El Capitan baserunner Eric Lozano (13), who batted 4-for-7 with a pair of doubles for three RBI Saturday, beats the throw to Grossmont first baseman Nick Rochester in winning the Dickens Classic championship. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com) VIEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-1-12) — Marathon baseball is not uncommon in the finals of the Grossmont Conference Tournament championship game.

The 2004 finale between the best teams in the Grossmont South (Granite Hills) and Grossmont North (Grossmont HS) Conferences ended in a 12-12 tie that was halted after 12 innings due to darkness.

Although the tournament did not wear its current moniker back then, in Saturday’s (Mar. 31) 2nd annual now Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament championship joust, visiting El Capitan came out on top in the 3½ hour epic over host Grossmont, 11-6 in 11 innings.

“Winning this tournament is a big deal to us because it gives us two tournament championships to start the season,” said ERIC LOZANO of the Vaqueros, who also captured the Foothiller-Aztec Tournament crown.

Lozano did his best to lead the Vaqueros (10-2) with 4 hits in seven at-bats, including 2 doubles and 3 RBI while playing shortstop, third base and left field.

Grossmont outfielder Brett Stone, (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com) VIEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

“We wanted to avenge that loss for sure,” Lozano said.

Probably the anchor of El Capitan ’s overtime championship victory was CURREN FACER, who wound up the winning pitcher, allowing only one run in the final two innings.

As a hitter Facer was 3-for-5 with a double, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. In addition, defensively he erased a run in the 3rd inning with a perfect throw from center field to catcher CHUCK MOORMAN.

“When I saw the guy cut around third base I let it fly,” Facer said. “I knew I had a shot to get him but if (first baseman) TROY (CONYERS) decided to cut the throw off I knew we would still have time to get him.”

Conyers did not cut the throw, which went all the way through to Moorman, who blocked the plate for the out.

Facer noted that he was batting in the leadoff spot for the first time in his varsity career, and the fact that he averaged .600 made it look like a pretty wise decision by Vaqueros coach STEVE VICKERY.

“I saw a lot of fastballs and I really liked that,” Facer said. “I’ve batted in the No. 2 hole this year so it wasn’t that much different.”

As a pitcher Facer said most of his deliveries have come during practice.

“Most of the pitching I’ve done has been in scrimmages,” he said. “I hardly ever get to pitch in a game but I told Coach Vickery I love to pitch in pressure situations. I used to be a closer when I was younger.”

The Vaqueros scored five runs to snap a 6-6 tie in the 11th inning. AUSTIN CURO-RUIS slammed a double over the left fielders’ head to score two runs. Two batters later Lozano slashed a 2-run double and Conyers capped the scoring with an RBI single. Then Facer retired the side in order.

DEREK RUSTICH, who was 4-for-6, led the Foothillers’ 12-hit attack.

“When you do what it takes to make 40 outs you’re lucky to get 11 innings, let alone win the game,” Foothillers coach JIM EARLEY said. “We played really well and had many opportunities to win this game.”

Grossmont, which defeated El Capitan earlier in the week 7-2, will host Torrey Pines in the first round of the Lions Tournament on Monday (Apr. 2) at 3 p.m. El Capitan will host Elk Grove-Sacramento on Monday at 11 a.m.

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (3-31-12) — Foothills Christian High registered a record high 29 runs – all in just five innings due to time limit – in Friday’s (Mar. 30) non-league rout of Chula Vista Calvary Christian at Sportsplex USA.

Ten different Knights contributed RBI to the 29-2 victory, led by DANIEL LUCKETT’s five RBI. The 6-foot-2, freshman catcher also had a double and three stolen bases for the Knights (6-3).

DEREK BROWN, who played center field and shared in the pitching of the five inning game was 3-for-4 with 2 doubles, 3 RBI and 4 runs scored. He also had 2 stolen bases.

CALEB CARON came off the bench to go 2-for-3 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI.

Foothills Christian broke the game open with eight runs in the 3rd inning and 13 in the 5th to support the 5-hit pitching of RYAN DEYLING and Brown.

RYAN QUINN was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and 3 RBI, while AUSTIN MOSTRONG slugged a 2-run triple.

Designated hitter TIM GRAY accounted for 6 runs, scoring 4 while driving in 2 in five at-bats.

	Valhalla releivier Jake Mitich threw just 3 pitches, yet collected the victory over Mount Miguel. (Photo by Nathan Price, youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
	Norsemen get untracked, nip Mount Miguel By Andrew Smith © East County Sports.com SPRING VALLEY (3-30-12) — These daysm Valhalla High coach MIKE WILSON will take a win anyway he can get one. With his team struggling out of the gate he marched his Norsemen into the final round of pool play for the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament looking to pull out all the stops to get back into the win column if necessary. “We've been struggling a lot lately,” he admitted. It's not like they have been chumming around in shallow waters trying to reel in small ones. Their early season schedule has been brutal and he's perfectly fine with that. “I like having a difficult challenge to measure our young team and see how they handle both success and failure.” On Thursday (Mar. 29), Wilson pulled the rug out from the new comeback kids on the block of Mount Miguel and won a good ol' game of Stratego as the Norsemen slipped away with a 2-1 victory. SEAN FLANNERY went 3 1/3 innings limiting the Matadors to their only run on 6 hits and when he got into his worst predicament of the day JAKE MITICH needed only 3 pitches to get out of a bases loaded jam. CONNOR HOPKINS notched the win, tossing 2 hitless innings and RAMSEY ROMANO collected his third save of the season with some strong defensive help. After being plunked in the top of the 3rd inning Romano scored on an AUSTIN HENSLEY single for the 1-0 Valhalla lead, but they gave it right back in the 4th when BRAD MORENO plated FERNANDO DOMINGUEZ to tie things up and then ensued the Hunger Games to break the tie. Hensley ended the day 2-for-4 after he doubled off the wall in his next at-bat while being zoned in at the plate. “He threw me a first pitch curve ball and I was sitting middle-in and I just turned on it,” he said. The Norsemen’s KYLE McBRIDE followed with a single and stole second. ANTHONY MANUPELLA was then hit by a pitch and Hopkins skipped to the plate with one out and the bases loaded when his coach decided to pull the wool over their eyes and squeeze one in. “The pitcher was still in the windup and I had a good bunter at the plate in Hopkins ,” Wilson said after seeing it work to perfection. “I know how it feels to be on the other end of it because Vickery did it to me twice in one game, but a win is a win.” “In that situation you just have to have confidence that you're gonna make contact,” Hopkins confirmed. “I think I could feel Austin breathing down my neck he got such a great jump.” Moreno went the distance on the mound for Mount Miguel , striking out four while handing out 3 free passes. The Norsemen sprayed 7 hits, but Moreno continued to fight out of jams time after time. With one final gasp of air left Moreno doubled to the gap to lead off, but after DOMINIC SAWYER singled he was mowed down at the plate on a great relay throw by Valhalla's JAMES MARTIN. “I was having a tough day in the field up to that point,” professed Martin. “So I was just trying to make a play for my team to save the lead for us.” JUWUN McCRAY followed with a single for the Matadors, but the Norsemen closed the door with a double play to end the game. “I put that loss on me,” Mount Miguel coach JASON BABINEAU dejectedly admitted. “It kills me that Brad had such a great day both pitching and at the plate, but I just got a little over-aggressive in the end.”
	Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament Final Pool Play Standings G.Hills Record RA Grossmont Valhalla Helix Granite Hills West Hills 4-1-0 3-2-0 3-2-0 2-3-0 2-3-0 22 17 20 14 21 G.Valley Record RA El Capitan Monte Vista *Steele Canyon Mount Miguel Santana 4-1-0 3-2-0 2-3-0 2-3-0 0-5-0 16 27 26 37 — Sat., Mar. 31 Championship: El Capitan at Grossmont, 11 a.m. RA – Runs Allowed (first tie-breaker). *Each year, by draw, one GHL team is placed in the GVL pool to balance the event. ECVHS is no longer a participant in this tournament.

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (3-30-12) — The visiting Helix Highlanders posted a 5-run first inning and never looked back as they slapped Santana, 6-1, in Thursday’s (Mar. 29) Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament contest.

Although Helix coach COLE HOLLAND was obviously pleased with the victory he was not happy with the Highlanders’ play in the final six innings.

“We did a great job on the mound and played outstanding defense,” Holland said.

ROMELLO CARBUCCIA, MAX DREW, ELIJAH VARELLA and FRANKIE NUNEZ combined for a 2-hit shutout. Carbuccia was awarded his second win without a loss.

Helix broke the game open with five runs in the first inning. GEORGE GARCIA and BRANDON LEWIS hammered back-to-back RBI singles in the first frame. Then after that KRAIG FAHRER hammered a 400 foot 3-run homer to dead center field to make it 5-0.

“It was a fastball and I knew I made good contact,” said Fahrer. “All I did when I hit was put my head down and start running and the coaches told me to go into a trot because it was outa here, so I started jogging.”

For Carbuccia it was a typical pitching performance as he allowed no hits while striking out four in four innings.

“I didn’t even know I had a no-hitter until I got back to the dugout,” he said. “I’m not upset about it because I knew I was on a pitch count.” He threw 50.

Santana broke up the no-hitter when BRIAN ASHWILL singled to center off reliever Drew leading off the 5th inning. The Sultans loaded the bases that inning but came up empty.

An inning later the Sultans avoided the shutout as KYLE GASNER doubled, advanced on a throwing error and scored on a ground out.

EL CAPITAN 5, WEST HILLS 4 (8 inn.) – Senior TROY CONYERS belted a walkoff home run Thursday (Mar. 29) on a 3-2 pitch in the 8th inning to propel the Vaqueros into the final of the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament to be held on Saturday (Mar. 31) at the Grossmont Hills site, Grossmont High School .

El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY admitted his slugger was struggling.

“When the ball was elevated and he got a chance he didn’t miss it,” said Vickery. “He hit the ball across the street.”

CHUCK MOORMAN also laced a homer in the 3rd inning, which at the time gave the Vaqueros a 3-1 lead.

“Both of the homers they hit were well hit,” said West Hills coach JASON FOWLER. “The problem for us is we don’t have that kind of energy.”

KEVIN GINKEL allowed 2 runs in 5 2/3 innings, but it was MATT DE ROSIER who got the win.

What excited Vickery most was the relief work of De Rosier, who posted his first win after earning three saves.

“In his first game he got knocked around,” Vickery recalled. “But after that he proved he could get people out.”

And that’s exactly what he’s done.

TYLER SOTELO was 3-for-3 for West Hills and STEWART FORRESTER was 2-for-2 with a double and 2 runs scored.

MONTE VISTA 4, GRANITE HILLS 1 – The host Monarchs scored a Top 10 knockout in Thursday’s (Mar. 29) Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

The Monarchs (3-7) took the lead on a 2-run double by RICHIE BALAJADIA in the 3rd inning.

JOHN BALAJADIA added an RBI single as did JOEY GONSALVES in the 4th inning to extend the Monarchs’ advantage to 4-0.

Granite Hills avoided the shutout on an RBI single by DANIEL STARWALT in the 6th inning.

PAUL’OCONNOR pitched a complete game for Monte Vista, scattering 5 hits while allowing no earned runs and striking out 6.

“We played about as good as we can, when you consider the overall game,” said Monarchs coach CHAD WILLIAMS. “This is the team that I thought I had at the beginning of the year. We had great approaches at the plate and that made a lot of difference.”

Granite Hills (5-5) scored only its second run in its last three games.

GROSSMONT 8, STEELE CANYON 6 – The Foothillers used a five-run 3rd inning to propel visiting Grossmont (8-2) to a victory over Steele Canyon on Thursday (Mar. 29) and into Saturday’s (Mar. 31) championship of the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

Grossmont pitcher ERIC ECKLEY pitched 6.2 innings to post his third win in four decisions. BROOKS O’HAVER notched a game-ending strikeout to earn his first save on a 3-2 pitch.

Eckley’s bases-loaded triple keyed a five run 3rd inning that broke a 1-1 deadlock.

Despite being cuffed around for 6 runs and 10 hits during a 6 2/3 inning stint, Eckley was 2-for-3 with 3 RBI at the plate. But he needed help and he got it from O’Haver.

The Cougars (5-5) got two hits apiece from HARPER, MICHAEL RANDEL and GARRETT GANDOLFO that added up to 5 RBI. Only three runs Steele Canyon allowed were earned.

CHRISTIAN 9, MORSE 3 – Playing with only nine players in the dugout, Christian came out swinging Thursday (Mar. 29) in knocking out host Morse in a City Conference Tournament encounter.

STEPHEN JOHNSTON extended his season-long hitting streak to 10 games with a leadoff double and scored on a one-out single by DAVID SUDA. Sophomore JOE ROSS capped the 4 run 1st inning with a two-run double. It was the first of two doubles for Ross.

After a sacrifice fly by MICHAEL KAUFMAN in the 3rd inning extended Christian’s advantage to 6-2, AJ GREGORVIC slashed a two-run single to cap a three run 4th, staking the Patriots (7-2) to an 8-3 advantage.

The Patriots, who have four varsity players out of the country on vacation, will lean heavily on the junior varsity in next week’s Lions Tournament.

Gregorovic led a 13-hit attack with 3 hits. The Patriots offense was balanced as Suda, Ross, DANIEL ACADEMIA and Johnston had 2 hits apiece.

By Andrew Smith
© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (3-29-12) — After a recent victory, the baseball team from Helix High went out to celebrate by going bowling and held a head-to-head tournament to determine who would be crowned “King of the Lanes.”

Helix right fielder Frankie Nunez races into the corner to rob a Matadors batter in a 13-1 romp (Photo by Tony Bordine)

When they finally got back onto the diamond Wednesday (Mar. 28) afternoon in the fourth round of the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament against Mount Miguel they rolled a perfect game, pinning down a 13-1 victory.

Highlanders skipper COLE HOLLAND had been begging his team to be more aggressive at the plate after seeing too many early strikes with the bats left on their shoulders.

“Since I've been here we've always been about small ball and this is the first time coach has really got on us about looking for fastballs and hitting it hard,” senior ROMELLO CARBUCCIA said after smacking two doubles for 2 RBI and scoring 3 runs.

BRANDON LEWIS started the second frame by smashing a triple to the opposite field and the bumper lanes officially went up for the Helix offense.

“First pitch I knew to be more aggressive and I felt it,” Lewis said. “I had a feeling it was gonna be a fastball and sure enough it was so I just went with it.”

The Matadors kept hitting the ball return button against their better judgment in what turned out to be an open frame as16 Scotties got their turn in the 2nd and they turned it into a 12-run slaughter.

Matadors first year coach JASON BABINEAU wasn't surprised by the domino effect.

“We didn't do the little things,” he said. “We didn't execute the way we've been executing in that inning and at the end of the day the little things can turn into much bigger things very quickly.”

Lewis also added a single. Then Carbuccia, AUSTIN HOPWOOD and DARYL BIBBS all joined in on the fun by reaching base twice. GEORGE GARCIA also singled to run his East County leading RBI total to 18, but the most damage was still to come.

KACY SMITH, the San Diego CIF defensive player of the year for the Helix state champion football team, even gunned down a runner from deep center field for a double play, but he put his offense on display as well letting the lumber loose in the inning with a two-run homer and double after recently being inserted back into the lead off spot.

“I always hit there,” he said. “I'm definitely more comfortable in that role and today I think it showed.”

Did it ever, as he ended the day 3-for-5 with 5 RBI and 8 total bases.

Lewis tossed three shutout innings of one hit ball with MARK YOUNG hurling the next two to collect the win, but at the end of the day it was junior KRAIG FAHRER finishing things off on the mound just like he had done at the bowling alley.

