GROSSMONT COLLEGE BASEBALL — 2015
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Eight Griffins named to All-PCAC team
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (5-1-15) — Eight total Griffin baseball players were named to the All-Pacific Coast Athletic Conference team on Wednesday (Apr. 30).
DIEGO REYNOSO was named to the All-PCAC First Team catchers, JORGE GARCIA was named to the first base position and TANNER PERRY to the infield.
Reynoso, who was named to the same position last year, hit .313 (42-134) with a home run and 20 RBI over his 35 games. Reynoso’s best day at the plate came against San Diego City at Morley Field. On March 4, he went 4 for 5 with a pair of runs scored and a pair of RBI in the Griffins 10-2 victory. Defensively, Reynoso caught 42.9 percent of opponents attempting to steal. That statistic led the circuits catchers. Palomar’s Francis Christy was second, catching only a third of potential base stealers.
Garcia, a freshman out of Helix, led the Griffins in two of the three Triple Crown categories. The first baseman had a team high .397 (54-136) and four home runs. He came up a few RBI short of taking the crown, but he did have 20 RBI on the season to help the cause.
Perry, a freshman from Steele Canyon, captured the RBI title amongst his teammates with 32. The second baseman was second on the team with two home runs and a .374 (55-147) average. His 55 hits were a team high. The 20 double plays that he was involved with were tied for third in the conference.
Honorable mentions by the conference went to four sophomores: outfielder KEITH KRUEGER, utility player BRADY GROESBECK, pitchers NEIL LANG and JOE VISKAS. Freshman pitcher ANDREW SCHULTZ was also named an honorable mention.
Krueger and Lang were named to the same position during the 2014 season.
For the season, Krueger was the Griffins leading theft artist by stealing 11 bases (tied for sixth in the conference). Krueger, who was the leadoff batter for most of the season, batted .315 (47-149) with six doubles and 19 RBI.
Groesbeck, a freshman from Del Norte High School, hit .308 (32-104) with 15 RBI in his first collegiate season. The shortstop had the best eyes on the club as he led in the walk category with 15, a top 10 mark in the conference.
Lang, a left handed sophomore, threw nearly twice as many innings as any other pitcher for the Griffins this season en route to a 3-3 record. His 74 innings ranked him fourth in the conference. The 1.70 ERA mark (14er / 74 ip) that he posted led the Griffins and was third in the conference and was good enough to be ranked number 16 in the State of California. He also led in strikeouts with 46 punch outs.
Viskas, the sophomore out of Grossmont High, was the Griffins number two starter this season. In his 11 appearances, in which he started six, saw him post a 3.99 ERA (17er / 38.1 ip) and a 3-2 record.
Freshman Schultz, out of Patrick Henry, posted a 3-1 record with four saves. The four saves that he came in and nailed down ranks as second in the PCAC. His 15 appearances were third most on the staff and ranked him in the top 10 in the conference.
Mitchell and the Griffins have a day in final road contest
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
KEARNY MESA (4-24-15) — JUSTIN MITCHELL and the Griffins added another victory and moved to within one game of finishing the season at even keel 500. On Thursday (Apr. 23), the bats made the short trip to San Diego Mesa as the Griffins defeated the Olympians 10-3 in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game.
Mitchell (run, RBI) had a trio of hits in the contest that saw the Griffins (17-18, 11-12 PCAC) pound out 14 hits. Also joining the multi-hit club was KEITH KRUGER (2-5, 2 runs scored, RBI), JORGE GARCIA (2-3, 2 runs, RBI), BRADY GROESBECK (2-4, run, RBI) and BRANDON LEWIS (2-5, 2 runs, RBI). Not joining in the multi-hit club but leading the way in the RBI column was ROMELLO CARBUCCIA who ended up with three sacrifice flies leading to three RBI.
In the top of the fourth, Garcia was hit by a pitch. Groesbeck hit a double to left field to move Garcia to third with one out. Carbuccia lifted a fly ball to center to bring Garcia home to break the seal on the scoreboard. PEYTON LINDSAY (1-5) struck out swinging, but reached first on a passed ball. That passed ball allowed Groesbeck to score and put it at 2-0 Griffins at the end of three and a half innings.
The top of the fifth saw the Griffins extend their lead to 5-0. Lewis got things started with a leadoff single up the middle. Kruger reached on the catcher’s throwing error allowing Lewis to go to second. TANNER PERRY (1-5, run scored, RBI), who sat out Tuesday’s contest, singled through the left side of the infield to drive Lewis in and move Kruger to second. After a strikeout, DIEGO REYNOSO (1-5, run) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Groesbeck drew a bases loaded walk to force in Kruger. The “Sacrifice Fly King” Carbuccia (team leader with five) hit a deep fly to center to bring in Perry.
Grossmont enjoyed scoring three times in an inning, they did it in back to back innings. Mitchell singled to open things up in the sixth. Lewis brought Mitchell in with a triple to the left centerfield gap. Kruger welcomed a relief pitcher with a double down the right field line to allow Lewis to walk in. Garcia doubled after a fly out to bring in Kruger.
The San Diego Mesa Olympians (17-17, 12-11 PCAC) played double trouble in the bottom of the sixth for one run.
Both teams scored a pair of runs in the eighth inning to close out the scoring.
Both teams will finish not only the week-long series, but the 2015 season with a game today at 2 p.m. at Noel Mickelsen Field.
500 looking promising
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-22-15) — The Grossmont College Griffins have a shot to finish an even .500 this season, as long as they take care of business this week against San Diego Mesa College. They started that trek on Tuesday (Apr. 21) with a 5-4 victory in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game at Noel Mickelsen Field.
NEIL LANG (W, 3-3) went seven and a third innings scattering seven hits and striking out four. ALAN STRONG (Sv, 1) came in and nailed down the win with the “five out” save.
Grossmont (16-18, 10-12 PCAC) started both halves of the game in fine style. DIEGO REYNOSO (1-4, run, RBI) launched a fastball into the canyon beyond the left field fence before most had gotten comfortable in their seats. It was his first home run of the season and the 11th such hit by a Griffin. JORGE GARCIA (2-4, 2 runs) followed with a frozen rope that looked like it might go out in right center, the jet stream at Noel Mickelsen Field. It came up a bit short, so Garcia had to settle for a double. BRADY GROESBECK (2-3) singled him over to third and PEYTON LINDSAY (0-2, RBI) brought him in with a sacrifice fly.
Mesa (17-16, 12-10 PCAC) battled back with the help of a couple of Griffin errors to score three runs and take a 3-2 lead.
