© East County Sports.com
SPRING VALLEY (5-1-13) — Say what you want about the caliber of the Grossmont Valley League. But don’t forget to include that a three-way tie exists for the top spot at the midway point following Mount Miguel ’s 3-2 walk-off victory Tuesday (Apr. 30) over Monte Vista.

Mount Miguel center fielder BRAD MORENO led off the bottom of the 7th with a double and scored the game-winning run on a basehit by shortstop JACOB CASTILLO to raise the Matadors’ record to 7-15 overall and 4-2 in GVL.

That clutch hitting left Mount Miguel tied with Santana (10-10, 4-2 GVL) and El Capitan (6-15, 4-2 GVL). The Matadors host El Capitan in Wednesday’s (May 1) league action at 4 p.m.

DANIEL RONK pitched a complete game 8-hitter and allowed only one earned run in recording his 2nd win against four losses.

Monte Vista ’s KYLE BEDSOLE was the hardluck loser as he surrendered 10 hits in a complete game effort that led to his 7th loss in nine decisions for the Monarchs (7-16, 4-4 GVL).

Monte Vista took a 1-0 lead on a basehit by AUSTIN CAOLE in the 1st inning.

Mount Miguel countered with 2 runs in the bottom of the 2nd. The Matadors loaded the bases on singles by CESAR PRECIADO, SEAN MARX and Ronk. Mount Miguel then hit into back-to-back force plays, allowing 2 runs to score.

Monte Vista tied the game in the 6th when DEVIN PICKETT led off with a double and scampered to third on a wild pitch. He scored on a sacrifice fly by PAUL O’CONNOR.

And that set the stage for the Matadors’ decisive 7th inning rally.

“Daniel Ronk did a phenomenal job pounding the zone and allowing his defense to make plays behind him,” said Mount Miguel coach JASON BABINEAU. “Our team backs each other up and has each other’s back.”

CHRISTIAN 21, LINCOLN 0 – CHRISTIAN MEZA was 3-for-5 with a double and 4 RBI in Tuesday’s (Apr. 30) Central League rout of visiting Lincoln for coach MIKE MITCHELL’s 400th victory.

The Patriots capitalized on 16 hits, 7 walks, 7 errors and 8 hit batters to create the rout.

Senior STEPHEN JOHNSTON was 2-for-5 with 3 RBI for the Patriots, who took an 18-0 lead after four innings.

While the Patriots hitters were battering the Hornets (4-20, 0-8 CL), Christian pitchers NICK JARVIS, KYLE STOWERS and TYLER LESLIE were completing a 5-hit shutout.

Christian High coach Mike Mitchell 400 Career Victories

Year   Overall, League, Place League   At Christian   2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 17-7, 5-3, TBD/5 18-15, 5-7, 5th/7 13-18-1, 2-10, 6th/7 17-15, 3-7, 5th/6 20-11, 6-6, 5th/7 22-11, 5-7, 5th/7 21-6, 12-0, 1st/5 17-13, 9-3, 2nd/5 16-11, 8-4, 2nd/5 21-10, 10-2, r-1st/5 20-11, 7-6, 2nd/5 26-7, 11-2, 1st/5 *8-23, 8-4, 3rd/5 18-10, 6-6, 3rd/5 19-9, 8-4, 3rd/7 22-8, 8-4, 3rd/7 20-2-1, 12-0, 1st/7 Central Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Central Central Central Harbor Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Harbor Harbor Harbor 97-13 348-187-1 .650   At Coronado   92-96 52-60-1 .462 Total 400-247-2 .618

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-30-13) — Coming off its longest losing streak of the season of three games a week ago, Granite Hills High erupted for seven runs in the 1st inning en route to a 9-3 romp over host Valhalla in Monday’s (Apr. 29) Grossmont Hills League action.

After NOAH CUMMINGS singled in the first run, JOSH ROSE and JUSTIN MITCHELL followed with RBI doubles. Valhalla pitching contributed five walks and a wild pitch to the big inning.

The big stick for Granite Hills (17-7, 6-3 GHL) was leadoff man ROBERT BOSTEDT. The senior left fielder was 2-for-2 with a home run, three RBI and two runs.

Most impressive of Bostedt’s blows was an opposite field home run to right field with a man aboard in the 6th inning.

“Everybody knows that Valhalla has a fierce crosswind that blows from right (field) to left (field),” said Bostedt.

He said it was a 1-0 pitch that he lined over the right-field fence with the Eagles leading 7-3.

Bostedt said, “It was kinda funny because originally (coach) wanted me to lay down a bunt. But when I hit it I knew when it came off the bat that it was going out.”

Bostedt has batted at both ends of the batting order. He began the season as the No. 9 hitter and lately has moved into the leadoff spot.

“When you’re batting 9th it’s just like a second leadoff spot,” he said. “Of course, when you’re batting first you get more at-bats, and that’s always good. Another difference is when you’re at the top of the order you’re going to see a fastball 90 to 95 percent of the time on the first pitch. At the bottom of the order you can’t expect that.”

Bostedt went on to say that he expects the Eagles to finish on top, as they were predicted to do.

“Our bats got a little cold last week, and it cost us,” he said. “But we’re still here – still battling for the title.”

Valhalla (14-11, 4-5 GHL) attempted a belated comeback on a sacrifice fly by GUISEPPE CASTANOS in the 2nd inning and RBI singles by JORDAN QSAR and SEAN CROSBY in the 3rd inning.

Eagles starter DANIEL VASQUEZ then blanked the Norsemen on one hit over the final four innings for his 6th win in eight decisions.

“I don’t care what anybody says but any team in this league can beat any team in the county,” said Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS.

GROSSMONT 14, WEST HILLS 9 – Grossmont maintained its lead in the Grossmont Hills League by pounding out a victory over host West Hills in Monday’s (Apr. 29) encounter in Santee .

Ten Foothillers contributed to a 14 hit attack, led by HUNTER STRATTON who drove in 3 runs with a double and a single.

The Foothillers did the majority of their scoring in the first three innings as they took an 11-1 lead. All three of Stratton’s RBI came in those three frames. DEREK RUSTICH rifled a 2-run double in the 3rd, and BRETT STONE had run-scoring singles in the 1st and 2nd innings.

“It’s always good to get a win on Monday,” said Grossmont coach CHAD WILLIAMS. “To score this many runs is even more exciting. We had a lot of contributors to our offense.”

Sophomore RYAN BARNES, who was recently called up from the junior varsity, was 2-for-2 with 3 runs scored.

DAN ROLF pitched the first 4 innings to earn the victory for Grossmont.

For West Hills (12-10, 2-7 GHL) HAYDEN SCHILLING was 4-for-5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.

The Wolf Pack scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 7th, which had to strike some fear in the Foothillers. Singles by ALEX WAGNER, Schilling, KRIS AGUILLAR, JOHNNY ESPINOZA and D.J. LEWIS accounted for 2 runs for West Hills.

Then Grossmont’s bullpen lost sight of home plate and hit three consecutive batters to drive in 3 more runs.

But that’s where the West Hills’ rally stalled.

“At the end it wasn’t very pretty but we were glad to get out of here with a win,” said Williams.

HELIX 10, STEELE CANYON 6 – On the verge of being blown out of the playoffs, the Helix Highlanders came to life at Steele Canyon in Monday’s (Apr. 29) Grossmont Hills League encounter in Rancho San Diego. And even that took a come-from-behind effort.

FRANKIE NUNEZ and JESSE RICARD were roughed up for 11 hits but only one earned run.

Nonetheless the Highlanders found themselves trailing the Cougars 6-3 after four innings.

After DEREK CLARK hit a solo home run in the 5th inning, Helix erupted for 6 runs in the 6th. With one out DASHAWN KEIRSEY singled and scampered to third base when the right-fielder committed an error, and scored on a base hit by RAY PETERSON, who stole second. ZACH MUIR then singled to score Peterson.

After JORGE GARCIA walked and YUSEF BANKS pinch ran for him, NICO ALCOSER singled in Muir to give Helix a 7-6 lead. A walk to Clark loaded the bases. Walks to MIGUEL ARMENDARIZ and Nunez, and BRYCE HENRY, who was hit by a pitch, each accounted for an RBI, giving Helix the 4 run advantage.

“You can never take a day off in this league,” said Helix coach COLE HOLLAND. “One thing you’ve gotta say for our team is we got behind and we could have folded, but we kept on grinding and the results are positive.”

It was a rocky road for the Cougars, who had won three in a row.

BERNY ARIPEZ was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and TANNER PERRY laced a 3-run double for the Cougars (12-11, 4-5 GHL).

EL CAPITAN 23, EL CAJON VALLEY 3 (5 inn.) – Scoring a season high in five innings, the El Capitan Vaqueros (6-15, 4-2) moved into a tie with Santana for the Grossmont Valley League lead on Monday (Apr. 29) at El Cajon Valley . Both the Sultans and Vaqueros have six games remaining in the league season including a May 10 showdown in Santee . They’ve split two previous meetings.

A dozen Vaqueros contributed to a 20-hit El Capitan attack against the Braves. Sophomore CLAY CROMWELL set the pace by going 3-for-4 with a triple, a double and seven RBI.

AUSTIN CURO-RUIS was 4-for-4 with a double, a triple and two RBI for El Capitan, which led 19-2 after three innings. TYLER DeGRAFF was 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBI. PAYSON VIKARA added a triple and three RBI.

JONATHAN ROJAS was 2-for-3 with one RBI for El Cajon Valley . LUIS AMEZQUITA was 1-for-2 with two runs and one RBI.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 11, CLASSICAL ACADEMY 3 – A two-run double by DANIEL LUCKETT keyed a four-run 1st inning for visiting Foothills Christian (10-8, 3-2) that rolled to the lopsided Citrus League victory on Monday’s (Apr. 29) in North County .

Luckett, who stole three bases, finished with three RBI, one more than JERROD VRZICH who was 3-for-4. Vrzich pitched six innings to post his third win in five decisions.

Foothills broke the game open with 6 runs in the 6th inning.

RYAN QUINN was 3-for-5, raising his Foothills batting average to .455.

	Valhalla's Jeff Houghtby slides to score one of his three runs against Helix, beating the throw to catcher Bryce Henry (Photo by Don DeMars Photography) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE
	Matadors drives the boulevard for win Moreno tosses complete game By Mark Meadows © East County Sports.com SPRING VALLEY (4-27-13) — While most East County eyes have been focused on the Grossmont Hills League race, the Grossmont Valley League has taken a back seat. Don't look now but the GVL has 4 teams with winning records in league play. This quartet is separated by one game in the standings. The Mount Miguel Matadors (6-15, 3-2 GVL) rode the strong pitching of junior pitcher BRAD MORENO to a 3-2 victory over the host Monte Vista Monarchs (7-15, 4-3) Friday (Apr. 26) at Marv Lacey Field. Moreno was a one man tour de force for the Matadors. Moreno went the distance scattering 6 hits and striking out 5. He had 2 hits, a walk and 2 runs scored at the plate. He then changed a tire on the bus, drove the bus home and finished by repaving a section of the student parking lot. LOL. Not a bad day's work. And Mount Miguel needed every bit of it. "I was trying to get ahead of their hitters early,” said Moreno . “I've had a little trouble with high pitch counts this year so it was nice to have a couple of quick innings after the first.” “Brad is excellent when he pounds the zone," said Matadors head coach JASON BABINEAU. "As he learns to trust his teammates more on defense, he will then become the pitcher we know he can be." Moreno led the game off by smoking the first pitch he saw into left field for a single. JACOB CASTILLO sacrificed Moreno to second, who later scored on a CESAR PRECIADO (3-for-3, RBI) safety to left. The Matadors lead would only last until the bottom of the inning. With two outs AUSTIN CAOLE and KYLE BEDSOLE each worked Moreno for a walk. Caole would score on a wild pitch. With the score tied 1-1 Bedsole would come home on a SEAN WHITE (2-for-3, RBI) single and Monte Vista took a 2-1 lead. Moreno and Monarchs starter REILLY DIAZ matched each other zero for zero for the next 4 innings. But the Monte Vista defense would be the ones to crack. In the 6th inning SEAN MARX was aboard safely on a single to right field. With one out, Moreno rolled a grounder to third base. The throw air-mailed the Monarchs first sacker and the Matadors tied it 2-2. Fittingly Moreno would decide the outcome. On a ball in the dirt, he never hesitated in breaking from third. With a head first slide into home plate Moreno gave the Matadors a lead they wouldn't relinquish. "I always try to be aggressive on balls in the dirt,” stated Moreno . "I'm also a first pitch hitter so I guess aggressiveness is just part of my game.” Monte Vista coach MATT ATKINSON knows this was one that got away. "We aren't good enough to give away extra outs,” he said. "The story of our season is just that. We make plays and we win. When we don't, you get what happened here today.”

