Brown, Whitman visit Slam Diego
- Updated: March 25, 2021
2021 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
The East County had their own Slam Diego on Wednesday.
Grossmont’s Justin Brown and Helix’s James Whitman both had bases-loaded blasts in their respective victories.
Over, the Grossmont Conference teams had a good day against section competition.
GROSSMONT 7, OTAY RANCH 6 – Grossmont High senior Justin Brown, the quarterback of the varsity football team, hit a grand slam.
In the third, Brown smacked a three-run pitch over the fence, staking Grossmont to a sizable lead.
“It was a great feeling,” Brown said of his blast. “It was something I definitely had missed.”
The Mustangs battled back with five turns in the last of the fifth to make it a one-run game.
Jaden Wilcox struck out six in a complete-game effort.
“We were playing an amazing game through the first four innings,” Wilcox said. “The fifth inning got a little-iffy but we kept our composure and held the lead.
“Justin’s grand slam gave us that boost of energy we needed to get things started. This team will be great and we have a bright future ahead of us.”
Isaiah Gomez drove in a pair of runs in the fourth for a 7-1 lead. Gomez had three hits and scored a run to start the season on fire.
Senior Caleb Hommel had a hit, scored a run, and drove in a run on a hit-by-pitch.
HELIX 9, SAN YSIDRO 5 – Helix grabbed an early thanks to a grand slam by James Whitman in the second inning.
Jake Perez also hit a home run in the second inning for the Highlanders, who put up a seven-spot.
“I think this game is going to play huge toward our confidence and help give us that momentum to win more games as the season goes on,” Perez said. “It also gives our whole team a feel for what it’s like (in a close ballgame) and what it takes to win.”
Trevor Young added a two-run double in the frame.
San Ysidro scored four runs in the sixth inning to make the final margin after Helix led 9-1 after five.
Isaac Cota got the win for the Highlanders, allowing one run and striking out six over four innings.
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STEELE CANYON 7, MONTGOMERY 4 – Sebastian Granados had a solo home run and three RBI for Steele Canyon, then came in and earned the save by pitching two innings.
“It was one of those that felt good off the bat,” Granados said of his homer. “On the mound, it was just throwing fastballs all day.”
Isaac Vargas drove in two runs in the bottom of the fifth to give SC a 4-3 lead. Vargas had a pair of hits on the day.
“We played our roles to come through with this comeback,” Vargas said. “We have been putting in the work for months and we took advantage of every opportunity.”
Cody Landy got the win for Steele Canyon with one inning of work.
Weston Clark had two hits for Steele Canyon.
“Weston and Isaac have been on fire lately,” Granados said. “But not just them, everyone is competing in their role.”
WEST HILLS 2, MATER DEI CATHOLIC 1 – West Hills’ Tomy Seebold pitched a complete game with 11 strikeouts and allowing just one walk against the visiting Crusaders.
Connor Evans doubled home Jacob Villanueva in the bottom of the first with one out. Villanueva opened the bottom half with a single.
The next batter, Owen Rodgers lifted a sacrifice fly for all the runs the Wolf Pack would need thanks to Seebold, who scattered six hits.
VALHALLA 18, SAN DIEGO 6 – Senior Trey Henige and junior David Gordon both drove in three runs for Valhalla in the rout of the Cavers.
Senior Fernando Hernandez had a double and drove in a pair of runs in the contest for the Norsemen.
Freshman Daniel Baker, senior Alberto Alvarez, and junior Nick Medrano (team-high three hits) each drove in two runs for Valhalla.
Sophomore Riley Hughes, along with Henige, both scored three runs for the Norse.
Gordon went four innings to get the victory.
VISTA 11, MONTE VISTA 3 – Ernie Arambula (double) and Chris Lybarger (single) scored runs for the Monarchs.
The Panthers put up seven runs in the second inning, eventually leading 11-0 in the sixth.
“We played poor defense,” Monte Vista head coach Craig Neu said. “Our guys didn’t play any games, taking the whole year off. It will take us ten games to be where we want to be but we will be a much different team in a month. We have virtually the same team as last year. Come league play, we will be ready to roll.”
POINT LOMA 14, EL CAPITAN 4 – The Vaqueros scored first on a single by Jake Bergherm, who singled on an 0-2 pitch for a 1-0 lead.
The Points scored six runs in the fourth, then six more in the fifth to take a 13-1 lead.
El Cap scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth, including an RBI by Brady Reed.
Cole Winsor doubled and scored on Bergherm’s hit in the first.
Bergherm had two hits and scored a run.
ESCONDIDO CHARTER 2, MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 1 – The White Tigers tied it in the bottom of the seventh and won it in the bottom of the eighth with a run-scoring single.
Jacobe Noland struck out 13 for Mountain Empire in seven full innings, allowing just two hits. He also had a pair of hits at the plate.
The RedHawks scored in the third inning when Frank Hatmaker hit a line single to right, driving in Noland.
David Lothspeich had a double for MEHS.
