Mara Thornton of West Hills tossed a 1-hit shutout at No. 4 Santana. (Photo by Chris Edwards)

East County Sports.com
SPRING VALLEY (5-18-06) -- All season long, opposing teams keep pointing out that Valhalla High no longer fields all-section performers such as LACY WILSON, KIMMI HAYDEN or SAVANNAH BROWN.

However, the Norsemen still must be called one thing -- champions.

Capped by a scoop catch by first baseman KYLA BRANSFORD on a wild throw in the dirt to prevent the game-tying runs from scoring, Valhalla gained a measure of revenge by nipping Monte Vista, 3-1, to collect its fifth consecutive Grossmont South League crown.

The Norsemen share this year's title with Steele Canyon, which rallied to edge Helix to also finish with an 8-2 league mark. Valhalla also shared the 2005 title with Granite Hills.

"I was excited -- it was a big play to catch it," said Bransford, who made the grab, then turned around with the look of utter disbelief to her teammates in the first-base dugout, knowing they again registered another league title.

Bransford also keyed an important run in the sixth inning. Leading 2-0, the sophomore's grounder deflected off the Monte Vista third baseman to the shortstop, who fired to first. However, the umpire ruled Bransford safe, as AMBER REARDON scored from third for a 3-0 advantage.

"I didn't see it -- I was focused going to first," she noted. "But it was an important insurance run."

Monte Vista answered with its first run off Norsemen pitcher KAYLA HOUSTON, as ASHLEY MILLER doubled, then scored on a botched bunt when the ball was thrown away in the sixth.

On the Monarchs' last chance in the seventh, CAITLIN QUON accepted her second two-out walk of the contest, then ROSALYN BURNS reached on an error. But on an ensuing grounder to shortstop, Bransford made her Gold Glove, game-clinching stab.

Houston, who allowed No. 1 pitcher ERICKA MARSH to rest in anticipation of a possible opening-round playoff contest on Saturday, finished with a 2-hitter.

"Miller's double -- that was a nice hit," noted Houston, on the lead double off the centerfield fence in the fifth to breakup her no-hit bid. "It was a tight situation, but I just tried to pitch outside and make it work."

Valhalla second baseman JODIE SCHMEHR went 2-for-3 and scored on a pair of wild pitches for a 1-0 lead in the third. Catcher KELLEY SEITZ made it 2-0 in the fourth, reaching on an error, then scoring when Houston reached on a double-error.

STEELE CANYON 3, HELIX 2 -- The Cougars almost allowed their share of the school's first-ever league title to slip through their fingers after the Highlanders scored twice in the top of the first inning. However, pitcher SAMANTHA BEASLEY blanked the Scotties over the ensuing six innings to give the hosts an opportunity to rally.

In addition, Steele Canyon won a Wednesday (May 17) evening coin flip with co-titlist Valhalla to guarantee a home game in a first-round CIF Division III playoff contest. Head coach JULIE BOHE was successful in calling 'tails.'

Helix looked to ruin the party when sophomore ALYSSA DRONENBURG doubled home freshman NATALIE SMITH, then scored herself on an error, showing the future could be bright for the Highlanders.

However, the Cougars chipped away with single runs in the third, fourth and sixth innings to avoid the collapse. The first run came on an RBI single by JAZMIN DAIGLE, scoring LISA MONGELLI, who had tripled.

The Cougars then received a pair of unearned runs. JENEVA MACK tied the ballgame with an RBI basehit to center, scoring RACHEL MAHONEY, who reached on an error. Then an error and a wild pitch allowed the go-ahead run to score.

Beasley finished allowing just three hits.

GRANITE HILLS 8, MOUNT MIGUEL 1 -- Eagles freshman BRITTANI BERTUSSI overcame some wildness to toss a no-hitter at the Matadors.

Carrying a no-hitter through five innings, two walks and an error allowed Mount Miguel to score without the aid of a basehit in the sixth. But by then, Granite Hills already had mounted an 8-0 advantage to snap a mild 2-game losing streak.

The Eagles reached the scoreboard early when AMANDA OBNEY slugged a 2-run homer in the first, as JESSICA SCHATZ, who doubled, also scored.

Later, RACHEL JONES and CHARNEL ZETSCH slugged consecutive doubles when the Eagles scored three times in the fifth. MEGAN BELIO and Schatz each batted 2-for-3 for Granite Hills.

Yet again, it's Santana left-fielder Jen Krismer with another diving catch to rob an opponent. (Photos by Chris Edwards)

The victory gave 7th-ranked West Hills sole possession of second place in the Grossmont North League, while No. 2 Santana (27-4) fell for the straight outing, doubling its season loss total after opening the season with 21 consecutive victories.

The Pack registered both of their runs in the second inning.

BRIANNA LaCHUSA and STASIA HOLDMAN opened the frame with singles, then Thornton walked to load the bases.

JAYLEEN BUSH followed with an RBI single, then JESSICA HAMMOND reached on an infield error on a slow roller up the middle, gaining an RBI since there was no play at the plate.

The lone Santana hit was a third-inning single by KATIE THOMAS, but Thornton responded with her streak of 14 straight batters without reaching base. The Sultans also loaded the bases in the first thanks to a pair of walks and a hit batsman, but Thornton escaped the jam.

GROSSMONT 8, EL CAPITAN 0 -- ROXY HESHMATY allowed just three hits over five strong innings, then DOMONIQUE GUERRA was touched for just one hit during her two innings of relief to blank the Vaqueros.

Heshmaty struck out five, including all three El Cap batters in the first to set the tone for the entire ballgame. Meanwhile, ALYSSA ESCALANTE connected for her sixth homer of the season, sending a rope over the fence in centerfield -- a 3-run shot in the sixth inning.

Other keys hits included a two-run double by KINDRA MYERS in help build a 3-0 lead in the first, then Myers scored on a wild pitch in the third for a 4-0 lead.

The rising Foothillers enter the postseason with a North League title and a 6-game winning streak, hoping for one of the top berths when the CIF seeding committee meets Thursday (May 18) to determine the playoff brackets.

Grossmont's Michelle Miranda (22) slides under West Hills pitcher Chelsea Velovich, scoring on a wild pitch in the Foothillers' 4-1 victory. (Photo by Chris Edwards)

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-17-06) -- After finishing her junior season essentially on the trash heap, sitting on the bench because of frustrating injuries, the last four weeks have seen an amazing turnabout for Grossmont High senior DOMONIQUE GUERRA. The pitcher collected her fifth victory over a Top Ten ranked opponent Tuesday (May 16), escaping jam after jam with clutch pitching to lift the No. 8-rated Foothillers to the Grossmont North League title after blanking 4th-ranked Santana, 3-0.

Guerra stranded a total of 12 baserunners, including seven over the first three innings and seven in scoring position, handing the Sultans (27-3, 8-3 GNL) two of their three setbacks this season.

"I was pumped ever since we beat West Hills on Monday," said the San Francisco State bound Guerra. "My arm wasn't as strong as the first game, but mentally, I was really into the game."

With Santana unable to collect a key hit off Guerra to get onto the scoreboard, Grossmont (18-8, 9-2 GNL) found several avenues for offense, including one from an unlikely source.

Left-fielder ANDREA NEDDEN recorded the biggest hit of her career with a sharp RBI single to open the scoring in the second inning, bringing home REBECCA OSBORNE following her two-out double over the head of the Santana left-fielder.

"It feels really good to win the league title," said Nedden (pointing out her name is spelled the same both frontwards and backwards). "Santana's pitching is really good and they have a good defense, too, but we just got the hits when we needed them."

One inning later, after CAMMI MOORE reached on an error after two were out, she circled the bases and scored when ALYSSA ESCALANTE bombed a pitch off the fence in centerfielder.

In the fifth, Moore did one better, sending a 3-1 delivery over the fence in left for her sixth home run of the season.

"After (Santana pitcher SHAE) BASS went 3-and-0, I took a pitch then was looking for a changeup -- and it came," noted Moore, who now ranks second in East County in homers. "I'm glad I worked hard and took extra swings at practice."

Meanwhile, Guerra twice stranded runners on third base, then survived a leadoff double by MICHELLE BRAMLAGE in the sixth by retiring six of the final seven batters she faced, including a flyout to MEGAN GREEN in centerfield to clinch the league crown.

Over the past few weeks, Guerra has defeated Santana twice, 7th-ranked West Hills twice and downed No. 9 Mira Mesa in a non-league contest.

"Every single one of their hitters is a good hitter, so I had to pitch smart to every single one of them," noted Guerra. "It definitely was a relief to get those two early runs."

Moore finished going 2-for-3, scoring twice and reaching base over each of her three plate appearances, while Escalante also added two hits in the Hillers' 6-hit attack.

Santana collected eight hits, including a pair of singles by catcher LAURIE LINDOW. But the team only went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, with the lone hit coming on a bunt single by AMANDA CARPENTER to load the bases with one out in the 2nd. However, Guerra escaped with one of her three strikeouts, then a soft ground ball to Osborne at second base.

For the Sultans, shortstop TAYLOR KELLY made a diving stab to snare a liner ticketed to left, robbing Green of a hit to leadoff the 5th. Meanwhile, Bass finished with six strikeouts, also walking two.

Grossmont will claim the GNL title outright with a victory over El Capitan on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Santana will host West Hills to determine second place.

WEST HILLS 10, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 (5 inn.) -- In a contest vacated after five innings, Wolf Pack junior pitcher BRENNA SANDBERG tossed a no-hitter at the Braves on West Hills' Senior Day.

Sandberg struck out nine, allowing just two ECV baserunners on walks, then she drove home three runs by going 2-for-3 at the plate.

"Brenna had a special day," said Pack coach STEVE SUTTON. "Then El Cajon Valley decided to stop playing."

West Hills collected 14 hits off three Braves pitchers, as STASIA HOLDMAN went 3-for-3, while BRIANNA LaCHUSA and BRITTANY SWANSON each went 2-for-3.

The Pack scored twice in the 2nd, then three in the 3rd, including a two-run double by Swanson. West Hills later added five markers in the 4th before the Braves threw-in the towel to complete their season -- ECV has a bye on Wednesday, the final day of the regular season.

Grossmont third baseman Jill Timmer gets ready to fire to first base (top), where first baseman Cammi Moore makes the catch for the out, despite the objection of West Hills' Jessica Hammond. (Photos by Chris Edwards)

East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (5-16-06) -- Three weeks ago, Valhalla High assistant coach BRUCE WHITLOW confided some thoughts on the future of Norsemen sophomore catcher KELLEY SEITZ.

"With her swing, she really could break (West Hills' KASEY) MYTINGER's home run record," Whitlow believed. "She may not do it this year, but she's definitely going to do it next year. Kelly simply has a sweet swing with a ton of power."

Whitlow proved to be prophetic.

As a freshman, Seitz slugged six homers playing just over half of the season, ranking second only to Mytinger, who eclipsed the East County mark by going long 11 times. Although Seitz only has one regular season ballgame and at least one SDCIF playoff contest remaining, talks of approaching Mytinger's mark came up after the recent home run barrage.

On Monday (May 15), Seitz slugged a pair of 2-run homers, the difference in a 4-2 triumph over arch-rival Granite Hills. The latter broke a 2-2 tie with a blast to left in the bottom of the sixth inning, giving the catcher homers in a school-record four consecutive ballgames.

"I actually like outside pitches," noted Seitz, who has stroked eight home runs for the season. "I'm good at extending my arms -- that's where I have all my power."

A controversial call at the plate allowed the Eagles to tie the game, which was all Seitz needed to regain her focus at the plate.

"I was fired-up because of the call," said Seitz. "I wanted to bat so badly."

Earlier, Seitz went to the opposite field in right with a 2-run shot in the first. She struck out in the third, although two pitches were pulled foul deep down the left-field line. The first pitch Seitz saw in the sixth was a no-doubter.

"I thought for a moment that she'd catch it because there was a lot of wind and the ball was so high," explained Seitz. "But it went out."

Meanwhile, Norsemen pitcher ERICKA MARSH limited Granite Hills to just one hit through five innings -- a second-inning single by RACHEL JONES -- before the Eagles' bats came alive.

NICOLE RIVERA opened the 6th with a single, stole second base, then scored on a double by BRITTANI BERTUCCI. A bunt by MANDY OMAHEN sacrificed Bertucci to third, then a pair of close calls went against the Norsemen.

On a grounder to KAYLA HOUSTON at third base, Eagles batter JESSICA SCHATZ was ruled safe at first base. Bertucci, waiting for the throw, then sprinted home, but Seitz insisted she made the tag to prevent the game-tying run from scoring.

"I tagged her, then I went like this to show him the ball," said Seitz, demonstrating how she raised her glove to display the ball to the umpire. "You could see by her slide marks she missed the plate and that she wasn't there -- then I had to go to 'two' (second base) because they called the other girl safe, too."

However, Marsh escaped the jam by snaring a line drive back to the box by CHARNEL ZETSCH for the second out, then the Norsemen right-hander registered the final of her nine strikeouts.

Granite Hills also placed two runners on base in the seventh on basehits by pinchhitter ALYSA BENSON and Rivera (2-for-4), but an interference call on a baserunner during a grounder to shortstop AMBER REARDON ended the contest.

"It felt good to get the win because Granite Hills is a good-hitting team," noted Marsh. "And my defense definitely worked for me."

Zetsch struck out five for the Eagles, allowing just two singles outside of Seitz' shots.

STEELE CANYON 9, MOUNT MIGUEL 2 -- While Seitz continues on her homer rampage, the Cougars haven't sniffed a home run since April 1 -- with or without an outfield fence -- after going long 14 times during the first month of the season.

However, the drought finally ended Monday (May 15) when JAYME JARVIS went deep with a fifth-inning, two-run shot. The homer capped a 3-for-4, 4-RBI performance for the sophomore center-fielder.

Jarvis also registered a 2-run single in the first, when Steele Canyon built a 3-0 lead. The Cougars later scored in each of their final four at-bats, as SAMANTHA BEASLEY also went 3-for-4, including a triple and two RBI.

The difference for Steele Canyon in recent weeks has been clutch hitting.

"Except for Jayme's home run, all of our runs came on two-out hits," noted Cougars assistant coach DOUG SUMMERS. "Our girls started to hit and were focused against Granite Hills, and they kept it up today."

Included among the key hits with two outs were a pair of run-scoring knocks by Beasley, and a 2-run single in the sixth by catcher HANNAH ROST. Meanwhile, pitcher ERIKA BEASLEY allowed just three hits to the Matadors.

Steele Canyon can clinch at least a share of its first-ever Grossmont South league crown with a victory Wednesday over Helix.

West Hills coach Steve Sutton, who ranks second in CIFSDS career victories. (Photo by Chris Edwards)

Fortunately for the Foothillers, their batters took the base-on-balls twice and maneuvered around the bases -- the difference in a 4-1 decision over the Wolf Pack.

"It's amazing how often that happens," said Grossmont coach JERRY LERUD. "Really, it should be no different than a lead single, but it is."

On Monday (May 15) MEGAN GREEN and CAMMI MOORE took their respective place at first base. Green was sacrificed to second base, then scored on a double by KINDRA MYERS for a 1-0 lead in the 2nd. Two innings later, Moore advanced on an ALYSSA ESCALANTE single, then a throwing error brought her home for a 2-0 lead.

The Hillers then scored twice after two were out in the 5th.

MICHELLE MIRANDA banged a double, then Moore singled to place runners on the corners. Miranda scored on a wild pitch, then Moore made it 4-0 on Green's RBI double to right, although she was thrown out trying to extend the hit into a triple.

The Wolf Pack had a chance to come back, loading the bases in the 6th. However, they could only muster a single run on a short popup which landed by MICHELLE IAVELLI, as Grossmont winning pitcher DOMONIQUE GUERRA escaped with an inning-ending strikeout.

With the victory, Grossmont controls its own destiny in seeking the Grossmont North League title. However, they meet co-leading Santana on Tuesday, then the Sultans meet West Hills to complete the regular season on Wednesday.

MONTE VISTA 5, HELIX 3 -- The Monarchs kept themselves in contention for the Grossmont South League title Monday (May 15) as they scuttled host Helix in an 11-inning marathon.

Trailing co-leaders Valhalla and Steele Canyon by one game, the Monarchs broke a 3-3 tie on a Helix error and an RBI single by AMANDA WARD in the top of the 11th inning.

Ward accounted for three of Monte Vista's 12 hits. She also stole three bases.

"We tried to give it away today, but no takers," said Monte Vista coach SIG CHABROWSKI. "The biggest thing about this game was there was some confusion and missed signs but we didn't give up. The bench was still alive, the parents - the 10th man - were still with us, even though it was getting chilly there at the end."

Both teams had a shot at winning the contest in the 10th inning. Singles by ROSANNE ABEYETA and Ward coupled with a sacrifice by CAITLIN QUON put Monte Vista in position to break a 2-2 tie in the top of the 10th. Helix helped Monte Vista get that go-ahead marker on a dropped third strike.

Helix tied the game on an RBI double by ALYSSA DRONENBURG in the bottom of the 10th.

ASHLEY MILLER and Quon added two hits apiece to the Monarchs 12-hit total.

Dronenburg belted a pair of doubles to lead Helix.

EL CAPITAN 7, EL CAJON VALLEY 2 -- In a shattering performance, Vaqueros shortstop ASHLEY MARX belted a pair of extra-base hits, including a lead homer in the second inning to start a 4-run rally, pacing El Capitan past the host Braves.

Marx, who also slugged a double, lifted her homer to straight-away centerfield, taking out the windshield of a teammate's family vehicle.