To start off the second half of the game, the Green and Gold posted another two run inning. With one out, JUSTIN MITCHELL (1-3, run) singled through the left side. NATHANIEL NGUYEN (0-2, run) was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. KEITH KRUGER (1-4, 2 RBI) hit a double down the left field line. The hit brought in Mitchell and Nguyen, but when Kruger tried to take third on the throw, he was thrown out for the final out of the inning.
The Griffins tacked on a very important insurance run in the sixth when Garcia singled. He was moved up to second when Groesbeck was beaned, and third with a Lindsay walk. ROMELLO CARBUCCIA (0-2, RBI) hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring in Garcia.
Mesa manufactured a run in the ninth to close to within one.
The series will continue on Thursday when the scene shifts to Mesa College for a 2 p.m. first pitch.
Streak continues in a bad way
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (4-15-15) — The Grossmont College Griffins would really like to avoid playing Palomar College if it was possible. After Tuesday's (Apr. 14) 8-0 loss at Myers Field, Palomar has defeated the Griffins in 13 consecutive Pacific Coast Athletic Conference games dating back to late March 2012.
The Griffins (15-16, 9-10 PCAC) streak of being shutout now stands at 11 innings, after being shut out the final two innings on Friday and then all nine innings on Tuesday. Grossmont collected four hits with DIEGO REYNOSO (1-4), JORGE GARCIA (1-4), ROMELLO CARBUCCIA (1-3) and NATHANIAL NGUYEN (1-3) were the lucky batters who reached base via hit.
NEIL LANG (L, 2-3) was saddled with the loss after allowing six hits over the first 5.1 innings. Those six hits lead to five runs (one earned), he walked one and struck out two.
The two teams will resume their week-long series on Thursday (Apr. 16) at Noel Mickelsen Field for a 2:00 p.m. first pitch.
Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-11-15) — One day after losing an error prone game, the Griffins came back and defeated the San Diego City College Knights by a 6-2 margin at Noel Mickelsen Field in a Friday (Apr. 10) matinee.
The day certainly didn't start out well, as there were two miscues by the Griffin defense in the top of the first, however one of those miscues did turn into an out on a fortuitous bounce.
The Knights (9-18, 3-15 PCAC) had chances, boy did they have chances in the second, third and fourth innings they left runners in scoring position in all three innings.
In the fifth inning, the Knights broke through as they put a two spot up on the board.
It was not until the fifth inning that the Griffins (15-15, 9-9 PCAC) finally got a hit. They made up for lost time tho, as they tallied four runs in the frame.
PEYTON LINDSAY (1-3) led the inning off with the first hit for the Green and Gold. He was erased on a fielder's choice off the bat of DJ LEWIS (0-3, run scored). Lewis then stole second, which was the beginning of the wheels coming off for City. JUSTIN MITCHELL (1-3, run scored, RBI) reached base on a strikeout wild pitch. Both Lewis and Mitchell advanced on a passed ball. NATHANIAL NGYUEN (1-3, run scored, 2 RBI) singled through the left side to bring in both runners. Ngyuen promptly stole second and then on the subsequent pitch moved to third on a wild pitch. BRADY GROESBECK (0-4, run scored) reached on a fielder's choice and Ngyuen scored when City interfered with him attempting to score to make it 4-2 Grossmont.
JORGE GARCIA (1-3, HR (3rd)) made it 5-2 on one swing as he put a laser onto the hillside leading to the CA-125 South lanes with a leadoff homer in the sixth. KEITH KRUGER (1-4, run scored) followed with a single through right side. He then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the City catcher. When Mitchell singled two batters later, he brought in Kruger to make it 6-2 Griffins. That also closed the book on the scoring.
Five Griffin pitchers would close out the Knights, holding them to only three hits from the sixth inning out.
With Mesa winning on Friday, it kept the Griffins a game and a half behind the third place team. Next week will see front running Palomar facing Grossmont, while Mesa has the bye week. Mesa and Grossmont will close out the season with a week long series April 21-24. The Tuesday (21) and Friday (24) games will be at Noel Mickelsen Field.
Knights out duel Griffins
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (4-10-15) — San Diego City College certainly has not had many games the last few games like they did on Thursday (Apr. 9), in fact it has been 14 games since it last happened. The Knights came from behind to score a 6-5 victory over the Griffins in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game at Morley Field.
With the win, the Knights (9-17, 3-14 PCAC) break a 13 game losing streak and a five game losing streak to the Griffins (14-15, 8-9 PCAC).
The Griffins got on the board in the first after BRADY GROESBECK (1-5, run scored) doubled to lead the game off, he moved up to third on a DIEGO REYNOSO (2-5) single back to the pitcher. TANNER PERRY (3-5, run scored, RBI) singled through the left side to put the Griffins up 1-0.
San Diego scored twice on a single to right field to claim a 2-1 lead after one inning.
The Knights extended their lead in the fourth inning when they scored an unearned run for a 3-1 lead.
KEITH KRUGER (2-4, 2 runs, RBI) brought in Perry on a single to right for a City 3-2 lead. ROMELLO CARBUCCIA (2-4, RBI) tied the game up with a single to right center to bring in JORGE GARCIA (3-5, run scored). Two batters later DJ LEWIS (1-3, RBI) singled to deep in the 5.5 hole to bring in Kruger and give Grossmont a 4-3 lead.
City came right back and tied the game up with a single run in the bottom of the fifth, followed that up with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
In the top of the seventh, Kruger singled, was moved over to third on a sacrifice and was brought in on a BRANDON LEWIS (0-3, RBI) sacrifice fly to close out the Griffin scoring.
The two teams will close out the series today at Noel Mickelsen Field on the campus of Grossmont College, first pitch is scheduled for high noon.
Garcia and Perry flex their muscle in Griffin win
By Chris Davis
&© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-8-15) — The Grossmont College Griffins hit a pair of long balls and had some good mound work as they defeated San Diego City College 7-2 in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game on Tuesday (Apr. 7) at Noel Mickelsen Field.
Both teams went scoreless in the first. Then the Griffins (14-14, 8-8 PCAC) opened up the flood gates in the bottom of the second. That is when JORGE GARCIA (1-4, run scored, RBI) launched a 1-1 slider to straight away left field for a leadoff homer and a 1-0 Griffin lead.
TANNER PERRY (2-4, run scored, 3 RBI) saw Garcia’s homer and thought “hey, I can do that” and he launched a screamer to just to the right of center field for a 3-run home run.
PEYTON LINDSEY (1-2, run scored, RBI) preceded that with a single through the left side to bring in DJ LEWIS (3-4, run scored, RBI) who had doubled to lead the inning off.
In the third, the Griffins slowed down and only scored one run when Lewis brought in ROMELLO CARBUCCIA (2-4, run scored) with a single.
