augustine as they blanked the Wolf Pack to tie the El Capitan record for victories in a season.

“Shane is just a flat-out giant killer,” praised Vickery. “This year alone he's beat Cathedral, Rancho Bernardo and Granite Hills twice. He doesn't wow you with anything special except that he competes as much or more than anyone and he just truly is a big game pitcher.”

It was dicey early for El Capitan when West Hills loaded the bases with one out in the second inning thanks to three seniors. ALEX PARSONS started with a double. STEWART FORRESTER walked and GARRETT SCHILLING singled to put the pressure on Coleman. He calmly induced a 1-2-3 double play to kill the rally.

“We had a little bit of momentum going there,” said Wolf Pack coach JASON FOWLER. “They did a great job of turning that. That's an absolutely great team over there and I'm so proud of how my guys fought against them today.”

TROY CONYERS and CURREN FACER stole that momentum and led off the second with singles. After a ground out moved the runners up Nielsen stepped to the plate and noticed something a little out of the norm.

“I saw the center-fielder was playing really deep,” said the senior second basemen. “In my mind I thought I'm going to take a fastball into the gap, but if he tries to fool me then I can get away with a little blooper in front of him and that's exactly what happened. It was kinda an iffy hit – but it got the job done.”

Conyers waited to tag up, not sure if Nielsen’s ball would be caught. But Facer – with the better angle from second – saw it was going to drop in and sprinted behind the lead runner like he was being handed a baton in a relay race. No such exchange was made, of course, but the two touched home safely just seconds apart.

West Hills never got another runner past second base after second inning.

BRANDON DELANEY and JORDAN KUNZ pitched a solid game though for the Pack, combining to strike out six while allowing only 8 hits. Delaney set the school record for wins by a pitcher in a single season with 9 and Fowler – in his third year – took this squad way beyond expectations as they doubled their win total from last year and also claimed two playoff victories.

— Andrew Smith

DIVISION V
CHRISTIAN 8, TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN 4 – Christian catcher AJ GREGOROVIC laced three hits in four at-bats to drive in a run and score one as the Patriots toppled visiting Tri-City Christian in Saturday’s (May 26) third round of the Division V San Diego CIF playoffs.

But the bottom line came down to No. 9 hitter DAVID SUDA who rifled a 2-run double to stake the Patriots to a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the 6th inning for his second game-winning RBI of the season. The Patriots padded their lead on RBI singles by STEPHEN JOHNSTON and Gregorvic.

Four Patriots’ pitchers shared in the victory combination, with KYLE HARRIS picking up his 3rd win in five decisions. The quartet – KALE SIMPSON, BRYCE JURRIES, Harris and Johnston – allowed only five hits and two earned runs while striking out four.

HORIZON 11, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 5 – In one of its most productive seasons in school history the Knights of Foothills Christian tumbled to Horizon in Saturday’s (May 26) third round of the SDCIF playoffs, which halted their season.

“This was a tough way to end because we didn’t play very well but I’m very, very happy with the season,” said Knights coach DAVE LEWIS. “We only lose one kid (to graduation) so we’ll have everyone back. As young as we are – with our record – we have had a good season and I’ll take it.”

This might have been a ballgame had the Knights not allowed six runs in the 6th inning, which presented Horizon with an 11-2 lead.

Foothills Christian was playing catch-up from the get-go, which happens when a team commits eight errors.

DIVISION I
RANCHO BUENA VISTA 4, GRANITE HILLS 0 – The visiting Eagles were listless as they mustered only five hits as they suffered their third shutout of the season at Rancho Buena Vista in Saturday’s (May 26) San Diego CIF Division I third round game.

The Longhorns (25-9) took advantage of the early wildness of Granite Hills’ pitching ace DANIEL STARWALT, who walked one, hit one and surrendered a 2-run double to Jacob Threw in the opening frame.

Granite Hills offense sputtered throughout, as only Starwalt accounted for two of the Eagles (20-12) five hits.

“For me it’s a sad ending for a great group of kids,” said Eagles coach JAMES DAVIS.

But Davis is happy to acknowledge that Starwalt has a scholarship to Stanford and catcher CHARLIE ST. CLAIR has a scholarship to Hendrix ( Ark. ) College.

DIVISION II
WESTVIEW 4, STEELE CANYON 3 – CASEY BALIKIAN turned in a powerful pitching performance for Steele Canyon in Saturday’s (May 26) Division II SDCIF third round game.

