Pitching, power, fuel Orange over Helix

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: April 29, 2025

2025 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

East County Sports.com

Grossmont Hills League

Valhalla 3, Helix 1

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – Following a season-long absence from the mound, Valhalla welcomed the return of senior pitcher Matt Ibrahim, who combined with Enzo Gaipa to fire a 2-hitter to down visiting Helix, 3-1, in Tuesday’s (Apr. 29) Grossmont Hills League ballgame.

With the triumph, Orange Nation (5-14 overall, 2-4 GHL) escaped the baseman in the standings. Helix (11-10, 3-3 GHL) remains in second, meaning Granite Hills is the lone team with a winning league record in GHL action.

Ibrahim, only pitched the first two innings and allowed the Helix run. Thus, the pitching victory went to Gaipa, who matched his season-best by going five innings, Gaipa also equalled a season-high by striking out four Scotties batters.

The Norsemen offense came out on fire, needing just two swings to get on the scoreboard

Inthe first, shortstop Jesse McCormick swung at the first pitch, drilling a home run to left field.

Moments later, catch Mace Wheeler took over the East County lead in home runs by popping a 1-1 pitch out to right field.

For “Wheels,” it as the senior’s sixth homer of the campaign, one better than Brandon Lewis of Granite Hills.

Wheeler also leads all CIF-San Diego Section Division II schools in bombs, and is one behind Elijah Stephens of Sage Creek for the all-division overall lead in the section.

Helix cut the deficit in half in the second.

Thurd baseman Antoin Simpson led with a walk, advanced on a wild pitch, then score on a basehit by Maddox Richardson.

However, the McCormick-Wheeler pair gained another run in the third. McCormick took a lead walk, scoring on a double to center by Wheeler.

For the ballgames, Wheeler batted 3-for-4, raising his GHL-leading batting average to .549.

Grossmont at El Capitan

LAKESIDE – Neither school reported why this ballgame was, apparently, not contested.

MaxPreps and GameChanger also shows no information.

Pacific League

Foothills Christian 15, CV-High Tech 0 – At Matt LaChappa Field, the Knights elected to try a “bullpen” game by utilizing four pitchers. They combined to fire a 3-hit shutout at the Bruins and sweep the 2-game series.

The middle five hitters for the Knights accounted for 9 RBI, including three by center fielder Alex Roudenko. It was the sophomore’s third game of the season, posting his furst career RBI in 13 contests.

The Knights scored five times in the 1st, 2nd nd 5th innings.

City League

University City 5, at Christian 1 – Ceenturions pitcher Thiago Quillin fired six shutout innings, but the UC bullpen blew the shutout bid in the seventh inning.

Christian was one out away from being blanked again, but after 13.2 frames, pinch-hitter Jackson Oman singled a soft liner to left field to bring home Trae Pheasant.

Second baseman Joey Nunez registered two hits for the Patriots. For the Cents, Jayden Parker posted two hits, including a run-scoring double.

Mira Mesa 5, at Coronado 5, tie (6 inn., rain)

Western League

Cathedral Catolic 4, Patrick Henry 2 – The home team has captured the first two game of this 3-game set after the Cons won at Manchester Field.

All four runs by Cathedral Catholic were unearned due to a season-worst five errors by the Patriots, handing the unluck loss to Cody Cappelletti (5 Ks, 5 hits).

Driving in runs for Patrick Henry were first baseman Jimmy Gunn (singlee in 2nd) and shortstop Preston Conklin.(sac fly in 5th).

St, Augustine 3, at Point Loma 1

Grossmont Valley League

West Hills 5, at Monte Vista 2 – The Monarchs, down 5-0, performed their usual late-inning comeback. yet fell just short.

The Pack scored four early unearned runs — two in the first and third inninggs — ruining five otherside strong innings by Monte Vist apitcher Trevor Meyer.

The win went to West Hillssophomore Devin Woods, who struck out seven Monarchs over six innings.

The only player with multiple hits was Monarchs shortstop Reuben Cabugwas, who registered three of his ballclub’s five hits.

Santana 15, Mount Miguel 0 – A trio of Sultansapitchers combined on a 2-hit shutout in defeating the Matador for the 7th straight ballgame.