The same held true in the fifth when KEITH KRUGER (0-4, RBI) had a productive groundout that brought home DIEGO REYNOSO (2-4, 2 runs scored).
While all of this offense was rolling, NEIL LANG (W, 2-2) was only allowing three hits and four strikeouts.
The remaining three innings, the Griffins went through six different pitchers, the longest of which was MATT KIRK through the entire ninth inning.
Looking down the road, the Griffins have eight games remaining in the season. They are five games behind second place Southwestern who currently sits in second. Southwestern swept the season series over the Griffins, giving them the tie breaker if that comes into play. San Diego Mesa sits in third a game and a half ahead of Grossmont.
Griffins snap losing skid
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
HEMET (4-1-15) — The Griffins and Eagles of Mt. San Jacinto decided to have batting practice during the game on Tuesday (Mar. 31) as both teams had in excess of 10 hits. Grossmont came out on top in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game 9-8 to move a step closer to .500 in conference play.
Things certainly didn’t start out on a good foot as the Eagles (9-16, 7-6 PCAC) plated five runs on five hits in the bottom of the first.
Grossmont (12-13, 6-7) did the ol “whatever you can do, I can do better” routine as they plated six runs.
KEITH KRUGER (1-4, run scored) started things out with a single. ROMELLO CARBUCCIA (3-5, 2 runs scored) pushed him over to third on a single. MATT KIRK (0-2, run scored, RBI) reached on an error, one of four that the Eagles would commit on the day, to bring Kruger home and push Carbuccia over to third. Kirk scooted to second on a wild pitch. JUSTIN MITCHELL (2-5, run scored, RBI) had a productive groundout that allowed Carbuccia to score and Kirk to third. DJ LEWIS (0-5, run scored) reached on an error that allowed Kirk to touch home. BRADY GROESBECK (2-5, 2 runs scored, RBI) doubled to left allowing Lewis to score. DIEGO REYNOSO (3-4, run scored, RBI) thought that Groesbeck’s double was such a beautiful hit, he did the same thing bringing in Groesbeck. After a flyout and a wild pitch the pit Reynoso on third, Mt. San Jacinto’s pitch uncorked a 58-foot curveball allowing Reynoso to walk home on a wild pitch that got all the way to the backstop.
The Eagles came right back and scored a pair of runs to take a 7-6 lead after only two frames.
TANNER PERRY (3-5, 2 RBI) would drive in the Griffins only run in the fourth, and just for giggles and grins he would do it again one inning later to give the Griffins the lead back 8-7 after five innings.
Mt. San Jacinto tied the game up with a run in the bottom of the sixth.
With the Griffins already staring down the barrel of a 90 minute drive home, there was no way that any of them wanted to go into extra innings. Carbuccia lead the ninth with a single to right field. HUNTER REED (0-2) sacrificed him into scoring position. Lewis reached on an error by the shortstop, that error brought Carbuccia safely home to give the Green and Gold a 9-8 victory.
ANDREW SCHULTZ (S, 4) got the save by getting the Eagles to go fly out, single, game-ending double play for his fourth save of the year.
The two teams will resume their series on Thursday at Noel Mickelsen for a 2 p.m. first pitch.
Griffins singing The Beatles
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-29-15) — The Beatles had a hit in 1964 by the name of “A Hard Day’s Night,” that is exactly how one could explain Saturday’s (Mar. 28) game against Southwestern for Grossmont as they dropped the series finale 10-4 at Noel Mickelsen Field.
JORGE GARCIA (3-5) lead the Griffin hit parade against Southwestern (19-6, 11-4 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference) pitching. As a squad, Grossmont (11-13, 5-7 PCAC) had seven hits. The Griffins got five free passes and one fielder’s choice for a total of 13 baserunners. Nine of which were left on base. Southwestern on the other hand registered 15 baserunners, all on base hits.
CRAIG GRUBBE (4-2) got tagged with the loss. Grubbe went a pair of innings allowing four hits, five runs (four earned), one strikeout and allowed a first inning three-run homer.
Tuesday (March 31) will see the Griffins traveling to Hemet to take on Mt. San Jacinto. Thursday (April 2) the Eagles will come to Noel Mickelsen Field for a 2:00 p.m. first pitch. The series finale will be on Friday (April 3) back in Hemet.
Another close one slips away from Griffins
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (3-27-15) — Grossmont College’s comeback attempt against Southwestern came up just a bit short on Thursday (Mar. 26) as the Jaguars held on for a 5-4 victory in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference matchup at The Junction on the campus of Southwestern.
For the fifth time this season, the Griffins (11-12, 5-6 PCAC) dropped a one-run decision. In one-run games Grossmont is 2-5 this season.
TANNER PERRY (2-4, RBI) and KEITH KRUGER (2-3, run scored) were the only two Griffins with multiple hits as the team garnered six total hits. A glance at the stat sheet shows how bad the day was for Grossmont as the team had more strikeouts (eight) than hits. And more runners left on base (11) than strikeouts.
Three different innings saw the Griffins leave two or more runners on base, including the final inning when the Green and Gold left the bases loaded.
With the Jaguars leading 1-0 and one out in the top of the third, HUNTER REED (0-3, run scored) walked to get things rolling. After a fly out, DIEGO REYNOSO (1-4) singled to allow Reed to wrap around to third. Perry singled to push Reynoso to second and scored Reed to tie the game up at one.
Southwestern scored a single run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. Grossmont came right back in the top of the sixth to tie it up on a JUSTIN MITCHELL (0-2, RBI) sacrifice fly that allowed Kruger to score.
The Jags ended up scoring three runs to take a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth.
In the eighth inning, JORGE GARCIA (0-4, run scored) reached first on the lone Jaguar error on the day. He was sacrificed over to second and got to third on a passed ball. Garcia would end up scoring on a wild pitch to bring the Griffins a little closer at 5-3.
The Griffins’ final gasp at trying to tie or win the game, started when BRADY GROESBECK (0-4, run scored) got on with a one out walk. Reynoso got a free pass to first in a painful way, as he was hit by a pitch. Perry loaded the bases with a walk. Pinch-hitter GARRETT JARVIS got his RBI the easiest way possible on a bases loaded walk. That put Reynoso on third and represented the tying run. After a pitching change for Southwestern, the Griffins popped up to the shortstop and was caught looking to end the game.
The same two teams will close up the season series on Saturday (Mar. 28) at Noel Mickelsen Field at Noon.
Porous defense leads to Griffin loss
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-25-15) — On a day that saw JORGE GARCIA hit his first collegiate home run, the highlights were few and far between for the Griffins who dropped a 5-2 decision to Southwestern College in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game at Noel Mickelsen Field on Tuesday (Mar. 24).
