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HILLSBORO, Kan. (7-12-14) — MARY LIEBERKNECHT, who did not play high school ball yet developed into an important playoff performer for Grossmont College, became the latest member of the Griffins to accept a softball scholarship.

Lieberknecht recently accepted an offer to play for Tabor College . The Bluejays (24-26 last season) are members of the NAIA Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.

"Mary is very deserving of the opportunity at Tabor," said Grossmont head coach DOUG HARTUNG. "She was the gold standard of maturity and dependability and clearly made a difference for the Griffins in making it to regionals two years in a row. Good luck, Mary!"

A utility player throughout her career, Lieberknecht will concentrate on her main spots at first base and catcher while at Tabor. She will be asked to replace graduating senior Katie Henning, a first-team all-KCAC selection at catcher.

After seeing little playing time as a freshman at Grossmont, Lieberknecht developed into a fine hitter in her sophomore season. She batted .400 (8-for-20) over the final month of the season, including an even .500 (3-for-6) in a pair of CCCAA postseason contests against state-ranked Cypress.

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SAN MARCOS (5-8-14) — The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference has honored a pair of Grossmont College softball players -- sophomore JENNIFER SCHUFF and freshman AMANDA HARTNETT -- among its Female Athlete of the Week winners for the period ending Sunday (May 4).

Schuff, a shortstop out of Patrick Henry, batted 2-for-4 in the regular season finale to defeat San Diego Mesa, 4-2, lifting the Griffins to a second-place finish. Schuff led the ballclub with a .466 batting average.

Meanwhile, Hartnett, a center fielder out of West Hills, posted a 4-for-4 effort against second-seeded Cypress in Saturday's (May 3) opening round of the state playoffs. She also knocked in a pair of runs, lifting Grossmont to an early 4-0 lead against the Chargers.

Cypress College pitcher Desiree Lopez, facing Grossmont batter Nicole Obney, fired a 3-hit shutout to clinch the first-round series in the CCCAA state championships. (Cypress College courtesy photo)

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CYPRESS (5-5-14) — Desiree Lopez tossed a 3-hut shutout while Chelsee Herron drove in three runs, leading Cypress College to an 8-0 blanking of Grossmont College on Sunday (May 4), completing a sweep of the ballclubs' CCCAA South Regional opening round series.

The Lady Chargers (30-12), the second seed, will host next weekend's Super Regional.

Cypress jumped to a quick 4-0 lead, then Herron capped a 4-run rally in the 5th to double the lead and invoke the run rule to end the season for the Griffins (21-19).

Grossmont left fielder BLIME MACIAS (Mount Miguel) batted 1-for-3 from the lead-off spot. The other hits for the Griffins were registered by catcher KAYLA BROWNING and first baseman MARY LIEBERKNECHT.

Center fielder NICOLE OBNEY returned to the starting lineup following her injury, making a diving catch in Game One.

Meanwhile, Palomar College, the top seeds and the only other Pacific Coast Athletic Conference program to qualify for the playoffs, completed a 2-game sweep of San Bernardino Valley, 10-6. The Comets will host the other Super Regional group of four teams.

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CYPRESS (5-4-14) — A fantastic start to the playoffs saw 15th-seeded Grossmont College get the jump all over No. 2 Cypress after scoring the first four runs in the teams' best-of-3 series CCCAA South Regional opener Saturday (May 3). BOXSCORE

But when NICOLE OBNEY was injured on a diving catch in center field, her absence turned into the key for the Chargers to rebound and take an 8-4 victory.

Game Two is slated for noon Sunday (May 4) at Cypress, with a third game (if necessary) to follow.

Obney, a Granite Hills High product, had batted 2-for-3 and an RBI triple and two runs scored, giving Grossmont a shocking 4-0 lead.

But in the bottom of the third, Obney was shaken up after robbing Mylee Macahilig of a basehit. Following a delay to attend to her, the next Cypress batter, Alendrina Pichardo, smacked a 2-run homer to halve the lead to 4-2.

"We came out swinging our bats, not just Nicole, but everybody," said Griffins head coach DOUG HARTUNG. "We finished with 13 hits against a great pitcher, but after Nicole came out of the game, we never got that one extra key hit."

Included was a late, 7th-inning rally, when Grossmont loaded the bases to bring the potential game-tying run to the plate. However, Cypress relief pitcher Desiree Lopez registered the final out to escape with the win.

The last time such a low seed pulled off a first-round upset was by Grossmont, which barely crept into the playoffs as the bottom seed, yet toppled No. 1 Cerritos in 2004.

Obney's triple opened the scoring, bringing home MELISSA EGGLESTON (single) in the 1st.

"Melissa had a fantastic game at the plate," added Hartung. "She went 3-for-4 and scored two times, while AMANDA HARTNETT was even better, going 4-for-4.

Hartnett collect a pair of RBI with two run-scoring hits. She knocked in Obney in the 1st, then drove home Hartnett in the 3rd. LAUREN SCARRY's RBI single made it 4-0.

STATE PLAYOFFS

No. 15 Griffins
face Cypress

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SACRAMENTO (4-28-14) — It's hard to tell if Grossmont College received a break or a terrible seed when the CCCAA state playoffs open this weekend. The Griffins (21-17) were seeded No. 15 inthe South Regional and will travel to play No. 2 Cypress in the best-of-3 opening round. BRACKETS

The Chargers (30-10) gained the second seed despite placing fourth in the Orange Empire Conference, and just fifth in the Southland coaches poll; PCAC champion Palomar (31-4) is tops the field of 16 teams.

So did the Griffins earn a meeting with a team which slumped to a full four full games behind Santa Ana and Riverside, which tied for second behind Santiago Canyon in the OCE, or are the Chargers being forgiven by the seeding committee for a 4-game losing streak suffered in late February. However, they onyl won five of their last 11 games, too.

Meanwhile, the Griffins took 9-of-10 down the stretch; the lone loss was to Palomar, which hosts No. 16 San Bernardino Valley.

Game One of the Grossmont-Cypress series is slated for Saturday (May 3) at 2 p.m. Game Two is Sunday *NMay 4) at noon, with a tie-breaker game to follow if necessary.

