East County Sports

Patriots bounce Spartans, locals rule Classic

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

 

By Adam Paul
Special to ECS.com

CHULA VISTA (2-24-22) — It was all Christian Patriots as everything was working for them on Thursday(Feb. 24)  afternoon as they crushed the Chula Vista Spartans, 13-3.

Christian struck first in the top of the second inning thanks to a ground ball out RBI by Chloe Hessom (1-2, R, 2 RBI) that allowed Kaitlyn Moody (1-5, 2R, RBI, 2B) to score making it 1-0.

Things in the second inning really got the momentum going for the Patriots as Allyson Moody (3-4, 2R, 2 RBI, HR) hit a two-out offering over the center-field fence for a solo home-run which was her third of the young season, a couple of batters later Kaitlyn Moody would drive in Kate Manes (3-5, 2R, RBI, 3B) on a ball hit to center field that went for a double which made it 3-0, she would come into score when Hessom singled on a ground ball.

Trailing 4-0 the Spartans would tally a run in the bottom of the third inning to make it 4-1.

After stealing third base Tyler Krystek (1-3, R, RBI, SB) would come in and score when the catcher made an error which extended the lead to 5-1 in the top of the fourth inning.

The bats would really come alive for the Patriots in the top of the fifth inning starting with an RBI single by Jordyn Krystek (1-4, R, RBI) that scored Giselle Colmenero (RUN) to make it 6-1, Ashley Wood (3-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B) followed with an RBI double that scored Hessom, later in the inning with two outs Moody would drive in Wood and Moody would score when Kate Manes roped a triple to right field.

Leading 10-2 the Patriots added more when Wood singled in Madison Kleinsmith (RUN), a couple of batters later Rachel Stephens (RBI) would drive in Hailey Whitman (1-1, R) on a sacrifice fly to make it 12-2.

Christian would round out their scoring in the top of the seventh inning thanks to Payton Grosset (1-1, RBI) who singled via a bunt to second base to bring home Manes.

Picking up the win on the day for the Patriots was Kate Manes who tossed five innings in which she gave up two runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out one, Grosset came in and tossed two innings to finish things out in which she allowed one run on two hits while walking two and striking out two.

With the win, the Patriots, even their record at 2-2 and will come back home to Dawson Field where they will take on Bayfront Charter on Friday in a contest slated for a 3:30 pm start.

Cougar Classic

Steele Canyon 6, Imperial 3

ESCONDIDO (2-24-22) — A strong outing in the circle from Cougars pitcher Emma Shellstrom bolsters victory as she allowed five hits and three runs over six innings, striking out seven and walking one in the victory.

Offensively the Cougars pounced early thanks to an RBI base hit by Jazmin Williams (3-4, R, RBI) in the top of the first inning that scored Mariah Mata (2 R), a couple of batters later with the bases still loaded Allyson Haessly (3-4, R) would come into score when Kamea Seunarine (RBI) drew the walk and later in the inning Williams would race home on a passed ball to make it 3-0.

Steele Canyon would tack on another run in the top of the fourth inning thanks to a sacrifice fly by Isabella Azevedo (RBI) which allowed Abby Curran (2-2, R, 2 RBI, 2B) to come into score making it 4-0.

Things were looking pretty good for the Cougars but Imperial would finally get on the board in the bottom of the third inning with a pair of runs to cut the lead in half 4-2.

However, the Cougars answered right back as Curran roped a two-out double that allowed Davina Moya (RUN) to come into score making it 5-2. Later in the top of the sixth inning, the Cougars would score again as Curran knocked in Mata on a sacrifice fly which made it 6-2.

With the win, the Cougars improve to 3-1 and will face the Bonita Vista Barons on Friday the 25th in the 5 pm game.

Valhalla 9, Escondido 0 (5 inn.)

A big first inning for the Norsemen doomed the host team the Escondido Cougars on Thursday evening.

Valhalla’s offense in the first inning would come alive to push across five runs which included multiple hits.

The big blow came via the bat of Nayeli Chapa (2-3, R, 3 RBI, HR) who blasted a two-out three-run home run over the center-field fence to extend the lead to 5-0. Scoring on the home run were Lilliana Moscoso (RUN) and Naomi Villalva (1-3, R, RBI).

More two-out damage by the Norsemen in the top of the second inning extended the lead even further. Hits included an RBI single by Cadyn Ruffer (2-2, R, 2 RBI) who drove in Aubrielle McKee (1-2, R), and Mckayla Fish would double home Ruffer which made it 7-0.

Valhalla would score two more times courtesy of an RBI single by Marissa Lupo in the fourth inning that scored Jordan and again in the fifth inning when Jordan drove in Allie Piscopo.

Fish who took the circle went all five innings in which she fanned nine on the day and gave up only three hits in the shutout victory.