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-27-13) — Just to look at Valhalla High’s versatile 6-foot-3, 210-pound freshman DOMENIC DONATO makes one think there is a typo in the Norsemen’s baseball program.

Yes, Donato is a freshman. But he plays more like an upperclassman – both in the field and on the mound.

Donato drove in six runs with a home run and a pair of singles. In addition he pitched five innings to earn his second varsity win in Valhalla’s 16-3 Grossmont Hills League romp over visiting Helix.

“I felt good in batting practice,” Donato said. “My swing was dialed in. The ball was jumping off my bat. After about 10 swings I knew it could be a good day.”

Donato launched a three-run home run through a crosswind to right field extending the Valhalla lead to 12-2 in the 4th inning.

“I squared up and got a good inside-out swing on it,” he said.

Donato has two major league role models: Ryan Braun of the Brewers and Robinson Cano of the Yankees.

“I tape all those guys’ at-bats, and then rewind them to watch them over and over. They hit like I want to hit,” said Donato. “They keep their hands inside the ball, which allows them to hit to the opposite field.

“I had three really good at-bats today, and the home run came on an opposite field. I guess you could say those guys are my role models. What I try to do is learn from them,” he added.

But this was no one-man show for Valhalla .

Junior center-fielder JORDAN QSAR also had a big day with three doubles and four runs scored.

“All season I’ve wanted to put a big game together like I did today,” Qsar said. “Honestly, when a couple of guys get hot, it’s contagious and it goes through the whole (batting) order.”

Another major contributor to the Valhalla 17-hit attack was JEFF HOUGHTBY, who was 3-for-4 with a double and 3 runs scored.

For Helix (10-12, 3-5 GHL) the lone highlight was JORGE GARCIA’s East County-leading 5th home run in the 5th inning.

GROSSMONT 5, GRANITE HILLS 2 – Grossmont’s BRANDON WEED pitched his 3rd complete game victory to lift the Foothillers into the Grossmont Hills League lead by knocking off visiting Granite Hills 5-2 on Friday (Apr. 26) at Joe Gizoni Field.

There’s nothing flashy about Weed, who owns a 3-0 record, but he knows how to get outs and win games. And that’s the bottom line.

The junior right-hander was cuffed around in the 1st inning for two runs but quickly regained his footing to hand Granite Hills (16-7, 5-3 GHL) its 3rd straight loss and put the Foothillers one game into the league lead.

“I knew this was a big game so I was a lot more nervous than I was in my two other starts,” Weed said. “I guess probably the biggest thing about pitching complete games is my stamina keeps improving after every outing. If I struggle at the beginning I know I can come back and my team will pick me up.”

“I was spotting my fastball on the outside corner in the 1st inning and they were hitting it to the opposite field,” Weed added.

Granite Hills scored both of its runs in the 1st inning. ROBERT BOSTEDT led off with a bloop single to left. TRENTON BROOKS doubled down the left field line and NOAH CUMMINGS delivered a sacrifice fly. JOSH ROSE then singled in Brooks for the Eagles.

After that Granite Hills struggled against Weed’s deliveries.

Grossmont (17-6, 5-2 GHL) rebounded for two runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning to tie the game. Sophomore RYAN BARNES singled in the first run and ALEX MARLAY’s groundout brought in the tying run.

Grossmont took the lead in the 3rd inning without benefit of a hit on three walks and a hit batter.

The Hillers added a fourth run on singles by Barnes, Marlay and NICO MAIDA an inning later.

Grossmont tacked on an insurance run in the 5th inning as BRETT STONE singled and PEYTON LINDSAY doubled him home.

“Our goal is to win league,” said Hillers catcher HUNTER STRATTON.

STEELE CANYON 4, WEST HILLS 3 (9 inn.) – After dropping four of their previous five games Steele Canyon has fought its way back into contention for the Grossmont Hills League title.

The Cougars scored a major victory on Friday (Apr. 26) when BERNY ARIPEZ slugged a two-out solo home run to right field to give Steele Canyon a 4-3 win in 9 innings.

It was definitely Aripez’ game of the year. Two innings earlier Aripez singled in the tying run to send the game into extra innings.

West Hills took a 3-1 lead in the 2nd inning as KRIS AGUILAR and MATT LIPSCOMB banged RBI singles and DALLAS SIEGEL drove in a third run with a groundout.

Steele Canyon, which had taken a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning on a triple by SAM MELERO, wound up playing chase after that.

In the 5th inning Steele Canyon came back as COLE FLINT singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice by WYATT LOGAN and scored on a base hit by TANNER PERRY.

The Cougars sent the game into extra innings in the 7th as Aripez swatted an RBI single to right field. After back-to-back strikeouts in the 9th inning, Aripez put the Cougars on top with his first varsity home run to right field.

After a sluggish start ALEX VESIA blanked the Wolf Pack on 7 shutout innings. After that CASEY BALIKIAN pitched 2 shutout innings to earn his 5th win in 7 decisions.

EL CAPITAN 10, EL CAJON VALLEY 1 – El Capitan remained in the Grossmont Valley League race after a 10-1 win over visiting El Cajon Valley on Friday (Apr. 26) in Lakeside .

The Vaqueros (5-15, 3-2 GVL) had to scramble as they led only 1-0 after three innings.

El Capitan broke the game open with five runs in the 4th inning. The key hit was a 2-run triple by ERIC LOZANO, who eventually scored on a base hit by TRAVIS BAKER.

The Vaqueros turned the game into a blowout in 5th inning as KENNY OLHAUSER singled in a run and Baker blasted a 3-run homer.

AUSTIN CURO-RUIS contributed two hits to El Capitan ’s 12-hit attack.

JT LONG allowed only one run and five hits to pick up the pitching victory. MATT STROMAN pitched two shutout innings in relief to complete the job.

El Cajon Valley avoided the shutout with a run in the 5th inning on a RBI single by ANDY RUE.

Vista-CALVARY CHRISTIAN 13, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 2 – Foothills Christian fell another rung back in the Citrus League race Friday (Apr. 26) as host Vista-Calvary Christian crunched the Knights 13-2.

The Knights’ offense consisted of only four hits as a team – three of them by RYAN QUINN, who also had a 1st inning RBI which gave Foothills Christian a brief 1-0 lead.

Calvary Christian broke the game open with seven runs in the 4th inning to make it 12-1.

TREVOR TINNEY scored both runs for the Knights without benefit of a hit.

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (4-26-13) — Christian High’s MIKE MITCHELL inched closer to a milestone Thursday (Apr. 25) as the Patriots dumped visiting Lincoln 6-1 in a Central League game.

The victory was No. 399 for Mitchell, who is in his 22nd year of coaching high school baseball, the last 18 at Christian. He hopes to reach the 400 mark when these two teams meet again on Tuesday (Apr. 30) at Christian at 3:30 p.m.

“I think people make a bigger deal out of that than I do,” Mitchell said. “But I guess you’d have to say it’s an honor for all the people who have played for me and coached with me.”

In the Patriots’ latest outing 6-foot-3 junior right-hander SAM GERSHOW pitched a complete game 5-hitter, striking out 8 and not allowing an earned run.

The Patriots (16-7, 4-3 CL) took the lead in the 1st inning as CHRISTIAN MEZA singled, stole second and scored on a base hit by BRANDON TARDIFF.

Christian doubled its advantage in the 2nd inning as TYLER LESLIE doubled and scored on a basehit by KYLE STOWERS.

The Patriots took command with three runs in the 3rd inning thanks in part to a dropped fly ball by the Hornets (4-18, 0-6 CL). TREVOR HOWELL slashed an RBI single to right field and Leslie brought in two more with a base hit to right.

A double by STEPHEN JOHNSTON and a Lincoln error handed the Patriots their final run in the 7th inning.

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (4-25-13) — On a day when runs came at a premium, the visiting Valhalla Norsemen stood in a class by themselves Wednesday (Apr. 24) as they hammered out a dozen hits in a 10-5 Grossmont Hills League victory over Helix.

Senior shortstop RAMSEY ROMANO set the pace by rattling off four hits, including his second home run of the season for the Norsemen (13-10, 3-4 GHL). That burst raised his season average to .457 (38-for-83).

Perhaps the most momentous blow for Valhalla, however, was a three-run home run by CHRIS HUDGINS that took a bite out of a 4-0 Helix lead in the 3rd inning.

“It came on a 3-2 pitch,” Hudgins said of his clutch home run. “I had to fight off a few curveballs and changeups before I finally saw a fastball. I got a good short swing and hit a line drive.”

The ball cleared the left-center field fence.

“I knew I made good contact and that the ball was going out,” Hudgins said.

Valhalla rang up a three-spot to take the lead for keeps in the 4th inning. DOMENIC DONATO singled to center but was forced out at second on a ground ball by ISREAL JUAREZ. FOSTER McNARY then singled to right and Romano singled to left, scoring Juarez .

A dropped fly ball in left field handed the Norsemen two more runs and a 6-4 lead.

Valhalla put the game away with 4 runs in the 6th. McNary ignited the rally with a triple to right field and eventually scored on a passed ball. Romano followed with a home run to center field. JORDAN QSAR singled to right, and stole second and third. Qsar eventually scored on a second passed ball.

The Highlanders handed the Norsemen a final run on a pair of throwing errors.

McNary, who pitched the first four innings, was tagged for 4 unearned runs but came away with his 2nd win in as many decisions.

Helix’s JEREMIAH WYLIE gave up 8 runs in five innings but 5 of them were unearned as he was tagged with the loss.

“It’s pretty rare day when you can make six errors and come away with a victory,” noted Valhalla coach MIKE WILSON. “We’ve beaten everybody once but we’re looking for the playoffs with something better than a mediocre seed.”

Wilson emphasized the competitiveness of the Grossmont Hills League.

“No team has a shutdown guy,” he said. “And there’s no runaway leader at the top or easy mark at the bottom. This league is fat in the middle and every day is a grind.”

GROSSMONT 1, GRANITE HILLS 0 – In a battle of Grossmont Hills League co-leaders this game was certainly an oddity as the two teams combined for four hits in Wednesday’s (Apr. 24) encounter on the Eagles’ field.

Grossmont’s JOEY VISKAS pitched a complete game 2-hit shutout without issuing a walk or recording a strikeout as he rolled his record to 7-1.

The hardluck loser was Granite Hills’ TRENTON BROOKS, who also pitched a 2-hitter, yet allowed 5 walks and struck out 9 in a losing effort.

The only run of the game came in the 4th inning. DEREK RUSTICH slashed a one-out single and advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt by Brooks. PEYTON LINDSAY followed with a single to put runners at the corners. Rustich eventually scored on a passed ball.

Granite Hills (16-6, 5-2 GHL) suffered its second straight shutout.

“It’s pretty hard to win games when you don’t score any runs,” said Eagles coach JAMES DAVIS. “But that’s the kind of league this is – every game is a war.”

STEELE CANYON 3, WEST HILLS 2 – The Cougars clawed their way back into the Grossmont Hills League race with a late inning 3-2 win over visiting West Hills on Wednesday (Apr. 24).

It was the second straight win for Steele Canyon after the Cougars (11-10, 3-4 GHL) had dropped four in a row.

With the score tied at 2-2 entering the bottom of the 7th, Steele Canyon ’s SAM MELERO reached base on an error and stole second. After NATHAN MURRAY walked, MACKEY BOWERS sacrificed the runners up a base. SERGIO ALCARAZ was intentionally walked to load the bases.

It appeared that reliever COLE PENDLETON might escape the jam as he struck out COLE FLINT. But WYATT LOGAN foiled those plans as he lined a single to left to score Melero with the game winning run.

The Cougars’ BRANDON BROWN did not allow an earned run in 6 2/3 innings but it was JOSH MEDEIROS who threw only 2 pitches to pick up his second win.

SANTANA 4, EL CAPITAN 2 – The Sultans of Santana avenged an earlier week loss to El Capitan on Wednesday (Apr. 24) as they moved into a first place tie with Monte Vista in the Grossmont Valley League.

RYAN BROWNING pitched a complete game 5-hitter for the Sultans, allowing only 5 hits and one earned run.

He edged out El Capitan freshman TRISTAN DUNCAN, who surrendered only 4 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 7 in a six-inning outing.

Santana took a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning as TYLER BROWNING singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by COLTEN STUTZ, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a base hit by TOMMY LOGAN.

Santana (10-10, 4-2 GVL) extended its lead to 3-0 in the 3rd. Once again Tyler Browning was the catalyst as he walked, stole second and advanced to third on a bunt single by Stutz. Logan hoisted a sacrifice fly to right field to score Browning. NATHAN NUNEZ then laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to score Stutz.

