Maida is a Dirtbag!
Second baseman accepts Long Beach St. offer

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (6-17-14) — Grossmont College freshman second baseman NICO MAIDA has accepted a baseball scholarship to Long Beach State .

Nico Maida

“Long Beach State has been my dream school since I was a sophomore in high school,” said Maida, a graduate of Grossmont High. “I’m stoked that I’ve got the opportunity to play there. I can’t wait to leave and get started.”

By selecting the Dirtbags, Maida turned down offers from Cincinnati, Michigan and UC Riverside.

“I was looking for a big school but weather was a major factor,” Maida acknowledged.

Griffins coach RANDY ABSHIER noted that the majority of the schools recruiting Maida were looking for a left-hand-hitting middle infielder.

“You can’t believe how few those type of players there are,” Abshier said. “That certainly worked to Nico’s advantage. He’s a gap-to-gap guy who rarely strikes out.”

This is the third Division I player in the last two years who has earned a scholarship after just his freshman season at Grossmont College .

“This is good for our program,” Abshier noted. “We like to win championships of course, but our primary goal is that we prove that we can get players out as soon as they show they are capable of making it.”

Maida spent the weekend in Long Beach . He committed to Long Beach State head coach Troy Buckley on Sunday (June 15).

“Going to Grossmont College proved to be one of the best moves of my career,” Maida said. “It’s a great program. They do what they say they will.”

Abshier credited infield coach SAM PEPPER for helping his infielders improve their defensive skills.

“Maida is a perfect example, because he moved from shortstop to second base,” Abshier pointed out.

Another East County product included KEVIN GINKEL out of El Capitan, who played baseball at Southwestern.

Griffins earning honorable mention are: Shane Coleman, Neil Lang, Zach Ambrose, Keith Kruger, Stephen Haviar and Jordan Kunz.

Fade to Black
Following fast start, Griffins' season
ends in disappointment to Palomar

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-26-14) — Grossmont College’s baseball season can be looked at twofold. The Griffins won 21 games in 35 starts. That’s the high point .

However, losing 6 of their final 7 games the Griffins knocked themselves out of a potential playoff berth as they concluded a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference season by dropping a 4-3 decision to PCAC champion Palomar on Friday (Apr. 25) at Noel Mickelsen Field.

Grossmont went 0-5 against Palomar, which led to the Griffins’ demise.

“I’m extremely pleased that we were able to win 21 games this season,” said Griffins coach RANDY ABSHIER. “We have seven starters who didn’t even play last year.”

Shortstop JAVIER GONZALEZ paced the Griffins’ 8 hit attack with 3 singles and an RBI against the Comets (27-9, 22-2 PCAC.

NICO MAIDA was 2-for-5 in the losing effort.

Four Grossmont pitchers allowed only 2 earned runs in the season finale.

“We’re going to have more than a handful of guys getting scholarships going out this year,” Abshier said.

Outfielder KACY SMITH has his eyes set on the University of San Diego , while Maida is contemplating a future at Long Beach State or Cincinnati . JORDAN KUNZ and SHANE COLEMAN appear headed to Cal State San Marcos. Pitcher ZACH AMBROSE figures to hook on with San Diego Christian College .

“I’m sure there will be more to come,” Abshier noted.

The Comets (26-9, 21-2 PCAC) won the game with two outs in the bottom of the 11th on Chris Stratton’s sacrifice bunt single to score Jared Hunt (Granite Hills).

Grossmont, which suffered its fifth loss in six games, fell to 21-13 (13-10 PCAC).

The Griffins held the lead over the Comets two times, but couldn’t hold on. In the 2nd inning Grossmont ROMELLO CARBUCCIA drove in the first run with a ground out, giving the Griffins the early edge.

Palomar tied it in the 5th and the game went into extra innings.

But once again the Griffins took the lead in the 10th as NICO MAIDA doubled down the left field line to score KEITH KRUGER, who had drawn a one-out walk.

The Comets tied it in the bottom of the 10th on Dennis Morton’s RBI single.

The Griffins wasted quality pitching by DOUG BRANNVALL, NEIL LANG and ZACH AMBROSE. Ambrose, who walked 3 in a third of an inning, was tagged with his 4th loss in 7 decisions.

The two teams will meet again Friday (Apr. 25) at Noel Mickelsen Field in the regular season finale at 2 p.m. If the Griffins expect to have any chance of making the playoffs they need a victory or they’re a long shot, at best.

The Griffins (21-12, 13-9) are tied with Mt. San Jacinto for third place but have a superior overall record over the Eagles (18-16). But herein lies the problem –– Grossmont alsotrails second-place Southwestern (24-10, 14-8) by one game.

Even more challenging is the fact that the Griffins need a sweep of first-place Palomar (25-9, 20-2) to give itself a genuine chance at postseason play.

However, Grossmont, which lost to the Comets in Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play, 5-1, on Tuesday (Apr. 22), has yet to beat Palomar in two meetings thus far.

