Mira Mesa's Katiyaba Mauga hits home run No. 41 (MMHS courtesy photo)

Mauga finally registers her record homer By Nick Pellegrino © East County Sports.com MIRA MESA (5-10-13) — A long, difficult season for University of Arizona bound slugger KATIYANA MAUGA finakky gained a silver lining. With her Mira Mesa Marauders situated on the bubble for a CIF San Diego Section playoff berth, the senior was all too aware Thursday (May 9) might be her final high school game, and her final chance to gain an important entry to the record book. Fortunately, the season-long chase saw the record come to fruition. In the 3rd inning, the powerful Mauga utilized an inside-out swing on an inside pitch at her knees, sending a rainbow to the opposite field which barely over the right-field fence. Luckily, barely counts, as Mauga registered career home run No. 41 to squal the second record. "I was thinking this could be my last game, my last chance at the record because we don't know if we'll make the playoffs," said Mauga. "Unlike my first three years, this is a really young team, so we haven't been as successful as in the past, so I've had fewer opportunitites." Patrick Henry right fielded ALLY FAILLACE, playing towards the gap for the power hitter, raced deep into the corner to chase the ball, but it dropped over the fence by just a foot or two. "You could see me screaming and waving my arms -- I was so excited," she added. "People have been talking about the record since last season, so I would've been really disappointed not to get it." "I just hope this team can get into the playoffs. It would be important to the team and I would get at least one more game to break the record." Mauga equalled the mark set by Trina Harrison of Oceanside (2004-08). Mauga also moved into second place on the career RBI list.

Steele Canyon pitcher Rachel Beasley (Photo by James Kramer)

Steele Canyon scored seven times in the 1st inning, while seven players recorded multiple-hit games in down the Highlanders in Thursday's (May 9) Grossmont Hills League finale. The game only went six innings due to the run rule.

GRACE KRAMER pitched four innings of shutout ball to gain the victory. RACHEL BEASLEY tossed the final two frames to gain the save.

Kramer also matched teammate TORI YANITOR by driving in two runs each. Yanitor then matched KALI SCHWARTZ with a pair of doubles each.

For Helix, Senior Day honorees CHANELLE WARD (2-for-3) and KEANA NAKATA (1-for-3) collected all of the hits for the Highlanders.

VALHALLA 6, GROSSMONT 1 — The Norsemen completed a perfect 5-0 second-round sweep of Grossmont Hills League opponents by shutting down the Foothillers on Thursday (May 9).

Norsemen pitcher ASHLEY MADARA struck out eight Hillers in tossing a 3-hitter.

ABIGAIL METSCH was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while MADISON LABSHERE added three hits and a walk. Freshman BRANDI KOHEL also posted theee hits plus and RBI.

All three hits for Grossmont were registered by WHITNEY DIBB, including a double.

WEST HILLS 5, GRANITE HILLS 0 — Wolf Pack junior KATIE BYRD homered on Senior Day in western Santee in a GHL triumhph over the Eagles.

Granite Hills outfielder Alissa Budvarson with a diving catch to rob West Hills. (Photo by Suzy Lahitte) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

Grossmont Valley League
EL CAPITAN 10, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 (5 inn.) — On Senior Day in Lakeside, the visiting Braves were gracious to allow Vaqueros senior DELANIE GOURLEY to pitch, mowing down all six batters she faced on strikeouts in Thursday's (May 9) GVL run-rule victory. One of the Ks was career No. 1,300 for Gourley (No. 13), retiring a Braves batter who also wears No. 13.

SANTANA 10, MONTE VISTA 1 — Will be updated soon... writer on the Disabled List... lol

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-10-13) — East County Sports sportswriter Nick Pellegrino was released from Grossmont Hospital after suffering a concussion during Thursday's (May 9) Eastern League softball at Mira Mesa High School.

Moments after Marauders senior Katiyana Mauga slugged her CIF San Diego Section career record-tying 41st home run, Pellegrino was struck in the side of his head by a football being tossed by several Mira Mesa students.

According to several witnesses, the receiver lost the ball in the sun, glanced off his hands and struck Pellegrino.

Pellegrino was knocked out, but told a Mira Mesa parent – who is a medic at MCAS Miramar – he was dizzy but fine. However, he was later taken to Grossmont Hospital with assistance from the West Hills High softball coaching staff – he stopped at the school on his way home – when suffering additional symptoms.