The rally continued with a run-scoring single by catcher AMANDA COMBS, scoring HEATHER BREWER, then ASHLEY HART slammed a two-run double, plating KRISTY BARKER and Combs.

Hart, who saw her 15-game hitting streak snapped on Friday, bounced back by going 3-for-4.with a double and two RBI.

For El Cajon Valley, MARISSA UTLEY also batted 3-for-4 and scored both of the Braves' runs. Included was a double by the shortstop. DESIREE GARCIA also hit a double.

"Our errors just hurt us today," said El Cajon Valley assistant coach LORI CLARK. "Our girls did well today other than our errors. If we don't err, we beat El Capitan. This was our last home game for our seniors -- Utley, AMANDA SWANN and JANELLE HAVENS."

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-13-06) -- Without the need to throw many strikes, SAMANTHA BEASLEY still captured the most important game in the short history of Steele Canyon High softball. The Cougars pitcher struck out 11 batters and yielded just four hits, downing Granite Hills, 3-1, in Friday's (May 12) decisive Grossmont South League.

Beasley kept the Eagles off-balance by watching a parade of batters whiff on her riseball, maintaining Steele Canyon's share of the GSL lead. And with only Helix and Mount Miguel remaining on the Cougars schedule, only an unforeseeable upset could prevent the school from gaining its first league crown.

"Sam's been on for us all season -- she really hasn't pitched a bad game for us," said Cougars coach JULIE BOHE. "Her pitching was incredible today -- she really hit her spots."

For the majority of the contest, those spots were from the shoulders up, allowing the aggressive Eagles to get themselves out. And with the Cougars infield playing error-free, thoughts of a 3-game losing streak disappeared with sights now set on a league championship.

One key play was turned in by catcher HANNAH ROST, who threw out a runner headed for second base on a failed bunt-and-run play.

"I've played with a lot of those girls in travel ball, so I kinda knew they were going to run on that play," said Rost. "I knew what their game plan might be."

Steele Canyon scored all of its runs in the second inning.

Despite a failed sacrifice bunt, a passed ball still allowed a runner to move into scoring position. Then a series of three straight hits scored the runs.

With two out, left-fielder RACHEL MAHONEY lined a single to center to score DANIELLE DAVISSON, then JENEVA MACK also singled. But the biggest blow was struck by shortstop LISA MONGELLI, who cleared the bases with a two-run triple into the right-field corner.

"She was pitching me outside and I just went with it," noted Mongelli. "I was thinking 'two,' but coach told me to keep running.:

Granite Hills blanked the Cougars the rest of the way, twice turning double plays while relief pitcher CHARNEL ZETSCH tossed 2 1/3 innings of shutout ball. But the offense could only muster a single run off Beasley in the third.

After Steele Canyon erased a lead single with a double play after Davisson snared a line drive at first base, NICOLE RIVERA reached third base on a triple when a Cougars outfielder failed in an attempt to make a diving catch.

Rivera would score on a basehit by MANDY OMAHEN, who also reached third thanks to an error. However, Beasley escaped the jam when Mahoney in left raced into foul territory to make a running catch to rob Eagles designated player AMANDA OBNEY, who played despite a hairline fracture of her left wrist.

Omahen batted 2-for-2, including a first-inning double, and walked twice, but the rest of her teammates collected only two additional hits. Meanwhile, Beasley was 2-for-4 at the plate, part of a 10-hit attack. VANESSA ADAME also registered two basehits, as eight of the Cougars nine starters hit safely.

SANTANA 9, EL CAJON VALLEY 2 -- The Sultans equaled a school record by slugging four home runs to bench press the Braves.

Winning pitcher SHAE BASS, who tossed five strong innings, opened the slugfest with a two-run shot in the second inning. Then the Sultans bombarded the school's tennis courts with three additional shots during a 6-run onslaught in the fifth, barely falling short of blasting four consecutive homers.

Catcher LAURIE LINDOW began the power surge with a solo shot, then left-fielder JEN KRISMER followed with another homer for back-to-back shots. Krismer's bomb was the longest of the quartet, slamming into the fence which guards the tennis courts in deep left..

Bass, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored, followed by stroking a double, as the ball struck halfway up the fence in missing just barely from going out. However, KRISTEN MEDRUD didn't miss, following Bass with a 2-run shot on the very next pitch.

Trailing 3-0, the Braves briefly made it a contest by scoring twice just before the homer barrage.

JESSICA COPE started the rally with a single to center, then stole second base. One out later, KARI SATROM surprised the defense by reaching on a bunt single, then both runners scored on a deep single to center by MARISSA UTLEY.

Bass, Medrud and Lindow each registered two of Santana's nine hits, with Bass and Lindow scoring twice.

WEST HILLS 5, EL CAPITAN 1 -- Junior catcher KAITLIN COBB garnered the only run-scoring hit for the Wolf Pack, but she made it count. Cobb stroked a 2-run triple to plate both MARA THORNTON and STASIA HOLDMAN in the second inning, then came home on an error during the same play for three runs to best the Vaqueros.

El Capitan came back in the third on consecutive two-out doubles by AMANDA COMBS and ASHLEY MARX. However, Thornton came in to toss three shutout innings to get the win, then KYLEE KRINGS pitched a perfect seventh.

The Pack received a pair of bonus runs after two were out in the final fame. NANCY SUE LARSON walked and MICHELLE IAVELLI walked, then a series of wild pitches scored both.

VALHALLA 7, HELIX 0 -- KELLEY SEITZ launched a three-run home run and ERICA MARSH fired a five-hitter on Friday (May 12) as the Norsemen (17-9, 6-2 GSL) maintained their share of the Grossmont South League lead with Steele Canyon.

Seitz, who has five round trippers, capped a five-run 3rd inning with her circuit clout. This two-out rally was ignited by a JAMIE ZINTER single. She stole second and advanced to third on JODIE SCHMEHR's base hit. A walk to AMBER REARDON loaded the bases.

KAYLA HOUSTON then singled up the middle, scoring Zinter and Schmehr.

Valhalla's offense continued to click in the 4th inning. KYLA BRANSFORD stroked a lead single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. MEGAN McGIRR singled, but the next batters made outs. Schmehr, though, picked up the slack with a two-run single up the middle.

"Marsh pitched a real good game," said Valhalla assistant coach BRUCE WHITLAW. "All nine of her strikeouts were swinging – she had good movement on the ball. We were very patient at the plate, got pitches to hit and hit them."

NATALIE SMITH and ALEX SARZYNIAK had two hits apiece for Helix.

MONTE VISTA 2, MOUNT MIGUEL 1 -- Monte Vista freshman JESIKA PEREA broke a 1-1 tie with a sacrifice fly to deep center in the bottom of the 5th in Friday's (May 12) Grossmont South League action.

"This was another nail biter," sighed Monte Vista coach SIG CHABROWSKI, noting that the Monarchs (15-10-1, 5-3 GSL) are only one game away from the top two with two games remaining. "We had opportunities but sometimes you wait too late to make your move."

Monte Vista freshman CAITLIN QUON was 3-for-3 with the bat and scored the game-tying run in the bottom of the 6th inning.

"Being a freshman playing on varsity took a lot of getting used to," Quon said. "I'm really comfortable playing second base, I like being on this team. We've played a lot of close games this season and have learned how to win them."

Quon and ASHLEY MILLER each hit a single to start the decisive 5th. They moved up a base on LYDIA VENIEGAS' sacrifice bunt. ALYSSA PARKER singled to right, scoring Quon and to tie the game 1-1.

Later in the inning, Perea drove in Miller with the game-winner.

"I don't mind being the designated player," said Perea. "I'm the kind of player that will play any position just as long as my name is in the line-up. I was confident going into the bottom of the 6th inning, I knew we would score. When I came to bat in the 6th, I was looking to hit the ball to the outfield."

Mount Miguel's ERICA WILLIAMS went 3-for-3 and MAYRA ESTRADA was 1-for-3 for the Matadors, and CATRINA JONES stole a base.

The Patriots' Amanda Plum goes deep with a two-run homer against Scripps Ranch. (Photo by Burt Melvin)

The setback mathematically eliminated the Pats from title consideration, while 10th-ranked Scripps Ranch remains in a battle with No. 9 Mira Mesa and No. 3 Patrick Henry, which was nearly upset before rallying to down last-place Serra, 6-1 in 8 innings. This season, Henry's Patriots (22-5) have lost to just two San Diego CIF teams -- West Hills and Scripps Ranch.

Owens struck out five to keep Christian in the ballgame, with a fifth-inning Falcons run coming unearned, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Jackie Nguyen. The Patriots came back on a one-out walk to catcher KARA CARTWRIGHT, then Plum went deep to left-centerfield for her first homer of the season.

"It was a tight game, but we played a pretty solid game for seven innings," noted Christian coach ROMA DAWSON. "We gave ourselves a chance to win -- it was a lot better than the Mira Mesa game (on Wednesday) -- we played a lot steadier."

Christina Datko pitched into the sixth to collect the victory for Scripps Ranch (18-8-1, 7-3 EL).

Granite Hills pinchrunner Sage Woodrow (2) raced for home after the throw on an infield grounder went to first base, barely beating the relay throw home despite the efforts of Helix catcher Andrea Martin del Campo. Woodrow was called safe with the game-winning run in the top of the 7th inning. (Photo by Chris Edwards)

East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (5-11-06) -- Steele Canyon finally snapped a long scoreless streak at 23 innings, but it wasn't enough to avoid losing its lead in the Grossmont South League.

Moments after the Cougars finally pushed across a run to tie Wednesday's (May 10) contest, Monte Vista answered with a pair of fifth-inning runs, the difference in a 3-1 decision to turn the South standings into a mad scramble.

The Cougars' two-game lead is now gone, falling into a 3-way tie for the GSL lead with Valhalla and Granite Hills. Meanwhile, the disrespected Monarchs moved to within one game of the tri-leaders with one week remaining in the regular season.

Immediately after giving up the lead, the Monarchs responded by posting two runs in the fifth to collect another victory against a first-division opponent.

BREANNA McMILLAN capped the rally with a booming RBI double off the center-field fence, falling just a foot short of becoming the first player to homer at Steele Canyon since the installation of an outfield fence for last Friday's ballgame. McMillan then limited the Cougars to just two hits over the final three innings to turn GSL standings into a dogfight.

McMillan carried a no-hitter through three innings, but Steele Canyon snapped its drought at 23 scoreless frames when VANESSA ADAME slapped a two-out single with the bases loaded to tie the game at 1-all. The slap single brought home SAMANTHA BEASLEY, who opened the frame with a single, moved to third on an error, then JAYME JARVIS put down a bunt single to fill the bases.

However, Monte Vista, which was projected to finish anywhere but the top of the standings, immediately answered. CAITLIN QUON and ASHLEY MILLER were issued lead walks, then both moved into scoring position on LYDIA VENIEGAS' sacrifice bunt.

The Cougars nearly escaped the jam by getting an out at the plate to nail Quon, but Miller scored on a wild pitch to break the tie. Veniegas then scored when McMillan went deep with her double. Veniegas also opened the scoring in the 1st inning with an infield single, eventually coming home on a McMillan single to center.

B-Mac finished 2-for-3 at the plate while tossing a 6-hitter, leaving Steele Canyon with just one run over its last 27 innings.

"I was happy for the kids -- they played hard," said Monte Vista coach SIG CHABROWSKI. "We played solid defense and had good catching by rookie AMANDA WARD. This is her first year catching, she started out in left field and volunteered to switch to catcher."

With one out in the 6th, Ward threw out a runner attempting to steal third.

"This was a big win for us," said Ward. "I think it sets us up for the rest of the season. I was a goalkeeper for our soccer team. The reactions are pretty much the same. The transition to catcher was not that difficult. It took me awhile to get used to catching Bree. I had to get used to the speed behind the plate -- now I'm comfortable catching her. Last game, I was a little slow making throws on steal attempts. Today, I was just determined to throw the ball hard and let the fielders make the plays."

Chabrowski praised the Monte Vista battery.

"McMillan and Ward communicate very well on the pitches," the Monarchs' mentor said. "We've found a combination of pitcher-catcher that's working. McMillan had a great game -- her stuff was on there."

McMillan is pleased with her battery mate.

"Amanda is a great catcher to pitch to," said McMillan. "It took us some time, but she is easy to throw to now. I'm comfortable pitching to her. She's done a good job."

McMillan walked one and struck out five.

"My best pitch today was my change-up," McMillan said. "That pitch kept batters off-balance -- they weren't ready for it at all. Our league is really tough, every game is a challenge."

The Monarchs stand in fourth place, but trail the tri-leaders by only one game.

"We just do what has to be done," said Chabrowski. "Just like Larry the Cable Guy, I like to say "We gotta get ‘er done.'"

Eagles catcher Amanda Omahen strokes a basehit against the Highlanders. (Photo by Chris Edwards)

GRANITE HILLS 5, HELIX 4 -- Trailing 4-2, the Eagles gained flight just in time to steal a game and avoid the Helix upset bid, scoring three times in the 7th to add further frustration to the Highlanders' season.

And steal the game they did, swiping four bases to set-up the game-tying runs.

NICOLE RIVERA opened with a single, then stole second and third bases before scoring on AMANDA OMAHEN's single. Omahen then stole a pair of bases to reach third, scoring on a fielder's choice when she beat the throw to the plate on a tapper by AMANDA OBNEY.

SAGE WOODROW, the pinchrunner for Obney later tallied the go-ahead run on a stop-and-go play. Standing at third, she waited when CHARNEL ZETSCH hit an infield grounder to the left side, heading home when the throw went to first for a 5-4 lead.

Zetsch then pitched a perfect 1-2-3 seventh inning to cap 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief to garner the victory.

Rivera finished batting 3-for-4, including a triple to open the game when Granite Hills scored twice. Again, Omahan (2-for-4) singled to score Rivera, then the Eagles' catcher came home on an Obney basehit for a 2-0 lead.

Helix came back with runs in the first and third, as a pair of Eagles errors led to an unearned run, then ANDREA MARTIN DEL CAMPO singled home MELISSA FARRIOR to tie the contest.

The Scotties took the lead in the fifth at 4-2 when Farrior and ALYSSA DRONENBURG both singled, moved into scoring position on an error, then both came home on a two-run single by senior BRYANNE COX.

Zetsch came on to end the rally, facing the minimum seven batters to close the contest, although one Helix batter reached base on an error, but was thrown out attempting to take an extra base.

MIRA MESA 7, CHRISTIAN 0 -- The decision on who will be the San Diego CIF Pitcher of the Year gained a touch more clarity Wednesday (May 10) after Marauders senior Melissa Tillett tossed a 2-hit shutout at Christian.

Tillett struck out eight Patriots and stroked an RBI single in the fourth, when Mira Mesa scored three times to mount a 5-0 advantage.

While Sarah Akamine (7-0, 0.11 ERA) has pitched Escondido to the top of the rankings in most SDCIF polls since coming back from an early-season injury, Tillett has made her mark with three recent shutouts.

"There are a lot of good pitchers out there, so I just worry about playing well and winning games for my team," said Tillett,who went the first five frames against Christian. "We're all different types of players, so it's hard to compare."

Tillett moved up a notch after a recent slight forearm injury to Donna Kerr of Patrick Henry left the UCLA-bound senior temporarily on the sidelines. (Kerr pitched 10 innings against Scripps Ranch Wednesday (May 10) but had no decision as the Patriots eventually won in 14 innings.) Other contenders include SHAE BASS (14-2 record) of Santana, and Whitney Orellana (18-1, 0.48) of Mission Hills.

One of the hits by Christian was a booming double to the right-field fence by first baseman SARAH SEYMOUR.

"It felt good because that was my first hit off Melissa in my four years on varsity," said Seymour. "All the pitchers in the Eastern League are tough -- everyone in league has awesome stuff."

The other Patriots hit was a third-inning single by freshman NICOLE MARCOS.

Tillett finished with a pair of RBI, while second baseman Crystal Ramos also knocked in two runs, with a third scoring on a grounder which was booted.

GROSSMONT 10, EL CAJON VALLEY 5 -- The Foothillers erupted for eight runs in the 2nd inning, then needed to stave off a late Braves rally to maintain their share of the Grossmont North League lead.

Grossmont sent 13 batters to the plate in the second, collecting 2-run singles by both JILL TIMMER and REBECCA OSBORNE. MICHELLE MIRANDA added a double for the fifth run, then CAMMI MOORE capped the explosion with a 3-run homer.

The Braves battled back when MEGAN HILL (2-for-3, 2 RBI) lifted a solo homer in the fourth, then the hosts added four runs in the sixth to make things interesting. However, Grossmont countered with two runs in the seventh to re-create its cushion, making a winner of starting pitcher DOMONIQUE GUERRA (12-5), who struck out three in four innings of work.

KINDRA MYERS added two of Grossmont's 16 hits. JANELLE HAVENS contributed a two-run double in the sixth for El Cajon Valley.

"If it weren't for the second inning, and a questionable call by the umpire, it could have been a different ballgame," said El Cajon Valley assistant coach LORI CLARK. "Other than that inning it was a fabulous game for both teams. We had a comeback in the sixth inning and scored four runs.

"Grossmont is ranked No. 10 in the county and we aren't even in the same zip code," Clark added. "I am very proud of our girls."

VALHALLA 7, MOUNT MIGUEL 1 -- The Norsemen had to come from behind to secure their share of the Grossmont South lead as they turned back host Mount Miguel in Wednesday's (May 10) league action.

