Vaqueros remain on top; Eagles move up standings
- Updated: May 5, 2023
2023 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL
By Adam Paul
LAKESIDE – Early runs helped the El Capitan Vaqueros assert their will as they won in convincing fashion, 12-4, over the Steele Canyon Cougars on Friday (May 5) in Grossmont Hills League action.
El Capitan got the scoring going early, as Alanna Christiaens belted a three-run home run over the right field fence for her fifth of the season to put the Vaqueros up 3-0.
The Vaqueros would go right back to business in the bottom of the second inning, as Addison Leone tripled in Ciara Bernardini, followed by Ava Gall blasting her eighth home run of the season to right field for a two-run shot to make it 6-0.
Steele Canyon, however, would get on the board in the third inning, when Jazmin Williams would drive in a run, followed by Isabella Azevedo driving in a run to make it 6-2.
Jazmin Williams again would strike, doubling in a run in the top of the fourth inning to cut the deficit in half 6-3.
But the Vaqueros would readily extend their lead as they pushed across another five runs to bring the score to 11-3.
Alyssa Fierro would drive in a run, followed by Kylee Frazier clearing the bases with a roped ball to right field for a triple, then scoring on a hard-hit ball by Dominique Garcia that was misplayed.
Makenna Burton was given the starting nod for the Vaqueros. She allowed ten hits and four runs over six and two-thirds innings, striking out four.
Marina Gonzalez started for the Cougars. She allowed eleven runs on nine hits over three and two-thirds innings while striking out two.
Steele Canyon with the loss falls to 14-10 overall and 2-4 in league play.
El Capitan with the victory moves their winning streak to six games and a 21-3 overall and 6-0 in league play. They remain in first place, as they upped their lead to two games over Santana, who will play Granite Hills tomorrow morning.
Granite Hills 8, Helix 2
EL CAJON – The Granite Hills Eagles used a four-run third inning, along with solid pitching, to claim the victory on Friday (May 5) in Grossmont Hills League play.
Peyton Wells opened up the scoring for Granite Hills with a leadoff solo home run to left field for her first of the season to make it 1-0.
After three consecutive singles for the Highlanders to start off the third inning, Kamilah Jones would tie up the game with a base hit to left field, scoring Ivy Greene. That was followed by a sacrifice fly that allowed Danette Munoz to tag up from third and race home giving them a 2-1 lead.
However, the Eagles would take advantage of multiple errors, one of which would lead Ariana Heninger to tie the game, with another one leading to Makayla Tileia’s scoring to retake the lead. This was followed by a walk to Kaleigh Bauer, allowing Makenna Hines to come in to score, giving them a 4-2 lead. The final run of the inning came when Jenna Haynal drove in Wells.
Bauer would drive in another pair of runs in the fourth inning to extend the lead even further as the Eagles now led 7-2.
Bauer, who not only helped her own cause at the plate, would strike out six over seven innings as she allowed two runs on four hits.
Lauren Farace would take the loss for the Highlanders, allowing eight runs on twelve hits over six innings while striking out four.
Granite Hills improves to 14-8 overall and 3-4 in league play, while Helix falls to 10-13-2 and 1-6 in league play.