Bibbs had the highest score with 179, but he was the unsung hero as Fahrer had the last laugh, knocking him out of the competition in the third round and then taking out Carbuccia for the title on the slick hardwood.

“This is such a fun group of guys,” Holland said. “They hang out and do crazy stuff like that all the time.”

The Hillers' Eric Eckley races around third base to score in a 7-2 win over El Capitan. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Monarchs making a move By Bill Dickens © East County Sports.com EL CAJON (3-28-12) — It wasn’t a perfectly played game in the eyes of Monte Vista High coach CHAD WILLIAMS, but if his Monarchs continue to perform at the level they did in vanquishing Valhalla, 8-2, in Tuesday’s (Mar. 27) Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament, they will reverse their current 2-7 record. “We are definitely better than our record, but we have to go out and prove it every game,” said Monarchs junior catcher PAUL O’CONNOR. The Monarchs did just that as they overcame a late inning 2-1 Valhalla advantage by scoring 7 runs in their final two at-bats. O’Connor was key in both late rallies. He led off the 6th with a double and that’s when the calamity began. RICHIE BALAJADIA laid down a bunt and three Norsemen defenders converged on the 30 foot roller. During the confusion Balajadia beat an errant throw to first base. Meanwhile, O’Connor scored the tying run and Balajadia kept running. And Valhalla kept making poor throws, which led to, as they say, a “Little League” home run for Balajadia. Monte Vista broke open a 3-2 game with five runs in the 7th. Pinch hitter CARLOS GUERRERO led off with a double. “That was probably the biggest hit of the game for us in terms of momentum,” O’Conner said. “It turned out to be a game changer.” Indeed. John Balajadia was issued an intentional walk and JOEY GONSALVES followed with a base on ball to load the sacks. After Valhalla brought in closer RAMSEY ROMANO, O’Conner ripped his first pitch to the left-center fence for a three-run double. “That is the kind of hit we have been lacking all year,” Williams said. “We’ve been working at making adjustments at the plate and got a big one from O’Connor.” O’Connor admits that he has been fed a ration of curveballs so he was coiled for an explosion. “Realizing that opposing pitchers want to keep throwing the curveball I was dead red on the breaking ball in that situation,” he said. “And that’s what I got.” Winning pitcher LUIS LEBRON, who pitched a complete game 5-hitter for his second win, capped the scoring with his second hit – a two-run single turning the game into a blowout. “We are starting to jell,” said Lebron. “We have 9 returnees so it is about time for us to pick it up. I hope this is the start that gets us going.” Valhalla (2-7) was led by AUSTIN HENSLEY, who blasted a double and then hammered a solo home run that gave the Norsemen a 2-1 edge. Norseman pitcher ROBBIE SCHMIDT was the hard luck loser allowing only three earned runs and struck out 8 in 6 1/3 innings.

Grossmont right-hander Alex Connor (above) shut down top-ranked El Capitan on a combined 6-hitter in a 7-2 victory. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com) VIEW/PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Delaney, Mello, pace Wolf Pack
past crosstown rival Santana, 4-3

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (3-28-12) — Records aside when West Hills and Santana high schools face off in any sport, competition is at fever pitch. That certainly is the case in baseball.

2012 STATS / Now Posted!

ACTIVE ALUMNI LIST

The host Wolf Pack scored all four runs of their runs in the 2nd inning, then handed the ball to senior BRANDON DELANEY,as the right-hander turned in a complete game for a 4-3 victory.

“Everything just flowed,” said Delaney, who improved his record to 3-1 while walking one and striking out seven. “I was able to throw my two-seamer curveball and changeup for strikes.”

The key hit for West Hills (5-4) was a line drive, bases-loaded triple by FRANK MELLO.

“It was sinking line drive,” said Wolf Pack coach JASON FOWLER. “Instead of letting it drop in front of him, (the Santana right-fielder) gambled and made a diving try, missed it and the ball rolled to the fence.”

That certainly delighted Delaney.

“It’s always special when you beat Santana,” he said. “And we’ve done it two years in a row so that gives us two years of bragging rights.”

Fowler is not surprised by Delaney’s fast start.

“Last year he was the first guy out of our bullpen,” Fowler recalled. “Now he’s become one of our most dependable starters. He has two complete games and could easily be 6-0 but he hasn’t received the support he needs.”

Santana fought back with a two-out, 2-run rally in the 3rd inning as KYLE GASNER doubled in a run and CODY CONNER singled in another.

An inning later the Sultans took advantage of an error and an RBI single by TYLER BROWNING.

After that the pitchers took control.

STEELE CANYON 3, GRANITE HILLS 0 – CASEY BALIKIAN and AUSTIN BROWN combined on a 5-hit shutout as Steele Canyon stunned No. 6 ranked Granite Hills in Tuesday’s (Mar. 27) fourth round of the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

After the visiting Cougars scored three runs in the first two innings, Balikian and Brown held the Eagles to five singles while striking out seven and walking only one. Brown earned his first save.

“Our goal is to not get beat up high,” said Steele Canyon TODD SNYDER said. “And Balikian kept the ball down, so we did not get beat up like we have been in the past.

“We’ve lost so many games because we’ve given up one big inning.”

The Cougars took the lead in the 1st inning as TANNER PERRY walked, stole second, advanced to third on an infield single by BERNARDO ARIPEZ and a groundout by GARRETT GANDOLFO.

An inning later COLE FLINT singled and stole second, then MACLEAN BOWERS was hit by a pitch and MEMO RESENDEZ grounded out to move the runners up 90 feet. NATHAN MURRAY laced a sacrifice fly to score Flint and then Perry singled up the middle to score Bowers.

Granite Hills’ offense consisted of two hits by TYLER VINTON.

Lost in the shuffle was five shutout innings by the Eagles’ SEAN WALKER.

“We play like a team that lacks confidence,” mused Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS. “I know we’re better than that but we have to prove it.”

GROSSMONT 7, EL CAPITAN 2 – In what was predicted as the No. 1 ranking for El Capitan proved hard to defend in the fourth round of the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament for the Vaqueros, who were flattened by the Foothillers on Tuesday (Mar. 27).

Three Grossmont pitchers combined on a 6-hitter with ALEX CONNOR working 4 2/3 innings for 6 strikeouts for his third win without a loss. JOSEPH VISKAS and VINCENTE TRUJILLO finished the job.

Grossmont (6-2) took the lead on an RBI base hit by NOAH BUCHANAN in the 3rd inning.

The Foothillers swelled their lead to 5-0 with four runs in the 4th frame. The key blow was a line drive, 2-run double by HUNTER STRATTON.

BRETT STONE was 3-for-4 with a double in Grossmont’s 10-hit attack.

“To beat TROY CONYERS (last year’s SDCIF Player of the Year) is special,” said Grossmont coach JIM EARLEY. “And the fact that our kids beat the No. 1 team in the county proves that we met the challenge for a second time.”

“We’ve had as tough a schedule as any team in the county in our last 10 games,” said Vaqueros coach STEVE VICKERY. “We’ve had outstanding pitching but our defense has let us down. In terms of defense we’ve been below average all year and that’s hurt us.”

RIVER VALLEY 15, EL CAJON VALLEY 5 – After falling to the Braves at home last week due to errors, the Leopards cleaned up their act to win at ECVHS, matching the school's largest margin of victory ever (10) in Tuesday's (Mar. 29) non-league ballgame. No other details reported.

Grossmont second baseman Noah Buchanan just misses the ball on this lunge, yet the Hillers still knocked off top-rated El Capitan, 7-2, in Dickens Classic action. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (3-25-12) — There’s something magical about the Mount Miguel Matadors, although coach JASON BABINEAU will not confirm the fact.

“Our guys believe they can win every game,” Babineau said.

Whether that is myth or reality, the Matadors have posted a 6-2 record. In their latest Houdini act the Matadors scored two runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to beat West Hills, 3-2, in Saturday’s (Mar. 24) third round of the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

With one out BRAD MORENO and DOMINIC SAWYER hit back-to-back singles. Sawyer’s single went off the right-fielder’s glove for a 2-base error.

West Hills decided to deliver back-to-back intentional walks to JUWUN McCRAY and DUSTIN BURKE to load the bases. When FRANCO LUNA drew a third walk the West Hills coaching staff had to wonder had they gone too far.

All nine batters in the Wolf Pack lineup contributed to an 11-hit attack.

Pack pitchers BRIAN COMMERFORD and WILLIAM BENNETT allowed only 4 hits and one earned run in a losing cause.

Helix sophomore George Garcia (24) gains congratulations following a 2-run homer, part of his 5-RBI performance in the Scotties' 13-2 pasting of host Monte Vista. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

HELIX 13, MONTE VISTA 2 – Coach COLE HOLLAND’s squad brought out the hammer in Saturday’s (Mar. 24) third round of the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament at Monte Vista.

Sophomore GEORGE GARCIA drove in 5 runs with a two-run home run, a sacrifice fly, and a two-run single to hoist Helix’s record to 5-3.

Senior RAY PETERSON added three RBI and scored 5 runs with a home run, triple and a single in 4 at-bats.

“Scoring runs has never been a problem for us,” said Holland, whose club is averaging 7.4 runs per game. “So I’m not surprised by the breakout we had today.”

Helix (5-3) received a sparkling pitching performance by sophomore starter ELIJAH VERELLA, FRANKIE NUNEZ and ALEX BRITSCHGI.

“For his first start, Elijah was superb,” Holland said.” What helped him most is we were more aggressive at the plate than we have been.”

Helix snapped a 1-1 tie with 5 runs in the 3rd inning.

GEORGE GARCIA slugged a bases-loaded single to drive in two runs for the Highlanders. BRANDON LEWIS followed with a two-run double and DARYL BIGGS banged a run-scoring single to cap the scoring fest.

Helix extended its advantage on a two-run triple by Peterson, who eventually scored on Garcia’s sacrifice fly.

Garcia belted a two-run home run in the 6th inning staking Helix to an 11-2 advantage.

It was the second time this season Helix has defeated Monte Vista (1-7).

Play at the Plate

Attempting to score is Helix' Austin Hopwood (3), while Monte Visra catcher Paul O'Connor tries the sweep tag. CLICK photos to see the result. (Photos by Frank Price, youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

VALHALLA 5, STEELE CANYON 1 – MITCH COOMBS and RAMSEY ROMANO combined to pitch a 3-hitter as the Norsemen nailed the Cougars in Saturday’s (Mar. 24) Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament action.

Coombs, a sophomore left-hander, allowed only one run and two hits while striking out five in 5 2/3 innings.

Romano pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings to earn his second save as Valhalla improved to 2-6.

“Coombs threw a beautiful game,” said Valhalla coach MIKE WILSON. “He was almost perfect and Romano was very effective in relief.”

Valhalla broke through with four runs in the 6th inning.

KYLE McBRIDE contributed with a bases-loaded 2-run single to give the Norsemen a 2-1 lead.

CONNOR HOPKINS also chipped in with an RBI single in the big inning for Valhalla.

Steele Canyon avoided the shutout on a double by TANNER PERRY and a sacrifice fly by GARRETT GANDOLFO.

GROSSMONT 12, SANTANA 1 – A seven run 3rd inning propelled the Foothillers to a lopsided victory over Santana on Saturday (Mar. 24) in the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

Key innings in the knockout frame included a 2-run triple by DEREK RUSTICH and a 2-run double by ERIC ECKLEY.

Grossmont kept the scoring fest going in the 4th inning when BRETT STONE, who was 3-for-4 with 4 RBI in the game, drove in two runs with a base hit.

In the four run 5th inning Stone capped the inning with a 2-run single.

Although pleased by Grossmont’s offensive onslaught Foothillers’ coach JIM EARLEY was quick to point out the pitching of Eckley, who allowed only 3 hits and one run and struck out 8.

“He threw strikes and made them swing the bat,” said Earley. “We need him to be one of our top two starters and I’m confident he will be.”

ZACH SESTAK and VINCENTE TRUJILLO pitched two scoreless innings to award Eckley his first win.

KEARNY 4, CHRISTIAN 3 – It was Christmas in March for the Kearny Komets as visiting Christian handed out three runs in the bottom of the 7th to decide Saturday’s (Mar. 24) City Conference Tournament contest.

“It was unbelievable,” Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL said. “They scored three runs without benefit of a hit in that last inning.”

Even more ironic is Christian pitchers KYLE HARRIS and STEPHEN JOHNSTON allowed only one hit and one earned run.

“Their only hit came in the 6th inning and did not figure in the scoring,” Mitchell said.

Things started out with a bang for Christian (6-2) as the Patriots pushed across two runs in the 1st inning. Johnston singled, NICK JARVIS walked and Harris doubled in both runners.

Christian added an insurance run in the 6th inning. DAVID SUDA singled, moved up 90 feet and skipped to third on JOE ROSS’ sacrifice bunt.

A squeeze bunt by TYLER LESLIE drove in Suda to make it 3-1.

After that, Christian somehow found a way to lose.

CV-HIGH TECH 11, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 8 – Victory appeared to be in hand Saturday (Mar. 24) before the Knights blew a 7-1 lead in the final two innings of the Eagles Classic.

In the early going, Foothills Christian (5-3), was launched into a 5-0 lead keyed by DANIEL LUCKETT's 3-run double.

RYAN QUINN doubled in two runs in the 6th to make it 7-1.

Then the bottom fell out as High Tech put together a 10-run explosion in the 6th inning.

You Make The Call!

Attempting to steal second base is Santana's Cody Conner (right), while Granite Hills second baseman Jayson Rose gathers the ball from the catcher. BUT IS CONNER SAFE OR DID ROSE TAG HIM OUT? Click Picture (Photos by Frank Price and Nathan Price, youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (3-24-12) — It was hardly a thing of beauty, but the visiting Granite Hills Eagles (5-2) will gladly accept a 6-3 Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament win over Santana on Friday (Mar. 23) afternoon.

The star of this show was Granite Hills senior DOUG BRANNVALL. The 6-foot-2, 217-pound hurler was a double threat, pitching a complete six-hitter with 7 strikeouts. Furthermore, Brannvall laced a pair of doubles to drive in two runs and also scored a pair.

“This was Brannvall’s best game overall,” Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS said. “He did some good things for us and he’s just going to keep getting better.”

Santana CF Kyle Gasner with the running grab. (Photo by Nathan Price, youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

“That was Starwalt’s first home run in two years,” noted Davis. “He hit it over the 385 sign in centerfield and it had to clear more than 400 feet.”

“It was a bomb – a no-doubter,” added Santana coach TIM BARRY.

Four Santana errors allowed Granite Hills to double its score, which poisoned the pitching of JAMES DOHERTY and ALAN STRONG for the Sultans.

CODY CONNER was 2-for-3 to lead the Santana offense.

“It was a classic Sultans contest where we played six pretty solid innings and then booted the ball around for one inning,” said Barry. “We have a lot of work to do because we had two runners on in the last inning and made our last out when a guy was picked off at first base.”

CHRISTIAN 7, LINCOLN 2 – Senior MICHAEL KAUFMAN struck out a career-high 12 batters Friday (Mar. 23) as the visiting Patriots knocked off Lincoln in the second round of the City Conference Tournament.

“Michael pitched probably his best game,” Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL said. “It was a decent ballgame. They pitched pretty well. We hit them only one inning pretty well (4 runs in the 2nd inning).

The Patriots took a 1-0 lead without benefit of a hit in the opening frame, but Lincoln (3-5) tied it in the bottom of the inning.

