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EAST COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL, 2008 PLAYOFFS AND POSTSEASON

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Local pair heading for Top 25 programs

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (11-17-07) — Two more East County pitching standouts have accepted scholarships to nationally renowned colleges.

Steele Canyon senior ANDREW BELLATTI and Santana senior JAMES NEEDY have made verbal commitments effective for the 2010 college baseball season.

Bullet throwing Bellatti, who was 7-4 with a 2.92 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 74.1 innings, is ticketed for Cal State Fullerton. Bellatti, a first team All-East County Sports pick, played a major role in leading the Cougars to their first Grossmont South League pennant.

Needy, also a standout quarterback for the Sultans, has turned in his shoulder pads to focus on baseball. He has cast his fate with the University of San Diego. The 6-foot-5 Needy posted a 6-6 mark with a 2.41 ERA as a junior last season, earning second team All-East County Sports honors.

In addition, former Christian High standout NIKO KANAKARIS is currently continuing his baseball career at Cal State Monterey Bay.


Senior All-Star Game announced

© East County Sports.com
POWAY (8-19-08) — The 8th annual high school San Diego Showcase presented by the San Diego Baseball Coaches Association will be conducted on Sunday (Aug. 24) at Poway High School. This event is San Diego’s version of the Area Code Games. It was created by local high school coaches including El Capitan’s STEVE VICKERY, Grossmont’s ROB PHILLIPS, Mission Bay’s DENNIS PUGH and Montgomery’s MANNY HERMOSILLO when the San Diego Padres discontinued their sponsorship of the prestigious Area Code Games.

East Roster HERE (Adobe)
 
Only the cream of the Class of 2009 crop will be invited to the San Diego Showcase, which annually attracts hundreds of college coaches and professional baseball scouts. Players are nominated by their respective coaches to compete on teams from the East County, North County, South Bay and City Conference.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
TIME ................ EVENT ..... TEAM
8:00 — 8:20 am 60 timings South County
8:20 — 8:40 am 60 timings, East
8:40 — 9:10 am Batting practice, South County
9:10 — 9:40 am Batting practice, East
9:40 — 9:50 am Pregame infield, South County
9:50 — 10:00 am Pregame infield, East
10:00 am — 12:30 pm 9-inning game, South County vs. East
12:30 — 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 — 1:20 pm 60 timings, North County
1:20 — 1:40 pm 60 timings, City
1:40 — 2:10 pm Batting practice, North County
2:10 — 2:40 pm Batting practice, City
2:40 — 2:50 pm Pregame infield, North County
2:50 — 3:00 pm Pregame infield, City
3:00 — 5:30 pm 9-inning game, North County vs. City

Game format: Each 1/2 inning will consist of five batters. The offensive team will clear the bases after three outs


  Former Hiller coach succumbs

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (8-13-08/UPDATED 8-19-08) — Former Grossmont High assistant baseball coach TERRY BASSETT died suddenly on Friday (Aug. 8) in his Coronado condominium.

Bassett, 58, a Vietnam veteran, spent 10 seasons under head coach ROB PHILLIPS before retiring from the diamond prior to the 2008 season.

“It’s been a tough year for Grossmont High Baseball, in a lot of ways,” said Phillips, who stepped down following the 2008 season. “We’ve lost a lot of dear people, and Terry was one of them.”

Bassett, a 1966 Hoover High alum, is survived by his children, son Damon, 29, and daughter Lyndsay, 28, both of whom graduated from GHS and live in Coronado.

“The kids all loved Terry because he always had a story to tell,” Phillips said. “He knew a lot about the game and that was obvious to those around him. He threw batting practice, hit fungos… did it all for us.”

Following his military commitment Bassett worked for the San Diego Community College District for 25 years.

A memorial gathering will be on Saturday (Aug 23) at 9 a.m. at the southern-most parking lot of Torrey Pines State beach. There will be a paddle out and memorial, after which there will be a wake in Point Loma – address and directions will be handed out at Torrey Pines.

Phillips in line for national award
Named finalist after claiming Western U.S. honor;
Named Cal-i Sports State Coach of the Year

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (8-13-08) — Although ROB PHILLIPS stepped down as Grossmont High School baseball coach following an amazing 12-year run, postseason victories keep coming his way.

Most recent of the accolades passed to Phillips was handed down by the National High School Baseball Coaches of America Association (BCA), which chose the 48-year-old former Foothillers mentor as the Western United States (District 8) Coach of the Year.

The third San Diego CIF coach to receive this honor since its 16-year inception in 1992, Phillips is in the running for the organization’s National Coach of the Year. All award winners will be recognized at the BCA convention in Chicago on Dec. 5.

Phillips directed the Foothillers to four consecutive SDCIF Division II championships prior to leaving his post in June 2008. No other SDCIF baseball coach has ever won more than three section titles in a row.

“Maybe I quit too soon,” mused Phillips, who was also selected the 2008 state Baseball Coach of the Year by CalHiSports.com. Phillips shared the 2008 East County Sports.com Coach of the Year honors with Steele Canyon’s TODD SNYDER.

A former high school biology teacher and a graduate of Valhalla High, Phillips compiled a 328-153-3 record during 15 seasons that began with three campaigns at Monte Vista High (1988-90).

A painting contractor, Phillips is remodeling his new home in Point Loma. But no doubt the biggest element of his decision to leave the Foothillers was to focus on the senior year of his son, Tristan, a third baseman at Chapman University.


SUMMER LEAGUE VIDEO, WQOW-TV (Link on left-side column)
O'Sullivan gains All-State berth

© East County Sports.com
TORRANCE (7-11-08) -- RYAN O'SULLIVAN of Valhalla High School, a 10th-round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants, gained a first-team berth on the All-State team, as selected by CalHiSports.com, the organization announced Thursday (July 10). Also named was Granite Hills outfielder BRIAN HUMPHRIES to the second team.

Grossmont High School pitcher LEVI STEVENS and El Capitan pitcher MILES REAGAN were both named to the All-State team by the publication. Stevens was selected to the All-Underclassmen team; Reagan was tabbed to the All-Medium size school team.

In the All-Small size school classification, Christian shortstop EDDIE YOUNG and Mountain Empire infielder JOSH BARBER were selected. Both were seniors. MORE TO COME.


FINAL STATE RANKINGS
(Compiled by CalHiSports.com)
ALL DIVISIONS -- STATE
2. Poway
15. Grossmont
32. Cathedral
45. Oceanside
48. Montgomery
ALL DIVISIONS -- SO. CALIF.
2. Poway
11. Grossmont
20. Cathedral
27. Oceanside
29. Montgomery
32. Eastlake
34. La Costa Canyon
DIVISION I
1. Poway
DIVISION II
4. Grossmont

13. Oceanside
15. Montgomery
DIVISION III
4. Cathedral
15. El Capitan
DIVISION IV
4. Coronado
Others: Horizon, Christian

DIVISION V
8. San Dieguito
12. Tri-City Christian

NATIONAL RANKINGS
FINAL

By Student Sports magazine
17. Poway
Earley no stranger at Grossmont
Foothillers secure No. 4 SoCal rankings

© East County Sports.com

EL CAJON (6-9-08) — The Grossmont Foothillers had plenty to celebrate this spring. The baseball season concluded with a section record fourth consecutive Division II championship on the final day of May.

While the Foothillers tied the school record for wins with a 29-7 finish and since have been ranked No. 15 in the state by Cal-HiSports.com, they said goodbye to their coach of the past 12 seasons, ROB PHILLIPS.

The champions of the Grossmont North League welcome a new head coach aboard in alum JIM EARLEY. A 1990 graduate of Grossmont, Earley has been an assistant coach with Phillips throughout his tenure and was the junior varsity head coach under now-vice principal JEFF MEREDITH for four years prior to that.

“I’ve been around here long enough to pretty much know how things run at Grossmont,” said Earley, who has taught mathematics and physical education at the school the past 10 years. “I’m looking forward to being in charge of the baseball program.”

Earley, his wife Connie and their three children, Rachel 17, Jackson 6 and Stan 5 reside in East County.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with the kids and the other coaches,” Earley said. “Nine players are returning from the varsity squad, including the bulk of the pitching staff.”

Earley will also be able to draw from a junior varsity group that finished 24-7 and a freshman team that was 17-6. Both of those teams were Grossmont North League champions.

“I know the cupboard’s not bare, that we have plenty of talent coming back and coming up,” Earley continued. “We’ve had a lot of success here and I want to keep it going.”

The final Cal-HiSports.com ratings also tabbed the Foothillers No. 11 in Southern California and the state’s fourth-best team in Division II.

In the state’s Division III ratings, El Capitan (23-10-1) is ranked No. 15.


2008 ALL-SAN DIEGO SECTION TEAM
(Selected by the media through the San Diego Hall of Champions)
FIRST TEAM
Pitchers -- Ryan O’Sullivan, Valhalla, Sr.;
Jomel Torres, Eastlake, Sr.; Cole Sulser, Ramona, Sr.
Catchers --
Chris Wilson, Cathedral Catholic, Sr.
Infielders --
Matt Cerda, Oceanside, Sr.; Charlie Piro, Grossmont, Sr.; Eddie Young, Christan, Sr.; Clark Murphy, Fallbrook, Sr.; Kevin Vance, Torrey Pines, Sr.; Tim Leary, Coronado, Sr.; Parker Hipp, Cathedral Catholic, Jr.
Outfielders --
Alex Dickerson, Poway, Sr.; Brandon Meredith, Montgomery, Sr.; Brian Humphries, Granite Hills, Sr.; David Popkins, St. Augustine, Sr.
Player of the Year -- Matt Cerda, Oceanside
Coach of the Year -- Bob Parry, Poway
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers -- Aaron Griffin, Grossmont, Jr.; Jonathan Meyer, Cathedral Catholic, Jr.; Raymond Rodriguez, Oceanside, Sr.; Alex Bradley, Mira Mesa, Sr.; Levi Stevens, Grossmont, Jr.
Catchers -- Derek Baum, Grossmont, Sr.; Larry East, Vista, So.
Infielders -- James May, Oceanside, Sr.; Josh Anderson, Poway, So.; Miles Reagan, El Capitan, Sr. (Util.); Mark Bellatti, Steele Canyon, Sr.; Casey Husband, Cathedral Catholic, Jr.
Outfielders -- David Ring, Rancho Bernardo, Sr.; Steven Packard, Mission Hills, Jr.; Matt Moynihan, Cathedral Catholic, Jr.
The San Diego Hall of Champions annually announces the Breitbard All-CIF teams. The Breitbard All-CIF team has been the official All-CIF team since the San Diego Section was formed in 1960. The teams are selected under the auspices of the Hall of Champions by a media panel (including East County Sports.com) with input from coaches.
2008 ALL-SAN DIEGO SECTION DIVISION TEAMS
(Selected by coaches through the San Diego Hall of Champions)
DIVISION I
Player of Year–Alex Dickerson, Poway. Pitcher of Year–Jomel Torres, Eastlake.
First team–
Clark Murphy, Fallbrook, Sr.; Alex Dickerson, Poway, Sr.; Jomel Torres, Eastlake, Sr.; Brian Humphries, Granite Hills, Sr.; Austin Green, Patrick Henry, Sr.; Alex Bradley, Mira Mesa, Sr.; Keagan Yuhl, Poway, So; David Ring, Rancho Bernardo, Sr.; Kevin Vance, Torrey Pines, Sr.; Garrett Hughes, La Costa Canyon, Jr.
Second team–Ryan Livingstone, Patrick Henry, Sr.; Justin Kuse, Eastlake, Jr.; Christian Mua, Bonita Vista, Sr.; Luis Briseno, Calexico, Jr.; Dylan Garcia, Granite Hills, So.; Joey Denato, Torrey Pines, Sr.; Bobby Orozco, Vista, Sr.; Drew Leininger, Poway, Sr.; Darrell Erese, Mira Mesa, Sr.; Tony Walters, Rancho Buena Vista, So.
DIVISION II
Player of Year–
Matt Cerda, Oceanside. Pitcher of Year–Cole Sulser, Ramona.
First team–Matt Cerda, Oceanside, Sr.; Charlie Piro, Grossmont, Sr.; Kyle Secciani, Grossmont, Sr.; Derek Baum, Grossmont, Sr.; Josh Simms, Grossmont, Sr.; Ryan O'Sullivan, Valhalla, Sr.; Cole Sulser, Ramona, Sr.; Andrew Bellatti, Steele Canyon, Jr.; Mark Bellatti, Steele Canyon, Sr.; Raymond Rodriguez, Oceanside, Sr.
Second team–Levi Stevens, Grossmont, Jr.; Aaron Griffin, Grossmont, Jr.; Bryan Haar, Grossmont, Sr.; Trevor Frank, Valhalla, Jr.; Steven Packard, Mission Hills, Jr.; Dominic Bowen, Hilltop, Sr.; Kyle Collins, Westview, Sr.; Alex Muren, Ramona, Jr.; Brennan Metzger, Mission Hills, Sr.; Terrence Buchanan, Mt. Carmel, Sr.
DIVISION III
Player of Year–
Chris Wilson, Cathedral. Pitcher of Year–Jonathan Meyer, Cathedral.
First team–Chris Wilson, Cathedral , Sr.; David Popkins, St. Augustine, Sr.; Parker Hipp, Cathedral, Jr.; Brandon Meredith, Montgomery, Sr.; Juan Moriel, Montgomery, Sr.; Miles Reagan, El Capitan, Sr.; James Needy, Santana, Jr.; Brian Sagun, Mission Bay, Sr.; Jonathan Meyer, Cathedral, Jr.; Tanner Rust, El Capitan, Sr.
Second team–Ruddy Acosta, Mount Miguel, So.; Dylan Mohamed, Brawley, So.; Abraham Torres, Montgomery, Jr.; Peter Sefton, La Jolla, Sr.; Tim Berry, San Marcos, Jr.; Tyler Bernard, Valley Center, Jr.; Colin Myers, St. Augustine, Sr.; Patrick Christensen, La Jolla, Jr.; Jesse Moore, Mission Bay, Sr.; Tyler Nordbren, Madison, Jr.
DIVISION IV
Player of Year–Eddie Young, Christian. Pitcher of Year–
Brian Crabb, Coronado.
First team–Eddie Young, Christian, Sr.; Tim Leary, Coronado, Sr.; Brian Crabb, Coronado, Jr.; Chris Ramirez, Horizon, Jr.; Nathan Saquilon, Horizon, Jr.; Josh Barber, Mountain Empire, Sr.; Kyle Reese, La Jolla Country Day, Sr.; Gregg Wisenberg, La Jolla Country Day, Sr.; Paul Guardado, Mater Dei, Sr.; Niko Kanakaris, Christian, Sr.
Second team–Cade Sears, The Bishop's, Jr.; Sergio Valenzuela, Mater Dei, So.; Aidan Kennedy, Francis Parker, So.; Mike McKenna, La Jolla Country Day, Sr.; Mason Mills, Coronado, Jr.; Jake McMahon, Coronado, Sr.; Taylor Eichhorst, Christian, Jr.; Peter Rozok, Horizon, Sr.; Nick Cox, The Bishop's, Sr.; Jeromy Ulmer, Mountain Empire, Sr.

