Sultans discovering the path to victory

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: May 2, 2024

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

Compiled by Nick Pellegino
ECS Senior writer

Grossmont Hills League

Santana 7, Helix 4

SANTEE – The baseball gods nearly made amistake when deciding how many victories Santana High would be allocated this season.

According to the Galactic News Network (GNN), wins are placed in the name of the head cosvh, but they did not realized Santana mentor Rigo Ledezma has switches schhols and was now guiding Point Loma.

Thus, the Pointers opened with a solid 9-3-2 record, while old troops at Santana were just 2-12 in non-league games.

Forsome reaso ,those upstairs relaized their mistakes,so at the same time, Point Loma startede to lose just when the Sultnas began to win.

Coincidence?

Maybe, but since the word has been leaked, but ballclubs arewinning at the same time.While Point Loma nipped Cathedral Catholic, 1-0, in a Western League ballgame. Santana reached .500 in the Grossmont Hiulls League by downing visiting Helix, 7-4.

The decision vaulted the Sultans a half-gamre head of the Highlanders foe third place in the GHL.

Trailing 3-2, Santana posted three runs in the fifth inning to secure the lead, then added two more markers in the sixth by ebeutally out-hitting the Scottoes, 12-9.

Sultans pitcher Adam Brabandt overcsmr onr poot inning to fire a complete ga,e. Brabandy struck out five Helix batters without a walk.

It was the second straight victory forBrabandt, who started the streak with a 1-0 verdict to know Granite Hills out of first place(the Eagkes have since returned).

Just like the SUltans ballclub,it’s been dina 180-degree turn for Brabadt, who had lost 5-of-6 decisions ntil his crrent hot streak heading into the playoffs.

On offense,the Sultans were led by Kayden Henson, who garnered two doubles amonghis three hits, scoting twice.

Lucas Kelly also added two hits, with a runand an RBI.

A total of five Sultans drove in runs, including a Michael Morrison sacrifice fly.

Granite Hills 23, at Steele Canyon 5\

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – In a record-breaking day for Granote Hills,the Eagles handed host Steele Canyon its 17th consecutive setback in Thursday’s (May 2) GHL outing.

The Eagles’ 23 runs ties the school mark for the second-most in the 21st Century, euqally the 23 also scored against Steele Canyon on May 6, 2003 (pre-MaxPreps; ECS has the records).

Highlights from 21 years ago show first baseman Kevin James posted six RBI, including a grand slam.

Leadoff batting catcherJohn Coit also added two of the team’s fiv RBI for four RBI.

Third Andy Roberts posted three hits for five RBI.

The Eagles record this century is 26 in their only-ever meeting with Classical Academy on Feb. 28, 2022.

In the opening three innings, GHHS scored 9. 5 and 8 runs for a 22-0 vushion.

Then a freshman, Parker Vance belted a grand slam, whil senior Hudson Beamon had five RBI.

GHL standings

Granite Hills.... 8-2 (17-5)
Grossmont........ 8-2 (13-12)
Santana.......... 5-5 (7-17)
Helix............ 4-5 (10-13)
Steele Canyon.... 0-10 (4-20)

Grossmont Valley League

Monte Vista 13, West Hills 6

SPRING VALLEY – After scoring 12 runs in the first meeting, Monte Vista did one better on Thursday (May 2), posting 13 in rolling over visiting West Hills, eliminating the Wolf Pack from title consideration in the Grossmont Valley League/

Meanwhile, the Monarchs cap the regular season with GVL leading Valhalla, needing a two-game swwep to claim the title and take iy away from the Norsemen.

West Hills held an early 2-0 lead, but Monte Vista stormed ack for a 5-2 advantage. But when the Pack scored two in the fourth to make things interesting, Monte Vista tallying two in the fourth and six in the fifth to blow the contest open.

Noticeably, among Monte Vista’s 12 hits, more than half (7) came on doubles — one from seven different players.

The RBI leaders were Niko Heidt and David Aceron with three, while Jacob Schweizer and Reuben Cabugwas drove in two each.

All nine Monte Vista starters also scored.

West Hills hit a home run, but the player’s name went unreported.

Te sweep by the Moancrhs is their first over the Wolf Pack since claiminga three-game set in 2018.

El Capitan 14, ECVHS 0

LAKESIDE – Leading 6-0, El Capitan added eight additional runs in the fourth inning before enacting a base-to-base format to avoid running up the score.

Meanwhile, Vaqueros pitcher Nick Barnes tossed an ugly 1-hit shutout. Barnes struck out five Braves batters, but also walked five and was charged with a pair of balks.

Emilio Fearn Flores collected four RBI on two hits, including a triple.

Kasen Baker added three hits and a pair of RBI, while David Vera also drove in two runs.

For the Braves, Chris Cosio recorded the team’s lone basehit to hoist his batting average to .310.

Meanwhile, Eduardo Cazarez, the ballclub’s designed runner, stole his 12th base of the season.

Valhalla 11, Mount Miguel 1

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – The Mount Miguel Matadors scored a quick, first-inning run against sleepy Valhalla, then the Norsemen responded with 11 unannswered runs to sweep the season series.

Jeremiah Castiilo belted an early triple, then tallied the Matadors run on an error.

GVL standings

Valhalla........ 7-0 (17-6)
Monte Visya..... 6-1 (18-6-1)
West Hills...... 4-3 (15-9)
El Capitan...... 4-3 (10-14)
ECVHS........... 0-7 (9-12)
Mount Miguel.... 0-7 (9-15)