Sophomore KELLEY SEITZ wiped out a 1-0 Mount Miguel lead with a solo home run in the 2nd inning.

AMBER REARDON's base hit up the middle scored JODIE SCHMEHR with the go-ahead run in 3rd inning. Reardon keyed a four-run 7th with an RBI double. JAMIE ZINTER also doubled in a run in the final run, while TONI ROSACKER and Schmehr produced RBI singles.

"I was happy with the way we played today," said Valhalla coach DOUG HARTUNG. "We got off to a slow start but when we got the bats going, we were able to take control of the game.

"We play excellent softball out here in the East County. Most people don't know it and it's time that everybody knew it. We had good hitting up and down the line-up today… and we needed it. Our league is really tough -- top to bottom. Every game is difficult. We've played a pretty tough schedule this season. I like where we are and the way we are playing right now."

SANTANA 5, EL CAPITAN 1 -- SHAE BASS used her bat and KRISTEN MEDRUD used her arm and her bat to beat El Capitan Wednesday (May 10) as No. 4 Santana (26-2, 7-2 GNL), the winningest team in the SDCIF, remained tied with Grossmont for the North league lead.

Bass banged a two-run double to anchor a 3-run 1st inning, and Medrud pitched a complete game for her 11th win without a loss in addition to clubbing a solo home run in the 5th inning.

"(El Capitan) had seven hits to our eight," said Santana assistant coach SHANNON MORENO. "They played well. We weren't hitting very well today."

Santana's Shae Bass (3) pumps the ball over the left-field fence for a solo homer in the second inning in defeating West Hills, 6-1. (Photos by Chris Edwards)

North League race starts from scratch

East County Sports.com
SANTEE (5-9-06) -- A series of long balls helped decide two critical East County softball contests Monday (May 8). A pair of homers forged a 3-way tie for the Grossmont North League lead, while another bomb should severely affect seedings to the CIF playoffs, which -- believe it or not -- start in less than two weeks.

SANTANA 6, WEST HILLS 1 -- After falling to the Wolf Pack in the first round of league play via the home run, a pair of the Sultans' most experienced players turned the tables by slugging early homers to create a logjam at the top of the table in the Grossmont North League.

KATIE THOMAS pumped a two-out blast to left in the 1st, then SHAE BASS banged an identical shot with one out in the 2nd, both jumping on 0-2 riseballs by West Hills pitcher CHELSEA VELOVICH which remained flat.

"She's been doing a number on us all year," said Thomas about two previous strong outings by Velovich against the Sultans, including a 3-hit shutout on Apr. 26. "But we finally stayed off her riseball."

With the victory, Santana, West Hills and Grossmont have all gone 1-1 against each other through the first two rounds of GNL play.

"It definitely was a must-win for us to stay in it," added Thomas. "So we looked for the top of the ball, then put the ball in play a lot more."

Meanwhile, Bass struck out six while blanking the Wolf Pack for the opening 6 2/3 innings. The lone run, coming on a sacrifice fly by STASIA HOLDMAN, was unearned.

The Sultans busted the contest open with four runs in the fifth. Included were consecutive RBI singles by Thomas, catcher LAURIE LINDOW and first baseman KRISTEN MEDRUD, then another run scored when JEN KRISMER walked on a wild pitch, allowing Lindow to scamper home.

Thomas and Lindow both registered two hits, including a double by Lindow, as part of an 8-hit attack. West Hills' MICHELLE IAVELLI recorded two of her team's three hits, as the Pack gained a pair of infield basehits, with the only hit to the outfield coming off the bat of Iavelli to leadoff the 7th.

VALHALLA 5, BONITA VISTA 4 (9 inn.) -- Norsemen catcher KELLEY SEITZ capped a string of five unanswered runs by slugging a lead homer in the bottom of the 9th, gaining an important victory over the Div. I Barons (15-6) in a non-league contest on Monday (May 8).

Bonita Vista scored three times in the first to chase the Norsemen starter, but KAYLA HOUSTON came on to limit the Barons to just one run the rest of the way to gain the victory.

Valhalla scored four times in the 4th, also using the long ball to move back into contention. Following lead singles by JODIE SCHMEHR and COURTNEY LUDWIG, Houston sent a drive over the fence in left to trim the lead to 4-3.

ANDI ALFANO later registered a two-out single to right, Seitz walked, then KYLA BRANSFORD singled to right to score Alfano to knot the contest.

GROSSMONT 5, EL CAPITAN 3 -- Even when the Vaqueros make a good play, something always seems to go wrong. A case-in-point came off the bat of the Foothillers' ANDREA NEDDEN, who may have connected on the shortest sacrifice fly in East County history.

On a popup between the plate and first base, El Capitan's pitcher, catcher and first baseman converged to make the grab without incident; no collision or injury to mar the catch.

However, Grossmont senior REBECCA OSBORNE noticed no one was covering home plate, as she tagged-up from third base and hustled home with the final score in a 4-run outburst in the fourth inning, allowing the Hillers to rally from an early 3-0 deficit.

"It was just an incredible, heads-up play," said Grossmont coach JERRY LERUD. "She needed to go 60 feet, while El Cap only had to go 30 feet, but she caught them napping and scored the run."

The play capped an outstanding effort by Osborne, who batted 3-for-3 and was a main ingredient in both Grossmont rallies.

In the second, Osborne slapped a two-out single to right field, scoring on a double to right-center by ANDRIANA NAU.

Two innings later, after MEGAN GREEN slugged a game-tying double to score pinchrunner AMBER LOVELADY and KINDRA MYERS, Osborne registered the game-winning RBI by singling home Green.

Meanwhile, ROXY HESHMATY was called upon for some emergency relief early. Suffering from injuries over the first half of the season, the senior blanked the Vaqueros over the final 5 2/3 innings to garner the victory.

El Cap scored twice in the first, as centerfielder ASHLEY HART doubled home catcher AMANDA COMBS, who walked. Hart scored on a STEPHANIE REL-SOILA sacrifice bunt and a run-scoring ground ball to the rightside by ASHLEY MARX.

An inning later, the Vaqueros' RASHELLE BASORE went station-to-station to mount a 3-run lead. She walked, was sacrificed to third on bunts by MEGAN McKUNE and ALYSSA LOVEDAY, then scored on an error when a fly ball by Combs hit the Grossmont left-fielder in the forehead when she lost the ball in the sun. The defender was shaken, yet remained in the ballgame.

PATRICK HENRY 1, STEELE CANYON 0 (12 inn.) -- Pitcher Ciera Ashman tossed the shutout and drove in the game-winning hit, as three double plays by the Cougars defense wasn't enough to stop the 5th-ranked Patriots.

Ashman struck out seven, then sent a single to center to score Tori McCombs from second base with the game's only run.

"Sam is facing all of the strong teams," said Steele Canyon assistant coach DOUG SUMMERS. "She's still pitching extremely well, and we bounced back and played strong defense behind her."

Included was a nice running catch by left-fielder JENEVA MACK, who then fired to second baseman LISA MONGELLI to complete a double play in the third. Steele Canyon (17-8) twice had chances to win in extra innings, but a squeezed play failed in the 10th, then Patrick Henry (21-4) turned a double play to get out of the 11th.

However, the biggest news may be the absence of UCLA bound pitcher Donna Kerr of Patrick Henry. The senior was not in uniform and hasn't pitched in nearly two weeks. The Patriots' coaching staff is mum as to Kerr's situation.

EL CAJON VALLEY 6, HIGH TECH HIGH 1 -- The Braves snapped an eight-game losing streak with Monday's (May 8) non-league victory over first-year team High Tech High.

Several Braves had a hand in this win. DESIREE GARCIA hit her first home run and CORTNI WHEELER supplied the game-winning RBI. MARISSA UTLEY smacked a double and scored twice for the Braves (5-14-1).

AMANDA SWANN had four assists and caught two fly balls in the game and was at the hot spot at second base for El Cajon Valley.

"She was all over the place," said El Cajon Valley assistant coach LORI CLARK. "We had a good game today. And the home run was the cherry. Garcia is having a good year."

Slip-sliding away

Santana leftfielder Jen Krismer makes a sliding grab to collect a low liner, lifting the ball to the sky so umpires will confirm the out. (Photos by Adolfo Villanueva)

East County Sports.com
JAMUL (5-6-06) -- On a day when contending teams could've easily fallen out of the East County pennant chase, a pair of Grossmont South League teams demonstrated the experience which made them champions a year ago, while the top teams in the Grossmont North League standings flipped completely from its placement from just two weeks ago.

Defending South co-champions Valhalla and Granite Hills bounced back by posting shutout victories Friday (May 5), while West Hills gained the top berth in the North because the other contending ballclubs were knocking each other off.

VALHALLA 2, STEELE CANYON 0 -- Norsemen pitcher ERICKA MARSH and Cougars starter ERIKA BEASLEY each turned in solid performances. Both tossed 4-hitters without allowing an earned run. But several defensive miscues sent Steele Canyon to its first GSL setback, while Valhalla climbed back into contention following a perfect round of defense.

"We picked up one very little thing they did wrong," said Marsh, who struck out four without issuing a walk. "So now we're back in it and we'll see what unfolds in front of us."

COURTNEY LUDWIG scored in the 1st for Valhalla, courtesy of three errors. After reaching on a throwing error, the senior took three bases on a failed pickoff attempt, which resulted in a double-error when a player backing up the play allowed the ball to roll through her legs.

Two innings later, KAYLA HOUSTON reached base on Steele Canyon's fourth physical error. On an infield grounder, Houston gained second base when no one covered the bag and the throw had to go to first base. Valhalla shortstop AMBER REARDON took advantage by sending a Texas League single behind second base, as Houston raced around with the key insurance run.

"We were all confident, then took advantage of their fielding," noted Reardon, who stayed in the game after getting briefly shaken up when a runner accidentally ran into her on a play at second base. "We're a lot different team than last year, but we believe in each other."

Meanwhile, the Norsemen defense completed every play. Catcher KELLEY SEITZ threw out a runner attempting to steal second base, then right-fielder JAIME ZINTER raced toward the line to snare a line drive to register the first out in the seventh.

The loss de-railed, at least temporarily, Steele Canyon's quest for a first-ever league title.

"We're a much better team than what we showed today -- unearned runs beat us," said Cougars coach JULIE BOHE. "When we play like we did against (7th-ranked) Poway (a thrilling 2-1 setback during the Falcon Fiesta Tournament), then we can beat any team in the Grossmont District when we play our best game."

Domonnique Guerra ran her record to 11-4 after the Hillers nipped the visiting Sultans, 3-2, in eight innings. (Photo by Adolfo Villanueva)

With Guerra just three outs away from a 1-0 shutout victory, Bass ignited Santana with a one-out double down the left field line. MICHELLE BRAMLAGE singled to right, then an error advanced both runners into scoring position.

Despite an open base, Cal-Berkeley bound shortstop TAYLOR KELLY singled to center, scoring both Bass and Bramlage for a 2-1 lead.

However, in the bottom of the seventh, Guerra slugged a double, tying the game on a CAMMI MOORE single to right-centerfield.

"The two pitchers took matters into their own hands," said Grossmont coach JERRY LERUD. "It was quite a performance by both of them."

Guerra sent the Sultans down in order in the 8th, then the Hillers took the victory with a two-out hit.

Following a walk to ALYSSA ESCALANTE, pinchrunner AMBER LOVELADY was advanced to second when JILL TIMMER walked, then senior REBECCA OSBORNE delivered the game-winning single over Kelly's head at shortstop.

"The ball came close to tipping off Taylor's glove -- it was close," added Lerud. "The whole game was close."

Guerra (11-4) finished with five strikeouts, while Bass (13-2) recorded seven Ks. The teams are now tied for second place, one game behind GNL leading West Hills.

GRANITE HILLS 11, MONTE VISTA 0 -- "It's a boat race again," declared Eagles official scorer Kevin Zetsch, upon learning of the loss suffered by GSL leading Steele Canyon.

Granite Hills moved within a game of the Cougars behind MEGAN BELIO, who tossed a 2-hit shutout at the Monarchs. The freshman struck out four.

"For a freshman, Megan's really coming along and kept Monte Vista off-balance," noted Zetsch.

The Monarchs placed more than one runner on base just once, as an error and a single placed a runner in scoring position in the 4th. However, that's when Belio took over, setting down Monte Vista's final 10 batters in succession.

With Belio taking over a larger share of the pitching duties in recent weeks, CHARNEL ZETSCH has taken advantage of the break by focusing on her hitting. The senior opened the scoring with a lead homer in the 3rd, as the Eagles scored four times in both the third and fifth to mount an 8-0 advantage.

Following Zetsch's homer, the Eagles slapped four straight singles, capped by a run-scoring hit by BRITTANI BERTUSSI, then a 2-run single by ELYSA BENSON. In the fifth, AMANDA OMAHEN slammed a two-run triple.

The top and bottom of the batting order kept the Eagles offense in gear. No. 9 hitter RACHEL JONES went 4-for-4 with three stolen bases, then leadoff batter NICOLE RIVERA was 3-for-3 with two thefts, with each player scoring twice.

The lone Monarchs hits -- both singles -- were registered by ALYSSA PARKER in the 1st and AMANDA WARD in the 4th.

Brenna Sandberg marked her return to the pitching circle from a shoulder injury with three shutout innings to get the save for West Hills. (Photo by Cory S. Hill)

"Thornton was a real competitor today," said West Hills coach STEVE SUTTON. "She has had a bad case of bronchitis and she gave us everything she had both pitching and with the bat for as long as she could. We got a chance to get everybody into the game and give them some at-bats. We were able to make all the plays today."

JESSICA COPE got the Braves' only hit off West Hills pitching in the top of the 4th.

"There were tons of walks in this game," said El Cajon Valley assistant coach LORI CLARK, noting that the West Hills duo walked nine and hit a 10th batter.

On the other side, West Hills banged out 10 hits, including two by Thornton that drove in three runs.

"We couldn't hit the ball today, but (West Hills) was a hitting machine," Clark said. "They swung the bat really well. It was a good game played well by both teams."

All is not safe with West Hills, as the Pack travels to crosstown rival Santana for another Grossmont North showdown on Monday (May 8) at 4 p.m. A Sultans win would forge a 3-way tie for first, with each team in the trio having split their first two contests with the others.

MOUNT MIGUEL 6, HELIX 3 -- The Matadors snapped a 21-game season-long losing streak Friday (May 5) as they knocked off visiting Helix in a Grossmont South League game.

Mount Miguel (1-21, 1-5 GSL) shattered a 2-2 tie with four runs in the bottom of the 5th. Helix pitching loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batter.

ANDREA BELL tapped into a fielder's choice, but it was good enough to plate the go-ahead run. Winning pitcher LAURA NELSON followed with a run-scoring single to make it 4-2. ERICA WILLIAMS slammed a two-run double to give Mount Miguel a 6-2 advantage.

Helix out-hit Mount Miguel 12-5. And that fact left Highlanders' JAMIE KAHLER fuming.

"We began the game with three starters missing (advanced placement tests), but that's no excuse," Kahler said. "We were flat, non-aggressive."

CHRISTINE JACOBITES pitched a complete game for the Highlanders (4-17-1, 1-5 GSL) and was 3-for-3 at the plate with a triple and three runs. MELISSA FARRIOR was 2-for-3 with two RBI and NATALIE SMITH chipped in two hits and one RBI. ANDREA MARTIN Del CAMPO also had two of the Highlanders' 12 hits.

PATRICK HENRY 14, CHRISTIAN 1 -- The Patriots have handled every opponent they have met this season, including teams rated in the Top 10, except one: the Patrick Henry Patriots.

Henry catcher Taylor Hensley paced a 19-hit attack by going 3-for-4, including a 3-run homer when the Patriots scored seven times in the fourth to mount a 9-0 lead.

Ciera Ashman carried a shutout into the seventh inning, but Christian first baseman SARAH SEYMOUR ended the bid with a lead homer to right field. Ashman finished with a 3-hitter for 5th-ranked Henry (19-2, 5-1 Eastern League). Christian remains in fourth place at 4-4 (14-6-2 overall).

Steele Canyon's Vanessa Adame (6) is safe when Helix first baseman Alyssa Britschgi was unable to corral this wild throw to the inside of the bag. (Photo by Chris Edwards) SEE THE ENTIRE PHOTO GALLERY HERE

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-04-06) -- In one of the bigger upsets of the season, the Monte Vista Monarchs not only defeated host Valhalla 2-0 they moved into a three-way tie for second place in the Grossmont South League.

"It was a great game," said an exhilarated Monte Vista coach SIG CHABROWSKI. "The way we played yesterday (in a loss to Serra), we wanted this one real bad. We showed a lot of determination. We were really ready to play today. This game will get us ready for the second half of league."

BREANNA McMILLAN pitched a complete game shutout, surrendering just three hits, while striking out six.

"She was really on top of her game," said Chabrowski.

McMillan was modest in victory.

"I was real anxious -- lots of butterflies today," said McMillan, who balanced her season slate at 8-8. "The team played well behind me and all of my pitches were working today. I had confidence in all of them. This was a big game for us. I think it sets us up well for the rest of the season."

Highlanders pitcher Melissa Farrior takes her lead at first base followng a basehit Wednesday. (Photo by Chris Edwards) FOR MORE PHOTOS, CLICK HERE

"Everyone contributed to the win," Abeyta said. "It lifted up the entire team's spirits. It seemed like there were runners on base for us all game. We kept the pressure on Valhalla all game. It's not easy beating Valhalla on their own field -- they're a tough team to play anywhere."