2008 ALL-EAST COUNTY BASEBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Pos
Player
School
Ht
Wt
Yr
P
Trevor Frank
Valhalla
5-10
152
11
P
Brandyn Bell
Santana
6-3
190
12
P
Andrew Bellatti
Steele Canyon
6-1
175
11
P-SS
Ryan O'Sullivan
Valhalla
6-0
185
12
C
Tanner Rust
El Capitan
6-2
188
11
C
Derek Baum
Grossmont
5-11
180
12
SS
Eddie Young
Christian
5-11
185
12
1B
Mark Bellatti
Steele Canyon
5-11
170
12
2B
Nolan Murray
Steele Canyon
5-6
140
11
2B
Josh Simms
Grossmont
6-0
170
12
OF
Miles Reagan
El Capitan
6-2
197
12
OF
Brian Humphries
Granite Hills
6-3
195
12
OF
Charlie Piro
Grossmont
6-4
190
12
OF
Abel Cervantes El Cajon Valley
6-2
175
11
OF
Kyle Secciani Grossmont
6-0
180
12
Player of the Year -- Ryan O'Sullivan, Valhalla
Rookie of the Year --
Ruddy Acosta, Mount Miguel
Most Improved --
Spencer Reed, Monte Vista
Unsung Hero Award --
Cash McClellan, Grossmont
Coaches of the Year --
Rob Phillips, Grossmont
& Todd Snyder, Steele Canyon
SECOND TEAM
Pos
Player
School
Ht
Wt
Yr
P
Levi Stevens
Grossmont
5-11
165
11
P
Travis Hopper
Granite Hills
6-2
180
11
P
Ruddy Acosta
Mount Miguel
6-6
160
10
P
James Needy
Santana
6-5
195
11
P
Robby Robles
West Hills
5-6
195
11
C
Tyler Ponciano
Granite Hills
5-8
163
11
SS
Bryan Haar
Grossmont
6-4
190
12
SS
Ryan Stutz
Santana
5-8
155
11
1B
Dylan Garcia
Granite Hills
5-8
186
10
SS
Anthony Vrolijk
El Cajon Valley
5-9
175
12
SS-P
Kevin Morton El Capitan
5-11
165
12
OF
Taylor Eichhorst
Christian
6-2
200
11
OF
Spencer Reed
Monte Vista
6-1
195
12
OF
Ryne Barkley
West Hills
5-10
165
12
OF
Eric Gentry Monte Vista
5-11
160
12
Another O'Sullivan tabbed
East County's best in '08

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (6-04-08) — Senior RYAN O’SULLIVAN of Valhalla has been named 2008 All-East County Sports.com Player of the Year. The 6-foot, 185 pound right-handed pitcher/shortstop posted an 8-2 record and a 2.09 ERA while striking out 81 in 67 innings.

A 3-time All-East County Sports.com first-team selection, O’Sullivan is equally effective with the bat. Many opposing teams played dodge ball with O’Sullivan. In spite of being issued 23 walks he managed to lead East County with 13 home runs. Twenty-one of his 35 hits went for extra bases. He also accounted for 67 runs, which included 34 RBI.

O’Sullivan’s name is prominent on most major league baseball’s scouting lists. Projections are little more than guesses at this point since the draft begins on Thursday (June 5). Some believe O’Sullivan will be taken high enough to convince him to turn pro; others believe he will execute the option of attending San Diego State University on a baseball scholarship.

O'Sullivan joins his older brother -- Angels minor-leaguer SEAN O'SULLIVAN -- as winner of the award as East County's best. Sean shared the award in 2003, then won it outright in 2004.

Granite Hills senior BRIAN HUMPHRIES, a 4-time All-East County Sports.com pick, is projected to be an early second-round choice. Some scouts believe he could even break into the first round. But pro baseball is not Humphries’ lone option as he has an attractive scholarship offer to Pepperdine University.

Another 3rd-year All-East County Sports.com selection, Christian High shortstop EDDIE YOUNG is expected to have his name called sometime within the first seven rounds of this week’s draft. But he, too, has the college option, with a UC-Riverside scholarship in his grasp.

Meanwhile the East County Sports.com staff handed out awards to 6-foot-6 Mount Miguel pitcher RUDDY ACOSTA (Rookie of the Year), Monte Vista senior outfielder SPENCER REED (Most Improved Player), and Grossmont senior designated hitter CASH McCLELLAN, recognized as the Unsung Hero.

The East County Coach of the Year award, as chosen by East County Sports.com staff, was shared by Grossmont’s ROB PHILLIPS and Steele Canyon’s TODD SNYDER.

Phillips, who earlier this week announced his retirement after a 15-year stint – the last 12 with the Foothillers – guided Grossmont to a SDCIF record 4th straight Division II championship. His Hillers compiled a 17-1 postseason mark during that record run. Phillips’ overall mark was 328-153-3. His teams won six section championships and six Grossmont League titles.

In his first year as Steele Canyon head coach, Snyder led the Cougars to the Grossmont South League championship. It was the first league title in the history of the six-year program. His Cougars posted 20 wins – also a Steele Canyon record.

ALL-GROSSMONT NORTH LEAGUE TEAM
(Selected by League Coaches)

FIRST TEAM
Player School
Pos.
Yr
Charlie Piro Grossmont
OF
12
Kyle Secciani Grossmont
OF
12
Josh Simms Grossmont
INF
12
Tanner Rust El Capitan
C
11
Miles Reagan El Capitan
OF
12
Ryan Stutz Santana
INF
11
Abel Cervantes ECVHS
OF
11
James Needy Santana
P-1B
11
Bryan Haar Grossmont
INF
12
Ryne Barkley West Hills
OF
12
SECOND TEAM
Player School
Pos.
Yr
Levi Stevens Grossmont
LHP
11
Aaron Griffin Grossmont
RHP
11
Derek Baum Grossmont
C
12
Marco Mariscal El Capitan
LHP
12
Brandyn Bell Santana
P-DH
12
Kevin Morton El Capitan
P-SS
12
Chris Rabichaud Santana
OF
12
Anthony Vrolijk ECVHS
INF
12
Robby Robles West Hills
RHP
11
Will Crumpler West Hills
SS
12
Athlete of the Year -- Charlie Piro, Grossmont
Pitcher of the Year -- Levi Stevens, Grossmont
Rookie of the Year -- Aaron Griffin, Grossmont
Honorable Mention
El Cajon Valley:
Adrian Padilla (12); Efren Padilla (10); El Capitan: Cannon Nikzad (12);
Korbin Kruger (11); Grossmont: Robert Reyes (12); Cash McClellan (12); Santana:
Cody Smith (10); Kyle Hayes (10); West Hills: Chris Allen (11); David Bristol (12).

ALL-GROSSMONT SOUTH LEAGUE TEAM
(Selected by League Coaches)

FIRST TEAM
Player School
Pos.
Yr
Andrew Bellatti Steele Canyon
RHP
11
Mark Bellatti Steele Canyon
1B
12
Ryan O'Sullivan Valhalla
RHP
12
Trevor Frank Valhalla
RHP
11
Ruddy Acosta Mount Miguel
RHP
10
Dylan Garcia Granite Hills
1B-DH
10
Brian Humphries Granite Hills
OF
12
Travis Hopper Granite Hills
LHP
11
Dean Miller Granite Hills
RHP
11
Anthony Diaz Helix
OF
11
SECOND TEAM
Player School
Pos.
Yr
Eric Gentry Monte Vista
OF
12
Nolan Murray Steele Canyon
INF
12
Spencer Reed Monte Vista
OF
12
Tyler Ponciano Granite Hills
C
11
Danny Hawksley Valhalla
INF
10
Alex Ceballos Steele Canyon
RHP
12
James Trebus Mount Miguel
P-OF
12
Francisco Tellez Valhalla
LHP
9
Josh Austel Valhalla
OF
10
Nico Calafato Mount Miguel
INF
12
Athlete of the Year -- Ryan O’Sullivan, Valhalla
Pitcher of the Year -- Trevor Frank, Valhalla
Rookie of the Year -- Ruddy Acosta, Mount Miguel
Honorable Mention
Granite Hills:
Jared Rapoza (12); Kenny Belzer (12); Helix: Chase Glenn (11); Mike Andrade (11); Monte Vista: Cody Morris (12); Anthony Marcon (12); Mount Miguel: Rudy Burruel (9); Tony Alvarez (11); Steele Canyon: Jesse Jenner (9); Anthony Navarrski (12); Valhalla: Pete Thomas (10); Will Coombs (10).