Grossmont needs Mt. San Jacinto to beat Southwestern twice and to gain at least a split against the Comets for any chance to extend their season.

The Griffins came out with an anemic offensive effort in their latest outing against Palomar, producing just four hits.

KACY SMITH drove in the Griffins only run with a single in the 3rd inning, but by that time the Griffins were trailing 4-0.

Game over.

Grossmont wasted five sparkling shutout inning by reliever JORDAN KUNZ, who allowed only one run and five hits over five innings. Grossmont starter SHANE COLEMEN surrendered four runs on three hits over the first four frames.

The Griffins hope to change their spiraling fortunes with a victory at Palomar on Thursday (Apr. 24) at 2 p.m. The Griffins end the regular season by hosting the Comets on Saturday (Apr. 26) at noon at Noel Mickelsen Field.

With only three games remaining – all against front-running Palomar (24-9, 19-2 PCAC) – the Griffins would need a sweep or at least win two of their final three if they hope to catch second place Southwestern (24-9, 14-7).

Losing to Mt. San Jacinto put a crimp in the Griffins’ plans for sure. Now they must play catch-up with one week left in the regular season.

Grossmont never led in its latest bout against Mt. San Jacinto . The Eagles garnered a 5-0 lead and never released the advantage from its talons, as the visiting team won all three games in the week-long series.

KEITH KRUGER, the Griffins’ leadoff hitter, was 4-for-5 with 2 runs scored, one RBI and 2 stolen bases in the losing effort.

NICO MAIDA and BRANDON LEWIS added a pair of hits apiece to Grossmont’s 12-hit attack.

The Eagles bullied six Grossmont pitchers for 15 hits. Leadoff man Johnny Valdez set the tone as he went 4-for-6 with 6 RBI and 4 runs scored.

Next up the Griffins will host Palomar on Tuesday (Apr. 22) at 2 p.m. at Noel Mickelsen Field.

With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Grossmont (21-10, 13-7 PCAC) has four games remaining to determine their plight for a post-season berth.

STEPHEN HAVIAR paced the Griffins with 3 hits in 5 at-bats, producing 4 RBI and scoring 2 runs to lead Grossmont past the Eagles (16-16, 11-9 PCAC), who – earlier in the week claimed a 13-2 win over the Griffs.

Grossmont turned a 1-0 lead into a lopsided 7-0 advantage after six innings. The Griffins pounded out 14 hits to keep their playoff hopes alive.

BRANDON LEWIS was 3-for-5 with 2 RBI in the victory.

Grossmont cannot afford to stumble down the stretch, beginning with Friday’s (Apr. 18) home game against Mt. San Jacinto, followed by a season-closing 3-game set against Palomar.

The result was the Eagles registering a 13-2 victory, which has all but eliminated Grossmont from winning the conference championship.

The Griffins are now 20-10 (12-7 PCAC) with its hopes focused on gaining a berth in the Southern California Regional playoffs as an at-large team.

The Griffins have one game remaining against Mt. San Jacinto (16-15, 11-8 PCAC) and closes the season with three games against Palomar, which will probably claim the conference championship.

Ironically, in their latest outing the Griffins pounded out 14 hits, which is the same number for which Mt. San Jacinto raked five Grossmont pitchers.

Griffin highlights were few but MICHAEL KOLEK was 3-for-5 was the best that Grossmont had to offer. Kolek was also responsible for the only extra base hit for Grossmont as he doubled down the left field line in the bottom of the 5th.

NICO MAIDA, KEITH KRUGER, KACY SMITH and DIEGO REYNOSO chipped in with 2 hits apiece for the Griffins.

Next up for the Griffins is a trip to Hemet on Thursday (Apr. 17) where they will take on Mt. San Jacinto at 2 p.m. for the third time this season.

It was the first Jaguars win over Grossmont since 2012, ending an embarrassing skid of eight ballgames and 9 of 10.

Southwestern led 3-0 after the first two innings, and the Jaguars stretched their lead to 7-0 before the Griffins battled their way back into the game with one run in the seventh inning and two more runs in the eighth.

Grossmont (20-9 overall, 12-6 in conference) now trails Palomar (21-9, 16-2) by four games with six games to play. The teams play a 3-game series to complete the regular season.

Two members of the Griffins turned in multiple-hit performances in STEPHEN HAVIAR and ROMELLO CARBUCCIA with two hits each. Haviar, DIEGO REYNOSO and DOUG BRANNVALL each had one of Grossmont's RBI, with Branvall's coming on a sacrifice fly.

— Nick Pellegrino

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-11-14) — Grossmont College broke a 6-6 tie with a run in the bottom of the 8th inning to knock off Southwestern in a key Pacific Coast Athletic Conference victory at Noel Mickelsen Field on Thursday (Apr. 10).

JAVIER GONZALEZ drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a bunt by ROMELLO CARBUCCIA. NICO MAIDA then slapped a ground ball that was booted by the Southwestern shortstop that allowed Gonzalez to score the go-ahead run for the 7-6 decision.

The triumph was Grossmont's 8th straight over the Jaguars (9 of 10 since 2012).

