Jighlanders climb summit, share GHL baseball crown

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: May 14, 2026

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

East County Sports.com

FLETCHER HILLS — SInce the Covid-19 pandemci ended, the Helix Highlanders have come close to caoture the Grossmont hills League, but always fell just short — until TGhurday.
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The Scotties wasted little time by opening with niune straight runs, able to finally climb the summitby winning “at he top of the Grossmont summit” by whipping arch-rival Grossmont, 18-2, at Gizoni Field.

The triumph allows Helix to share the GHL championship with Granite Hills, both at 10-2 in league action. The Scotties previously captured four straight crown from 2016-19.

Grossmont was hanfinf with Helix through two scoreless innings, but a heads-up play turned into disaster.

The Scotties attempted a double-steal, but with no defender covering third base, the catcher’s smart throw went top second base in hopes tocatch the trailing runner napping.

Instead, no middle infielder was there, the ball sailed into center field, and Helix took a 1-0 lead — an advantage whcih went to 9-0 at the struggling Hillers continmued to seek answers.

Romeo Briones followed with a two-run single. Late, a bases-loaded walk forced home a run.

Looking ahead to next week’s CIF-San Diego Section playoffs, Briones onkt oitched fiurinningsm allowing justa run on one hit.

On offense, a trio of juniors — left fielder Kie Smith, shortstop Jake Johnson and third baseman Ben Willians — each clouted home rus.

Senior Elijah Martinez led with three RBI. Smith and Williams scored three times.

The 18 runs by Helix was the most against Grossmont since the mid-1970s,

Grissmibt (11-17) has dropped 9-of-10 since upsettinng Granite Hills, 12-4, on Apr. 21.

— Nick Pellegrino