ALL-EASTERN LEAGUE TEAM
(Selected by League Coaches)

FIRST TEAM
Player School
Pos.
Yr
Alex Bradley Mira Mesa
P-OF
12
Darrell Erese Mira Mesa
OF
12
Eddie Young Christian
SS
12
Korey Spearin Serra
OF
12
Garrett Geisburg Serra
P-UTL
12
Dominique Brewington Morse
OF
10
Austin Green Patrick Henry
OF
12
Ryan Livingston Patrick Henry
RHP
12
David Popkins St. Augustine
RHP
12
Colin Myers St. Augustine
RHP
12
SECOND TEAM
Player School
Pos.
Yr
Aren Dodd-Waddington Serra
OF
12
Chris Lindmark Scripps Ranch
INF
11
Wynston Sawyer Scripps Ranch
C
10
Marshall Gorham Patrick Henry
LHP
12
Joey Labatte Patrick Henry
INF
12
Clark Labitan Mira Mesa
RHP
12
Taylor Eichhorst Christian
1B
11
Bryan Mitchell Christian
INF
12
Carlos Carriedo St. Augustine
C
11
Erik Cammall St. Augustine
SS
12
Athlete of the Year -- David Popkins, St. Augustine
Pitcher of the Year -- Alex Bradley, Mira Mesa

ALL-CITRUS WEST LEAGUE TEAM
(Selected by League Coaches)

FIRST TEAM
Player School
Yr.
Willie Heien Lutheran
11
Michael Fagan SD Jewish
10
Andrew Bryant Christian Life
11
Jake Rogers Calvary Chr.
12
Tim Williams Guajome Park
12
Jack Detar SD Jewish
11
Brandon Anderson Lutheran
12
Justin Maiolo Christian Life
11
Zach Cummings Foothills Christian
9
SECOND TEAM
Player School
Yr.
Phil Moore Calvary Chr.
12
Justin Garcia Christian Life
11
Ian Murphy Foothills Christian
11
Sean Callahan SD Jewish
10
Mike Boyd Calvary Chr.
9
Luke Sullivan Christian Life
11
Joe Canter Foothills Christian
10
Ricky Pamensky SD Jewish
9
A.J. Miller Midway Baptist
12
Players of the Year -- Michael Fagan, San Diego Jewish Academy
& Willie Heien, Lutheran

Pitcher of the Year -- Michael Fagan, San Diego Jewish Academy


2005
26-8
2006
26-8
2007
27-7
2008
29-7
2005-08
108-30 (.783)

CIFSDS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday's Results
DIVISION I
Poway 8, La Costa Canyon 3
DIVISION II
Grossmont 11,
Oceanside 5
DIVISION III
Cathedral 5, Montgomery 3
DIVISION IV
Coronado 5, Christian 1
FINAL MEDIA POLLS
East County Sports.com
1. Poway (31-6)
2. Grossmont (29-7)
3. Cathedral (27-8)
4. Oceanside (25-8)
5. El Capitan (23-10-1)
6. Montgomery (24-8)
7. Steele Canyon (20-11)
8. Eastlake (24-8)
9. Vista (22-12)
10. Coronado (26-8)
11. La Costa Canyon (22-13)
12. Valhalla (21-10)
13. Ramona (24-8)
14. Granite Hills (22-10)
15. La Jolla (19-10-1)
San Diego Union Tribune
1. Poway (31-6)
2. Grossmont (29-7)
3. Cathedral (27-8)
4. Oceanside (25-8)
5. Montgomery (24-8)
6. El Capitan (23-10-1)
7. Coronado (26-8)
8. La Costa Canyon (22-13)
9. Steele Canyon (20-11)
10. Vista (22-12)
North County Times
1. Poway (31-6)
2. Grossmont (29-7)
3. Cathedral (27-8)
4. Montgomery (24-8)
5. La Costa Canyon (21-13)
6. Oceanside (25-8)
7. Coronado (26-8)
8. Ramona (24-8)
9. Eastlake (24-8)
10. Vista (22-12)
Others: Mission Bay (21-12), Steele Canyon (20-11), Granite Hills (21-10), El Capitan (23-10-1), Mission Hills (20-10), Torrey Pines (19-12), Valhalla (21-10), La Jolla (19-10-1), Bonita Vista (20-9), Rancho Bernardo (19-14).
Foothillers grasp history with 4th consecutive title
Sink Oceanside, 11-5, for Division II championship

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (6-1-08) The Grossmont Foothillers were fully cognizant of history.

Among the five previous schools to capture three consecutive CIF-San Diego Section baseball titles, only two were able to reach the title game the following year to at least gain an opportunity for a fourth crown. Those schools -- Christian in 1979, and Rancho Bernardo in 2002 -- however, neither came close to rewriting the record book, and each suffering defeats by shutout.

The top-seeded Hillers, fortunately, were way too hot to be doomed to a similar consequence.

Posting 57 runs over four consecutive postseason victories to close the season, including 10 in the first three innings of Saturday’s (May 31) SDCIF Division II championship contest, Grossmont dominated Oceanside early to easily skate past the second-seeded Pirates, 11-5, at San Diego State’s Tony Gwynn Stadium.

"We came in with momentum and we just finished it out. It was just a great season and I am so proud right now," said Hillers relief pitcher AARON GRIFFIN, who fielded a tapper back to the mound for the final out. "A four-peat -- what better way can you go out than making history."

Griffin was referring to Grossmont coach ROB PHILLIPS, who is expected to announce his retirement next week.

The balanced attack saw eight of Grossmont's starting nine score runs, handing just the second setback of the season to Oceanside starting pitcher Raymond Rodriguez (10-2), who was out of the contest one batter into the 3rd inning.

Three key hits in the early innings allowed the Foothillers (29-7) to surge to an early 10-2 advantage.

Opening the contest with a JOSH SIMMS basehit and a pair of free passes, senior catcher DEREK BAUM boomed a 2-run double to left field for a Foothillers’ 2-1 lead.

"He left a fastball up -- I went for a good pitch and he gave it to me," said Baum, who walked on his next three at-bats to finish batting .625 over the final three playoff games. "It just set the tone, then we kept hitting the ball the whole time after that."

Baum and BRYAN HAAR are the only Foothillers to play for all four ballclubs during the championship run, giving Phillips his sixth career crown in his 12 years at Grossmont.

"We won every time I was here, which was great," added Baum. "We wanted to come out fired up and swinging the bats, like we have been the last few games, and it carried over to today."

In the 2nd inning, a pair of two-out walks set the stage for senior designated hitter CASH McCLELLAN, who just missed clearing the San Diego State racquetball courts in deep right field with his 3-run homer.

"It was probably the biggest hit of my life in the biggest game of my life," said McClellan, who gave Grossmont an 8-2 advantage. "We did it for coach -- that was our goal."

An inning later, a leadoff basehit by CONOR MEREDITH chased Rodriguez, then No. 9 hitter ROBERT REYES greeted the Pirates reliever with a 2-run homer to left-center field.

"I hit a curveball and was able to elevate it and get a lot of air under it and get it to drift out of here," Reyes explained. "I didn't expect it to get out -- I thought, maybe it would get to the (warning) track -- but it just kept on carrying."

The surprising homer even gained a rise out of Phillips in the 3rd-base coach's box, who got airborne from joy when the ball surprisingly cleared the barrier.

"It was a pretty exciting moment -- a good way to go out," added Reyes, a senior outfielder for the Foothillers. "I was glad to hit one out for coach."

Meanwhile, Hillers starting pitcher LEVI STEVENS gutted out 6-plus innings for the title game victory. Despite setting Oceanside down in order just once, he overcame control problems to deliver key pitches for outs.

"I was falling behind a lot of guys and they hit it hard, but right at a lot of my guys," said Stevens, who struck out seven to overcome three walks and a hit batsman. "But when we scored early, it took a lot of pressure off me."

"Oceanside was hitting it hard, but they couldn't get the ball to fall, then we made a couple of double plays."

Senior shortstop Haar started an inning-ending double play in the 2nd inning, then Simms, Haar's middle infield partner at second base, made the toss to Haar to start another twin-killing in the 6th to keep Stevens in the game.

"That was a gritty performance by Stevens," noted Phillips. "Right now, I'm just numb because these kids are resilient -- they don't get too high, they don't get too low, they just battle the whole time."

"And going through the losers' bracket makes it even more sweet -- we did it the difficult way."

And when senior first baseman CHARLIE PIRO scored from third base on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 6th to push the margin to 11-2, it gave Grossmont a school-record 326 runs for the season -- the second-highest total in section history (334 by El Capitan, 2000).

Queen -- "We Are The Champions"
EMAIL YOUR CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PHOTOS TO US
info@eastcountysports.com

"All we did this past week was hit the ball and be aggressive on the bases and everything else," added Phillips. "Even the last run in the 6th inning, we moved the runners up to 2nd and 3rd, because I was hoping we could get that last run because you never know in that situation what will happen."

Oceanside added three late runs in the 7th to make things a touch interesting,

"You’ve got to give it to Oceanside -- they hit the ball and they would not go away," added Griffin . "I had to give them everything I got to get that last out."

"It was just a great game, and I was glad to be out there to finish it."

Grossmont is now 8-3 all-time in championship contests; 6-1 under Phillips. Oceanside fell to 1-6 in finales, including a 3-0 loss to the Hillers to open the decade in 2001; the Pirates' lone crown came in 1966.

May 31: Christian vs. Coronado,
CIF Division IV Championship Game,
At Tony Gwynn Stadium, SDSU
(Slideshow by Tori Mills)
DIVISION IV CHAMPIONSHIP
Top-seeded Islanders top Christian

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (6-1-08) — Christian High senior EDDIE YOUNG looked around cavernous Tony Gwynn Stadium on the San Diego State University campus following the Patriots’ 5-1 loss to Coronado in Saturday’s (May 31) San Diego CIF Division IV finals.

Disappointed, no doubt. But bitter? Hardly.

“Playing an early game like this (10 a.m.) left us kind of flat, I thought,” said Young after the Islanders dealt him a pair of walks and held him hitless in two other at-bats. “We weren’t ourselves today. We were just trying to do too much.”

Much of the reason behind the slumber at brunch time was due to the pitching of Coronado junior Brian Crabb at crunch time. Crabb scattered six hits and struck out nine, falling just one out shy of posting his second straight playoff shutout.

Crabb carved up Christian (22-11) with a carload of curveballs.

That did not surprise Young, who has a UC Riverside scholarship in hand and remains a candidate in next week’s professional baseball draft.

“If we would done a better job of hitting the fastball, I don’t think his curveball would have been as effective,” Young added.

Young noted that Christian did end the regular season with an 8-6 victory over the Western League co-champion Islanders (26-8) on the Silver Strand. But that did not count for much in the rematch except, perhaps, to shift Coronado into revenge mode.

“We can take some solace in that we got here,” said Young, who was 10-for 15 with three home runs, eight RBI and eight stolen bases in six playoff games. “Obviously, it would have been more gratifying if we would have won.”

Christian’s only run came in the 7th inning when BRYAN MITCHELL singled home pinch runner MIKE FERRIERA. The Patriots left the bases loaded in the 5th and 7th innings, as Crabb stemmed the tide with inning-ending strikeouts.

Young now has his sights set on the pro draft this Thursday and Friday (June 5-6).

“It’s either that or college,” he said. “What I want to happen is to get picked high enough to make a decent signing bonus and then take off.”

From all he’s heard, Young is projected to go somewhere between the 3rd and 6th rounds.

Meanwhile Christian suffered its first loss in the playoffs and saw a five-game winning streak come to and end. While coach MIKE MITCHELL mentioned the Patriots have plenty of respect for the champion Islanders, he believes his team can hold its own.

“If we played them 10 times we’d probably go 5-5,” he said. “Unfortunately, today just wasn’t our day. They had two big 2-out base hits and that was the difference in the ballgame.”

Mitchell was talking about Justin Parsons’ 2-run single in the 3rd and Alex Rowan’s 3-run double in the 5th.


CIFSDS BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tony Gwynn Stadium, SDSU
Admission: $10 adults, $7 students/seniors
There is also a fee for on-campus parking
DIVISION IV FINAL -- 10 a.m.
CORONADO ISLANDERS
(25-8, 1st Seed)
CHRISTIAN PATRIOTS
(22-10, 2nd Seed)
df. High Tech, 8-2
df. Tri-City Christian, 11-0
df. Horizon, 2-0
df. La Jolla Country Day, 7-6
df. Vista-Calvary Chr.,22-5
df. Santa Fe Christian, 11-3
df. Mater Dei, 8-7 (8 inn.)
df. Mater Dei, 10-3

This rivalry from the days of the old Harbor League still features both players and coaches who have been at both schools. According to Patriots senior Bradley Johnston, "Coronado has been a bitter rival through the ages and we've all grown up with a lot of them. No bad feelings -- just a good, competitive match-up." The most recent pairing saw Christian take the regular season finale, 8-6, on the Silver Strand. Since then, both teams raced through four playoff opponents to reach the final, Coronado's first trip to the title game since winning the crown in 2006; Christian's first berth since taking it all in 2003 over Marian Catholic (now Mater Dei), 2-1 in 8 innings.
DIVISION III FINAL -- 1 p.m.