© East County Sports.com
SAN CARLOS (5-9-13) — Patrick Henry High pitchers ERIN SHICK and ALLY FAILLACE combined for the Eastern League's first no-hitter of the season, leading the Patriots past visiting Morse, 10-0 in five innings.

The pair allowed just three Tigers baserunners on an error and two walks. However, the pitchers faced just one batter above the minimum thanks to a pair of double plays.

"Our defense was just outstanding," said Patriots head coach DON SHAFFER. "While our pitchers were hitting their spots very, very well."

Included was a 5th-inning twin-killing when Patrick Henry third baseman MADDIE BARRAZO snared a line drive, then fired to first baseman DANIELLE ROMERO to catch a Tigers runner who failed to freeze.

ANYA VANDERSIP paced the offense with a pair of basehits for two RBI. In the 1st, Vandersip doubled home Barraza, who would score twice after getting hit by a pitch and walking.

SIERRA ALTMEYER also scored twice and recorded a run-scoring single, while Romero had a double and a pair of RBI.

Shick pitched the first three innings to collect the victory. Faillace tossed the final two frames to garner the save.

MIRA MESA 10, SERRA 5 — In a day for the underclassmen, Marauders center fielder KRISTEN "K.P." PARKER registered a pair of RBI without the aid of a basehit, while teammates ASHLEY MORAN and JORDYN NOWAKOWSKI each drove in two runs by more traditional means, doubling the Conquistadors score in Wednesday's (May 8) Eastern League rain make-up ballgame.

Parker gained her first RBI on a sacrifice fly, when Mira Mesa scored four times in the 1st inning to assume early command. The freshman later grounded into a bases-loaded fielder's choice in the 4th for another run.

Moran and Nowakowski each picked up an RBI on sacrifice flies,

Meanwhile, KATIYANA MAUGA batted 2-for-2 with an RBI double in the 1st. She later walked and was hit by a pitch.

Also collecting two hits for Mira Mesa were KYLIE NELSON and QUIRISA MAUGA.

For Serra, ASHLEY BLAKELY slugged a 2-run double to left-center field in the 3rd, trimming the Q's deficit to 6-2.

In the 7th, MEGAN POOLE doubled, CAITLIN LAWLER singled, then ELONTAY COLLINS ripped a 2-run triple, with Collins also scoring when the throw to third base went astray.

Valhalla right fielder Emily Howard (Photo by James Labshere)

MIRANDA THOMAS pitched the first four innings to collect the win, as ASHLEY MADARA and KIRSTEN GALLO tossed one inning each to close out the Scotties. They also received defensive assistance from EMILY HOWARD, who snared a line drive ticketed for the right-field corner, preventing two runners from scoring.

ABIGAIL METSCH also made a nice catch in front of the visitors dugout, as the third baseman caughr a bunt that flared low into foul territory,

Leading the offense was BROOKE HAYES, who went 2-for-4 and knocked in three runs, while Thomas and KATIE SCHMIDT had two RBI each.

In attition, the Norsemen received two hits each from MADISON LABSHERE (3 runs scored), DANEILLE UY (3 runs scored) and ANNAMARIE IULIANO.

Granite Hills senior Kimmy Triolo (left) steals second base, despite the effort of Grossmont shortstop Hayley Kasden. The Eagles won, 4-0. (Photo by Suzy Lahitte) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-8-13) — Moments after a power failure shut down the neighborhood surrounding Granite Hills High School, Eagles slugger VICTORIA HATHAWAY single-handedly delivered her own type of power regeneration.

Hathaway, a sophomore third baseman, immediately flipped the switch by drilling a 2-run homer to left-center field, fueling Tuesday's (May 7) 4-0 decision over visiting Grossmont.

Also delivering was Granite Hills pitcher KIMMI TRIOLO.

In her first action in the circle since a forearm injury some three weeks ago, the Biola bound senior limited the Foothillers to just two hits in tossing a shutout to maintain the school's window to reach next week's CIF playoffs.

"I didn't even know the power went out," said Hathaway. "But I felt it when the ball came off the bat."

Bri Tyseling with one of her tough catches to rob the Foothillers (Photo by Suzy Lahitte)

The first grab saw Tyseling charge a low liner by Grossmont's SARAH NICKS in the 3rd, sliding forward to get her glove under the ball. Two innings later, Nicks batted again and took a huge swing which sent Tyseling back, only to realize the ball would barely reach the outfield.