El Capitan fought back in the 4th inning with a pair of runs. TRAVIS BAKER walked, CLAY CROMWELL singled and one out later JASON MOORMAN singled to load the bases. AUSTIN CURO-RUIS walked to force in a run.

The Vaqueros’ CONRAD STANTON lined out to shortstop but his bid for a double play sailed over the head of the second baseman, allowing Cromwell to score.

Santana stretched its lead to 4-2 in the 7th inning. BRIAN PARKER led off with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a sacrifice bunt by DAULTON BARRY. Tyler Browning singled up the middle to score Parker.

“That was a big insurance run in the bottom of the 7th,” Santana coach TIM BARRY noted. “It was a much better, thoroughly fundamentally sound game except for the one error.”

MONTE VISTA 7, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 (forfeit) – The visiting Monte Vista Monarchs (7-14, 4-2) maintained a share of the Grossmont Valley League lead with Santana without having to throw a pitch Tuesday (Apr. 24) against El Cajon Valley. The Braves were short of players and elected to forfeit.

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
TIERRASANTA (4-24-13) — The visiting Christian High Patriots had one of the best pitchers in the San Diego Section on the ropes in Tuesday’s (Apr. 23) Central League game at Serra.

They tagged 6-foot-5, 200-pound senior C.J. Burdick for 10 hits in six innings, but still came up short as the crafty right-hander managed to strike out 12 during that stretch.

The trouble for the Patriots was they issued nine walks and hit two batters, and nine of those free passes were cashed in for runs as the Conquistadors turned back Christian 9-4.

“I’ve been coaching varsity high school for 22 years,” said Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL, who is two wins shy of the 400 victory milestone. “But I’ve never had a team lose a game like this. All nine of their guys who scored, we put on base.

“I mean it’s not like we’ve never had a team score nine runs on walks, but usually they score a couple of other runs on hits. But this time we gave it all to them.”

This is not to say that Serra (16-3, 4-2 CL) did not come up with its share of clutch hits. But the Patriots did a devastating job of setting the table.

Case in point was Nic Bereaud’s bases loaded triple, which was the only hit in the Conquistadors 5-run sixth inning that snapped a 4-4 tie. Christian pitching contributed 4 walks and a hit batter – all of whom scored.

Credit Christian for coming from behind to tie it.

As a rule falling behind Burdick (7-1, 0.80 ERA) is certain death. But the Patriots scrapped back on an RBI single by STEPHEN JOHNSTON in the 3rd inning that was aided by an outfield error that clipped the Conquistadors’ advantage to 3-2.

The Patriots pushed across two in the 3rd inning with a two-out rally. CHRISTIAN MEZA walked and A.J. GREGOROVIC singled to right. Johnston followed with a basehit to right field, scoring Meza, and when the ball eluded the right-fielder, Gregorovic scored.

After Serra stretched its advantage to 4-2 in the bottom of the 3rd, the Patriots bounced back to tie it in the 4th. With one out NICK JARVIS, WILLIAM HAIL and BRYCE JURRIES hit consecutive singles to load the bases.

Burdick then plunked Meza with a pitch, allowing Jarvis to score. The Conquistador ace then walked Gregorovic to plate Hail and even the score at 4-4.

The final three innings were filled with frustration for the Patriots, who outhit the Conquistadors 12-8.

In his quest to reach the 400 win mark Mitchell will lead his Patriots at Lincoln on Thursday (Apr. 25) and then host the Hornets on Tuesday (Apr. 30).

Citrus League
FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 7, GUAJOME PARK 0 (forfeit) – In a contest slated for Stars Field at Barona, the visiting Frogs have suspended operations for the duration of the season, giving Foothills Christina the Vitrus League victory.

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-22-13) — It was the day of the shutout in Monday’s (Apr. 22) East County baseball activity.

That is, four of the six encounters resulted in goose eggs for the losers: No. 2-ranked Granite Hills, No. 10 Grossmont, Santana and Valhalla. For good measure Christian blanked Serra 1-0 in 11 innings in a Central League fray.

Furthermore none of the losing teams scored more than three runs. Another team tallied just one marker.

Here is Monday’s breakdown:

EL CAPITAN 2, SANTANA 0 – At the moment probably the most unlikely leader in the Grossmont Valley League is coach JORDAN ABRUZZO’s youthful El Capitan Vaqueros.

Cast as a longshot at the outset, the Vaqueros (4-14, 2-1) have slithered to the top of the GVL ahead of the second place Sultans (3-2) and Monte Vista (3-2). Mount Miguel (2-2) is also in the running for the brass ring.

Senior southpaw JESSIE BURNS (3-3) twirled an 8-hit shutout with six strikeouts for the Vaqueros. He also picked three runners off.

“Other than pounding the strike zone, Jessie works at a fast tempo which helps stabilize our defense,” said Abruzzo. For the record El Capitan ’s defense was flawless.

“Jessie is aggressive, goes after the hitters,” El Capitan ’s first year head coach said. “He is a great guy to have as your No. 1.”

El Capitan scored the only runs of the game in the 2nd inning. JASON MOORMAN walked and advanced to third on a double to left by CLAY CROMWELL. AUSTIN CURO-RUIS then singled in both runners.

That would be all the support Burns would need.

Santana’s No. 1 pitcher isn’t too bad, either. ALAN STRONG pitched a complete game 3-hitter and struck out 12, but his poor base running hurt his cause.

The Sultans’ best scoring chance came in the third inning as Strong singled and TYLER BROWNING was hit by a pitch. NATHAN NUNEZ slugged a ball into the right-field gap. Strong hesitated, then ran toward third but for some reason turned around and went back to second, where he met Browning.

El Capitan cut down Nunez for the second out. Strong eventually broke for the plate and was out on a throw from Vaqueros shortstop TRISTAN DUNCAN to catcher ERIC LOZANO.

“This one really hurts,” said Sultans coach TIM BARRY. “We should have got at least two runs out of that, but our baserunning was atrocious.”

Santana was shutout for the second straight game.

“It’s kinda hard to win when you don’t score any runs,” Barry said.

CHRISTIAN 1, SERRA 0 (11 inn.) – Christian climbed back into the Central League race with a marathon victory over Serra on Monday (Apr. 22).

STEPHEN JOHNSTON and BRYCE JURRIES combined to throw a 3-hitter at the visiting Conquistadors, which pulled the Patriots into a second place tie, one game behind front-running Coronado .

Sophomore TREVOR HOWELL drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 11th. The dogpile on Howell was one of those you see after a championship victory.

“I had guys all over me,” a happy Howell said. “When (6-foot-1, 250-pound football offensive lineman) TYLER LESLIE jumped on top of the pile, I lost my breath.”

Such is the life of a hero.

Howell’s clutch base hit came on a 2-2 pitch following a walk and stolen base by Johnston .

“He hit a line drive to right field, so it was going to be a bang-bang play at the plate,” Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL said. “And Johnston made a great slide to avoid the tag.”

Johnston and Jurries struck out 11 batters between them.

Howell finished the game 2-for-4.

“When you’re playing a long game like that it really helps when the guys on the bench keep the emotion up – that and our senior leadership,” Howell noted.

Mitchell’s career record elevated to 398 wins in his 22 seasons as head coach.

STEELE CANYON 5, GROSSMONT 3 – After breaking into the San Diego Section Top 10 this week, the visiting Grossmont Foothillers took a pratfall in Monday’s (Apr. 22) Grossmont Hills League clash with host Steele Canyon .

The Cougars (10-10, 2-4) erased a 3-2 deficit with three runs in the bottom of the 6th to pull back into the GHL race. Steele Canyon should thank Grossmont (15-6, 4-2) for committing four errors that handed the Cougars five unearned runs.

Case in point was the 6th inning. Two errors set the stage for JOE AGUIRRE’s bunt single that allowed Steele Canyon to take a 4-3 edge. East County batting leader TANNER PERRY then singled home an insurance run.

The Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as BERNY ARIPEZ doubled, scampered to third and scored on a bloop single by NATHAN MURRAY coupled with a throwing error by the Foothillers.

Grossmont tied the game on a solo home run by DEREK RUSTICH in the 2nd inning. The Foothillers took a 2-1 edge on NICO MAIDA’s infield single in the 3rd inning.

Steele Canyon tied the game 2-2 in the 3rd inning on a basehit by Murray .

Grossmont regained the lead on a solo home run by HUNTER STRATTON – his 4th of the season – in the 6th frame.

The Cougars’ CASEY BALIKIAN picked up his 4th win in 6 decisions as he scattered 7 hits over six innings. Grossmont transfer BRANDON BROWN pitched a shutout 7th inning to earn the save for Steele Canyon .

WEST HILLS 1, VALHALLA 0 – WILL BENNETT fired a one-hitter for his fifth win in six decisions Monday (Apr. 22) in carrying West Hills (12-7, 2-4) past visiting Valhalla in a typically close Grossmont Hills League encounter.

Valhalla leadoff man RAMSEY ROMANO accounted for the only hit for the Norsemen. It was a double, but the Michigan-bound Norseman was cut down stealing.

Bennett also walked four and the Wolf Pack committed one error.

West Hills produced the only tally in the 2nd inning. HAYDEN SCHILLING singled to left but was cut down attempting to stretch it into a double. D.J. LEWIS darted to third base when the Valhalla outfielder misplayed a fly ball for a three base error. FRANK MELLO then slapped a single to score Lewis.

The hard-luck loser was junior southpaw MITCH COOMBS, who scattered seven hits and struck out eight in a complete game effort.

MONTE VISTA 16, EL CAJON VALLEY 1 (5 inn.) – ANDREW POIRIER drove in four runs Monday (Apr. 22) to pace visiting Monte Vista to a lopsided Grossmont Valley League victory at El Cajon Valley .

FERNANDO GODINEZ-MEDINA collected two hits and a pair of RBI in Monte Vista’s 9-run second inning. ALAN HERNANDEZ was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Leadoff man PAUL O’CONNOR clubbed a double and a triple for the Monarchs.

Ten El Cajon Valley errors led to 11 unearned runs for the Monarchs (6-14, 3-2), who are tied with Santana for second place behind surprising leader El Capitan in the GVL.

AUSTIN CAOLE blanked the Braves on four hits over the first four innings for the win.

El Cajon Valley avoided a shutout in the final frame of the five-inning contest as ANDY RUE doubled, advanced to third on a single by JONATHAN ROJAS and scored on Monte Vista’s only error.

West Hills catcher Johnny Espinoza records the out at the plate against Valhalla at Petco Park (Photo by Don DeMars Photography) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

Wolf Pack stomps Valhalla at Petco Park By Mark Meadows © East County Sports.com SAN DIEGO (4-19-13) — Giving West Hills High senior pitcher DAVID HESSLINK a few runs to play with usually isn't a good idea. Handing him an 8-run cushion is a recipe for disaster. Hesslink has evolved into one of the top pitchers in the East County and Friday's (Apr. 19) performance at Petco Park places him among the best in the section. Hesslink spun a 4-hit gem and struck out 8 in leading the West Hills Wolf Pack over the Valhalla Norsemen 8-1 in Grossmont Hills League action. It also brought the Wolf Pack (11-7, 1-4 GHL) their first league win and sent Valhalla (12-9, 2-3) home scratching their heads. Hesslink entered the game with a 5-1 record and a 0.89 ERA. He didn't hurt those numbers on Friday. The lone run was unearned, leaving Hesslink at 6-1 and 0.73. "You can't believe the pregame jitters I had. It was intense," Hesslink said. "But once we got a couple of runs it helped settle me down and it turned this whole atmosphere into just another ball game." Wolf Pack head coach CORDELL HIPOLITO knows where his bread is buttered. "David has been like this all year," he said. "He's going to keep us close, so it was nice to get him some early runs tonight." West Hills opened the scoring in the second frame as FRANK MELLO (1-for-2, 2 runs, 2 RBI) singled home KRIS AGUILAR and DJ LEWIS to put the Wolf Pack up 2-0. In the 3rd CHASE PARSONS (2 RBI) had a lead single and was doubled to third by ALEX WAGNER (2-for-4, RBI). HAYDEN SCHILLING and Aguilar followed with back-to-back sacrifice flies to push the West Hills advantage to 4-0. The lead swelled to 6-0 as the Wolf Pack scored on a ground out and an infield single in the 4th. Hesslink already had plenty of runs but West Hills had another 2-run outburst in the 6th inning to conclude their scoring. Following lead walks to PATRICK ESTEY and Mello, MATT LIPSCOMB had a pinch single to bring Estey home. Mello later scored on a Parsons ground out. Coach Hipolito knew this wasn't just another game. "This was a very important game for us. Granite (Hills) manhandled us the other day and I was happy to see our guys bounce back," he stated. "Our mental approach at the plate was greatly improved and now we have something to build on." Valhalla head coach MIKE WILSON wasn't as thrilled. "We seemed a little more tense than they did tonight," Wilson said. "I hate to come out and play like this on a big night at Petco. The bottom line is Hesslink was very good tonight, and we weren't."