No. 5 Cathedral Catholic (26-8) vs. No. 2 Montgomery (24-7)


Grossmont Foothillers' (from left) Cash McClellan, Levi Stevens,
Derek Baum, Conor Meredith and Bryan Haar have played baseball
together since they were nine years old. On Saturday (May 31),
they will play their final game together when Grossmont meets
the Oceanside Pirates in the SDCIF Div. III championship game
at San Diego State University's Tony Gwynn Stadium.
(Photo by Toni Albright)

DIVISION II FINAL -- 4 p.m.
GROSSMONT FOOTHILLERS
(28-7, 1st Seed)
OCEANSIDE PIRATES
(25-7, 2nd Seed)
df. San Ysidro, 13-0
lost to Steele Canyon, 2-1
df. Mt. Carmel, 20-12
df. Steele Canyon, 9-3
df. Steele Canyon, 17-8
df. Westview, 7-5
df, Ramona, 7-0
df. Ramona, 9-3

Oceanside has reached the San Diego Section title game quite a few times over the year, yet its only title came in 1966. Meanwhile, Grossmont seeks to become the first team in section history to win four consecutive titles in any division... Levi Stevens (7-4, 2 saves, 2.93) is the probable starter for Grossmont, opposed by Oceanside right-hander Raymond Rodriguez (10-1, 2.53 ERA), who shutout Ramona in his lone postseason appearance. However, the Hillers' bats are as hot as at any time under the 12-year coaching reign of head coach Rob Phillips, including 46 runs over their last 3 outings.
DIVISION I FINAL -- 7 p.m.
No. 10 La Costa Canyon (22-12) vs. No. 1 Poway (30-6)
Queen -- "We Will Rock You"

Grossmont High starter Conor Meredith tossed
4 2/3 innings in a rare start, yet propelling the
Foothillers to the CIF championship game after
stopping Steele Canyon in Thursday's Division II
playback final, 17-8, at Joe Gizoni Field.
(Photo by Kathy Baum)
Foothillers poised for record 4th crown
Down Steele Canyon, 17-8, in playaback final

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-30-08) -- Some ballclubs hold higher aspirations than others.

"Some teams come in and just want to beat us for league," noted Grossmont High centerfielder KYLE SECCIANI. "But our goals are always a little bigger than that."

For the Foothillers, their target -- another SDCIF Division II championship -- is now in sight. Capped by Secciani's grand slam in the 6th inning, Grossmont moved into position to make history after out-slugging Steele Canyon, 17-8, in Thursday's (May 29) playback final at Joe Gizoni Field.

"We always want to win CIF," noted Secciani. "But to win a fourth straight -- we want to be the first group to do that and I think we have a pretty good chance of doing it."

Five other San Diego Section programs -- Christian (1976-78), Francis Parker (1985-87), Mira Mesa (1990-92), Mission Bay (1995-97) and Rancho Bernardo (1999-2001) -- have captured three straight championships. But if Grossmont can slide past Oceanside in Saturday's (May 31) 4 p.m. title game at Tony Gwynn Stadium, the Hillers can re-write the record book.

"We're trying to make history because we know no one has ever gone 4-in-a-row – it's one of our goals," added senior CASH McCLELLAN, who drove in three early runs to post a quick 8-2 lead through two innings.

Grossmont (28-7) took another step at the mark by eclipsing another one.

When Secciani's slam -- his third homer of the season -- cleared the left-field barrier, it gave the Hillers 315 runs for the season to establish a school record. It was also the 4th-highest mark in CIFSDS history with one game remaining.

"I didn't know about the scoring record -- we're just trying to win and outscore our opponents," said senior catcher DEREK BAUM. "Today, we started off on fire. We’ve got the talent throughout the lineup 1-to-9 -- because we want to make history and get that fourth one for Coach (ROB) PHILLIPS."

It would also be a fourth title for BRYAN HAAR, who was a late-season, JV call-up as a freshman. He shocked Steele Canyon by stealing a pair of bases, but his main contribution was getting CONOR MEREDITH through just his second start of the season.

"Conor is not one of our main guys -- he hasn't seen a lot of innings on the mound," noted Haar. "But he stepped up and threw strikes."

Meredith lasted 4 2/3 innings, then yielded to DONOVAN D'SOUZA and AARON GRIFFIN to help him gain his second victory of the season. The statistics may not be glamorous, but he delivered exactly what the Hillers needed: innings.

"I walked a couple of guys (five), but I kept us in the game," noted Meredith, who didn't learn he was starting until 20 minutes before game time. "My changeup was really working, getting a lot of guys on their front foot. Then our guys came through from the bullpen and we finished strong."

Grossmont scored four times in each of the first three innings to mount a 12-2 advantage. But when the Cougars (20-11) scored six times in the 5th, featuring a 3-run double by MATT BELLATTI, the bullpen responded with 2 1/3 innings of shutout ball, yielding just a pair of base hits.

"I wasn't really concerned, although (Bellatti's hit) made the game a little more interesting," noted Griffin . "But Secchi's slam really sealed the deal and gave us the momentum to finish it out. He got kind of insulted when they intentionally walked the guy in front of him, but he came up big and hit the grand slam."

The first four batters in the Grossmont batting order went a composite 8-for-14.

The Hillers burst from the gate, including an RBI single in the 1st and a 2-run double in the 2nd by the University of the Pacific bound McClellan. Four walks and an error led to four more runs in the 3rd.

When Steele Canyon edged the Foothillers 2-1 in the third round of the double-elimination event, it flung Grossmont into unfamiliar territory. The Foothillers posted 12 straight wins in claiming their previous three section titles, and suddenly found themselves one loss from elimination.

“I am really proud of these kids to come back through the loser’s bracket like they did,” Phillips said. “We won three games in three days. That’s pressure, something none of our kids have experienced in the past. You never knew who it was going to be, but somebody different stepped up to be the hero in each of these last three games.”

Mark Bellatti, who drove in four runs, extended his hitting streak to a section-best 25 consecutive games with a double into the left field corner.

Despite a disappointing ending, Steele Canyon rookie coach TODD SNYDER was pleased by the Cougars’ overall performance. No doubt at the top of the list of his ballclub’s successes was winning the Grossmont South League championship and posting a school record 20 wins.

“I didn’t want to end the season on this note,” Snyder said. “We gave them too many outs – eight unearned runs.

“But I’ll be pulling for Grossmont to win their 4th CIF championship in a row. By the same token, we have a lot to be proud of, too.”


Christian pitcher Bradley Johnston tossed a complete game victory vs. Mater Dei.
The Patriots advance to the CIF Division IV final against longtime rival Coronado.
(Photo by The Young Family)

May 28: Mater Dei at Christian
(Slideshow by The Young Family)

Christian gains finals berth
with familar foe in Coronado

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-29-08) — On a day when youth was served, several Christian High underclassman came through with strong performances, giving the seniors an opportunity to capture a championship.

Freshman MICHAEL POTEET pounded his first career home run to give the Patriots the lead for keeps, then midseason JV call-up JOSH WOLFSON capped a 5-run breakaway rally with a booming 2-run double, powering Christian to a 10-3 decision over Mater Dei on Wednesday (May 28).

The victory advances the second-seeded Patriots to Saturday's (May 31) championship contest against top-seeded Coronado, which nipped La Jolla Country Day, 7-6. The final will be held at Tony Gwynn Stadium at San Diego State, starting at 10 a.m.

Unlike the second-round contest with Mater Dei, when Christian outlasted the Crusaders in extra innings, the Patriots gained control early when Poteet went to the opposite field with his shot to right field to grab a 3-2, 2nd-inning advantage.

"We took it to them," said Poteet. "Every time we were put in the spot to hit, we just got the job done and put the ball in the left-center gap and the right-center gap -- we were just smokin' the ball."

Meanwhile, senior BRADLEY JOHNSTON overcame a pair of poor decisions by the defense, allowing just two earned runs and seven hits to pitch a complete game. Johnston struck out six without issuing a walk.

Both of the earned runs off Johnston came in the 5th, slicing the Patriots' lead to 5-3. However, Johnston got out of the jam by starting a pitcher-to-home-to-first double play, then he covered the bag for the third out when first baseman TAYLOR EICHHORST robbed Mater Dei clean-up hitter Matt Martinez of a basehit with a diving stab of a hard grounder toward the hole.

"We've had a pretty strong defense all year," noted Johnston . "I'm not going to overpower anyone, so I pitched to contact and we got some clutch outs. Everyone came through when it counted."

Eichhorst and NIKO KANAKARIS each drove in a pair of runs, as leadoff batter EDDIE YOUNG posted a perfect day at the plate. The senior shortstop batted 2-for-2 and walked twice (once intentionally) to again set the table for the Patriots, which collected 10 hits off the Crusaders.

After the teams exchanged early runs on an Eichhorst basehit to plate Young in the 1st, then an RBI double by Mater Dei's Emmanual Gutierrez in the 2nd, Poteet shocked the bench with his power.

Following a one-out double by ADAM NASH, Poteet lashed an outside pitch for a 3-1 lead.

"Everyone all up-and-down the lineup hit the ball," added Johnston."

In the 5th, Poteet added an RBI single, then BRYAN MITCHELL lifted a deep sacrifice fly for a 5-1 advantage.

After the Crusaders halved the deficit, Christian accepted four walks to ignite the big rally in the 6th, followed by a 2-run basehit by Kanakaris and Wolfson's 2-run blow that short-hopped the fence in the left-field corner.

“I was kind of nervous after getting the call from JV near the end of the season," noted Wolfson. "But I just practiced hard, then stayed back and hit the ball -- I just went with it."

For Christian, Saturday will be its first title game appearance since winning the 2003 Division IV title in extra innings over Mater Dei (then named Marian Catholic). Coronado was the San Diego Section champion in 2006.

"Coronado has been a bitter rival through the ages and we've all grown up with a lot of them" said Johnston . "No bad feelings -- just a good, competitive match-up.

The ballclubs met in the final game of the regular season on May 14, with the Patriots downing the Islanders, 8-6, on the Silver Strand. Was the ballgame an indicator to the strength of Division IV programs?

"We can compete with any team in San Diego County," explained Kanakaris. "We want them more than they want us."

CIF BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Wednesday's Games
Fourth Round
DIVISION I
Poway 5, Eastlake 2
La Costa Canyon 9, Vista 8 (10 inn.)
DIVISION II
Grossmont 9, Steele Canyon 3
Oceanside 9, Ramona 3
DIVISION III
Cathedral 18, El Capitan 15
Montgomery 3, Santana 1
DIVISION IV
Christian 10, Mater Dei 3
Coronado 7, La Jolla Country Day 6
Thursday's Games
Playback Final
DIVISION I
Eastlake at Poway, 3:30 p.m.
DIVISION II
Steele Canyon at Grossmont, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday's Championships
At Tony Gwynn Stadium, SDSU
DIVISION I
TBD vs. La Costa Canyon, 7 p.m.
DIVISION II
TBD vs. Oceanside, 4 p.m.
DIVISION III
Cathedral vs. Montgomery, 1 p.m.
DIVISION IV
Christian vs. Coronado, 10 a.m.

Cougars, Hillers, to battle
for CIF championship slot

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-29-08) — East County is guaranteed two representatives to Saturday’s quadruple-header. That will be decided Thursday (May 29) at Grossmont when the three-time SDCIF defending Division II champion Foothillers (27-7) host Grossmont Conference rival Steele Canyon (20-10) at 3:30 p.m. The winner of that game will square off against Oceanside (25-7) on Super Saturday at 4 p.m., while Christian faces Coronado (25-8) at 10 a.m.

GROSSMONT 9, STEELE CANYON 3 – At the outset of the season senior BRYAN HAAR was projected to be the Foothillers starting shortstop and closer. Well, Haar has played plenty of shortstop but his chances to close had been limited to eight appearances in 11 innings, resulting in three wins and one save.

Realizing that his Foothillers needed a pitching transfusion, Grossmont coach ROB PHILLIPS called upon Haar to make the first pitching start of his senior season on Wednesday (May 28) against Steele Canyon.

Haar came through, holding the visiting Cougars to a single run and four hits over five innings.