Valhalla (13-9, 3-2 GSL) saw its four-game winning streak end.

"They hit the ball and we didn't," stated Norsemen coach DOUG HARTUNG. "It simply came down to that. They executed and scored the runs."

The best chance for Valhalla came in the 4th with two runners in scoring position. However, a line drive was caught by Monte Vista left fielder CAITLIN QUON to quell the threat.

"If we get a hit there, we score two runs, then who knows what happens," lamented Hartung.

AMBER REARDON accounted for two of Valhalla's three hits.

Wolf Pack freshman Chelsea Velovich shutout Grossmont on just three hits in a 4-0 triumph, one of many fine pitching efforts Wednesday. (Photo by Cory S. Hill)

WEST HILLS 4, GROSSMONT 0 -- West Hills catcher KAITLIN COBB snapped the spell in this pitchers' duel with a lead homer in the 5th inning of this battle of Grossmont North League powers.

The No.9-ranked Wolf Pack (16-7, 5-1 GNL) added three unearned runs on three errors by the No.8-ranked Foothillers (14-7, 4-2 GNL) in the 6th, grabbing a share of first place in the Grossmont North League with idle Santana.

Cobb sent her shot to straightaway centerfield, while winning pitcher CHELSEA VELOVICH tossed a 3-hit shutout, stranding Hillers at third base over each of the final two innings.

"She just kept throwing me changeups," said Cobb, who knocked in two runs. "I just kept fouling them off until I got my pitch -- I really wanted to hit the ball."

Velovich seems to be receiving the starting assingments against many of the team's tougher opposition of late, but is she the No. 1 pitcher on the Wolf Pack pitching staff?

"No, there's no way thay I am the No. 1 pitcher," Velovich firmly stated following her 8-strikeout performance. "I'm pitching my game right now, but I still am learning so much from the other girls."

West Hills added three unearned runs in the 6th. Following a pair of errors, STASIA HOLDMAN singled home ELISA KOVI, then Cobb registered another RBI when her groundball was booted (the run by BRIANNA LaCHUSA would've scored anyway).

JESSICA HAMMOND was then robbed of a single up the middle when Grossmont pitcher DOMONIQUE GUEERA deflected the ball to shortstop MEGHAN GREEN, who fired to first for the out while Holdman scored.

Grossmont collected just three hits off Velovich, including a third-inning double by MICHELLE MIRANDA. Pinchrunner ROXY HASHMATY, running after KIERSTIN ENGLISH singled, was sent home in an attempt to open the scoring, but the relay from LaChusa in right to second baseman NANCY SUE LARSON to Cobb at the plate was in time for the tag.

Both rightfielders recorded outfield assists on the day, as Grossmont's KINDRA MYERS robbed Cobb of a single with a sharp throw to first base to prevent a second-inning single.

GRANITE HILLS 13, MOUNT MIGUEL 0 (6 inn.) -- Eagles pitcher CHARNEL ZETSCH retired all 18 batters she faced, tossing a perfect game at the Matadors in Wednesday's (May 3) Grossmont South League ballgame.

The contest was vacated after six innings. Zetsch struck out 10 batters, but nearly lost the perfect game by running the count to 3-0 on the ballgame's very last batter. However, the senior came back with three straight strikes to register the final out to mak eher mark in the Granite Hills record book..

While Zetsch's pitching performance was solid, so was her offense by going 3-for-3 with a double.

Everyone seemed to contribute to the Eagles' 16-hit attack, but it's been the bottom of the order which has got the offense back in gear after MEGAN BELION and RACHEL JONES each stole a pair of bases and scored twice.

"They're the ones who set-up our power hitters," said assistant coach MARK OBNEY. "They get on and the other drive them home."

Patriots catcher Kristina Wynn lifts an 8th-inning sacrifice fly to cap a 3-run rally to dump Serra. (Christian High courtesy photo)

On this occassion, three different players followed with perfect days at the plate. AMANDA OBNEY went 2-for-2 with two steals and two RBI, including a solo homer to left-centerfield in the sixth, while JESSICA SCHATZ wemt 4-for-4 witha double.

AMANDA PLUM squeezed home ALLYSSA GRAUL in the 8th with the tie-breaking run, followed by an RBI single by SARAH SEYMOUR, then a sacrifice fly from KRISTINA WYNNS.

EL CAPITAN 4, EL CAJON VALLEY 3 -- The Vaqueros scored in the bottom of the 7th on a two-out RBI single by ASHLEY MARX that scored ASHLEY HART that brought home the game-winner in Wednesday's (May 3) Grossmont North League contest.

Helix catcher Andrea Martin del Campo applies the tag, but Steele Canyon's Samantha Beasley (7) is called safe on a close play at the plate. (Photo by Chris Edwards)

"It was a good game, I figured it would be," said El Capitan coach JOE COTA. "After our effort on Monday (a 17-0 loss to West Hills), we needed to come out and play hard today. I think we did."

"ASHLEY HART and ASHLEY MARX gave us good leadership today," Cota added.

STEELE CANYON 9, HELIX 2 -- The Cougars parlayed four singles, three walks and an error into six runs in the top of the first, opening a 2-game lead in the Grossmont South League over their nearest rivals after downing the Highlanders.

ERIKA BEASLEY carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning to gain the victory, as JAZMIN DAIGLE recorded two of Steele Canyon's nine hits, while RACHEL MAHONEY knocked in a pair of runs on a groundout and a bases-loaded walk.

East County Sports.com
SPRING VALLEY (5-3-06) -- In a game that had little to no value to Monte Vista, the Monarchs dropped a 7-3 decision Tuesday (May 2) to the Serra High Conquistadors.

Not that losing a non-league game is any big deal, but it certainly won't help the Monarchs (12-9-1) when it comes time to seed the San Diego CIF Division III playoffs having lost to cellar-dwelling Serra (4-18).

"We took them too lightly -- we weren't ready to play," said Monte Vista coach SIG CHABROWSKI. "We made things too easy for Serra's pitchers. We were too aggressive and swung at too many pitches early in the count. We could have used today's game to prepare for the rest of league play. Unfortunately, we got nothing out of this game."

ASHLEY MILLER went 2-for-3 with a run and ALYSSA PARKER was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.

JESIKA PEREZ also had an RBI triple for the Monarchs.

East County Sports.com
POWAY (5-2-06) -- Steele Canyon High keeps knocking on the door against ranked opposition, ready to make the breakthrough. But the Cougars will need to wait another day to achieve the milestone.

Facing 9th-ranked Poway, the Cougars battled even through six innings, but the Titans managed to score on an infield chopper in the bottom of the seventh inning, escaping with a 2-1 verdict in a makeup of a rain-delayed Falcon Fiesta Tournament contest.

"We're happy with the way we're playing," said assistant coach DOUG SUMMERS of the Grossmont South League leaders. "At this time last year, we were something like 10-10. Now we're 16-6 even with the loss, and I see our program getting stronger and stronger. We've made a lot of progress."

The Cougars rebounded on defense to stay close to Poway (16-5-2), but there was nothing they could do on the game-deciding play. With runners on the corners, a chopper bounced over the head of pitcher SAMANTHA BEASLEY, as Alex Bitsimis, who started the rally with a lead single, easily crossed the plate.

"The ball bounced right over Sam's head, so no one had a chance to throw the ball home," added Summers. "It was a difficult way to lose."

Poway scored in the third on an RBI double by Lindsey Grosch. But the Cougars answered immediately in the fourth.

JAYME JARVIS opened the inning with a double, then a pair of freshman advanced her home. JAZMIN DAIGLE followed with a bunt for a sacrifice, then catcher HANNAH ROST doubled for the RBI.

Both teams collected six hits, as Steele Canyon collected five of its hits in the 3rd and 4th innings, yet only managed a single run. Otherwise, Titans pitcher Simone Brandalise allowed just one other hit to collect the victory.

SANTANA 5, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 -- The Braves proved to be thorns to another Grossmont North League contender. After taking West Hills into the seventh inning in a scoreless duel, El Cajon Valley stayed within 1-0 to the 2nd-ranked Sultans for more than half of Monday's (May 1) ballgame.

However, JEN KRISMER did something about it.

Attempting to snap a mild hitting slump, Krismer went to the opposite field with a 5th-inning drive, clearing the fence for a grand slam to end El Cajon Valley's threat.

"I've been in a slump, so I just went with the pitch," said Krismer on her second homer of the season. "A hit like that certainly will help me get back."

The slam gave Sultans pitcher KRISTEN MEDRUD yet another victory. The senior is now 10-0 this season, and 37-2 since her sophomore season. She struck out three over her five innings, then ASHLEY MOTTOLA tossed the final two frames in the combined 4-hit shutout.

Braves starter JANELLE HAVENS (4-9) struckout four in another strong effort. She only allowed seven hits.

"It was a good game defensively - no errors by either team," said El Cajon Valley assistant coach LORI CLARK. "It was the second time that team has had a grand slam off us. But we're still having a good season, we're having fun."

WEST HILLS 17, EL CAPITAN 0 -- The Wolf Pack kept pace with first-place Santana by spanking the Vaqueros.

"I've never been on this side of a game like this before," lamented El Cpaitan coach JOE COTA. "West Hills just hits the ball really, really well."

Freshman third baseman STASIA HOLDMAN jump-started the offense by slugging a 3-run homer to open the scoring in the second inning. Holdman later added a run-scoring single, finishing with four RBI.

MELISSA HILL and BRIANNA LaCHUSA batted in three runners each, while KAITLIN COBB and KAYLEE KRINGS each went 2-for-2 and a pair of RBI.

Meanwhile, Wolf Pack pitchers MARA THORNTON and CHELSEA VELOVICH combined on the 2-hit shutout. Thornton went the first five frames, as both yielded just one hit apiece.

"We played our entire bench, but everyone just kept hitting the ball," said West Hills skipper STEVE SUTTON.

PATRICK HENRY 2, HELIX 0 -- The visiting Highlanders put up a strong front against No. 5-ranked Patrick Henry on Monday (May 1), but couldn't generate enough offense to pull off a major non-league upset.

NATALIE SMITH, ALYSSA DRONENBURG, BRYANNE COX and KATRINA GLENN accounted for Helix's four hits against Ciera Ashman, who kept the Highlanders (4-15-1) out of sync en route to her fourth win in five decisions. Ashman struck out eight.

It was another in a long line of frustrating defeats for the Highlanders. Half of Helix's 20 games have been decided by two runs or less. Seven of those encounters have resulted in losses.

"MELISSA FARRIOR pitched really well, she did a good job," said Helix coach JAIME KAHLER. And ALYSSA DRONENBURG made some great plays defensively. Patrick Henry is a tough team. We hit the ball but it needs to happen consistently. But errors cost us the game."

BONITA VISTA 9, MOUNT MIGUEL 2 -- The Matadors woes continued Monday (May 1) as they dropped their 20th decision without a win in a non-league title at Bonita Vista (11-5).

East County Sports.com
SANTEE (4-30-06) -- One poor pitch cost SHAE BASS her first loss of the season earlier in the week. On Saturday (Apr. 29), such a mistake never came close to repeating.

Bass registered 10 strikeouts and carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before yielding a pair of singles, as second-ranked Santana bounced back from its lone setback of the season to stop rising Steele Canyon, 2-0, in the final of the rain-delayed Grossmont Conference Tournament.

Bass, on a mission to prove that the Sultans may be not only the best Division III team around, but any division, quickly provided half of the Sultans' scoring. In the second inning, she rocked a solo homer for the lead, sending a liner over the fence in left field.

"Shae was a one-woman show today," exclaimed Santana assistant coach SHANNON MORENO. "She took the game in her own hands and wouldn't let go."

After watching a 21-game winning streak disappear with one swing of the bat to West Hills, the Sultans started a new winning streak by defeating El Capitan on Friday, and now the Cougars (16-5) in the GCT finale for the second straight season. And with a loss this week by Escondido, the CIF-San Diego Section's only other undefeated ballclub, Santana (23-1) could still receive strong consideration as the top team in the section when the new rankings are released Monday.

Much of the credit, obviously, went to Bass, who finished with a two-hit shutout to run her record to a stellar 13-1.

"It's as well as I've seen Shae pitch all season," added Moreno. "And when she turned on that home run, we knew it would be tough for Steele Canyon to recover."

Cougars pitcher SAMANTHA BEASLEY is also among the East County's best, but when Santana scored on Bass' two-out shot in the 2nd, her prospects for a rally would be slim.

The Sultans also added an insurance marker -- an unearned run -- in the fifth.

AMANDA CARPENTER opened with a lead single, then moved to second when a ground ball by TAYLOR KELLY was misplayed for an error. Senior catcher LAURIE LINDOW then delivered with a booming double to the fence in left, scoring Carpenter.

The extra run proved important after Steele Canyon mounted a final charge in the seventh. The Cougars quickly placed two runners in scoring position, as JAYME JARVIS and JAZMIN DAIGLE both extended hitting streaks with singles, then moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.

However, Bass blanked the Cougars by sandwiching a pop-up around a pair of strikeouts to clinch the tournament crown.

"It was a long day," said Christian coach ROMA DAWSON. "Three games and 19 innings; I am pleased with the way we played today. These games will help us prepare for the remainder of our (Eastern) League games. The girls weren't disappointed at the end of the day. They were tired though."

Christian was short-handed all day -- several players missed games due to Advanced Placement Math Exam.

VALLEY CENTER 3, CHRISTIAN 2 (5 inn.) -- The Patriots bid for a tournament was snubbed by a time limit in Saturday's (Apr. 29) finals at Valley Center.

Christian (13-5-2) was stopped short of the winner's circle despite a pair of solo home runs by freshman JESSIE OWENS, who was tagged for the loss in five innings.

CHRISTIAN 7, ORANGE GLEN 0 -- JESSIE OWENS pitched a four-hit shutout that included nine strikeouts in Saturday's (Apr. 29) semifinals of the Jaguar Classic at Valley Center.

SARAH SEYMOUR was 3-for-4 with two runs and one RBI, while freshman KRISTINA WYNNS hit a double and her first varsity home run in a 3-for-4 effort at the plate.

CHRISTIAN 15, EL CENTRO-CENTRAL 6 -- The Patriots, who hits five home runs, three triples and three doubles in three games, completed pool play with a season-high scoring output.

Believe it or not, Valhalla second baseman Jodie Schmehr never needed to move her glove, as the throw from catcher Kelly Seitz was absolutely perfect to catch Granite Hills pinchrunner Sage Woodrow. The play proved to be moot, as the Eagles batter struckout to end the sixth inning. (Photo by Chris Edwards) SEE THE ENTIRE PHOTO GALLERY HERE

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-29-06) -- As the bat of catcher KELLEY SEITZ goes, so do the Valhalla Norsemen. The sophomore smashed a bases-loaded triple in the third inning to cap the team's first perfect 3-0 week of the season, snapping a second-place deadlock with arch-rival Granite Hills after disposing of the Eagles, 5-3, in Friday's (Apr. 28) Grossmont South League battle.

The Norsemen (13-8, 3-1 GSL) only registered three hits -- including a pair by Seitz -- yet also full took advantage of four errors by Granite Hills (10-7-3, 2-2) to stay within a game of frontrunning Steele Canyon.

In recent weeks, Seitz has been in the middle of almost every important rally by the offense of Valhalla, which dropped 7-of-11 ballgames before commencing its recent 4-game winning streak to move back into pennant contention.

"I'm just going up there trying to get a good swing on the ball and not pop-up," noted Seitz. "We thought it would be a tight ballgame until we blew up with that big inning."

Trailing 2-1, the inning started innocently enough with a lead walk to JAMIE ZINTER. However, little mistakes by the Granite Hills defense started to mount, as a throw to second base on a fielder's choice was late, then COURTNEY LUDWIG singled to load the bases.

Seitz then cleared the bases with her shot to deep left-centerfield. Although Valhalla failed to register another hit over the remaining 4 2/3 innings, the Norsemen had enough on the scoreboard to support pitcher ERICKA MARSH.

Norsemen pitcher Ericka Marsh tossed six shutout innings to closeout Valhalla's 5-2 triumph at Granite Hills on Friday. (Photo by Chris Edwards)

"It was a little shaky at first, but the team pumped me up like nothing could go wrong," said Marsh, who struck out six and allowed only three hits after surviving an unsteady first inning. "I was able to rely on my defense 100 percent today."

Marsh also received words of encouragement from former Norsemen great LACEY WILSON, the former East County and CIF-SDS pitcher of the year, who led the Norsemen to two consecutive section championship contests, including the 2004 title in Division II.

"I've paid for a lot of coaching over the years, but I learned more sitting behind Lacey last season than I did from anybody," noted Marsh. "I learned how to stay calm and how to make big pitches in important situations. All she did today was joke with me, but Lacey kept me from getting stressed out."

Granite Hills catcher Amanda Omahan makes the grab to complete the relay, but Valhalla's Courtney Ludwig beat the throw home to cap the scoring on a three-run, 3rd-inning double by Kelly Seitz (Photo by Chris Edwards)

"That was not what I expected at all on defense -- I thought we were ready to go," said Eagles coach MIKE BERTUSSI.

In the first, Valhalla's KAYLA HOUSTON was hit by a pitch with two outs. She moved to second on a passed ball, then advanced when JESSICA SCHATZ beat out an infield single, but when the errant throw skipped past the first baseman, Houston waltzed home.

Granite Hills immediately answered, as consecutive lead singles by NICOLE RIVERA and AMANDA OMAHAN eventually setup a two-run double by Schatz.

Leading 4-2, Valhalla grabbed an insurance marker without the aid of a basehit.

