Roundup: Eagles win clash for first; Hillers rally late

By ECS Staff
Updated: April 7, 2017

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

EastCountySports.com

Grossmont Hills League

GRANITE HILLS 6, STEELE CANYON 2 – Timely hitting led to late runs along with dominant pitching led to the immoveable object Eagles victory over the irresistible force Cougars in a clash for first place.

The Eagles sent out freshman STACI CHAMBERS (RBI) to face the Cougars who sent out MAKAYLA MCCARTHY and early on each dueled and matched each other.

It wasn’t until the third inning the Eagles struck the first blow.

With one out, RYLEE OMAHEN (RUN) and KAREN CREECH (RUN) draw back-to-back walks, HALLE KYLER (2-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B) laced a single to center that scored Omahen to make it 1-0 and Creech advanced to second. CASSIDY SHEW (1-4) would advance both Creech and Kyler on a grounder for the second out of the inning and HALEY JOHNSON (1-3) hit a lined shot back to McCarthy who caught it to end the inning.

Chambers in the bottom of the third was able to retire the Cougars in order all by strikeout.

Leading 1-0, the Eagles were able to push another across in the top of the 4^th as KAYLA MACK (1-3, R, RBI) led off with a walk, BAILEY WALLACE (2-3) sacrificed Mack to second and BRIELLE TYSELING (1-3, RBI) hit a grounder up the middle that scored Mack to push the lead to 2-0. McCarthy was able to get out of the inning without further damage when Chambers lined into an inning-ending double play.

Cruising along, the Eagles Chambers was getting everything to go her way.

However the Cougars tried to change that in the bottom of the fourth with one out when JJ VENZOR (2-3, R, 2B) ripped a single to right, MAKAYLA STROMENGER (1-2, R, RBI, 3B) followed with a walk which advanced Venzor to second and only one out. Steele Canyon would load the bases as McCarthy followed with a four-pitch walk, ELIZABETH BOTT came into run, however Chambers settled and was able to fan MARIANNA MARTINEZ (1-2) looking on four pitches for the second out, the next batter EMMA DODSON would groundout to Shew at third for the final out of the inning and end the threat.

Chambers again retired the Cougars again in order all by punch out in the bottom of the fifth inning.

A two-run lead against the Cougars so far this season had been proven unsafe as they showed they had the firepower to score so any runs by the Eagles put pressure. Granite added a run in the top of the sixth to extend their lead to 3-0.

Granite added a run in the top of the sixth to extend their lead to 3-0.

The always infamous leadoff walk by Johnson, MORGAN KELLY (2 R) came into run, a couple batters later with one out up stepped Wallace who on a 0-2 count hit a fly ball single to center to put runners on first and second with less than 2 outs, Tyseling followed by walking to load the bases, on a 2-1 count to Chambers, McCarthy uncorks a wild pitch that scored Kelly.

Steele Canyon’s potent offense to this point had been shut down so they were looking for anything to go their way. Their luck would change in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Venzor hits a fly ball to right that goes for a double, Stromenger follows that with a fly ball to right that goes for a triple and scores Venzor to make it 3-1, however McCarthy would strikeout for the second out of the inning, Martinez hit a ball to right for a single that scored Stromenger to pull the Cougars within 3-2.

With one out, Venzor hits a fly ball to right that goes for a double, Stromenger follows that with a fly ball to right that goes for a triple and scores Venzor to make it 3-1, however McCarthy would strikeout for the second out of the inning, Martinez hit a ball to right for a single that scored Stromenger to pull the Cougars within 3-2.

Again another misstep for the Cougars led to the Eagles leadoff batter getting on as Creech was hit by a pitch, Kyler was able to get a hold of a McCarthy offering and roped it to center in which Creech was running and ran around second to third where she was waved around third and would score to make it 4-2, and Kyler ended up on second for a double.

