East County Sports

ROUNDUP: Mysterious Matadors are only local winner

2019 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

East County Sports staff report

EL CAJON (4-16-2019) – It was a disappointing day for Grossmont Conference softball teams, including three losses to programs with lower records — it must be spring break.

OTAY RANCH 5, GROSSMONT 3: At Chula Vista, moments after the Foothillers rallied to tie the final round-robin ball game in the Falcon Fiesta, the Mustangs answered with two runs in the home-half of the 6th inning to register the upset.

Still, by virtue of a triumph over defending Fiesta finalist Mission Hills, Grossmont still advances to Saturday’s championship semifinals, meeting 4th-ranked Mater Dei Catholic in the semifinals at 11 a.m. The title games will follow.

The Hillers moved even after Samaria Roops accepted a lead walk. Jessica Medlin then smacked an RBI triple, then she scored the tying run on a double by Kimmy Bond.

However, after a single by Otay Ranch pinch-hitter Ariana Young, an error in the outfield allowed two run to score to put the Mustangs back in front.

Bond was the only player with two hits for Grossmont (13-10). For Otay Ranch (7-10), Jaeden Inguito posted a pair of RBI.

SD-HIGH TECH 10, WEST HILLS 2: At Liberty Station, the host Storm scored in all six of their team at-bats to claim an easy Falcon Fiesta victory over the struggling Wolf Pack.

Down 6-0, the Pack tallied singles runs in the 5th and 6th innings on a Shannon Kim ground out to score Calllia Rooks (hit by pitch, stolen base, to third on an error), then Brianna Bentley collected a two-out single to push home Star Gaylord (leadoff double).

For the Pack (5-13), Gaylord had two of the club’s five base hits.

SD-High Tech (6-8) saw Tiare Rieger garner two hits and a pair of RBI.

RAMONA 4, STEELE CANYON 3: At Rancho San Diego, the host Cougars registered two runs in the 5th inning, but their comeback fell just short in a loss to the Bulldogs.

The rally started when Grace Richter took a 3-2 pitch deep for a leadoff home run to right field.

Two outs later, J.J. Venzor doubled to left, then Audrey Bagge reached on a dropped third strike, with a throwing error by the catch allowing Venzor to score.

An inning later, three Cougars singled loaded the bases, but Ramona escaped by retiring the final four Steele Canyon batters, including a 1-2-3 in the seventh.

For Steele Canyon (10-12), Tayler Thomas equaled a school record by smacking a par od triples.

Ramona (12-8) received two RBI each from Elle Roberts and Hannah Anderson.

MOUNT MIGUEL 14, MORSE 9: At Spring Valley, the host Matadors (5-7) upended the Tigers in a high-scoring affair.

The score is significant in regard to which team could finish third in the Grossmont Valley League, as Monte Vista, Mount Miguel’s main rival, only beat Morse 10-9 two weeks ago. (Monte Vista reported an 11-9 final, but a walk-off, 2-run double should actually be a 1-run single).

Monday’s result certainly is considered an upset. The Matadors are 17th in the Division IV power rankings, while the Tigers were ninth in the most recent calculation.

No game information reported.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *