Eagles soar to 3-peat
- Updated: May 5, 2017
2017 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL
By Adam Paul
EastCountySports.com
Grossmont Hills League
Granite Hills 8, Santana 5: The Eagles use some magic Deja-Vu in their rally to claim the league clinching victory.
Santana (18-6-1, 5-3) came into the showdown of top two teams in the Hills League ranked No. 6 in San Diego by So Cal Sidelines and also riding an 8 game winning streak with the last loss coming back on April 4th, looking to avenge that loss and they had the first opportunity to strike.
With one out, a single by MACKENZIE BENNETT (3-4, 2 2B) and a single by CASSIDY MATTHIE (3-4, 2 RBI) gave the Sultans runners at first and second but Eagles pitcher CATIE DOBBS was able to get out of the jam by retiring the next two batters.
It wouldn’t be until the bottom of the second when the Eagles broke through first as with one out BAILY WALLACE (1-2, 2R, 3 RBI, HR) walked, BRIELLE TYSELING (RUN) hit a ball to short that was misplayed and reached but Wallace who was keen advanced to third, KARA BLANCHARD (RBI) grounded out which scored Wallace making it 1-0.
Santana even things up in the top of the third with one out as Bennett roped a long double, ERICA REID (RUN) into run, Matthie again followed with a laced single up the middle to score Reid to tie it 1-1.
With the scored still tied heading to the top of the fifth, the Sultans took the lead when MADISON MENDEZ reached on an error, she would advance to second and come into score on a single by Matthie making it 2-1.
Granite again tied the score with another run in the bottom of the inning thanks to a single by Omahen who scored a couple of batters later when HALLE KYLER (2-4, RBI) looped a single to center that just fell in making it 2-2.
Another lead change, this time the Sultans retook the lead in the top of the sixth when leadoff hitter reached on an error, she would advance to third on the next couple of outs. SHELBY HOLMQUIST would walk bringing SYDNEY BENJAMIN (1-3, RBI) to the plate, taking the count full she would lace a single to left scoring Madrigal and giving Santana a 3-2 lead.
However the lead wouldn’t last as dejavu would strike all over again in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Granite like the last time these two teams played would strike the big blow and take the lead.
Things started with leadoff hitter HALEY JOHNSON who walked, MORGAN KELLY (RUN) into run, CASSIDY SHEW (RUN) would also walk, up stepped Wallace who took the Mendez offering and just crushed it over the right field fence for the no doubt about it 3-run blast, pushing the score 5-3 Eagles.
“I was looking for the inside pitch and that is exactly what I received,” Wallace said, “I really was just trying to move the runners over with a hit.”
The scoring fest wasn’t over for the Eagles as a couple of batters later after Tyseling walked, RYLEE OMAHEN (2-3, 2 R, RBI) would smash a double scoring Tyseling making it 6-3, KAREN CREECH (2-4, R, RBI) followed up with a single making it 7-3, KAYLA MACK walked to load the bases and Kreech came into score on an error making it 8-3.
Santana wouldn’t go down without a fight in the top of the seventh despite trailing. Leadoff batter Bennett smashed a double, DESIREE LYNCH (RUN) into run, a couple of batters later RACHEL WILSON (1-4, R, RBI) knocked her in on a lined single to center making it 8-4, NICOLE MADRIGAL (2-3, R) singled and a couple of batters later with two outs BRITTANY MUNDAY (1-1, RBI) blooped a single to center scoring Wilson making it 8-5. However Kyler would get the next batter Holmquist to strikeout looking to end the game.
Taking the loss for the Sultans, was Mendez who went 7 innings, giving up 8 runs and walking 6. Her record on the season stands at 18-5.
Garnering the victory for the Eagles, was Kyler who went 3 innings, giving up 4 runs, walking 1 and striking out 2 to push her record to 5-0.
“We talked about going undefeated in league and they’re the only ones who can make that happen.” Eagles assistant coach BRIAN FEJERAN said when asked about going undefeated and with this win moved one step closer to that goal.
The Eagles (21-6-1, 8-0) also with the victory and due to the fact that Steele Canyon lost as well, earned their third consecutive league crown for the great 3-peat and also pushed their winning streak to 6 games.
Grossmont 6, Steele Canyon 4: The Foothillers take adavantage of their opportunities to pull out the road victory.