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-20-13) — Junior BRANDON WEED began the season as a late-inning reliever for the Grossmont Foothillers.

A key injury gave the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Weed a chance to better exhibit his talents.

In Friday’s (Apr. 19) Foothillers 7-1 Grossmont Hills League victory over visiting Steele Canyon at Joe Gizoni Field, Weed logged his second consecutive complete-game victory.

“At the beginning of the year we had Weed ticketed in a middle relief role,” said Grossmont coach CHAD WILLIAMS. “But then we had some injuries and we challenged him, told him we needed more from him, and he’s come through for us.”

Weed limited Steele Canyon to 3 hits while striking out 6 in his latest outing.

“I really didn’t have my best stuff,” he said. “I just tried to hit spots and keep hitters off balance. But really my goal was to deceive the hitters.”

And so he did.

Two of Steele Canyon ’s 3 hits came off the bat of TANNER PERRY, arguably the best hitter in East County . In fact it was Perry’s base hit to left field that accounted for the only run for the Cougars (9-10, 1-4 GHL).

Grossmont first baseman PEYTON LINDSAY drove in 3 runs with a pair of singles. His first basehit of the day plated two Foothillers in the 1st inning, which no doubt helped build confidence for pitcher Weed.

The versatile junior, who began the season as Grossmont’s designated hitter and relief pitcher, has now solidified himself as the Hillers first base man.

“You know, it’s completely different when you’re a DH or an on-the-field player,” Lindsay said. “When you’re the DH it’s hard to keep your focus on the game as much as you should. When you’re on the field you’re a lot more active and a lot more aware of what’s going on in the game. I like playing first base.”

NICO MAIDA also had 2 hits for the Foothillers (15-5, 4-1 GHL).

“For some reason we don’t usually start fast, although we did today,” Maida said. “We expect to win every game we play and when we’re clicking we put a lot of hits together.”

Next week will be a true test for the Foothillers as they play Steele Canyon on Monday and then face off against front-running Granite Hills on Wednesday and Friday.

GRANITE HILLS 7, HELIX 4 – Credit junior first baseman JUSTIN MITCHELL with a quality at-bat in Friday’s (Apr. 19) Grossmont Hills League game against Helix that allowed the Eagles to be named the Leaders of the Flock.

Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the 4th inning, the Eagles fought back on a double by ROBERT BOSTEDT and singles by DANIEL VASQUEZ and NOAH CUMMINGS.

With two outs the Highlanders elected to intentionally walk JOSH ROSE to load the bases. That brought Mitchell to the plate. He quickly jumped ahead in the count – 3 balls, no strikes.

Knowing that one more ball would tie the game, Helix relief pitcher ALEX BRITSCHGI found the strike zone to make it 3-1. Mitchell then fouled off the next three pitches to load the count. Britschgi went for the strikeout; Mitchell went for the downs.

Credit Mitchell the victor in this one as he belted a grand slam over the right center field fence, giving Granite Hills (16-4, 5-0 GHL) the victory.

“Mitchell was the story,” said Eagles coach JAMES DAVIS. “He got the big hit when we needed it.”

Earlier in the game Mitchell drew a bases loaded walk in the 3rd inning to tie the game at 2-2.

“You have to feel good about a kid like that having a game like that,” Davis said.

When Mitchell first connected on his game-winning blow, Davis wasn’t sure it was going to go the distance.

“The Helix pitcher challenged him with a fastball and Mitchell hit a high fly ball,” said Davis . “It was one of those drives that you just weren’t sure. But when it cleared the fence it was pretty exciting for all of us.”

JOSH ROSE gave Granite Hills the lead with a solo home run in the 2nd inning – his 3rd of the season.

Helix fought back and took the lead when ZACH MUIR and NICO ALCOSER executed a delayed double steal to tie it at 1-apiece. Alcoser then singled in the go-ahead run.

In the 4th inning with the score tied at 2-2 Helix regained the lead on RBI singles by RAY PETERSON and JORGE GARCIA.

That set the stage for Mitchell’s heroics.

Granite Hills reliever SEAN WALKER blanked the Highlanders on 2 hits over the final 3 2/3 innings while striking out 4 for his 3rd win without a loss.

MOUNT MIGUEL 28, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 (5 inn.) – The visiting Mount Miguel Matadors batted at a .592 clip in Friday’s (Apr. 19) massacre of host El Cajon Valley in a five-inning Grossmont Valley League game.

After BRAD MORENO opened the game with a home run, the Matadors (5-15, 2-2 GVL) rattled off 28 singles in the game called after five innings. Mount Miguel would have had a dozen extra-base hits had Matadors coach JASON BABINEAU not ordered his club to play station-to-station baseball after his club scored 12 runs in the 1st inning.

DANIEL RONK was 4-for-6 with four RBI, while ENIQUE KELLER scored six runs with four hits and three RBI. DOMINIC SAWYER scored 4 runs and drove in 4.

Three Mount Miguel pitchers combined to toil a 1-hitter with ERIC DE LE ROSA spinning the final three shutout frames.

RYAN PETERSON accounted for El Cajon Valley's only hit with a 3rd-inning single.

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-19-13) — Christian High’s NICK JARVIS surrendered two singles and a triple to the first three batters he faced during Thursday’s (Apr. 18) Central League game against visiting Clairemont.

So what were the odds that Jarvis would finish the game. . .

Turns out the junior right-hander actually went the distance, scattering 7 hits in the Patriots 8-3 victory over the Chieftains.

The victory lifted Christian’s overall record to 14-6 and balanced the Patriots’ league ledger at 2-2.

“When I went out to the mound after the first three hits and told Jarvis he was facing his last batter if he didn’t get him out,” Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL said.

It was Jarvis’ third win in as many decisions.

Playing catch-up from the start, Christian cut the lead in half on the first career home run of A.J. GREGOROVIC with two outs in the bottom of the 1st.

“It was a fast ball up in the zone,” said the senior Patriots’ catcher, who went 4-for-4 with 4 RBI and 2 runs scored. “I was watching their pitcher warm up in the bullpen before the game and all he was throwing was curveballs. So I thought, the first time he throws a fastball I’m jumping on it.”

And so he did – knocking it over the right field fence.

“I knew I hit it pretty good, but I didn’t know if it would go out or not because I’ve never hit a home run before,” Gregorovic added.

However, there’s no doubt about it that Gregorovic is the king swinger for Christian.

“He’s one of the best hitters I’ve ever had,” said Mitchell, who celebrated his 397th win in his 22 seasons as a high school coach. “A.J. can take the ball to all fields. He’s a smart hitter who has no trouble recognizing a pitch.”

Right-fielder JOE ROSS rifled 2 doubles in three at-bats for the Patriots.

“You know, Joe has really struggled but he’s really worked hard to contribute to the team even though his numbers don’t show it,” said Mitchell.

Christian freshman leadoff man KYLE STOWERS was 3-for-4 for the Patriots.

The Patriots will embark on their toughest week of the league season as they face Serra at home on Monday (Apr. 22), then tackle the Conquistadors at their place on the 23rd.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 32, CALVARY CHRISTIAN 1 (5 inn.) – It’s been a rocky road for Foothills Christian since the Lions Tournament, as the Knights had failed to win in four games while being outscored 34-11 due to injuries and missing players.

However, in Thursday’s (Apr. 18) Citrus West League encounter the Knights erupted for 32 runs on 23 hits.

Leadoff hitter TREVOR TINNEY was 4-for-5 with a home run, 5 runs and 5 RBI to go along with 3 stolen bases.

It’s not often that a team has a player with 5 RBI, but that’s what the Knights did as ERIC CANNON was 2-for-3 with 4 runs scored and 5 RBI. NOAH GULA also drove in 5 runs and scored 4.

MARK PROFETA hammered a 3-run homer in the 1st inning as Foothills Christian took a 5-0 lead.

The second inning was one for the books as the Knights scored 19 runs on 15 hits (to tie am East County record set by Christian against La Jolla Country Day in 1977).

“You really hate to beat up somebody like this, but we’ve been struggling since Easter vacation because we’ve had players missing left and right,” said Knights coach DAVE LEWIS.

The Calvary Christian pitching staff also hit 9 batters and walked a pair to make the game even more one-sided.

RYAN DEYLING was dealing for four innings, allowing one run and one hit while striking out 8 to run his record to 5-0.

Gula pitched a shutout 5th inning with 2 strikeouts.

SAN PASQUAL 6, EL CAPITAN 4 – El Capitan failed to hold a 2-1 first inning lead as the Vaqueros fell to visiting San Pasqual in Thursday’s (Apr. 18) non-league action in Lakeside .

KENNY OLHAUSER was 2-for-4 with an RBI for El Capitan (3-14, 1-1) .

CLAY CROMWELL and TRAVIS BAKER each had a double for the Vaqueros, who saw San Pasqual break a 3-3 tie with three runs in the 5th inning/

You Make The Call!

Steele Canyon first baseman Sam Melero (left) has the Valhalla baserunner in his sight.... but did he make the tag? CLICK PHOTO to find out! (Photo by Don DeMars Photohraphy) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-18-13) — It’s no surprise that Granite Hills High is dominating East County baseball.

Oh sure, the Eagles – after winning 9 of their first 10 – suffered a brief skid in the Lions Tournament, but are now back on track and prepared to run away with the Grossmont Hills League race.

This afternoon belonged to TRENTON BROOKS. As a hitter he was 4-for-4 with a home run. On the mound he was overpowering in the Eagles’ 17-4 romp over West Hills on Wednesday (Apr. 17).

The suspense was gone after one inning when the Eagles (15-4, 4-0 GHL) scored seven times.

The ball finds the glove of Steele Canyon outfielder Cole Flint, robbing Valhalla's Chris Hudgins of a 1st-inning homer. (Photo by Don DeMars Photography)

Granite Hills piled on two more runs on run scoring singles by JORDAN VERDON and ROBERT BOSTEDT.

Granite Hills scored in 5 of its 6 turns at bat as the Eagles rolled up their highest offensive output of the season.

Despite the offensive influx, Eagles coach JAMES DAVIS wasn’t ready to start doing cartwheels.

“You never know about this game,” he said. “One bad hop can turn things totally around.”

GROSSMONT 3, HELIX 0 – Not many games are dominated by pitching more than Wednesday’s (Apr. 17) Grossmont Hills League game between the visiting Helix Highlanders and the Foothillers at Joe Gizoni Field.

There were no RBI in this battle of league rivals. Helix (9-9, 2-2 GHL) came up empty thanks to the complete game 5-hit pitching of JOEY VISKAS.

Viskas (6-1) walked one and struck out 5 while not allowing an extra base hit.

Helix’s JEREMIAH WYLIE was the hardluck loser as he allowed two earned runs and six singles in five innings. Wylie, however, damaged his chances by hitting three batters and uncorking two wild pitches.

“Both pitchers were in complete control,” said Grossmont coach CHAD WILLIAMS.

The last time these two pitchers faced off was only a week ago, when the Hillers won 12-2.

“Wylie was much tougher this time,” Williams added. “I don’t know how many pitches he made above the knees but it sure wasn’t many.”

For Grossmont it was vintage Viskas – no cheap hits, no free passes.

“No question, Joey is an efficient pitcher,” Williams noted.

Grossmont’s 8-hit attack featured 2 singles apiece from BRETT STONE and HUNTER STRATTON.

JORGE GARCIA accounted for two of Helix’s five hits.

Valhalla's Chris Hudgins (left) is caught in a rundown, but will beat the throw to third base in an afternoon of defensive meltdowns by Steele Canyon. (Photo by Don DeMars Photohraphy)

VALHALLA 5, STEELE CANYON 0 – Not many East County teams have better pitching depth than Grossmont Hills League challenger Valhalla .

The Norsemen (12-8, 2-2) broke out a new freshman arm in 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander DOMENIC DONATO, normally the Valhalla first baseman.

Make no mistake about it – this guy has pitching potential. In his varsity debut on the mound against Steele Canyon (9-9, 1-3), Donato surrendered just two hits while striking out six and walking two over 5 innings.

JORDAN QSAR charted his third save with two shutout innings. He walked one and struck out three.

The Norsemen broke into the scoring column with two runs in the 3rd inning as Qsar walked and stole second. A ground ball by SEAN CROSBY through the shortstop allowed Qsar to score. CHRIS HUDGINS followed with a single and CONNOR HOPKINS laid down a bunt to load the bases. Donato came through with a sacrifice fly to right field to make it 2-0.