Shew followed with a little looper over second which advanced Kyler to third, KARA BLANCHARD came into run, Johnson hits the ball to AUDREY BAGGE at third and Kyler thought about running but got back to third and by the time Bagge could do anything everyone was safe. Kelly came into run for Johnson.

So with the bases full, Mack was up for the Eagles and on a 2-2 count hit a fly ball to left that scored Kyler to extend the lead to 5-2.

A couple batters with two outs a walk by Chambers scores Kelly to push it to 6-2. Steele Canyon finally got out of the inning on the next batter.

Now trailing by four runs, the Cougars knew they had to do something as they were down to their final at-bat.

Leading off for the Cougars, MASEN PEARLSTEIN (1-3) who on a 2-2 count laced a lined single to center, the next batter SAMANTHA MILLER grounded out to Tyseling at second who got the out at second for the first out, BAGGE struck out for the second out.

It was all up to GENTRY HOFFMAN to keep the Cougars alive. However, Chambers had other ideas as she was able to get Hoffman to hit a grounder to Creech at first who promptly stepped on first base for the third and final out of the game and give the Eagles the victory.

In the loss for the Cougars, McCarthy went 7 innings, giving up 6 runs of which 5 were earned, walked 7 and struck out 3.

Chambers in the victory tossed a complete 7 innings, limiting the Cougars to 5 hits, giving up 2 runs of which both were earned, walked 3 and fanned 13 on the day.

The victory by the Eagles pushed their winning streak to 3 and snapped the Cougars 8-game winning streak. Also, it pushed them into sole possession of first place in league.

SANTANA 5, VALHALLA 0 – Early runs by the Sultans would be all they would need as they limited the Norsemen offense.

An infamous leadoff walk for Santana in the top of the second inning by RACHEL WILSON (2-3, 2 R, RBI, HR), KRYSTEN SERVICE (1-4) grounded out which advanced Wilson to second, LAKAILA AQUININQOC (1-3, R, RBI, 2B) rocked a double to left that scored Wilson to make it 1-0, a couple of batters later BRITTANY MUNDAY (1-2, 2 R, RBI) looped a single over second base which scores Aquininqoc to extend the lead to 2-0 and SYDNEY BENJAMIN (1-3, RBI, 2B) followed with a roped double that scored Munday to make it 3-0.

MADISON MENDEZ (1-3, RBI, 2B) in the circle for the Sultans was able to retire the Norsemen in order in the bottom of the second inning.

The Sultans threatened in the top of the third as MACKENZIE BENNETT (1-4) led off with a single, NICOLE MADRIGAL into run, and CASSIDY MATTHIE (1-4) singled to left to put runners at first and second and no outs, Wilson popped out for the first out, Service was able to reach on an error to load the bases, however the next couple of batters would be retired by Valhalla to squash the threat.

Mendez would double with two outs in the top of the fourth but would be stranded. For Valhalla in the bottom of the fourth, KENNEDY LABSHERE (2-3)would single with two outs and also be stranded.

Santana added a run in the top of the fifth jacked a big fly over the center field fence for the solo bomb to make it 4-0.

In the bottom of the fifth with two outs, KELLY OLSON reached on an error and SAMMY GREEN walked but EMILY QUESADA grounded back to Mendez who threw it to first for the third out to end the inning.

Leading off for the Sultans in the top of the sixth, Munday drew the walk, Benjamin bunted and was able to reach on an error which allowed Munday to advance to third, she would score on the sacrifice fly by Mendez to make it 5-0.

Valhalla in the bottom of the sixth received a two-out single by Labshere but she would be stranded.

Wilson singled for the Sultans in the top of the seventh but that would be all they would receive as the next three batters would be retired.

ALEXIS INGRASSIA led off for Valhalla in the bottom of the seventh and was able to reach on an error, the next two batters struck out, so with two outs up came Green to bat and she was able to reach on an error which allowed Ingrassia to advance to second. Next up was Quesada but on a 0-2 count, Mendez was able to get her ground out for the final out of the game.