But the problem was the junior right-hander surrendered three runs in the first inning and was never able to recover.

Overall Balikian pitched a complete game, allowing four runs which crossed the plate before his team’s offense scored a single run.

The Cougars went down swinging as GARRETT GANDOLFO was 3-for-4 in a seven hit attack against two Westview pitchers. Steele Canyon scored two runs in the 3rd inning without benefit of a hit, which cut Westview’s lead in half 4-2.

In the 5th inning the Cougars closed the gap as Gandolfo singled and SAM MELERO pinch ran for him. MICHAEL RANDEL singled and Westview balked home Melero to make it a one-run game.

The Cougars pecked away but could never get anything going and saw their record end 17-14.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-26-12) — No East County team is guaranteed a berth in the San Diego CIF championships Saturday (June 2) at San Diego State’s Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Yet, eight Inland squads remained alive in Friday’s (May 25) San Diego CIF Round 2 playoffs. All are facing win-or-go-home situations when action resumes at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Key East County encounters include El Capitan hosting West Hills in Division III; Granite Hills at Rancho Buena Vista in Div. I; Valhalla at Helix and Westview at Steele Canyon in Div. II; and in Div. 5 Tri City Christian at Christian and Foothills Christian vs. Horizon at Sunset Little League Park.

GRANITE HILLS 7, PATRICK HENRY 4 – After taking a smack in the face during Wednesday’s (May 23) San Diego CIF Division I second playoff game at the hands of Mission Hills, the Eagles rebounded with victory over Patrick Henry in Friday’s (May 25) second round.

The Eagles (20-11) bolted out of the gate for a 3-0 first inning lead anchored by SEAN WALKER’s 3-run double in the first inning.

“I was a little bit of a riverboat gambler, going into this game,” said Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS. “ Walker finished our last game so I asked him to start this one and he wanted the ball.”

Walker toiled 5 1/3 innings as he posted his 6th win in 10 decisions.

But wait a minute... it gets even better than that.

Davis called upon DOUG OGILVIE, who was making only his second appearance in two years, to take on the relief role. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior right-hander finished the job by allowing only one run and struck out three over 1 2/3 innings.

“Ogilvie may have been asleep in the corner because he never pitches,” Davis said. “He’s had three surgeries – two on his elbow and one on his shoulder. I hollered down to the end of the dugout and said ‘Ogilvie, get ready!’ And he said ‘For what?’”

Granite Hills made the most out of five hits. In the 3rd inning JORDAN VERDON singled in a run and NOAH CUMMINGS hit the first home run of his high school career – a 2-run shot – to make it 6-0.

HELIX 13, RAMONA 3 – ROMELLO CARBUCCIA was a one-man gang Friday (May 25) as Helix rebounded from an embarrassing loss to Valhalla, which kept the Highlanders alive in the second round of the San Diego Div. II playoffs.

“I don’t try to anticipate anything with this team,” said Helix’s COLE HOLLAND, coach of the SDCIF Division II champions. “We got embarrassed on Wednesday (in a 17-1 loss to Valhalla ), but we came to play today.

“I was really, really proud of the way we bounced back after Wednesday. But everyone showed up ready to go today. We’re not used to getting embarrassed.”

The Highlanders hammered out 11 hits, including two by winning pitcher Carbuccia, who spun a complete game as well as driving in three runs.

“We threw 59 pitches in seven innings and gave up only one hit,” Holland noted. “It was just amazing.”

Catcher DIEGO REYNOSO, BRANDON LEWIS and DARYL BIBBS drove in two runs apiece for the Highlanders (21-10).

WEST HILLS 5, SAN DIEGUITO 3 – WILLIAM BENNETT, who is known more as a relief pitcher, came on in middle relief to blank San Dieguito on one hit over three innings as the Wolf Pack (18-14) eliminated San Dieguito to create a San Diego CIF Division III showdown against El Capitan on Saturday (May 26) at 11 a.m.

JORDAN KUNZ finished the job for West Hills and actually came away with his second win after allowing only one run and two hits in two innings.

“They were up 2-0 on us and we were hitting fly balls after routine fly balls,” said West Hills coach JASON FOWLER. “We finally made some adjustments and started getting guys on base. For me, our biggest thing of the day was our pitching.