“I used to pitch a lot when I was younger,” Haar said. “But that was when I was 14, back in Pony League. But I felt comfortable out there today.”

Haar, who also slugged a 3-run homer, admitted he had to change his pitching mindset from that of a closer to that of a starter.

“When I know I’m coming in to close – maybe pitching an inning or less – I throw as hard as I can,” Haar said. “I usually throw around the high 80s, but I had to take a different approach as a starter.”

The 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-hander struck out six and walked one.

“I had to conserve a little bit more than usual,” he said. “Sometimes I pumped it up a little if I needed a strikeout, but basically I conserved a little bit – threw more off-speed stuff.”

Although he prefers playing shortstop, he admits that pitching also tickles his fancy.

“I had a lot of fun out there today,” Haar said. “I like the whole aspect of pitching. When I have the ball in my hand I know I’m in control of the game – everything starts with what I do.”

Phillips tipped his cap to Haar’s pitching effort.

“That was probably the biggest factor in the game for us,” Phillips said. “He had a good curveball and a changeup. He could have easily been one of our starting pitchers all year long. I just felt that keeping him at shortstop made us stronger defensively.”

While Haar was hog-tying Steele Canyon , Grossmont’s offense enjoyed another banner day.

With two outs and nobody on in the 2nd inning, LEVI STEVENS ignited a Foothillers rally with a basehit. After JOSH SIMMS followed with a walk, KYLE SECCIANI doubled in both runners to make it 2-0.

Steele Canyon countered by cutting the deficit in half in the 3rd inning. The Cougars loaded the bases on singles by MICHAEL CASTRO and MARK BELLATTI and a two-out walk to JORDAN HINDI. Haar uncorked a wild pitch, permitting Castro to score.

Steele Canyon starter ALEX CEBALLOS matched pitches with Haar on an even keel until the bottom of the 5th.

DEREK BAUM’s infield single gave Grossmont a start to what would become a pivotal inning. One out later CASH McCLELLAN stroked a one-out single to left that set the stage for BEAU GEARY’s 3-run home run and a 5-1 lead.

Geary has become a late-season offensive source for Grossmont, hitting safely in seven of the last eight games. He’s accounted for 23 runs while batting .360 (9-for-25). The versatile senior utility man has pounded in three home runs and driven in 14 over that span.

“Geary has come out of nowhere to help us,” Phillips said. “He can play several positions and that’s a good thing because we need to have his bat in the lineup.”

Grossmont turned on the power in the 6th inning to turn out the lights on Steele Canyon . Simms led off the inning with his 6th homer of the season and Haar capped the frame with his 9th homer, a mammoth 3-run shot over the center-field fence.

“We got the ball up on three pitches and they got home runs off them, and that cost us seven runs,” said Cougars coach TODD SNYDER.

MARLON PORTER stroked a 2-run home run off reliever Stevens in the final frame for the Cougars, who saw their 9-game winning streak come to an end.

Mark Bellatti extended his East County-leading hitting streak to 24 straight.

In five of their last six games the Foothillers – winners of 15 of their last 16 playoff games over the previous four seasons – have scored eight runs or more.

The one break in that streak was courtesy of Steele Canyon’s junior pitcher ANDREW BELLATTI, who will be facing the Foothillers

 


in Thursday’s road to the championship. Bellatti rationed Grossmont to five singles in a 2-1 victory on Saturday (May 24).

“We’ve been in must-win situations several times this year,” said Snyder. “This will be our third time playing Grossmont and all three times will have been at Grossmont. Our backs are definitely against the wall.”

CATHEDRAL 18, EL CAPITAN 15 – Trailing 18-5 with it’s pitching depleted, host El Capitan could easily have sacked up the bats and gone home for the summer in Wednesday’s (May 28) fourth round of the SDCIF Division III playoffs against visiting Cathedral Catholic.

But the Vaqueros scored 10 times in their final at-bat before they saw the lights go out on their highly successful season.

As far as comebacks go this one was among the more dramatic.

The Dons (26-8) turned a 7-5 lead into what appeared to be an insurmountable advantage by scoring 11 runs in the 5th inning. With a Cathedral blowout pending, a large amount of the big crowd headed for the parking lot.

For those that left – too bad.

The seemingly left-for-dead Vaqueros managed to climb off the floor to score 10 runs in the bottom of the 7th and had the tying run at the plate when the king of the Cathedral starters, Jonathan Meyer, came out of the bullpen to record the final out.

The Vaqueros (23-10-1) bullied two Cathedral relievers into submission.

The big 7th inning began with three consecutive walks. ANDY HALE cashed in one run with a sacrifice fly. BROOKS NOBLE followed with a walk to reload the bases. TYRONE WIGGINS then laced a 2-run double, cutting the deficit to 18-8.

After TANNER RUST was hit by a pitch, KEVIN MORTON popped up for the second out. MILES REAGAN then blistered a line drive down the left field line to score two more runs. JEREMIAH GROSS then drew his second walk of the inning to load the bases again.

At that point Cathedral’s defense began to cave in. What could have been a game-ending groundout was misplayed at third base, allowing Rust to score and the Vaqueros to stay alive.

MATT EICHELBERGER then hit a high chopper over the mound for an infield single that plated yet another El Capitan run.

Although Cathedral was still enjoying a comfortable 18-12 lead, the Dons had to be concerned that they’d lost their grip. Proof of that came on back-to-back errors by the Dons shortstop that handed the Vaqueros three more runs.

Suddenly the Dons’ lead had shrunk to three runs.

Wiggins, a freshman who was 3-for-5 with 3 RBI in the game, came within a couple of feet of being a big-time hero when he belted a fly ball to the base of the bank in left-center field.

Center-fielder Matt Moynihan, the Dons’ speediest defender, managed to get under Wiggins’ bid to shine for a game-ending catch.

“Nobody is glad to lose a ballgame. But this is a great group of kids who were mentally tough to the end,” said El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY. “We created a lot of memories this season that our kids are going to cherish for a long time”

MONTGOMERY 4, SANTANA 1 – Sultans coach JERRY HENSON realized that Wednesday’s (May 28) SDCIF Division III contest at Montgomery was a game of survival for his crew. Bottom line is Henson was aware that Montgomery, albeit a perennial power, was not a heavy-hitting unit.

For the Sultans it was a matter of throwing strikes and not putting men of base via walks.

Sure enough, Santana’s JAMES NEEDY and BRANDYN BELL combined to ration the Aztecs (24-7) to a mere three hits. It was the six walks in the first four innings that led to Santana’s elimination.

“We were like a pan in a Chinese kitchen – wok-wok-wok,” Henson said. “We out-hit them but they out-scored us.”

Montgomery’s Danniel Rodriguez limited Santana (21-13-1) to five hits and one run over 5 2/3 innings to earn his 8th win in 10 decisions. He struck out seven and walked only one but needed relief help from Aaron Ayon, who earned his 4th save.

After falling behind 4-0 Santana avoided the shutout with a run in the 6th inning. Consecutive singles by CODY SMITH, ANTHONY MORENO and CHRIS RABICHAUD plated the Sultans’ lone tally. But as quickly as they struck for that run, they rapidly returned to slumber mode.

Dispite falling two wins shy of Saturday’s finals, Henson was pleased by his club’s overall performance.

“We had a good season and we were one of only four teams in Division II playing today,” said Henson. “I’m proud of the kids. We were the No. 6 seed and were the only team that was out of the top four seeds that was still playing today.”


Faith Hill - You Can't Lose Me

CIF BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tuesday's Games
Third Round
Wednesday's Games, 3:30 p.n.
Fourth Round
DIVISION I
Vista 6, Granite Hills 5 (9 inn.)
Poway 4, Rancho Bernardo 3
DIVISION I
Vista at La Costa Canyon*
Eastlake* at Poway
DIVISION II
Grossmont 20, Mt. Carmel 12
Ramona 12, Westview 6
DIVISION II
Steele Canyon* at
Grossmont
Ramona at Oceanside*
DIVISION III
El Capitan 13,
La Jolla 12 (10 inn.)
Santana 5, Mission Bay 4
DIVISION III
Cathedral* at El Capitan
Santana at Montgomery*
DIVISION IV
La Jolla Country Day 12, Horizon 4
Mater Dei 5, Santa Fe Chr. 0
DIVISION IV
La Jolla Country Day at Coronado*
Mater Dei at Christian*
*undefeated teams; if any lose Wednesday, playback final is Thursday.
Estelle featuring Kanye West, "American Boy"
One step from summer,
El Capitan shocks La Jolla

© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (5-28-08) -- In an intense ride which took considerably longer than 8 seconds, El Capitan High's baseball season was slipping off its mount, just one strike away from elimination from the SDCIF Division III baseball tournament.

"It was the most fun I've ever had in a game," said MILES REAGAN, the Vaqueros' right fielder. "I love just being in situations -- do-or-die situations, basically."

And in a lightning strike, Reagan delivered.

The senior sent a shot into the parking lot beyond the left-field fence for his second home run on the day to forge extra innings, then ANDY HALE lifted a sacrifice fly to left-center in the bottom of the 10th, maintaining El Capitan’s championship aspirations following Tuesday's (May 27) dramatic 13-12 victory over visiting La Jolla.

"I was just trying to hit the ball and keep it in play," added Reagan. "He hung me a curveball and I stuck the bat on it."

The same held true for Hale.

"Miles just hit a bomb -- I knew he was going to come out big. It's just awesome seeing him perform," noted Hale. "Then they threw a hanging curveball to me, and my job was to hit it in the air and try to get it out as far as I could."

"I was inspired because I was DH'ed for last game in a big game which I thought I could've contributed to it, so I stepped up this game."

The Vaqueros (23-9-1) advance to the final in the double-elimination phase of the tournament, needing to sweep a pair of ballgames from Cathedral to advance to the title game. The home series with the Dons (24-8) is Wednesday (May 28) and, if necessary, Thursday, both at 3:30 p.m.

The Vikings pounded El Capitan pitching for 20 hits. Included were six doubles, a triple, and a go-ahead homer in the 7th by Peter Sefton, the leading candidate for San Diego County male athlete of the year. The Honors student helped La Jolla win the section basketball title while earning a water polo scholarship to Stanford.

La Jolla tied the game in the 7th on a triple by Trent Jemmett -- his fifth hit of the ballgame -- and a wild pitch, Sefton then sent a tape-measure drive beyond Ashford Street in right field for his 8th homer of the season.

"It went beyond the trees out there," noted Reagan, who could appreciate the shot after hitting more than few of his own in his career. "But we came back, and now we just have to come ready to play against Cathedral."

Wyatt Hoff, who tossed a no-hitter against Brawley less than 24 hours earlier in Monday's twice-postponed, second-round contest, was called upon to pitch the 7th. Hoff extended his no-hit streak with a pair of easy groundouts until Reagan laced a 1-2 pitch rocketing past the Hostetler Field scoreboard.

The game-winning rally started when relief pitcher MARCO MARISCAL was inserted into the batting order after El Capitan designated hitters extended their hitless streak to nine at-bats. Mariscal promptly stroked a one-out single, moving to third base on a double off the bank in left by KORBIN KRUGER, who joined Reagan and Sefton in smacking his 8th homer of the season.

"Marco is known for hitting little line drives everywhere -- that was clutch and started us off," added Hale.

El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY promptly sent ANTHONY LYBARGER to pinchrun for Mariscal, while Vikings coach Gary Frank elected to intentionally walk KYLE MILLS. However, Hale, who earlier put down a successful sacrifice bunt, earned a rare sacrifice double with his fly ball, allowing Lybarger to easily score.

The front five in the La Jolla lineup hit a composite 15-for-28, but several rallies ended when the bottom half of the order failed to produce. Meanwhile, the Vaqueros received run production from the entire batting order, with all nine spots either scoring or driving home runs to rally from a 5-run deficit.

Along with his 3-for-5, five RBI performance, Reagan entered to pitch in relief. He registered the final out in the 7th, going the final 3 1/3 innings for his third victory of the season by allowing just one hit.

Meanwhile, Mariscal, who tossed the three innings prior to Reagan's stint, is sure he will be ready for Wednesday's (May 28) start against Cathedral.

"I threw pretty good, but I'll be ready to pitch tomorrow (Wednesday)," noted Mariscal, who will attend Dartmouth in the fall. "I think we can get Cathedral this time."