TYLER LESLIE keyed the big 2nd inning with a double to left-center field. SAM GUERRA singled to right and both base runners scored on a triple off the left field fence by STEPHEN JOHNSTON.

After two walks loaded the bases, Kaufman hammered a sacrifice fly to center field. A bases-loaded single by JOE ROSS capped the scoring in the inning.

KYLE HARRIS went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run in the 4th inning for Christian (6-1).

Kaufman allowed five hits and two earned runs in a complete-game pitching performance.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 12, EL CAJON VALLEY 1 (5 inn.; darkness) – Although umpires showed up an hour late, the visiting Foothills Christian Knights knocked the daylights out of the Braves in Friday’s non-league game. The game was called by darkness after 5 innings.

RYAN DEYLING rationed El Cajon Valley (1-6) to two hits while striking out 7 and walking 2.

“He did a great job,” Foothills Christian coach DAVE LEWIS said. “He threw strikes. And AUSTIN MOSTRONG provided the power.”

Mostrong (6-f oot-5, 240) was 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles and three RBI.

DEREK BROWN was 2-for-3 with one RBI.

As a team, the Knights (5-2) stole 12 bases, including 2 apiece by ZACH TOMLIN, DANIEL LUCKETT and RYAN QUINN.

“KEITHRAMON “K-Ray” GRANT scored his first varsity run and TIM GRAY got his first varsity hit,” Lewis noted.

© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (3-23-12) — The pitching staff for No. 1 ranked El Capitan High has been flat-out dealing on the mound so far in the early part of the season. Coming into a tough road test against Helix, they boasted a team era of 2.14 and had combined on four straight shutout victories.

After watching an early 4-0 lead evaporate into a deadlock Thursday (Mar. 22), the Vaqueros’ offense took advantage of some costly errors and pushed their winning streak to six, handing the Highlanders an 8-4 defeat in the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

That lead began with a CURREN FACER single in the top of the 2nd, followed by a couple of hit batsmen and a passed ball for the early marker. JAVIER GONZALEZ and ERIC LOZANO then notched back-to-back doubles in the 3rd and after TROY CONYERS and Facer each added singles it seemed that would be more than enough to take care of business, but that wasn't the case as the Highlanders quickly matched them with four runs of their own.

“I was really disappointed we lost that lead,” Vaqueros head coach STEVE VICKERY said after seeing the first runs plated against his squad after 30 scoreless innings. “But I'm extremely proud of how we battled back in those late innings to distance ourselves from them for the win because we know they're a great team.”

Helix didn't do themselves any favors as they botched a pair of grounders in the late frames to open the door.

“I think we did a great job against them early,” Highlanders skipper COLE HOLLAND explained. “In the long run though, we just have to get more aggressive at the plate. We took 15 first pitch strikes today and booted the ball around in the late innings giving them three unearned runs. You just can't do that against a quality team and expect to win.”

Given his first start at designated hitter MATT TAYNTON passed his first test with flying colors as he collected the game-winning RBI in the 5th and for good measure knocked in another in the last frame.

“It just felt great to finally contribute,” he said. “Especially against such a great team that beat us in the finals of this tournament last year.”

“It's just great to get some production from guys who have been working their fannies off to get into the lineup,” Vickery noted. “He definitely knocked in a couple of big runs for us.”

The only earned run against Helix once the game was tied came in the form of a smooth stroke off the bat of Lozano multiplied with a little luck as he smashed a first pitch fastball to right 375 feet for a solo shot.

“I actually couldn't remember the sign coach was trying to give to me,” he said. “So I just stayed back on the ball and gave it a good ride.”

“I gave him the fake bunt- take signal, but I'm gonna go ahead and forgive him for that one,” said Vickery. “He's definitely going to put a dollar in the team jar though for screwing that one up.”

— Andrew Smith

WEST HILLS 6, STEELE CANYON 5 – A wild pitch in the bottom of the 7th inning gave host West Hills Thursday’s (Mar. 22) Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament nod over Steele Canyon.

After giving away a one run advantage via three errors in the top of the 7th the Pack battled back to pull out a victory in the bottom of the frame.

After ALEX PARSONS delivered a scoring fly ball that tied the game 5-5, with two outs, the Cougars uncorked a wild pitch to hand the Wolf Pack the walk off win.

MICHAEL CARLIN was 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored and ALEX WAGNER was 2-for-3 with an RBI for West Hills.

CAMERON HOWELL and WILLIAM BENNETT surrendered 10 hits but no earned runs while striking out eight for the Pack.

For Steele Canyon COLE FLINT was 2-for-2 with 2 RBI. His big hit was a 2-run single to left field in the 3rd inning.

VALHALLA 5, SANTANA 1 – After suffering six straight losses to Top 10 teams the Norsemen could have put their bats and gloves away and called it a season.

But coach MIKE WILSON hasn’t give up nor have his players.

“We’re trying to blend our young players with our older players,” Wilson said.

Santana created a 1-1 tie on a two-out single by TYLER WEISS and a double off the left-field fence by TOMMY LOGAN in Thursday’s (Mar. 22) 2nd round of the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

Valhalla regained the lead in the bottom of the 4th as RAMSEY ROMANO tripled and scored on a ground out by AUSTIN HENSLEY.

The Norsemen broke the game open with three runs in the 6th inning. An RBI single by KYLE PROVANCHA. Two throwing errors added to Valhalla’s totals.

Hillers second baseman Noah Buchanan skies to prevent the ball from sailing into center field while the Matadors' Franco Luna steals a base CLICK PHOTO FOR MORE OF THIS PLAY. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

The Foothillers (5-2) hammered out 13 hits.

NICO MAIDA capped a 4-run 2nd inning with a 2-run homer – his second of the season – and finished 3-for-4 in the leadoff spot.

Grossmont broke the game open with five runs in the 5th inning. ALEX CONNOR banged an RBI double and ERIC ECKLEY drove in two more with a double to turn the game into a rout.

ALEX CONNOR allowed only 2 hits and one run while striking out 6 to post his second win in as many decisions. TYLER STOOP and DANNY ROLF each pitched a scoreless inning to secure the victory.

NICK ROCHESTER was 2-for-3 with two doubles and 3 RBI for the Foothillers.

Monte Vista’s only hits were delivered by JOHN BALAJADIA and ANDREW POIRIER.

Nico Maida, the Grossmont shortstop, eats some dirt yet takes third base. (Frank Price photo, youatplay.com) VIEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Look Who's Trending Following a Quarter-Century, Matadors end massive 60-game losing streak to Grossmont By Bill Dickens © East County Sports.com SPRING VALLEY (3-22-12) — Upsets in baseball, as a rule, are not all that rare. But the Matadors of first-year head coach JASON BABINEAU blew the dust off the Mount Miguel record book Wednesday (Mar. 21) as they stunned visiting Grossmont 12-11 in the opening round of the 2nd Annual Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament. “Our kids believe that we can win big games,” Babineau said. “They aren’t intimidated at all.” This was Mount Miguel’s first victory over the Foothillers in 25 years. Last time the Matadors prevailed was 6-4 in 1987. Since then Grossmont rolled to 60 consecutive victories before falling short on Wednesday. “I doubt if our kids realize this is kind of a historic win for Mount Miguel baseball,” Babineau said. “We’re on a roll and we have to keep it going.” Despite a 7-run 2nd inning, the Matadors (5-1) had to come from behind three times to subdue the Foothillers (4-2). Trailing 11-10 entering the 6th inning, the Matadors caught a break when JUWUN McCRAY reached base on an error. He swiftly stole second base and scored the tying marker on a base hit by DUSTIN BURKE. With two outs in the 6th, the Matadors sensed victory after JOHNNY WRIGHT’s game-winning single. Grossmont challenged in the 7th, but left the tying and winning runs on base against BRAD MORENO, who pitched 1 1/3 innings to earn his second win in three decisions. Burke and FRANCO LUNA contributed three hits apiece to Mount Miguel’s 11-hit attack. NICO MAIDA was 2-for-2 with three RBI in the Grossmont leadoff spot. JEFF BOWERS was 3-for-4 with three runs and an RBI triple for the Foothillers. NICK ROCHESTER ripped a pair of doubles and drove in a pair of runs, while HUNTER STRATTON was 2-for-4 with two RBI. “Don’t take anything away from Mount Miguel, but we had a recipe for disaster,” Grossmont coach JIM EARLEY said. “We had too many walks, too many errors, too many stupid plays and too many selfish at-bats.”
More of the Hillers' Nico Maida, making the long, sidearm throw to first base. (Frank Price photo, youatplay.com)

© East County Sports.com
SPRING VALLEY (3-22-12) — After Mother Nature delayed the start of the 2nd annual Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament, no team was chomping at the bit to take the field again more than the Monte Vista Monarchs.

When they finally got the chance to step foot onto Marv Lacey Field Wednesday (Mar. 21) against visiting West Hills they were looking to prove that they are a much better team than their 0-5 record showed.

Behind a solid pitching performance from LUIS LEBRON and an outstanding defensive effort, Monte Vista finally notched one into the win column, capturing a 5-1 victory over the Wolf Pack.

“We've really been pressing a bit to get that first one,” said Monarchs' skipper CHAD WILLIAMS of the slow start. “We haven't been playing good defense and weren't executing on the offensive side of things, but today we did all the little things right. Luis really just put us on his shoulders today and pitched a hell of a ball game.”

Lebron didn't take his talents to the beach over the summer, instead he just decided to keep things simple for himself on the mound his senior year.

“My whole goal is to make the other team put the ball in play rather than striking them out,” he said. “Once we had built a lead I had a lot of confidence on the mound because I have all the trust in the world in our defense behind me.”

The crafty southpaw had the Wolf Pack hitters out in front and swinging over the top of the ball all day as he induced 11 ground ball outs and also fanned five. The Monarchs hadn't even turned a double play all season, but Lebron forced the West Hills' battery into three, including the final one with the bases loaded in the 7th inning with the tying run at the plate that sealed the victory.

“Luis really just dominated and shut us down,” West Hills coach JASON FOWLER admitted. “He kept us completely off-balance and did a great job of switching speeds so we couldn't really get anything going all day.”

The two teams combined for 16 hits – 6 to the Pack and 10 to the Monarchs, but there was only one extra base hit. That hit came off the bat of Monte Vista’s TOMMY POIRER when he smacked a 2-run home run to left for his first career varsity dinger.

Poirier recounted all the time he has invested in the cages.

“I've been working on my swing for a couple of weeks now adjusting little things here and there,” he said. “So it felt really good to finally get a sweet pitch and take it out.”

Poirier and RICHIE BALAJADIA for the first time batted 4th and 5th on the lineup card to go a combined 6-for-6 with 3 runs scored. Maybe a new formula is brewing in the middle of the Monarchs' order.

“I'm gonna tell coach to keep the lineup that way because Tommy had his best game I think I've seen,” said Balajadia. “We’re not really a big home run hitting team so we have to do all the small things right and execute to win more games and get us back on track.”

— Andrew Smith

STEELE CANYON 8, HELIX 7 – In what has become a mounting rivalry, Steele Canyon has had the latest word by knocking off the visiting Highlanders in Wednesday’s (Mar. 21) opening round of the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

The Cougars’ victory retaliated for last year’s 7-3 loss to Helix in the San Diego CIF Division II championship game. But this is a ferocious series as these two teams have split their last four decisions, including one match-up at Petco Park.

This is an interesting victory for Steele Canyon (4-2) in that the Cougars fell behind 3-0 and 4-2 before barging in front with six runs in the bottom of the 5th inning.

“When you walk 7 guys and leave 13 runners on base, how can you expect to win against a quality team like Steele Canyon,” said Helix coach COLE HOLLAND.

Doubles by GARRETT GANDOLFO and TAYLOR VUKOTICH ignited a 6-run 5th inning for the Cougars. Four walks brought in two more runs for Steele Canyon, then BERNARDO ARIPEZ laced a 3-run double to put the Cougars in front 8-4.

Helix (4-2) fought back with three runs in the 6th as GEORGE GARCIA ripped a 3-run double.

T.J. CARLYON pitched two shutout innings while striking out 4 to earn his 2nd save for Steele Canyon.

“For us it’s been an up-and-down season,” said Cougars coach TODD SNYDER. “It was never comfortable for us in this game. We had to battle for the final out. We’re still trying to figure out how to align our pitching.”

TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN 4, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 3 – The Knights of Foothills Christian suffered a bitter defeat in Wednesday’s (Mar. 21) Eagle Classic action at MiraCosta College.

Foothills Christian junior ZACH TOMLIN allowed only one single in a complete game effort that included 9 strikeouts. All four runs he permitted were unearned, resulting from 5 Knights’ errors.

“I feel so badly for Zach,” Foothills coach DAVE LEWIS said. “He pitched his heart out. He definitely deserved a better fate.”

TREVOR TINNEY was 3-for-3 in the leadoff spot for Foothills Christian (4-2). The junior team captain slashed a pair of doubles, scored twice and stole a base.

Trailing 4-1 going into the top of the 7th, the Knights battled back. Tinney singled and one out later scampered to third on a double by DANIEL LUCKETT. Tinney scored on a ground out by RYAN QUINN. ERIC CANNON followed with an RBI single, but the Knights’ offense stalled after that.

Tomlin took a no-hitter into the 6th inning. His pitching counterpart, Doug Callewaert, spoiled the no-hit bid with a leadoff single in the final inning. Foothills Christian’s defense fell apart with three errors that decided the game.

CHRISTIAN 11, HOOVER 0 – Sophomore NICK JARVIS and KALE SIMPSON combined for a 1-hitter in Wednesday’s (Mar. 21) City Conference Tournament romp over the visiting Cardinals.

Jarvis struck out five and walked one, while Simpson fanned two of the three batters he faced.

JOE ROSS and TYLER LESLIE drove in two runs apiece for the Patriots (5-1).

STEPHEN JOHNSTON, MICHAEL KAUFMAN, KYLE HARRIS and SAM GUERRA all had two hits apiece for Christian.

EL CAJON VALLEY 10, RIVER VALLEY 2 – No information reported.

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (3-21-12) — If ever there was a pregame save awarded, El Capitan High assistant coach BOB COBLISCHKE would certainly be worthy.

The recent rain had turned the No. 1-ranked Vaqueros’ Hostetler Field into mush.

“Bob was out there with a shovel, rake and various equipment at 8 a.m. to make the field playable,” El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY said. “He spent 6½ hours and did a great job. Our kids know and appreciate it.”

With a big slide, El Capitan's Chuck Moorman (left) is safe at home. (Photo by Nathan Price, youatplay.com) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

El Capitan senior southpaw TROY CONYERS took over from there as he fired a 3-hit shutout in Tuesday’s (Mar. 20) opening round of the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament in a 6-0 nod over visiting Valhalla. He walked one and struck out 13.

In 20 2/3 innings, the University of San Diego-bound Conyers has collected 38 strikeouts, while walking only three. In his last two starts Conyers has fanned 29.

Three Valhalla errors handed El Capitan half of its runs.

SPENCER NIELSEN was 3-for-3 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored to pace El Capitan.

Valhalla missed its only scoring chance in the 4th inning when the Norsemen (0-6) loaded the bases with two outs.

KEANTE BALELO walked and advanced to third on a double by JUSTIN CSUKRAN. EDDIE VanANTWERP was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but Conyers shut down the rally with an inning-ending strikeout.

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (3-17-12) — A year ago, El Capitan High senior JAVIER GONZALEZ was a part-time starter at the bottom of the Vaqueros batting order.

At the moment Gonzalez is the Vaqueros’ leadoff hitter. He reached base in three of his four plate appearances in Friday’s (Mar. 16) Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament championship game as El Capitan blanked visiting Cathedral Catholic 3-0.