Valhalla added a third tally in the 4th as JEFF HOUGHTBY tripled to center field and RAMSEY ROMANO singled to left.

Valhalla closed out the scoring in the 6th inning by a home run by GIUSEPPE CASTANOS and a bases-loaded balk.

The Norsemen will go prime time on Friday (Apr. 26) night when they meet Grossmont Hills League rival West Hills at Petco Park at 7 p.m.

This game will the streamed live on orangenationtv.com.

SANTANA 4, MONTE VISTA 2 – Freshman DAULTON BARRY scattered five hits and allowed one run in four innings as the visiting Sultans (9-8) maintained their Grossmont Valley League lead at 3-0.

RYAN BROWNING allowed only two hits and no earned runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief. ALAN STRONG got the final out to notch his second save.

Santana snapped a 1-1 tie in the 4th inning as NATHAN NUNEZ scored on a wild pitch.

TYLER BROWNING added an RBI single in the 5th. MATHEW HUDSON tacked on Santana’s final tally with a base hit in the 6th.

For Monte Vista, KYLE BEDSOLE singled in a run in the 3rd and plated the final run on a sacrifice fly in the 7th.

The Monarchs had the tying runs on base in the final frame when Strong arrived on the scene to coax a game-ending ground out.

Strong will be the Sultans’ starting pitcher when Santana faces off against Monte Vista (4-14, 1-2) Thursday (Apr. 18) at Petco Park at 4 p.m. He will face the Monarchs Bedsole

MOUNT MIGUEL 20, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 (5 inn.) – Junior right-hander BRAD MORENO and CHRISTIAN GARCIA combined to pitch a no-hitter against visiting El Cajon Valley in Wednesday’s (Apr. 17) Grossmont Valley League action.

Moreno struck out 10 in four innings as he posted his first win in seven decisions.

As a batter, Moreno stroked two doubles, a single, two steals, scored four runs and drove in another.

Mount Miguel (4-15, 1-2 GVL) broke the game open early with 8 runs in the opening frame. CESAR PRECIADO supplied the key blow with a two-run double.

ENRIQUE KELLER slashed a two-run double and DANIEL RONK ripped a two-run single as the Matadors pushed across 9 runs in the fourth inning.

© East County Sports.com
MIRA MESA (4-17-13) — It was a pretty much uneventful afternoon for visiting El Capitan in Tuesday’s (Apr. 16) non-league 7-0 loss at Mira Mesa.

The good news is that the Vaqueros (3-13) did not commit an error.

The bad news, other than not scoring, was that El Capitan did not produce a single hit against the Marauders pitchers, Joey Portugal and Tristan Sizik.

The high point for El Capitan was the pitching of TRISTAN DUNCAN, MATT STROMAN and ALEX HELMS.

El Capitan coach JORDAN ABRUZZO can see a brilliant future for Duncan, the freshman starter.

“I think Duncan is going to be a good one,” Abruzzo said. “He knows how to throw strikes (walked none and fanned three in three innings). It’s just a matter of gaining experience, like most of our team.”

The Marauders (11-8) broke the game open with three runs in the 4th inning to take a 5-0 lead.

“We try to get better, not spend all our time looking at our record,” Abruzzo added.

LUTHERAN 7, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 1 – Visiting Lutheran knocked off Foothills Christian in a Citrus West League game on Tuesday (Apr. 16) at Barona.

No other information was reported.

By Mark Meadows and Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-14-13) — Valhalla and Grossmont. Grossmont and Valhalla. They tangled in the Lions Tournament. They had two cage matches in the Bill Dickens Grossmont League Tournament.

They like each other so much, they decided to play two games on Saturday (Apr. 13) at Joe Gizoni Field.

But these were Grossmont Hills League games. These were San Diego Section Division I games. And the result was a split.

VALHALLA 6, GROSSMONT 5 (8 inn.) – The Valhalla Norsemen (11-7, 1-1 GHL) would make it three wins in four tries with a 6-5 victory in 8 innings in the opener. The Foothillers (12-5, 1-1) committed four errors helping Valhalla take an early lead. They tied it up late in the game, but the resilient Norsemen pushed across the winning run in the 8th.

Valhalla opened the scoring with a JORDAN QSAR (3-for-5, 2 RBI) single. SEAN CROSBY also singled and Qsar later scored on a CHRIS HUDGINS (2-for-5) single to leftfield.

Grossmont took a 2-1 advantage when BRETT STONE (1-for-3, 2 RBI) doubled home NOAH BUCHANAN in the bottom of the first and later scored on a bases loaded walk to TYLER GARDETTO.

The Norsemen responded in the next inning. A two out double by FOSTER McNARY (2-for-4, 2 runs, double, triple) was followed by a RAMSEY ROMANO (2-for-4, RBI) single that drove McNary home. Romano later scored on a Qsar safety to right-center for a 3-2 lead.

Valhalla tacked on two more in the 3rd inning. Crosby reached on an error and eventually crossed home on another Foothiller error. CONNOR HOPKINS tallied a 5th run when he scored on an ISRAEL JUAREZ double.

Trailing 5-2, Grossmont cut the lead to 5-4 in the 4th. Gardetto had a lead double to rightfield and NICK DALEY walked. DANNY ROLF was hit by a pitch and Buchanan singled Gardetto home. With one out and the bases juiced, Stone lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring Daley home.

Despite their lackluster play in the field and leaving 7 runners on base through 4 innings, Grossmont found themselves down only one run.

In the 5th, HUNTER STRATTON would change all that. With the count 1-1, Stratton found a hanging curveball to his liking. And he wouldn't miss. Stratton's third homer of the season pulled his Foothillers even at 5-5 and had the Grossmont
faithful believing.

"I liked the way we battled back after looking so bad early on", Foothillers coach CHAD WILLIAMS said. "Those first 3 innings are the worst we've looked all year."

Still knotted at 5-5 going into the 8th, Grossmont tried to coax an inning out of ace JOE VISKAS. Viskas struck out his first batter but McNary rifled a triple to the rightcenter gap and later scored on Qsar's third hit of the day, a single to right.

"I'm seeing a lot of fastballs hitting in the 9 hole," McNary noted. "I'm like a second leadoff hitter, but I'm just sitting fastball in most situations."

RAMSEY ROMANO came on to pitch a scoreless inning to notch the save and make a winner of McNary (3 IP, 1 run).

"We were able to take advantage of their mistakes, said assistant coach CHARLIE BLACK. "And McNary was a great boost for us today, at the plate and on the mound."

GROSSMONT 5, VALHALLA 2 – The Grossmont High Foothillers (13-5, 2-1 GHL) bounced back with a 5-2 win in game two of Saturday's (Apr. 13) double dip with the visiting Valhalla High Norsemen (11-8, 1-2) at Joe Gizoni Field.

Junior righthander BRANDON WEED twirled a complete game and stymied the Norsemen bats, allowing 6 hits and only 2 runs, while leading Grossmont to a 5-2 Grossmont Hills League victory. Weed struck out 4 and walked 2.

"It was big for the team to come back and win after dropping the first game," Weed stated. "When it got to the last inning I was pretty determined to finish the game."

Weed showed some mettle in the first inning. After hits by RAMSEY RAMANO (2-for-4) and JORDAN QSAR, Weed committed a balk putting runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Weed kept his composure and struck out the next two hitters before inducing a groundout to escape unharmed.

NOAH BUCHANAN (2-for-3, double, 2 RBI) got Grossmont on the board in the 2nd. HUNTER REED was hit by a pitch and took second on a passed ball. Buchanan's sharp single to right plated Reed to put the Foothillers in front 1-0.

In the 3rd inning, HUNTER STRATTON jump started the Foothillers with a bloop double down the leftfield line and took third base on a throwing error. One pitch later PEYTON LINDSAY brought Stratton home with a crisp single to left.

Weed was cruising after his early trouble when Valhalla roared to life. CHRIS HUDGINS had a leadoff single to start the 5th inning. With 2 outs and Hudgins on second base, Jordan Qsar crushed a fastball over the right-centerfield fence to even the score 2-2.

Valhalla had seized the momentum and were thinking sweep, but they gave it all back and then some in the 6th. Grossmont’s DEREK RUSTICH was hit by a pitch and was sacrificed to second base. ALEX MARLAY had a pinch single to produce a run. Buchanan would double to right-center for a second run and a third run would score on a Valhalla error. The Foothillers lead had expanded to 5-2 with an inning to play. The only question was whether or not Weed could finish what he
started.

He would.

Weed needed 11 pitches to retire the first batter he faced in the 7th. And following a Romano single with 2 outs, he again had to dig deep. Facing his nemesis Qsar (2-for-3, 2 runs, HR) and with the game hanging in the balance, Weed got Qsar to lift a harmless fly to rightfield propelling the Foothillers to victory lane.

" Brandon gave us a big lift today," Williams offered. "He used all three
pitches and kept Valhalla off balance. We couldn't afford to drop both games today and he really stepped up".

HELIX 4, WEST HILLS 3; HELIX 8, WEST HILLS 7 – The Highlanders swept a Grossmont Hills League doubleheader from the visiting Wolf Pack on Saturday (Apr. 13) led by the complete game pitching of FRANKIE NUNEZ.

In the opener Nunez limited the Wolf Pack to 5 hits and 2 earned runs as he raised his record to 3-2.

But most of the drama came in the second game when the Highlanders (9-8, 2-1 GHL) rallied from a 6-2 deficit against West Hills (10-6, 0-3 GHL).

In the bottom of the 7th of the nightcap DEREK CLARK laced a 2-run double to tie the game at 7-7. DASHAWN KEIRSEY then banged an RBI single to cap the 3-run 7th inning and give the Highlanders the victory.

GRANITE HILLS 3, STEELE CANYON 0 – In the first game of Granite Hills’ Grossmont Hills League sweep on Saturday (Apr. 13), JAYSON ROSE pitched a 3-hit shutout with 9 strikeouts. The Eagles completed the sweep with a 7-2 victory over Steele Canyon in the nightcap.

The opener was no easy victory, however, for the Eagles, who scored their only runs in the 5th and 6th innings.

DANIEL VASQUEZ hit the second of his two doubles to lead off the 5th inning. Winning pitcher Jayson Rose broke the scoreless deadlock with a sacrifice fly and a sacrifice by JOSH ROSE.

Vasquez added an RBI double in the 6th inning.

GRANITE HILLS 7, STEELE CANYON 2 – DANIEL VASQUEZ and SEAN WALKER combined on a 2-hitter as the Eagles completed the sweep of the Grossmont Hills League double bill with the visiting Cougars on Saturday (Apr. 13).

Outside of the pitching the game belonged to the Rose brothers. In the 3rd inning Granite Hills broke a scoreless tie as JAYSON ROSE singled and scored on a double by his brother JOSH ROSE.

JUSTIN MITCHELL banged an RBI single to make it 2-0.

Steele Canyon fought back to tie the contest on an RBI single by MEMO RESENDEZ and a sacrifice fly by WYATT LOGAN.

Granite Hills counterpunched in the bottom of the 5th with 4 runs. Jayson Rose tripled, Mitchell walked and Walker was hit by a pitch to load the bases. CODIE SIMMONS, a transfer from Steele Canyon, laced a 2-run single. ROBERT BOSTEDT hit a sacrifice fly and TRENTON BROOKS closed out the scoring inning with an RBI single.

In the bottom of the 6th, the Eagles (15-4, 3-0 GHL) tacked on a final run on a triple by Josh Rose and a sacrifice fly by Mitchell.

By Mark Meadows
© East County Sports.com
CORONADO (4-12-13) — The Christian High Patriots fell to 1-2 in Central League play after dropping an 8-0 decision to the home standing Coronado Islanders (8-9, 2-0).

Christian (12-6, 1-2) might have had a fruitful trip across the bridge if they hadn't run into Islander ace Fred Schlichtholz. Schlichtholz limited the Patriots to 5 hits while allowing no runs and striking out six over 6 innings of work.

"We ran into the aces this week", said Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL. "We faced three no. 1 guys in three games and they all are Division I (college) or draft guys.”

Christian kept the game close early. But in the 4th inning, down only 1-0, the Patriots took a stroll down ugly street.

Following back-to-back singles, the Patriots didn't cover first base on a sacrifice bunt. With the bases loaded, they brought the infield in to cut down the run at the plate. Pitcher BRYCE JURRIES induced a grounder to short. Christian recorded the out at the plate but threw the ball down the rightfield line while trying to complete the double play.

Two Islanders scored and it opened the floodgates. Sandwiched around another error and a wild pitch were a Coronado double and triple.

After the dust had settled, Coronado had piled on six runs and lead 7-0.