After La Jolla scored once in the 1st, El Capitan opened with five quick runs, as the first trio of Vaqueros batters scored on Reagan's first homer, a 3-run shot.

The Vikings then scored nine consecutive runs -- three in the 3rd, and six in the 4th -- for a 10-5 cushion before the Vaqueros tied it on run-scoring hits by TANNER RUST (double) and Reagan (single) in the 4th, then three more markers in the 5th. Kruger started the outburst with a leadoff homer, Rust knocked in Hale with his second double of the season, then Rust scored the tying run on a balk.

In the 6th, El Capitan -- in another rare event -- registered three sacrifices in the same inning for the tie-breaking run.

Kruger reached on an error -- one of five by the Vikes -- then Mills reached base when his bunt was also booted. Hale sacrificed both into scoring position, with BROOKS NOBLE lifting a fly ball to score pinchrunner MATT EICHELBERGER.

Rush and Noble both recorded two hits and a pair of RBI, while Kruger and TYRONE WIGGINS added two basehits each.

For La Jolla (20-10), centerfielder Robbie Beathard survived swallowing a bug (which briefly delayed the ballgame) by joining Hoff with three hits each, while Sefton and Jimmy Filter had two hits apiece.

SANTANA 5, MISSION BAY 4 – It’s no secret what the Santana Sultans are facing in their quest to reach Saturday’s (May 31) SDCIF Division III finals at Tony Gwynn Stadium. They need a road sweep of two games against perennial power Montgomery .

The makeup between the Sultans and the Aztecs is strikingly similar – sort of like mirror images. A low-scoring game is most certainly in the offing when the Sultans (21-12-1) begin their uphill climb against the Aztecs (23-7).

Santana pulled a narrow escape in Tuesday’s (May 27) contest to eliminate Mission Bay (21-12) in the third round of the playoffs. All four of Santana’s hits in the game came during a five-run 1st inning.

The Sultans’ offensive scoring spree began with two outs and one runner on base.

A single to right by sophomore KYLE HAYES plated the Sultans first run. JOSH POND then lined a single to left-center to make it 2-0. The Sultans were on a roll at this stage, as KYLE ROMERO doubled to left-center to make it 3-0.

Mission Bay pitcher Francisco Valdez added fuel to Santana’s fire with two hit batters and a walk, stretching the Sultans’ advantage to 5-0.

“It was our lucky day – we should have gone to Vegas,” laughed Sultans coach JERRY HENSON.

Valdez (8-5) slammed the breaks on the Sultans after that.

“After that first inning we went 1-2-3 and out the rest of the way in every inning,” said Henson. “We never got a guy on base after the first inning.”

One of the late-season success stories for the Sultans has been the work of 6-foot-6 senior right-hander Pond.

Pond blanked the Bucs over the final 2 1/3 innings without allowing a hit.

“It’s been a strange year for me,” he said. “But I just flipped the switch on about two weeks ago and everything’s going my way. It’s helped my confidence tremendously.”

Pond has been a contributor in two ways. His recent surge at the plate has pushed his average to .306, but it’s been his pitching that has caught Henson’s eye.

“He came in and threw another dynamite ballgame,” Henson said. “He did an outstanding job – he shut the door on them.”

On May 21 Pond hit a mammoth home run into the wind at Mission Bay even though the Sultans lost the game. It’s not by coincidence that Pond has been able to turn his game around.

“Hitting-wise I’ve opened my stance more,” Pond said. “And as far as pitching goes, I’m throwing at a three-quarter angle, which is giving me more whip on my pitches. My velocity is definitely up and I’m catching the plate a lot more than I was.”

One of eight Santana seniors, Pond believes the Sultans can overtake Montgomery to qualify for a berth in Saturday’s championship game.

“I think we match up well with Montgomery ,” he said. “And I’m sure we’re headed for a close ballgame with those guys. But you have to give Montgomery credit for what they’ve done.

“To go out as champions would be huge for our team and especially for the seniors.”

GROSSMONT 20, MT. CARMEL 12 – With its quest for making history hanging on the edge of extinction, the host Grossmont Foothillers came out swinging in Tuesday’s (May 27) third round of the San Diego CIF Division II playoffs at Joe Gizoni Field.

And even at that, the Foothillers found themselves down 2-0 before they had their first at-bat.

The Foothillers (26-7) responded to the early strike by the Sundevils (15-18) with seven runs and eight hits in the bottom of the 1st. JOSH SIMMS led Grossmont’s early onslaught with a leadoff home run and a double in the opening frame.

“We know we have to pick up our offense and we wanted to show people that we are as good as they think we are,” said Simms, who was 4-for-4 with two home runs and four runs scored.

Grossmont riddled four Mt. Carmel pitchers for 17 hits, including a 4-for-4 effort by senior CASH McCLELLAN, who clubbed three doubles, scored four runs and drove in four more.

“We realized this was a do-or-die game for us and we came out all pumped up,” said McClellan, who raised his average to .394. “Josh’s home run got us going and we just took off from there.”

Late-season sparkplug BRENNAN GEARY made another major delivery for the Foothillers, slugging a 3-run homer during an 8-run 5th inning to put the victory over the Sundevils on ice.

Geary finished the game 2-for-4 with four RBI. His second circuit clout of the season was Grossmont’s 4th of the game.

Grossmont coach ROB PHILLIPS, who is hoping to direct the Foothillers to a record four straight SDCIF Division II championship, recognized the firepower.

“We haven’t hit like this since our first nine games of the season,” he said. “Now it’s a matter of making it carry over. If we continue to hit like this we’ll be OK.”

The biggest question mark for the Foothillers is whether their thin pitching staff will hold up in the stretch run.

“I think we have enough pitching,” Phillips said. “But I think Dennis Ackerman (SDCIF section commissioner) should have started this week’s 10-inning pitching limit on Wednesday because, after all, Tuesday’s games were really Saturday’s games.”

Phillips, along with other coaches in the section, were talking about the blanket rain-out of Friday’s (May 23) games, pushing the schedule back a full day.

In other words, games that were scheduled for Saturday were played on Tuesday. The schedule, which originally called for Wednesday (May 28) to be an off day, is now a play day due to the rainout. Thus half of the teams still in contention are obliged to play four games in five days.

VISTA 6, GRANITE HILLS 5 (9 inn.) – Had it not been for a first-inning error, Granite Hills pitcher DEAN MILLER might have provided his Eagles teammates with a more favorable outcome in Tuesday’s (May 27) third round of the SDCIF Division I playoffs against visiting Vista.

After Vista tagged Miller for five runs in the opening frame – four of them unearned – Miller tightened his grip on the Panthers (22-11). He allowed a pair of two-out singles in the 2nd inning and then proceeded to retire 18 batters in a row.

Miller allowed only one hit over the final seven innings of his 8 2/3 inning stint.

Reliever RONNIE VON HAGEN came on in the 9th inning to get the final out.

Losses like this one aren’t easy to swallow. Miller held Vista motionless from the 3rd into the 8th inning when he gave up a two-out walk to Jordan Alexander with the game tied 5-5. Alexander immediately stole second, but Miller responded by striking out Trevor Koons to end the inning.

Miller, who threw only 102 pitches, got two quick outs in the top of the 9th before pinch-hitter John Leal drew a walk and stole second.

That brought up a most unlikely hero in freshman Sean Campbell.

After spending the majority of the season on the JV level, Campbell ’s role with the Vista varsity had consisted primarily of keeping score. For some reason Panthers coach Rick Lepire decided to put the bat in Campbell ’s hands with the game on the line. A daring move, for sure, considering Campbell had only three varsity plate appearances.

Working the count to three balls and one strike, Campbell connected for a base hit to right-center field. It wasn’t a bullet, it wasn’t a rocket. It wasn’t even a line drive. It was more like a pop fly that evaded the Granite Hills defenders. Bottom line: It was good enough to score Leal from second base with the winning run.

“I saw everyone in the dugout cheering,” said Campbell after collecting his first varsity hit. “Inside, I was going crazy, but I wanted to keep my composure when I was standing on the bag at first.”

Credit Granite Hills (22-10), a team that has been mired in a slump for the better part of three weeks, for not folding after Vista ’s fast start. It was clearly an uphill battle for the Eagles, who seemed stunned that they were chasing five runs from the get-go.

The Granite Hills comeback bid began in the 2nd inning. KENNY BELZER singled and JOSH QUERIONES followed with a double. Belzer coasted home on DANIEL VINTON’s groundout, cutting the deficit to four.

The Eagles collected two hits in the 3rd inning but a pickoff at first base by winning pitcher Bobby Orozco killed that budding rally.

In the 4th inning the Eagles put together consecutive singles by Belzer, Queriones and TYLER PONCIANO to make it 5-2. Once again Vinton brought home a run with a ground ball to make it a two-run deficit.

At that point the game had the earmarkings of a Cinderella finish for Granite Hills. The Eagles closed the gap to a single run in the 5th inning as BRIAN HUMPHRIES doubled, advanced to third on an error and scored on Belzer’s sacrifice fly.

Although Granite Hills left five runners in scoring position the Eagles still had a chance for a dramatic finish. Humphries, leading off the 7th, fouled off five pitches with a two-strike count before grounding a single up the middle.

Realizing that Humphries was a threat to steal, Orozco made several throws to first, hoping to keeping the Eagles speedster anchored at first. But eventually Orozco made a wild throw, allowing Humphries to scamper all the way around to third with nobody out.

JARED RAPOZA then singled to left, scoring Humphries with the tying run. All the momentum was on Granite Hills’ side at this juncture. Sophomore BRIAN CARROLL, who was inserted as a pinchrunner for Rapoza, promptly stole second. DYLAN GARCIA hoisted a fly ball to right field, allowing Carroll to tag and advance to third.

Victory was only 90 feet away for Granite Hills. The Panthers, however, were not about to let Belzer – who was 2-for-2 with an RBI up to that point – to beat them. Thus, the senior third baseman was issued an intentional walk, putting runners at the corners.

Orozco (10-2), who went the distance for the Panthers, escaped by recording a strikeout and a groundout to send the game into extra innings.

Granite Hills, the defending champion and No. 2 seed in Division I, was in position to win the game in the 8th inning. With a runner at second base and two outs, Lepire ordered an intentional walk to Humphries. Once again the pressure was on Rapoza, and he delivered, smacking a sharp groundball over the third base bag that would have easily scored JARED HUNT from second base.

However, Vista third baseman John Davis foiled the Eagles plan with a diving stop. After gloving the ball Davis jumped to his feet and tagged third to end the inning.

“That was the play of the game right there,” said Granite Hills coach JAMES DAVIS. “I thought for sure that ball was going through and we were going to win the game.”


CIF BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday's Games Tuesday's Games -- 3:30 p.m.
DIVISION I
Winners Bracket:
Eastlake 4, Rancho Bernardo 2
La Costa Canyon 5, Vista 3
Elimination Games:
Poway 8, Calexico 0
Granite Hills 3, Patrick Henry 1
DIVISION I
Elimination Games
Vista at Granite Hills
(Winner plays at La Costa Canyon, Wed.)
Rancho Bernardo at Poway
(Winner plays Eastlake, Wednesday)
DIVISION II
Winners Bracket:
Steele Canyon 2, Grossmont 1
Oceanside 7, Ramona 0
Elimination Games:
Mt. Carmel 14, San Ysidro 5
Westview 6, Hilltop 4
DIVISION II
Elimination Games
Mt. Carmel at Grossmont
(Winner plays Steele Canyon, Wed.)

Westview at Ramona
(Winner plays at Oceanside, Wed.)
DIVISION III
Winners Bracket:
Cathedral 7, El Capitan 1
Montgomery 1, Mission Bay 0
Elimination Games:
Monday: La Jolla 4, Brawley 0
Santana 7, St. Augustine 5
DIVISION III
Elimination Games
La Jolla at El Capitan
(winner plays Cathedral, Wed.)

Santana at Mission Bay
(Winner plays at Montgomery, Wed.)
DIVISION IV
Winners Bracket:
Coronado 2, Horizon 0
Christian 8, Mater Dei 7 (8 inn.)
Elimination Games:
La Jolla Country Day 5, Tri-City 0
Santa Fe Chr. 8, The Bishop's 4
DIVISION IV
Elimination Games
La Jolla Country Day at Horizon
(winner plays at Coronado, Wed.)