Gonzalez, the Vaqueros’ second baseman, scored what proved to be the winning run when he reached base after being hit by a pitch leading off the bottom of the 5th. He also reached base on a leadoff single in the 1st and on an error in the 3rd inning.

“No question this is a new challenge for me,” Gonzalez said. “It’s never easy learning a new role, but I like being the table-setter. I’ll do anything to get on base.”

El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY was pleased by Gonzalez’ contributions.

“He has made himself into a complete player and a great leadoff man,” Vickery said.

Gonzalez is pretty slick with a glove as well. He helped snuff out a Cathedral Catholic rally in the 6th inning when he grabbed a line drive and doubled off a runner at first base.

“I caught it off my shoe tops and my momentum was carrying me towards first,” Gonzalez said. “And I knew if I made a decent throw I could double that guy off.”

The Vaqueros narrowly missed a triple play as the Dons’ runner strayed far off second base but was able to scramble back without drawing a throw.

El Capitan (5-1) turned its second double play of the game in the 7th inning to preserve the victory for SHANE COLEMAN (2-0) and a save for MATT DE ROSIER. Coleman allowed one hit in five innings and De Rosier allowed one hit in his two frames.

“I trust whatever Chuck calls,” Coleman said of his battery-mate, Moorman. “My changeup was my best pitch and I got a lot of pop-ups out of it.”

It was El Capitan’s third shutout of the week.

Both TROY CONYERS and KEVIN GINKEL spun complete game shutouts earlier in the week as the El Capitan quartet allowed only 8 hits in 21 innings.

The Vaqueros’ scoring against Cathedral Catholic (4-2) was truly unique. A hit batter followed by five straight 2-out walks handed El Capitan 3 runs without benefit of a hit in the 5th inning.

Cathedral starter Brady Aiken blanked the Vaqueros on 2 hits and struck out 9 over four innings. Unfortunately for him the bullpen caved in.

“It’s early in the season and weird things happen,” commented Dons coach Gary Remiker. “Because of our strong starting pitching our two relievers haven’t had much work, and I think that showed in this game.”

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-16-12) — The battery of El Capitan High generated shocking results against host Granite Hills in Thursday’s (Mar. 15) final round of pool play of the Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament.

Six-foot-3 right-hander KEVIN GINKEL blanked 6th-ranked Granite Hills 5-0 in a battle of Top 10 teams. He allowed only 2 hits, walked one and struck out 8 in a complete game effort, hoisting his record to 2-1.

By winning, El Capitan will host Cathedral Catholic in the tournament championship game at El Capitan on Friday (Mar. 16) at 3:30 p.m. The title tilt was originally scheduled for Saturday at Hilltop but has since been changed due to predictions of inclement weather on Saturday.

Catcher CHUCK MOORMAN was a solid backstop, not just in terms of calling pitches but also with the bat. His 3-run homer in the 7th inning provided Ginkel with a fat cushion.

“Ginkel was able to hit both sides of the plate,” said Vaqueros coach STEVE VICKERY. “He obviously had good stuff. But a lot of his success goes to Moorman, who calls an unbelievable game, as he did in this one.

“The thing about Moorman is he can read a batter’s swing, his stance and how to pitch to the guy. He helps our pitchers so much.”

WEST HILLS 5, OLYMPIAN 4 – The visiting Wolf Pack claimed a come-from-behind victory in the final round of pool play in the Bully’s East/Andy Sanchez Memorial Tournament on Thursday (Mar. 15).

Trailing 4-2 the Pack put together a 3-run 4th inning after two outs.

D.J. LEWIS drew a walk and advanced to third on a wild pickoff throw. After PATRICK ESTEY walked, MICHAEL CARLIN singled to left to score Lewis with the tying run. ALEX PARSONS, who was 3-for-4 on the day, then singled to score Estey and giving the Pack a 4-3 lead.

The inning continued when STEWART FORRESTER (3-for-4) doubled to score Carlin.

It was a rare singleton for Forrester who has hit five doubles in the last three games.

From there relief pitchers WILLIAM BENNETT pitched 4 hitless innings for the win, and CAMERON HOWELL came in to get the final out for the save.

“We could easily be 5-0 – we just made a few mistakes,” said West Hills coach JASON FOWLER.

MOUNT MIGUEL 21, HOOVER 0 (3 inn., vacated) – Over the last decade or so Mount Miguel has been involved in a lot of games where calling “uncle” would be the smart thing to do.

But this year’s Matadors are turning the tables on their opponents, the latest being a hammering of Hoover in Thursday’s (Mar. 15) final round of pool play of the Bully’s East/Andy Sanchez Memorial Tournament.

Rarely has a Mount Miguel team played better in recent memory. In a game halted after three innings when Hoover decided to walk off the field, pitchers FERNANDO DOMINGUEZ and ALEJO CARDENAS combined to pitch a 1-hit shutout while striking out six.

The Matadors banged out 17 hits, scoring 10 runs in the 1st inning. The kingpin of the Mount Miguel attack was JUWUN McCRAY, who drove in 6 runs with a triple, a single and an inside-the-park home run.

DOMINIC SAWYER was 2-for-3 with 3 RBI, DUSTIN BURKE was 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI and Cardenas was 2-for-3 with 3 runs and 2 RBI.

“Our kids did a great job of hitting to the opposite field,” said Matadors coach JASON BABINEAU. “Anytime you score this many runs and get that many hits, that shows a sign of progress.”

Bully’s East/Andy Sanchez Memorial
MATADORS 21, CARDINALS 0 (3 inn.)
Hoover       (0-5)    000 –  0  1 4
Mount Miguel (4-1) (10)56 – 21 17 2
(Called after 3 inn.; Hoover vacated.)
Hoover batteries N/A. Dominguez, Cardenas
(3) and Preciado. WP-Dominguez (1-0). LP-N/A.

WOLF PACK 5, EAGLES 4
West Hills (3-2) 011 300 0 – 5 9 2
Olympian   (0-5) 031 000 0 – 4 4 1
Commerford, Bennett (3), Howell (5) and
Schilling. Tarr, Ronquillo (5) and Vallafana.
WP-Bennett (1-1). LP-Tarr (0-1). Sv-Howell 1.

Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament
BRONCOS 10, NORSEMEN 3
Rancho Bernardo (3-2) 400 033 0 – 10 9 2
Valhalla        (0-5) 000 200 1 -  3 7 4
Henderson, Osborne (3), Davis (7) and Jackson.
McNary, Mitich (2), Coombs (4) and Roy. WP-
Osborne (1-0). LP-Combs (0-2). HR-Katoh (RB)
1st, solo.

VAQUEROS 5, EAGLES 0
El Capitan    (4-1) 001 010 3 – 5 10 1
Granite Hills (3-2) 000 000 0 – 0  2 2
Ginkel and Moorman. Starwalt, Brannvall (6)
and Hopper. WP-Ginkel (2-1). LP-Starwalt (0-1).
HR-Moorman (EC-1) 7th, two on.
 
Christian Patriot Invitational
HORNETS 11, BRAVES 2 
Lincoln         (3-3)
El Cajon Valley (0-5)
(No other information reported.)
 
VIKINGS 6, PATRIOTS 3
Christian (4-1) 011 001 0 – 3 9 4
Holtville (3-2) 020 040 X – 6 5 1
Johnston, Harris (5) and Gregorovic. Ayon and
Gonzalez. WP-Ayon (1-1). LP-Johnston (1-1).

Four Patriots errors undermined the pitching of STEPHEN JOHNSTON and KYLE HARRIS, which led to four unearned runs for the host Vikings (3-2).

The Patriots’ offense sputtered most of the afternoon at Holtvile. NICK JARVIS, ANDREW GREGOROVIC and KYLE YOUNGKIN each had an RBI single for the Patriots, who did not generate any extra base hits.

Despite the loss the Patriots (4-1) will host the Christian Patriots Invitational championship against Lincoln (3-3) on Saturday (Mar. 17) at 2 p.m.

“It was really hot out there – 85 degrees,” said Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL. “We all have sunburn from staring into the sun. This was the first game that we’ve made a bunch of errors.”

That’s what they call a home field advantage.

RANCHO BERNARDO 10, VALHALLA 3 – The struggling Norsemen, who play one of the toughest schedules in the San Diego Section, surrendered four runs in the 1st inning to visiting Rancho Bernardo in the final round of pool play of the Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament on Thursday (Mar. 15).

“We fell behind early,” said Valhalla coach MIKE WILSON. “We just couldn’t recover. However, offensively we did better than we’ve done in any of our other games because we got seven hits. We’re improving.”

KYLE McBRIDE was 2-for-3 and JORDAN QSAR was 2-for-3 with an RBI and 2 stolen bases for Valhalla.

Leadoff man RAMSEY ROMANO slugged a 2-run double in the 4th inning to cut the Broncos lead to 4-2.

But Valhalla could never muster any big innings, while the one-time No. 1 ranked Broncos continued to pad their lead.

LINCOLN 11, EL CAJON VALLEY 2 – No report by the Braves (0-5).

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (3-15-12) — Grossmont High head coach JIM EARLEY labeled Wednesday’s (Mar. 14) final game of pool play in the Foothiller-Aztec Classic as our “best overall game so far.”

The Foothillers (4-1) riddled three Santana pitchers for 14 hits and rode the strong pitching of aces ALEX CONNOR and ERIC ECKLEY to an 8-3 victory over the Sultans (2-3).

“If we can play this well all-around, it should be a good season,” Earley said. “We finished 4-1 in this tournament, which in my opinion is one of the stronger events of its kind. We’ll take that. I think we are kinda finding our makeup.”

However, neither the Foothillers nor any East County team will be involved in the tournament finals which pit Vista against Eastlake on Saturday (Mar. 17) at 10:30 a.m. at Grossmont’s Joe Gizoni Field.

Connor turned in double-duty for Grossmont. As the starting pitcher, he allowed one earned run and 4 hits while striking out 5 in four innings.

“This was my longest start and I felt strong,” Connor said of his 65-pitch outing. “I went mostly with my 2-seamer fastball and got the hitters to swing over it. Then I was teasing them with my curveball when I needed it.”

Connor didn’t hit the ball out of the infield in his first two at-bats. In the 5th inning with the Foothillers leading 3-1 Connor tripled to right-center field, scoring NOAH BUCHANAN, who reached base on a single and stole second. Connor cruised home on a sacrifice fly by DEREK RUSTICH.

Grossmont broke the game open in the 6th inning with 3 runs. ERIC ECKLEY, who was 2-for-2 with a sacrifice fly, 2 runs and a 2 RBI, ignited the rally. Pinch hitter JORDAN GERLEK who is recovering from shoulder surgery tapped an infield single to keep the rally going. After a double steal, Eckley scored on a wild pitch with Gerlek taking second. Buchanan then added an RBI single which scored Gerlek.

“My surgery took place on the first day of school,” Gerlek said. “It was tough sitting here watching all these games, unable to play, but actually when I finally got in a game (which included catching the final two innings), it really felt weird to be back in the lineup.”

Gerlek made the most of his two at-bats as he doubled in the 7th inning.

Three errors cost Santana three unearned runs.

“Grossmont is by far the best team we have played,” said Sultans coach TIM BARRY. “Giving a quality team like that extra outs is something you just can’t do.”

On the high side KYLE GASNER was 2-for-3 with an RBI single and a booming 2-run homer in the 7th inning for Santana.

The hard luck loser was BRIAN ASHWILL, who allowed only 2 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Foothiller-Aztec Classic
HIGHLANDERS 3, MONARCHS 1
Monte Vista (0-5) 000 100 0 – 1 4 1
Helix       (4-1) 030 000 x – 3 6 3
J.Balajadia, Lebron (5) and Guerrero.
Carbuccia and Reynoso. WP-Carbuccia (1-0).
LP-J.Balajadia (0-1).

FOOTHILLERS 8, SULTANS 3
Grossmont (4-1) 010 223 0 – 8 14 1
Santana   (2-3) 001 000 2 – 3  6 3
Connor, Eckley (5) and Stratton,
Gerlek (6). Ashwill, Cook (5), Strong
(6) and Cd.Conner. WP-A.Connor (1-0).
LP-Ashwill (1-1). Sv-Eckley 1. HR-Gasner
(Sant-1) 7th, one on.

COUGARS 5, CONQUISTADORS
Steele Canyon (3-2) 003 100 1 – 5 7 0
Serra         (2-3) 002 000 0 – 2 6 3
Califano, Carlyon (7) and Randel. Burdick,
Purvis (6) and Abbott. WP-Califano (1-1).
LP-Burdick (1-1). Sv-Carlyon 1. HR-Bereaud
(Serra) 3rd, one on.
 
Eagles Classic
KNIGHTS 6, CRUSADERS 0
Foothills Chr.   (4-1) 020 101 2 – 6 10 0
Calvin Christian (1-3) 000 000 0 – 0  2 4
Tomlin and Luckett. Detrich, Patton (5),
Katje (7) and Petro. WP-Tomlin (2-1).
LP-Detrich (0-1).

In 5 of 7 innings the Monarchs (0-5) put the lead runner on base. But only once did they score and that was in the 4th inning. RICHIE BALAJADIA was hit by a pitch and LUIS LEBRON singled. CARLOS GUERRERO laid down a sacrifice bunt but the Monte Vista third baseman threw the ball away, allowing Richie Balajadia to score.

Helix (4-1), however, had taken a 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning. After RAY PETERSON was hit by a pitch, CALVIN GOURSON doubled. Peterson scored on a wild pitch and Gourson then trotted home on a balk. Carbuccia singled, stole second and scored on a single by FRANKIE NUNEZ.

That would be all the firepower Helix would need.

“That’s back-to-back quality starts for Carbuccia,” Helix coach COLE HOLLAND said of his senior right-hander, who struck out 6 and walked 2 in a complete game effort.

On top of that Carbuccia was 2-for-3 with 2 stolen bases.

“This is a typical Helix game,” said Holland. “Not a lotta thunder but good execution.”

STEELE CANYON 5, SERRA 2 – This game was all about Steele Canyon’s FRANK CALIFANO.

Unlike some sports where you have to be 6-foot-5 and another where it is handy to tip the Toledo’s at 250 pounds, neither bothered Califano.

A 5-foot-10, 170-pound left-hander, Califano denied the so-called prototypes as the Cougars slapped Serra 5-2 in Wednesday’s (Mar. 14) final round of pool play in the Foothiller-Aztec Classic.

In 6 innings, he struck out 11, allowed only 6 hits and 2 earned runs as he posted his first win and the Cougars improved to 3-2.

Califano was a double threat in that he drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the 3rd inning and singled in a run in the top of the 7th.

The premier San Diego Section pickoff artist a year ago, Califano nailed a runner at first base in the 4th inning.

Batterymate MICHAEL RANDEL was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Serra (2-3) tried to fight back with a 2-run homer by Nic Bereaurd in the bottom of the 3rd, which cut the Cougars lead to 3-2.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 6, CALVIN CHRISTIAN 0 – ZACH TOMLIN pitched arguable one of the greatest games in Foothills Christian history as the Knights blanked Calvin Christian in Wednesday’s (Mar. 14) Eagles Classic game.

In a complete-game effort, Tomlin a junior right-hander struck out 12, walked one and allowed only 2 hits as the Knights improved to 4-1 by stuffing Calvin Christian.

AUSTIN MOSTRONG led the Knights’ 10-hit attack by going 3-for-3 with a double and 2 RBI. It was his 2nd inning 2-run double that proved to be the game-winning hit.

Knights’ leadoff man TREVOR TINNEY was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, an RBI and a stolen base.