Sloppy defense and Coronado pitching weren't the Patriots only issues.

"You're not going to win many games going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position," noted Mitchell.

Christian wasn't without its own bright spots. CHRISTIAN MEZA was aboard four times with 3 hits and a walk, while BRANDON TARDIFF was 2-for-3 with a triple.

As league play continues with a game against Clairemont next Thursday (Apr. 18), coach Mitchell kept a positive approach going forward.

"We're young and we are still learning how to win tough games," he said. "This was a tough week, but I think we'll benefit from this down the road."

OCEAN VIEW CHRISTIAN 10, EL CAJON VALLEY 4 – No further information provided for this non-league game.

© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (4-11-13) — The visiting Grossmont Foothillers scored in 6 of their 7 turns at bat as they opened the Grossmont Hills League season on Wednesday (Apr. 10) with a 12-2 victory over Helix.

The Foothillers made their intentions known on the first pitch when NOAH BUCHANAN belted a home run over the left-field fence. That was just the beginning for Buchanan, who also scored 4 runs, drove in 3 and collected a double and a single in the Foothillers’ leadoff spot.

“Nine out of 10 times the first pitch is gonna be a fastball,” said Buchanan. “It doesn’t mean it’s going to be right in the strike zone, but you have to be looking for it. The ball I hit was up and in.”

The Foothillers broke a 2-2 tie in the 4th inning when PEYTON LINDSAY lined a home run over the left-field fence. The rally didn’t stop there as Buchanan singled to keep things alive. NICO MAIDA tripled to right-center field to score Buchanan.

Grossmont put the game away with a pair of 3-run innings in the 6th and 7th. The key blow in the 6th was an RBI double by HUNTER STRATTON. Back-to-back doubles by NICK DALEY and Buchanan put the game away with 3 more tallies in the 7th.

For Grossmont JOEY VISKAS pitched the first six frames to roll his record to 5-0.

“In the first two innings I was rushing my pitches and getting my leg too high,” Viskas said. “But once I settled down everything was pretty easy.”

Helix kept pace in the first two innings on RBI singles by JORGE GARCIA and SHANE NOBIENSKY.

The Highlanders (7-8, 0-1 GHL) left the bases loaded in the 7th inning when Garcia popped up.

GRANITE HILLS 9, WEST HILLS 0 – TRENTON BROOKS was a double threat for Granite Hills in Wednesday’s (Apr. 10) Grossmont Hills League opener at West Hills.

Not only did the left-handed senior blank the Wolf Pack on 2 hits over six innings while striking out 10, he was 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored in the Granite Hills blowout.

NOAH CUMMINGS continued his torrid hitting with 3 hits in 5 at-bats and 3 runs scored, including a triple and an RBI. For the season Cummings is batting .449 (22-of-49).

Granite Hills (12-4, 1-0 GHL) jumped in front 4-0 in the 1st inning as JOSH ROSE banged a 2-run double and JUSTIN MITCHELL slugged a 2-run single.

JAYSON ROSE made it 5-0 with an RBI double in the 5th.

In the 6th inning Noah Cummings whacked an RBI double and Josh Rose and Mitchell contributed run-scoring singles.

Brooks capped the scoring in the 7th with a run-scoring single.

“This is the way you like to see the game played,” said Eagles coach JAMES DAVIS.

STEELE CANYON 9, VALHALLA 4 – No doubt Steele Canyon was upset when the Cougars were tabbed to finish in the cellar of the Grossmont Hills League in the preseason predictions.

So the Cougars overcame a 3-1 deficit to pull out a league opening victory on Wednesday (Apr. 10) by knocking off host Valhalla and ace pitcher SEAN FLANNERY.

CASEY BALIKIAN, who surrendered 10 hits to the Norsemen, managed to log a complete game victory for the Cougars (9-6, 1-0 GHL).

“Balikian is not going to overpower anybody,” said Steele Canyon coach TODD SNYDER. “But the keeps the ball in the strike zone and makes the other team put the ball in play. That’s what he did today. He only struck out two guys but we made 19 outs in the field.”

Once again TANNER PERRY carried the offensive might for the Cougars as he went 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles and 3 RBI.

“Perry continues to be ridiculous with the bat,” Snyder commented. “Right now there’s no stopping him.”

MACKEY BOWERS followed Perry’s lead with 3 hits and 3 RBI.

NATHAN MURRAY was 2-for-2 with 4 runs scored for Steele Canyon.

It was a rough outing for Flannery, who surrendered 5 hits and 7 runs in 3 1/3 innings.

“He couldn’t get his off-speed pitches over the plate and we took advantage of that,” said Snyder of Flannery. “He did a good job of spotting his fastball but he couldn’t get by with one pitch.”

SEAN CROSBY was 3-for-3 for Valhalla to lead the Norsemen’s 10-hit attack.

SANTANA 8, MOUNT MIGUEL 1 – Santana’s ALAN STRONG and ANDY ENGALDO combined to spin a 7-hitter at visiting Mount Miguel in Wednesday’s (Apr. 10) Grossmont Valley League opener in Santee.

Strong worked the first six innings, allowing one run and 6 hits while striking out 9 and walking none.

Santana jumped in front with 3 runs in the opening frame. TOMMY LOGAN stroked an RBI single, and Diaz and MATHEW HUDSON added scoring fly balls.

The Sultans extended the lead on a 2-run double by TIM HUSON in the 2nd frame. Huson would turn the game into a blowout on a second 2-run double in the 6th inning.

Mount Miguel avoided the shutout in the 3rd inning on an RBI single by BRAD MORENO, who also had a double later in the game.

“We put ourselves in positions to succeed offensively and defensively but need to do a better job of finishing,” said Mount Miguel coach JASON BABINEAU.

MONTE VISTA 12, EL CAPITAN 4 – REILLY DIAZ was the ringleader in Monte Vista’s victory over host El Capitan in Wednesday’s (Apr. 10) Grossmont Valley League opener in Lakeside.

Not only did Diaz go 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles and 3 RBI to ignite the Monarchs’ 18-hit attack, he also pitched 5 1/3 innings to notch his 2nd win in 5 decisions.

Diaz’ biggest hit was a 2-run double in a 6-run inning for the Monarchs (7-12, 1-0 GVL), who turned the game into a blowout at that point. Diaz also had an RBI double in the 5th inning.

On the hill the senior left-hander also struck out 4 and walked none.

Right-fielder SEAN WHITE also had a career day for the Monarchs as he pounded out 4 hits in 5 at-bats while scoring 3 runs.

Not to be overlooked was PAUL O’CONNOR, who led off the game with his 2nd home run of the season.

Another standout for Monte Vista was ANDREW POIRIER who was 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and 2 runs scored.

El Capitan tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the 1st on ERIC LOZANO’s 3rd home run of the season.

But the Vaqueros (2-12-0-1 GVL) played chase after that.

JASON MOORMAN was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-10-13) — CHANDLER COSSIO blanked visiting Lincoln on two hits over the first six innings on Tuesday (Apr. 9) as Christian continued on for a 5-1 Central League victory over the Hornets.

Cossio walked five and struck out five as he earned his first victory since transferring from Granite Hills.

JOE ROSS pitched the final frame but surrendered one run on two hits and struck out two.

The Patriots (12-5, 1-1 CL) made the most out of five hits. They definitely had their hands full against Lincoln ’s 6-foot-5, 215-pound right-hander, Ian Hardman. Hardman only permitted the Patriots 2 hits in the first four innings, but he walked 9 and hit one, which enabled the Patriots to take a 4-0 lead.

“He’s a really intimidating pitcher,” said Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL. “He throws between 87 and 90 mph but he has trouble finding the strike zone.”

That was evident in this game.

Christian took the lead with 3 runs in the 2nd inning, which included an RBI single by CHRISTIAN MEZA. In fact he had the only hit in the inning as the rest of the frame consisted of four walks, a hit batter and two wild pitches.

In the 4th inning, following two walks, NICK JARVIS slashed an RBI single.

An inning later DAVID SUDA doubled to left, advanced to third on a base hit by WILLIAM HAIL and scored on a sacrifice fly by BRYCE JURRIES.

SANTANA 15, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 4 – The host Santana Sultans built an 11-0 lead after three innings and never looked back as they rolled to their 6th win in 14 games with a lopsided non-league victory over the Knights on Tuesday (Apr. 9).

DAULTON BARRY was a double threat for the Sultans as he pitched four innings without allowing an earned run to balance his record at 2-2. He was also 1-for-3 at the plate with 2 RBI and a run scored.

Santana took the lead with 2 runs in the 1st inning. NATHAN NUNEZ doubled, TOMMY LOGAN walked and TIM HUSON singled to load the bases. Then DARREN DIAZ singled to make it 1-0 and HOOTIE HUDSON walked with the bases loaded to make it 2-0.

Santana tacked on 5 runs in the 2nd inning, but the key blow was Nunez’ RBI triple.

The onslaught continued in the 3rd inning. Once again the rally was built on walks and hit batters. Barry’s 2-run single capped the inning.

COLTEN STUTZ paced Santana with 3 hits, 2 runs, an RBI and a stolen base. TYLER BROWNING also had 2 hits for the Sultans as did TIM HUSON.

Foothills Christian was limited to 4 singles. The Knights (7-4) scored all their runs in the 4th inning but nobody had an RBI.

© East County Sports.com
TIERRASANTA (4-9-13) — Serra High senior right-hander C.J. Burdick has been almost untouchable for the Conquistadors this season.

He limited the visiting Christian High Patriots to 2 earned runs and 7 hits over 6 2/3 innings as he rolled his record to 6-0 in Serra’s opening Central League 7-4 victory over the Patriots on Monday (Apr. 8).

“Burdick has been awfully tough. He only gave up six hits in his first five games, but we got seven hits against him,” said Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL.

One of the Patriots who had no trouble dealing with Burdick was BRANDON TARDIFF, who was 3-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base.

Christian was playing catch-up almost from the start as the Conquistadors took a 4-0 lead in the 3rd inning. The key blow was a 3-run double delivered by Serra catcher Cory Abbott.

“He just crushed the ball to dead center-field,” Mitchell said.

But Abbott wasn’t through. With the Q's clinging to a 5-4 advantage in the bottom of the 6th, Abbott ripped a 2-run single to put the game away.

“You know what really hurt the most about this game is three of the guys that scored reached base after being hit by a pitch, and the other one walked and scored,” Mitchell said. “If we don’t put those guys on base they can’t score.”

Christian hosts Lincoln Tuesday (Apr. 9) in the second game of the Central League season.

BONITA VISTA 10, MONTE VISTA 7 – After rallying from a 4-0 deficit, host Monte Vista ran out of gas down the stretch as the Monarchs succumbed to visiting Bonita Vista in Monday’s (Apr. 8) non-league action

Bonita Vista broke the game open with five runs in the 5th frame.

On the bright side Monte Vista senior KYLE BEDSOLE went 4-for-4 for the second straight game, giving him 8 consecutive hits. That offensive burst raised Bedsole’s average to .375.

Despite his offensive splash the Monarchs were unable to upend the Barons (9-8).

Monte Vista ’s downfall can be blamed on five errors.

The Monarchs (3-12) jumped in front with 3 runs in the 2nd inning on a 2-run single by SEAN WHITE and a run-scoring single by PAUL O’CONNOR.

Bonita Vista bounced back with 4 in the 3rd, but the Monarchs tied the game on an RBI groundout by White in the bottom of the inning.

The Monarchs added 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th but it was too little too late. Bedsole blasted a double and scored on a single by ANDREW POIRIER. REILLY DIAZ added a 2-run double but the Monarchs’ offense stalled after that.

© East County Sports.com
OTAY RANCH (4-7-13) — Lady Luck has turned her back on Monte Vista High’s KYLE BEDSOLE so far this season.

But the 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior finally caught a few breaks as visiting Monte Vista upset Otay Ranch 6-4 in 8 innings in a non-league game on Saturday (Apr. 6) in the South Bay.

Bedsole pitched 2 1/3 innings of hitless relief to post his 1st victory in 6 decisions.

Furthermore, he was 4-for-4 with 2 RBI at the plate.

“Bedsole has been a hardluck player,” said Monarchs coach MATT ATKINSON. “He hasn’t had too many bounces go his way, but today everything seemed to come out in his favor, and that’s long overdue.”

Otay Ranch (12-4) committed four costly errors to jump start the offense for the Monarchs (3-11). Nonetheless Monte Vista had to rally from a 3-1 deficit with three runs in the 5th and two in the 8th.

With the score knotted at 4-4 an Otay Ranch error opened the door to Monte Vista’s two-out winning rally.