Taking the loss for Valhalla was DELANEY STETTLER who went 7 innings, gave up 5 runs of which 4 were earned on 10 hits, walked 2 and struck out 1 on the day.

For Santana in the victory, Mendez tossed 7 innings of shutout ball on 2 hits, walked 1 and fanned 7.

GROSSMONT 7, WEST HILLS 3 – A late-inning rally by the Foothillers allows them to nip the Wolf Pack on the road.

Grossmont started the scoring in the top of the first when CHLOE CAMARERO (2-4, R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR) on a 0-2 count clubbed a solo shot over the left field fence to give the Hillers a 1-0 lead.

A couple of innings later in the bottom of the third the Wolf Pack still trailing with one out got a one out single by MELISSA CASTILLO (1-4, R), RYLEIGH DOBYNS (1-4, R) followed with another single, ALEX GUAY (3-3, RBI, 2B) singled, HALEY VALLES came into run, CARLY BURSCH (1-3, RBI) knocked in Castillo and BROOKE SNYDER (2-3, RBI) knocked in Dobyns to give the Pack a 2-1 lead.

They added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth when SIERRA SCHLICHTING (RUN) was hit by a pitch and would score on the smoked double by Guay to make it 3-1.

West Hills would take the lead into the top of the sixth and looked to put things away but Grossmont wasn’t going to down easy.

Grossmont needed to get something going and was able to as ALLY ALLMAN drew the infamous leadoff walk, AMBER ALLMAN (2-4) came into run, DESTINY BACON advanced Allman on a sacrifice bunt, next up was TAYLOR BAEZ (2-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR) who roped a shot to the left-center fence for a double that scored Allman to bring the Hillers within 3-2.

The next batter JORDAN BROWN singled to right which advanced Baez to third and Camarero hit a double to left center that scored both Baez and Brown to give the Foothillers the 4-3 lead.

Pitching for Grossmont, CASSIDY DAVILA who was able to retire the Wolf Pack in order 1-2-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Insurance runs were added by Grossmont in the top of the seventh as MOANA PISIA (3-4, R) singled to left and with two outs Bacon singled up the middle to center field, Baez than on a 2-1 count hammered a shot over the center field fence for the 3-run jack to make it 7-3 Grossmont.

Davila again retired West Hills in order 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh to end the game and give Grossmont their first league win on the season.

Taking the loss for West Hills, Carly Bursch who went 7 innings, giving up 7 runs of which 4 were earned on 10 hits, walked 2 and struck out 3.

Davila garnered the win for the Foothillers as she went 7 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, walked 3 and fanned 4 on the day.

Grossmont Valley League

EL CAPITAN 14, MONTE VISTA 3 – Leading late, the Vaqueros used a big seventh inning to put the contest versus the Monarchs out of reach.

Leading off for the Vaqueros in the top of the second, GRACE BURKETT (4-5, 3 R, 4 RBI, 3B) hits a fly ball to left which is misplayed which allows her to reach on the error, KIM GARCIA (1-2, RBI) sacrifices and Burkett advanced to second and she was able to advance to third, she then stole home to give the Vaqueros a 1-0 lead.

With 2 outs in the top of the third, AMANDA VASQUEZ (1-4, 2 RBI) walked, BAILEY OLAVESON (2 R) into run, she advanced to second on a passed ball, KATELYN COLLIER (3-4, 3 R, RBI) singled which allowed Olaveson to reach third, she scored on Burkett single to center to make it 2-0 and also Collier scored to make it 3-0, Garcia followed with a single to score Burkett to extend the lead to 4-0.

After being shut down for the first few innings the Monarchs broke through in the bottom of the fourth with a run to make it 4-1.

A couple of fielding errors by the Vaqueros in the bottom of the fifth allowed the Monarchs to get runners on and a single scored a couple of runs to cut the lead 4-3.