KYLE SAGER pitched a shutout 8th inning in relief for his first win, and DOUG BRANNVALL came out of the bullpen in the 9th to record his third save for the Griffins (20-8, 12-5 PCAC). They have won 12 of the last 13 games.

The Griffins banged out 14 hits, led by DIEGO REYNOSO’s 3-for-4 effort. Maida finished 2-for-4, while Brannvall was 2-for-3. Carbuccia also had 2 hits.

Grossmont has seven games remaining in their regular season, including three key games against front-running Palomar.

On a side note, Grossmont acknowledged Southwestern’s veteran coach Jerry Bartow in his final appearance at Grossmont College . Bartow is retiring at the end of this season.

Grossmont goes for the season-series sweep when they meet Southwestern on the Jaguars' field on Saturday (Apr. 12) at noon. The Griffins are currently 3-0 against the Jags this season after sweeping all five meetings in 2013.

© East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (4-9-14) — Grossmont College posted its 11th win in the last 12 games on Tuesday (Apr. 8) by knocking off Southwestern College, 4-3, at Apache Junction.

The Griffins pushed across the winning run in the 10th inning with a two-out rally.

KEITH KRUGER laced a leadoff single and advanced to second on a bunt by NICO MAIDA. Kruger scored on a base hit by STEPHEN HAVIAR, giving the Griffins the winning run.

Haviar finished 3-for-5 with 2 RBI in the contest, as did Maida.

ZACH AMBROSE pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief to pick up the win. DOUG BRANNVALL logged a save.

These same two teams will play again on Thursday (Apr. 10) at Noel Mickelsen Field at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
KEARNY MESA (4-5-14) — Grossmont College relocated the winning trail Friday (Apr. 4) as the Griffins clubbed host San Diego Mesa College, 11-2, in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference contest.

Grossmont, which has now won 10 of its last 11, snapped a 2-2 tie with 6 runs in the 3rd inning, pushing its record to 18-8 overall and 10-5 in conference.

In the pivotal 3rd inning, ROMELLO CARBUCCIA ignited the rally with a single up the middle. KEITH KRUGER reached base on an error to put two runners on the sacks. NICO MAIDA then walked to load the bases.

Then Grossmont broke out the heavy lumber.

KACY SMITH doubled to left-center to give the Griffins a 4-2 lead. STEPHEN HAVIAR singled to right to score Maida. DIEGO REYNOSO then set down a bunt single to score Smith. The runners advanced on a passed ball. With one out DOUG BRANNVALL singled to left field to score Haviar. JAVIER GONZALEZ hoisted a sacrifice fly to bring in Reynoso.

Carbuccia was 3-for-3 to lead the Griffins’ 13 hit attack.

JOEY VISKAS pitched the first five innings and did not allow an earned run as he upped his record to 3-0.

The Grossmont bullpen took over from there. ZACHARY AMBROSE pitched 2 shutout innings, Brannvall and KYLE SAGER each pitched one shutout inning. As a team the Griffin staff struck out 9 with Viskas logging 6 of the Ks.

For Mesa , former Helix standout MAURO OLIVARRIA was 2-for-5 with an RBI.

Next up for the Griffins is a PCAC encounter at Southwestern on Tuesday (Apr. 8) at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-4-14) — Grossmont College saw its 9-game winning streak snapped in Thursday’s (Apr. 3) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference 5-1 loss to San Diego Mesa College at Noel Mickelsen Field.

The Griffins (17-8, 9-5 PCAC) fell behind 3-0 in the 3rd inning.

Grossmont scored its only run of the game in the 5th as BRANDON LEWIS doubled and scored on a single by JAVIER GONZALEZ.

KEITH KRUGER was 2-for-4, as was DIEGO REYNOSO in the loss for the Griffins.

Grossmont wasted quality pitching by SHANE COLEMAN, ROBERT NELSON and JORDAN KUNZ.

Next up the Griffins will travel to San Diego Mesa on Friday (Apr. 4) for a game at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
KEARNY MESA (4-3-14) — Grossmont College stretched its winning streak to nne in a row Wednesday (Apr. 2) by knocking off San Diego Mesa College 4-2 in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference make-up game.

The Griffins (17-7, 10-4 PCAC) rallied from a 2-1 deficit to tie the game with a run in the 5th and win it with 2 in the 6th.

KEITH KRUGER stroked a one-out single up the middle and stole second. KACY SMITH then singled through the right side to score Kruger with the tying run.

Grossmont put the game away in the 6th inning as DIEGO REYNOSO singled up the middle and scored on a double by BRANDON LEWIS. Lewis stole third and scored on a single down the left field line by JAVIER GONZALEZ.

The Griffins finished with 12 hits, including 2 apiece by Kruger, Smith, Lewis and ROMELLO CARBUCCIA.

NEIL LANG limited Mesa to 6 hits and one earned run during an 8-inning stint for the Griffins. KYLE SAGER got the final 3 outs in the 9th to earn the save.