The ballclubs have met in postseason play twice this century, but the last time was a decade ago when then top-seeded Cypress defeated the G-House, 5-1, in 2004, and 5-2 in 2003.

Don't go slow, ladies, go Fast © East County Sports.com EL CAJON (4-11-14) — The San Diego Women's Fast-pitch Softball Association will conduct player placement (tryouts) for the 2014 summer season at Grossmont College on April 27 and May 4 (both Sundays), running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The league partakes in a 10-game season, plus a week of playoffs, with ballgames on Sundays at Grossmont College 's top-flight softball diamond. The association also runs a North County league out of Palomar College. The annual fee per team is just $1,050 (less than $10 per team per week). The league is open to any former high school and college players, but anyone seeking to a challenge above slow-pitch leagues are welcome, too. For further information, visit the league webpage HERE or register HERE.

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KEARNY MESA (4-23-14) — Grossmont College wasted little time to capture another season series from San Diego Mesa College after the first four batters of the game scored for the Griffins in Tuesday's (Apr. 22) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference triumph at P.R. Mendoza Field.

The victory guarantees Grossmont (21-17 overall, 13-5 PCAC) a berth to the CCCAA state playoffs. The Southland regional is slated for the first weekend in May.

The Griffins enter postseason play on a high by winning nine of their last 10 games; the Olympians closed losing three straight, getting out-scored 20-3.

NICOLE BALINGER allowed just five hits to collect the pitching victory. She struck out five batters, posting a solid 2.21 ERA during the balclub's hot streak.

Balinger was backed by a solid defensive game by shortstop JENNIFER SCHUFF, who registered eight assists and two putouts to help shut down Mesa.

The 1st inning outburst saw left fielder BLIME MACIAS, second baseman MELISSA EGGLESTON and center fielder NICOLE OBNEY all reach on defensive mistakes by Mesa (two errors and a failed fielder's choice).

Schuff followed with an RBI single for the quick score and a lead the Griffins would never surrender. Later, catcher KAYLA BROWNING and designated player LAUREN SCARRY also knocked in runs

The Olympians had one chance to take in the lead in the 6th, scoring one run on a bases-loaded walk. However, Balinger escaped by ending the rally with a strikeout and an easy comebacker to the circle.

For Mesa (14-20-1), center fielder Tarin Marks, a product of Granite Hills, went 1-for-3 to finish as the team's top hitter with a .390 average. However, the Olympians only defeated three teams all season that finished more than one game above .500.

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SAN MARCOS (4-22-14) — El Capitan High product NICOLE BALINGER, who helped Grossmont College clinch second place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference, has been named the conference woman athlete of the week for the period ending Sunday (Apr. 20).

Balinger, a freshman, gained the pitching victories by twice working overtime, as the Griffins captured extra-inning contests against Imperial Valley and Mt. San Jacinto .

She’s now won 10 of her last 12 games, with both of those loses at the hands of defending state champion Palomar (one by the score of 1-0).

Among the honorable mention was Southwestern's Jessica Thompson, the only Jaguars player remaining who attended Steele Canyon High. She is on a 14-game hitting streak.

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MENIFEE (4-19-14) — With mirror-like efficiency, every time Grossmont College scored, so did host Mt. San Jacinto College.

The Griffins scored once in the 2nd, two in the 4th, and another in the 5th. And so did the Eagles.

But when Grossmont tallied five runs in the 8th inning, it proved to be too much as the Griffins officially clinched second place outright in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference by downing MSJC, 9-4.

It was a school-record, third consecutive extra-inning game – all victories – for the G-House (20-17, 12-5 PCAC).

It was also the 10th second-place finish for the school over the last 16 season, along with four championships.

The game-winning rally saw TORI ROEL smacked a lead single to right field, then KENZIE GANDY reached on an error.

MARY LIEBERKNECHT and BLIME MACIAS followed with identical run-scoring singles to left field to break the tie. But the Griffins kept going.

MELISSA EGGLESTON reached on a bunt single, then NICOLE OBNEY sent a drive to right-center field for a 2-run single.

Later, Eggleston scored on a passed ball.

The Eagles saw a glimmer of hope to answer when Grossmont pitcher NICOLE BALINGER hit the first batter with a pitch. But Balinger bounced back with two strikeouts and a third out on a comebacker to the circle to cap her complete-game effort.

Balinger finished with a season-best seven strikeouts to win for the eighth time in her last nine decisions.

The Griffins cap the regular season with a rare Tuesday contest, traveling to fourth-place San Diego Mesa (14-19-1, 9-8 PCAC0 for a 3 p.m. start at P.R. Mendoza Field.

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EL CAJON (4-17-14) — Sophomore Recognition Day at Grossmont College ended as planned – with an important victory to aid a late-season rush to garner a CCCAA playoff berth.

Behind yet another strong pitching performance by NICOLE BALINGER, the Griffins clinched second place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference following a 3-2 win in 8 innings over visiting Imperial Valley College .

The victory, coupled with Palomar's 11-3 run-rule pasting of Southwestern, gives the Griffins (19-17 overall, 11-5 PCAC) a 1.5 game lead over the Jaguars (10-7 PCAC). The Griffs also hold the tiebreaker by claiming the season series from Southwestern for the 19th time in 20 seasons.

The triumph clinched a first- or second-place finish by the G-House for the 16th time over the past 18 seasons, including four championships since 2007.

In the 8th, AMANDA HARTNETT singled home MARY LIEBERKNECHT, who collected the ballclub's fifth double of the contest. The clutch hits made a winner of Balinger, who has captured eight of her last nine decisions to fuel the recent upswing by the Griffins.

"IVC is a pesky team that also hangs in games," said Grossmont head coach DOUG HARTUNG. "But Nicole did even better, keeping our team in games, especially in the second half of the season."

Balinger scattered eight hits and struck out three Arabs.

IVC (6-24, 2-12 PCAC) registered its runs in the 4th to take a 2-1 lead when Jessica Espinosa (Calexico) doubled to right center scoring Justinn Gonzales and Amanda Ortiz (both from Brawley).

Grossmont's JENNIFER SCHUFF continued her torrid hitting to produce both runs during regulation.

In the 1st, NICOLE OBNEY doubled to right-center field, then Schuff followed with a double to left center for a quick lead.

