Red-faced Orange walk-off Foothillers

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: April 15, 2025

Valhalla courtesy photo

2025 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

East County Sports.com

Grossmont Hills League

Valhalla 5, Grossmont 4 (walk-off)

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – Earlier this decade, Valhalla saw its incredible streak of 12 extra-inning games without a loss get snapped.

Although CalHiSports does not keep trak of such records, the No. 1 source on high school sports in California admits its probably a state record.

So why were the Norsemen in such a hurry to capture Tuesday’s (Apr. 15) Grossmont Hills League contest with Grossmont?

Oh, it was the disaster of their previous contest.

Coming off a 19-5 embarrassment to El Capitan, the Orange battled to make sure such a setback wouldn’t happen again.

So, despite extra innings facing them, the Orange gladyly accepted a walk-off triumph in the bottom of the seventh, tasking dpwn visiting Grossmont, 5-4.

With the bases loaded and no one out, furst baseman Jackson Newman dropped a basehit into left field, bringing home Giacomo Lupo with the deciding run.

Jesse McCormick, who pitched the final 1.2 innings to garner the victory, saw his line single to left field get centered a round a pair of Norsemen who were hit by a pitch,

Newman followed by simply looking to lift a sacrifice fly to the outfield. But when the ball to left field fell, the celebration bgean.

McCormick only collected one strike out, but he extended his GHL lead in the category to 43.

Early on, Valhalla scored three times in the fifth for a 4-3 lead, but Grossmont pulled even in the sixth.
Hillers first baseman Brady Mesko ripped a two-out double to left, registering the game-tying run on a basehit by pinch-hitter Calvin Rivero.

For Valhalla (5-11 overall, 1-2 GHL), Mace Wheller collected three RBI, two coming on a triple in the fifth by the GHL batting leader.

First baseman Holmes recorded two hits and a pair of RBI for Grossmont (8-8, 0-1 GHL).

Granite Hills 14, at El Capitan 1

LAKESIDE – It might have been a short trip, but the El Capitan Vaqueros certainly enjoyed their stay in the fast lane of the Grossmont Hills League.

Although the celebration only lasted a few days, at least the “Vaq Attack” could state they were a first-place ballclub in the Grossmont Conference’s top league since realignment e in 2009-2010.

However, Granite Hills quickly reminded them it takes more to become a regular in the spotlight.

The defending GHL champion Eagles scored three runs in the first inning, scoring in six of their seven trip to the plate for a one-side victgory at Hostetler Field.

Granite Hills’ 17-hit attack featured home runs from seniors Parker Vance and Brenden Lewis, both matching teammate Tommy Entrekin with two RBI.

Lewis, who scored three times, re-gained his share of the GHL home run lead with his fourth, catching Valhalla catcher Mace Wheeler.

Meanwhile, pitcher Luke Bailey only needed five innings to gain his conference-leading sixth victory of the season. Bailey strruck out seven Vaqueros batters, moving record to 6-0 with a 1,24 ERA.

Granite Hulls (11-0-2 overall, 3-0 GHL) remains unbeaten this season, now sporting a 5-game winning streak following a pair of draws. El Capitan falls to 7-8 (2-1 GHL).

The series concludes Thursday at Granite Hills Field (weather permitting; rain is anticipated).

Western League

Patrick Henry 3, Point Loma 0

SAN CARLOS – Patrick Henry senior Cofy Cappelletti, one of the leading candidates for Western League player of the year in one of the deepest citcuits in the CIF-San Diego Section, collected a series of additionalvotes following Tuesday’s (Apr. 15) performance.

Cappelletti fired a 4-hit shutout against defrending CIFSDS Divsion 2 titlist Point Loma in a 3-0 triumph.

The key game of the series is now even at 1-each, with the final contest in the 3-game set headed back to Point Loma on Thursday (weather pending; rain is anticipated).

Cappelletti only registered four strikeouts, instead keeping {Patriots first baseman Jimmy Gunn on nine ground-ball outs.

The offense came early, with the Pats breaking through with two runs in the second inning, then one more marker an inning.

Cappelletti displayed his offense with a lead-off home run on the second. His line drive to left field proved to be the game-winning RBI.

The blast might have disturbed the Pointers. Following a basehit by catcher Kayden Henson, a pair of errors loaded the bases.

Point Loma settled down to turn a double play, but Hensen scored for a 2-0 advantage.

In the third, it was another slow start for Point Loma.

Lead-off hitter Preston Conklin was hit by a 3-2 pitch. Conklin stole second base, but would”ve scored anyway when left fielder Ian Brooke blasted an RBI double into the eft-fied corner.

The Pointers’ lone chance came on a pair of two-out singles in the fifth, but Cappelletti coaxed a shallow fly ball, closing hiscomplete game by retiring 7-of-8 batters from Point Loma (11-4-1, 1-1).

Patrick Henry (10-6-1, 1-1) and Pointers are one game behind St. Augistine. The host Saints nipped Scripps Ranch, 4-3, at Hickman Field.

Pacific League

Foothills Christian 1, Calvin Christian 0

LAKESIDE – For those who believed the shallow demensions of Matt LaChappa Field would lead to a cluster of high-scoring ballganes were in error.

Foothills Christian sophomore Johannes Jansen Granillo fired his first career shutout, allowing just five hits in leading the Knights to a 1-0 verdict in a pitchers’ duel against Calvin Christian of Escondido in a Pacific League nail-biter.

Jansen Granillo struck out eught Crusaders batters without issuing a walk, out-shining Calvin Xhristian junior Tyler Hoff, who fired a 3-hitter, yet was burned by an unearned run.

In fact, a pair of erros led to the ballgame’s lone marker came in the first inning.

With one down, Jonah Nottoli — another sophomore — reached on an misplay of a grounder by the shortstop. Moments later, a grounder to second base by “Capitan” Jack Morgan placed two runners on the corners.

The Kngiths tried to attempt a double-steal, but Morgan was thrown out, yet Nottoli couldn’t advance.

So when clean-u batter Jr. Merino was walked bringing up another first-and-third situation, the Kngiths again attempted a double-steal,

This time, Merino drew the throw and was safe at second. Bit this time, Nattoli displayed better timing on the throw through the diamond to come home.

Meanwhile, Jansen Granillo survived a pair of two-out singles in the third inning, retiuring the final 13 consecutive Crusaders batter to make the run stand up.

Foorhills Christian (9-11 overall, 4-3 league) are now tied with Calvin Christian (4-2, 2-1) for second place in the Pacific.

City League

Coronado 8, Christian 4

Along the SILVER STRAND – The Coronado Islanders tallied five runs on their first trip to the plate, eventually mointing an 8-0 cushion to down the Christian Patriots, 8-0, to take this City League opening series.

Game 3 of the set is slated for Thursday at Christian (wesather pending; rain is expected).

Christian (10-6 overall, 0-2 league) made things interesting with four runs in the fifth to chase Coronado pitcher Taylor Werth. who carried a no-hitter through four frames.

However, Andy Chapman entered to retire the final four batters without allowing a basehit.

The bottom third of the batting card place the Patriots on the scoreboard.

Second baseman Walker Kane (single) and designated hitter Jake Eichhorst (sacrifice fly) opened the scoring.

No. 9 batter Joey Nunez followed with a double, setting up onsecutive RBI singles from shortstop Max Villalva and thrd baseman Benji Molina.

The Islanders also received run production from their bottom third, including three RBI from center fielder Cable Fledderjohn, and two more from right fielder Chase Jenkins.

Coronado (13-4, 2-0) is the top-ranked CIFSDS ballclub in Division 2 via the computer index.