Southwestern (17-7, 9-4 PCAC) jumped out in front in the second inning with a DOMINIK SAWYER (Mount Miguel, 1-3, RBI) double to right center field to bring in Roberto Lucero for a 1-0 lead.
It was in the bottom of the second inning that Garcia (1-4, run scored, RBI) hit his homer to dead center field to bring the Griffins (11-11, 5-5 PCAC) even – for what would be the final time all day.
Fast forward to the eighth inning and the Jaguars scored three times, two of the runs were unearned after some spotty defense by the Griffins.
In the bottom of the inning, DIEGO REYNOSO (1-4, run scored) started the inning strong with a base hit to left center. TANNER PERRY (3-4) followed that up with a single to center to put runners on first and second. After a double play, BRADY GROESBECK (2-4, RBI) singled up the middle to bring in Reynoso and bring the Griffins back to within 4-2.
Alas for the Griffins that is as close as it would get as the Jags would score a leadoff homer in the top of the ninth to regain their three run cushion.
The same two teams will meet on Thursday (Mar. 26) at The Junction on the campus of Southwestern College. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. The series finale will be on Saturday at Noel Mickelsen Field at noon.
Griffins come from behind to take series from Imperial Valley
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-21-15) — In a up and down year so far for the Griffins, the game Friday (Mar. 20) was a microcosm of the season. The Griffins started out cold, then got hot, then cruised to victory over Imperial Valley 7-4 at Noel Mickelsen Field in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game.
JORGE GARCIA (2-4, run scored) and TANNER PERRY (2-5, RBI) led the Griffins (11-10, 5-4) offense.
On the mound it was a “Johnny All-Staff” day as Grossmont used seven pitchers with MATT KIRK (1-1) getting the win and AUSTIN SEIDEL (2) getting the save.
With Imperial Valley leading 4-0 going to the bottom of the fifth, DJ LEWIS (1-2, 2 runs scored, RBI) drew the walk to lead off the inning. HUNTER REED (0-3, run scored) sacrificed him into scoring position. DIEGO REYNOSO (1-4, run scored, RBI) grounded the ball to third and reached as the Arab defender airmailed the throw to first allowing Lewis to score. BRADY GROESBECK (1-3, run scored, RBI) singled to center to put runners on first and second. Perry came through with one of his singles to left center and advanced to second on the throw to third. Groesbeck made it safely to third from first and Reynoso scored an unearned run. Perry moved up to third, while Groesbeck scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-3 in Imperial Valley’s favor.
One inning later, Garcia started the rally off with a double, one of two on the day, down the left field line. KEITH KRUGER (1-4) got on with a bunt single to move Garcia to third. Lewis got another single this time through the left side to bring in Garcia and tie the game at 4-4. Reed bunted a pitch back to the pitcher but was safe on a fielder’s choice as the Arabs pulled the wheel play to get Kruger at third. Lewis moved up to third on a wild pitch to put runners on the corners with one out. ROMELLO CARBUCCIA (1-2, run scored) walked to load the bases full of Griffins. Reynoso came up with a single up the middle to push everyone up 90 feet (Lewis scored). Groesbeck hit a sacrifice fly to left to bring in Reed on the second out of the inning. IVC’s pitcher uncorked a wild pitch to bring in the seventh and final run for the Griffins in the person of Groesbeck.
COREY LONGPRE came in the eighth inning to get the hold, and Seidel came in to nail down the victory.
The Griffins will wrap up their three game home stand with a PCAC contest against second place Southwestern. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Lang shuts down Arabs
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-20-15) — The Grossmont College Griffins looked like they were going to win a tight game, that was until they scored four in the eighth to give themselves some breathing room in a 5-1 victory over Imperial Valley on Thursday (Mar. 19).
NEIL LANG (5-2) went the distance allowing one run on four hits and did not issue a walk on the day, while striking out four.
“Neil had a great game,” coach RANDY ABSHIER said. “He had their hitters off balance all day.”
Freshman BRADY GROESBECK had a great day at the plate going 3 for 4 with two runs scored and a pair of RBI. The three hits were one-third of the Griffins (10-10, 4-4) total output for the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference match-up.
The Griffins got things rolling in the second. Groesbeck singled to right center and then subsequently stole second base. After a ground out, JORGE GARCIA (2-2, 2 RBI) also singled to short right center to bring in Groesbeck for a 1-0 lead.
Things were quiet over the next five innings as both pitchers were making it look like a pitcher’s duel.
DIEGO REYNOSO (1-4, run scored) led the inning off with a single to left center. TANNER PERRY (2-4, run scored) followed that with a single of his own to move Reynoso to third as he was moving on the pitch. JUSTIN MITCHELL (1-4, run scored) laid down a beautiful bunt just past the pitcher to load the bases. Groesbeck singled down the right field line to bring in Reynoso and Perry.
Coach Abshier got a little tricky as Groesbeck took off to steal second. The throw was cut off by the shortstop who threw it home to try and get Mitchell who was in the act of stealing home. The throw was not in time and was high and away from the catcher, allowing Groesbeck to get all the way around to third.
After a ground out for the first out of the inning. Garcia launched a high foul ball to first. After the catch was secured, Groesbeck tagged up and scored to make it 5-0 going to the top of the ninth.
In the top of the ninth, the Arabs manufactured a run to close out the scoring 5-1.
The same two teams will meet again today at noon at Noel Mickelsen Field.
Trip to desert not an enjoyable one for Griffins.
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (3-18-15) — The Griffins had an 8-4 lead going into the seventh inning stretch, only to drop a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference contest to the Imperial Valley Arabs 10-9 on Tuesday (Mar. 17).
The five through seven hitters in the batting order each went 3 for 5 in the game. BRADY GROESBECK (fifth spot, run scored and 2 RBI), PEYTON LINDSAY (sixth spot, 2 runs scored) and JUSTIN MITCHELL (seventh spot, run scored, 2 RBI) all had a great day.
Things started out on a good note for the Griffins (9-10, 3-4) as they scored twice in the opening frame. KEITH KRUGER (1-4, run scored, RBI) walked to start the game off. DIEGO REYNOSO (2-5, run scored, RBI) grounded out to move Kruger up 90 feet. TANNER PERRY (1-4, run scored, RBI) singled to left field which allowed Kruger to score. JORGE GARCIA (1-4, run scored) singled to right allowing Perry to move all the way to third. Perry scored on a wild pitch and that is where the rally ended.
Imperial Valley (6-16, 3-7 PCAC) cut the Griffins lead in half when they scored a run in the bottom of the second inning.
