Bravo! ECVHS Braves on winning streak
- Updated: March 21, 2023
2023 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL
ECS staff report
EL CAJON – For a ballclub traditionally known for not doing much, El Cajon Valley again did virtually nothing — yet won a basllgame.
The Braves received a bases-load walk to force in the game-tying run in the sixth inning, then visiting Kearny repeated the pitching faux pas in the ninth inning to surrender a 10-8 decision to ECVHS in Monday’s (Mar. 20) non-league contest.
Don’t blink or you may miss it: The Braves have captured two straight and now post a .500 record.
Of course, the Braves did contribute to the victory, when they could’ve simply rolled over after allowing the Komets to score four runs in the xith.
Instead, the new-attitude ECVHS fought back,, especially on one key play.
With the top of the batting order leading off, Matias consecutive walks to Cazarez ,
ra was struck by a pitcyh, then Eduarado Cazarez walked. The next batter, Rikki Ortiz, hit a fielder’s choice grounder which took out Herrera at third.
However, there was a difference.
Herrera hustled to the bad and was narrowly out, but it sparked the Braves.
An ensuing grounder by cleanup batter Diego Robles saw Kearny attempot an inning-ending double play. However, Ortiz followed Herrera’s example and sprinted into second base. Not only was he safe,so was Robles to lead the bases with one out.
Malachi Michalek came to the plate and would eventually walk and tie the ballgame. However, his first pitch was ruled a passed ball, alloqing Cazarez to score.
In the ninth, it was much moire simple.
Herrera lined a one-out single to left field, then strolled around the bases on consecutive walks to Cazarez, Ortiz and Robles (game-winning RBI), all on 3-2 pitches.
For the Braves, s Herrera batted 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored, while Robled also registered three RBI. The pitching victory went to Jorge Vargas, who fired two innings of 1-hit, shutout ball.
ECVJS also stole 10 bases, includingthree by Eduarado Cazarez, two from Rodriguez Paleyo, Herrera and Ortiz and, and one each by Michalek, Robles, and Jorge Vargas.
El Cajon Valley caps the week on Thursday at Hoover, then home Friday against Lincoln. Both start at 3:30 p.m. The last time ECVHS won three straight came in 2019, when they topped Hoover, Temecula Prep and Gompers Prep. The last 4-game win streak came in 2016 (Gompers Prep,King-Chavez, Palm Valley and CV-High Tech).
Borrego Springs 11, Gompers Prep 8
BORREGO SPRINGS – In another ballgame between CIFSDS Division 5 schools, Borrego Springs (2-3 overall) won its second game of the season with an 11-8 verdict over Gompers Prep.
Rams junior Jonathan Garcia batted 2-for-4 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored, as Borrego Springs busted open a tight 5-4 lead with four tuns in the bottom of the fifth inning.
On Wednesday, the Rams are back home to meet the Calipatria Hornets, starting at 3:30 p.m.
Eastlake 4, Grossmont 3 (walk-off)
CHULA VISTA – While the recent past is not repeating at El Cajon Valley (see above), the same can’t be said for the Grossmont Foothillers.
In yet another walk-off decision, the Hillers suffered another bitter road loss when the Eastlake Titans tallied twice in the seventh to steal a 4-3 verdict in Monday’s (Mar. 20) tournament contest.
Grossmont registered the go-aheaad run in the fifth inning, but failed to hang on.
In moving in front, No. 8 batter Brandon Hermosillo accepted a lead walk, advancing to third base on consecutive groiundballs by Jackson Harris (sacrifice bunt) and Justin Tucker (not ruled a sacrifice by the Eastlake scorer).
Then with the Titans pitcher figuring Jacob Lanza woudl taske the first pitch, the Grossmont left fielder line the first offering to left for an RBI singe.
However, an error allowed the contest to be tied, then cleanup hitter Nico Libed gave Eastlake (7-1 overall)the win when he lifted a sacrifice fly to right field. The win went to relief pitcher Trevor Adame (1 IP, 1 hit)
Grossmont (4-5) caps the weekend with a home game against St. Augustine on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. Next week, they Hillers open Grossmont Hills League play with a home-and-home series against defending league titlist Granite ills.
Scoreboard
ECVHS 10, Kearny 9 (9 inn., walk-off)
Borrego Springs 11, Gompers Prep 8
Valhalla 8, Clairemont 0
Steele Canyon 2, Madison 0
Eastlake 4, Grossmont 3 (walk-off)
Patrick Henry at Helix
Morse at West Hills
Otay Ranch at Christian
St. Augustine at Granite Hills