Santa Fe Christian at Mater Dei
(Winner plays at Christian, Wed.)
Cougars snap Hillers'
CIF 13-game win streak;
Christian's Young belts
walkoff homer in 8th

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-25-08) — It was a red-letter day in Steele Canyon’s six-year baseball history on Saturday (May 24) at Grossmont’s Joe Gizoni Field.

Not only did the visiting Cougars (20-9) establish a school record for victories, they also snapped Grossmont’s four-year playoff winning streak at 13 games.

Overcoming a 1-0 deficit with a pair of runs in the 6th inning, Steele Canyon captured a 2-1 victory over the three-time defending San Diego CIF Division II champions.

The Cougars, who have won nine straight and 13 of their last 14, are only one victory short of qualifying for an SDCIF Division II championship date at San Diego State’s Tony Gwynn Stadium on Saturday (May 31).

It was difficult to tell what part of Saturday’s overthrow of the perennial kingpins satisfied Steele Canyon the most, although the Cougars did paw each other with a championship-style jump-around after the final out.

“We’re definitely for real,” said Steele Canyon pitcher ANDREW BELLATTI, who turned back the Foothillers with a complete-game five hitter. “Yeah, I think we have to prove ourselves, but we just keep doing it over and over.”

Steele Canyon’s road to victory was a little bit bumpier than in past games. The Cougars blew a bases-loaded situation trailing 1-0 in the 3rd inning when MARK BELLATTI was cut down at the plate attempting to score on a LEVI STEVENS’ pitch that got away from catcher DEREK BAUM.

The Hillers caught a break when the errant toss ricocheted off a post back to Baum, who make a perfect throw to Stevens in time to get the inning-ending out.

Steele Canyon left the bases loaded again in the 5th inning.

In the 6th inning the Cougars had runners at first and second with two outs on walks by Stevens. This time they capitalized as No. 9 hitter MICHAEL CASTRO – who had struck out in two previous at-bats – singled to left, scoring DONNIE FRANK with the tying run.

“It was a first pitch fastball,” Castro said. “(Stevens) had got me out twice before on curveballs so I was looking for anything but a curveball. So when he threw me a fastball I jumped on it.”

Following Castro’s clutch stroke, Grossmont coach ROB PHILLIPS elected to intentionally walk Mark Bellatti to load the bases. Phillips then replaced Stevens with reliever AARON GRIFFIN.

With the game on the line, NOLAN MURRAY – who ranks among the leaders for being hit by a pitch – was plunked by Griffin ’s first serve of the game. That allowed MARLON PORTER to score from third with what proved to be the winning run.

Griffin then got an inning-ending strikeout and retired the Cougars in order in the 7th.

Grossmont kept the pressure on Steele Canyon ace Andrew Bellatti, who managed to survive all seven innings despite surrendering six walks, three hit batters and five singles.

“I knew once I got the lead my stuff was good enough to hold ‘em off,” he said.

Although Bellatti’s pitching was not overpowering or flashy, it was sturdy.

“Bellatti has probably pitched better games statistically, but this game was special,” said Cougars coach TODD SNYDER. “Just the atmosphere… they bring out a ton of fans and it’s a little bit of a hostile environment.

“But Andrew’s always been a big game pitcher and he always rises up to the challenge like he did today.”

Close calls have become commonplace for the Cougars, who are 11-6 in games decided by three runs or less. Eight of their victories have come by a one-run margin.

For the first time in four years Grossmont faces an uphill climb to become the first section team in history to win four consecutive division championships.

“The thing for us is we’ve had a good run in the playoffs,” Phillips said. “And now we’re going to have to do it a different way – see if we can bounce back. This is uncharted territory for us. Now we have to win three straight to even get to the finals. We’re going to see what we’re made of.”

Grossmont hosts Mt. Carmel on Tuesday (May 27) at 3:30 in a must-win situation.

CHRISTIAN 8, MATER DEI 7 (8 inn.) – Although the Christian Patriots were virtually strangled during the final third of the Eastern League season, Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL continues to insist that that was good for his ballclub.

After concluding the league season with three straight losses, the Patriots used a season-ending upset of Coronado as a springboard for a dramatic finish.

Christian has clubbed 10 home runs in its last four games – three of them coming in the SDCIF Division IV playoffs. During that stretch the Patriots have outscored the opposition, 47-21.

At the forefront of that surge has been senior shortstop EDDIE YOUNG, who provided a game-winning home run in the bottom of the 8th inning of Saturday’s (May 24) victory over visiting Mater Dei in the Division IV playoffs.

It was Young’s 4th home run in as many games, and his 9th of the season.

“It was a 3-0 count and Coach Mitchell gave me the green light,” said Young, who was 8-for-11 with seven stolen bases in three playoff victories this week. “The guy threw me a fastball up and in. I took a hard swing and hit a towering fly ball to right field. Coach Mitchell said this one landed about 30 feet over the fence. The funny thing about it is I’m really more of a line-drive guy.”

It was the second time this season that Young has homered on a 3-0 pitch.

“Everybody knew he was going to try to sneak a fastball by me,” added Young, who hit his first home run in the season opener against King’s Academy in Sunnyvale.

TAYLOR EICHHORST broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the 3rd inning when he hammered a 2-run homer on a 3-2 pitch into the swimming pool beyond the left field fence.

“That was a mammoth shot,” said Mitchell.

The Patriots’ 5-3 lead, however, did not hold up for long, as Mater Dei (18-14) punched across four markers in the 5th inning to gain a 7-5 edge. Christian Castro supplied the key in the Crusaders’ victory bid as he slugged a bases-loaded triple.

The Patriots tied the game 7-7 in the bottom of the 5th inning. SHAUN DAY, who was 3-for-4 in the game, provided the spark with a leadoff single which climaxed with bases-loaded walks to BRAD ROBERTSON and Young.

“I think what turned our season around was beating Coronado ,” said Young. “And now we want it all – we’re going after it.”

Not many teams have hit more home runs than Christian, which also received a 2-run blast from NIKO KANAKARIS to gain a 3-1 lead in the 1st inning against Mater Dei.

The Patriots (21-10) need one more victory to qualify for a berth in the Division IV championships on Saturday (May 31) at San Diego State ’s Tony Gwynn Stadium.

“It’s amazing how much difference there is between needing one win or two at this point in the season,” Mitchell said.

SANTANA 7, ST. AUGUSTINE 5 – Despite struggling to the finish line of the regular season, coach JERRY HENSON’s Santana Sultans are no pushovers.

Just ask St. Augustine , a team Santana (20-12-1) defeated for the second time this year in the second round of Saturday’s (May 24) Division III SDCIF playoffs in Santee.

Santana soared in front of the visiting Saints 7-1 after four innings, and then put their fate in the hands of pitchers KYLE HAYES, BRANDYN BELL and JAMES NEEDY.

The Santana trio held the Saints to four hits and one earned run. Bell picked up his 8th win in 11 decisions, stuffing the Saints on two hits while striking out four in four innings.

“ Bell came in and did a dynamite job in relief,” Henson said of his senior pitcher.

CHRIS RABICHAUD spearheaded the Santana offense with a 2-run single in the 3rd and an RBI single in the 4th.

KYLE ROMERO, who has struggled at the plate yet provided some key hits in crucial situations for the Sultans, scored two runs and drove in a run with a basehit.

“We have had the pitching to win all year,” said Romero. “It’s just been a matter of getting some runs. I think we’ve kinda been heating up in the playoffs and done a better job of bunching our hits like we did today.”

It was the second time Santana has beaten Eastern League tri-champion St. Augustine this season.

“I’m proud that we knocked off St. Augustine. They have got the best of us the last couple of years,” said Henson. “We finally got some run production – got some timely hitting with runners in scoring position. We got more runs than hits for a change.”

This game could easily have turned into a blowout had it not been for the steady hitting of Colin Hoffman, who was 3-for-4, including a 3-run homer for the Saints (18-14).

But by the same token, all but one of the Saints runs were unearned.

Henson was quick to salute his coaching staff for helping make the Santana field playable due to inclement weather the previous 24 hours.

“PAT CAVALCANTE, my assistant coach, and I got to the field about 8 o’clock this morning and worked on it for about four hours,” Henson said. “If it wasn’t for him helping me I would never have gotten it (ready to play on).”

Santana’s playoff survival depends on whether the Sultans can win at Mission Bay on Tuesday (May 27), 3:30 p.m.

May 24: Patrick Henry at Granite Hills
(Slideshow by Deborah Von Hagen)
GRANITE HILLS 3, PATRICK HENRY 1 – Although their offense seems to be locked in neutral, the No. 2 seeded Granite Hills Eagles are determined to repeat as SDCIF Division I champions.

The Eagles (22-9), who have scored more than four runs only twice in their last 10 games, were rationed to three singles by a pair of Patrick Henry pitchers. Yet somehow they remain alive in the double elimination tournament.

Much of the credit for Granite Hills’ latest conquest goes to Eagles pitcher TRAVIS HOPPER. The junior southpaw wasn’t flashy, but he was effective. He checked the Patriots on five singles and did not allow an earned run while recording his 7th complete game and 8th win in 10 starts.

“He was kind of in a midseason slump for awhile but pitched much, much better today,” said Eagles coach JAMES DAVIS. “It was more like vintage Hopper, where he changed speeds well and made them put the ball in play.”

The Eagles’ meager “attack” manufactured two runs in the 1st inning to erase a 1-0 deficit. BRIAN HUMPHRIES walked and stole second. JARED RAPOZA followed with a base on balls, but DYLAN GARCIA lined to short on a 3-1 pitch. KENNY BELZER then singled in Humphries to tie the game.

With two outs, the Patriots (20-11) tried to pick off Belzer at first base and the throw from the catcher sailed down the right field line, allowing Rapoza to score from third with the go-ahead run.

“They were trying a backdoor pickoff of Belzer,” said Davis. “I don’t even think he had that big of a lead but we were lucky that they threw the ball away.”

Granite Hills’ next playoff game is Tuesday (May 27) when they host Vista (21-11) at 3:30.

May 24: Cathedral Catholic at El Capitan
(Slideshow by Kirk Gentry)
CATHEDRAL 7, EL CAPITAN 1 – In their bid to dismantle the up-and-down Dons of Cathedral in Saturday’s (May 24) second round of the SDCIF Division III playoffs in Lakeside , the Vaqueros (22-9-1) muffed scoring chances in each of the first three innings.

The top-seeded Vaqueros missed a scoring chance in the 1st inning when pitcher KEVIN MORTON singled and stole second with one out. He was stranded there.

An inning later KORBIN KRUGER singled and moved up 90 feet on KYLE MILLS’ bunt. A wild pitch advanced Kruger to third but Cathedral starting and winning pitcher Ryan Wilkins blew third strikes past the next two Vaqueros hitters to quell that threat.

In the 3rd inning El Capitan tried a different strategy. Morton drew a two-out walk and stole second. MILES REAGAN followed with a walk, but once again Wilkins escaped by getting a called third strike for the final out of the frame.

Wilkins then retired eight Vaqueros in a row before Reagan ripped his 7th home run of the season into the parking lot beyond the left-center field fence with one out in the 6th. That blow cut Cathedral’s advantage to 4-1, but once again Wilkins rebounded by recording back-to-back strikeouts.

“He’s a competitor,” said Cathedral coach GARY REMIKER of his senior right-hander, who limited the Vaqueros to four hits while striking out nine. “He was working ahead all day. He was changing speeds well, keeping them off balance. We’re not afraid to give him the ball against anybody.”

In the meantime Cathedral (25-8) was churning out clutch hits of its own.

Credit Vaqueros pitcher Morton for playing a nifty game of dodge ball after the Dons capitalized on a misplayed flyball double to take a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning.

In the first four innings Morton stranded five Cathedral runners in scoring position. His Vaqueros teammates, however, clearly could not muster much offensive support.

“The bottom line is when you only score one run you don’t win a lot of ballgames,” said El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY. “Not that we didn’t have our chances. We had guys in scoring position, we just didn’t come through with the big hit. You’ve gotta do that at this time of the season.”

Vickery tipped his hat to Wilkins, crediting him for keeping the ball down lower in the zone than did Morton, but added “It wasn’t like he was unhittable. We just didn’t connect.”