Next up for the Griffins is a home game encounter against San Diego Mesa on Thursday (Apr. 3) at Noel Mickelsen Field at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-30-14) — Grossmont College’s JOEY VISKAS, ZACH AMBROSE, JORDAN COOMBS and KYLE SAGER combined to shut down Foothills Conference-leading Chaffey College, 7-4, in a non-conference game Saturday (Mar. 29) at the Griffins’ Noel Mickelsen Field.

Viskas was awarded his 2nd win after toiling 6 1/3 innings for Grossmont. He lowered his season ERA to 2.91 for 19.3 innings work. Against Chaffey he served up 14 ground balls.

“That’s typical of a sinker ball pitcher like Viskas,” said Griffins’ coach RANDY ABSHIER. “He got in a bit of a jam in the 7th inning so I brought in Ambrose, who got a 5-4-3 double play on one pitch.”

JORDAN KUNZ and KYLE SAGER finished off the game with Sager picking up the save.

The Griffins pecked away on the offensive end as they rolled up their 8th straight win, which increased their record to 16-7.

Offensively Grossmont executed two safety squeezes to produce runs.

DIEGO REYNOSO, who provided one of the squeezes, was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI, while STEPHEN HAVIER was 2-for-3, 2 walks, a double and an RBI.

NICO MAIDA, Grossmont’s most consistent hitter, was 2-for-4 with a walk and a sacrifice.

Next up for the Griffins is a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game at San Diego Mesa College on Tuesday (Apr. 1) at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO CUCAMONGA (3-28-14) — Grossmont College’s midseason upswing continued on Thursday (Mar. 27) as the Griffins clipped Chaffey College 4-2 in a non-conference contest to collect their 7th straight victory.

The Griffins (15-7) broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the 6th inning.

BRANDON LEWIS snapped the tie with a run-scoring single, then ROMELLO CARBUCCIA followed with a 2-run single to give the Griffins a lead they wouldn’t lose.

SHANE COLEMAN pitched 8 1/3 innings to log his 3rd win without a loss for Grossmont.

ANDREW GRANT, son of former major leaguer Mark Grant, came out of the bullpen to get the final 2 outs and earn his first save.

These same two teams will meet again on Saturday (Mar. 29) at noon at Grossmont’s Noel Mickelsen Field.

© East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (3-22-14) — Grossmont College capitalized on five San Diego City College errors for six unearned runs en route to a 6-3 victory over the Knights on Friday (Mar. 21) in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference at Morley Field.

The victory was the 6th in a row for the Griffins (14-7, 8-4 PCAC), who trail Palomar (9-2, 13-9) in the PCAC race.

Grossmont erased a 3-0 deficit with five runs in the top of the 5th inning.

KEITH KRUGER reached on a throwing error by the shortstop and eventually stole second. He scampered to third on a passed ball and scored when NICO MAIDA reached base on a throwing error. Maida advanced two bases on the miscue and took third on a wild pitch. KACY SMITH tapped into a fielder’s choice and Maida scored.

STEPHEN HAVIAR doubled to left field to score Smith and tie the game at 3-3.

DIEGO REYNOSO singled through the left side, bringing in Haviar and giving Grossmont the lead. BRANDON LEWIS then singled to left, sending Reynoso to second. With two outs JAVIER GONZALEZ singled and advanced to second on an error and Reynoso scored on the play.

The Griffins added a run in the 8th inning on a San Diego City College throwing error.

Grossmont will be idle until taking on Chaffey College on Thursday (Mar. 27) at Noel Mickelsen Field at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-21-14) — Helix High alum KACY SMITH drove in four runs with a triple and a pair of double, continuing Grossmont's College recent mark of success following Thursday's (Mar. 20) easy 10-4 victoru over visiting San Diego City in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference contest at at Noel Mickelsen Field.

Smith fnished by going 4-for-5, lifting the Griffins to 13-7 overall (7-4 PCAC).

ZACH AMBROSE came out of the bullpen to blank the Knights (5-14, 3-8 PCAC) on two hits over 4 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out 4 while posting his 2nd win in five decisions.

Grossmont took a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning as Smith had an RBI single and STEPHEN HAVIAR clubbed a solo homer.

The Griffins tagged on 3 more runs in the 3rd.

Smith tripled down the right field line to score NICO MAIDA, who got on base on an infield single.

DIEGO REYNOSO later added a 2-run single to make it 5-0.

San Diego City cut it to 5-4 in the 4th inning, but the Griffins countered with 2 in the bottom of the frame on an error and an RBI single by Smith.

In the 5th inning DOUG BRANNVALL stroked an RBI double to left-center field, scoring BRANDON LEWIS. Brannvall scored on a base hit by JAVIER GONZALEZ.

Grossmont capped its scoring on an RBI double by Smith in the bottom of the 8th.

These same two teams will play again on Friday (Mar. 28) at Morley Field at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (3-19-14) — Grossmont College stretched its Pacific Coast Athletic Conference winning streak to four on Tuesday (Mar. 18)l knocking off San Diego City College 6-4 at Morley Field.