The Griffins got even in the 5th when BLIME MACIAS reached on a leadoff error. Two outs later, Schuff singled through the right side.

For the contest, Obney and Hartnett both batted 3-for-4, while Schuff and catcher KAYLA BROWNING each went 2-for-4.

The Griffins cap the regular season with road games at Mt. San Jacinto on Friday, then at San Diego Mesa on Tuesday.

Overtime: The extra-inning game was the second straight for Grossmont. Interestingly, it's the first time the school has gone extras in back-to-back ballgames this century.

Southwestern utilized four hits to take a quick 2-0 lead in the 1st. However, Griffins pitcher NICOLE BALINGER (El Capitan capped the contest with 8 1/3 innings of shutout ball to jade the Jags on just four additional hits the rest of the way.

On defense, Southwestern third baseman NOELLE PONTIUS, an El Cajon Valley High product, re-injured her already fractured wrist when she crashed into the fence chasing a foul pop-up. She stayed in the contest (UPDATE: It was later determine that Pontius completely broke her wrist on the play).

The Griffins can clinch second place by taking care of business against a pair of second-division clubs – Imperial Valley at Mt. San Jacinto – next week.

© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (4-12-14) — Palomar College, the top-ranked team in Southern California, clinched the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference crown after downing visiting Grossmont College, 6-0, Friday (Apr. 11).

Keilani "K.K." Fronda and Kristina Carbajal hit home runs for the Comets (25-2, 15-0 PCAC), which won their 13th straight contest.

Meanwhile, pitcher Dani Cowan ran her record to 13-1 by tossing a 1-hitter with eight strikeouts at the Griffins (17-17, 9-5 PCAC), who remain in a tie for second place in the PCAC standings.

The lone Grossmont hit was registered in the 4th inning by center fielder NICOLE OBNEY, who also stole a base

Still, Palomar's six runs is the ballclub's second-lowest in PCAC action this season. The Griffins held them to just one run in the teams' previous meeting.

Despite Palomar's title, Grossmont had won or shared four of the last eight PCAC championships.

The Griffins seek to break the tie for second place when they play at Southwestern in a rare PCAC Saturday Special, starting at noon.

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SAN MARCOS (4-7-14) — Grossmont College softball player TORI ROEL has been selected by the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference as its Women’s Athlete of the Week for the period ending Sunday (Apr. 6).

Roel, a sophomore utility player who came to Grossmont from Chula Vista-Calvary Christian, delivered late-inning game-winning RBIs to help give the Griffins conference victories over Southwestern 6-3 and San Diego City College 5-4.

The victories kept the G-House alive in the PCAC race – the second-place Griffs trail state No. 2-ranked and first-place Palomar by 4 1/2 games with five to play.

Roel (.444 batting average in conference games) went 3-for-3 against Southwestern with a double and three RBI. She doubled down the leftfield line in the fifth inning to drive in two runs.

Against City College, she drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 7th inning, scoring AMANDA HARTNETT with a single to right field.

Honorable mention selections were Grossmont softball pitcher NICOLE BALINGER and Southwestern’s Paula Aleman (track & field) and Sydni Toilolo (softball).

Balinger, a freshman from El Capitan, ran her record in conference to 9-3 by winning both ballgames. She’s won six of her last seven PCAC outings.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-5-14) — Searching for this week's Pacific Coast Athletic Conference athlete of the week should come easily after Grossmont College's TORI ROEL delivered yet again.

Roel, who was all but off the softball map while playing her high school ball for diminutive Calvary Christian Academy, continues to blossom for the Griffins. Roel lined a single off the glove of the second baseman to collect the walk-off, game-winning RBI in the bottom of the 7th inning, nipping upset-minded San Diego City College, 5-4.

The victory completes a perfect 4-0 homestand for Grossmont (17-16 overall, 9-4 PCAC), who fought back to above the .500 plateau for the first time since mid-February.

Roel is proving to be a microcosm of the Griffins' season. Since the sophomore began to come on, the ballclub has won nine of their last 13 contests while other programs are struggling to the finish line.

"When you're hot, you're hot, and Tori was certainly hot," said head coach DOUG HARTUNG, who is finding ways to place Roel into the line-up.

On Friday (Apr. 4), Hartung placed Roel into right field, batting behind AMANDA HARTNETT to anchor the bottom third of the batting order.

Obviously, opponents know Roel is on a hot streak, so they're forced to pitch to Hartnett, who batted 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scoffed, including the game-winner.

Hartnett opened the rally with a two-out basehit to left, stole second base, then broke a 4-4 deadlock on Roel's shot that tipped the glove of the Knights defender, yet bounded into right field.

San Diego City (6-22, 3-11 PCAC) held an early 4-1 lead, but the Griffins rallied. with a run in the 4th and two in the 5th.

In the 4th, Hartnett again singled, this time via a bunt. And she again swiped second base. Three batters later, she would score from third base on a line single to left field by BLIME MACIAS. The left fielder, Macias collected two of Grossmont's 10 hits.

An inning later with two runners in scoring position, Hartnett lined a single down the left-field line, bring home the tying runs in NICOLE OBNEY (lead double) and KAYLA BROWNING ) single, to second on a wild pitch.

The Griffins have a bye on Wednesday, next playing on Friday at Palomar, the top-ranked team in Southern California.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-3-14) — The Grossmont Griffins are rising with a bullet on the charts; Southwestern's Jaguars are doing exactly the opposite.

The Griffins jumped to a quick 2-0 lead, eventually scoring in four of their six trips to the plate to down the visitors from the South Bay, 6-3, in Wednesday's Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game.

The triumph vaults Grossmont back to the .500 plateau (16-16 overall), but more importantly into second place. Southwestern, losers in eight of 11 after one-third of the ballclub quit the program, fell from second to fourth place.

Coming up with a victory seems assured from the start against a Jaguars pitcher with only two wins all season, coming against squads with record of 2-11 and 2-12.

MELISSA EGGLESTON marked her return to the batting order with three basehits, but her replacement, TORI ROEL, was given a start in center field, responding with a 3-for-3 effort, good for three RBI.

"Tori is really on a roll right now," noted Griffins head coach DOUG HARTUNG. "So we gave her a start, but she played like there was no pressure on her at all."