A dropped third-strike allowed KYLA BRANSFORD to reach first leading off the sixth. She moved to second when pinchhitter MEGAN McGIRR walked, then a grounder which should've ended the inning was again thrown away at first, allowing Bransford to cross the plate.

STEELE CANYON 6, MOUNT MIGUEL 2 -- The Cougars stranded runners all afternoon until JAZMIN DAIGLE broke through with a key hit. The freshman cleared the bases with a 2-run triple to finally skate past the visiting Matadors.

"Jazmin has been so consistent for us all season," said assistant coach DOUG SUMMERS. "Whenever we need a big hit, she always delivers."

Through five frames, Steele Canyon left at least two runners on base in every inning, holding to a slim 3-2 margin.

"She gave us a comfortable lead," added Summers."Then VANESSA ADAME slapped an RBI hit for us."

Tied at 1-all, Steele Canyon scored twice to take the lead in the third. A wild pitch scored the go-ahead run, then RACHEL MAHONEY hit a ground ball to the right side for another run.

Mahoney would add a booming double, but her hit came a week too soon.

"Our outfield fence will finally be installed -- we can't wait for it," added Summers. "It'll be ready for next Friday's game with Valhalla. But if Rachel had hit that ball with the fence, it would've easily been a home run."

Meanwhile, ERIKA BEASLEY raised her record to 8-1 after pitching a 2-hitter. The sophomore struck out four without a walk. She allowed just one hit over four innings, then DANIELLE DAVISSON earned the save by yielding just one hit over the final three innings in her first pitching appearance since breaking a finger during the opening week of the season.

Both Mount Miguel runs were unearned, scoring on two-out errors.

GROSSMONT 7, EL CAJON VALLEY 2 -- The Foothillers prepared for their upcoming biggest week of the season by scoring over each of their first four at-bats to race past the Braves.

Catcher MICHELLE MIRANDA batted 3-for-4 and knocked in a pair of runs, falling one hit short of the cycle after collecting a single, double and triple.

"It's the season for us next week," noted Grossmont coach JERRY LERUD. "We've got West Hills on Wednesday, then Santana on Friday. If we win them both, we're the (Grossmont North League) champs. If we don't, then we're not."

El Cajon Valley slugged consecutive extra-base hits to open the scoring in the first. Catcher DESIREE GARCIA slammed a double to left, scoring when MEGAN HILL smacked a double to the identical spot in the outfield.

Grossmont answered with two runs in the 1st, 2nd and 4th, sandwiching a single marker in the 3rd.

In the 1st, a Miranda double would score MEGAN GREEN, then a ground ball to the right side by REBECCA OSBORNE would plate pinchrunner ANGELA LOVELADY.

KIERSTIN ENGLISH would get a run-scoring single in the second, then Green followed with a grounder for another run. An inning later, Osborne would double, then score on an ANDRIANNA NAU basehit.

Finally, Miranda would cap her fine performance at the plate with an RBI triple to plate Green, as Lovelady would again score as a courtesy runner on CAMMI MOORE's RBI single.

The Braves got one run back in the fifth as KARI SATROM singled and MARISSA UTLEY got on base on an error. AMANDA SWANN sacrificed both runners to second and third and Garcia singled to score Satrom.

"Hill did a good job for us with her two doubles," said El Cajon Valley assistant coach LORI CLARK. "Garcia had a single and a double and hit a hard line drive. And COREY RAINEY made a great catch and threw out a runner at home in the 6th inning. These three really stood out for us today."

Hillers pitcher ASHLEY RENALDI struck out seven and allowed just one earned run in spinning a 6-hitter.

SANTANA 9, EL CAPITAN 1 -- LAURIE LINDOW lined her third home run with two runners aboard and KATIE THOMAS was 3-for-4 with two RBI as Santana rebounded from a stunning loss to West Hills by burying the Vaqueros in Friday's (Apr. 28) Grossmont North League action.

"Everybody was hitting on our team," said Santana assistant coach SHANNON MORENO. "I think we were trying to avenge our loss to West Hills."

"Katie has been solid all year with the bat, and Laurie is back to her freshman form -- she is just pounding the ball for us. It was a good game for her," said Moreno.

MICHELLE BRAMLAGE gave Santana (22-1, 4-1 GNL) a 1-0 lead with a scoring fly ball in the opening inning. Then Lindow dropped the hammer for her three-run shot an inning later.

Thomas whacked a two-run double to make it 7-0 for Santana in the 4th inning.

KRISTEN MEDRED rolled her record to 9-0 as she scattered seven hits and struck out three.

El Capitan (8-13, 1-4 GNL) spoiled Medrud's shutout bid when HEATHER BREWER and ASHLEY WHITMORE singled, Santana committed its only error and JULIANNA DUNCAN hit into a force play.

"We're in a tough league," said El Capitan coach JOE COTA. "We've been losing since the last time we played Santana. We felt pretty good that we held them for awhile, didn't let them score right away. It's hard to be positive all the time but we work at it. The girls are working hard. We just try to do the best we can."

Santana hardly has time to catch its breath as the Sultans will host Steele Canyon in Saturday's (Apr. 29) Grossmont Conference Tournament championship game at 10 a.m.

MONTE VISTA 5, HELIX 1 -- BREANNA McMILLIAN pitched a complete-game 5-hitter Friday (Apr. 28) as host Monte Vista downed the Highlanders in a Grossmont South League game.

With one away in the bottom of the 3rd, LYDIA VENIEGAS singled and stole second base. ASHLEY MILLER singled, moving Veniegas up a base, and then stole second herself.

Breanna McMillan grounded out to score Veniegas for a 1-0 lead.

In the 4th ROSANNE ABEYTA singled to center and DANIELLE SIMMS pinch ran. AMANDA WARD reached on an error and stole second base as Simms sped to third and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

CAITLIN QUON brought in Ward on a bunt single. ALYSSA PARKER then hit into a fielder's choice and Veniegas singled to left. Helix errors allowed the Monarchs (12-8-1, 2-2 GSL) to extend their advantage to 4-0.

In the bottom of the 5th Monte Vista got back-to-back doubles from Breanna McMillan and JESIKA PAREA to make it 5-0.

"We had a good game defensively," said Monte Vista coach SIG CHABROWSKI. "Breanna pitched well. We ran the bases well and did all the little things well. We are playing well now."

In the top of the 6th Helix' MELISSA FARRIOR doubled to right center and ALYSSA DRONENBURG singled to left. CANDICE KROM followed with a single to score Farrior for the Highlanders' only run.

"We're not hitting," said Helix coach JAIME KAHLER. "When your errors are the same amount as your hits, there's a problem."

Helix turned two double plays.

MORSE 7, CHRISTIAN 4 -- Some might believe this to be a shocking upset. Those closer to the game weren't surprised when the visiting Tigers (9-12, 2-4 CTL) clawed their way to a rather easy Central League victory over Christian.

"Morse put the ball in play and kept pressure on us all game," said Christian coach ROMA DAWSON. "They are a team to reckoned with -- have to give them credit. Morse was very aggressive, did everything well, especially running the bases. Every game in our league is tough. They are all challenges."

AMANDA PLUM was 4-for-4 with a double, two runs and one RBI for Christian (11-4-2, 3-3 CTL). SARAH SEYMOUR was 2-for-4 with two RBI.

"The second time through the batting order we finally started hitting," said Dawson. "We made too many errors and gave them too many runs early on."

Five of the seven runs allowed by Christian's freshman ace JESSIE OWENS were unearned.

East County Sports.com
SANTEE (4-27-06) -- Scattered among the cattails and other tall weeds, the West Hills High softball team has seemingly been lying in wait all season, occasionally sticking its nose out in the open to capture a big-game hunting trophy.

The prizes have not come often for the Wolf Pack, yet everyone was leery after they handed top-ranked Patrick Henry its first setback of the season. On Wednesday (Apr. 27), West Hills collected another prize to mount above the fireplace.

Freshman pitcher CHELSEA VELOVICH scattered three hits, while regular starting pitcher MARA THORNTON, serving as the designated player for Velovich, provided all of the game's scoring with a solo homer in the fourth inning, helping the Pack stun second-ranked Santana, 1-0. The decision snapped the Sultans' season-long, 21-game winning streak.

"Chelsea is as good as anyone out there," said West Hills coach STEVE SUTTON. "Nothing seems to bother her."

After registering 28 strikeouts over 14 innings to earn the No. 1 spot of the Wolf Pack pitching depth chart, Velovich took out 12 Sultans on strikes, avenging a setback in relief to Santana in the semifinals of the Davison Memorial Tournament in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, Thornton is doing anything but sulking after Sutton handed the game ball to a different pitcher. Utilizing her bat to full advantage, she tagged a curveball and sent a one-out drive onto the sand volleyball courts beyond the right-field fence to hand Santana starter SHAE BASS (12-1) her first loss of the season.

"Shae is basically an outside corner pitcher -- she throws everything away," noted Sutton. "And their catcher (LAURIE LINDOW) even set-up outside to Mara (who bats left-handed). But she still got it too far over the plate and Mara just roped it."

On Mar. 3, Thornton also delivered the key hit to defeat Patrick Henry, slugging an RBI double in another 1-0 triumph.

Santana had two opportunities to score.

With the ballgame still scoreless in the 3rd, AMANDA CARPENTER was on third base when teammate TAYLOR KELLY slapped a grounder. However, West Hills second baseman NANCY SUE LARSON collected the ball and fired it home, as catcher BRITTANY SWANSON applied the tag on Carpenter for the out.

In the 5th, Kelly slugged a lead double and was sacrificed to third. However, Velovich registered a strikeout and a pop-up to maintain the lead.

The only other Santana hits were singles by MICHELLE IAVELLI, who went 4-for-4 against West Hills in the Las Vegas game, and KRISTEN MEDRUD. Meanwhile, Bass finished allowing just four hits.

CHRISTIAN 3, SCRIPPS RANCH 1 -- One week after upending Patrick Henry to rise to the No. 4 spot in the county rankings, the Falcons gave it all back -- falling twice to East County competition. After losing to Valhalla, 3-1, in Monday's (Apr. 24) non-league contest, Scripps Ranch again fell by an identical score to Christian to turn the Eastern League race into a jumbled mess.

Any talk that the Division IV Patriots were outmatched by the Eastern's Division I competition went to the wayside after SARAH SEYMOUR belted a first-inning, 3-run homer, then JESSIE OWENS made the hit standup by striking out nine and allowing just two hits.

"After the first inning, Jessie just didn't allow anything to get going," said Christian coach ROMA DAWSON. "It was one of her best efforts of the year."

Owens also started the Patriots' only rally, opening the ballgame with a lead walk. KARA CARTWRIGHT, another freshman, sacrificed Owens to second, then AMANDA PLUM walked.

Seymour then stepped up and sent a drive down the line and past the left-fielder. And since the field at Scripps Ranch doesn't have a fence, all three circumvented the bases for a 3-0 advantage following just four batters.

"Sarah has done a real solid job getting RBIs for us," added Dawson. "She's been a real key for us."

Falcons pitcher Alexa Datko allowed only one additional hit over the next six innings, but the damage was done. The loss dropped Scripps Ranch into a 3-way tie for the Eastern lead with Henry and Mira Mesa at 3-1, while Christian (11-3-2, 3-2 East) rests just a half-game back.

STEELE CANYON 7, GRANITE HILLS 6 -- The battle between both remaining undefeated Grossmont South League teams turned into a series of bobbles and miscues. Yet in the end, the Cougars survived six errors to gain outright possession of first place for the first time in school history after defeating both Valhalla and now the Eagles for the first time ever.

A wild, 35-minute opening inning saw both sides kick the ball all over the field, but once JAZMIN DAIGLE came to the plate, Steele Canyon took control. Trailing 2-0, Daigle cleared the loaded bases with a 3-run triple.

"Jazmin's bat has been the most consistent by anyone on the team all year," said Cougars assistant coach DOUG SUMMERS. "She won't go more than a game without a hit."

Steele Canyon would score four times in the frame to grab the lead for keeps. But barely.

Granite Hills kept charging back, finally answering with two runs in the seventh to move within a run. However, with the tying run on third base, Cougars pitcher SAMANTHA BEASLEY ended the comeback attempt with the final of her eight strikeouts -- although the called strike three was controversial.

Both teams reported that the 3-2 curveball was easily a foot outside, yet the home plate umpire rang up the batter. Coaches from both sides noted they would contact the officials' association about the (lack of?) quality with the officiating -- hey, if you win and file a complaint, it probably was poor.

"The game was really ugly -- both teams for whatever reasons seemed nervous," added Summers. "You wouldn't know there were two first-place teams out there."

LISA MONGELLI returned to form for the Cougars, batting 3-for-4 to raise her batting average back over .400. Among her hits was a triple, plus two RBI. Beasley also added a pair of hits, along with VANESSA ADAME, who reached with both a bunt single and a slap single.

Granite Hills, trailing 6-3, received a solo homer by catcher AMANDA OMAHAN in the 5th. Then in the 7th, a grounder which should've ended the game was booted to allow NICOLE RIVERA to score. Then on a wild pitch, a throw hit the baserunner and bounced to the outfield, allowing Omahan to score and cut the lead to a run.

Granite Hills took an initial 2-0 lead on a two-run triple by AMANDA OBNEY. MEGAN BELIO also recorded two hits, while pitching five innings of relief.

VALHALLA 2, HELIX 1 -- The day of upsets almost continued before the Norsemen staved off the host Highlanders. Valhalla only registered five hits, yet three came in consecutive fashion for both runs in the second inning.

The two-out rally started when ANDI ALFANO singled, then came home on a double to the left-centerfield fence by AMBER REARDON. She would score when BROOKE CASTETTER singled.

Pitcher ERICKA MARSH made the runs stand up, yielding just a single run in the Scotties' sixth. Marsh struck out seven.

MELISSA FARRIOR, in her first pitching start since the Cougar Classic, was the hard-luck loser for Helix. She struck out three and started the team's lone rally with a lead double. Farrior moved to third on a wild pitch, then scored when BRYANNE COX -- the Scotties' lone senior -- was safe at first when the defender dropped the throw.

Marsh then retired Helix in order in the seventh to close out the narrow victory.

"Missy (Farrior) pitched well today and ANDREA MARTIN DEL CAMPO had a good game, going 2-for-3," said the Highlanders coach JAIME KAHLER. "ALYSSA DRONENBURG played really well defensively for us."

GROSSMONT 9, EL CAPITAN 4 -- KINDRA MYERS was 4-for-4 with a home run and four RBI Wednesday (Apr. 26) as 10th-ranked Grossmont belted the Vaqueros in a Grossmont North League contest.

"This was an important win for us," said Grossmont coach JERRY LERUD. "We need to keep up with Santana and West Hills. All the games in our league are tough. We were ready to play today from the moment we got off the bus."

Proof in the pudding was the Foothillers (13-6, 3-1 GNL) scored three runs in each of the first two innings to take command. They now rest in a three-way tie for first with Santana and West Hills.

Run-scoring singles by CAMMI MOORE, Myers and REBECCA OSBORNE gave Grossmont its 3-0 1st inning edge.

More of the same occurred in the 2nd. Run-scoring hits were supplied by ALYSSA ESCALANTE and Osborne to make it 6-0.

Myers belted a three-run home run in the 4th inning to put the Grossmont victory on ice.

"We're in a tough league," commented El Capitan coach JOE COTA. "We've got our work cut out for us every time we play. We need to minimize our mistakes. We must be prepared to play hard in the second round."

In the bottom of the 4th inning, the Vaqueros (8-10, 1-3) fought back as ASHLEY HART and STEPHANIE REL-SOLIA singled and ASHLEY MARX walked to load the bases. TENNILLE RUST hit a soft line drive single to right center to score Hart. One out later RASHELLE BASORE tripled down the left field line, scoring Rel-Solia, Marx and Rust.

"We've got a young pitching staff that should get together and be strong as the season progresses," said Cota.

MONTE VISTA 5, MOUNT MIGUEL 1 -- In a battle of Spring Valley's Grossmont South League rivals on Wednesday (Apr. 26), host Mount Miguel came within one inning of breaking into the win column for the first time this season.

The Monarchs, however, would not allow any celebration in the Matadors' camp.

Monte Vista (11-8-1, 1-2 GSL) did all of its scoring in the 7th inning, as the Monarchs broke into the league win column.

"We were too dramatic today, it took us too long to score," said Monte Vista coach SIG CHABROWSKI. "We missed too many opportunities. In the 5th we had runners on second and third with two outs, and could not score."

Mount Miguel (0-18, 0-3 GSL) took a 1-0 advantage in the 3rd inning on an RBI triple by ROSIE GONZALEZ.

"I was a little concerned going into the 7th inning down 1-0," said Chabrowski. "This game reminded me so much of our game last season at Mount Miguel (when the Monarchs lost to the Matadors in the first league game)."

The outcome was more favorable this time for Monte Vista.

In the top of the 7th, the Monarchs loaded the bases with one out on singles by JESIKA PEREA and ROSEANNE ABEYTA and a walk to ROSALYN BURNS. A single by CAITLIN QUON tied the game at 1-1.

ASHLEY MILLER's base hit to center gave Monte Vista the lead. A Mount Miguel throwing error on the same play made it 3-1.

LYDIA VENIEGAS's squeeze bunt added another run to the Monte Vista column. ALYSSA PARKER's RBI single capped the Monte Vista uprising.

BREANNA M cMILLAN pitched a complete-game two-hitter for Monte Vista.