“Tinney is so fast – he could play anywhere,” said Foothills Christian coach DAVE LEWIS.

© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (3-14-12) — El Capitan’s hard throwing left-hander TROY CONYERS was almost perfect as the Vaqueros edged Hilltop 2-0 in Tuesday’s (Mar. 13) Hilltop-Lolita’s Tournament action.

Conyers pitched an overpowering complete game, allowing only 2 hits while striking out 16 batters for the Vaqueros (3-1).

“That’s the most strikeouts I’ve ever gotten in a game since I got 14 as a freshman against Mount Miguel,” Conyers recalled.

He struck out the side three times and fanned every batter in the Lancers’ lineup at least once.

“Me and CHUCK (MOORMAN, catcher) have been on the same page for six years,” Conyers said. “I know exactly what he wants me to throw and rarely do I shake him off.”

El Capitan scored all the runs it needed in the 5th inning. JAVIER GONZALEZ doubled in a run and Conyers drove in another on a sacrifice fly.

“This is the most dominant performance by an El Capitan pitcher since MATT LA CHAPPA in 1993,” said Vaqueros coach STEVE VICKERY.

GRANITE HILLS 2, BONITA VISTA 1 (8 inn.) – Defense was the ticket for Granite Hills in Tuesday’s (Mar. 13) narrow escape over Bonita Vista in the Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament that took eight innings to decide.

Granite Hills’ TRENTON BROOKS took a 1-0 shutout into the 7th inning, but the Barons bounced back to tie the game and might have won it had it not been for a strong throw from sophomore right-fielder ROBERT BOSTEDT to cut down the potential winning run.

Of course, accurate throws from the outfield were common for the Eagles (3-1).

Earlier in the game center-fielder JOSH ROSE cut down a Bonita Vista runner trying to stretch a single into a double, and previous to that he made a throw to the plate to erase another Barons runner.

“The wind was blowing so there were no obvious outs,” remarked Eagles coach JAMES DAVIS. “But our outfielders were alert and came up throwing.”

It was a big day for Josh Rose who accounted for 2 of Granite Hills’ 3 hits, including a solo home run in the 4th inning.

However the Eagles needed the 8th inning to pull off the victory.

JORDAN VERDON reached first base on a dropped fly ball and TYLER VINTON pinch ran for him. SEAN WALKER followed with a double, scoring Vinton with the game-winning run.

CHRISTIAN 33, EL CAJON VALLEY 1 (5 inn) – Christian High’s veteran coach MIKE MITCHELL felt bad when he reported Tuesday’s (Mar. 13) Christian Patriot Invitational rout over the host Braves.

That is not a normal reaction for a victorious coach.

But this case was different.

The Patriots (4-0) scored 15 runs and removed all of their primary starters after one inning and continued to the lopsided victory halted after five innings.

“I had my top four hitters out of the lineup at the end of the 1st inning,” Mitchell said. “I would have removed more, but I only have 13 players.”

Christian finished with 29 hits, led by senior SAM GUERRA’s 5 safeties, 5 runs and 5 RBI.

Senior KYLE YOUNGKIN was 4-for-5 with 4 runs scored, while DANIEL ACADEMIA drove in 4 runs with a pair of hits.

DAVID SUDA was 3-for-3 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI.

Three Christian pitchers limited the Braves to 2 hits, one of which was an RBI double by ABRAHAM GARCIA in the 4th inning, scoring ROGER MEJIA.

“The El Cajon kids play so hard, try so hard, but they’re so over-matched,” Mitchell said. “We’re hardly the best team in East County but it could have been so much more ugly. After the second inning we used wood bats only.

Bully’s East/Andy Sanchez Memorial
RAIDERS 11, MATADORS 3
Mount Miguel (3-1) 201 000 0 -  3  5 8
SD-Southwest (3-2) 203 051 x – 11 10 4
Moreno, Wright (5), Dominguez (6) and
Dominguez, Preciado (6). Rocha and Enriquez.
WP-Rocha (1-1). LP-Moreno (1-1).

WOLF PACK 5, PATRIOTS 4
Patrick Henry (2-2) 000 101 2 – 4 8 0
West Hills    (2-2) 200 201 x – 5 9 2
Bulcao, Lamke (5), Piper (6) and Willkomm.
Delaney, Bennett (7) and Schilling. WP-Delaney
(2-0). LP-Bulcao (1-1). Sv-Bennett 1.

Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament
DONS 6, NORSEMEN 0
Cathedral Cath. (3-1) 401 010 0 – 6 10 0
Valhalla        (0-4) 000 000 0 – 0  5 2
Valhalla batteries N/A. Schick, Aiken (7)
and Wilson. (No further information reported)

VAQUEROS 2, LANCERS 0
Hilltop    (1-3) 000 000 0 – 0 4 1
El Capitan (3-1) 100 020 x – 2 6 0
Tejada, Faucher (6) and Schniepp. Conyers and
Moorman. WP-Conyers (1-0). LP-Tejada (0-1).  
 
EAGLES 2, BARONS 1 (8 inn.)
Granite Hills (3-1) 000 100 01 – 2 3 1
Bonita Vista  (3-3) 000 000 10 – 1 4 2
Brooks, Walker (8) and Hopper. Siwek, Ball (8)
and Quiros. WP-Brooks (2-0). LP-Ball (2-1).
Sv-Walker 1. HR-Jo.Rose (GH-1) 4th, solo.

Christian Patriot Invitational
PATRIOTS 33, BRAVES 1 (5 inn.)
Christian       (4-0) (15)48 06 – 33 29 1
El Cajon Valley (0-3)    000 01 –  1  2 8
Simpson, Suda (4), Jarvis (5) and Gregorovic,
Youngkin (1). A.Garcia, Ramirez (1), R.Mejia
(4) and C.Mejia. WP-Simpson (1-0). LP-A.Garcia.

And that probably won’t come as a varsity team in the Grossmont Conference.

Eight errors led to the Matadors’ demise as the host Raiders 3-2) scored only three earned runs.

Southwest’s Juan Rocha pitched a complete game 5-hitter against the Matadors (3-1),

Although Mount Miguel mustered only a 5-hit attack, the Matadors led 3-2 entering the bottom of the 3rd inning.

CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC 6, VALHALLA 0 – The Dons improved to 3-1 with Tuesday’s (Mar. 13) Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament win over Valhalla (0-4) on a 5-hit shutout by pitchers Alex Schick and Brady Aiken of the Dons (3-1).

No other information was reported.

Non-League
KNIGHTS 14, HORNETS 8
Foothills Chr. (3-1) 521 040 2 – 14 13 5
Calipatria     (0-4) 114 200 0 -  8  5 0
Deyling, Brown (4) and Tinney. Navarro,
Ledesma (1), Manglalian (6) and (catcher
N/A). WP-Brown(1-0). LP-Ledesma.

RIVER VALLEY 9, BORREGO SPRINGS 6 — River Valley Charter School of Lakeside, following a pair of winless seasons, ended a 29-game losing streak with a non-league triumph over the host Rams. RVC had gone 0-12 in 2010, 0-15 in 2011, then 0-2 to start this season before Monday's (Mar. 12) breakthrough.

MAR. 15 UPDATE: It seems River Valley actually snapped its losing streak on Mar. 8, downing Ocean View Christian, 16-6, in a VERY LATE reported game. Thus, the win over Borrego Springs gives the Leopards a 2-game winning streak.

© East County Sports.com
ABILENE, Texas (3-13-12) — Valhalla High right-handed pitcher ROBBIE SCHMIDT has accepted an offer to play baseball at McMurry University.

The 5-foot-7, 150-pound Schmidt hopes to challenge for a starting berth for the NCAA Division III Warhawks, who compete in the American Southwest Conference.

McMurry is currently 8-11 overall, but are riding a 6-game winning streak to assume first place in the ASWC at 3-0.

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-11-12) — Head coach STEVE VICKERY’s El Capitan Vaqueros pulled one out of their magic bag of tricks to send Rancho Bernardo reeling, 6-5, in Saturday’s (Mar. 10) Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament game at Granite Hills.

“I wish I could take credit for it, but my kids did it on their own,” Vickery said.

He was talking about a “hidden ball” trick executed by second baseman JAVIER GONZALEZ, who tagged out Rancho Bernardo leadoff hitter Gosuke Katoh to end the game.

The Vaqueros (2-1) made the most of 6 hits, including a 2-run homer by CURREN FACER in the 3rd inning which cut Rancho Bernardo’s lead in half, 4-2.

El Capitan added a run in the 4th inning without a hit and moved in front with 3 in the 5th inning.

TROY CONYERS slugged an RBI double and SPENCER NIELSEN singled in a run to key a 3-run frame that gave El Cap a 6-4 advantage.

Conyers came on in relief in the 7th inning to save the win for SHANE COLEMAN.

MOUNT MIGUEL 10, KEARNY 0 – For one of the few times in the last decade the Mount Miguel Matadors have become the bullies of the baseball diamond.

The Matadors scored 10 runs in the first two innings of Saturday’s (Mar. 10) Bully’s East/Andy Sanchez Memorial Tournament game as they cruised to a lop-sided victory over Kearny.

JUWUN McCRAY and RAUL ORTIZ allowed one hit apiece and struck out 13 between them as the Matadors improved to 3-0.

Mount Miguel took a 1st inning lead on RBI singles by McCray, DUSTIN BURKE and CESAR PRECIADO.

The Matadors broke the game open in the 2nd inning with 7 runs keyed by a 2-run singles by FERNANDO DOMINGUEZ and FRANCO LUNA.

“I’m very proud of the boys for coming out with a lot of energy after our exciting win last Wednesday,” noted first year Matadors coach JASON BABINEAU. “They started out the game with intensity and enthusiasm. They’re playing very hard. Now we gotta keep it rolling. We are trying to get better and better every game, just keeping a positive attitude.”

HELIX 13, RAMONA 11 (10 inn.) – For a team that bases itself on pitching and defense, the “small ball” Highlanders had to reach into their bag of longball hits to knock out Ramona in Saturday’s (Mar. 10) Foothiller-Aztec Classic action.

This was definitely a wild one as the visiting Highlanders blew a 7-3 lead when the Bulldogs pushed across 4 runs in the bottom of the 7th. Both teams scored 4 runs in the 9th inning.

Helix (3-1) finally took a lead it wouldn’t lose in the 9th inning.

In the 10th inning KACY SMITH, who was 4-for-6, slugged his second double of the contest. RAY PETERSON drew a walk and both runners scored on a double by FRANKIE NUNEZ.

Relief pitcher KRAIG FAHRER blanked the Bulldogs over the final 1 2/3 innings to pick up the victory.

“We like to think of ourselves of a pitching, defense and short ball team,” said Helix coach COLE HOLLAND. “But lately our offense has been carrying us.”

GEORGE GARCIA was 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI, while leadoff hitter AUSTIN HOPWOOD went 3-for-6 with a run scored and an RBI. Peterson was 2-for-4 with 3 runs scored and an RBI.

CHRISTIAN 15, MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 14 – The visiting Patriots survived a 9-run inning to eke out a Christian Patriot Invitational victory on Saturday (Mar. 10) at Mountain Empire.

Trailing 12-4 after three innings, the Patriots broke through for 6 runs in the 4th, 3 in the 5th and one in the 6th and one in the 7th to make their 18-hit attack stand up for their third straight victory.

Christian, which clubbed 10 doubles – which is the 4th highest in the San Diego CIF Record Book (the Patriots set the record of 14 in 1977 against La Jolla Country Day) – tied the game in the 6th inning on a double by TYLER LESLIE and an RBI single by KYLE HARRIS.

An inning later STEPHEN JOHNSTON doubled to left-center and one out later scored on a basehit by DANIEL ACADEMIA for the victory.

Harris, the fifth of Christian’s pitcher, blanked the Redhawks over the final two innings on 3 hits to earn the victory. Harris was also 3-for-5 with 2 runs scored and an RBI in the Patriots’ leadoff spot.

In terms of roll call, NICK JARVIS was 3-for-4 with 3 double, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. AUSTIN ROGERS was 3-for-4 with 3 doubles and 3 RBI. Academia finished 2-for-3 with 3 RBI, while Johnston was 3-for-5 with a double, 2 runs and an RBI.

“It was a hitting free-for-all,” said Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL. “I’m just glad we got the last hit that mattered.”

STEELE CANYON 16, MATER DEI 1 (6 inn.) – Steele Canyon used a combination of 15 hits, 4 hit batters, 7 walks and 3 Mater Dei errors to club the Crusaders in Saturday’s Foothiller-Aztec Classic contest, which was called after 5½ innings for mercy rule.

GARRETT GANDOLFO drove in 3 runs – 2 coming on a home run in the 4th inning, which was the Cougars’ second 7-run scoring frame in the game.

With the Cougars clinging to a 2-1 lead, Steele Canyon erupted for 7 runs in the 3rd frame.

MICHAEL RANDEL slugged a 2-run triple and COLE FLINT drove in 2 more with a base hit.

In the 4th inning prior to Gandolfo’s 2-run shot, MEMO RESENDEZ whacked a 2-run double to put the game out of reach.

GERARDO AVILA allowed only 2 hits and no earned runs over four innings while striking out 5 to earn the win.

AUSTIN BROWN and T.J. CARLYON each pitched a scoreless inning in relief to secure the Cougars’ second victory in four starts.

FRANK CALIFANO was 3-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI. Resendez finished 3-for-3 with 2 RBI, and Cole Flint was 2-for-2 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI.

RANCHO BUENA VISTA 5, GRANITE HILLS 4 – The host Eagles were three outs from their third straight victory in Saturday’s (Mar. 10) Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament when they surrendered three runs in the top of the 7th, allowing the visiting Longhorns (2-1) to escape with the victory.

Talk about frustration... Granite Hills (2-1) pounded out 14 hits but hit into four double plays and left 13 runners on base.

The Eagles took a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning on RBI singles by SEAN WALKER and ROBERT BOSTEDT.

The Longhorns fought back to tie it 2-2 in the 4th, but Granite Hills pushed across 2 tallies in the bottom of the 4th.

The Eagles loaded the bases with nobody out on singles by freshman JORDAN VERDON, DANIEL STARWALT and Bostedt. However, TRENTON BROOKS hit into one of Granite Hills four double plays as Verdon scored to make it 3-2, DOUG BRANNVALL then doubled in a run to make it 4-2.

“We peppered the ball all over the place,” said Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS, as Bostedt was 4-for-4 and Walker and Verdon had 3 hits apiece.

Starwalt, in his first batting appearance in more than a year, was 2-for-4.

“I was really nervous allowing Starwalt to hit,” said Davis, noting his star pitcher’s back problems which began a year ago. “He was excited to play and definitely a guy we wanted in the lineup.”

Verdon was 3-for-3, which raised his on-base percentage to .890.

“We’re pretty proud of that freshman,” said Davis. “We’re playing good baseball, we just let this one get away.

Granite Hills is batting .449 as a team.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 3, GUAJOME PARK 2 – Junior right-hander TREVOR TINNEY scattered 7 hits, struck out 7 and spun a complete game in Saturday’s (Mar. 10) Eagles Classic contest at MiraCosta College.

“Tinney could play anywhere, even at Rancho Bernardo,” said Knights coach DAVE LEWIS. “That kid just loves to play baseball. He gave up two runs in the 1st inning and then he settled down and they didn’t get any more. He just kept making big pitches every time he got in trouble.

“We had some great defensive plays,” added Lewis.

“In the 4th inning with bases loaded, Guajome hit a line drive to short and ZACH TOMLIN jumped as high as he possibly could and snagged it,” Lewis noted.