It would be the Cougars striking first in the bottom of the first inning when MAKAYLA MCCARTHY (1-2, R, RBI, HR) blasted a two out solo dinger making it 1-0, MAKAYLA STROMENGER (2-3, R, 2B) followed with a double and JJ VENZOR knocked her in with a single to center making it 2-0.
Grossmont in the top of the second started off with a walk by ALEXIS COLLINS (RUN), JORDAN BROWN (RUN) bunted and reached on an error, a couple of batters later with two outs JESSICA WILSON (1-2, 2 RBI) did damage with a ball hit to center that scored Collins and would also score Brown on the throw to knot the game at 2-2.
The Foothillers would take the lead in the top of the third inning when DESTINY BACON (2 R) walked and MOANA PISIA (2-4, R, 4 RBI, HR) followed with a 2-run dinger giving the Foothillers a 4-2 lead. They had an opportunity to score more as SAMARIA ROOPE (1-4, 2B) roped a double and Collins walked but they would be stranded.
Steele Canyon wouldn’t go away and in the bottom of the third leadoff batter AUDREY BAGGE (1-4, R) singled and GENTRY HOFFMAN (2-4, RBI, 2 2B) ripped a double that scored Bagge to make it 4-3.
Still clinging to the one run lead, Grossmont went back to business in the top of the fourth as Wilson walked, CHLOE CAMARERO (1-4, R) singled, DESTINY BACON grounded into a fielders choice in which Wilson would be out at third, Camarero would advance to third on a passed ball and Bacon advanced to second, Pisia would single which scored Camarero and Bacon would come in to score on the throw to make it 6-3.
The Cougars had a grand opportunity in the bottom of the fifth to put something on the board when with two outs Hoffman again doubled, McCarthy walked but they would be stranded as CASSIDY DAVILA would get out of the jam for Grossmont.
Steele Canyon tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth on a leadoff homerun by Venzor to make it 6-4. They would again get a couple of runners on base in the bottom of the seventh and again Davila would get out of the jam by retiring the last couple of batters to end the game.
Taking the loss for the Cougars, SAMANTHA MILLER who went 4 2/3 innings, giving up 2 runs, walked 1 and struck out 1.
Picking up the victory for Grossmont, Davila who went 7 innings, giving up 4 runs, walked 4 and struck out 5.
Valhalla 9, West Hills 8: The Norsemen rally for runs late and hold off a furious comeback by the Wolf Pack to secure the win.
The Wolf Pack would get on the board first in the top of the first as leadoff hitter SIERRA SCHLICHTING (2-3, 3 R, RBI) walked, she would come around to score to make it 1-0.
However the Norsemen would answer in the bottom of the first as leadoff hitter RACHEL SHELLSTROM (3-4, 2R, 2B) ripped a double, JADE HILL (3-4, 2R, 2 RBI) singled, KENNEDY LABSHERE (3-4, 3 RBI) singled, VICTORIA VILLEGAS would knock in Shellstrom on a fielders choice to tie it at 1-1.
The score would only be tied for a short time as West Hills in the top of the second came alive, ASHLIEGH HARTWIG singled, MIKAYLA CRISTINI walked, HALEY VALLES (2 R) walked, Schlichting singled scoring Hartwig to make it 2-1, MELISSA CASTILLO (3-5, 2 R, RBI) hit into a fielders choice, RYLIEGH DOBYNS (2-4, 3 RBI) was hit by a pitch, ALEX GUAY (2-3, 2 RBI, 2 2B) singled and Schlichting singled for a second time. Coming into score was Castillo, Valez, and Schlichting which made the score 4-1.
The score would remain a three run game with Valhalla trailing until the bottom of the fifth inning. Leadoff hitter SAMANTHA GREEN was hit by a pitch, SARA BOTTE hit into a fielders choice with Green being thrown out at second, RYLEE MCMILLAN singled, Shellstrom singled, Hill singled in a run to make it 4-2, Labshere singled in another run to make it 4-2 and ALEXIS INGRASSIA (1-2, 2B, 3 RBI) roped a 2-run double to make it 5-4.
Valhalla would take the lead in the bottom of the sixth, Green led off with a single, advanced to second on the sacrifice bunt by Botte, EMILY QUESADA (2-2, 2R) walked, Shelstrom singled, Hill and Labshere each drove in a run with singles as well as Hill, Villegas grounded into a fielders choice which scored a run and Ingrassia drove in another run with a sacrifice fly. Valhalla would push across four more runs to take a 9-4 lead.