East County Sports.com
SANTEE (4-25-06) -- Perfect through 20 ballgames this season, second-ranked Santana High allowed the window of opportunity to open just a crack. But when No. 10 Grossmont missed its chance, the Sultans slammed it shut in a battle between co-leaders in the Grossmont North League.

Pitcher SHAE BASS escaped the fifth-inning challenge by setting down the final eight batters she faced, as Santana took advantage of the Foothillers' faux pas by immediately answering with three runs in the home-half of the fifth to claim a 3-0 triumph.

"If they had scored, our bats may have stayed tight," noted Bass. "But I have a great defense behind me, so I feel really confident every time I go out there."

Scoreless through four frames, outfielder KINDRA MYERS slammed the Foothillers' second consecutive hit -- a booming double to the fence in right-centerfield. But with the base coach signaling for the lead runner to attempt to score, she inexplicably stopped at third base.

Bass followed with one of her eight strikeouts, then coaxed a shallow pop-up to second baseman DANIELLE BALOUGH to leave two Hillers in scoring position. Grossmont would get no further baserunners.

"I thought she was going to try to score for sure," said KATIE THOMAS, who retrieved Myers' double and fired the ball in to the cutoff person. "It definitely changed our mindset when we came to bat, while Shae pitched another good game."

The fired-up Sultans then answered with the game's only runs, as Balough and Thomas lined run-scoring singles, then catcher LAURIE LINDOW lifted a deep sacrifice fly to center.

The rally started when AMANDA CARPENTER singled and stole second base, then TAYLOR KELLY walked to set-up Balough, who was the only player with two hits on the day.

Bass (12-0) retired the first 11 batters she faced before CAMMI MOORE lined a sharp single to center.

"Shae hit her spots and was ahead in the count all game," noted Lindow. "She was throwing what we call a 'cutter' really, which is what her father called it when she was 10 years old. It's actually a curve, but her pitch also breaks down, which makes it really hard to hit."

Meanwhile, Grossmont pitcher DOMONIQUE GUERRA was also tossing a shutout for four innings, getting a little lucky in the 3rd when Balough sent a sharp drive to the opposite field in right, only to see Moore, the Grossmont first baseman, snare the ball and step onto the bag for an inning-ending double play.

Things don't get easier for Santana, next traveling to West Hills on Wednesday (Apr. 26), starting at 4 p.m.

WEST HILLS 1, EL CAJON VALLEY 0 -- MARA THORNTON and CHELSEA VELOVICH combined on a no-hitter, and they would need every single one of those outs as the Wolf Pack didn't score until the seventh inning to finally repel the Braves.

Thornton pitched the first three innings, striking out seven, then Velovich went the final four frames to register the victory. The freshman recorded six strikeouts. However, El Cajon Valley's JANELLE HAVENS was also impressive, shutting out West Hills on four hits through the first six innings.

However, in the seventh, West Hills was able to load the bases on a single by JAYLEEN BUSH, a sacrifice bunt by ELISE KOVI, a walk to JESSICA HAMMOND, and a short single to left by BRENNA SANDBERG.

Second baseman NANCY SUE LARSON followed with an RBI single to centerfield to score Bush, although Braves catcher DESIREE GARCIA made the tag for the out at the plate when West Hills failed in an attempt to slip Hammond home with a bonus run.

"It was a good battle through six innings," said El Cajon Valley assistant coach LORI CLARK. "It was an excellent defensive match-up by both teams."

VALHALLA 3, SCRIPPS RANCH 1 -- In the Falcons' first contest after assuming the Eastern League lead and rising to a season-best ranking of fourth in the CIF-SDS, the Norsemen went on the road to become the first East County team to defeat Scripps Ranch in five tries (3-1-1) this season. Earlier, Granite Hills forged a 3-3 tie in 8 innings before darkness fell.

Senior ERICKA MARSH struck out six and scattered three hits to stymie the Falcons, as a three-run rally in the third inning was enough to carry the Norsemen.

"Ericka kind of opened the door for us," said head coach DOUG HARTUNG. "It was a big win for us."

Valhalla has been competitive against top ballclubs all season, but failed to gain a breakthrough victory until Monday's (Apr. 24) effort.

The Norsemen collected four of their seven hits in the third for all of their scoring.

After singles by JAIME ZINTER and JODIE SCHMEHR, then a walk to COURTNEY LUDWIG to load the bases, an ill-timed illegal pitch violation was called to allow the first run to score.

KYLA BRANSFORD and ANDI ALFANO followed with identical RBI singles to center to mount a 3-0 advantage. The Falcons answered with a run in the fourth, but Marsh limited Scripps Ranch (13-4-1) to just one hit over the final three innings.

STEELE CANYON 4, FRANCIS PARKER 1 -- In the rain make-up championship contest of the Montgomery Tournament, the Cougars erupted for four early runs to skate past the Lancers, who hosted the title tilt in Linda Vista.

SAMANTHA BEASLEY struck out six batters to hand Francis Parker (13-1) its first setback of the season, while delivering the first varsity tournament crown for Steele Canyon. Both teams are ranked among the honorable mention in all three major San Diego Section polls.

"We tried to keep the kids focused on this game, which was for the school's first-ever tournament victory and not worrying that Francis Parker was a Division IV team or that they were undefeated," said assistant coach DOUG SUMMERS.

JAYME JARVIS was centered around both rallies by the Cougars. In the first inning, after Beasley reached on an error, Jarvis pumped a deep double to left field. JAZMIN DAIGLE followed with a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead.

In the second, a two-out rally resulted in three runs for Steele Canyon, capped by a two-run single by Jarvis, plating LISA MONGELLI and Beasley. Jarvis, a sophomore, finished 2-for-4, while catcher HANNAH ROST also added a pair of basehits.

"There's been a trend where we've been giving up an early runs," added Summers. "But we jumped on them early, which took the pressure of Sam."

Clairemont senior Erica Coelho. (Photo by Lenny Gemar)

Leading 7-0, Coelho, the 2004 CIF Division III player of the year as a sophomore, was replaced after allowing her first hit after 5 1/3 innings to collect the victory. She struckout five.

The Chieftains (9-7) received a 4-for-4 performance by Kaley Schmutz, who drove home three runs and scored three times in the rout.

MORSE 3, HELIX 1 (9 inn.) -- The Highlanders fell to an Eastern League opponent in extra innings for the second times this season after getting bit by the Tigers. Helix earlier lost to Serra, 2-0, also in nine innings.

CHRISTINE JACOBITES was the hard-luck loser for the Scotties, despite striking out 11 Tigers. Trailing 1-0, Helix tied the game in the fifth on a hit by NATALIE SMITH, as the freshman fell one short of hitting for the Cycle, collecting a single, double and triple.

"We left a lot of people on base," said Helix coach JAIME KAHLER. "Jacobites pitched really well, came out there and pitched her heart out. We need to do a better job of working our triangle (scheme) offensively and defensively."

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-22-06) -- Undefeated and second-ranked Santana (20-0) already had its entry in the early showdown for first place in the Grossmont North League. But it wasn't until Friday (Apr. 21) that the Sultans' opponent was finally determined when Grossmont's ALYSSA ESCALANTE drove home three runs to break open a scoreless ballgame in the fourth inning, as the Foothillers whipped visiting West Hills, 3-1.

With the victory, the Hillers gain a first-place pairing against Santana on Monday (Apr. 24) to determine an undisputed leader in East County's biggest game so far this season. The Sultans will host the 4 p.m. contest.

Escalante capped a two-out rally after MEGAN GREEN singled to left, MICHELLE MIRANDA was hit by a pitch, and CAMMI MOORE walked to load the bases. Escalante then cleared the bases with a booming double to right-centerfield.

"Alyssa's been having a great year," said Hillers coach JERRY LERUD. "Even though she grounded out twice with runners on, we knew she'd get hot with one big swing."

West Hills immediatly answered in the fourth with a run, collecting two of its three hits. JAYLEEN BUSH slapped a run-scoring single with two outs, scoring pinchrunner JESSICA HAMMOND.

However, the hit only caused one run to score after Grossmont earlier turned a double play to keep the damage at a minimum, as winning pitcher DOMONIQUE GUERRA allowed just one other hit all game, finishing with a 3-hitter. Guerra struck out four and walked just one.

STEELE CANYON 6, MONTE VISTA 3 -- In just her second game after missing most of the season with a broken finger, designated player DANIELLE DAVISSON knocked in the go-ahead run, then LISA MONGELLI saw two runs scored when her grounder was thrown away, as the Cougars scored four times in the 4th to snap a 2-2 tie to down the Monarchs.

Freshman catcher HANNAH ROST opened the decisive inning with a triple. Davisson, who slammed a two-run single in the 2nd to tie the game, then hit a grounder which was thrown away, allowing Rost to put the Cougars ahead. All four runs in the inning were unearned.

Meanwhile, ERIKA BEASLEY shook off a shaky first inning to allow just one additional run in her five innings of work. Older sister SAMANTHA BEASLEY tossed the first two frames to garner her first save of the season. She also went 2-for-3 at the plate, while teammate JAZMIN DAIGLE paced the offense with three base hits.

"The 4th inning was a big one for Steele Canyon, disastrous for Monte Vista," said Monte Vista coach SIG CHABROWSKI. "It was 2-2 then the roof just caved in. When you have mental errors you start falling apart, like unraveling a golf ball."

"Not to be completely negative, Chabrowski pointed out “Our outfield played great today. There were spectacular catches by all of our outfielders -- CAITLIN QUON in left, LYDIA VENIEGAS in center, and SHELLEY ALINGAS in right. And our catcher AMANDA WARD played A-plus for someone who has never played the position before. They really hustled today."

Monarchs' leadoff batter ASHLEY MILLER had a single and a pair of stolen bases, while ALYSSA PARKER. BREANNA McMILLAN and Quon had one RBI apiece.

VALHALLA 6, MOUNT MIGUEL 1 -- The Norsemen climbed back into the Grossmont South League race on Friday (Apr. 21) by knocking off the winless Matadors.

But it took a come-from-behind effort for the Norsemen (10-8 overall) to balance their league ledger at 1-1.

Mount Miguel's ROSIE GONZALES, on a 2-2 pitch, hit a lead home run in the 1st inning over the left field fence.

It was a short-lived advantage as Valhalla scored twice in the 2nd inning to move in front. KELLEY SEITZ's third home run of the season evened the score at 1-1. After KYLA BRANSFORD walked, BROOKE CASTETTER doubled her in, giving the Norsemen a 2-1 lead.

"It was nice to get a win," said Valhalla coach DOUG HARTUNG. "Four of our last six games were losses. Seitz's home run was well hit, way over the left field fence."

Valhalla took a secure hold by scoring three runs in the 3rd. KAYLA HOUSTON walked, Seitz got on with an infield single as did Bransford to load the bases. ANDREA ALFANO tapped into a force play, allowing Houston to score. AMBER REARDON blasted a double to right-center, bringing in Bransford. A Castetter groundout scored Alfano for a 5-1 lead.

For good measure, Valhalla turned a game-ending unassisted double play when Seitz speared a line drive and stepped on first base to send the Matadors (0-16) back to Spring Valley.

GRANITE HILLS 13, HELIX 0 -- Freshman pitcher MEGAN BELIO tossed a 2-hit shutout while backed by 18 hits in the Eagles' blanking of the Highlanders. After allowing a lead single in the first, Belio struck out eight, including all three outs in the first, then only allowed one additional Helix hit the rest of the way.

At the plate, Belio also added two hits, BRITTANI BERTUSSI went 3-for-3, with a host of other Eagles registering multi-hit efforts.

Granite Hills broke open the ballgame with seven runs in the second inning to mount a 9-0 advantage. Included in the rally was a 2-run homer by second baseman AMANDA OBNEY and an RBI double by CHARNEL ZETSCH. Belio also lined a run-scoring single, while Bertussi lifted a sacrifice fly for another marker.

For the contest, Obney collected four RBI, while ELYSA BENSON came off the bench to add a pair of basehits.

Patriots pitcher Jessie Owens blows out the air just as she fires a pitch against Mira Mesa. (Photo by Burt Melvin)

Tillett struck out 12 against just one walk. She also kept her own hot hitting stretch by going 3-for-3, including a solo home run in the fifth.

Christian starter JESSE OWENS suffered the setback, despite striking out seven Mira Mesa batters and scattering seven hits. Owens also went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double, while teammate CASEY WHITE registered the only other Patriots hit with a double.

El Capitan freshman Sarah Jo Grohman tossed a controversial no-hitter vs. El Cajon Valley. (Photo by Greg Eichelberger)

EL CAPITAN 11, EL CAJON VALLEY 2 -- (REVISED 4-23-06) The editorial staff at East County Sports.com is often asked why we no longer run boxscores for softball (like we do in baseball for conference games), instead running the shorter linescores. The reason is simple: scoring discrepancies are huge -- case-in-point, Friday's (Apr. 21) ballgame between the Vaqueros and Braves.

El Capitan reported that freshman pitcher SARAH JO GROHMAN tossed her first career no-hitter, leading the Vaqueros to their initial Grossmont North League win after stopping host El Cajon Valley. Grohman struck out 12 Braves batters.

However, El Cajon Valley reported that its players registered four hits when filing its game information to a well-known San Diego County newspaper.

Indeed, a difference of opinion can occur on a play -- happens all the time. And even two scoring rulings could be different. However, four plays which the scorers can not agree on is too much for even ECS.com to decipher.

Thus, in aiming to be fair and impartial to both parties, we are listing the opinions of both sides -- El Capitan claims it pitched a no-hitter; El Cajon Valley says it registered four basehits.

You make the call

Top: Granite Hills shortstop Nicole Rivera attempts to make the tag, while Monte Vista baserunner Lydia Veniegas (bottom) tries to reach around the defender on the close play at second base. Rivera got the out and the defending GSL co-champion Eagles went on to win, 11-4. (Photos by Chris Edwards)

Jacobites posts first Helix shutout
Cougars gain first-ever win over Valhalla

East County Sports.com
LA MESA (4-20-06) -- Perhaps the tide is starting to turn for the Helix Highlanders, as several players stepped forward just in time for the team's Grossmont South league opener.

Junior pitcher CHRISTINE JACOBITES tossed the Scotties' first shutout of the season, scattered three hits to propel Helix into an early share of the GSL lead after blanking visiting Mount Miguel.

Jacobites struck out four and walked just two, keeping Mount Miguel at bay until Helix finally broke through with all three of its runs in the sixth inning.

"We've needed to do plenty of work, but a lot of players came through for us," said Helix coach JAIME KAHLER. "We received good pitching, then the defense played great."

Following a lead single by MELISSA FARRIOR, CANDICE KROM laid down a sacrifice bunt, but she not only beat the play for a scratch single, the throw skipped off the top of her helmet and rolled down the right-field line. By the time, Mount Miguel retrieved the ball, both runners raced around the diamond for a 2-0 lead.

Granite Hills first baseman Jordan Conway. (Photo by Chris Edwards)

The rally continued on a double by first baseman ALYSSA BRITSCHGI, catcher ANDREA MARTIN del CAMPO advanced her to third on a grounder, then BRYANNE COX singled to center to score the insurance run. Britschgi finished batting 2-for-2, plus a sacrifice bunt, as the Highlanders did not commit an error to halt a 4-game losing skid.

"We laid down a couple of great bunts, and they proved to be the difference," added Kahler.

STEELE CANYON 3, VALHALLA 1 (8 inn.) -- Could there be a new kingpin in the making in the Grossmont South League. The Cougars of Steele Canyon opened the circuit campaign Wednesday (Apr. 19) by upending three-time defending champion Valhalla.

"This was the first time Steele Canyon varsity softball has beaten Valhalla," Cougars assistant coach DOUG SUMMERS announced proudly. "We have never beaten Granite Hills either. We'll get a chance next Wednesday when we play them."

This latest battle between the Norsemen and Cougars was not a big hitting game, but both teams had chances to score.

The issue was decided in the 8th inning as LISA MONGELLI and JAZMIN DAIGLE slashed RBI singles to score SAMANTHA BEASLEY and Mongelli.

"It was a clean game, it was just a matter of Steele Canyon got hits when they really needed to," said Valhalla coach DOUG HARTUNG. "Valhalla left eight runners on base. I give (the Cougars) credit because they got it done when they needed to do it. We weren't able to do it."

Valhalla (9-8, 0-1 GSL) used singles by JODIE SCHMEHR, KELLEY SEITZ and KYLA BRANSFORD along with a hit batter to take a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning. The RBI went to Bransford.

After that, all the scoring went into Steele Canyon's column.

"With one out, we gave up back-to-back-to-back walks in the 6th inning to load the bases," said Valhalla coach DOUG HARTUNG. "We had our infield drawn in and (Cougars) catcher (HANNAH ROST) hit a little flare just beyond the reach of our second baseman."

Rost's single drove in JENEVA MACK to tie the score at 1-1.

Rost's single was Steele Canyon's first hit off ERICKA MARSH, who allowed only four hits despite being tagged with her eighth loss in 15 decisions.

Steele Canyon's Samantha Beasley pitched a complete-game 4-hitter and struck out 9 for her sixth win against three losses.

PATRICK HENRY 10, CHRISTIAN 1 -- In a possible case of padding the statistics, after third-ranked Patrick Henry took a commanding 6-1 lead through 3 1/2 innings, the coaching staff pulled their starting pitcher and allowed standout Donna Kerr to come on in relief and collect an easy victory in a battle of undefeated Eastern League leaders.