After TYLER WILLIAMS reached base on an error by the shortstop, Monte Vista loaded the bases on singles by PAUL O’CONNOR and DEVIN PICKETT. AUSTIN CAOLE then singled home Williams to snap the tie, and a Bedsole basehit added an insurance run for the Monarchs.

Valhalla 6, Grossmont 5 (8 inn.)
When the elbow of Valhalla right fielder Jordan Qsar hits the top of the fence, the baseball became jarred loose, falling over the barrier for a home run by Grossmont's Hunter Stratton. (Photos by Don DeMars Photography) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

	Grossmont shortstop Nico Maida
	Valhalla's Corey Zimmerman (left) on a close play at first base as Grossmont's Dan Rolf hustles down the line.
	Valhalla left fielder Foster McNary prevents a Grossmont home run with this great grab above the fence. (Photo by Don DeMars Photography)
	Bill Dickens Grossmont Conf. Tournament Championship Results (since 2001) 2013 – Valhalla 6, Grossmont 5 (8 inn.) 2012 – El Capitan 11, at Grossmont 6 (11 inn.) 2011 – Helix 4, at El Capitan 2 2010 – at Valhalla 8, Santana 7 2009 – Helix 5, at Santana 1 2008 – El Capitan 7, at Granite Hills 2 2007 – Valhalla 5, at West Hills 4 2006 – Santana 6, at Valhalla 5 2005 – Granite Hills 11, at El Capitan 3 2004 – Grossmont 12, at Granite Hills 12 (tie; 7 inn., darkness) 2003 – El Capitan 9, at Mount Miguel 7 2002 – El Capitan 4, at Helix 2 2001 – at El Capitan 9, Valhalla 4 Prior to 2011, event went by either Grossmont Conference Tournament or Grossmont North/South Tournament.

By Mark Meadows and Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-6-13) — RAMSEY ROMANO placed his Valhalla High teammates on his back and carried the Norsemen (10-6) across the finish line for a 7-6 victory over the Grossmont Foothillers in 8 innings to earn the winner's crown in the 3rd annual Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament championship game on Friday (Apr. 5).

Romano (4-for-5, 1 run, 1 RBI) set the pace, but DOMENIC DONATO (double, 3 RBI) did the heavy lifting.

Romano's hitting and pitching kept Valhalla close, while Donato clutched up twice to steer the Norsemen home against the visiting Foothillers (11-4).

"After two blowouts, we kind of expected this type of game," said Romano of two previous lopsided splits. "I had another inning (pitching) in me if we needed it, but I'm glad we ended it in the 8th."

Valhalla took the early lead with 2 runs in the second inning. GIUSEPPE CASTANOS led with a double to left and COREY ZIMMERMAN was safe on an error. FOSTER McNARY plated Castanos with an infield single and Romano drove home the second run with a single to left.

Grossmont tied things up in the 3rd. PEYTON LINDSAY doubled to leftfield and later scored on a Valhalla wild pitch. Later in the inning BRETT STONE (2-for-4) singled home NOAH BUCHANAN who had reached on a walk, to knot the score at 2-2.

Grossmont would take its first lead an inning later when HUNTER STRATTON stroked a first pitch fastball over the right field wall for his second homer of the year. Stratton’s ball appeared to be off the end of the bat but carried through a crosswind where the Valhalla right-fielder got a glove on it only to drop it as he crashed into the fence.

TYLER GARDETTO followed with a double and later scored on a Valhalla balk to make it 4-2 Grossmont.

With Valhalla trailing 6-4 in the bottom of the 6th inning, Romano started a one-out rally with a single to center. A ground ball by JORDAN QSAR forced Romano at second base for out No. two. But Grossmont issued back-to-back walks to load the bases.

With two outs and the bases loaded, one had to wonder if the stage might be a tad too big for freshman Donato.

It wasn't.

After yanking a 3-2 fastball foul down the third base line, Donato smoked the next fastball over the leftfielder's head. Donato's drive would easily plate three Valhalla runs for the lead, but the ball hopped over the fence for a ground rule double, and only 2 runs would score to tie it at 6-6.

"I figured in that situation he (the pitcher) had to come to me," Donato stated. "I was actually looking away, but I got a pitch to drive and just tried to put a good swing on it."

Romano would leave his regular shortstop position to come in to face 6 batters over the final two innings to give the Norsemen a shot at the championship in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Of course it was Romano who started the victory flame by beating out an infield single to shortstop. Qsar then worked a walk. Following a sacrifice bunt by CHRIS HUDGINS, SEAN CROSBY was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Bring on Donato – again. He worked the count to 3-2. This time he sent a grounder into the hole at short. Foothillers shortstop NICO MAIDA (2-for-3) had no option but to try for the double play.

Grossmont got one out at second base but Donato beat the relay throw and Romano had scored the winning run and became the winning pitcher on the same swing of the bat.

Valhalla coach MIKE WILSON found many things to like about this victory.

"Our execution was much better today, and I like the way we battled back," he said. "After losing (2-1 to San Dieguito) in the Lions Tournament final, it's nice to come out on top this time."

With the rugged Grossmont Hills League starting play next Wednesday (Apr.10), both coaches know that even though the season is half over, it is really just beginning.

Grossmont coach CHAD WILLIAMS noted, "After the Valhalla games and our tough tournament schedule, I think our team is already battle tested. This will serve us well in league play."

Coach Wilson was on the same page. "Our league is so good we know that playing tough early games is only going to help us down the road."

Grossmont starting pitcher Brandon Weed

MOUNT MIGUEL 16, KING-CHAVEZ 0 – The Mount Miguel Matadors have been involved in a lot of lopsided games so far this season, but they had to be pleased by the results of Friday’s (Apr. 5) non-league encounter with the Vaqueros of King-Chavez Community School.

“I never even heard of the school before, but their coach was a pretty nice guy, called up and asked if he could get a game with us,” said Matadors coach JASON BABINEAU. “Since we had one point left, I said okay.”

And sure enough the game was a rout for the Matadors (3-11), who used a 7 run 3rd inning as a springboard.

Senior SEAN MARX was 4-for-4 with 2 RBI and 3 runs scored to pace the Matadors to the easy victory.

DANIEL RONK was 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI for Mount Miguel, while ENRIQUE KELLER paced the Matadors’ blowout inning with a 3-run double.

While JACOB CASTILLO was blanking the Vaqueros on one hit with 8 strikeouts over five innings for his 2nd win in three decisions, he was also 2-for-4 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI.

ERIC DE la ROSA contributed an RBI triple for Mount Miguel.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN at EL CAJON VALLEY – Friday's (Apr. 5) non-league contest is under protest tied at 10-10 in the bottom of the 7th inning.

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (4-5-13) — These are the kind of games where both teams are embarrassed.

The visiting Patriots of Christian High turned Thursday’s (Apr. 4) City Conference Tournament game into a 23-0 rout with 11 runs in the 3rd inning and pushed across nine more markers in the 4th, when activity was halted.

At that point the Patriots had the bases loaded and nobody out.

Eleven Patriots contributed to a 17-hit attack led by STEPHEN JOHNSTON, who was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and 2 RBI.

TREVOR HOWELL was 2-for-3 with a double, 4 RBI and 3 runs scored for Christian (11-4).

BRYCE JURRIES limited the Colts to one hit over three innings while striking out five.

Christian has an outside chance of playing for the City Conference Tournament championship on Saturday (Apr. 6). But that is to be determined by tie breakers with other teams.

Christian will open the Central League season Monday (Apr. 8) at Serra at 3:30 p.m.

Granite Hills pitcher Jayson Rose in a 4-hit shutout of visiting Monte Vista. (Photo by Frank Price, www.youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

Norsemen-Hillers to meet yet again
in battle for BDGCT championship

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-4-13) — Valhalla High will host Grossmont in Friday’s (Apr. 5) championship game of the 3rd annual Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament at 4 p.m.

Playing on the Grossmont Valley League side of the tournament bracket this spring, the Norsemen (9-6 overall), posted four wins in five pool play games to earn their ticket to the finals. Grossmont (11-3) was also 4-1 in pool play activity on the GHL side, but needed to win the tie-breaker for fewest runs allowed (11) to edge Granite Hills (14), West Hills (16) and Helix (19).

Ironically, the Foothillers registered a 9-0 romp over visiting Valhalla in Wednesday’s (Apr. 10) final round of Dickens tourney pool play to advance. Just one week earlier the Norsemen flattened the Foothillers 11-2 in the semifinals of the Premier Division of the 63rd Lions Tournament.

Don’t bet on the third meeting being a blowout

These teams will meet three more times in GHL action when league play commences on Wednesday (Apr. 10).

Grossmont High pitchers Zach Sestak (left) and Brandon Weed combined on a 2-hit shutout pf Valhalla. Sestak allowed just one hit over six innings. (Photos by Linda Byerline) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

GROSSMONT 9, VALHALLA 0 – Although the Foothillers scored in all six innings Wednesday (Apr. 3) during the final round of pool play in the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament, it doesn’t give them any specific advantage in the championship game.

Irony was the order of the day. It was Valhalla that kept Grossmont from advancing last week to the Lions Tournament finale. With today's Foothillers win over Valhalla, Grossmont proceeds to Friday's (Apr. 5) Dickens tourney championship game against, of course, Valhalla.

Foothillers starting pitcher ZACH SESTAK broke out the pitching stick on the Norsemen. The senior right-hander went 6 innings giving up just two singles while striking out 8 and walking 4. He got a chance to finish his handiwork, but yielded a lead walk in the 7th.

BRANDON WEED came on to get a double play and a strikeout to finish Valhalla.

"Knowing what's on the line helped keep me focused," Sestak said. "They ( Valhalla ) were pretty loud in the beginning, but I think it just helped me concentrate."

Grossmont coach CHAD WILLIAMS had high praise for his starting pitcher.

"Sestak gave us just what we needed today," Williams said. "In a tough game with tough circumstances, Zach turned in a quality performance."

Offensively, Grossmont was the recipient of some early charity as Valhalla loaded the bases with 3 walks. Senior centerfielder BRETT STONE (3-for-4, 4 RBI) then screamed a double inside the third base bag, plating two Foothillers.

Stone's day was just getting started. In the 3rd inning with nobody on, Stone found a curveball to his liking as he launched a solo homer to left field.

"I noticed they threw DEREK (RUSTICH) back-to-back curves, so it was in the back of my mind," Stone said. "I wasn't really looking curve, but after I got the first one, I was aware there might be a second one coming."

And going.

In the 4th, and following a HUNTER STRATTON (2-for-4) RBI double, Stone collected his 3rd hit with a single to center, bringing Stratton home.

Stone fell a hit short (triple) of the cycle, but admitted he was aware of the circumstances.

"Going into my final at-bat, I knew the situation," Stone added. "But right now I'm just trying to see things and react instead of thinking at the plate."

Valhalla 's lone hits were registered by SEAN CROSBY and DOMENIC DONATO.

Valhalla head coach MIKE WILSON likes the chances of his Norsemen.

"We've got one of our top guys going on the mound,” he said. “We are at home. We are playing for a tournament championship."

Williams echoed Wilson.

"We have momentum. We have plenty of pitching left. There will be plenty of energy on both sides to be sure."

— Mark Meadows

You Make The Call!

Helix High pitcher Frankie Nunez holds the ball high for the umpire to see, signifying he registered the out at the plate against Santana's Nathan Nunez... but did he tag out his namesake? CLICK PHOTO to find out. (Photos by Tony Bordine)

This game was more lopsided than it appeared for the Highlanders (7-7) as they took a 6-0 lead into the last inning.

RAY PETERSON led off the game with his 2nd home run of the season for the Highlanders.

In the 4th inning a key Santana error set Helix up for a pair of unearned runs.

In the 5th inning JORGE GARCIA hammered his 3rd home run of the season over the center field fence to make it 4-0 for Helix.

One inning later DERRICK CLARK singled and stole second, and eventually scored on a passed ball. But the Highlanders weren’t through as MIGUEL ARMENDARIZ scored on a pinch hit double by TONY JENNINGS.

Santana (5-8) avoided the shutout in the 7th inning on a sacrifice fly by HOOTIE HUDSON and an RBI single by DAULTON BARRY.

Helix coach COLE HOLLAND is pleased that his team has rebounded from a 1-5 start to balance its record at 7-7.

“Six of the teams we’ve lost to have been ranked in the Top 10 at one time or another,” Holland said.

Bottom line is Helix will probably be one of the challengers for the Grossmont Hills League title.

GRANITE HILLS 12, MONTE VISTA 0 – The Eagles broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the 4th as NOAH CUMMINGS doubled and scored on a base hit by JUSTIN MITCHELL. JORDAN VERDON added an RBI single and ROBERT BOSTEDT capped the inning with a 2-run single in Wednesday’s (Apr. 3) final round of pool play in the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

Pitching-short Monte Vista continued to take a beating down the stretch.