Grossmont fought right back and scored a pair of runs. With two outs, Reynoso who had reached with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball. Garcia followed that with a walk to put runners on first and second. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Groesbeck knocked in both of his RBI with a single to plate both runs.
One inning later, the Griffins were right back at it. Lindsey doubled to start the inning and Mitchell followed that with another double to score Lindsey. Two outs later, Kruger singled to center to bring in Mitchell. After stealing second, Kruger was stranded there. In the middle of the fourth it was 6-1 Grossmont.
In the bottom of the fifth, IVC scored three times to pull within 6-4.
Right before the stretch, the Griffins scored two runs with two outs. After two outs had occurred, Groesbeck beat out a single to the shortstop. Lindsey singled to left to move Groesbeck to second. Mitchell singled to right. Normally, no big deal. However, when the right fielder misplayed the ball it allowed Mitchell to advance to second. Groesbeck scored, and Lindsey came all the way around and scored from first to make it 8-4.
In the bottom of the seventh, with one out, Imperial Valley got the ball rolling with a single. That was followed by Hector Mellos’ second home run of the season. The Arabs were not done yet, after back-to-back singles, the Griffins gave a free runner away by hitting a batter with a pitch to load the bases. A bases clearing triple pushed the Arabs and Griffins into a tie. Two batters later, Poldo Gil registered a single to bring in the final run of the day for IVC.
Reynoso singled to left to bring in HUNTER REED (pinch hitter, 1-2, run scored) to close out the Griffin scoring.
The two teams will resume their week-long series when they meet at Noel Mickelson Field on Thursday and Friday. Games will begin at 2 p.m. and high noon respectively.
Singles galore at Mesa
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
KEARNY MESA (3-8-15) — When a team gets 13 hits, it is a nice accomplishment. When all 13 of those hits were singles, it makes getting a win a little difficult. But the Griffins did both, 13 singles and they got a come from behind victory 6-5 over San Diego Mesa on Saturday (Mar. 7).
Freshman ALLAN STRONG (no decision) struggled over the first two innings allowing three runs (two earned runs) on two hits and a walk. Sophomore JOSEPH VISKAS (W, 1-0) came out of the bullpen and threw six innings of three hit ball, allowing two runs late in the outing.
HUNTER REED (3-4, 2 runs scored, RBI) led all hitters with the best day at the plate.
After six innings of play, Mesa (7-10, 2-4) was in front 3-0. The Griffins finally got on the board. Reed got things started with two outs with a single to center. KEITH KRUGER (1-4, RBI) singled to center to get runners on first and second. DIEGO REYNOSO (1-4, run scored) singled to load the bases up. TANNER PERRY (2-5, 2 RBI) beat out a single to the pitcher to bring in Reed.
In the eighth, the Griffins got the engine purring nicely. BRADY GROESBECK (1-3, run scored) beat out a grounder to shortstop. After a strikeout, BRANDON LEWIS (1-2, run scored) singled to center pushing Groesbeck up to second. MATT KIRK (1-2, run scored) pinch hit for DJ LEWIS. Kirk lived up to it as he got a hit to center, moved up to second on the throw. Groesbeck scored and Lewis moved over to third.
Mesa then brought in a relief pitcher, it really didn’t help much as Reed (single to left), Kruger (sacrifice fly to center), Perry (single down the left field line) and JORGE GARCIA (2-4, RBI, single to center) all came up with RBI’s. In all, five runs came across in the eighth inning resulting in a 6-3 Griffin lead.
It was in the bottom of the eighth when Viskas allowed his two runs to have Mesa close to within 6-5. ZACHARY HYMER (1/3 innings pitched, walk) and AUSTIN SEIDEL (save, 1 2/3 innings pitched) came in and locked down the win in the ninth.
The Griffins will have their bye week this week prior to taking on Imperial Valley (in the desert on Tuesday (Mar. 17) and at home on Thursday and Friday March 19-20).
Griffins fall to Palomar
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-6-15) — It was looking good for eight innings for the Griffins, then the ninth inning came. Pacific Coast Athletic Conference front runners Palomar trailed for all but the final inning on Thursday (March 5) pulling out a 4-3 victory.
NEIL LANG went seven and a third innings and received a no decision for his performance. Lang allowed two runs (one earned), six hits, one walk and four strikeouts.
JORGE GARCIA led the offensive attack by going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. DIEGO REYNOSO (2-4, run scored) was the only other Griffin with multiple hits.
The Griffins (8-9, 2-3 PCAC) got on the board in the bottom of the second. Garcia began the inning with a double to left center field. BRADY GROESBECK (1-2, 2 sacrifices) got Garcia over to third on an excellent sacrifice bunt. PEYTON LINDSEY (0-4, RBI) grounded out to shortstop to bring in Garcia.
After a scoreless third, Grossmont got on the board again. Reynoso singled to center field to get things started. Garcia singled after an out to put runners on first and second with two outs. Lindsey hit a ground ball to third that looked to be the final out of the frame, but the throw from the third baseman was off target and allowed him to load the bases. JUSTIN MITCHELL (1-3, 2 RBI) walked to push across Reynoso with an unearned run. The inning and threat ended there.
After Palomar scored an unearned run in the fifth to close to a run, the Green and Gold got it back in the sixth.
TANNER PERRY (1-4) singled to center to get the Griffin scoring machine cranked over again. Garcia singled through the left side to get Perry into scoring position. Groesbeck laid down another sacrifice bunt that he almost beat out for a hit. That put runners at second and third with one out. Lindsey hit a grounder to first and instead of taking the easy out at first, instead he went home and nailed Perry at the plate. Mitchell then came up with runners on the corners and two out. Mitchell singled down the left field line to bring in Garcia and regain a two-run cushion at 3-1.
Palomar would get to within one by scoring in the eighth.
The Comets then would get two hits and then a triple down the left field line to bring in both runners.
The Griffins travel to Kearny Mesa on Saturday (Mar. 7) to take on San Diego Mesa at high noon. Next week, the PCAC will begin full week series against Imperial Valley. Tuesday’s game will be in the desert, Thursday and Friday will be at Noel Mickelsen Field.
Grossmont tight early, blowout late at City
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (3-5-15) — The Griffins and 16th ranked (Southern California) Knights were locked in a nail-biter through six innings on Wednesday (March 4). Before the Griffins blew the scoreboard up and scored eight in the final third of the game to take a 10-2 PCAC game that was delayed one day due to weather.
KEITH KRUGER and DIEGO REYNOSO combined to go 8-for-10, five runs scored and five RBI in the top two spots in the lineup for Grossmont (8-8, 2-2).