“Willy Bennett did a heckuva job. He held them to one hit in three innings. He kept us in the game. He and Kunz have been really good out of the bullpen.”

RANCHO BERNARDO 9, STEELE CANYON 1 – The visiting Cougars (17-13) were held hitless for four innings before GARRETT GANDOLFO hit a double to left-center in Friday’s (May 25) Round 2 of the San Diego CIF Division II playoffs.

Gandolfo was stalemated at second base as Broncos pitcher Parker Bugg stranded him there.

Steele Canyon eventually broke the shutout as MACKEY BOWERS singled, advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on a fly ball relayed to the plate that the catcher dropped.

Bottom line: Steele Canyon only had three baserunners.

“They’re not the No. 1 seed for no reason,” said Cougars coach TODD SNYDER.

Sophomore catcher Alex Jackson hammered two home runs for the Broncos, lifting his national leading total to 17 on the season. Gosuke Katoh slugged his 11th home run for the top-seeded Broncos (28-9).

LA COSTA CANYON 7, VALHALLA 2 – Things started out well for Valhalla as the Norsemen scored two runs in Friday’s (May 25) Round 2 of the San Diego CIF playoffs.

Back-to-back-to-back singles by JORDAN QSAR, RAMSEY ROMANO and AUSTIN HENSLEY loaded the bases. KYLE McBRIDE lifted a sacrifice fly to left that scored Qsar. CONNOR HOPKINS executed a suicide squeeze to give the Norsemen a 2-run lead in the opening frame.

After that things dried up for the Norsemen as La Costa Canyon pitcher Andrew Hinkle took control and completed a 4-hitter with 9 strikeouts.

Colin Winters was 3-for-3 with 4 RBI to lead La Costa Canyon to the key victory.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 8, SAN DIEGO JEWISH 2 – Playoff wins have been rare for Foothills Christian, but the Knights caged the Lions in Friday’s (May 25) SDCIF Division V playoff at Barona's Stars Field to keep their hopes alive.

ZACH TOMLIN drove in 4 runs by going 2-for-4 with a double as the Knights (16-10) advanced to Round 3 in the playoffs.

ERIC CANNON (3-1) pitched in with a complete game, scattering 9 hits while striking out 8.

“Cannon pitched a great game – kept getting us out of trouble,” said Foothills Christian’s coach DAVE LEWIS.

THE ROCK 5, CHRISTIAN 0 – For the fourth time this season, Christian High (15-16) suffered a shutout defeat, falling to The Rock Academy’s Warriors (21-4-1) in Friday’s (May 25) second round of the San Diego CIF Division V playoffs at Dana Middle School in Point Loma.

STEPHEN JOHNSTON accounted for two of the Patriots four hits, but Christian wasted a strong pitching performance by MICHAEL KAUFMAN. In what was to be his sixth complete game, Kaufman was tagged with three earned run and his third loss against six wins.

“The high points for us are the fact that we get to play another day,” said Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL. “And we got back (to Christian) in time for the seniors to get to graduation.”

“We have had better days but their pitcher was pretty good. We were awfully flat for it being a big playoff game.”

El Capitan shortstop Javier Gonzalez hauls in another easy two-hopper (left), then the senior co-captain snares a soft liner for another out, helping the Vaqueros blank visiting San Dieguito, 4-0, in CIF action at Hostetler Field. (Photos by Frank Price, left, and Nathan Price, youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

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EL CAJON (5-24-12) — Three East County baseball playoff winners came away with shutouts in Wednesday’s (May 23) opening round of the San Diego CIF Section playoffs.

Steele Canyon’s FRANK CALIFANO and AMEER HINDI combined to blank Westview 3-0 on a three-hitter.

In Lakeside, No. 2 seeded Division III runner-up El Capitan dunked San Dieguito 4-0 behind the four-hit shutout pitching of KEVIN GINKEL, who also struck out six and posted his 8th win in 10 decisions.

Meanwhile at Christian, the Patriots pounded Tri-City Christian, 14-0, in a Division V opener as STEPHEN JOHNSTON and KALE SIMPSON combined on a three-hitter.

Playoff action resumes on Friday (May 25).

STEELE CANYON 3 WESTVIEW 0 – Steele Canyon scored all the runs they needed in the 1st inning of Wednesday’s (May 23) first round of the SDCIF Division II playoffs against visiting Westview.

TANNER PERRY was the key to both of the Cougars’ rallies. He began the game with a triple and scored on a base hit by COLE FLINT. After a base hit by GARRETT GANDOLFO, MICHAEL RANDEL contributed an RBI double.

The Cougars (17-12) tacked on a third run in the 5th inning as Perry doubled and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by FRANK CALIFANO.

“I was struggling at the beginning of the game,” said Califano (6-3). “It took me until about the 4th inning to get into my groove. Fortunately my defense was there to back me up.”

Califano spoke about how the Cougars were lost in the shuffle.

“I don’t think people counted us in because we lost so many seniors last year,” he said. “But we’re confident and I like our chances.”

EL CAPITAN 4, SAN DIEGUITO 0 – The Vaqueros, who held the No. 1 ranking in the majority of polls for most of the season, are there because of their pitching.

One of those hurlers is KEVIN GINKEL, who proved his might in Wednesday’s (May 23) opening round of the Division III SDCIF playoffs against visiting San Dieguito.

The senior right-hander limited the Mustangs to four hits while striking out six in a complete game effort that rewarded him with his 8th win in 10 decisions.

In the 4th inning TROY CONYERS and CURREN FACER hit back-to-back opposite field home runs. It was Conyers’ 5th home run of the season, which ties him for the East County lead, and Facer’s 4th, which leaves him one back.

“That’s the second time this year they’ve done that,” said Vaqueros coach STEVE VICKERY.

With two outs in the 5th inning, CHUCK MOORMAN was hit by a pitch and Conyers followed with a single, moving Moorman to third base. On the throw from right field the ball hit Moorman – who was sliding - on his hip and bounced off past third base. Moorman hopped up and raced for home, scoring on the play.

“It was really heads-up and aggressive base-running by Moorman,” noted Vickery.

Division I
MIRA MESA 5, GRANITE HILLS 4 – In the early going it seemed like Granite Hills was on a roll as the Eagles scored four runs in Wednesday’s (May 23) Division I opening round of the SDCIF playoffs.

In the 3rd inning with one out the Eagles got a double by JORDAN VERDON. One out later ROBERT BOSTEDT singled him in. After DANIEL STARWALT walked, JOSH ROSE doubled to the left-center field fence, making it 3-0.

TRENTON BROOKS followed with a single up the middle to score Rose.

After that, however, the Eagles could muster only two hits in the final four innings and wound up on the short end.

“We had our opportunities,” said Eagles coach JAMES DAVIS. “But we missed our chances.”

Granite Hills turned three double plays to keep it a close game, but relief ace SEAN WALKER surrendered three singles that handled the Marauders (24-5) the winning marker in the 7th inning.

“We’ll be back,” Davis said. “This is a double elimination tournament and I expect to see these guys again down the road.”

Division III
ST. AUGUSTINE 3, WEST HILLS 0 — Wolf Pack coach JASON FOWLER was bitter that his catcher was called for catcher’s interference in Wednesday’s (May 23) SDCIF playoff opener at Hickman Field. It wasn’t that the call decided the SDCIF Division III encounter with No. 3 seed St. Augustine (25-7), but it brought back college memories.

“I had a clean slate until I was called for interference in the final game of my college season,” Fowler said. “That was painful then and it’s painful now.”

MICHAEL CARLIN clubbed two hits, including a double for the Wolf Pack (17-14).

“Saints makes all the plays,” Fowler said. “There is nothing eye-catching about them, but they are a solid ballclub that is well prepared.”

Division V
CHRISTIAN 14, TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN 0 — There are those who criticized Christian as a team being overrated. But the Patriots (15-15) opened the Division V playoffs with solid pitching and a 4-for-4 batting effort by catcher AJ GREGOROVIC, who also scored 4 runs and drove in 2.

STEPHEN JOHNSTON (4-5) and KALE SIMPSON combined to spin a three-hit shutout for the Patriots.

“For one of the first times this season we buried a team with our hitting instead of playing chase,” Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL said.

Gregorovic had a hand in Christian’s scoring in three of the first four innings.

HORIZON 5, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 0 — Although it is obvious that Foothills Christian (15-10) has improved annually, the Knights’ offense short-circuited in Wednesday’s (May 23) loss to No. 4 seeded Horizon (9-14) in the first round of the SDCIF Division V playoff.