Only leading by a single run the Vaqueros looked for anything to get some insurance. However, the first couple of batters in the top of the seventh were retired.

So with two down, Collier singled, Burkett ripped a triple that scored Collier to make it 5-3, MARIA LOTTA (RUN) who came into hit for Garcia reached on an error which scored Burkett to make it 6-3, HANNAH HARVEY (1-4, R) singled advancing Lotta to second, ZANNDRA RAGOLE (RUN) drew a walk to load the bases, ALLYSON VON YOKES (R, RBI) walked to score Harvey to make it 7-3, ALEX WILLIAMS (1-2, R, 2 RBI) singles which scored both Harvey and Ragole to push it to 9-3, a couple of batters later Vasquez singles in two runs to make it 11-3, Collier singled in Davis to make it 12-3, Burkett singled again which scored another run to make it 13-3 and Collier scored next to make it 14-3.

Vasquez in the bottom of the seventh would retire the Monarchs batters in order 1-2-3 to end the ball game.

On the day Vasquez went 7 innings for the complete game victory, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, walked 1 and struck out 3.

HELIX 16, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 (4 1/2 Innings) – Highlander pitching and the bats coming alive was the name of the game for the Highlanders in the short contest.

The Highlanders in the bottom of the second inning pushed across seven runs to lead 7-0 thanks to a lead infield single by PAULETTE DRAPEAU, back to back walks by NIKKI FLORES and GIGI CROSS, and a bases clearing smoked triple by AVERY PEREZ, she would score the final run on a throwing error. FRANKIE MARTINEZ was hit by a pitch, a single by ERIN BROWN, an RBI single by ALOFA COLLINS, and a couple of runs scored on a couple of errors by the Braves to round out the scoring.

A leadoff double by FAITH KING in the bottom of the third, Martinez walked and both would advance on a sacrifice by Brown. Both would come into score on RBI singles by SHAREENA LACHANCE and KASEY CASTRO.

Four more runs for the Highlanders in the fourth rounded out the scoring and pushed it to the run rule thresh hold.

Pitching for the Highlanders was Castro who tossed a complete game no-hitter and only missed a perfect game by a hit by pitch in the last inning.

City-Eastern League

UNIVERSITY CITY 6, CHRISTIAN 5 (10 innings) – The Centurions rallied to tie and scored a run in extra innings to nip the Patriots in Eastern play of the City League.

Christian struck first as they pushed across three runs in the top of the first to take an early 3-0 lead.

SILENT RAIN ESPINOZA (1-3, R, SB) walked to leadoff, MALLORY STEELE sacrificed Espinnoza to second, she stole third base, ASHLEY CARTER (1-1, R, SB) walked and would be caught stealing second, SHANNON MCMAHON (1-4, 2 R) was hit by a pitch, AUDREY SHEBLOSKI (R, RBI) walked, ELLE LINDBLAD (1-3, RBI) reached on an error that scored Espinoza. Both McMahon and Shebloski would score as well in the inning.

The Patriots would tack on a couple more runs in the top of the third to extend their lead 5-0. Carter led off getting hit, she advanced to second on a wild pitch, McMahon singled, Shebloski drove in Carter on a sacrifice fly, Lindblad drove in McMahon on a sacrifice bunt.

Carter led off getting hit, she advanced to second on a wild pitch, McMahon singled, Shebloski drove in Carter on a sacrifice fly, Lindblad drove in McMahon on a sacrifice bunt.

University City had been pretty quiet offensively but in the bottom of the third they broke through and scored a couple of runs to make it 5-2. They would tack on a couple more runs in the bottom of the fourth to pull within 5-4.

The Centurions would eventually tie the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh.

The game would go into extra innings and in the bottom of the tenth University City would push across the winning run to make it 6-5.

For the Patriots in the loss, Carter went all 10 innings, giving up 6 runs of which 3 were earned on 14 hits, walked 0 and struck out 1.