Kruger and Reynoso each singled in the top of the first to get the game underway. TANNER PERRY (2-5, 3 RBI) singled through the left side to bring in Kruger. JORGE GARCIA walked to load the bases up. After two strikeouts, PEYTON LINDSEY (2-5, 2 runs, RBI) knocked a single through the right side to bring in Reynoso for a 2-0 lead after a half an inning.
JACKSON DENNIS (1-0) relived BRANDON LEWIS as it was all-hands on deck for the Griffins. Dennis allowed a triple to Valhalla alum CORY RUSSELL (1-4, run scored). He was knocked in two batters later to cut the Griffin lead to 2-1 after five innings.
After a quiet sixth inning, the Griffins played some small ball in the seventh. Kruger got things rolling, Reynoso sacrificed him to second and advanced to third on a balk. Perry hit a sacrifice fly to left to bring Kruger home to make it 3-1 Grossmont.
The Green and Gold blew things open in the eighth as they scored four runs in the frame. JUSTIN MITCHELL (2-5, run scored) got the engine going by singling up the middle. Lindsey singled to center to move Mitchell to second. DJ LEWIS (0-4, run scored) reached on a fielder’s choice when City got Mitchell at third.
HUNTER REED (2-4, run scored, RBI) singled up the middle to load the bases up. Kruger brought Lindsey and Lewis in on a single to left field. On a double steal attempt, Reed was caught at third, while Kruger was safe at second. Reynoso singled to left to bring in Kruger. Perry then drilled a triple down the left field line to bring in the fourth and final run of the inning.
The Knights scratched and clawed a run across to close to within 7-2.
Grossmont wasn't quite done yet as the Griffins – with two outs and runners on first and second – went single-double-single to bring in three runs.
Today the Griffins will host first place No. 2 (Southern California) Palomar (12-3, 3-0) at 2 p.m.
Eagles swoop in, grab win over Grossmont
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-28-15) — Mt. San Jacinto scored four times in the top of the first and never looked back en route to a 10-2 victory over Grossmont in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game on Friday (Feb. 27).
CRAIG GRUBBE (4-1) didn’t have his best stuff and the Eagles took full advantage by batting around and posting four runs right out of the gate.
Mt. San Jacinto (4-11, 2-1 PCAC) had their bats going all day as all nine starters registered at least one hit. The Eagles racked up 18 hits on the day and left 11 stranded on the bases.
Four Griffins (7-8, 1-2 PCAC) had two hits. JORGE GARCIA (2-4, double), MATT KIRK (2-5), PEYTON LINDSAY (2-4, stolen base) and HUNTER REED (2-4, solo home run). The four through eight spots in the lineup went a combined 9-20 with both of the team’s runs, a double, two home runs and two RBI.
In the bottom of the fourth JUSTIN MITCHELL led off the frame with a high fly ball, which ended up hitting the top of the protective covering on the fence and ricocheted out of the park to get the Griffins on the board.
Four innings later, with two outs, Reed drilled a fly ball to deep left field. JT Brown from Mt. San Jacinto tracked the ball and timed his jump perfectly. Many in the stands were not sure if Brown had caught the ball or if Reed had hit a home run. Reed wasn’t even completely positive if he hit it out. He started to turn toward the Griffin dugout before the entire bench told him that it was gone. By the time he had reached second base in a slow trot around the bases the home plate umpire was signaling for a home run.
Grossmont will be off until Tuesday (Mar. 3) when they travel to Morley Field in Balboa Park to take on the San Diego City College Knights at 2 p.m.
Griffins fall to Jaguars
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (2-27-15) — Southwestern College overcame good starting pitching to capture Thursday’s (Feb. 26) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game 3-2 at the Junction.
Sophomore NEIL LANG scattered nine hits over seven innings allowing one run (unearned). Lang walked only one batter and struck a pair of Jaguars out across the duration of his no decision.
ZACHARY HYMER (1-2) suffered the loss allowing the game-tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth inning.
Freshman PEYTON LINDSEY had two of Grossmont’s (7-7, 1-1 PCAC) hits.
The scoring got off the ground in the top of the fifth for the Griffins. HUNTER REED led the inning off with a walk. DJ LEWIS grounded into a fielder’s choice which would traditionally erase Reed at second, however an error on the Southwestern pitcher allowed him to be safe. KEITH KRUEGER laid down a great sacrifice bunt moving Lewis and Reed to both be in scoring position with only one out. DIEGO REYNOSO grounded out to the shortstop bringing in Reed on an unearned run and placing Lewis on third with two out. Unfortunately for the Griffins that is where he would stay after the Jaguars pitching got the final out with a strikeout.
Just after the stretch, the Jaguars tied the game up at one with an RBI single by Granite Hills alum CODIE SIMMONS (1-4, RBI).
In the top of the eighth Kruger got things rolling with a leadoff walk. He was sacrificed to second on a Reynoso bunt and tagged up to third on a fly out from TANNER PERRY (0-4). Southwestern’s catcher Steven Sherwood allowed a passed ball which allowed Kruger to score.
Hymer came in out of the bullpen and quickly got two groundouts. Then the Southwestern batters got three consecutive hits to bring in the two runs that put them ahead.
KEVIN GINKEL from El Capitan came in the ninth and closed the door for his fifth save of the campaign.
The Griffins will be back on the field later today for a PCAC game against Mt. San Jacinto. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday (Feb. 28), but has been moved up a day to try and avoid the weather that is predicted to move in on Saturday. Game time is slated for noon.
GARCIA, PERRY LEAD GRIFFINS OVER ARABS
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
IMPERIAL (2-25-15) — TANNER PERRY and JORGE GARCIA both had exceptional days at the plate as the Griffins doubled up the Arabs in the desert 8-4 to open Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play.
Perry (Steele Canyon) went 3-for-4 with four runs scored on the day. Garcia (Helix) was the hit leader on the day going 4-for-5 with an RBI as Grossmont (7-6, 1-0) jumped into the top spot with Palomar (10-3, 1-0) of the PCAC standings. Everyone else in the conference has already played two games.
"It was a good win," head coach RANDY ABSHIER said. "We just need to keep getting better every day."
ALAN STRONG (Santana, 1-1) got the win coming out of the 'pen with two shutout innings. Half of his outs were via strike three. On the day, the Griffin pitching staff racked up nine punch outs, compared to only striking out once on the offensive side of the plate.
Things got going quickly for both teams as the Griffins put two runs on the board via an error and a single by DIEGO REYNOSO (1-3, 3 RBI).
The Arabs came right back and matched it with back-to-back errors by the Griffins, their only two of the day.
In the third, the Griffins offense got cranked up again scoring another pair of runs. Garcia singled to bring in BRANDON LEWIS (2-4, 2 runs, 2 stolen bases) to reclaim the lead for the Green and Gold. After a MATT KIRK walk to load the bases, Reynoso got his most painful RBI of the day to bring in Perry.