In the 3rd inning with two runners on base, senior DEREK BROWN, made a catch in center field on a ball that was over his head.

Brown drove in what proved to be the game-winning run with a two-out single to snap a 2-2 tie in the 5th inning.

“At Mira Costa College, the backstop is at least 30 feet behind home plate. Our freshman catcher DANIEL LUCKETT had only one ball get by him the whole game. He had an outstanding defensive game,” Lewis concluded.

Bully’s East/Andy Sanchez Memorial 
MATADORS 10, KOMETS 0
Kearny       (1-2) 000 000 0 –  0  2 2
Mount Miguel (3-0) 370 000 x – 10 14 0
Burnell, Rudolph (2), McClurg (3) and
Arellano. McCray, Ortiz (5) and Dominguez,
Preciado (5). WP-McCray (1-0). LP-Burnell
(0-1). Sv-R.Ortiz (1).
 
WARHAWKS 8, WOLF PACK 6
West Hills (1-2) 204 000 0 – 6 8 1
Madison    (3-0) 201 203 x – 8 8 2
Protested game.
Howell, Bennett (4), Delaney (6) and
Schilling. Villasenor, J.Vermillion (2),
S.Vermillion (3), Hermosillo (4), Clarkin
(7) and Hermosillo, Dalton (4).
WP-Hermosillo (1-0). LP-Bennett (0-1).
 
Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament
LANCERS 2, NORSEMEN 0
Valhalla (0-3) 000 000 0 – 0 3 2
Hilltop  (1-2) 010 001 x – 2 7 0
Flannery, Romano (6) and Roy, Balelo (5).
Tec, Shirk (5) and Schniepp. WP-Tec.
LP-Flannery (0-1).
 
LONGHORNS 5, EAGLES 4
Rancho Buena Vista (2-1) 001 100 3 – 5 10 1
Granite Hills      (2-1) 020 200 0 – 4 14 0
Reyes, Herrmann (5), Sheppard (6) and Wickham.
Brannvall, Ja.Rose (6), Walker (7) and Hopper.
WP-Sheppard (1-1). LP-Walker (1-1).
 
VAQUEROS 6, BRONCOS 5
Rancho Bernardo (1-2) 103 000 1 – 5 10 0
El Capitan      (2-1) 002 130 X – 6  6 3
Sutton, Davis (5) and Jackson. Coleman,
Conyers (7) and Moorman. WP-Coleman (1-0).
LP-Sutton (0-1). Sv-Conyers 1. HR-Jackson
(RB-2), 3rd, two on; Facer (EC-1) 3rd, one on.
 
Foothiller-Aztec Classic
ISLANDERS 2, SULTANS 0
Coronado (1-2-1) 101 000 1 – 2 3 1
Santana    (2-2) 000 000 0 – 0 6 0
Meloche and Kulberg. Strong and Cor.Conner.
WP-Meloche (1-0). LP-Strong (0-1).
 
HIGHLANDERS 13, BULLDOGS 11 (10 inn.)
Helix  (3-1) 040 030 004 2 – 13 16 5
Ramona (2-2) 101 001 404 0 – 11 11 3
Young, Drew (6), Wylie (7), Britschgi (7),
Fahrer (10) and Reynoso. Sulser, McGhee (6),
Burger (7) and Lanz. WP-Fahrer (1-1).
LP-Burger (0-1). 
 
COUGARS 16, CRUSADERS 1 (6 inn.)
Mater Dei     (1-4) 001 000 –  1  2 3
Steele Canyon (2-2) 027 70x – 16 15 3
Called after 6 innings; run rule.
Chavez, Bangas (2), Rios (3), Ross (4),
Hernandez (4) and Beck. Avila, Brown (5),
Carlyon (6). WP-Avila (1-0). LP-Chavez.
HR-Gandolfo (SC-1) 4th, one on.
 
PANTHERS 7, FOOTHILLERS 3
Grossmont (3-1) 010 100 1 – 3  6 1
Vista     (4-0) 100 330 x – 2 11 2
O’Haver, Rustich (3), Stoop (5) and Stratton.
'Roth, Seeburger (5) and Ott. WP-Roth (1-0).
LP-Rustich (0-1). 
 
COUGARS 11, MONARCHS 6
Monte Vista (0-4) 006 000 0 -  6  8 2
San Ysidro  (1-3) 014 024 X – 11 17 0
Diaz, T.Poirier (5), Denny (6), Preston (7)
and A.Poirier, Guerrero (5). Magollon,
Rubalcaba (7) and Aceves. WP-Magollon (1-1).
LP-Denny (0-2).
 
Christian Patriot Invitational
VIKINGS 15, BRAVES 4 (5 inn.)
Holtville       (2-1) (10)50 11 – 15 13 0
El Cajon Valley (0-2)    020 02 –  4  7 3  
(No other information available)
 
PATRIOTS 15, RED HAWKS 14
Christian   (3-0) 400 631 1 – 15 18 3
Mtn. Empire (2-2) 219 110 0 – 14 14 4
Simpson, Schmidt (3), Johnston (3), Ross (4),
Harris (6) and Gregorovic. Dessel, Hoyas (1),
Mora (5), Cosmano (6) and Villavicencio.
WP-Harris (1-0). LP-Cosmano (0-1).
 
Eagles Classic
KNIGHTS 3, FROGS 2
Foothills Christian (2-1) 110 010 0 – 3 6 3
Guajome Park        (2-1) 200 000 0 – 2 7 3
Tinney and Luckett. Pagen, Dala (3), High (7)
and High, Anderson (7). WP-Tinney (1-0).
LP-Dala (1-1).ootlo.

Not so fast. West Hills coach JASON FOWLER made a legitimate protest when the umpires allowed a runner to score from second base on a pitch that ricocheted off the catcher’s shin guard and wound up in the dugout. That is a rule infraction so if West Hills is given a fair hearing the game should be resumed in the 6th inning with Madison leading 7-6 and a runner at third base.

An official ruling will be made on Sunday.

“I’m confident that we have a legitimate beef,” Fowler said.

West Hills senior Stewart Forrester slugged two doubles and drove in a pair of runs for the Wolf Pack.

CORONADO 2, SANTANA 0 – Six-foot-4, 240-pound left-hander Jake Meloche twirled a six-hitter and struck out 11 for the visiting Islanders in Saturday’s (Mar. 10) Foothiller-Aztec Classic conquest of Santana (2-2).

That effort by the Cal State-Fullerton bound Meloche spoiled a complete-game three-hitter by Sultans sophomore ALAN STRONG, who struck out five.

The Sultans attempted to stage a two-out rally in the bottom of the 7th. TYLER BROWNING laid down a bunt for a base hit. TREVOR WEISS followed with a single, but Meloche coiled up and recorded a game-ending strikeout.

VISTA 7, GROSSMONT 3 – Despite edging out to a 2-1 lead in the 4th inning the previously undefeated Foothillers faltered in the pitching department and suffered their first setback in Saturday’s (Mar. 10) Foothiller-Aztec Classic at Santana.

Highlights were few for the Foothillers (3-1), who received an RBI single by sophomore HUNTER STRATTON and an RBI double by NICK ROCHESTER.

ALEX CONNOR was 2-for-3 with a double for Grossmont.

SAN YSIDRO 11, MONTE VISTA 6 – The Monarchs anemic offense came to life if only for one inning of Saturday’s (Mar. 10) Foothiller-Aztec Classic game at Steele Canyon.

Ignited by PAUL O’CONNOR’s two-run double, the Monarchs (0-4) did all of their scoring in the 3rd inning to take a 6-1 lead over the Cougars. RICHIE BALAJADIA and LUIS LEBRON slapped RBI singles and MYCHAL LOPEZ laced a two-run single.

Four Monte Vista pitchers surrendered 17 hits.

“I’m at a loss for words to describe what’s happening right now,” said Monarchs coach CHAD WILLIAMS. “We’re not playing very well collectively as a team.”

HILLTOP 2, VALHALLA 0 – The Norsemen (0-3) were limited to three singles by two Hilltop pitchers in Saturday’s (Mar. 10) Hilltop-Lolita’s Tournament encounter in South Bay.

The extent of the Valhalla offense was hits by AUSTIN HENSLEY, JORDAN QSAR and KEANTE BALELO.

HOLTVILLE 15, EL CAJON VALLEY 4 (5 inn.) – Christian Patriot Invitational – no further information reported.

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (3-10-12) — On a day when the Santana Sultans dedicated their new, improved field they pulled out a miraculous 9-8 victory over Steele Canyon in Friday’s (Mar. 9) Foothiller-Aztec Classic. It took them 8 innings to do it though.

“My brother JEFF and I have been a part of Santana baseball for a long time but we thought this was one of the biggest come-from-behind victories that we could remember,” said Sultans head coach TIM BARRY.

“People call us scrappy, but we don’t want to be known as scrappy. We want to be known as winners, not just scrappy.”

With two outs in the bottom of the 8th inning, the Sultans (2-1) put together singles by KYLE GASNER, CODY CONNER and BRIAN ASHWILL to pull out the victory.

Gasner and Ashwill had three hits apiece and Cody Conner, TOMMY LOGAN and TYLER BROWNING had two hits apiece for Santana’s 13 hit total.

Steele Canyon (1-2) pounded out 8 hits, including two by BERNARDO ARIPEZ.

The Cougars snapped a 2-2 tie with five runs in the 5th inning. MACLEAN BOWERS led off the inning with a triple. Two errors later, along with a walk and a double by MICHAEL RANDEL, the Cougars had two runs on the board.

FRANK CALIFANO added a 2-run single to make it 7-3 for Steele Canyon.

Four Steele Canyon errors handed the Sultans six unearned runs.

GROSSMONT 13, SAN YSIDRO 6 – The Foothillers jumped on top in Friday’s (Mar. 9) game in San Ysidro by scoring three runs in the opening frame without benefit of a hit in the Foothiller-Aztec Classic.

San Ysidro issued four walks and hit two batters to help propel Grossmont to the early lead.

Grossmont (3-0) made it 6-0 in the 2nd inning on a double by NICO MAIDA, a sacrifice fly by DEREK RUSTICH and a triple by NICK ROCHESTER.

The Hillers one-time 7-0 lead nearly evaporated as San Ysidro scored six times in the bottom of the 3rd. But Grossmont kept pecking away.

Rochester, who hit a solo homer in the 4th inning, also hit a sacrifice fly in the key 5th inning, as ERIC ECKLEY doubled in a run and HUNTER STRATTON singled in another.

The Cougars gave the Foothillers another run on a wild pitch.

Eckley, who most likely will be Grossmont’s ace pitcher, pitched three hitless innings and struck out six during the win.

“Eckley looked good, threw quickly, threw strikes,” Hillers coach JIM EARLEY said. “And that was good to see.”

Foothiller-Aztec Classic
HIGHLANDERS 6, TORREYS 4
Helix                (2-1) 310 010 1 – 6 9 1
La Jolla Country Day (1-2) 000 003 1 - 4 7 2
Nunez, Britschgi (7) and Reynoso. Lutz,
Michalski (7), Edmon (7) and Ayala. WP-Nunez
(1-0). LP-Lutz (0-1). Sv-Britschgi 1. HR
G.Garcia (Sant-1) 1st, two on.

FOOTHILLERS 13, COUGARS 6
Grossmont  (3-0) 331 240 – 13 9 4
San Ysidro (0-3) 006 000 –  6 6 3
Game called 6 innings; darkness.
Guardetto, Vasquez (3), Truijillo (3), Eckley
(4) and Daley, Stratton (4). Barroso, Tellez
(3), E.Espinoza (6) and Bayardo. WP-Eckley
(1-0). LP-Barroso (0-1). HR-Rochester (Gro-1)
4th, solo.

SULTANS 9, COUGARS 8 (8 inn.)
Steele Canyon (1-2) 002 050 10 – 8  8 4
Santana       (2-1) 101 010 51 – 9 13 4
Two outs when winning run scored.
Balikian, Brown (5), Medeiros (5), Harold
(8) and Randel. Doherty, Cook (5), Howe (6)
N.Nunez (7), Weiss (8) and Cor.Conner. WP-
Weiss (1-0). LP-Harold (0-1).

BULLDOGS 6, MONARCHS 4 (9 inn.)
Ramona      (2-1) 001 110 102 – 6 9 1
Monte Vista (0-3) 001 030 000 – 4 4 4
Williams, McHargue (6), Sulser (9) and
Lanz. Lebron, Denny (8), J.Balajadia (9)
and Guerrero. WP-McHargue (1-0). LP-Denny
(0-1). HR-Willeford (Ram) 3rd, solo.

“We’re comfortable playing in close games,” said Helix coach COLE HOLLAND. “We take a lot of pride in our small ball game.”

One of the suicide squeezes was by Garcia, who finished with 4 RBI.

AUSTIN HOPWOOD and CALVIN GOURSON also laid down suicide bunts.

Helix pitcher FRANKIE NUNEZ was an unlikely starter as he rolled his ankle in Thursday’s practice.

“The thing swelled up the size of a tennis ball – I figured we couldn’t use him,” Holland said.

“But credit to him, he went home, iced his ankle and came back the next day and said he was ready to pitch. I figured we would be lucky to get three innings out of him but he took us into the 6th.”

RAMONA 6, MONTE VISTA 4 (9 inn.) – An anemic offense continued to terrorize the Monte Vista Monarchs in Friday’s (Mar. 9) Foothiller-Aztec Classic encounter.

The Monarchs (0-3), after tying the game on an RBI double by PAUL O’CONNOR in the 3rd inning, fell behind 3-1 entering the bottom of the 5th.

They regained the lead on an RBI double by RICHIE BALAJADIA and a pinch-hit 2-run single by ANDREW POIRIER.

After that Monte Vista was retired in order over four straight innings.

Ramona (2-1) punched across a pair of runs in the 9th inning to secure the victory.

A Gran' Brann'

Granite Hills' Doug Brannvall (20) gets mobbed at home plate after snapping Thursday's 5-5 deadlock with a grand slam to upend top-ranked Rancho Bernardo. (Photo by Nathan Price, youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

Granite Hills' Daniel Starwalt (Photo by Nathan Price, youatplay.com) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

What a rally! Brannvall grand slam propels Eagles past No. 1 ranked Rancho Bernardo By Bill Dickens © East County Sports.com EL CAJON (3-9-12) — Professional baseball scouts were buzzing around half an hour before Thursday’s (Mar. 8) Rancho Bernardo-Granite Hills game on the Eagles’ field in the second round of the Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament. They came to see Granite Hills’ senior right-hander DANIEL STARWALT. The 6-foot-3, 211-pound pitcher who missed most of last season with a back injury was being showcased for the first time this season. He received mixed reviews. He topped out at 90 mph but struggled with his control, walking four and surrendering two earned runs during his four inning stint. “He’s definitely not 100 percent yet,” Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS said. “He had no movement on his fastball and didn’t have a good curve ball.” The visiting and No. 1 ranked Broncos built a 5-1 lead in the 5th inning, but No. 6 Granite Hills came from behind thanks to a 7-run 6th inning to pull out a 9-5 victory. Showing that they’re more than a one-man team the Eagles (2-0) did not rely on Starwalt to lead the way. There were several heroes in this game, including relief pitcher SEAN WALKER, who pitched three shutout innings to chalk up the victory. The ultimate hero, however, was third baseman DOUG BRANNVALL, who slugged a grand slam home run to break a 5-5 tie in the Eagles’ big 6th inning. It was a guessing game between Brannvall and Rancho Bernardo’s junior right-hander Steve Larson. “He threw me a curve ball inside,” Brannvall said, “and then came in with a changeup inside to make it 2-0.” After that Brannvall was sitting on the fastball and Larson delivered. “I knew he was trying to get a strike so I was looking for a fastball all the way,” Brannvall said. “And he threw a fastball down and when I hit it I felt like I got too much under it (in a drive he sent to left field). At the very least, I figured it was deep enough to drive in the go-ahead run. “I wasn’t sure how far it would go. Since the wind was blowing in, most fly balls were being pushed back. And then when I rounded first base I saw it went out.” The Eagles have scored 22 runs in the first two games against Top 10 competition. “Obviously we’re a lot better hitting team, this year,” said Brannvall, who finished the day 2-for-2 with two free passes. “You know the really neat thing about this team is they’re baseball-affiliated. They love the game and the passion of the game.” Not to be overlooked was Rancho Bernardo catcher, 6-foot-2 sophomore Alex Jackson who slugged a triple over the centerfielder’s head in the 1st inning and hammered a 2-run opposite home run off of Starwalt in the 3rd.