"She swung at the ball so hard and it made a loud noise, my reaction was the ball was going over my head," noted Tyseling, a junior. "So I had to pump up to catch it all athletically."

"Kimmy was great – it was like it was always there."

Triolo's start was tentative, walking the game's first batter, then allowing a basehit. However, as she regained her control, the only other hit she would allow was a 5th-inning double to CEL DAVILA.

"Because of the rain, I didn't get to practice on Monday, so this was the first time I have pitched since Thursday," noted Triolo. "It took me some time to find my pitches. I believe I can do better with more preparation."

And when she did, Triolo finished with nine strikeouts in one of her most dominating efforts of the season.

Granite Hills opened the scoring in the 1st when catcher KRISTINA LAHITTE singled home Hathaway.

"It was great to be able to share Senior Day with Kimmi being able to pitch," noted Lahitte. "We've been together for four years,
so it was important for us to be out there together."

Grossmont third baseman Katherine Treho (left) applies to tag Granite Hills baserunner Felicia Vincent, but she's ruled safe. (Photo by Suzy Lahitte)

Wall was the lone player with multiple hits in a 2-for-3 outing.

STEELE CANYON 4, WEST HILLS 1 — In her final regular-season home game, Cougars pitcher GRACE KRAMER kept the Grossmont Hills League champion Wolf Pack off balance throughout Tuesday's (May 7) Senior Day victory. She struck out two, registering the majority of her outs on balls to her infielders.

Steele Canyon, with 10 seniors on the roster (matching El Cajon Valley's total; second only to 11 at Santana), handed West Hills a second straight defeat since clinching, leaving the door open to gain a share of the title if the Cougars can defeat Helix on Thursday, plus a West Hills setback to Granite Hills.

KYLIE STEAGALL set the tone early with a 1st-inning homer, hammering a full count pitch over the fence in left-center field for her fifth of the season.

An inning later, MOLLY HUTCHISON bombed a 2-run home to center – her sixth of the year – for a 3-0 advantage. Then in the 3rd, BRITTANY FITCH doubled over the center fielder's head, coming around on a sacrifice bunt and a ground out for an RBI by MELISSA PAINE.

The Cougars defense then took over to back Kramer with a series of nice stops Included was a snag of a swinging bunt by Kramer, who then fired to PRISCILLA FITCH at first base for an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the 2nd.

Steele Canyon also completed double plays in the 3rd and 4th.

West Hills got on the board in the 6th when MEL EGGLESTON singled to right, then moved around on a KATIE BYRD bunt, then an RBI single up the middle by KELCI ELLIS-ALVAREZ.

The final Cougars run came in similar fashion. TORI YANITOR lined a basehit to right-center, was bunted to second base, then scored on a run-scoring line single to left-center by KALI SCHWARTZ. Both Yanitor and Schwartz went 2-for-3.

Grossmont Valley League
EL CAPITAN 15, MOUNT MIGUEL 2 (5 inn.) — Sophomore KACIE HOSTETLER capped a 7-run, 1st-inning explosion with a grand slam, lifting the Vaqueros past the host Matadors at Trude Field.

Hostetler, who gained the start at catcher, made a winner of pitcher COURTNEY WILLIAMS, who fired 4 1/3 innings of shutout ball until Mount Miguel snapped a stretch of 36 consecutive runs by El Capitan over a pair of Grossmont Valley League ballgames this season.

With Hostetler behind the plate, regular catcher ERIN HUMPHREYS started at shortstop, while DELANIE GOURLEY, who normally plays first base when not pitching, found herself in left field in a series of roster moves by head coach Joe Cota.

Williams finished with four strikeouts.

No information was reported by Mount Miguel.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-4-13) — CIF-San Diego Section playoff pairings will be released next weekend, with Santana and Scripps Ranch high schools expecting high seeds as two of the hottest ballclubs in the county.

On Friday (May 3), each school posted important road victories. The Sultans won for the 12th time in their last 13 contests, blanking host Escondido , 2-0. Meanwhile, the Falcons made it 10 victories in 11 outings after whipping Grossmont, 8-0.

SANTANA 2, ESCONDIDO 0 — Senior pitcher AMBER SCHISLER tosses another shutout, a 4-hitter, while the Sultans recorded single runs in the 1st and 2nd innings to conquer the Cougars.