Left-hander SHANE COLEMAN limited the Knights to 3 hits and no earned runs over seven innings as he posted his 2nd win in as many decisions. Coleman struck out 6.

NEIL LANG finished the job on the hill while striking out 3 and earning his first save.

NICO MAIDA sparked the Grossmont offense by going 3-for-5 with a run and 2 RBI.

Leadoff man KEITH KRUGER was 1-for-3 with 3 runs scored for the Griffins.

BRANDON LEWIS chipped in with 3 hits in 4 at-bats for Grossmont (12-7, 6-4 PCAC).

Next up for the Griffins is a rematch with the Knights on Thursday (Mar. 20) at Noel Mickelsen Field at 2 p.m.

Grossmont College head coach Randy Abshier (center) receives applause from his ballclub following his 200th career win after downing Imperial Valley. (Photo by Nicole Kallis) ADDiTIONAL PHOTOS HERE

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-15-14) — Grossmont College head baseball coach RANDY ABSHIER celebrated a personal milestone on Friday (Mar. 14) when the Griffins knocked off visiting Imperial Valley College, 12-2, in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference contest at Noel Mickelsen Field.

This win had special meaning as it was coaching victory number 200 for Abshier in 10 seasons.

“I’m very humbled by it all,” Abshier said. “It’s about the players. Every one of them who walks through the door is like family.”

Actually, none of the players knew that Abshier was approaching making history.

“It’s not something we sat around and talked about,” Abshier said. “I’m not a big stats guy. Sure I like to win games and championships, but my job is to give every guy the opportunity to reach the next level.

“Of course winning 200 games is a great feeling, and I’m thankful to all the people who helped me reach that mark. I couldn’t do it without the great support of my players, coaches and family.”

Designated hitter STEPHEN HAVIAR was 2-for-4 with a double and 5 RBI to lead the Griffins.

ROMELLO CARBUCCIA was 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while KACY SMITH went 3-for-5 with a home run and 4 runs scored.

NICO MAIDA was 2-for-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI. He also stole a base, as did Smith, KEITH KRUGER and DIEGO REYNOSO.

RANDY WYNNE scattered 6 hits and allowed only one run over six innings to pick up his 3rd win in 4 decisions for the Griffins.

Next up for the Griffins is a meeting with San Diego City College at Morley Field on Tuesday (Mar. 18) at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-14-14) — Grossmont College outfielder KACY SMITH registered a bases-loaded, sacrifice fly inthe bottom of the 9th inning Thursday (Mar. 13), securing a 4-3 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference victory over Imperial Valley College.

With the victory, the Griffins (10-7, 4-4 PCAC) presented head coach RANDY ABSHIER with his 199th coaching win. Abshier can reach for the 200-win milestone when the Griffins againt host IIVC on Friday (Mar. 14) at 2 p.m.

Fast forward to the 9th when DREW DENZEISEN reached after being hit by a pitch to lead off the winning rally. ROMELLO CARBUCCIA was hit with the following pitch, KEITH KRUGER singled to load the bases with no outs, setting up Smith for his game-winner.

© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (3-12-14) — SHANE COLEMAN and three Grossmont relievers combined to pitch a 6-hit shutout as visiting Grossmont College clobbered Imperial Valley College, 13-0, in Tuesday’s (Mar. 11) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference.

Coleman allowed 4 hits and struck out 5 during his six-inning stint.

ANDREW GRANT, NEIL LANG and KYLE SAGER each pitched one shutout inning as the Griffins avenged an earlier 3-2 loss to the Arabs.

DIEGO REYNOSO and STEPHEN HAVIER each had 2 hits and 2 RBI to spark the Griffins.

NICO MAIDA also drove in 2 runs, as did JAVIER GONZALEZ.

These same two teams will meet again at Noel Mickelsen Field for games on Thursday and Friday (Mar. 13-14), both at 2 p.m.

© Special to East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (3-9-14) — Grossmont College sophomore right-hander RANDY WYNNE couldn’t have pitched much better on Saturday (Mar. 8), or ended the day with a more sour taste in his mouth.

Wynne, hooked up in a pitcher’s duel with Palomar’s Emilio Esquibel, had a perfect game going through 5 1/3 innings and took a no-hitter into the seventh against the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference leaders at the Comets’ Myers Field. But he and the Griffins dropped a gut-wrenching 1-0 PCAC decision when former Granite Hills High School standout JARED HUNT homered over the right field fence for Palomar to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning.

Wynne (2-1) pitched a complete game three-hitter, striking out six batters and walking one in eight innings. Esquibel (3-0) also threw eight innings, scattering six hits, before Cal transfer and Palomar closer Michael Jordan (no, not that Michael Jordan) came on to pitch the ninth inning, recording his fourth save of the season.

The Griffins, who have seen some previous outstanding pitching performances also go for naught in what has so far been a frustrating conference season, dropped four games out of first place with a 2-4 PCAC record. Coach RANDY ABSHIER’s club is 8-7 overall.