Patriots starter Ciera Ashman pitched the first three innings, but a starter needs to go four frames to qualify for a victory. Thus, Kerr's record went to 10-1, while Christian pitcher JESSIE OWENS fell to 9-2 after lasting just three innings in a difficult back-to-back situation for the freshman. Owens' strikeout streak of 10 or more in every start (11 games) was also snapped after she K'd just two Henry batters.

To make-up for not collecting the win, Ashman utilized her bat, going 2-for-3 with a double and a triple, scoring twice.

Down 2-0, Christian scored its lone run in the third. Catcher KARA CARTWRIGHT accepted a two-out walk, AMANDA PLUM doubled, then hot-hitting SARAH SEYMOUR singled. Cartwright scored on the basehit, but Plum was thrown out at the plate on a strong throw by right fielder Lori Hammond.

Granite Hills' Charnel Zetsch follows through on her third home run of the season. (Photo by Chris Edwards)

Catcher JESSICA SCHATZ paced a 13-hit attack by stroking three hits, including a double then a 2-run homer in the 7th. Two pitches later, CHARNEL ZETSCH went deep with her third homer of the season, giving the Eagles back-to-back shots to left-centerfield.

Also collecting two hits for Granite Hills were NICOLE RIVERA, LAUREN HAGEMAN and Zetsch.

SANTANA 10, EL CAJON VALLEY 2 -- The big hitting day by East County catchers was topped by the Sultans' LAURIE LINDOW, who belted a grand slam as part of a 5-run outburst in the 3rd inning to power undefeated Santana to its 20th consecutive victory.

Lindow finished by batting 2-for-2, plus a walk, and four RBI, while BRIANNE PADILLA also went 2-for-2 and a pair of RBI, including run-scoring basehits in the 5th and 6th innings.

Winning pitcher KRISTEN MEDRUD went the first five innings, striking out seven and allowing just an unearned run to raise her record to 8-0 for the season. BRITTY BALOUGH closed the contest with two solid innings in the circle.

WEST HILLS 6, EL CAPITAN 1 -- It was a day for the freshmen of the Wolf Pack, as third baseman STASIA HOLDMAN slugged her first interscholastic homer while pitcher CHELSEA VELOVICH tossed five shutout innings, leading West Hills to a victory in its Grossmont North League opener.

Holdman opened the scoring by hitting the ball through the difficult winds at the West Hills diamond, belting a 3-run shot to left-centerfield in the third. The hit scored ELISE KOVI, who opened the inning with a double, and JAYLEEN BUSH, who had singled.

Meanwhile, Velovich faced just one batter over the minimum in her fife frames, striking out five and yielding just one hit. MARA THORNTON tossed the final two innings, as West Hills continued to milk innings from a battered pitching staff.

MICHELLE IAVELLI batted 2-for-3 and scored a run for West Hills. The Vaqueros scored their lone run in the 6th, when catcher AMANDA COMBS doubled home ALYSSA LOVEDAY.

Christian pitcher Jessie Owens with another strikeout, this one against a batter from Imperial. (Photo by Burt Melvin)
2006 Strikeout Performances By Christian High freshman Jessie Owens (12 starts, 10+ Ks/game)
Date	Opponent	Ks
3-1	El Cajon Valley	17
3-7	Coronado	10
3-16	Valley Center	10*
3-21	Our Lady of Peace	18
3-28	Montgomery	13
3-30	Serra	15
4-6	Saddleback Valley Chr.	12
4-7	Mountain Empire	10
4-8	La Jolla	10
4-8	Imperial	10
4-14	Avalon (CIFSD record for 7-inning game)	20
4-15	Avalon (relief, 2 IP)	4
4-18	Morse	13
SUB-TOTAL		162
*10 Ks in 3 IP (one batter reached base on dropped 3rd-strike).

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-19-06) -- Mira Mesa pitcher Melissa Tillett led the Marauders to the 2004 CIF Division I softball championship, then pitched the team to a runner-up finish last season. On Tuesday (Apr.18), although her bat was in championship form, the arm was not up to her typical standards.

Tillett slugged a 3-run, first-inning homer to jumpstart Mira Mesa to a 5-0 advantage. However, Grossmont roared back by answering with seven runs to knock the senior out of the circle by the third inning, as JILL TIMMER equaled a school record with three doubles to power the Foothillers to a 10-6 non-league decision.

"We hit her well the first time we played them," recalled Hillers coach JERRY LERUD on a 4-2 victory at the Cougar Classic (Mar. 13). "So we were confident we could hit her again."

After stranding the bases loaded in the first, Grossmont scored twice in the second on an RBI double by MEGAN GREEN and a run-scoring single by MICHELLE MIRANDA. But the biggest burst came in the third, when the Hillers chased Tillett by scoring five times to gain a 7-6 lead after seven consecutive Grossmont batters reached base.

KINDRA MYERS opened by getting hit by a pitch, ANDRIANNA NAU singled, then Timmer stroked the first of her three doubles to score Myers. AMBER LOVELADY became the third Hiller to get hit by a Tillett pitch, then Green slapped a two-run single to move Grossmont within 6-5.

Miranda walked to re-load the bases, then CAMMI MOORE went to left with a go-ahead, 2-run single.

"That was some stretch with our bats," added Lerud.

Meanwhile, Moore also struggled in her pitching start, so Lerud went to DOMONIQUE GUERRA over the final four innings. While she blanked the Marauders (12-8-1) on just three hits and struck out four, Grossmont (11-5) received an RBI single by Moore in the fifth, then in the sixth, Timmer stroked another RBI double while Green capped a 3-for-3 outing by adding a sacrifice fly for another run.

Christian's Sara Melvin gets the basehit in the Patriots' 5-0 Eastern League victory at Morse. (Photo by Burt Melvin)

Owens struck out 13 batters, again registering a double-digit total in whiffs in each of her 12 starts this season. After striking out seven of the first nine Morse batters, the only hit Owens allowed was a lead single to open the fourth.

"Their leadoff batter shortened-up and hit the ball past Jessie up the middle," said Patriots coach ROMA DAWSON. "She made the adjustment up there with her bat."

Meanwhile, Christian regained the stability of its lineup with the return of catcher KARA CARTWRIGHT. The heart of the batting order reached base all day, as AMANDA PLUM went 3-for-4with a pair of runs scored, while SARAH SEYMOUR, who went 6-for-7over the weekend, added two hits and drove in three off the Tigers.

Christian scored twice in the 3rd, then three times in the 5th in a 12-hit attack.

Cartwright and Plum started a two-out rally with singles, then both scored on Seymour's shot to the gap. Two innings later, Owens scored on a basehit by Plum, who again scored on another Seymour single.

Christian's difficult schedule continues against a pair of contending ballclubs, hosting No. 3 Patrick Henry on Wednesday (Apr. 19) then traveling to Mira Mesa on Friday, both at 3 p.m.

Amanda Carpenter slams a sharp single to right field, one of 12 hits by Santana in its 12-2 victory at El Capitan to open Grossmont North League play. (Photo by Greg Eichelberger)

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-18-06) -- The quest for a league championship nearly ended before it fully began for the Grossmont Foothillers. Attempting to surpass West Hills and undefeated Santana is imposing enough, but when the Hillers found themselves entering extra innings against El Cajon Valley in Monday's (Apr.17) GNL opener, the panic button was about to be engaged.

"We were leading 2-0, but the coaching staff kept saying we needed some more runs," said Grossmont coach JERRY LERUD. "You could just tell El Cajon was going to break through."

Despite a game-tying, 2-run homer by the Braves' MARISSA UTLEY, Grossmont finally responded by scoring five times in the 8th inning, claiming a 7-2 road decision.

"It took the whole game to finally connect some hits and take control," added Lerud. "But give El Cajon credit, especially their catcher for keeping them in the ballgame."

Grossmont (10-5, 1-0 GNL) collected 12 hits, including three by ALYSSA ESCALANTE. However, the throwing arm of Braves backstop DESIREE GARCIA hampered the Hillers offense. On four different occasions, Garcia threw out runners attempting to steal second base.

Top: Shae Bass shows complete focus on her target to help Santana with its 19th straight game. Bottom: All that El Capitan catcher Amanda Combs can do is to stand and watch Santana's Taylor Kelly (6) slide home safely for another Sultans run. (Photos by Greg Eichelberger)

Thus, for the longest time, the only runs on the scoreboard were the two plated by Grossmont in the first inning. Included was the first of two RBI singles on the day by Escalante, then KINDRA MYERS walked with the bases loaded to force home the second run.

Meanwhile, Grossmont pitcher DOMONIQUE GUERRA was riding a 2-hit shutout through five innings before El Cajon Valley made a quick move. In the sixth, JESSICA COPE lined a single, then Utley followed with her blast over the left-field fence to suddenly knot the ballgame.

On the flip side, former Foothillers pitcher JANELLE HAVENS (4-5) settled down and shutout her previous school for six innings on just three hits following Grossmont's initial rally to keep the Braves (4-7-1, 0-1 GNL) in the contest. But in the 8th, six consecutive hits would doom her.

Both Grossmont rallies were started by MICHELLE MIRANDA (walk and single) and CAMMI MOORE (two singles). And both times, Escalante followed by driving in a run. But this time, REBECCA OSBORNE kept the uprising going, slugging a 2-run triple to bust the game open at 5-2.

Myers and JILL TIMMER kept the hitting spree going with singles, then a wild pitch on a dropped third strike allowed the final run to score.

"Michelle has been there for us all season at the top of the order," noted Lerud. "But there's also been a new hero every game, and today it was Osborne with her triple."

Guerra (7-3) recorded nine strikeouts and walked just one to gain the victory.

SANTANA 12, EL CAPITAN 2 -- There was no Las Vegas letdown for the Sultans, who scored 11 times in the opening three innings to quickly dispatch the host Vaqueros in the teams' Grossmont North League opener.

KRISTEN MEDRUD drove in four runs in a 3-for-4 performance, then picked up the pitching victory in relief after starter SHAE BASS was pulled after just two innings with Santana holding a double-digit lead. Medrud is now 7-0 this season; 34-2 over the past three seasons.

On offense, Medrud lifted a sacrifice fly in the first, a run-scoring single to center in the second, then lined a 2-run single in the third to quickly gain control.

KATIE THOMAS and LAURIE LINDOW also drove home a pair of runs, as Lindow went 2-for-2 to maintain her recent hot hitting streak. BRITTY BALOUGH tossed the final three innings for the second-ranked Sultans (19-0, 1-0 GNL), shutting out the Vaqueros (7-10, 0-1) on just one hit.

Parker finished with three RBI, while Monte Vista pitcher ROSANNE ABEYTA, after allowing an early run, did not allowed an earned run the rest of the way, striking out seven to collect the victory.

AMANDA WARD followed Parker's first double with a bunt single for another run in the third. Two innings later, Ward was at the plate when a passed ball scored another run to give the Monarchs a 5-1 advantage. It was the first of three runs given to Monte Vista on passed balls or wild pitches.

The final run came in the fifth on three straight singles. After DANIELLE SIMMS and CAITLIN QUON slapped identical basehits to left, ASHLEY MILLER singled to center to score Simms. Miller also stole a pair of bases for the Monarchs.

East County Sports.com
AVALON, Catalina Island -- How far up the charts could Christian High freshman JESSIE OWENS have climbed?

No one will know after Avalon vacated Friday's (Apr. 14) opener of a two-game weekend series following seven innings of play, leaving the visiting Patriots deserted with a 2-2 tie with the Lancers.

Owens finished the contest with 20 strikeouts, equaling her sister MELISSA's CIF-San Diego Section record for a 7-inning contest, yet also left her with a frustrating no-decision after tossing a 1-hitter.

"We played seven innings, then Avalon said that was the ballgame," said Christian coach ROMA DAWSON. "It wasn't raining, so there were no problems with the field, and we had lights, so we could've kept going."

"We tried to talk the umpire into letting us keep playing, but he wouldn't do anything about it."

The unorthodox ending kept Owens from moving up the section strikeout honor roll. Although she finished at 20, two Avalon batters actually grounded out -- the extra 'K' came on a dropped third-strike as Christian was forced to use its backup catcher.

"It can be pretty intense when you have a kid who wants to be at an elite level," added Dawson.

Owens walked four and hit a batter, as two of the walks came back to haunt her. With the Patriots holding a 2-0 lead, Owens walked the first two batters in the sixth, then Lancers catcher Hedy Alvarado clubbed a triple to tie the game. Alvarado was left stranded at third when Owens struck out the next two batters.

SARAH SEYMOUR opened a 3-for-4 performance by slapping an RBI single in the first. Christian then gained an unearned run in the fourth inning.

Sarah Seymour capped a 6-for-7 weekend at the plate with this go-ahead, 2-run homer, lifting visiting Christian past Avalon, 7-2. (Christian High courtesy photo)

CHRISTIAN 7, AVALON 2 -- In Saturday (Apr. 15) morning's series finale, Owens did not start for the first time all season, but she did pitch, tossing two innings of relief to garner her first save for the Patriots (9-1-2). Owens struck out four, raising her season total to 149.

However, SARAH SEYMOUR immediately snapped the tie with a 2-run homer to right field. Owens then capped her 3-for-4 outing at the plate with a 3-run homer to left in the sixth to ice the victory.

Seymour went 3-for-3, finishing the weekend by trashing the Lancers with six hits in seven trips. Christian's record is now 9-1-2.

CIF-San Diego Section Playoffs
Sat., May 27 -- Championships
(At SDSU Softball Field)
DIVISION I
No. 1 Escondido (27-2) 3, No. 2 Patrick Henry (25-6) 1
DIVISION II
No. 2 Westview (22-6-1) 4, No. 4 Scripps Ranch (20-9-1) 1
DIVISION III
No. 2 Steele Canyon (23-9) 6, Cathedral Catholic (22-9) 0
DIVISION IV
No. 1 Francis Parker (23-1) 9, Imperial (22-6) 7

DIVISION II
No. 4 Scripps Ranch (20-8-1) 3, San Pasqual (16-13-1) 0
No. 2 Westview (21-6-1) 7, EC Southwest (19-8-1) 2

DIVISION III
No. 2 Steele Canyon (22-9) 2, No. 3 Ramona (18-11) 1 (8 inn.)
Cathedral Catholic (22-8) 1, No. 1 Santana (28-5) 0

DIVISION IV
No. 2 Imperial (22-5) 5, No. 3 Christian (16-9-2) 4
No. 1 Francis Parker (22-1) 6, No. 4 Mountain Empire (17-8) 0

DIVISION II
Upper Bracket
No. 9 San Pasqual (16-12-1) 2, No. 1 Mission Hills (20-3-1) 0
No. 4 Scripps Ranch (19-8-1) 2, No. 5 Mt. Carmel (18-9-1) 0
Lower Bracket
No. 6 El Centro-Southwest (19-7-1) 2, No. 3 Grossmont (20-8) 1
No. 2 Westview (20-6-1) 3, No. 7 West Hills (22-10) 1

DIVISION III
Upper Bracket
No. 1 Santana (28-4) 10, No. 8 Brawley (18-9) 0
No. 5 Cathedral (21-8) 4, No. 4 Valhalla (19-10) 0
Lower Bracket
No. 3 Ramona (18-10) 13, No. 6 University City (18-5) 0
No. 2 Steele Canyon (21-9) 4, No. 10 Monte Vista(17-12-1) 2

DIVISION IV
Upper Bracket
No. 1 Francis Parker (21-1) 2, No. 9 Horizon Christian (13-12-1) 0
No. 4 Mountain Empire (17-7) 5, No. 5 La Jolla Country Day (13-11) 2
Lower Bracket
No. 3 Christian (16-8-2) 4, No. 6 The Bishop's (12-8) 2
No. 2 Imperial (21-5) 2, No. 7 Holtville (14-11) 0

DIVISION II
Upper Bracket
No. 1 Mission Hills (20-2-1) -- bye
No. 9 San Pasqual (15-12-1) 4, No. 8 Hilltop (20-10) 1
No. 5 Mt. Carmel (18-8-1) 10, No. 12 Castle Park (7-19) 0
No. 4 Scripps Ranch (18-8-1) -- bye
Lower Bracket
No. 3 Grossmont (20-7) -- bye
No. 6 El Centro-Southwest (18-7-1) 4, No. 11 Point Loma (11-7) 2
No. 7 West Hills (21-9) 5, No. 10 Mar Vista (18-10) 0
No. 2 Westview (19-6-1) -- bye

DIVISION III
Upper Bracket
No. 1 Santana (27-4) -- bye
No. 8 Brawley (18-8) 3, No. 9 San Dieguito Academy (18-11) 2
No. 5 Cathedral (20-8) 9, No. 12 Valley Center (10-16-1) 1
No. 4 Valhalla (19-9) -- bye
Lower Bracket
No. 3 Ramona (17-10) -- bye
No. 6 University City (18-4) 8, No. 11 Our Lady of Peace (16-8) 2
No. 10 Monte Vista (17-11-1) 5, No. 7 Clairemont (15-10-1) 3
No. 2 Steele Canyon (20-9) -- bye

DIVISION IV
Upper Bracket
No. 1 Francis Parker (20-1) 10, No. 16 Escondido Charter (5-18) 1
No. 9 Horizon Christian (13-11-1) 14, No. 8 Palo Verde Valley (13-13) 0
No. 5 La Jolla Country Day (13-10) 2, No. 12 Coronado (7-16) 1
Monday -- No. 4 Mountain Empire (16-7) 6, No. 13 Marian Catholic 3 (6-16)
Lower Bracket
No. 3 Christian (15-8-2) 3, No. 14 Guajome Park Academy (9-8) 2
No. 6 The Bishop's (12-7) 3, No. 11 Santa Fe Christian (9-11) 2 (8 inn.)
No. 7 Holtville (14-10) 10, No. 10 Julian (11-10) 2
No. 2 Imperial (20-5) 17, No. 15 Tri-City Christian (7-11) 0
Note: League champions Borrego and SD Jewish Academy elected not to participate.