“There were some balls that we probably should have caught,” Knights coach DAVE LEWIS said. “We just made some mistakes and that was the difference. We also lost Derek Brown, our no. 2 hitter and center fielder. He hurt his foot sliding in practice and is wearing a boot – he’s done for the season. He’s batting around .450 and we really missed him today.”

El Capitan's Troy Conyers receives congratulations following Wednesday's homer. (Photo by Nathan Price, youatplay.com) VIEW/PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Mount Miguel starting pitcher Juwun McCray with the head-first slide for a triple. (Photo by Nathan Price, youatplay.com) VIEW/PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

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SANTEE (5-23-12) — If you would've asked Mount Miguel High head coach JASON BABINEAU before the season what he expected taking over the reins in his first year for a struggling program he would be puzzled obliging an answer. In the long run though the positive and winning attitude he brought to the dugout this season sparked an underachieving program.

Under his helm, the Matadors beat Grossmont for the first time in 61 games – a span that lasted a quarter-century – won a game at Petco Park over Monte Vista, and on Tuesday (May 22) the rookie skipper had one last chance to shock onlookers in the SDCIF Division III play-in game against West Hills.

The Matadors (13-12-2) had a magical season with five come-from-behind victories – including one previously against West Hills. But the Wolf Pack stopped them 90 feet short of tying the game, in what turned out to be the final at-bat of the season for Mount Miguel, as they were denied another miracle, 4-3.

Wolf Pack second baseman Dallas Siegel (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com) VIEW/PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

HAYDEN SCHILLING singled in the third and moved up with another pair of wild ones and was plated on a MICHAEL CARLIN double for a 3-0 lead.

The Matadors bulled their way back into the game pushing two across in the 4th to tighten things up. JUWUN McCRAY reached on an error. DUSTIN BURKE singled to center followed by a DOMINIK SAWYER RBI ground out and a FERNANDO DOMINGUEZ double.

After allowing the Pack another run, the miracle kids had one final trick up their sleeves and West Hills coach JASON FOWLER wasn't in the mood for another Houdini act.

“It really was a flashback to the last time we played them,” he said. “We were up 2-1 in the last inning and they came back to beat us. They really have no quit in their team this season and just kept on fighting and fighting.”

The Matadors’ FRANCO LUNA walked to start the final frame. BRAD MORENO singled to right and a fielder's choice had the tying run on second with only one out. McCray had an infield single to plate one runner and that's when they attempted to pull the wool over the sheep's head with a suicide squeeze attempt.

The attempt failed as the bunt was missed and the runner on third was caught in no man's land.

“We had the right guys in place we just failed to execute,” Babineau said. “It's the playoffs and we play to win the game. At the end of the day I'm just so proud of the first winning season since 1987. They earned a playoff berth and really moved our program in the right direction with all they accomplished.”

“Coach Babs did a great job turning our baseball program around this year,” sophomore Moreno said. “Even on our worst days he always stayed positive and kept our spirits up.”

BRANDON DELANEY pitched 4 innings for the Pack, striking out seven. With his 9th victory of the year he now holds the school record for wins in a single season. Preserving the win for him was JORDAN KUNZ with his second save as he pitched the final 3 innings in relief.

The first test for West Hills is on the road Wednesday (May 23) vs. No. 3 seed St. Augustine at Hickman Field at 3:30.

“Now that we are in the double elimination round anything can happen,” Fowler said. “We've really shown this season that we can play with anybody and we are all really fired up to go out and see what we can do.”

— Andrew Smith

SAN DIEGUITO 4, SANTANA 1 (10 inn.) – It was decided by one swing, but the main thing Santana coach TIM BARRY focused on was how his Sultans left 12 runners on base in Tuesday’s (May 22) San Diego CIF Division III play-in game at San Dieguito.

For the record, the issue was decided by the Mustangs’ Luke Strom’s three-run walk-off home run.

“I thought (center fielder KYLE) GASNER was going to run that ball down but it carried just enough to get out between the 285 and 310 foot signs,” Barry said. “Lots of short porches in this ballpark, but the wind blows pretty steady for at least six innings or so.”

Just one batter earlier Santana right fielder ZACH COOK cut down the potential winning run with a bullet to catcher CODY CONNER to give the Sultans a stay. Two pitches later the game was over.

A large segment of the crowd thought the game was over in a regulation seven innings with Santana (11-14-2) winning 1-0. However, a controversial play at the plate sent the game into overtime.

