Julian gets headline!; Sultans, Cougars again tied for first

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: May 8, 2026

A view of the town of Julina, founded during the gold rush by Mike Julian in the late 19th Century

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Manzanita League
Julian 18, Warner 8
At Julian: In the “lucky” 13th game of the season, the Julian Eagles (1-12 overall) captured their first victory of the season, knocking off the Warner Wildcats of Warner Springs, 18-8, in Manzanita League action Friday (May 8) at Mike Julian Memorialo Field.

Standings: Borrego Speings 7-0, te: MaxPreps is incorrect;Calipatria 4=3, Vincent Memorial Catholic 2-4, Julian 1-4, Warner 1-4, West Shores (season vacated).

Grossmont Valley League
Santana 6, Steele Canyon 2
At Santee: The most critical series in Grossmont Valley League play this season resulted in a draw after Santana gained a series split with Steele Canyon after claiming a 6-2 decision Friday (May 8).

With the home ballclub taking series wins, both the Sultans and Cougars remained in a deadlock for first placed in the GVL standings at 7-1.

Thus, the pennant race comes down to next week’s final ballgames — Santana meets Monte Vista (which owns enough pitching to post an upset); Steele Canyon tangles with West Hills (the Wolf Pack actually owns a winning record after starting the season 0-7).

Game stuff

Trailing 2-1, the Sultans pulled even in the second inning, then tallied three times in the third tp seize control despite some over-aggressive base running tactics.

Gavin Kelly drilled a hard ground ball into left field for a single, with Kaden Martinez scoring, but the runner at second base was out at the plate on the throw by the cougars’ Abel Lopez to catcher Isaiah Hyche for the third out.

However, the Sultans kept the momentum going to take the lead in the third.

The go-ahead blow was a leadoff home run by Landon Braaksma, who took an 0-1 pitch out to left-center field.

The next three batters loaded the bases on a double by Tatum Morehouse, Ryder Davey reached on an error, then Brennen Weed walked.

Morehouse came home on a sacrifice fly by Xander Bennett for an RBI. The third run scored on an unusual double play with a regular ground out to first base, but the throw went to second base for an out, but the runner at third scored before the tag out.

Braaksma later completed his bid day at the plate with an RBI double in the sixth. Braaksma batted 2-for-2, walked twice, scored twice and drove home a pair of runs.

Steele Canyon received run-scoring singles from Julian Cervantes and AngelLopez, both seniors.

Monte Vsta 14, Mount Miguel 2
At Spring Valley: The Monte Vista Monarchs completed a sweep of neighborhood rival Mount Miguel taking a 14-2 home decision on Friday (May 8) in GVL action.

The Monarchs scored three times in each of the first three innings, then added four
additional markers in the fourth for a 13-0 lead which eventually reached 14 before Mount Miguel ended the shutout bid in the sixth.

Monte Vista scored its runs on 11 hits — none for extra bases — but were assisted by several errors.

For the hosts, senior right fielder Raul Martinez and sophomore third baseman Reece Williams each registered a par of RBI.

Martinez later came in to pitch in relief, striking out the only batter he faced in his first-ever varsity appearance on the mound.

The victory went to starter A drain Gutierrez, who went 4.2 shutout innings with five strike outs. Gutierrez moves above .500 for the season with a 4-3 record.

On offense, Michael Ortiz registered a hit, then was walked twice, scoring all three times.

The Matadors possess a future, as freshman first baseman Kayne Hubbard recorded both RBI in the sixth, driving home junior Drew Mexia and sophomore Dimitrio Lujan.

Elsewhere, West Hills complete a two-game sweep of El Cajon Valley, 33-4.

Standings: Santana 7-1, Steele Canyon 7-1,, Monte Vista 5-3, West Hills 5=3, Mount Miguel 0-8, ECVHS 0-8.

— Nick Pellegrino