The hot-hitting Roel now has hits in each of her last five official trips to the plate, raising her season average to .347.

NICOLE OBNEY singled through the left side to bring home BLIME MACIAS for a 1-0 lead in the 1st. JENNIFER SCHUFF scored three pitches later on a wild pitch. Southwestern would get even in the 3rd, but then it was all Grossmont thanks to a 16-hit attack.

In the 4th, KAYLA BROWNING opened with a single, moving to second on an AMANDA HARTNETT sacrifice bunt, then scored the go-ahead run when Roel singled to left-center field.

In the 5th, the trio again got together with a two-out rally. Roel doubled down the left field line, driving home both Browning (walk) and Hartnett (safe on error).

Schuff then singled home Eggleston in the 6th.

NICOLE BALING was the winning pitcher, striking out four Jags and allowing just one earned run.

Over the past decade since 2004, the Griffins lead the series over SWC, 22-5.

The Griffins cap a four-game homestand at 3 p.m. Friday against San Diego City.

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EL CAJON (3-29-14) — Unfazed after visiting San Diego Mesa College scored three times in the 1st inning, Grossmont College shutout the Olympians over the final 6 2/3 innings Friday (Mar. 28), rallying for an important 5-3 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference victory.

NICOLE OBNEY capped the comeback with a tie-breaking, 2-run homer in the bottom of the 6th, giving Grossmont a perfect 3-0 record for the week.

The decision broke a deadlock for third place between the ballclubs, allowing the Griffins (15-16 overall, 7-4 PCAC) to stay within a half-game of second-place Southwestern.

Grossmont scored three times in the 5th to move even, then twice more in the 6th for the deciding runs on Obney's blast to center field. Both times, important at-bats by late-inning substitute TORI ROEL were the difference.

"MELISSA EGGLESTON became sick during the game and needed to come out," said Griffins head coach DOUG HASRTUNG. "But Tori was there for us, just like she has several times of late."

Roel, a sophomore out of Calvary Christian of Chula Vista, started the comeback with a lead single as a pinch-hitter in the 5th. Roel also opened the 6th with a basehit, followed by Obney's homer, moving her to second on the ballclub in RBI. Meanwhile, Roel is batting .364 (8-for-22) during her current hitting streak.

San Diego Mesa (12-16-1, 7-5 PCAC) lost for the sixth time in its last nine outings. The teams complete the regular season at Mesa on Apr. 22nd.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-27-14) — Grossmont College center fielder MELISSA EGGLESTON registered a perfect day at the plate.

Eggleston, a freshman from West Hills High, batted 4-for-4, while stealing three bases and scoring twice, lifting the Griffins to an 8-3 conquest of Mt. San Jacinto in Wednesday's (Mar. 26) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game.

The triumph gave Grossmont (14-16, 6-4 PCAC_ a sweep of the home-and-home series from the Eagles.

Eggleston began her damage from the very start with a one-out single to left and steal of second base. JENNIFER SCHUFF and NCOLE OBNEY followed with consecutive RBI doubles for a 2-0 lead, as Grossmont tallied four runs in the 1st to put away the win early.

The rest of the inning saw LAUREN SCARRY walk, KAYLA BROWNING blasting yet another run-scoring double, then an RBI basehit by KENZIE GANDY.

An inning later, back-to-back doubles for runs by Obney and Scarry made it 6-1.

Browning, the catcher, finishing batting 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI, including a run-scoring single in the 4th. Obney and Scarry collected two hits each, part of a 14-hit attack against the Eagles (12-15, 3-8 PCAC).

"We not only hit the ball well, we got some timely hits, too," said Grossmont coach DOUG HARTUNG.

The Griffins continue their 4-game homestand on Friday, hosting San Diego Mesa (11-15-1) at 3 p.m. The ballclubs are tied for third place, a half-game behind Southwestern.

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MENIFEE (3-25-14) — Key triples from JENNIFER SCHUFF and NICOLE OBNEY allowed Grossmont College to hold off host Mt. San Jacinto College, 3-2, in Monday's (Mar. 24) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference make-up game.

Schuff and Obney also collected three hits each, including swings to drive in runs.

Tied at 1-all in the 4th inning, Schuff led off with a triple to left-center field. KAYLA BROWNING followed with a fly ball to right field, good for a sacrifice fly and an RBI to secure the lead.

In the 7th, BLIME MACIAS reached on a throwing error, advancing to second base. Two batters later, Schuff sent a hard grounder up the middle for an RBI and a 3-1 cushion.

The Eagles answered with a run in the 7th on a Gabby Sanchez singled to center to score Rayna Winters. However, winning pitcher NICOLE BALINGER coaxed a lazy fly ball to right field and her fifth strikeout to cap her complete game.

Early on, LAUREN SCARRY singled and scored on Obney's triple in the 2nd.

For the hot-hitting Schuff, the sophomore shortstop is now batting .500 (14-for-28) over her past nine contests, raising her club-leading batting average to. 436. She's also the leader in all power departments, including doubles and slugging percentage.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-23-14) — At the conclusion of an exhausting week of four contests, the Grossmont Griffins simply ran out of gas.

Hosting Chaffey College in an important game with postseason ramifications, the Panthers scored once in the 6th inning, then twice in the 7th to stun the Griffins, 7-6, in Sunday's (Mar. 22) non-conference ballgame.

Tabatha Flores and Jayde Romero registered RBI singles for Chaffey (8-16)

For Grossmont (12-16), catcher KAYLA BROWNING recorded a career high with three basehits.

Meanwhile, shortstop JENNIFER SCHUFF equaled a season high by also collecting three hits, matching NICOLE BALLINGER with two RBI.

The Griffins return to action Monday, starting a home-and-home series with a road contest at Mt. San Jacinto.

© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (3-22-14) –- Grossmont College sophomore MARY LIEBERKNECHT had very little to do with Friday's (Mar. 21) contest at Imperial Valley College. Still, Lieberknecht scored the tie-breaker run in the 6th inning en route to a 4-1 win.

Despite going 0-for-2 earlier in the contest, Arabs pitching issued a 6th-inning walk to Lieberknecht, who proceeded around the diamond on three wild pitches for the decisive run.

