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Hot Hillers continue to deliver early
- Updated: March 3, 2020
2020 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
LA MESA – Once the Monday afternoon shower passed, the Grossmont Foothillers pitching staff continued its strong early-season performance in a 7-1 victory over the Monte Vista Monarchs in the Aztec-Foothiller Classic.
Sophomore Jake Romero won for the second time this season, striking out eight Monarchs while walking none in a four-hit effort.
“The Monarchs are a good team and put some solid contact on the ball today,” Romero said. “You never want to go into a game underestimating your opponent, so we knew we had our work cut out today facing this tough opponent.
The Foothillers pitching staff has combined for 30 strikeouts in the first four games and has given up just three runs.
“Once I got settled down after the rain I felt really strong and confident in my stuff,” Romero said. “Great team win today and I look forward to finishing the tournament on a high note.”
Romero has back-to-back eight-K games.
Against Monte Vista, seven Hillers hit doubles, including seniors Gio Giganti and Brandon Smith, who both had two RBI.
Senior Anthony Mata had two hits and scored two runs, while Foothiller teammate Danny Yanez two hits, including a double, driving in a run.
Mata is hitting .500 (8-for-16) thus far.
Monte Vista juniors Jacob Savoy and Andy Canedo both had two hits for the Monarchs.
“We made too many mistakes to win but I am proud of the guys for the way we competed,” Monte Vista head coach Craig Neu said. “We can take away some positives from this game even though we lost.
Abraham Sanchez worked through five innings, striking out five Foothillers.
“Abe pitched a good ballgame,” Neu said. “If we can make a few more plays behind him and it is a much closer game.”
Savoy had the RBI.
“We hit some balls hard, but they didn’t find holes today,” Neu said. “It was fun to play against one of the best programs in San Diego. We enjoyed the opportunity to compete with the best.”
Grossmont will face San Ysidro next on Wednesday. The Cougars are 5-1 so far with wins over Grossmont’s Grossmont Hills League new foes Steele Canyon and Valhalla.
“Monte Vista is going to win a lot of games this year,” Grossmont head coach Jordan Abruzzo said. “They are tough. We just have to focus on getting better tomorrow.”
Monte Vista will face Otay Rancho on Wednesday at 3.
“Jordan runs a great program,” Neu said. “Grossmont has a very good team. The fact that we competed with them says a lot about our group.”
HELIX 5, WESTVIEW 2 – The second-ranked Highlanders scored three times in the top of the sixth inning to beat the host Wolverines in an Aztec-Foothiller Classic game.
Sophomore David Blome doubled home a pair of runs to extend a 3-2 Helix lead.
Jeremiah Gomez (2-for-3, run) put the Highlanders on top with a single to score junior Aiden Perez (single).
Demetrius Wells also singled during the go-ahead rally.
Senior Alonzo Richardson had two hits and drove in a run for the Scotties. He also stole a base.
Senior Thomas Caneday pitching a complete game, allowing three hits while striking out six.
“I work year-round on strength, conditioning, pitch mechanics, and arm care,” said the University of Nevada-bound Caneday. “I’ve done this for several years now. I don’t like taking much time off. This brought me a lot of success last season. I’m looking forward to playing ball at the next level.”
Caneday improved to 2-0 on the season.
“We had another great game today and once again it was a team effort,” Caneday said.
Helix improved to 3-1 with its only loss to top-ranked Eastlake on Saturday, 7-4.
Helix will host 2-1 Mater Dei Catholic on Wednesday at 3.
Mater Dei has defeated Valhalla and Monte Vista thus far.
WEST HILLS 9, SAN DIEGO 2 – The Wolf Pack won for the third time in as many starts to improve to 3-1 at the Aztec-Foothiller Classic.
After a season-opening loss to top-ranked Eastlake, West Hills has had steady pitching and strong hitting.
Seniors Joe Thrailkil and Kai Dennis both drove in a pair of runs in the win over the Cavers. Dennis had two hits, including a triple.
Sophomore Connor Evans (triple) and junior Ryan Parker both had two hits and scored a run for WHHS.
West Hills stole five bases.
Senior Josh Gaylord became the third-straight different winning pitcher for the Pack, going four innings.
The Wolf Pack bullpen pitched three scoreless innings. Thrailkil struck out two in his inning of work.
West Hills will play Montgomery next on the road as part of the Aztec-Foothiller Classic.
SAN YSIDRO 14, VALHALLA 1 – The Norsemen couldn’t get off the mat against the hot Cougars.
Senior Luke Clark had three hits, including a double, and drove in a run for Valhalla (2-2).
Kyle Casper and drove in a run for the Norsemen.
JoJo Ingrassia had a triple for the Norse.
Sophomore Colin Scribner threw two scoreless innings for VHS, striking out two.