Palomar won its seventh straight game and advanced to 11-7 overall, 6-0 the PCAC. The Comets lead Southwestern, Mt. San Jacinto and San Diego City College , who are in a three-way tie for second place at 3-3 six games into a 24-game conference season.

BRANDON LEWIS went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a walk to lead the Griffins offensively. KACY SMITH, KEITH KRUGER, ROMELLO CARBUCCIA and KEITH KRUGER also hit safely.

Grossmont left nine runners on base, five of them in scoring position.

The Griffins will have an opportunity to turn things back around when they play Imperial Valley in a three-game series this upcoming week. They’ll travel to the desert to face the Arabs on Tuesday (Mar. 11) and then return home to Noel Mickelsen Field for games on Thursday at 2 p.m. and Saturday at noon.

© East County Sports.com
HEMET (3-7-14) — Grossmont College capitalized on three Mt. San Jacinto errors and some nifty pitching by five Griffin hurlers to squeeze out a 3-2 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference victory on Thursday (Mar. 6).

The Griffins scored the only 2 earned runs in the game when NICO MAIDA and DIEGO REYNOSO were hit by pitches with the bases loaded in the 9th inning.

Trailing most of the game, the Griffins tied it 1-1 in the 8th with an unearned marker.

JORDAN KUNZ worked only 2/3 of an inning but was awarded the victory, bringing his record to 1-0.

RANDY WYNNE ended the game with a pair of strikeouts to earn the save.

JAVIER GONZALEZ paced Grossmont’s 11-hit attack with 3 singles and a stolen base.

Reynoso, KEITH KRUGER and ROMELLO CARBUCCIA chipped in with 2 hits apiece.

Grossmont improved to 8-5, 2-3 PCAC. Mt. San Jacinto dropped to 6-10, 1-3 PCAC.

Next up for the Griffins is a road game to San Marcos against Palomar on Saturday (Mar. 8) at noon.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-6-14) — Grossmont College wasted a strong pitching performance by ZACH AMBROSE and NEIL LANG in dropping a 3-1 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference makeup contest to visiting San Diego Mesa College.

Trailing 2-0 the Griffins (7-6, 1-3) avoided a shutout with a run in the 6th inning. KEITH KRUGER singled to right and stole second base. Kruger eventually scooted home on a single by DIEGO REYNOSO.

Reynoso and NICO MAIDA accounted for two hits apiece as Grossmont totaled nine.

Ambrose and Lang scattered nine hits and struck out six in the losing effort.

Next up for Grossmont is a Thursday (Mar. 6) PCAC encounter in Hemet against Mt. San Jacinto at 2 p.m.

Grossmont College catcher Diego Reynoso sends a basehit up the middle, knocking in the game-winning run as the Griffins scored twice in the bottom of the 9th inning to shock visiting Southwestern, 3-2, at Noel Mickelsen Field. (Photo by Nicole Kallis) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-5-14) — Grossmont College catcher DIEGO REYNOSO singled up the middle to knock in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning Tuesday (Mar. 4), giving the Griffins a 3-2 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference victory over visiting Southwestern at Noel Mickelsen Field.

Trailing 2-0 the Griffins broke into the scoring column with a run in the bottom of the 7th on an RBI single to right center field by NICO MAIDA, which plated BRANDON LEWIS.

Two innings later Lewis’ bunt single set the table for the Griffins last inning heroics.

After ROMELLO CARBUCCIA sacrificed Lewis to second base, KEITH KRUGER reached base on a throwing error by the Southwestern shortstop. an intentional walk to Maida. KACY SMITH followed with a walk to load the bases. However, JAVIER GONZALEZ popped out to first base, leaving the Griffins with the bases loaded, one run short and only one out left at their disposal.

Reynoso followed by slashing a single up the middle that cashed in the winning run.

Now 1-2 in the PCAC (and 7-5 overall) the Griffins travel to Mt. San Jacinto Thursday (Mar. 6) for a 2 p.m. PCAC challenge.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-26-14) — A wild 11th inning saw visiting San Diego City College outscore Grossmont College by a 6-3 couny, allowing the Knights to take an 11-8 decision over the Griffins in Tuesday’s (Feb. 25) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game at Noel Mickelsen Field.

The Griffins (6-5 overall, 0-2 PCAC) forced extra innings late, when GUILLERMO RESENDEZ lidted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 9th to level the contest at 5-all.

With the victory, San Diego City (4-7) remains tied with Palomar for the PCAC lead with 2-0 marks.

Grossmont pounded out 20 hits, including 4 by KACY SMITH. Three of Smith’s hits went for doubles.

STEPHEN HAVIAR, DOUG BRANNVALL and DREW DANZEISEN added three hits apiece for the Griffins.

Other offensive high points for Grossmont included four stolen bases by NICO MAIDA.

Next up for the Griffins is a home game versus San Diego Mesa College on Saturday (Mar. 1) at noon.

© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (2-23-14) — Grossmont College began the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference baseball season Saturday (Feb. 22) on a sour note, falling to perennial cellar-dweller Imperial Valley, 3-2, in the desert sands.

The Arabs (3-9 overall, 1-0 PCAC) snapped a scoreless tie, doing all their scoring in the 7th inning.

Grossmont (6-4, 0-1) countered with a pair of runs in the 8th frame. STEPHEN HAVIAR led off the inning with a solo home run. DIEGO REYNOSO struck an RBI single to close the gap, but after that the Griffins’ offense stalled.

The Griffins will host San Diego City College on Tuesday (Feb. 25) at 2.p.m.

Grossmont catcher Diego Reynoso with the easy tag-out of Pasadena's P.J. DeZotell in Thursday's 15-8 win. (Photo by Nicole Kallis) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-21-14) — Helix High product BRANDON LEWIS posted the biggest hitting day of his brief collegiate career, driving in four runs on three hits to power Grossmont College past visiting Pasadena City College, 15-6, in Thursday's (Feb. 20) non-conference ballgame at Noel Mickelsen Field.

Lewis, a freshman left fielder, batted 3-for-4, including a 3-run double to left-center field in the 4th inning, when the Griffins scored four times to mount an 8-2 cushion.

Center fielder KACY SMITH, another Helix alum, got the Griffins going with the first of his two basehits in the 1st, when Grossmont (6-3) took a 3-1 lead. Smith finished with a pair of RBI and scored three times.

Meanwhile, right fielder KEITH KRUGER batted 4-for-6 with three runs, as Grossmont's starting outfield combined to go 9-for-13 against Pasadena (3-7).

The Griffins also received two hits each from second baseman NICO MAIDA, third baseman DOUG BRANNVALL, catcher DIEGO REYNOSO and designated hitter MICHAEL KOLEK as part of a 17-hit attack.

Sophomore right-hander RANDY WYNNE tossed three innings of 2-hit relief to gain the pitching victory, striking out four Lancers without issuing a walk.

The Griffins, owners of the second-best record among Pacific Coast Athletic Conference schools, open PCAC play Saturday (Feb. 22) at Imperial Valley (1-9).

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-16-14) — Grossmont College swept a double-header from West Los Angeles of Culver City by the identical scores of 8-3 Saturday (Feb. 15) at Noel Mickelsen Field.

In the first game the Griffins (5-3) scored all eight runs in the final three frames.

DOUG BRANNVALL was 3-for-5 with a double and 2 RBI to guide the Griffins, while KACY SMITH was 2-for-5 with a double and 2 RBI in the first game of the twinbill.

SHANE COLEMAN handled the bulk of the pitching duties as he limited the Wildcats to one run and 5 hits over seven innings.

ROBERT NELSON pitched the final two frames for Grossmont.

In the 7-inning nightcap, Grossmont scored five runs in the 1st inning.

The Griffins added three more runs in the 5th inning. DIEGO REYNOSO sparked the rally with a 2-run single to left field. A dropped fly ball added the final run for the Griffins.

In the second game pitchers Brannvall, ANDREW GRANT and ZACH AMBROSE did not allow an earned run. They combined for four strikeouts and two walks.

Next up for Grossmont is a home-and-home series against Pasadena . The Griffins will travel to the city of the Rose Parade on Tuesday (Feb. 18) and return home to host the Lancers on Thursday (Feb. 20). Both games start at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-15-14) — Grossmont College surrendered five unearned runs and 15 hits on Friday (Feb. 14) as the Griffins dropped their second straight to visiting East Los Angeles College, 15-6.

The game was tied 3-3 after two innings before the Huskies broke in front with three runs in the 3rd inning and never trailed again.

East L.A. broke the game open with seven runs in the 8th inning.

MICHAEL KOLEK (Patrick Henry) was 3-for-4 to pace the Griffins. KACY SMITH was 2-for-4 for Grossmont.

The Griffins will host West Los Angeles College in a Saturday (Feb. 15) doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.

© East County Sports.com
MONTEREY PARK (2-12-14) — Grossmont College dropped the first of a 2-game series to host East Los Angeles College on Tuesday (Feb. 11). The Huskies pulled out a 4-3 win.

The loss dropped the Griffins’ record to 3-2.

These same two teams will meet at Grossmont on Friday (Feb. 14). This is the second schedule change for the Griffins. The game was originally scheduled for Thursday (Feb. 13), but once again was changed.

Grossmont will host West Los Angeles in a doubleheader on Saturday (Feb. 15) beginning at 11 a.m.

No other information was available.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-12-14) — Grossmont College, which is off to a 3-1 start, is making a couple of changes to its schedule.

The Griffins will travel on Tuesday (Feb. 11) to Monterey Park to face East Los Angeles College at 4 p.m., instead of the originally scheduled 2 p.m.

The same two teams will meet on Thursday (Feb. 13) at the Griffins Noel Mickelsen Field at 2 p.m.

Another major change will occur on Saturday (Feb. 15) when the Griffins will host West Los Angeles in a double-header beginning at 11 a.m. The teams will play both 9-inning and 7-inning games.