The bottom of the fourth saw Imperial Valley score twice to bring the game back to even at 4-4.
It didn't stay that way for long as the Griffins scored a single tally in the top of the fifth on a Reynoso sacrifice fly to once again drive in Perry.
Right before the stretch, the Perry scored again on a fielder's choice to make it 7-4.
In the eighth the Griffins put the finishing touches on a good day at the plate when DJ LEWIS (West Hills, 0-1, run scored, walk, stolen base) came in on a HUNTER REED (Grossmont HS, 1-4, RBI) single to make it 8-4.
ANDREW SCHULTZ (Patrick Henry, 1-1, 4 saves) came in and got the Arabs to go down one, two, three.
The Griffins travel to Southwestern on Thursday (Feb. 26) before closing out the month at home against Mt. San Jacinto.
Huskies build picket fence en route to defeating Griffins
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-22-15) — When a team commits as many errors as their opponents score it is not usually a good day. Such was the case on Friday (Feb. 20) when the Griffins committed five errors and lost to the East Los Angeles College Huskies 5-3.
East Los Angeles (5-6) put up a picket fence by scoring single runs in the first, second, fourth, seventh and ninth innings.
Grossmont (6-5) finally broke through immediately after the stretch. DIEGO REYNOSO led off the threat with a walk. The very next pitch PEYTON LINDSAY ripped a double down the left field line, moving Reynoso to third. Pinch hitter JUSTIN MITCHELL hit a weak ground ball to the second baseman to move both runners up 90 feet and the second out of the inning. That is where the rally stopped momentarily.
After holding East LA scoreless with a 1-2-3 inning, KEITH KRUGER singled to the third baseman. JORGE GARCIA got a single up the middle to put runners on first and second. Designated hitter MATT KIRK hit it right back up the box to drive in Kruger and move Garcia to second. Reynoso hit a soft liner to center field to load the bases. After a fly out for the second out of the inning, BRANDON LEWIS coaxed a walk out of Husky pitching to bring in Garcia and bring the Griffins to 4-3. However, that is where the offense clocked out of work.
Kruger and Garcia both led the hitting attack with a pair of hits. Kirk go on base three of his four plate appearances.
NEIL LANG (4-3, 1 save) took the loss giving up four runs (two earned) over seven innings while throwing in excess of 120 pitches.
The Griffins will travel to Los Angeles Harbor for a game today at noon in Winchester, which is near Carson in the Los Angeles area.
Griffins hang tough with top five club
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
SANTA ANA (2-11-15) &mdash' The Grossmont College Griffins fell behind early, came back to take the lead and then lost late 11-10 against Santa Ana College on Tuesday (Feb. 10).
Santa Ana (5-1-1), ranked in the preseason poll as the fifth best team in SoCal, jumped out with a five spot in the bottom of the first.
Grossmont (4-4) started the comeback in the third. With two outs and runners on the corners, Santa Ana brought in a new pitcher. He immediately, walked BRADY GROESBECK to load them up. Freshman MATT KIRK slugged his first collegiate home run, creating one heck of a welcoming party back at home plate.
Two innings later, with one out and runners on first and second, Santa Ana didn’t want to chance giving Kirk anything to hit so they walked him to load the bases. After a pitching change, freshman HUNTER REED steps up. He didn’t get as big of a hit as Kirk, but he did drive in a run on a fielder’s choice (Kirk forced at second) to tie the game at 5-5. Sophomore BRANDON LEWIS was certainly thinking “but wait, there’s more!” as he singled to right field to bring in Groesbeck.
Santa Ana hitters came up with a vengeance in the bottom of the inning. They put another five spot up to regain the lead 10-6.
JUSTIN MITCHELL singled to the “5.5” hole to push across KEITH KRUGER who doubled to lead the frame off to make it 10-7. Much to Santa Ana’s approval, Groesbeck grounded into a double play to kill the Griffin rally.
Lewis came up with two outs in the top of the seventh. With the two previous batters hitting the ball to shortstop, the crowd was getting ready to sing. This however is when “B Lew” as some of his teammates call him had a better idea, an inside-the-park homer to bring the Griffins to 10-8. And the rally wasn’t over yet! NATHANIEL NGUYEN walked to keep things moving. Kruger smashed a double to put runners on second and third. DIEGO REYNOSO got a ball through the right side for a two-run single and make it 10-all Santa Ana.
In the bottom of the ninth, ANDREW SCHULTZ allowed a double to lead things off and then a walk. Santa Ana was looking to lay a sacrifice bunt down to get the winning run just 90 feet away. Schultz had a differing opinion as he grabbed the bunt and threw a strike to the shortstop who was covering third for the first out. But the good guy doesn’t always win in real life. After getting a strikeout, Patrick Cromwell snuck a single through the right side to bring in the winning run.
The Griffins will regroup the remainder of the week, before traveling to Rancho Cucamonga to play the back half of a home-and-home with Chaffey at Noon on Saturday (Feb. 14).
Griffins hit rough patch
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-8-15) — It was an up and down weekend for the Griffin baseball team.
The Shirelles had a hit song in 1961 titled “Mama Said (There Would Be Days Like This)”. That song would most definitely be the Griffins’ theme song on Thursday (Feb. 5) as preseason ranked No. 19 Fullerton defeated Grossmont 22-3.
Freshmen JORGE GARCIA and GARRETT JARVIS both got two hits and between the two had nearly half of the Griffin hits.
Steele Canyon graduate TANNER PERRY knocked in two of the G-House’s three runs.
Friday saw the Green and Gold bring home a 6-4 victory over Los Angeles Harbor.
Saturday (Feb. 7) saw the Chaffey Panthers from the Foothill Conference travel to Noel Mickelsen Field and leave with a 3-1 victory.
Perry led the Griffin offense with a three-hit performance and knocked in the only Griffin run. Grossmont had plenty of opportunities, but couldn’t cash in on them.
The Griffins will be back out on the road Wednesday (Feb. 10) when they travel to Santa Ana (4-1-1) and on Saturday (Feb. 14) they will return the game with Chaffey in the home-and-home in Rancho Cucamonga.
Patient Griffin hitters wear down Viking pitching
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-4-15) — The Grossmont College Griffins didn’t wait until the ninth inning to put runs on the board on Tuesday (Feb. 3), unlike on Saturday. They put them up early and frequently in the middle innings as they defeated Long Beach City College in the back end of a home-and-home series 6-3 at Noel Mickelsen Field.
KEITH KRUGER went 3-for-5 in the contest while scoring twice and driving in one. “Keith had a great day at the plate,” Griffins head coach RANDY ABSHIER said after the game.