Wild, inconsistent IVC pitching actually limited Grossmont to just two basehits all afternoon. However, a half-dozen walks and even more wild pitches allowed the Griffins (12-15 overall) to move back to .500 (4-4) in Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play.

The teams swapped early runs in the 1st inning.

Grossmont's JENNIFER SCHUFF walked, stole second base, then came around on a passed ball and a wild pitch.

IVC got even when center fielder Michelle Torres doubled, coming home on a basehit by third baseman Sonia White. Both collected two hits each, but the rest of the Arabs combined only had two hits against Grossmont winning pitcher NICOLE BALINGER.

In the 6th after Lieberknecht broke the deadlock, AMANDA HARTNETT and JEN SCHUFF also walked, with another wild pitch scoring Hartnett, then a KAYLA BROWNING line single to center field bringing home Schuff.

The only other Grossmont basehit was a single by designated player KYLIE CRISTINI.

The Griffins will host Chaffey in a special 1 p.m. start on Saturday.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-20-14) — With four Pacific Coast Athletic Conference crowns over the past seven years, the Grossmont Griffins take pride in playing a tough schedule against the best teams in Southern California.

So when the Griffins were pasted by top-ranked Santa Ana in their previous outing against a ranked opponent, the ballclub vowed to do better in their next ballgame... against defending state champion Palomar.

And Grossmont came so close.

On Wednesday (Mar. 19), the visiting Comets found themselves in their toughest ballgame of the PCAC schedule, hanging on for their 10th straight conference win following a tight 1-0 verdict over Grossmont.

The lone run came in the 5th inning after a 1-out, infield single by Joanna Royden. A fielder's choice forced her out at second base, but Keilani Flonda would score from first on consecutive basehits up the middle by Kristin George and Kali Pugh (RBI).

Grossmont had several chances, but fell a hit short.

The best Griffins opportunity came on a 2-out rally in the 2nd, when KYLIUE CRISTINI walk, followed by basehits from KENZIE GANDY and TORI ROEL to load the bases before Palomar escaped.

Third baseman AMANDA HARTNETT and shortstop JENNIFER SCHUFF also collected hits for Grossmont (11-15, 3-4 PCAC), by Palomar pitcher Kristina Carbajal still collected a shutout for the third-ranked Comets (17-2, 10-0 PCAC).

Next for Grossmont are a pair of 1 p.m. Businessperson Specials, Friday at Imperial Valley, then home Saturday against Chaffey.

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (3-13-14) — The bats for Grossmont College are starting to come around after the Griffins posted double-digit runs in consecutive ballgames for the first since 2011 after burying host San Diego City College, 18-4, in Wednesday's (Mar. 12) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game at Betty Hock Field.

The top five batters in the Grossmont line-up all registered multiple RBI totals.

Leadoff batter MELISSA EGGLESTON (4-for-5 in batting) and BLIME MACIAS (3-for-5) each knocked in two runs, while JENNIFER SHUFF, NICOLE OBNEY (two doubles) and KENZIE GANDY collected three RBI each.

Eggleston and Macias also stole two bases each to set-up the heart of the batting order.

Both sides posted three runs in the 1st inning, but the Griffins (10-12, 3-3 PCAC) answered back with four runs in the 2nd, three in the 3rd, then invoked the run rule with eight more markers in the 5th thanks to a 20-hit attack.

The Griffins have now won four of their last six contests.

The 18-run output comes on the heels of an 11-run effort against Orange Coast . It's the most runs in consecutive games by Grossmont since recording 31 runs in a 2-1- doubleheader sweep of Mt. San Jacinto .

For City College (3-17, 1-7 PCAC), sophomore shortstop Megan Shaw went 3-for-3 and scored twice from the leadoff spot.

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HUNTINGTON BEACH (3-10-14) — For the second consecutive season, Grossmont College posted a winning record at the prestigious Golden West College Invitational after capturing the final game of the event on Sunday (Mar. 9).

The Griffins pasted Orange Coast College, 11-3 in six innings, to post a 3-2 mark in the tournament. They went 4-1 last season.

NICOLE BALINGER overcame a rough first inning to allow just one to the Prates over the final five innings to collect the victory.

Down 2-0, the Griffins got even on a 2-run homer by JENNIFER SCHUFF, who sent a blast over the barrier to straight-away center field. Scarry also added an RBI double to score BLIME MACIAS.

LAUREN SCARRY also clouted her first home run of the season -- a 2-run shot -- while KAYLA BROWNING later added another 2-run homer for Grossmont (9-12). Both players had two hits each, along with TORI NOEL, KYLIE CRISTINI and Macias.

The Griffins return to conference play Wednesday at San Diego City College before traveling to Palm Desert for a spring break, 3-way doubleheader Saturday with Santa Ana and host College of the Desert.

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HUNTINGTON BEACH (3-9-14) — Grossmont College posted a 2-1 record during the pool play portion of the Golden West College Invitational, gaining a verth in the third-place pool.

The Griffins (8-11) split a pair of contests on Friday (Mar. 7), then rallied to down the tournament host Rustlers on Saturday (Mar. 8).

In the first game, NICOLE BALINGER and LEXI BROSEMER combined to toss a 4-hit shutout at Victor Valley in a 7-0 blanking. The pair were backed by two hits each from LAUREN SCARRY, JENNIFER SCHUFF, KYLIE CRISTINI and KAYLA BROWNING.

The second game saw East Los Angeles post a 4-0 win en route to taking the pool.

Against Golden West, Grossmont trailed early 1-0, but registered three unanswered runs for the triumph.

TORI ROEL registered the go-ahead RBI when the Griffins scored twice in the 6th inning, bringing home pinch-runner CHROSTINA BALENZUELA, replaced Balinger (single), who gained the complete-game victory.

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KEARNY MESA (3-6-14) — Former Steele Canyon High student JENNIFER CARPENTER, who never played for the Cougars varsity, was the focal point in a tale of two games during Wednesday's (Mar. 5) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference women's fastpitch game.

The first story saw Carpenter toss 4 1/3 innings of shutout ball, as San Diego Mesa College claimed a 4-0 lead.

