Cougars’ six-run fifth stuns Sultans

By Adam Paul
Updated: April 27, 2022

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

SPRING VALLEY (4-26-22) – Trailing 2-1 late the Steele Canyon Cougars (13-9-1, 2-3 GHL) would rally to tie the game up and the really put things away as they would score five more runs to help them to a 7-2 victory over the visiting Santana Sultans (10-11, 2-3 GHL) on Tuesday afternoon in Grossmont Hills play.

The Sultans would get on the board first thanks to a solo home run by Haley Oceguera (1-4, R, 2 RBI, HR) over the right-field fence to lead off the top of the second inning.

Santana would threaten again in the top of the third inning as Kassidy Harper (1-4, R) singled with one out which was followed by a double to center field by Madison Jordan (2-4, 2B). But Cougars starter Emma Shellstrom dug down and was able to get out of the jam to further prevent more damage.

Still trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning the Cougars finally were able to push a run across when Isabella Azevedo (1-2, R, 3 RBI, HR) hit a fly ball that allowed Allyson Haessly (1-4, 2 R) to tag up from third and race home to tie the game at 1-1.

However, the momentum was short-lived as the Sultans would regain the lead on a ground out by Oceguera that allowed Harper to come home for the go-ahead run to make it 2-1 in the top of the fifth inning.

Steele Canyon knew they were running out of opportunities and they also knew that anytime they played the Sultans they had a shot as the games usually came down to whoever had the last at-bat.

This time the Cougars would really put the pedal to the metal as Mariah Mata (1-2, 2B) led off with a double, she would be replaced on the base paths by Isabella Smith (RUN) who would come around to score when Jazmin Williams (2-4, R, RBI, 2 2B) doubled to left field which tied the game at 2-2. The next batter Haessly would hit a ball that was misplayed allowing Williams to score and Haessly to end up at third base.

Now leading 3-2 and a runner on third base the following hitter Abby Curran would extend the lead even further as she crushed a shot over the left field fence for a two-run blast to make it 5-2. Later in the inning with two outs Azevedo would come up to bat and hit a ball to left field that would score Kamea Seunarine (RUN) but also in the process roll around long enough that Azevedo would race around and score for the two-run inside the park home run which would extend the lead to 7-2.

The five-run lead would be enough for Shellstrom as she only allowed a couple of hits over the last two innings to procure the victory.

Grossmont 3, Granite Hills 0

FLETCHER HILLS (4-26-22) – The Grossmont Foothillers (12-10, 1-4 GHL) on Tuesday afternoon behind a gem of a pitching outing by Caitlyn Potts in which she struck out 11 on the day would defeat the visiting Granite Hills Eagles (11-9-1, 1-4 GHL) 3-0.

The Foothillers would score the games only runs in the bottom of the fifth inning when Katelynn Parent would drive in both Jenna Ennis and Natalie Emery which was followed later in the inning by a walk by Iryana Oliver that allowed Jade Daley to plate.

Chloe Knepp who drew the start for the Eagles would take the loss as she allowed three runs on eight hits over her four and two-thirds inning of work, Taylor Rose would come into the game in relief and would go an inning and a third in which she allowed two hits and struck out four.

Granite on the day would receive hits from Kamryn Flath, Rose who doubled, and Breanna Diaz.

Potts would get the win as she went the distance in which she allowed three hits on the day.

Na’Khia Lee for the Hillers also had three hits on the day.