TANNER PERRY and BRADY GROESBECK each collected a pair of hits. DIEGO REYNOSO picked up a pair of RBI’s – his team’s co-leading fifth of the year.
Grossmont (3-1) was patient at the plate and was rewarded with a season high eight walks courtesy of Viking (0-2) pitching. The Green and Gold also collected their first three stolen bases of the year.
Long Beach scored their first two runs of the season in the top of the first. In the bottom of the third, PEYTON LINDSAY (Grossmont HS) walked to get things rolling. HUNTER REED (Grossmont HS) sacrificed Lindsay to second. Kruger stepped up and singled to left to get his only RBI of the day.
In the fifth, Kruger got a single to kick-start the rally with one out. Perry followed that up with a single which pushed Kruger to third. Perry didn’t waste any time and on the first pitch of JORGE GARCIA’s plate appearance (a walk), he stole second. Once Garcia loaded the bases, JUSTIN MITCHELL (Granite Hills) got credit for what could be his easiest run “batted” in with a bases loaded walk. After a pitching change, Reynoso hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Perry. Groesbeck laced a single to right, but the rally would end with a strike out.
The sixth is when the Griffins blew the game open with a trio of runs. BRANDON LEWIS (Helix) scored on an error. Kruger scored just a couple of batters later on a ground out. Reynoso drove in Perry to cap the scoring.
The Griffins will take on Fullerton, the 19th best team in Southern California’s preseason poll, on Thursday at Noel Mickelsen Field at 2 p.m.
Mitchell + Kruger + Schultz = Griffin shutout
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
LONG BEACH (2-1-15) — If the season opener for Long Beach City College is any indication for the season they are about to have, it might lead to an increase in heartburn in the greater Long Beach area. The Vikings had a perfect game going through five innings.
Long Beach had been threatening all day, five innings with runners on second base or better. Long Beach even had a runner thrown out at home in the third inning. But with the 0-0 tie going to the ninth, the Vikings decided to pull their starter Julian Griego who had allowed only two hits and struck out three in eight innings.
Grossmont then sent 13 batters to the plate in the ninth inning and shut the Vikings down one-two-three in the bottom of the frame to secure a 7-0 win.
BRANDON LEWIS (Helix) got things started in the ninth by beating out the throw from the shortstop. Then when that throw went wild, he advanced to second. KEITH KRUGER got a bunt single to move Lewis to third. TANNER PERRY (Steele Canyon) singled to left to bring Lewis home and put Kruger on second. Both Perry and Kruger moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch to open first base. JORGE GARCIA (Helix) got the intentional walk to load the bases for JUSTIN MITCHELL (Granite Hills). Mitchell drove the ball right back up the middle to move everyone up a station.
Long Beach made a pitching change, but that did little to kill the Griffins’ momentum. DIEGO REYNOSO (Helix) served a slider back to center to keep the merry-go-round running. BRADY GROESBECK (Del Norte) hit a grounder to second which forced Reynoso out at second for the first out. To keep track, that is seven batters and three runs before an out was registered.
With runners on the corners, three runs in already, Long Beach shot themselves in the foot as it looked like LBCC had Groesbeck dead to rights at second base… only to have their pitcher throw the ball halfway into center field. Brady would wrap around to third on the error while Mitchell trotted home to make it 4-0.
HUNTER REED (Grossmont) worked a walk to keep the party going. GARRETT JARVIS (West Hills) hit into a fielders choice – Reed at second – to make it 6-0 when Groesbeck came in on the play. Lewis came up for the second time in the inning and got the free pass via hit by pitch. Kruger liked getting a hit so much the first time, he hit a laser to left center that allowed Jarvis to come home. When all the dust finally settled, seven runs on six hits.
ANDREW SCHULTZ (1-0), the Patrick Henry graduate, nailed down his first collegiate win with a fly out, strikeout, fly out in the bottom of the ninth.
The same two teams will go after each other again on Tuesday at Noel Mickelsen Field in a 2:00 P.M. tilt.
Perry leads Griffins to first victory of year
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-31-15) — On a day when the Griffins remembered Coach Noel Mickelsen, the late mentor would have been smiling as the Griffins defeated Victor Valley College 7-4 on Friday (Jan. 30).
TANNER PERRY led the Griffins out of the second spot in the order, going four-for-five with two runs and a pair of RBI. He was sandwiched by KEITH KRUGER and JORGE GARCIA who each had two hits in five trips to the plate. Garcia added a run and a RBI, while Kruger scored twice.
After Victor Valley (0-2) scored a run in the top of the third, the Griffins (1-1) came back with a DIEGO REYNOSO double to left center to plate Perry and Garcia. JUSTIN MITCHELL was thrown out trying to score from first.
An inning later, Perry knocked a single down the left field line to bring home BRANDON LEWIS to extend the Griffins’ lead to 3-1.
In the fifth, the Rams cut the lead to one when Cory Brooks scored on an error.
An inning and a half later, Perry doubled to the left field corner to bring in Kruger to regain a two run lead. After the stretch, HUNTER REED beat out an infield single which brought home PEYTON LINDSAY to push the Griffins lead to 5-2.
In the eighth, Kruger scored his second run off of a wild pitch. One pitch later, Garcia plated Perry who had moved to third on the wild pitch.
Victor Valley threatened to tie the score in the top of the seventh, but could only score two to get the final score.
The Green and Gold will travel to Long Beach City College today before the Vikings come down to Michelson field on Tuesday (Feb. 3) for a 2 p.m. first pitch.
Rocky start to the 2015 season for Griffins
By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com
Cypress, Calif. (1-28-15) — The Grossmont College baseball team got off on the wrong foot as they dropped their season opener 7-3 to Cypress College on Tuesday (Jan. 27).
“Tough loss but we’ll bounce back.” That is how head coach RANDY ABSHIER described the game.
With the Griffins already down 3-0, and a runner on first and two outs, freshman BRADY GROESBECK (Del Norte) lined a single to left putting runners on first and second to get a rally going for the Griffins. The Chargers helped Grossmont out by uncorking a wild pitch to move both runners up 90 feet.
That rally was brought to a screeching halt as the next batter struck out to end the fourth inning.
Cypress immediately made the Griffins pay for not cashing in on the opportunity. The Chargers turned a walk, two singles an error and a double into three runs and pretty much put the game out of reach at 6-0.
Grossmont scratched out a run in the seventh. Then in the ninth, GC brought two more homeward.
The Griffins will open the home portion of their schedule on Friday (Jan. 30) when Victor Valley comes to Noel Mickelsen Field for a 12:00 p.m. first pitch.
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