In the last of the 7th, San Dieguito’s Sam Haggerty singled and advanced to second when Joe Stefanski was hit by a pitch. Haggerty moved to 3rd via ground out by A.J. Vasquez.

The Mustangs’ Parker Hayes drove a fly ball to Gasner, who made the catch and came up firing. Haggerty was ruled safe, but that’s when the rhubarbs started.

“Gasner’s throw was right on the money,” Barry said. “But the ball skipped up and their runner (Haggerty) comes in head first. He collides with our catcher (Cody Conner).”

This is when the interpretations vary. Santana’s faithful claimed Haggerty never touched the plate and should have been out. On the flip side, the ball ricocheted away from Conner allowing Haggerty to draw the safe call.

After that bang-bang play, the game was tied and Conner was sporting a cut above his eye.

“I pointed out that my catcher was bleeding and some kind of collision had occurred,” Barry said. “It wasn’t like I had a screaming match with the umpire, but he said it was a judgment call.”

Ouch!

Santana wasted another pinpoint pitching effort by BRIAN ASHWILL, who allowed only two hits and one (controversial) run during a 9-inning stint.

“I feel so bad for Brian,” Barry said. “I don’t know how many times we’ve left him short in games he’s deserved to win. This one had to hurt.”

Ashwill was also Santana’s ace hitting threat going 3-for-4, including an RBI single in the opening frame.

CAMERON GARCIA also had three hits for Santana.

“We showed a lot of fight down the stretch and then should have beaten a team with 21 wins in the first round of the playoffs,” Barry said. “I am so proud of this group.

“Going toe-to-toe with a San Dieguito (21-9) team says a lot about our team,” Barry said. “We really finished in a rush.”

VALHALLA 6, SCRIPPS RANCH 2 – Literally snubbed in the Grossmont Hills League voting that will appear on this website in the next two weeks did not set well with Norsemen coach MIKE WILSON.

“I was so mad at that all-league meeting I really wanted to say what I thought,” he said. “But I just kept my mouth shut and walked out. And yes, I was disgruntled.”

Obviously Wilson took his dismay to his players and that lit a fire under the Norsemen (13-18), who smoked Scripps Ranch in Tuesday’s (May 22) Division II SDCIF Playoff play-in round.

SEAN FLANNERY pitched a complete game 4-hitter for the Norsemen.

“This is kind of a perfect game for us and it came at the right time,” Wilson commented. “Flannery is my guy since we lost our top two pitchers early in the season. We played solid defense and hit the ball well.”

Flannery, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound left-hander, needed 83 pitches to produce a complete game victory for the Norsemen, who will now face Grossmont Hills League rival Helix for the third straight time in the playoffs and 15th time in the last three years.

“He doesn’t allow a lot of people to square up,” Wilson said of Flannery. “He just throws strikes and makes people put the ball in play.”

Valhalla staged a two-out rally in the 1st inning. CONNOR HOPKINS slugged a 2-run double to right field and ANTHONY MANUPELLA singled to center to make it 3-0.

The Norsemen put the game away in the 4th inning when JORDAN QSAR reached base on an error and raced to third on a RAMSEY ROMANO single to left. On the play Romano darted to second base. AUSTIN HENSLEY was hit by a pitch to load the bases. McBride hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Qsar and Hopkins singled to left to score Romano.

Valhalla has beaten Scripps Ranch (16-14) three times in the SDCIF playoffs and in the 2012 Lions Tournament championship.

© East County Sports.com
BALOBOA PARK (5-19-12) — Ten of East County’s 13 teams have qualified for the San Diego CIF playoffs, which begin next Tuesday (May 22) at 3:30 p.m. None of the clubs was awarded a top seed although El Capitan is No. 2 in Division III behind Cathedral Catholic.

Other East County seeded teams include Grossmont Hills League-champion Granite Hills (No. 3, Div. I), Helix (No. 2, Div. III), Steele Canyon (No. 4, Div. II), and Christian (No. 3, Div. V).

Single elimination play-in games on Tuesday include Valhalla at Scripps Ranch in Div. II, Mount Miguel at West Hills and Santana at San Dieguito both in Div. III. Although not seeded Foothills Christian draw a play-in bye.

The winners advance to Wednesday’s (May 23) double-elimination round.

For the first time in more than two decades Grossmont failed to make the playoffs.