The right-hander scattered four hits, including two in the 2nd inning, but her defense bailed her out.

With Escondido runners on the corners, the hosts attempted a double-steal. However, Sultans catcher KAYTI GRABLE fired the ball to shortstop ARIEL RASMUSSON, who was charging home instead of covering second. Her return throw to Grable was good for the out at the plate.

Schisler also batted 2-for-4, including a double which led to the first run. Her one-out shot to center field was good for a double, as courtesy runner AHNALIN BARKHIMER advanced to third on a Grable grounder to the right side, then home on a double to right field by TARA GRENNAN (2-for-3 and a walk).

An inning later, senior BRIDGETTE FRIES led off with a basehit to right, later scoring from third base on an infield single by CATHRYN CANCILLER-PETTY.

SCRIPPS RANCH 8, GROSSMONT 0 — The Falcons posted their third consecutive shutout behind six solid innings from MAKAYLA MARTIN in stopping the host Foothillers.

Martin struck out five batters, then freshman ALLIE PETTY tossed the 7th inning to close out the triumph.

Over the last 10 games (67 innings), Scripps Ranch owns five shutouts, allowing just six runs (three earned).

The Falcons posted an early 2-0 lead, then broke it open with five runs in the 5th. After loading the bases, AMANDA ROBINSON slapped a 2-run single to double the lead. The outburst was capped on a run-scoring double by ALLIE RUSSELL, then an RBI single from LAUREN LIPE, as the entire batting order contributed.

"We really are coming together as a team," noted Lipe, a freshman left fielder. "And Makayla really can get a lot of ground balls, which gives all of us a lot of confidence."

MARISA DATKO led the offense with three hits, while Russell and Lipe each went 2-for-4.

PATRICK HENRY 9, MONTE VISTA 7 — The Patriots dominated for five innings, mounting an 8-0 lead. But when the visiting Monarchs scored seven times in the 6th, the hosts needed to re-enter several starters to hang on to win Friday's (May 3) non-league ballgame.

SIERRA ALTMEYER and CHEYENNE CHAPMAN each posted three hits and a pair of RBI, helping the Patriots scored four times in the 1st, then three more in the 3rd to claim a 7-0 cushion.

DANIELLE ROMERO also went 2-for-4 for the Patriots.

In addition, junior outfielder MacKENZIE JONTE, in her initial plate appearances of the season, batted 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE at CHRISTIAN — The Red Hawks of Buckman Springs are having a trying season, so this non-league contest was cancelled by mutual agreement.

MOUNT MIGUEL 20, SD-SOUTHWEST 9 — No further information was reported.

The colors wave at Valhalla High's Leto Field. (Photo by James Labshere)

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (5-3-13) — Santana High pitcher AMBER SCHISLER equaled an all-time Grossmont Conference record Thursday (May 2), driving in nine runs in allowing the Sultans to run-rule visiting El Cajon Valley, 27-2 in five innings, to highlight Senior Day at Santana.

Schisler, who also tossed no-hit ball in her three innings in the circle to gain the victory, tied the conference mark, set by former Steele Canyon standout LORENA KLOPP (now Bauer), who posted 9 RBI in a 2007 ballgame against SD-High Tech.

Santana batted around in the 1st inning when they scored nine times, including a 2-run homer and a 2-run double. In between run-scoring singles in the 2nd and 4th, she added a 3-run homer in the 3rd, one of three shots by the Sultans in the inning.

Also hitting homers for Santana in the 3rd were KENDRA KUPER, a 3-run blast, and TARA GRENNAN, a solo shot.

Schisler finished with a 5-for-5 outing, while catcher KAYTI GRABLE went 4-for-4, including three doubles off the left-field fence.

El Cajon Valley scored single runs in the 4th and 5th innings.

Braves shortstop NOELLE PONTIUS opened the 4th with a double, with the shutout ending on a two-out basehit by center fielder BRIANNA MORGAN.

An inning later, walks to ANNA MARRUFU, YESSICA HOLQUIN and Pontius loaded the bases, with Marrufu coming home on a basehit by first baseman JESSICA SNOW.

MONTE VISTA 23, MOUNT MIGUEL 11 — The Monarchs registered their highest run total this century, topping the 20 scored against Lincoln in 2010. No details reported.

