Hillers again walk-off, but with a twist
- Updated: March 9, 2023
2023 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL
By Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior writer
SAN YSIDRO – Five ballgames. Five decided in the final trip at the plate.
In other words: this Hollywood baseball script is getting totally out of control — it’s ridiculous!
However, unlike the first four face-offs, which were walk-off winners by the home club, the Grossmont Foothillers changed the script.
The Hillers scored the tie-breaking run in the top of the seventh, then the bullpen (finally) slammed the door shut in a 6-5 decision over the Cougars.
Grossmont (2-3 overall) led in the early going, 5-3, before San Ysidro (2-3) countered with a pair of markers in the fifth to knot the contest. Cougars sophomore Armann Robles belted a two-run homer. Then the bullpens went to work.
The go-ahead score saw problems in the San Ysidro outfield.
River Dias De Leon lined a two-out singled to center field, taking second base when the ball was mis-handled. Mac Cervantes followed, and on a 2-2 pitch with the runner moving on contact, the senior sent a blooper in front of the center fielder for the RBI.
The late run gave the win to Grossmont starting sophomore Jacob Holman, who lasted six solid innings. Just as impressive, the Hillers’ bullpen was solid as junior Aidan Dilgard set San Ysidro down in order,including a air of strikeouts sandwiched an easy fly ball to left fielder Sammy Danto.
The decision moved to move the Hillers to within a game of the .500 plateau. Another plus: neither pitched issued a walk.
