No let up: Hulett, Ouelette lead Hillers over Highlanders
- Updated: April 27, 2016
2016 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL
By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-27-16) — In a duel between two of the longest term rivals, host Grossmont squeaked out a 2-1 Grossmont Hills League victory over visiting Helix Tuesday (Apr. 26) at Joe Gizoni Field.
JACKSON HULETT, part of Grossmont’s triangular starting staff, continued to dominate the Highlanders with a complete game effort. The hard-throwing right-hander held the Highlanders to 3 hits and one run while striking out 5 and walking only 2 as he raised his record to 4-1.
“We’re more experienced than we were last year,” noted Hulett who holds a 1.24 ERA. “Helix is always a major rival but I had good command of my fastball and changeup. Of course having a great defense behind me certainly helps.”
The 6-foot-1 junior is certain to draw more collegiate scouts as the season progresses.
“A couple of weeks ago I went up and saw St. Mary’s and I really liked it. But I’m still looking, keeping my options open,” Hulett added.
As far as keeping his options open, he did not offer that luxury to the Highlanders (11-7, 3-2 GHL).
Fact is, Helix scored its only run without benefit of a hit in the 6th inning. BRANDON PETERSON was hit by a pitch and MATTHEW RICHARDSON drew a two-out walk. But back to back passed balls permitted Peterson to score.
That stage for the 7th inning for Grossmont to tie or go ahead. But Hulett had the last word, setting down the side in order, including the last two on strikes.
“We feel like we’re in a good spot at this point,” said Grossmont coach JORDAN ABRUZZO. “But just as fast as we got here we could lose it, so we have to stay in the moment.”
Abruzzo was elated by the pitching of Hulett. “He really knows how to grind,” the coach said. “He almost had a perfect game.”
Overall the Highlanders only produced 3 hits against the Foothillers’ pitching.
“We’re still trying to find out who we are as a team,” said Helix coach COLE HOLLAND. “We’re trying to find our leadership. We’re going to keep progressing until we figure it out.”
STEVE OUELETTE had two hits and an RBI for the Foothillers, who scored both of their runs in the second inning. Omelette’s single drove in KYLE PINEDA to make it 2-0.
FOOTHILLERS 2, HIGHLANDERS 1 Helix ab r h bi Grossmont ab r h bi Richardson ss 2 0 1 0 McCarthy ss 2 0 1 0 Smelko lf 3 0 2 0 Arreola dh 3 0 0 0 Stronach p 3 0 0 0 Lopez 3b 3 0 0 0 Konishi cf 3 0 0 0 JGarcia 1b 3 0 0 0 Padilla dh 3 0 0 0 Farris lf 3 1 1 0 Kretzschmar 3b 0 0 0 0 Van Avery lf 0 0 0 0 Isbell c 3 0 0 0 Lombardo rf 3 0 0 0 Brogan cf 2 0 0 0 Pineda cf-rf 1 1 0 0 Peterson 2b 0 1 0 0 Ouelette 2b 2 0 2 1 Chase rf 2 0 0 0 Tedokon c 2 0 0 0 Buchanan cf 0 0 0 0 TOTALS 21 1 3 0 TOTALS 22 2 4 1 Helix (11-7, 3-2) 000 001 0 – 1 3 2 Grossmont (14-6, 4-1) 020 000 x – 2 4 0 GWRBI-Pineda (1). E-Chase, Brogan. DP-Hel 1, Gro 2. LOB-Hel 3, Gro 5. S-Tedokon. PITCHING SUMMARY Helix ip h r er bb so Stronach L(2-2) 6.0 4 2 1 1 2 Grossmont Hulett W(4-1) 7.0 3 1 1 2 5 HBP-by Hulett (Peterson), by Stronach (McCarthy). PB-Tedokon 2. BK-Stronach.