In the 5th inning the Eagles made it 5-0 as Noah Cummings singled and scored on a double by Mitchell.

Things got worse for the Monarchs (2-11) in the 6th inning as Granite Hills scored seven times. In the 6th inning the key hits were a bases-loaded triple by TRENTON BROOKS and a 2-run homer by JOSH ROSE.

Granite Hills first baseman Justin Mitchell comes off the base to snag the baseball, yet makes the sweep tag to register the out on Monte Vista batter Paul O'Connor. (Photo by Frank Price, www.youatplay.com) VIEW / PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

STEELE CANYON 15, MOUNT MIGUEL 1 – Steele Canyon rode the bat of TANNER PERRY, who was 4-for-5 with his 3rd home run and a double to drive in 5 runs in the Cougars (8-6) blowout of visiting Mount Miguel in Wednesday’s (Apr. 3) final round of pool play in the Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

In his last two games of the Dickens tourney Perry has collected 7 hits in 9 at-bats, including 2 home runs and 8 RBI as well as a double and 2 stolen bases.

“Tanner is really locked in right now,” said Cougars coach TODD SNYDER. “But the real test will come when we get into our league when the competition is a lot tougher.”

In the rout of Mount Miguel the Cougars pounded out a dozen hits. SAM MELERO contributed a 2-run triple and BERNY ARIPEZ slugged a 2-run double.

On the pitching side ALEX VESIA and Melero blanked the Matadors (2-13) on 2 hits to post the victory, while JOSH MEDEIROS rationed Mount Miguel to one run on 3 hits to earn his first save.

Mount Miguel’s only run came in the 7th inning on a base hit by BRAD MORENO.

WEST HILLS 6, EL CAPITAN 3 – West Hills senior southpaw DAVID HESSLINK, a transfer from Maryland, has taken a liking to the California sunshine. Fact is Hesslink is the winningest pitcher in East County after posting his 5th win in six decisions as the Wolf Pack (10-3) mowed down visiting El Capitan (2-11) in the final round of pool play in the 3rd annual Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament on Wednesday (Apr. 3).

Hesslink permitted only two earned runs and 4 hits while striking out 6 batters in five innings. Reliever KRIS AGUILAR surrendered just two hits in as many innings to earn his first save.

Thanks to a pair of El Capitan errors NOAH ORTIZ was able to slug a two-run double in the 1st inning for West Hills, which took a 3-0 lead and never looked back.

CHASE PARSONS was 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored and 3 stolen bases for the Pack.

El Capitan’s TRAVIS BAKER slugged a 3-run double in the 5th inning which cut West Hills’ lead to a single run.

But the Vaqueros would garner only two other hits, which spoiled the pitching of TRISTAN DUNCAN who allowed only one earned run and struck out 5 in four innings.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-3-13) — Senior transfer CHANDLER COSSIO made his Christian High pitching debut against visiting Vista-Calvary Christian in Tuesday’s (Apr. 2) City Conference encounter.

He left the mound trailing 4-0, however his new Patriots teammates, who were hitless in the first four frames, came to life in the 5th and went on to claim a 6-4 victory.

“It’s nice to have a comeback like this because it’s usually gone the opposite way for us – having to play catch-up almost every game,” said Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL.

But Christian (10-4) manufactured six runs in its final two at-bats to gain the swing vote and the victory.

The 5th inning rally began when BRANDON TARDIFF was hit by a pitch. He eventually scored on a single by NICK JARVIS, which was Christian’s first run and hit in the game.

The Patriots proceeded to load the bases on a walk to winning pitcher STEPHEN JOHNSTON and a single by TREVOR HOWELL. CHRISTIAN MEZA was hit by a pitch to score Jarvis.

After that TYLER LESLIE delivered no doubt the biggest hit of the game when he doubled in 2 to tie the game at 4-4.

While Johnston was limiting the Lions (4-9) to two hits and no earned runs over the final three innings, the Patriots pushed across the winning markers in the bottom of the 6th.

BRYCE JURRIES singled and KYLE STOWERS reached base on an error, leaving runners on first and second. A.J. GREGOROVIC then doubled in Jurries and when the Lions misplayed the relay, Stowers also scored.

“We made the most of the least,” Mitchell said. “When you only get 5 hits it’s not that easy to score 6 runs."

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
SPRING VALLEY (4-2-13) — Steele Canyon High junior TANNER PERRY was a double-threat for the Cougars, who sneaked past host Monte Vista, 4-2, in Monday’s (Apr. 1) fourth round of the 3rd annual Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

As a batter, Perry pelted three Monte Vista pitchers for two hits and three RBI in four at-bats, including a 2-run home run in the 3rd inning that helped stake the Cougars (7-6) to a 3-0 advantage. He also stole two bases.

But Perry’ biggest contribution probably came on defense as Steele Canyon’s shortstop.

With the Cougars leading 4-0 in the bottom of the 6th, Monte Vista started a comeback on a leadoff single by PAUL O’CONNOR. Two errors by the Cougars’ defense and a walk to ANDREW POIRIER loaded the bases. O’Connor scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-1.

Cleanup hitter KYLE BEDSOLE then lined a shot that was headed to left field and would have cut Steele Canyon ’s lead to a single run had Perry not made a diving snag. Not only did that catch deny the Monarchs any runs, Perry leaped to his feet and fired to second to turn a double play.

Another Steele Canyon error handed the Monarchs a second run in the same inning, but that’s when the scoring ended.

Of his catch on the double play, Perry said, “The ball was hit into the 5-6 hole. I slipped at first but managed to dive and catch it.”

That was probably the key play to make a winner of BRANDON BROWN, a converted catcher who was making his first varsity pitching performance for the Cougars. The transfer from Grossmont High allowed only 4 hits and no earned runs while striking out 7 in six innings.

SEAN McCARTHY came on to set the Monarchs down in order in the 7th inning to earn his 2nd save.

“You could tell Brandon was really nervous,” Perry said. “But he’s a competitor and he’s going to help us out down the road. This was a great start for him.”

With two out in the 3rd inning of a scoreless game, SAM MELERO slugged the first of his 2 doubles to ignite a Cougars rally. NATHAN MURRAY then followed with a single and the left-fielder let the ball get by, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Perry then hit a 3-2 fastball over the left-center field fence to give Steele Canyon a lead it wouldn’t lose. It was Perry’s 2nd home run this season.

“I knew he was going to challenge me so I was expecting a fastball right down the middle and that’s what I got,” Perry said. “I wasn’t sure it was going to go out because the wind was blowing in, so I was running as hard as I could.”

The good news for Monte Vista (2-10) was O’Connor, who has been hampered by tendinitis in his pitching arm and limited to designated hitting duties, finally got out on the field and performed admirably at third base and shortstop. He was 2-for-4, accounting for half of the Monarchs offense.

GROSSMONT 12, EL CAPITAN 3 – The visiting Foothillers pounded out 17 hits as they destroyed El Capitan in Monday’s (Apr. 1) fourth round of the 3rd annual Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

The cornerstone of the latest victory for the 10-3 Foothillers was third baseman DEREK RUSTICH. Not only did the Texas Tech-bound Rustich drive in 3 runs with a double and a triple, he also put on a Brooks Robinson-like defensive display at the hot corner.

“He really put on a show defensively,” said Grossmont coach CHAD WILLIAMS. “I wasn’t sure if he could play third base at the higher levels, but I’m pretty sure now.”

Shortstop NICO MAIDA also drove in 3 runs for the Foothillers, while DAN ROLF whacked a 2-run homer. PEYTON LINDSAY was 3-for-4 and NOAH BUCHANAN had a pair of doubles and was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI.

This game was not without its oddities. Catcher HUNTER STRATTON was 3-for-4 but was robbed of a home run when the base umpire decided a towering fly ball had landed in foul territory.

“Everybody in the stands knew that was fair, but the man in blue said it wasn’t,” said Williams. “It was a weird game because Rolf hit a home run that ricocheted off a telephone pole in the outfield that I thought for sure they would argue about that too, but they didn’t.

“We had an obvious base hit to the outfield but the umpire said the guy caught it. He was the only one who didn’t think it was short-hopped – but what’re you gonna do?”

Six of Grossmont’s 17 hits went for extra bases, and that was more than enough for 6-foot-7 starting pitcher JOEY VISKAS, who rolled his record to 4-0. J.T. BARNES finishing with two innings of 1-hit shutout relief.

El Capitan attempted to make a game of it in the bottom of the 1st after the Foothillers took a 3-0 lead by scoring 2 runs.

AUSTIN CURO-RUIS got hit by a pitch, ERIC LOZANO singled and a throwing error plated the Vaqueros’ first run. CONRAD STANTON had an RBI single in the opening frame.

El Capitan would not score again until TRAVIS BAKER’s RBI double in the 5th inning.

VALHALLA 10, GRANITE HILLS 3 – The Norsemen of Valhalla secured the host site for Friday’s (Apr. 5) third annual Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament championship game after blowing out Granite Hills on Monday (Apr. 1).

The Norsemen hammered two of Granite Hills’ best for 13 hits in the lopsided victory.

Valhalla (9-5), which has won eight of its last 10 games, jumped on the Eagles’ undefeated ace DANIEL VASQUEZ (4-1) for 7 runs and 8 hits in four innings.

RAMSEY ROMANO led the charge for the Norsemen with a 3-for-4 effort while scoring 3 runs and driving in another.

DOMENIC DONATO drove in 2 runs with a pair of doubles for Valhalla, which also got 2 RBI apiece from JORDAN QSAR and SEAN CROSBY.

SEAN FLANNERY pitched six innings and did not allow an earned run as he ran his record to 3-1 for the Norsemen. Romano pitched the final inning and escaped unscathed.

For Granite Hills, there wasn’t much to say as the Eagles have lost three of their last four.

HELIX 11, MOUNT MIGUEL 4 – Although off to a slow start don’t count out COLE HOLLAND’s Helix Highlanders.

The Scotties have won five of their last seven including Monday’s (Apr. 1) fourth round game of the 3rd annual Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament at Mount Miguel, and cannot be overlooked.

Once again pitching was Helix’s strong suit as JEREMIAH WYLIE limited the Matadors to 3 runs and 5 hits in his six inning stint. JESSE RICARD pitched a hitless 7th inning to finish the job.

Helix hammered out a dozen hits against two Mount Miguel pitchers. The Highlanders (6-7) forged in front with a pair of runs in the 3rd innings – a sacrifice fly by JORGE GARCIA and a single by NICO ALCOSER.

In the 4th inning SHANE NOBIENSKY hit the first of his 2 doubles, driving in MIGUEL ARMENDARIZ. ZACH MUIR and Garcia also had RBI singles to make it 5-0.

In the bottom of the 5th Mount Miguel bounced back with 4 runs led by BRAD MORENO’s two run double. JACOB CASTILLO grounded out to drive in a 3rd run and ENRIQUE KELLER singled to leave the Matadors trailing only 5-4.

“When it’s a one-run game it can come down to a bad hop here or there,” said Holland. “I’m proud of our guys. We started 1-5 it the beginning of the year and now we’re 6-7.”

Helix broke away with 5 runs in the 6th inning. The key hit was a 2-run triple by Armendariz. RAY PETERSON also had an RBI triple and Muir had an RBI single, while Alcoser drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

It was another hard luck loss for the Matadors (2-12).

“Against good team like Helix we need to put ourselves in more optimal position to succeed early in the inning,” observed Mount Miguel coach JASON BABINEAU.

WEST HILLS 16, SANTANA 2 – CHASE PARSONS and HAYDEN SCHILLING drove in 3 runs apiece to help the Wolf Pack take an 8-0 lead in the 2nd inning and continue on to a lopsided victory over crosstown rival Santana in Monday’s (Apr. 1) fourth round of the 3rd annual Bill Dickens Grossmont Conference Tournament.

The Wolf Pack, which improved to 9-3, scored in five of the seven innings while banging out 13 hits to support the pitching of WILL BENNETT and DEVIN WOLF.

Bennett worked the first five innings, allowing only 2 hits and one run to earn his 4th win without a loss. Wolf pitched the final two frames, allowing only one hit and one run.

It was a tough day for the Sultans, who collected only 3 hits and saw their record dip to 5-7.

Non-League
EL CAJON VALLEY 5, CRAWFORD 3 – The Braves, winners of a mere two of 50 ballgames over the previous two seasons, made it two victories in 2013 after downing the host Colts in Monday's (Apr. 1) non-league contest.

According to secondary sources, JONATHAN ROJAS registered a pair of RBI, while ANDY RUE posted three hits.

No report by the El Cajon Valley coaching staff.