West Hills trailed by five runs heading into the top of the seventh inning and were down to their final at-bat.
With two outs Valez would be safe on a fielders choice, Schlichting was hit by a pitch, Castillo singled, Dobyns roped a single that scored a couple of runs to pull within 9-8. However that would be as close as the Pack would get as the next batter would be retired.
Taking the loss for West Hills, CARLY BURSCH who went 1 inning, giving up 4 runs, walked 1 and struck out 1.
For Valhalla it was DELANEY STETTLER in relief who garnered the victory, she went 5 2/3 innings, giving up 3 runs.
GROSSMONT VALLEY LEAGUE
Helix 13, Monte Vista 2: The Highlanders despite trailing early come alive to more than double up the Monarchs in league play.
The Monarchs actually led in the game as they took an early 2-0 lead. However the Highlanders bats finally came alive in the top of the third inning when they pushed across four runs to take a 4-2 lead.
SHAREENA LACHANCE led off by reaching on an error, ANGEL ALCOSER came into run, AVERY PEREZ would knock her in, EMILY COALE drove in Perez on a single, GABBY OLVARRIA drove in Coale on a two out single and she would score when FAITH CANFIELD roped a double.
They would go on to add more runs in the sixth as they pushed across six and also in the seventh inning when they pushed across three more to round out their scoring.
Garnering the victory for the Highlanders was LaChance.
WESTERN CITY LEAGUE
Patrick Henry 7, Mira Mesa 2: The Patriots score runs early and put the game away early to claim the League victory.
The Patriots would score first in the bottom of the first inning as leadoff hitter HANNAH MCEWEN (2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR) singled, stole second, CASSIE VAN TIL (R, RBI) walked, CRISTIONA CACCAMISE (1-4, R) would fly out to right field but a miscue by Mira Mesa would allow McEwen to score and Van Til to advance to second base, ANDREA WRIGHT (1-4, R, RBI) knocked in Van Til with a single to make it 2-0.
Henry added a couple more runs in the bottom of the second inning when with one out LAILA SPRACKLEN walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, a couple of batters later with two outs McEwen came up and clubbed a 2-run jack to put the Patriots up 4-0.
Mira Mesa would finally get on the board as they pushed across a couple of runs in the top of the third inning to cut the lead in half 4-2. However Patrick henry answered right back in the bottom of the third when Caccamise singled, Wright hit into a fielders choice, MADISON JAMES hit an infield fly but the runners would advance, SAVANNAH CHAPMAN (RUN) was hit by a pitch, LAUREN NETT (1-3, RBI) knocked in a run, Spracklen knocked in another and McEwen would knock in another as she reached on an error. Now the Patriots led 7-2.
James would get the victory by going 4 innings, giving up 2 runs, walking 3 and striking out 2.
EASTERN CITY LEAGUE
Christian 5, OLP 4: The Patriots hold off a late rally by the Pilots to claim the victory and stay in the top two of league.
The visiting Pilots would push across a run in the top of the first to take an early 1-0 lead. However the Patriots would answer that run with one of their own in the bottom of the first inning.
Leadoff hitter SILENT RAIN ESPINOZA (2-4, 2 R, 2B) singled, advanced to second on a passed ball, and scored a couple of batters later when SHANNON MCMAHON (3-4) singled to tie the game 1-1.
OLP once again retook the lead in the top of the third when they were able to push across another run to lead 2-1. Once again the Patriots offense answered as LAUREN SHERBURNE (RUN) led off with a walk, Espinoza doubled, ASHLEY CARTER (1-2, 2 RBI) laid down a sacrifice bunt that scored Sherburne to tie it at 2-2 and MALLORY STEELE (RBI) grounded out which scored Espinoza to give the Patriots a 3-2 lead.
They would tack on another run in the bottom of the fourth when ALEXA HENDERSON reached on an error and would later score to make it 4-2.
However the pesky Pilots wouldn’t go away as they added another run in the top of the fifth to pull within 4-3. Christian once again would push across another run in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead 5-3.
AUDREY SHEBLOSKI (1-4, R) singled and would come around to score the run.
But that wasn’t enough as the Pilots would again push across another run in the top of the seventh to pull within 5-4 but Carter would end it.
Carter on the day in the victory went 7 innings, giving up 4 runs, walked 3 and struck out 3.