But the game's second half almost belonged to Grossmont College before falling just short in a 5-4 setback at P.R. Mendoza Field.

NICOLE BALINGER started the late barrage on Carpenter with a one-out home run to center field in the 5th.

The Griffins then added two more markers in the 6th, then got even in the 7th on an infield single by JENNIFER SCHUFF to bring home BLIME MACIAS from third base. Macias started the game-tying rally with a single, moving around on a sacrifice bunt and a Carpenter wild pitch.

However, with Schuff in position to give Grossmont the lead, a defensive gem kept the game deadlocked.

" Mesa's left fielder made as fine of a catch that I've ever seen," said Grossmont coach DOUG HARTUNG. "If she doesn't get there, we would've taken the lead."

The momentum switch saw Mesa score the walk-off run in the bottom of the 7th.

Details on the catch or the run were not available; Mesa's coaching staff again did not timely post the boxscore on the CCCAA state website as mandated by the state coaches association.

Still, the Olympians (7-10-1) probably won't be running laps following the victory, snapping a tie for third place between the schools. Grossmont fell to 6-10 overall.

The Griffins next compete in the Golden West Tournament in Huntington Beach, starting Friday (Mar. 7) with ballgames against Victor Valley and East Los Angeles.

UPDATE: The catch in left was by former Granite Hills HS standout TARIN MARKS.

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EL CAJON (2-27-14) — Grossmont College starting pitcher NICOLE BALLINGER was reinserted into Wednesday's (Feb. 26) ballgame after Imperial Valley College tallied five times in the 7th inning, registering the game's final out to clinch her own triumph in a 12-11 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference slugfest.

The triumph snapped Grossmont's 5-game losing streak, lifting them to 2-2 in PCAC play (6-9 overall).

The Griffins mounted an early 7-1 lead, then tagged on four more runs in the 6th to push the margin to 12-6. However, the Arabs eventually placed the potential game-tying run on base in the 7th before Balinger returned, coaxing a simple tapper back to her in the circle for the final out.

Imperial Valley (5-13, 1-3 PCAC) had 23 baserunners on nine hits, nine walks and five errors, yet the Griffins stayed in front over the course of the early, 1 p.m. Businessperson's Special at Grossmont.

First baseman NICOLE OBENY led the G-House offense by driving in three runs, while AMANDA HARTNETT, JENNIFER SCHUFF, KYLIE CRISTINI and BLIME MACIAS recorded two RBI each.

Macias knocked in her runs with a triple in the 6th. She also registered a sacrifice bunt in a 3-for-3 outing by the sophomore left fielder. Schuff, the second baseman, went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

Weather pending, the Griffins are slated to open a 6-game roadtrip by traveling to south Riverside County for a PCAC game against the newest school in the circuit, Mt. San Jacinto College. The Eagles (8-9) and winless in three conference starts.

Grossmont's Kayla Browning beats the throw to first base. (Photo by Nicole Kallis) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

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EL CAJON (2-25-14) — Stephanie Pelletier, a former member of the Tustin (HS) Tillers, and Carly Wade combined to toss a 5-hit shutout, leading 3rd-ranked Santiago Canyon College to an 18-0 pasting of Grossmont College in one of two non-conference games played in the state on Monday (Feb. 24).

The other contest saw No. 1 Santa Ana scored three times in the bottom of the 6th inning to skip past No. 6 Riverside, 4-3.

Pelletier, who did not pitch last season while spending time in New Zealand and Australia, is now 6-0 upon her return after striking out two in her three innings. Wade went the final two frames after the Hawks (13-1) mounted a 17-0 cushion.

For Grossmont (5-9), third baseman LAUREN SCARRY collected a pair of hits. raising her club-leading average to .476.

Also collecting basehits were second baseman MELISSA EGGLESTON, catcher KAYLA BROWNING and center fielder AMANDA HARTNETT.

The Griffins return to Pacific Coast Athletics Conference action Wednesday (Feb. 26), hosting a Businessperson's Special at 1 p.m. against Imperial Valley College (5-12), a team which opened its PCAC slate by running past San Diego Mesa, 2-0. The teams are tied for fourth place with 1-2 records.

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SAN MARCOS (2-22-14) — Paige Falconier, one of four returning players from Palomar College's state championship team from 2013, went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI on Friday (Feb. 21), lifting the Comets past visiting Grossmont, 11-3, in the Comets' Pacific Coast Athletic Conference home softball opener.

Maci Lerno ended the game with two outs in the 5th when she singled up the middle to drive in Falconier, who was aboard on a single, with the Comets' third run of the inning and 11th run of the game.

For the Griffins, center fielder AMANDA HARTNETT batted 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI.

MELISSA EGGLESTON added a pair of basehits, scoring both times thanks to three stolen bases

Palomar, the preseason No. 1 in the state rankings, trailed 2-0 going into the bottom half of the 1st, when the Comets scored five times to take a lead they never relinquished.

Dani Cown picked up a complete-game pitching win as Palomar advanced to 8-1 on the season, 4-0 in conference.

Grossmont hosts 9th-ranked Santiago Canyon College of Orange on Monday (Feb. 24) at 3 p.m.

Griffins baserunner Nicole Obney turns the corner and scores vs. Saddleback. (Photo by Nicole Kallis) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

By Nick Pellegrino
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EL CAJON (2-18-14) — Several spectators arrived late for Monday's (Feb. 17) Grossmont College women's softball game with visiting Saddleback.

The east side of the Grossmont campus was temporarily closed, along with the one lane of State Route 125 at the bottom of the hill, due to a brush fire. Motorists on the southbound side needed to detour to Navajo Road and double back when Grossmont College Drive was also closed while Heartland firefighters knocked down the flames.

Then the Griffins lost to the Gauchos in controversial fashion when a deep fly ball down the left-field line was ruled fair for a tie-breaking, 2-run homer, opening the way to five Gauchos runs en route to a 9-4 triumph.

The 8th-ranked Gauchos moved to 8-3, while the Griffins slipped to 5-7 playing one of the Southland's most difficult schedules.

"Once again, it was one tough inning against a tough team,” said Grossmont head coach DOUG HARTUNG. "But I keep reminding everyone that these are the games that will get us ready for tough conference games, which are the ones than can get us into the playoffs."