By Bill Dickens
©East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL BEACH (3-9-12) — Mount Miguel High first-year coach JASON BABINEAU continues to spin his magic as the Matadors improved their record to 2-0. His latest conquest was a 6-5 nod over Mar Vista in Thursday’s (Mar. 8) Bully’s East/Andy Sanchez Memorial Tournament.

The key hit in the 6-run 7th inning was a bases-loaded triple by FRANCO LUNA which tied the game at 5-5. CESAR PRECIADO followed with a line drive single to left field, scoring Luna, to put the Matadors on top.

Three Mount Miguel pitchers allowed only 3 earned runs while striking out 7.

JOHNNY WRIGHT pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing 3 hits and no earned runs to pick up the victory.

JUWUN McCRAY struck out 2 of the 3 batters he faced to earn the save.

CHRISTIAN 4, HORIZON 2 – Host Christian saved all of its offense for the 5th inning in knocking out visiting Horizon in Thursday’s (Mar. 8) Christian Patriot Invitational.

One out singles by ANDREW GREGOROVIC and STEPHEN JOHNSTON, followed by a wild pitch put runners at second and third in the 5th inning in a scoreless tie.

JOE ROSS hoisted a pop fly to right field that was lost in the sun, allowing pinch-runner AUSTIN ROGERS and Johnston to score, making it 2-0.

KALE SIMPSON and NICK JARVIS followed with singles. Jarvis picked up an RBI and the Patriots picked up a freebie on a throwing error by Horizon.

Christian’s pitching was strong again as MICHAEL KAUFMAN allowed 3 hits and no earned runs while striking out 6 in six innings to post his first victory.

KYLE HARRIS pitched the final inning to earn his second save.

BONITA VISTA 4, EL CAPITAN 2 – When El Capitan falls behind 3-1 in the 1st inning, like it did in Thursday’s (Mar. 8) Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament at Bonita Vista, coach STEVE VICKERY is rarely in dismay.

But the Vaqueros could not get off the ground floor against the two Bonita Vista pitchers.

The Vaqueros took an early lead in the 1st inning on a triple by CURREN FACER and a dropped pop fly by the Barons’ defense.

El Capitan (1-1) then saw its bats go silent until the 7th inning.

With one out in the 7th, JAVIER GONZALEZ singled up the middle and eventually scored on a triple by CHUCK MOORMAN.

The Vaqueros’ offense stalled after that.

KEVIN GINKEL lost for the first time in two years as pitcher. He had won 10 straight in his varsity career.

“Ginkel just couldn’t get the ball down in the first inning,” Vickery said. “Then he made some adjustments but unfortunately those three runs still counted.”

“The 7th was the big rally of the day. We didn’t have very much energy today. We gave up three runs in the first inning.”

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 9, SD-HIGH TECH 6 – Foothills Christian received a complete game pitching performance from ZACH TOMLIN, who allowed only 4 earned runs and struck out 7 in a six inning stint of Thursday’s (Mar. 8) second round of the Eagles Classic at Clairemont Rec Center.

Tomlin was also 2-for-2 with 2 RBI and 2 stolen bases for the Knights (1-1).

Foothills’ leadoff man TREVOR TINNEY was 3-for-4 with 3 runs scored, a triple and an RBI.

“Tinney really lit the fire under the offense,” noted Knights coach DAVE LEWIS.

“As bad as we played on Saturday (a 17-9 loss to CV-High Tech), we played well today. That’s what happens with a young team. Everybody got a base hit in the starting lineup and everybody ran the bases well.”

Bully’s East/Andy Sanchez Memorial
MATADORS 6, MARINERS 5
Mount Miguel (2-0) 000 000 6 – 6 7 4
Mar Vista    (0-2) 120 101 0 – 5 9 6
Castillo, Wright (4), McCray (7) and
Dominguez. De la Torre and N/A. WP-
Wright (1-0). LP-De la Torre (0-1).
Sv-McCray 1.

MUSTANGS 3, WOLF PACK 1
Otay Ranch (3-1) 300 000 0 – 3 5 1
West Hills (1-1) 001 000 0 – 1 4 3
Russell, Rios (5) and Moreno. Commerford,
Bennett (7) and Schilling. WP-Russell (1-0).
LP-Commerford (0-1).

Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament
MAVERICKS 9, NORSEMEN 3
La Costa Canyon (1-1) 126 000 0 – 9 13 2
Valhalla        (0-2) 002 000 1 – 3  6 4
Schreiber, Hogencamp (7) and Solomon. Coombs,
Van Antwerp (3) and Castillo. WP-Schreiber.
LP-Coombs (0-1). HR-Martin (LCC) 2nd, one on. 

BARONS 4, VAQUEROS 2
El Capitan   (1-1) 100 000 1 – 2 6 0
Bonita Vista (3-1) 300 001 x – 4 6 2
Ginkel, De Rosier (6) and Moorman. Gail,
Perez (7) and Quiros. WP-Gail (1-0). LP-
Ginkel (1-1).

EAGLES 9, BRONCOS 5
Rancho Bernardo (1-1) 102 020 0 – 5 6 0
Granite Hills   (2-0) 100 017 x – 9 8 2
Osborne, Gill (6), Larson (6) and Jackson.
Starwalt, Casio (5), Walker (5) and Hopper.
WP-Walker (1-0). LP-Larson (0-1). HR-Jackson
(RB) 3rd, one on; Brannvall (GH) 6th, slam. 

Christian Patriot Invitational
PATRIOTS 4, PANTHERS 2
Horizon   (1-1) 000 001 1 – 2 5 2
Christian (2-0) 000 040 X – 4 7 2
Lee, Coons (4) and Case. Kaufman, Harris (7)
and Gregorovic. WP-Kaufman (1-0). LP-Coons
(0-1). Sv-Harris 2.

EL CAJON VALLEY at MTN. EMPIRE – no report

Eagles Classic
KNIGHTS 9, STORM 6
Foothills Christian (1-1) 230 202 – 9 13 2
SD-High Tech        (0-4) 003 111 – 6  6 2
(Called after six innings; darkness.)
Tomlin and Luckett. Larson, Castro (4), Nory
(5) and Murillo. WP-Tomlin (1-1). LP-Larson.

“He’s going to be something special,” said Lewis. “He bats left-handed and throws right.”

OTAY RANCH 3, WEST HILLS 1 – A dropped fly ball and a booted double-play grounder handed the visiting Mustangs of Otay Ranch three unearned runs in the 1st inning and the Wolf Pack never recovered in Thursday’s (Mar. 8) Bully’s East/Andy Sanchez Memorial Tournament.

That sorry start ruined an otherwise solid pitching performance by BRIAN COMMERFORD, who scattered five hits while striking out 4 and walking one.

“Brian is a hard-luck guy,” West Hills coach JASON FOWLER said. “He clearly pitched well enough to win this game.”

To make matters more frustrating for Commerford is he lined out to the second baseman with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 6th.

“A few feet either way and it would have been a tie ballgame,” Fowler said.

West Hills (1-1) avoided a shutout on an RBI single by PATRICK ESTEY in the 3rd inning.

“We did not have good at-bats,” Fowler said. “We haven’t in these first two games. I know this team can hit and it’s just a matter of them proving it.”

LA COSTA CANYON 9, VALHALLA 3 – No doubt angry by their opening round shellacking administered by Granite Hills, the visiting Mavericks took vengeance on Valhalla in Thursday’s (Mar. 8) Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament contest.

The Mavericks (1-1) built a 9-2 lead after three innings and never looked back.

“They lit up our starting pitcher MITCH COOMBS like a Christmas tree in the first three innings for nine runs,” said Valhalla coach MIKE WILSON.

Valhalla (0-2), which is struggling offensively, fought back on an RBI hit by CONNOR HOPKINS and a sacrifice fly by RAMSEY ROMANO.

But Valhalla’s 6-hit attack was hardly enough to offset La Costa Canyon.

“We’re just not squaring up,” said Wilson. “Once we get down early it’s really hard for us to come back the way we’re hitting right now.”

AUSTIN HENSLEY led the Norsemen with two of their six hits, and KYLE McBRIDE had an RBI single.

EL CAJON VALLEY at MOUNTAIN EMPIRE – No report from this Christian Patriot Invitational game in Pine Valley.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-8-12) — An overhaul of the Grossmont High varsity hasn’t seemed to stop the Foothillers even though they have an influx of new players.

So far it’s been two games; two wins.

Pin-pointing the latest leaders is still up in the air.

Probably the most flashy performance was ALEX CONNOR’s game-saving save when he used 11 pitches to strike out the side in Wednesday’s (Mar. 7) Foothiller-Aztec Classic 8-7 win over visiting Coronado.

“He came in and shut the door, 1-2-3,” said Grossmont coach JIM EARLEY. “As a staff that hasn’t happened much for us in the first two games.”

After falling behind 5-0, Grossmont fought back with three runs in the 4th to tie the game 5-all. TYLER GARDETTO, TRENT GALKOWSKI and NICO MAIDA each drove in a run in the 4th.

Coronado counterpunched with two runs in the 5th, but then gave the game away with three walks and a hit batter as Grossmont produced three runs without a hit in the bottom of the 6th.

Foothiller-Aztec Classic
TITANS 3, HIGHLANDERS 1
Helix    (1-1) 100 000 0 – 1 4 2
Eastlake (2-0) 000 012 x – 3 7 1
Carbuccia, Fahrer (6) and Reynoso.
Palet and Kopas. WP-Palet (1-0).
LP-Fahrer (0-1). 
 
FOOTHILLERS 8, ISLANDERS 7
Coronado  (0-2) 140 020 0 – 7 7 1
Grossmont (2-0) 020 303 x – 8 9 1
Teachout, Aden (4), Gillingham (6)
and Kullberg, Dela Montaigne (4).
Sestak, Rolf (2), Stoop (5), Connor
(7) and Daley, Stratton (3). WP-Stoop
(2-0). LP-Gillingham. Sv-Connor 1.
HR-Meloche ( Coro ) 5th, one on.

PANTHERS 5, COUGARS 3
Vista         (2-0) 001 030 1 – 5 6 1
Steele Canyon (1-1) 100 200 0 – 3 8 1
Ott, Seeburger (5) and Ennis, Ott (5).
Califano, Hindi (5) and Randel. WP-Ott
(1-0). LP-Califano (0-1). Sv-Seeburger 1.

AZTECS 7, MONARCHS 1
Montgomery  (2-0) 002 400 1 – 7 9 1
Monte Vista (0-2) 000 001 0 – 1 7 3
Barajas, Aranda (7) and Gudino. O’Connor,
J.Balajadia (4), Preston (7) and Guerrero.
WP-Barajas (1-0). LP-O’Connor (0-1).

SULTANS 9, COUGARS 6
Santana    (1-1) 110 600 1 – 9 9 4
San Ysidro (0-2) 301 000 2 – 6 5 2
Ashwill, Strong (7) and Conner. Diaz,
Aceves (4) and Garcia. WP-Ashwill (1-0).
LP-Diaz (0-1).

BRIAN ASHWILL allowed only one earned run over six innings while striking out 6 to post his first victory. In addition he had an RBI triple.

TYLER BROWNING slashed a 2-run triple in Santana’s 6-run 4th inning that turned the tide in favor of the Sultans 8-4.

Senior KYLE GASNER added an RBI double while TYLER WEISS singled in a run in the big inning.

TOMMY LOGAN also drove in a run with a basehit in the decisive inning.

VISTA 5, STEELE CANYON 3 – The visiting Cougars failed to maintain a 3-1 fourth inning lead in Wednesday’s (Mar. 7) second round of the Foothiller-Aztec Classic.

The Cougars constructed a 3-1 advantage after 4 innings and then had their offense go south.

“FRANK CALIFANO had a pickoff at first base in the 6th inning, but we had two runners picked off at second. That was a mistake.” said Steele Canyon assistant coach MARK BRUDER. “And we left eight on base.

“We had chances in the 5th. In the 7th we ended up getting runners on first and second then a fielder’s choice forced the runner out at second. We had runners on first and third – the tying run on base and winning run at the plate but couldn’t finish.”

Steele Canyon gave up 10 free passes with nine base on balls and a hit by pitch.

MICHAEL RANDEL was 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Cougars.

EASTLAKE 3, HELIX 1 – An anemic batting attack undermined quality pitching by ROMELLO CARBUCCIA and KRAIG FAHRER on Wednesday (Mar. 7) as the Highlanders succumbed to host Eastlake in the Foothiller-Aztec Classic.

Helix (1-1) was rationed to four singles by Eastlake ace Josh Palet, who struck out 6 in a complete-game effort that encompassed 107 pitches.

“I am not disappointed by our effort,” Helix coach COLE HOLLAND said. “This game cost us because we did not do a good job of execution.”

Helix took an early lead on an RBI single by RAY PETERSON in the opening frame.

After that, the Highlanders produced two singles.

MONTGOMERY 7, MONTE VISTA 1 – The Monarchs (0-2) continued to sputter offensively and defensively in Wednesday’s (Mar. 7) second round of the Foothiller-Aztec Classic encounter in Spring Valley.

The visiting Aztecs built a 6-0 advantage after four innings and never looked back.

“You never can replace a player like (NICK) SABO (now at Long Beach State ),’

Monarchs mentor CHAD WILLIAMS said. “You can only hope that there are a couple guys out there than can help fill the void. We have really struggled batting with an 0-2 count.”

Of course 7 errors in two games hasn’t helped.

Monte Vista (0-2) avoided the shutout in the 6th inning as PAUL O’CONNOR doubled, advanced to third on a base hit by RICHIE BALAJADIA. He scored on an error.

© East County Sports.com
SPRING VALLEY (3-7-12) — First-year head coach JASON BABINEAU of Mount Miguel High wasted little time sending a message to East County foes that the Matadors do not plan to be the easy mark any longer.

Secured by six shutout innings from sophomore right-hander BRAD MORENO in Tuesday’s (Mar. 6) opener of Bully’s East/Andy Sanchez Memorial Tournament victory over Clairemont, Babineau was able to celebrate his first varsity coaching win when host Mount Miguel blanked Clairemont, 5-0.

JUWUN McCRAY struck out two of the three batters he faced in the 7th to complete the shutout.

DUSTIN BURKE was 3-for-4 with two RBI for Mount Miguel. ARMAND DAVIS slashed a two-run double in the 5th inning to compete scoring.

The Matadors took the lead in the opening frame on singles by Moreno, DOMINIC SAWYER and Burke to take a 1-0 edge.

In the 2nd inning FRANCO LUNA singled and stole second. Two outs later he scored on a basehit by Moreno.

In the 3rd FERNANDO DOMINGUEZ led off with a double and scored on a basehit by Burke.