Wed., May 17
Grossmont North League
Grossmont 8, El Capitan 0
West Hills 2, Santana 0
Grossmont South League
Granite Hills 8, Mount Miguel 1
Valhalla 3, Monte Vista 1
Steele Canyon 3, Helix 2
END REGULAR SEASON

Tue., May 16
Grossmont North League
Grossmont 3, Santana 0
West Hills 10, El Cajon Valley 0 (5 inn.)

Mon., May 15
Grossmont North League
Grossmont 4, West Hills 1
El Capitan 7, El Cajon Valley 2
Grossmont South League
Valhalla 4, Granite Hills 2
Steele Canyon 9, Mount Miguel 2
Monte Vista 5, Helix 3 (11 inn.)
Central League
Patrick Henry 2, Mira Mesa 0
Scripps Ranch 4, Morse 2

Fri., May 12
Grossmont North League
West Hills 5, El Capitan 1
Santana 9, El Cajon Valley 2
Grossmont South League
Steele Canyon 3, Granite Hills 1
Monte Vista 2, Mount Miguel 1
Valhalla 7, Helix 0
Eastern League
Scripps Ranch 3, Christian 2
Patrick Henry 6, Serra 1 (8 inn.)
Mira Mesa 5, Morse 0

Wed., May 10
Grossmont North League
Grossmont 10, El Cajon Valley 5
Santana 5, El Capitan 1
Grossmont South League
Monte Vista 3, Steele Canyon 1
Granite Hills 5, Helix 4
Valhalla 7, Mount Miguel 1
Eastern League
Mira Mesa 7, Christian 0
Morse 4, Serra 0
Patrick Henry 4, Scripps Ranch 2 (14 inn.)

Mon., May 8
Grossmont North League
Santana 6, West Hills 1
Grossmont 5, El Capitan 3
Non-League
Patrick Henry 1, Steele Canyon 0 (12 inn.)
El Cajon Valley 6, High Tech High 1
Valhalla 5, Bonita Vista 4 (9 inn.)

Sat., May 5
Non-League
Cathedral Catholic 1, Scripps Ranch 0

Fri., May 5
Grossmont North League
Grossmont 3, Santana 2 (8 inn.)
West Hills 5, El Cajon Valley 0
Grossmont South League
Valhalla 2, Steele Canyon 0
Granite Hills 11, Mointe Vista 0
Mount Miguel 6, Helix 3
Eastern League
Patrick Henry 14, Christian 1
Mira Mesa 5, Serra 1
Scripps Ranch df. Morse, no score reported

Wed., May 3
Grossmont North League
West Hills 4, Grossmont 0
El Capitan 4, El Cajon Valley 3
Grossmont South League
Granite Hills 13, Mount Miguel 0
Monte Vista 2, Valhalla 0
Steele Canyon 9, Helix 2
Eastern League
Christian 4, Serra 1 (8 inn.)
Mira Mesa 3, Scripps Ranch 2 (8 inn.)
Patrick Henry 6, Morse 0

Tue., May 2
Non-League
Serra 7, Monte Vista 3

Mon., May 1
Grossmont North League
Santana 5, El Cajon Valley 0
West Hills 17, El Capitan 0
Falcon Fiesta Tournament
Poway 2, Steele Canyon 1
Non-League
Bonita Vista 9, Mount Miguel 2
Patrick Henry 2, Helix 0

Sat., Apr. 29
Grossmont Conference Tournament
Championship: Santana 2, Steele Canyon 0
Valley Center Tournament
Pool Play: Christian 15, El Centro-Central 6
Semifinal: Christian 7, Orange Glen 0
Championship: Valley Center 3, Christian 2 (5 inn., time limit)

Fri., Apr. 28
Grossmont North League
Santana 9, El Capitan 1
Grossmont 7, El Cajon Valley 2
Grossmont South League
Valhalla 5, Granite Hills 2
Monte Vista 5, Helix 1
Steele Canyon 6, Mount Miguel 2
Eastern League
Morse 7, Christian 4
Scripps Ranch 5, Serra 0
Patrick Henry 5, Mira Mesa 0

Wed., Apr. 26
Grossmont North League
West Hills 1, Santana 0
Grossmont 9, El Capitan 4
Grossmont South League
Steele Canyon 7, Granite Hills 6
Valhalla 2, Helix 1
Monte Vista 5, Mount Miguel 1
Eastern League
Christian 3, Scripps Ranch 1
Mira Mesa 22, Morse 0
Patrick Henry 17, Serra 1

Mon., Apr. 24
Grossmont North League
West Hills 1, El Cajon Valley 0
Santana 3, Grossmont 0
Montgomery Tournament
Championship
Steele Canyon 4, Francis Parker, 1
Non-League
Clairemont 7, Mount Miguel 0
Valhalla 3, Scripps Ranch 1
Morse 3, Helix 1 (9 inn.)
Patrick Henry 6, Bonita Vista 0

Fri., Apr. 21
Grossmont North League
El Capitan 11, El Cajon Valley 2
Grossmont 3, West Hills 1
Grossmont South League
Granite Hills 13, Helix 0
Steele Canyon 6, Monte Vista 3
Valhalla 6, Mount Miguel 1
Eastern League
Mira Mesa 4, Christian 0
Scripps Ranch 3, Patrick Henry 0
Morse df. Serra

Wed., Apr. 19
Grossmont North League
Santana 10, El Cajon Valley 2
West Hills 6, El Capitan 1
Grossmont South League
Steele Canyon 3, Valhalla 1 (8 inn.)
Helix 3, Mount Miguel 0
Granite Hills 11, Monte Vista 4
Eastern League
Patrick Henry 10, Christian 1
Scripps Ranch 4, Morse 2
Mira Mesa 4, Serra 0

Tue., Apr. 18
Eastern League
Christian 5, Morse 0
Non-League
Grossmont 10, Mira Mesa 6

Mon., Apr. 17
Grossmont North League
Grossmont 7, El Cajon Valley 2 (8 inn.)
Santana 12, El Capitan 2
Non-League
Monte Vista 8, Castle Park 3

Sat., Apr. 15
Non-League
Christian 7, Avalon 2

Fri., Apr.14
Non-League
Christian 2, Avalon 2, tie (7 inn.)

Wed., Apr. 12
Rancho Buena Vista Tournament
Granite Hills 4, Rancho Buena Vista 2
Granite Hills 6, El Camino 5
Mt. Carmel 9, Grossmont 2
Oceranside 9, Mount Miguel 6
Davisson Memorial Tournament, Las Vegas
Gold Division
Semifinals
Santana 7, West Hills 6 (8 inn.)
Final
Santana 6, L.V.-Coronado 1
Bronze Division
Semifinals
Torrance-North 10, Valhalla 0
Copper Division
Semifinals
El Capitan 9, Coachella Valley 1
Monte Vista 6, L.V.-Clark 5
Final
El Capitan 9, Monte Vista 3

Tue., Apr. 11
Rancho Buena Vista Tournament
Grossmont 7, Oceanside 3
Granite Hills 1, Rancho Bernardo 1, tie (6 inn., time limit)
Mt. Carmel 14, Mount Miguel 2
Davisson Memorial Tournament, Las Vegas
L.V.-Cimarron-Memorial 6, El Capitan 1
El Capitan 3, Torrance-West 1
Santana 3, Bakersfield-North 0
Santana 8, Cathedral Catholic 0
Marin Catholic 8, Valhalla 7
Valhalla 10, L.V.-Durango 3
West Hills 4, Santa Rosa-Ursuline 2
West Hills 4, LV-Palo Verde 3
Torrance-North 10, Monte Vista 3
Monte Vista 8, Madison 1

Mon., Apr. 10
Rancho Buena Vista Tournament
Escondido 2, Granite Hills 0
Grossmont 5, Westview 4
San Pasqual 2, Grossmont 1
San Pasqual 9, Mount Miguel 0
Westview df. Mount Miguel
Davisson Memorial Tournament, Las Vegas
Cathedral Catholic 2, Valhalla 1
Valhalla 9, LV-Clark 6
Mira Mesa 5, El Capitan 1
LV-Coronado 9, El Capitan 1
Santana 15, Castle Park 0 (5 inn.)
Santana 12, LV-Durango 1 (4 inn.)
Monte Vista 6, LV-Palo Verde 5
Clairemont 9, Monte Vista 3
West Hills 10, Pahrump Valley (Nev.) 0 (5 inn.)
West Hills 10, Madison 6 (6 inn.)

Sat., Apr. 8
LJ Country Day Tournament
Christian 7, La Jolla 2
Semis: Imperial 2, Christian 0
Falcon Fiesta
Steele Canyon 1, La Costa Canyon 0
Granite Hills 4, Carlsbad 2
Scripps Ranch 4, West Hills 2
Semis: Poway 4, Bonita Vista 1
Semis: Patrick Henry 3, El Centro-Southwest 0
Final: Patrick Henry 4, Poway 1

Fri., Apr. 7
LJ Country Day Tournament
Christian 5, Mountain Empire 3

Thurs., Apr. 6
Falcon Fiesta
Patrick Henry 2, Steele Canyon 1
Carlsbad at Granite Hills, ppd., wet grounds (Apr. 8, time TBA)
LJ Country Day Tournament
Christian 3, Saddleback Valley Christian 1

Wed., Apr. 5
Eastern League
Christian at Morse, ppd., rain
Falcon Fiesta
Helix at West Hills, ppd., rain
Steele Canyon at Poway, ppd., rain

Tue., Apr. 4
Non-League
El Cajon Valley 16, Crawford 0 (5 inn., rain) (Havens, ECV, no-hitter)

Mon., Apr. 3
Non-League
West Hills 2, Patrick Henry 1
Valhalla 8, Serra 2
Mira Mesa 6, Helix 5

Sat., Apr. 1
Montgomery Tournament
Pool: Steele Canyon 15, Calexico 0 (6 inn.)
Quarters: Steele Canyon 12, Lutheran 1 (4 inn.)
Semis: Steele Canyon 4, Brawley 1 (6 inn.)
Final: Steele Canyon vs. Francis Parker, ppd., darkness (make-up date TBA)
Non-League
Monte Vista, 4, Point Loma 1
Mira Mesa 3-1, West Hills 0-2

Fri., Mar. 31
Grossmont Conference Tournament
Monte Vista 3, El Capitan 2
Championship: Steele Canyon at Santana, ppd. (no umpires)

Thurs., Mar. 30
Grossmont Conference Tournament
Valhalla 9, El Cajon Valley 2
West Hills 10, Mount Miguel 0
Santana 4, Helix 0
Eastern League
Christian 1, Serra 0 (Owens, CHR, No-hitter, 15 Ks)
Falcon Fiesta
Helix at West Hills, re-scheduled (Apr. 5)

Wed., Mar. 29
Grossmont Conference Tournament
Grossmont 5, Steele Canyon 4
Monte Vista at El Capitan, ppd., rain (Mar. 31)
Mount Miguel at West Hills, ppd., rain (Mar. 30)
Helix at Santana, ppd., rain (Mar. 30)
Valhalla at El Cajon Valley, rain (Mar. 30)

Tue., Mar. 28
Falcon Fiesta
Poway 2, Granite Hills 0
Scripps Ranch 10, Steele Canyon 3
Non-League
Christian 6, Montgomery 0

Mon., Mar. 27
Grossmont Conference Tournament
Santana 2, Steele Canyon 1
West Hills 14, Helix 0
El Capitan 14, Mount Miguel 4
Grossmont 6, Valhalla 3
El Cajon Valley 4, Monte Vista 4, tie (8 inn., darkness)

Sat., Mar. 25
Hilltop Tournament
Consol.: Mira Mesa 6, El Captan 0 (M.Tillett, MM, perfect game)
Quarters: Santana 2, Eastlake 0
Semifinals: Santana 10, Bonita Vista 3
Championship: Santana 7, Hilltop 0
Falcon Fiesta
Torrey Pines 7, Helix 0
Montgomery Tournament
Steele Canyon 4, Orange Glen 2
Steele Canyon 5, Mar Vista 2

Fri., Mar. 24
Grossmont Conference Tournament
Santana 3, Valhalla 1
Steele Canyon 4, West Hills 0
Helix 7, El Capitan 3
Grossmont 14, Monte Vista 0
El Cajon Valley 1, Mount Miguel 0 (9 inn.)

Thurs., Mar. 23
Non-League
El Capitan 4, Morse 2

Wed., Mar. 22
Grossmont Conference Tournament
Santana 11, Monte Vista 3
Grossmont 12, Mount Miguel 3
Helix 6, El Cajon Valley 4
Steele Canyon 3, El Capitan 2
West Hills 1, Valhalla 0

Tue., Mar. 21
Falcon Fiesta
Steele Canyon at Patrick Henry, ppd., rain
Non-League
Christian 13, Our Lady of Peace 1

Mon., Mar. 20
Falcon Fiesta
Granite Hills 20, Castle Park 1
Grossmont Conference Tournament
West Hills 8, Monte Vista 0
Santana 16, Mount Miguel 1
Valhalla 1, El Capitan 0 (8 inn.)
Grossmont 16, Helix 0
Steele Canyon 4, El Cajon Valley 3

Sat., Mar. 18
Hilltop Tournament
El Capitan 11, La Jolla 2
Hilltop 3, El Capitan 0
Santana 3, Mar Vista 2
Santana 2, Bonita Vista 0
Valley Center Tournament
Christian at La Jolla Country Day, ppd., rain
Non-League
Steele Canyon at Patrick Henry, DH, ppd., rain

Fri., Mar. 17
Falcon Fiesta
Steele Canyon 13, San Dieguito Academy 3
Serra 2, Helix 0 (9 inn.)
Non-League
Valhalla 3, Clairemont 0
Granite Hills 3, Scripps Ranch 3, tie (8 inn., darkness)
Point Loma 6, Mount Miguel 1
El Cajon Valley 14, San Ysidro 6

Thurs., Mar. 16
Hilltop Tournament
Santana 3, Madison 2
Valley Center Tournament
Christian 4, Valley Center 4 (tie)
Non-League
Monte Vista 12, San Diego 2
Scripps Ranch 2, Grossmont 1

Wed., Mar. 15
Falcon Fiesta
Bonita Vista 8, Helix 7
Patrick Henry 3, Granite Hills 2
La Costa Canyon 10, West Hills 8
Mount Miguel at Morse, ccd.
Hilltop Tournament
El Capitan 17, San Diego 0

Tue., Mar. 14
Cougar Classic, at Kit Carson Park
Quarterfinals
Valhalla 4, Cathedral Catholic 1
Carlsbad 10, Helix 0
Rancho Buena Vista 17, Mount Miguel 0
Granite Hills df. San Marcos, forfeit
END OF TOURNAMENT
Falcon Fiesta
West Hills 7, Morse 2
Non-League
Santana 4, University City 1

Mon., Mar. 13
Cougar Classic, at Kit Carson Park
Pool Play
Torrey Pines 9, Helix 1
Grossmont 4, Mira Mesa 2
Granite Hills 3, Mt. Carmel 3, tie
Westview 4, Valhalla 4
Scripps Ranch 10, Mount Miguel 1
Silver Division -- Quarterfinals
Poway 5, Grossmont 1

Sat., Mar. 11
Non-League
Point Loma at Monte Vista, DH, ppd., rain (to be made-up Apr. 1)
Cougar Classic, at Kit Carson Park
All games postponed, rain

Fri., Mar. 10
Non-League
Steele Canyon 10, La Jolla 2
Crawford at El Cajon Valley, ppd., rain
Falcon Fiesta
West Hills at Morse, ppd., rain
Cougar Classic, at Kit Carson Park
Mount Miguel vs. Scripps Ranch, ppd., rain
Helix vs. Torrey Pines, ppd., rain
Granite Hills vs. Mt. Carmel, ppd., rain
Grossmont vs. Mira Mesa, ppd., rain
Valhalla vs. Westview, ppd., rain

Thurs., Mar. 9
Cougar Classic, at Kit Carson Park
Grossmont 8, Rancho Bernardo 5
San Pasqual 2, Helix 0
Rancho Buena Vista 7, Granite Hills 0
Non-League
Monte Vista 11, Mar Vista 5

Wed., Mar. 8
Cougar Classic, at Kit Carson Park
Escondido 12, Granite Hills 2
El Centro-Southwest 6, Grossmont 4
Valhalla 6, Oceanside 4
La Costa Canyon 10, Mount Miguel 0 (5 inn.)

Tue., Mar. 7
Non-League
Christian 5, Coronado 2
Cougar Classic, at Kit Carson Park
Valhalla 9, Orange Glen 0
San Marcos 9, Mount Miguel 4
Helix 2, Clairemont 2, tie

Mon., Mar. 6
Non-League
El Cajon Valley 10, San Diego 0

Sat., Mar. 4
Falcon Fiesta, at La Costa Canyon
EC-Southwest 3, West Hills 0
Non-League
Granite Hills 26-16, Chula Vista 0-5
Monte Vista 17-5, Calexico 0-0

Fri., Mar. 3
Non-League
Helix 6, Eastlake 4

Thurs., Mar. 2
Non-League
Granite Hills 7, Eastlake 3

Wed., Mar. 1
Non-League
Christian 1, El Cajon Valley 0