The series of setback have come against ranked foes such as Sacramento, Santa Ana, Mt. San Antonio, among others including the Gauchos. Next on the agenda, a road trip to Palomar, the favorite to capture the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title.

Tied at 3-3, Saddleback accepted a 2-out single from Caelan Smith, then third baseman Ana Quintanilla sent her drive down the line. Reactions from players and spectators alike (plus the attending media, who were sitting under the pole) all thought the ball curved foul. However, the home plate umpire, looking westward into the sun, pointed in the other direction.

The next three runs came on unearned on errors for an 8-3 cushion.

Grossmont held early leads of 2-1 and 3-2.

In the 1st, an error led to the tying run, then MARY LIEBERKNECHT lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, bring home MELISSA EGGLESTON.

Saddleback gained the equalizer in the 3rd, but Grossmont immediately responded.

Eggleston, walked, NICOLE OBNEY replaced her on the bases on a field's choice, then JENNIFER SCHUFF continued her hot hitting with an RBI double to the fence in center.

Grossmont also scored in the 6th on a bases-loaded walk to AMANDA HARTNETT.

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WALNUT (2-16-14) — Grossmont College dropped both games in Saturday's (Feb. 15) 3-way doubleheader, host by Mt. San Antonio College.

The Griffins fell to the host Mounties, 12-2, then allowed 7-4 lead to get away in a 9-7 setback to Glendale. Mt. SAC later run-ruled the Vaqueros, 8-0.

Griffins first baseman NICOLE OBNEY continued to hot hitting with two hits in each contest. Over the team's three games this weekend, Obney is batting .556 (5-for-9).

Against Glendale, AMANDA HARTNETT batted 3-for-4 with two RBI, while MELISSA EGGLESTON went 2-fr-3 with a run scored.

Grossmont (5-6 overall) hosts another state-power in Saddleback, Monday at 3 p.m.

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EL CAJON (2-15-14) — The Grossmont Griffins bounced back from an unlikely setback to run-rule visiting San Diego City College, 8-0, in Friday's (Feb. 14) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference ballgame.

Griffins pitcher NICOLE BALINGER tossed a 3-hit shutout, facing just three batters above the minimum in handling the Knights (1-6, 0-2), who fell by run-rule in each of the team's six losses this season.

Grossmont (5-4, 1-1) book-ended a pair of 3-run innings for the victory.

In the 1st, the Griffins loaded the bases with one out. The initial run saw JENNIFER SCHUFF (walk) score on a passed ball, then NICOLE OBNEY laced a 2-run single, bringing home LAUREN SCARRY (walk) and AMANDA HARTNETT (safe on fielder's choice).

In the 4th, two runs came home when SAM HARRIS singled home Schuff (single, stolen bases), with KENZIE GANDY also scoring on an error.

Then in the 5th, SDCC couldn't get out of the inning when Schuff, the shortstop who batted 2-for-2 and scored three times, doubled in KYLIE CRISTINI (hit by pitch). Scarry later scored on a wild pitch, then Schuff ended it by receiving a free pass home on a passed ball.

Grossmont faces a tough schedule this weekend, traveling to Walnut to meet state power Mt. San Antonio (3-2) and rising Glendale (4-5) in a three-way doubleheader, starting at 11 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 15).

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EL CAJON (2-13-14) — Grossmont College handed visiting Southwestern College three unearned runs Wednesday (Feb. 12), falling in the teams' Pacific Coast Athletic Conference opener, 4-2.

Two of the freebies came in the 6th inning, when the Jaguars scored three times to overcome a 2-1 deficit.

The Griffins collected 10 hits, but managed just a pair of runs off former Serra High pitcher Chelsea Aguilar.

The teams exchanged runs in the 1st.

Southwestern's Brianna Conser reached on an error, scoring unearned on a ground ball by Rachel Beasley ( Steele Canyon ). Grossmont quickly answered on a series of consecutive, two-out singles by LAUREN SCARRY, AMANDA HARTNETT and JENNIFER SCHUFF.

The Griffins (4-4 overall, 0-1 PCAC) then took the lead in the 5th when Scarry bombed a lead double to left, coming home on a one-out double to center by Schuff. Both batted 2-for-4 to remain at .500 for the season, while second baseman MELISSA EGGLESTON went 2-for-3.

In other PCAC action, preseason favorite Palomar run-ruled San Diego City, 11-3, while Imperial Valley rocked San Diego Mesa by a 7-0 shutout on a 3-hitter by Desiree Estrada.

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EL CAJON (2-9-14) — NICOLE BALLINGER and LEXI BROSEMER combined on a 3-hit shutout, lifting the Grossmont Griffins to an 8-0 pasting of the L.A. Harbor College Seahawks in Saturday's (Feb. 8) final non-conference game before the start of Pacific Coast Athletic Conference action.

Ballinger retired all six batters she faced over two innings, but Brosemer gained credit for the victory with three innings of shutout relief, allowing Grossmont (4-3) to snap a mild 2-game losing streak.

Grossmont scored over each of its four trips to the plate, including consecutive basehits by JENNIFER SCHUFF, LAUREN SCARRY and AMANDA HARTNETT to open the scoring.

KENZIE GANDY finished with three EBI against Harbor pitcher, MARY LIEBERKNECTFT knocked in two, while BLIME MACIAS matched Scarry and Gandy with two hits each.

The Griffins open PCAC action Wednesday at 3 p.m. by hosting Southwestern to continue a 3-game home stand. The Jaguars (2-2) lost by an 8-0 count to power Riverside over the weekend.

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GLENDORA (2-8-14) — Grossmont College was able to chase the starting pitcher from 10th-ranked Citrus College, but Owls reliever Miranda Gil came on to toss three innings of shutout relief, just enough to ward off the visiting Griffins, 3-2, in Friday's (Feb. 7) non-conference game.

A booming triple by third baseman JENNIFER SCARRY allowed JENNIFER SCHUFF to score for the second time and move Grossmont to within a run. However, Gil yielded just a pair of basehits over the final three frames to allow the Owls (2-0) to remain unbeaten.

Grossmont (3-3) grabbed an early 2-0 lead.