EL CAPITAN 7, RANCHO BUENA VISTA 6 – It looked pretty simple when the Vaqueros scored six runs over the first four innings of Tuesday’s (Mar. 6) Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament in Lakeside.

The Vaqueros made the 6-1 lead stand up for five innings before the visiting Longhorns tied it 6-6 going into the bottom of the 7th.

El Capitan pulled out the victory when SPENCER NIELSEN doubled in the winning run by hitting a ball off the bank in left-center field.

“We absolutely hit the heck out of the ball,” said El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY, whose team collected 11 hits including six doubles and a home run. “If we were using aluminum bats we would’ve had four home runs at minimum – maybe more.”

TROY CONYERS ripped a double and a home run, staking El Capitan to a 6-run lead by the 4th inning.

JAVIER GONZALEZ, CHUCK MOORMAN, Nielsen each had two hits apiece as the Vaqueros jumped on three Rancho Buena Vista pitchers for 11 hits.

One of the key blows of the game was a 2-strike double by CODY REILLY that gave the Vaqueros a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning. He scored on a base hit by Gonzalez and Conyers followed with a 2-run homer in the 3rd.

In the 4th inning, Gonzalez doubled to left and scored on a single by Moorman.

GRANITE HILLS 13, LA COSTA CANYON 6 – Despite having two of its senior leaders sidelined with injuries, the Granite Hills Eagles came out swinging against perennial pitching power La Costa Canyon in Tuesday’s (Mar. 6) Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament in North County.

The Eagles laced 18 hits, including five doubles off five pitchers on the No. 4-ranked Mavericks’ staff.

Nonetheless Granite Hills trailed 6-2 after three innings.

“A year ago we would have been dead in the water at that point,” said Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS.

But this is a more balanced flight crew this year.

Junior TRENTON BROOKS was a double threat for the Eagles in their opening conquest. Not only did he pitch four shutout innings to earn the win, he was also 3-for-5 with a double, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored.

The ROSE brothers – JOSH and JAYSON – also ganged up on La Costa Canyon for 6 hits, 5 RBI and 3 runs in 10 at-bats. On top of that, Jayson Rose pitched the first three innings against the Mavericks.

Granite Hills’ leadoff hitter, sophomore ROBERT BOSTEDT was 4-for-5 with 2 runs scored and an RBI.

Junior SEAN WALKER was 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored for the Eagles.

CHRISTIAN 5, LINCOLN 3 – STEPHEN JOHNSTON was playing basketball only 10 days ago, but he was able to take a firm grip on the smaller ball as the Patriots opened the Christian Patriot Invitational on Tuesday (Mar. 6) by pitching six innings, allowing just four hits and three runs while striking out five.

WEST HILLS 4, LA JOLLA 1 – Senior BRANDON DELANEY pitched a complete game 4-hitter as the Wolf Pack opened the Bully’s East/Andy Sanchez Memorial Tournament with a victory on Tuesday (Mar. 6) in the Golden Triangle.

“It’s the first time since I’ve been head coach that we’ve been 1-0,” said West Hills coach JASON FOWLER. “It’s nice to start off with a win. I was so excited last night that I couldn’t sleep.”

Delaney threw 96 pitches to get the job done for the Pack.

“He was on today,” said Fowler. “We talk about senior leadership and he really stepped up.”

West Hills scored an unearned run in the 1st inning and eventually broke a 1-1 tie in the 6th when MICHAEL CARLIN doubled and scored when the Vikings centerfielder dropped a fly ball.

“The turning point of the game was in the bottom of the 5th when the score was 1-1.,” said Fowler. “Delaney got a comebacker and held the runners where they were, and then he coaxed a ground ball to third. That really kinda killed their momentum.”

POWAY 2, VALHALLA 1 – For the third consecutive season, the Norsemen of Valhalla opened with a loss in the bottom of the 7th inning.

Talk about frustrating. Norsemen skipper MIKE WILSON has to believe he’s jinxed on opening night of the Hilltop Lolita’s Tournament.

On Tuesday (Mar. 6) in North County, the Norsemen tied the game 1-1 on a sacrifice fly by DAVID CASTILLO in the top of the 7th.

But Valhalla gave away the game in the bottom of the 7th on three walks and a wild pitch.

ROBBIE SCHMIDT, who has a scholarship to McMurray, Texas, allowed only 4 hits while striking out 9 in six innings. His problem was the bullpen faltered and handed the game away.

HORIZON 16, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 – The Braves had only one hit in Tuesday’s (Mar. 6) Christian Patriot Invitational opener at Horizon. No other information was available.

Helix opens title defense, rally past Santana

© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (3-4-12) — Known to be a pitching-laden crew, the host Helix Highlanders found themselves in a slugfest with visiting Santana in Saturday’s (Mar. 3) opening round of the Foothiller-Aztec Tournament.

But it was a come-from-behind effort by the San Diego CIF Division II defending champion Highlanders. After falling behind 5-2 after three innings Helix erupted for 10 runs between the 4th and 5th frames to pull out a 12-9 victory over the Sultans.

Helix center fielder Kacy Smith with the snowcone. (Photos by Tony Bordine)

After an RBI double by KRAIG FAHRER and a bases-loaded walk to AUSTIN HOPWOOD, DIEGO REYNOSO slugged a 3-run double to put the Highlanders in front 7-5. Reynoso cruised home on a KACY SMITH sacrifice fly to make it 3-point Helix cushion.

However, Helix broke the game open in the bottom of the 5th as DARYL BIBBS belted a 2-run double, hiking the Highlanders’ lead to 10-7. Hopwood then singled in Bibbs and a Santana passed ball leaked in another run to extend the Highlander’s lead to 12-7.

Santana fought back in the 6th inning on a 2-run single by CODY CONNOR, making it a 3-run deficit.

The defensive play of the game was turned in by Highlanders centerfielder KACY SMITH, who made a great diving catch on CAMERON GARCIA’s only out. Garcia finished 3-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI for the Sultans.

Santana right fielder James Doherty (Photo by Tony Bordine)

“We pitched great in winter ball, but we were a little bit shaky on the mound today, throwing 10 walks,” Sultans head coach TIM BARRY said.

Barry, who was a two-sport letterman at Santana in the late 1980s admitted coaching baseball was something he always wanted to do.

“It was great to be out there at the high school level coaching baseball,” he said. “I hadn’t had baseball pants on since college. I’m down with the jersey but the pants were a whole other thing.”

In spite of the victory Helix coach COLE HOLLAND was a little disappointed with his pitching staff.

“We just didn’t pitch very well,” he said. “We were down by 4 runs going into the 4th inning and came back and won. Anytime you can do that is big. If we’re going to do well we’re going to have to pitch better.”

GROSSMONT 15, MATER DEI 2 – Lead off hitter and shortstop NICO MAIDA isn’t the biggest player on the sandlot. But the 5-foot-8 Grossmont junior went 2-for-3 with a 2-run homer as the Foothillers pounded out 15 hits and scored in 5 of their 6 at-bats.

For one reason or another, Maida usually yielded to a designated hitter, which obviously limited his at-bats a year ago. Batting .667 out of the gate in Saturday’s (Mar. 3) Foothiller-Aztec Tournament opener he doesn’t figure to give way to a designated hitter this season.

ALEX CONNOR hammered out 4 singles in 5 at-bats, driving in one run and scoring two more for the Foothillers.

Hammerin' Hiller

Despite being listed at a generous 5-foot-8, Grossmont High leadoff batter Nico Maida packs some power, including this home run Saturday. (Photo by Tim Soto)

NOAH BUCHANAN, in his first varsity start, smacked a triple and two singles, stole a base and scored 3 runs for Grossmont.

Four Grossmont pitchers shared in spinning a 5-hitter at Coronado.

“We played well,” said Foothillers coach JIM EARLEY. “It was nice to finally play a game that counts. There were quite a few kids who had good games. We got everybody in the game.”

STEELE CANYON 11, CORONADO 1 – Pop-gun bats aside, the Cougars came out swinging in Saturday’s (Mar. 3) opening round of the Foothiller-Aztec Classic against the Islanders at Joe Gizoni Field.

Steele Canyon laced 13 hits, including three apiece by GARRETT GANDOLFO and MICHAEL RANDEL as the Cougars scored in six of their seven turns at bat.

“It’s nice to get the first one out of the way, especially when you win,” Steele Canyon coach TODD SNYDER said. “We played well, particularly since – for six guys in our lineup – it was their first varsity start. We just need to play our game and keep things simple. My players listened to me. We are more of a contact hitting team and we have to rely on our foot speed. I’ve always had a couple (of speedy guys) but I have more this year. It makes the other team uncomfortable.”

Three Cougars shared in the pitching with starter AMEER HINDI pitching the first four innings to gain the win. Hindi struck out 5 and reliever FRANK CALIFANO fanned three while allowing one hit in two shutout innings. T.J. CARLYON struck out two of the three batters he faced in the 7th.

It was slim pickin’s for Monte Vista which was limited to a pair of singles by two veteran Eastlake pitchers.

JOHN BALAJADIA and PAUL O’CONNOR accounted for Monte Vista’s two hits, both singles.

Reliever GEORGE DENNY rationed Eastlake to two hits and one unearned run for the Monarchs.

“It wasn’t exactly how we would like to have started off the season,” said Monarchs coach CHAD WILLIAMS. “I think we were a little bit nervous. I’m hoping we can learn from it, bounce back and wake us up.”

CV-HIGH TECH 17, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 9 – Short-handed Foothills Christian opened the season Saturday (Mar. 3) by dropping a non-league slugfest to host High Tech-Chula Vista in a game played at Sweetwater Senior Little League field.

“We’ve got a really young team this year,” said Foothills Christian coach DAVE LEWIS. “On a roster of 12 we have 5 freshmen, 3 sophomores, 3 juniors and one senior. It’s going to be a challenging year.”

Furthermore senior A.J. HOFFMAN is still playing with the Knights’ San Diego CIF Division V champion basketball team (in the SoCal Regional playoffs),” Lewis said. “He will make a big difference for us when he comes out.”

“We came back (to score 6 runs) in the 6th inning after we were down by 12 and that was good. We’ll get better as the season goes on. It’s part of having a young team.”

DANIEL LUCKETT had a double and three RBI for Foothills Christian.

© East County Sports.com
TORRANCE (2-23-12) — Some teams are loaded with hitting, others with pitching. And others, like El Capitan High, are projected to have both entering the baseball season. Thus, CalHiSports has placed the Vaqueros in the No. 4 spot in its statewide preseason poll covering all divisions.

According to CalHiSports, the most recognized leader covering California state preps, head coach STEVE VICKERY returns a roster which features first baseman/pitcher TROY CONYERS, an All-America candidate headed to USD as his top prospect. Conyers compiled a 1.04 ERA on the mound last year and also hit seven homers with 41 RBIs.

More pitching depth should come from KEVIN GINKEL (9 wins in 2011) while more offense should come from catcher CHUCK MOORMAN (.340, 28 RBIs).

Other SDCIF schools featured in the Top 20 include Rancho Bernardo at No. 12, while Helix and Cathedral Catholic are listed among the honorable mention.

How tough is baseball in California? According to CalHiSports, Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood is noted to possess the top 1-2 pitching tandem in the state since the introduction of aluminum bats, yet are still rated second behind top-rated Santa Ana-Mater Dei.

The complete poll is HERE.

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (1-11-12) — In a bygone era, schools would utilize just a handful of coaches (or even just a single person) to coach all of its sports team. But in today's age of specialization, such individuals are rare, found only at smaller programs in rural America.

So the announcement that longtime Santana High boys basketball coach TIM BARRY will also take over the duties as the Sultans baseball coach is indeed both a surprising and challenging task.

“My brother (JEFF BARRY) and I had been talking about it for a while," said the former point guard for Santana’s 1988 SDCIF Division I basketball championship team. "We've been running the East County Bruins (baseball team) for several years, so we had an interest in coaching baseball here, too, but we didn't think this opportunity would open for several years."

LARRY OEDEWALDT took over for the retired JERRY HENSON two years ago, posting a 31-30-1 two-year mark that included a second-place finish in the Grossmont Valley League in 2010.

"Larry just didn't have the time to coach, along with all of his duties as school vice principal," noted Barry. "He had to walk away."

Which leaves Barry with the daunting task of leading two high-profile programs.

"It's going to be tough coaching major sports in back-to-back seasons. But with help from my brother and the baseball community, we're going to make it work."

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (12-12-11) — Not many baseball coaches are more savvy than El Capitan High’s STEVE VICKERY.

Vickery, 59, has been selected to be inducted into the National High School Baseball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame on Nov. 30, 2012, in St. Louis.

“I was pretty taken aback when they told me,” said Vickery, a charter member of the organization. He received the news while attending the annual NHSBCA convention in Raleigh, N.C., earlier this month.

This is an award chosen by Vickery’s colleagues.

“I got the word from the NHSBCA Executive Director Ron Davini a few hours before they made the actual announcement,” Vickery said.

Among the criterion for his selection include a career coaching record of 616-339-5, which was compiled during his 27 seasons at the El Capitan helm preceded by a five-year tenure at Valhalla.

“It’s been an incredible run,” said Vickery, who plans to retire from the coaching ranks following the 2012 baseball season. “But I still have an exciting year ahead.”

Requirements for Vickery’s selection included:
1. Being a member of the association for at least 10 years.
2. Been a head coach for at least 20 years.
3. Must have at least a winning percentage of.500.
4. Must have contributed to high school baseball by speaking at clinics, writing articles on the game of baseball.
5. Holding an office or an active member of the NHSBCA organization.
6. Involved in trying to make high school baseball safe and better across this country (rules changes, techniques taught, etc.).

Vickery, a former three-sport letterman at El Capitan, received straight A’s in the above criteria from his fellow coaches nationally.

“Coach Vickery stands among the best in the country,” Davini said.

Troy Conyers signs with USD	Party time in Colombia: Conyers (29) with USA manager Scott Brosius.

© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (12-8-11) — El Capitan High senior TROY CONYERS has been an international baseball star who, surprisingly, has been hidden under the local radar.

Forget all that. Conyers, who turned down an original offer to attend Stanford, will accept a baseball scholarship to the University of San Diego after helping Team USA capture a Gold Medal for both the 2010 16U Team and 2011 18U Team. (The accomplishment may be a first, county wide.)

Conyers joins Vaqueros teammate CHUCK MOORMAN, who signed with the Toreros last month.

In El Capitan history, the 6-foot-5 Conyers is the first player to earn selection on either national team. In addition, he had the honor to pitch for the USA in both 2010 and 2011 Championship (gold medal) games. (His ERA for both games is 0.00).

Last month in Cartagena, Colombia, the USA 18U National Team captured the gold medal in the 2011 COPABE 18U/AAA Pan American Championships. In the title game, the unbeaten Americans (9-0) defeated Canada (6-2) by run rule in eight innings, 12-2.

The U.S. finished the tournament having allowed the fewest runs (8), having scored the most runs (88), and having committed the fewest errors (2).

© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (11-10-11) — Although they were more than 3,000 miles apart at the time, El Capitan High baseball battery mates TROY CONYERS and CHARLES MOORMAN were in line to consummate their future by signing a national letter of intent to attend the University of San Diego.

Troy Conyers	Chuck Moorman (center) signs with USD.

Moorman, a senior catcher, signed his letter at El Capitan on Tuesday (Nov. 8), while senior southpaw pitcher Conyers, who is in Miami, Fla. preparing to compete along with the USA U-18 National team to the Pan American Games in Colombia, is sending his letter of intent on Thursday (Nov. 10).