GROSSMONT HILLS LEAGUE
More overtime for Valhalla
Norsemen hand first league loss to West Hills

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-3-13) — It's one thing to win a league championship, but when you check any archives, taking an East County softball or baseball title with an undefeated record is a totally different mountain to climb.

And the Grossmont Hills League champion West Hills Wolf Pack again discovered how difficult the accomplishment can be.

One game after clinching at least a share of the GHL crown, Valhalla took away any opportunity at the additional glory by walking, literally, to a 5-4 triumph in 12 innings. A bases-loaded walk to MIRANDA THOMAS finally decided this marathon.

"Everybody was hot and tired, playing so hard to beat each other," said Norsemen head coach MARK OBNEY.

Valhalla took a 4-2 lead with three runs after loading the bases in the 4th.

MADISON LABSHERE tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing home BRANDI KOHEL (walk). The go-ahead runs came on a two-out double to right-center field by EMILY ORDONEZ, scoring KAYLIE HIPWELL and DANIELLE UY (consecutive basehits).

West Hills answered with singles runs in the 5th and 6th, then the pitching staffs took over. The Valhalla defense also produced inning-ending double plays in extra innings.

Labshere, the shortstop, ranged into the outfield to rob West Hills of the go-ahead run, then throwing to second base for a double play in the 10th. An inning later, Thomas, who was moved to right field made a knee-high catch, then also doubling-off a baserunner.

Steele Canyon first baseman Kali Schwartz makes the stretch, but Granite Hills' Kristina Lahitte is safe to avoid the Cougars' double play attempt. The sliding Eagles base runner at second base is Cassidy Coker; the defender is Brottany Fitch (12). (Photo by Suzy Lahitte) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

STEELE CANYON 7, GRANITE HILLS 6 — An early power display by the Cougars nearly disappeared before they were finally able to stave off the Eagles in GHL action Thursday (May 2).

MOLLY HUTCHISON and KALI SCHWARTZ each hit home runs off the scoreboard in left field to help mount a 4-0 lead. Then in the 3rd, TORI YANITOR slugged a 2-run triple, scoring on a sacrifice fly by GRACE KRAMER.

However, Granite Hills bounced back with the help of a series of Cougars errors. So Steele Canyon re-entered several starters, with Kramer finally collecting the pitching win with a strikeout and a soft pop fly to strand the potential game-tying runner at third base. Kramer finished with six strikeouts.

Hutchison finished with three RBI, coming on her 5th homer of the season in the 1st. Schwartz posted a 3-for-4 outing, including her first homer of the season in the 2nd. Meanwhile, MELISSA PAINE went 2-for-4.

Grossmont outfielder Kayla appenzeller (Photo by Steve Crisci)

GROSSMONT 12, HELIX 1 (5 inn.) — Foothillers freshman CARLY PEARSON started and ended a huge 8-run rally in the 1st inning, marking an early knockout of the Highlanders in Thursday's (May 2) Grossmont Hills League game.

Pearson ignited the outburst with a one-out single, eventually scoring the opening run. She later capped the inning with a 2-run double, highlighting a 3-for-4 outing at the plate.

WHITNEY DIBB also added a run-scoring double, following by five Grossmont singles before Pearson registered her second hit of the frame.

Grossmont added four runs in the 5th. MEGAN MALWITZ walked, followed by RBI doubles from CEL DAVILA and Pearson. SARAH NICKS followed with a 2-run homer, her eighth of the season.

The lone Scotties run came courtesy of a solo homer by DESIRAE BORDINE in the 4th. She clouted a tape-measure shot to center field.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-2-13) — In a game played under the "five cap" rule, El Capitan High scored in every inning to defeat host El Cajon Valley, 14-3, in Wednesday's (May 1) Grossmont Valley League make-up contest.

Senior right fielder BREAN NOBLE paced the Vaqueros with three doubles, while MARISA CUEVAS scored three times, making a winner of starting pitcher COURTNEY WILLIAMS, who batted 3-for-4.

In addition, ERIN HUMP{HREYS and NICOLE BALLINGER each batted 2-for-4.

Williams carried a shutout into the 5th inning, but the Braves closed strongly. Included were RBI singles by YESSICA HOLGUIN and CASSIE MILLAN, scoring CRISTINA VALENZUELA and SANA SIAL, while ANNA MARRUFU scored on a passed ball.