Grossmont will then close out the non-conference season with a home-and-home series against Pasadena on Tuesday (Feb. 18) on the Lancers’ diamond, and on Thursday (Feb. 20) at Mickelsen Field. Both games start at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-9-14) — NICO MAIDA went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI to guide the Grossmont Griffins past visiting Irvine Valley College, 6-3, in Saturday’s (Feb. 8) non-league action at Noel Mickelsen Field.

The Griffins broke a 1-1 tie with 4 runs in the 2nd inning.

Grossmont pitchers NEIL LANG, ROBERT NELSON, ZACHARY HYMER and JOEY VISKAS combined to scatter 10 hits.

Lang was awarded his 2nd win in as many decisions.

BRANDON LEWIS, STEPHEN HAVIAR and KEITH KRUGER each drove in a run for the Griffins who improved to 3-1 overall.

Grossmont will travel to East Los Angeles College on Tuesday (Feb. 11) for a 2 p.m. start.

© East County Sports.com
FULLERTON (2-5-14) — Grossmont College could not capitalize on six Fullerton errors Tuesday (Feb. 4), and the Hornets went on to edge the visiting Griffins, 6-5 in 12 innings.

Both teams came to the game undefeated, but by the day's end the Griffins would take their first loss (2-1) on the young season. Fullerton is 3-0.

A bases-loaded single by Jose Rojas with one out in the 12th gave the Hornets the walk-off win.

Grossmont started fast as leadoff batter BRANDON LEWIS (Helix) drove a ball over the ivy in left field for the Griffins’ first home run of the season.

The Griffins eventually broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the 5th inning. Once again Lewis was center stage as he singled to center to drive in two runs.

Two Fullerton errors handed Grossmont a third marker in that frame.

Fullerton regained the lead with three runs in the bottom of the 7th, making it 5-4.

Once again Grossmont tied the contest in the 8th with a sacrifice bunt by DOUG BRANNVALL (Granite Hills).

Brannvall and KEITH KRUGER (Centennial HS) each had two hits for the Griffins, who totaled eight for the game.

ZACH AMBROSE (Grossmont HS) was the hard luck loser for the Griffins, allowing two runs on three hits over five innings. Thus far Ambrose has posted a 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 innings.

Next up for the Griffins is a home game on Saturday (Feb. 8) against Irvine Valley College at 11 a.m.

© East County Sports.com
LONG BEACH (2-2-14) — NICO MAIDA (Grossmont HS) slapped an RBI single to right field in the 7th inning to break a 2-2 tie and propel the visiting Grossmont College Griffins to a 4-3 victory over traditional state power Long Beach City College Saturday (Feb. 1) at Joe Hicks Memorial Field.

It was the second win in as many days for the Griffins, who travel to Fullerton on Tuesday (Feb. 4) for a 2 p.m. game.

The Griffins tagged on an insurance run in the 8th inning against the Vikings (0-1) as JAVIER GONZALEZ (El Capitan) laid down a squeeze bunt, scoring DIEGO REYNOSO (Helix).

NEIL LANG, a left-handed freshman, started and allowed only one earned run for the Griffins, but struggled with his control, walking six. However, he was the winning pitcher.

KYLE SAGER ( Steele Canyon ) pitched one shutout inning of relief, JORDAN KUNZ (West Hills) allowed one run in one inning, and DOUG BRANNVALL (Granite Hills) pitched a shutout 9th to record the save.

Starting the game at third base Brannvall was 2-for-5 with one RBI.

KACY SMITH (Helix) was 2-for-3 with a pair of walks. The sophomore center fielder has 5 hits in 7 at-bats.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-1-14) — Relief pitcher ZACH AMBROSE pitched 4 1/3 shutout innings and KACY SMITH and STEPHEN HAVIAR drove in three runs apiece as Grossmont College clipped Victor Valley, 10-6, in Friday’s (Jan. 31) season opener at Noel Mickelsen Field.

The Griffins, who play at Long Beach City College Saturday (Feb. 1) at 1 p.m., overcame a 5-2 deficit by scoring six runs in the 6th inning against the Rams,.

Smith and Haviar each whacked a 2-run double in the big inning. NICO MAIDA also chipped in with a run-scoring single, and DIEGO REYNOSO batted in another with a base hit in the 6th.

Grossmont totaled 15 hits. BRANDON LEWIS, Maida and Haviar had three hits apiece to lead the onslaught.

Ambrose, who allowed only one hit and struck out five, was awarded the winning pitcher.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-30-14) — Grossmont College opens the baseball season on Friday (Jan. 31) by hosting Victor Valley at 2 p.m. at Noel Mickelsen Field.

Grossmont is a rebuilding team that finished 26-12 a year ago. The Griffins qualified for the Regional Playoffs, but were eliminated in two games by Glendale.

This year’s Grossmont team will be pitching laden but offense will be a question mark.

The Griffins will play their first road game on Saturday (Feb. 1) at Long Beach at 1 p.m.