Valhalla improves to 2-0 and will continue Cougar Classic action as they take on the Brawley Wildcats on Friday at 5 p.m.
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Grossmont 7, El Camino 2 (5 inn.)

The Grossmont Foothillers used a five-run third inning to pull away over the El Camino Wildcats in Thursday’s nightcap.

Grossmont would strike first early on as they would take advantage of a fielding error by the Wildcats on a ball that was hit by Katelynne Parent (R, RBI) that allowed Ashley Beard (2-3, R, 3 RBI, 2B, 3B) to come home to make it 1-0. Later in the inning with two outs Lauren Becker (2-3, R, RBI) would drive in Parent to make it 2-0.

El Camino had an opportunity to put something on the board in the top of the third as they would get a one-out triple but Caitlyn Potts (2-3) would retire the next two batters to end the threat.

The Hillers avoiding a small hiccup would collect themselves in the top of the third inning as both Potts and Becker each hit back-to-back one-out singles. Later in the inning with two outs Na’Khia Lee (2-2, R, RBI, SB) would drive in Becker which was followed by a bases-loaded walk by Natalie Emery that scored Alison Murphy.

Leading 4-0 the Hillers were in business and would add more insurance runs when Beard smashed a ball to left field that brought home Jenna Ennis, Lee, and Emery.

Moving to the top of the fifth inning the Wildcats would finally break the shutout when they would score a pair of runs to make it 7-2.

That would be all the Wildcats would get as Potts retired the next two batters and which was followed by the game being called.

Potts picked up the win as she only allowed the two runs on four hits while walking three and striking out three on the evening.

Grossmont improves to 2-0 and will more than likely make up their first contest of the tournament which was supposed to be against Mira Mesa but all the evening games from Tuesday were called due to rain.

Granite Hills 2, Del Norte 2 (6 inn.)

Trailing 2-0 in the sixth inning the Del Norte Nighthawks with two-outs would tie the game on double by Lauren Rozell which is where the game would end.

Granite Hills early on looked like they were in for the win starting with an RBI single by Audrey Smale in the bottom of the first inning that scored Kailey Sandoval.

With the slim one-run lead the Eagles would add another run when Jenna Haynal would hit a ball that was misplayed allowing Smale to come home and extend the lead 2-0.

Chloe Knepp would get the no-decision despite going all six innings in which she only allowed one hit and the pair of runs of which both were unearned while walking four and fanning twelve on the evening.

Granite Hills moves to 1-1-1.

 

Helix 4, Our Lady of Peace 3

By Tyler Gribble
Special to ECS.com

LA MESA — Starting as a pitchers duel between the Pilots from Our Lady of Peace Academy and the Helix Highlanders, the offenses came alive to score a combined five runs across the final two frames, allowing the host Scotties to take a 4-3 win over the Pilots.

Helix struck first, as shortstop Lauren Farace, who reached base via a bunt single, advanced home following a fielding error by the Pilots.

With her team trailing by one run in the second, OLP freshman Alayna Maake lined a triple into the right-field corner. Repaying the favor of the first inning error, the Highlander defense sailed the relay throw over the left-field fence and out of the field of play, completing Maake’s trip around the bases and tying the game at one apiece.

OLP’s starting pitcher, Stefini Maake, completed three innings with just one hit allowed while striking out five. In the fourth, she was replaced by sophomore Alexandra Riggs, who kept things quiet until the bottom of the sixth. Helix outfielder Kamryn Evans led things off with an infield single and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Following a groundout and a lineout, it looked like Helix may have been in the process of letting another scoring opportunity get away from them. With two outs, starting pitcher Sophia Ramuno took things into her own hands, singling into right and scoring Evans to put the Highlanders on top, 2-1.

The Pilots were not ready to go home just yet, however, as Stefini Maake took the first pitch of the seventh inning deep, tying the game at two each. Riggs followed with an infield single and then advanced to second on a steal. Alayna Maake then dug in and drove in the go-ahead run with her third base hit of the game. Following a strikeout and with a runner on third, the Pilots attempted to execute a squeeze play to bring home an insurance run. However, the infield defended the situation perfectly, turning a 5-3-2 double play in what was the high point of an otherwise difficult day for the Helix defense.

With the home team facing a one-run deficit, the Helix bats needed a rally. With one out, outfielder Danika Munoz hit a towering fly ball over the center fielder, just short of the fence, for a triple. Designated player Kiana Lee Brown followed with an infield single, scoring Munoz and tying the game. Freshman Tatiana Hernandez followed with a walk. With the winning run at second, Evans returned to the plate. A ground ball to short, misplayed, allowed Brown to reach home – a walk-off error.

Highlander ace Sophia Ramuno got the pitching win, striking out thirteen while giving up two earned runs. In other notables, Kiana Lee Brown notched the first base hit of her varsity softball career. Helix’s next contest is the rescheduled match against the San Dieguito Academy Mustangs, in a return to Falcon Fiesta tournament play.

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