In the 2nd, KAYLA BROWN scored when NICOLE BALLINGER sent a basehit through the right side. An inning later, AMANDA HARTNETT reached on an error when the Citrus shortstop booted the ball, allowing Schuff to tally an unearned run.

Citrus answered with three runs in the bottom of the 3rd, two coming on a double by Gil, who started the contest as the designated player.

Grossmont returns home for a 2 p.m. Saturday start against L.A. Harbor.

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EL CAJON (2-5-14) — A mental error on defense opened the door to three runs in the 5th inning, allowing 11th-ranked Santa Ana College to break open a scoreless contest and ruin the home opener of the Grossmont Griffins, 7-4, in Tuesday's (Feb. 4) non-conference game.

Karina Rosas, who had gone just 1-for-11 all season, then added a 2-run homer in the 6th, giving the undefeated Dons (4-0) a 7-0 advantage.

Grossmont (3-2) did make things interesting with four runs in the 7th, capped by the first career homer by MELISSA EGGLESTON.

The rally started with consecutive basehits by LAUREN SCARRY, JENNIFER SCHUFF and MARY LIEBERKNECHT to load the bases. A ground out to the right side by RORI ROEL ended the shutout bid by Santa Ana pitcher Lindsey Esparza, who also defeated Palomar earlier in the season.

One out later, Eggleston clouted her first career homer (college or high school), a 3-run shot, sending a 2-2 pitch over the barrier in right-center field. Last season, Eggleston batted .414 at West Hills High.

The Griffins next play at Citrus on Friday (Feb. 7) in a contest moved back to 2 p.m. The ballclub returns home Saturday with another 2 p.m. start against L.A. Harbor.

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PALM DESERT (2-2-14) — Grossmont College opened its 2014 women's fastpitch season by doing one important item: keeping Allan Hancock College of Santa Maria off the basepaths.

The Bulldogs, which led the state in stolen bases a year ago, feature a returning sophomore who crushed the school record with 49 steals, allowing the school to post its best record this century.

But when the totals came in, zero thefts equaled zero runs as the Griffins blanked AHC, 9-0, in Friday's (Jan. 31) opening game of the College of the Desert Tournament.

NICOLE BALLINGER (El Capitan) tossed a 1-hit shutout at the Bulldogs to garner the victory. Then in Friday's (Jan. 31) second game, she struck out three in 1 2/3 inning of relief to gain the save in a 6-3 triumph over San Bernardino Valley.

Freshman LEXI BROSEMER (Westview) started and collected her first collegiate victory. Sophomore LAUREN SCARRY batted 2-for-4 with four RBI, producing 2-run singles in the 1st and 4th innings, the later for the go-ahead runs.

In Saturday's (Feb. 1) second day of tournament action, the Griffins (3-1) split a pair. They fell to 6th-ranked Sacramento City College, 14-6, then bounced back with a walk-off decision over Pasadena City College, 9-8.

In the final game, the lead swapped back-and-fourth five times, then the teams each scored twice in the 6th to keep the score level at 8-all. But in the bottom of the 7th, center fielder SAMANTHA HARRIS doubled to left, then stole third base.

KENZIE GANDY (El Capitan) followed with a safety bunt, beating it out for a basehit. But when the throw sailed into the right-field corner, Hartnett easily waltzed home with the game-winning run.

Grossmont's top hitter for the event may have been left fielder BLIME MACIAS (Mount Miguel). Batting out of the No. 9 slot, the sophomore reached base on 11 of her 14 plate appearances via either singles or walks.

The Griffins' home opener is Tuesday (Feb. 4) against Santa Ana at 3 p.m.

Kyrstin Gemar (DSU photo)

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Near PATTERSON LAKE, N.D. (11-3-09/Updated 11-4-09) — Former Grossmont College women's fastpitch standout KYRSTIN GEMAR and two of her teammates from Dickinson State University, who disappeared Sunday (Nov. 1) on a stargazing trip, were found dead Tuesday near the southwestern North Dakota campus, local authorities announced.

Gemar, 22, along with Afton Williamson, 20, of Lake Elsinore, and Ashley Neufeld, 21, of Brandon, Manitoba, were found in Gemar's white 1997 Jeep Cherokee at the bottom of a 12-foot deep pond on a farm outside of Dickinson, N.D.

Around 11:20 p.m. CT Sunday, the group twice called a friend for help, about one minute apart, before the line cut out on Sunday according to Dickinson police. One woman was difficult to understand during a 40-second call, with the friend telling authorities of hearing the woman say they were near a lake and water.

A 2007 file photo of Kyrstin Gemar slugging a game-winning sacrifice fly for the Griffins. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

It was determined that Gemar and one of the other women attempted to call for assistance from an air bubble inside the submerged vehicle before tragically drowning. No determination on how the vehicle went into the lake has been announced.

"A couple of our former players knew about them being missing Monday, so we were hoping all day for them — using the present tense when talking positive about them," said Griffins assistant coach ANA LANDEROS. "Then we heard the news — it's so sad."

It was the second major disaster for the Gemar family recently. Last year, their house burned down in a fire.

"Their family is so awesome, and now this happened," added Landeros. "There isn't much you can say."

The combination of talents saw several colleges make her scholarship offers, yet Gemar selected a small NAIA school to continue her college career.

"Krystin was used exclusively as a designated hitter while rehabbing her shoulder," Landeros added about the former All-Pacific Coast Conference pitcher, who unseated Palomar for the 2007 conference championship. "But she was going to pitch again this season."

Since a person can only participate in two seasons at community colleges, most members of the current Grossmont roster did not know Gemar. The lone player who did is San Diego City College transfer first baseman Caitlin Aimalefoa, who was a teammate at Clairemont High School.

Dickinson State features several local players on the roster of the nationally ranked Blue Hawks. Included are former Steele Canyon High outfielder VANESSA ADAME, and former Grossmont College and Granite Hills High pitcher CHARNEL ZETSCH.

A 2007 file photo of (l-r) Kyrstin Gemar, Marissa Utley, and Lauren Hastings celebrating another victory after the Griffins raised their record to 6-0. (Photo by Lenny Gemar) Editor's Note: By coincidence, Lenny Gemar, Krystin's father, was the official team photographer in 2007, while also supplying photos for East County Sports.