Theme of the Day: Hard Luck
- Updated: March 2, 2022
2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL
By Adam Paul
EL CAJON (3-2-2022) – After erasing a three-run deficit, the visiting El Camino Wildcats with the score all tied up in the top of the eighth inning would take the lead for good when Bella Mendoza on a sacrifice bunt knocked in a run to defeat the host Granite Hills Eagles 4-3 in non-league action on Wednesday afternoon.
Granite Hills opened up the scoring when in the bottom of the second inning Sofia Mujica (2-2, R, 2 RBI, 3B, HR) who last year hit seventeen home runs was finally able to break through and blast a leadoff solo home run over the left-field fence for her first of the season to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
They would go on to lead 3-0 when with two outs in the bottom of the third inning Audrey Smale (1-4, R, RBI) drove in Kailey Sandoval (2-3, R) on a base hit to center field which was followed by an RBI triple by Mujica.
Things were going pretty well for the Eagles until the top of the fifth inning when the Wildcats would start the inning with back-to-back singles that was followed by a game-tying three-run home run by Jade Ignacio.
Dakota Edwards would get the win for the Wildcats in which she surrendered no runs on four hits while walking one and striking out one.
On the other side, Taylor Rose took the loss for the Eagles in which she allowed one run on one hit while walking one and striking out three.
Emily Quintero started for the Wildcats and tossed five innings in which she allowed three runs on five hits while walking three and striking out one. Starting for the Eagles was Kaleigh Baugher who allowed three runs on seven hits over her five innings of work in which she walked one and struck out five on the day.
Granite Hills falls to 2-3-1 and will next play on Monday, March 7 when they travel to take on the Rancho Bernardo Broncos.
Our Lady of Peace 3, Christian 1
EL CAJON (3-2-2022) – Two early runs were more than enough as the Pilots were able to add an insurance run late in the contest to win in tournament action on Wednesday afternoon.
Our Lady of Peace would get the ball rolling in the top of the second inning when they would score on a ground ball out which was followed by an RBI single to lead 2-0.
In the bottom of the inning, the Patriots would answer back with a run when with one out Lucy Sherburne (1-3, RBI, 3B) would rip a hard hit ball to center field for a triple bringing in Rachel Stephens (1-3, R, SB) to pull within 2-1.
Christian would threaten in the bottom of the third inning when Ashley Wood (1-3, 2B) led off with a double and Kate Manes (2-3, 2B, SB) laid down the perfect bunt to reach safely and advance Wood to third base. Unfortunately, both would be stranded as the next three batters would be retired to end the threat and the inning.
AOLP would tack on an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning with a solo home run to extend the lead to 3-1.
Both Hailey Whitman and Kaitlyn Moody would easch have hits for the Patriots.
The Patriots fall to 3-4 and will continue tournament action on Monday, March 7 as they take on the Mar Vista Mariners.