Cathedral connected – in lightening mode fashion. Chris Wilson doubled, then Tyler Gaffney doubled and Casey Husband followed by hammering a home run onto Ashwood Street , giving the Dons a 4-0 advantage.

All three of those hits came after Morton had gotten two strikes in the count.

“Kevin just couldn’t finish today,” said Vickery. “He’s working too hard trying to be perfect.”

On Tuesday (May 27) El Capitan will entertain the winner of Monday’s (May 26) Brawley at La Jolla contest.


CIF BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Friday's Games -- All postponed, rain
Saturday's Games
(Games at 11 a.m., unless noted)
DIVISION I
Winners Bracket:
Rancho Bernardo at Eastlake
La Costa Canyon at Vista
Elimination Games:
Calexico at Poway
Patrick Henry at Granite Hills, 2 p.m.
DIVISION II
Winners Bracket:
Steele Canyon at Grossmont

Ramona at Oceanside
Elimination Games:
San Ysidro at Mt. Carmel
Westview at Hilltop.
DIVISION III
Winners Bracket:
Cathedral at El Capitan, 2 p.m.
Mission Bay at Montgomery
Elimination Games:
Brawley at La Jolla, at Muirlands Middle School
St. Augustine at Santana, 2 p.m.
DIVISION IV
Winners Bracket:
Horizon at Coronado
Mater Dei at Christian
Elimination Games:
Tri-City Chr. at La Jolla Country Day
Santa Fe Christian at The Bishop's, at UCSD Spanos Field, 2 p.m.
Sometimes you win,
others you lose,
but on Friday, it rained

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-23-08, 3:30 p.m.) -- All CIF-San Diego Section playoff baseball games for Friday (May 23) have been postponed by rain.

All of Friday's games are re-scheduled -- at the site of the higher seeded ballclub; no neutral site contests -- for Saturday.

The CIF-San Diego Section office lists Saturday's game times to be 11 a.m., but some schools have pushed ballgames back to the afternoon due to drainage issues at various ballparks, thus, game times will vary (for example, El Capitan will play at 2 p.m.). East County Sports.com will post the new times as they become available.

Press release from the CIFSDS Office (5-23-08, 11:48 a.m.):
UPDATE CIFSDS BASEBALL --

ALL SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF GAMES SCHEULED FOR TODAY ARE CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER AND POSSIBLE THUNDERSTORMS.

(1) THEY WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR TOMMORROW SAT MAY 24TH AT THE SCHEDULED SITE @ 11:00AM.

(2) SATURDAY'S SCHEDULED 3RD ROUND GAMES (SUPER SATURDAY) ARE CANCELLED--THEY ARE RESCHEDULED TO TUES MAY 27th 3:30PM @ THE HOME OF THE HIGHER SEED (ADMISSION TO BE CHARGED).

(3) TUESDAY MAY 27TH 4TH ROUND GAMES ARE MOVEDTO WED MAY 28TH AT THE HOME OF THE HIGHER SEED (ADMISSION TO BE CHARGED).

THE REASON FOR THIS DECISION IS THAT IF SOME GAMES ARE PLAYED TODAY AND SOME NOT, SUPER SATURDAY GAMES WILL BE AFFECTED AND COMMUNICATION WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR ALL INVOLVED TO MAKE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

-- CIFSDS OFFICE


Moments after Mt. Carmel made it a 1-run game,
freshman Jesse Jenner (above) opened the bottom
of the 6th inning with his first career home run, as
Steele Canyon tallied five times in an 8-3 victory.
(Photo by M. Montague)

May 21: Mt. Carmel at Steele Canyon
(Top Slideshow by M. Montague)
(Bottom Slideshow by Brandi Entrekin)
Cougars display countless weapons
While Bellatti walks, Jenner jogs on 1st career HR

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (5-22-08) -- Mt. Carmel High was cautious in its dealings with Steele Canyon High slugger MARK BELLATTI. The Sundevils did not want to let the Cougars slugger beat them. That strategy panned out.

What the North County club did not expect was the abilities of the youngest member of the Steele Canyon squad.

Cougars catcher JESSE JENNER, a 14-year old freshman, capped a series of three quality at-bats with his first career home run, scoring the first of five runs in the 6th inning to power Steele Canyon past the visiting Sundevils, 8-3, in Wednesday's (May 21) first round of the CIF Division II playoffs.

ALEX CEBALLOS pitched six solid innings, allowing just five hits to earn the first postseason victory in school history.

"I saw a fastball and jumped on it," said Jenner. "They wanted to get ahead and work early on the count, but I got ahold of the first pitch."

While Bellatti was walked three times -- twice intentionally -- to prevent his hefty bat from doing any damage, Mt. Carmel’s strategy soon back-fired when six other members of the Cougars knocked in runs, with Jenner in the middle of all three rallies, increasing his contribution with each ensuing at-bat.

Following a DONNIE FRANK walk to open the 2nd inning, Jenner placed a successful sacrifice bunt, with Frank scoring when MARLON PORTER tripled for a 1-0 lead.

Two innings later, Jenner stroked a leadoff double to left-centerfield. MICHAEL CASTRO singled Jenner home, then scored himself on the third Bellatti walk and a basehit by Murray.

The back-breaking blow was next. After Mt. Carmel scored an unearned in the 6th to close the gap to 3-2, Jenner opened the floodgates with a shot over the fence in left.

"We needed those clutch runs," added Jenner. "We all came through throughout the lineup."

JORDAN HINDI later added an RBI single, with an error adding a second run on the play for a 6-3 lead. Hindi then scored when ANDREW BELLATTI stroked a 2-run homer to left.

Meanwhile, Ceballos quickly realized Mt. Carmel 's gameplan to beat him, but he was unwilling to participate.

"It seemed they were all hitting the ball the other way," noted Ceballos. "So I tried to bust them in and force them to ground out."

Except for a solo homer by Sundevils first baseman Nick Egan to open the 6th, practically everything off Ceballos was on the ground.

"Not much was working -- just the fastball," noted the pitcher. "I was just throwing 2-seammers when I needed it to get my outs."

Ceballos pitched six full innings, but with his pitch count remaining low, he may be needed for ballgames over the weekend during the double-elimination phase of the CIF tournament.

"I'll be there, I just hope we can sneak up on people," Ceballos added. "But around Grossmont, they're starting to hear our names a lot, so it'll be pretty tough."

Steele Canyon head coach TODD SNYDER was pleased with his team's adjustments both on offense and defense.

"We had to take a different approach because they were pitching around Mark Bellatti, who's been a spark to our offense," said Snyder. "And Alex threw well, even though he couldn't find his offspeed pitch."

Steele Canyon will travel to meet the top-seeded Foothillers on Friday (May 23) at 3:30 p.m.

EL CAPITAN 9, BRAWLEY 8 – El Capitan ’s KORBIN KRUGER began the season with a bang, driving in home runs and extra base hits galore. But then he hit a midseason crisis – few hits, no home runs, no RBI. Not only did that frustrate Kruger, it hurt the Vaqueros.

Kruger proved that he’s back on his game again in Wednesday’s (May 21) opening round of the SDCIF Division III playoffs against visiting Brawley (17-11).

It took little time for Kruger to make an impact against the Wildcats, who left the door open with a 2-out error in the bottom of the 1st inning. He hammered a curveball over the left-center field fence into the student parking lot, staking top-seeded El Capitan to a 3-0 lead.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time after practice, working on my hitting,” Kruger said. “The coaches did a good job of helping me fix a flaw. I wasn’t loading up and bringing my hands back. I was hitting off my front foot too much, and that’s why I was struggling.”

The Vaqueros’ advantage vanished in the 3rd inning as they began a litany of errors that gave Brawley seven unearned runs.

With the score tied 3-3 in the 3rd MILES REAGAN belted a 2-run shot, putting El Capitan back in front.

The Vaqueros appeared to have the game put away in the 5th as CANNON NIKZAD singled in a run and Kruger belted his 7th home run of the season with a man aboard, giving the Vaqueros an 8-3 edge.

Brawley boldly overcame that deficit, thanks to a plateful of errors by the Vaqueros (22-8-1), tying the game 8-8 in the 6th inning.

No question, El Capitan starter MARCO MARISCAL had a right to be bitter. The Dartmouth-bound senior pitcher was burned for seven unearned runs in 5 2/3 innings and left the game with no decision.

JOSH SODEN, who hasn’t pitched for a couple of weeks, came out of the El Capitan bullpen to pick up his 6th win in seven decisions, toiling the final 1 1/3 inning.

The Vaqueros’ tie-breaking run came in the bottom of the 7th inning. Nikzad lined a one-out single to right, and ANTHONY LYBARGER ran for him. After Kruger and KYLE MILLS walked to load the bases, CRAIG LEAVITT ripped a sharp ground ball to shortstop.

Brawley attempted to execute the double play but could get only one out as Lybarger scored the winning run.

Brawley was a tough customer – probably one the Vaqueros did not expect.

With two outs in the 3rd inning Brawley’s Juan Muñoz singled up the middle followed by Dylan Mohamed with a single to left. Adrian Rubio hit a groundball to first to load the bases. What followed next was open to interpretation.

Mariscal picked off Rubio by 15 feet and all players were running off the field when the umpire screamed “Balk!” Instead of the third out, Muñoz scored from third.

El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY hotly disputed the call. Nevermind… the call would stand, and Brawley went on to score two more runs on Josh Steimel’s double.

In the 6th inning El Capitan made two errors and gave up four hits that led to five runs, tying the score at 8-8.

“The first game out of the chute is always the toughest,” said Vickery of the playoffs. “I was very disappointed in our infield defense. It has cost us this year, it’s been our Achilles Heel all year. I was proud of the way we kept the offensive pressure on (Brawley).”

GROSSMONT 13, SAN YSIDRO 0 – For only the second time in 29 games the visiting San Ysidro Cougars suffered a shutout when they engaged the top-seeded Foothillers at Grossmont’s Joe Gizoni Field on Wednesday (May 21) in the opening round of the Division II SDCIF playoffs.

Credit AARON GRIFFIN, with relief help from DONOVAN D’SOUZA, for stringing up the zeroes.

Griffin, a 6-foot-5 junior right-hander, rationed the Cougars to three hits over five innings while striking out seven en route to his 10th win against one loss. His 10 wins is one less than county leader Cole Sulser of Ramona.

“I know it doesn’t look like it when you look at the final score, but it was a close game through the first four innings,” said Foothillers coach ROB PHILLIPS, who hopes to guide Grossmont to a record breaking 4th straight SDCIF Division II championship.

Grossmont (25-6) broke the game open with nine runs in the bottom of the 5th inning. D’Souza picked it up from there, blanking the Cougars on one hit over the final two frames.

BRENNAN GEARY, who has been a late season starters for the Foothillers, hammered a solo home run off the scoreboard to give Grossmont a 4-0 lead in the 4th inning.

DEREK BAUM belted a 2-run double to cap Grossmont’s 9-run 5th.

Nearly lost in the Grossmont offensive outburst was the pitching of Griffin. He retired the first 10 batters he faced, and then found himself in trouble after the Cougars (18-11) loaded the bases with two singles and a hit batter with one out in the 4th inning. Griffin then silenced the threat with a pop-up and a strikeout.

San Ysidro loaded the bases an inning later and still came up empty as Grossmont won it’s 6th straight and 11th in its last 12 starts.

While Phillips was pleased with the convincing victory, his focus rapidly changed to Grossmont South League champion Steele Canyon – the next team scheduled to visit Joe Gizoni Field on Friday (May 23) at 3:30.

“I know they’re in our conference but since we haven’t played them this year I don’t know much about them,” Phillips said. “And that’s scary.”

CHRISTIAN 11, SANTA FE CHRISTIAN 3 – After bouncing off the walls against competition in the premier Eastern League, the Patriots of Christian High have found their comfort zone in the SDCIF Division IV playoffs.

For the second time in two post-season outings the Patriots (20-10) pulverized a Division IV foe on Wednesday (May 21) before a home crowd.

“We swung the bats pretty well today, hit the ball hard,” said Patriots coach MIKE MITCHELL.

But not before falling behind visiting Santa Fe Christian 1-0 in the top of the 2nd.

The Patriots’ game was spiked by the longball. ADAM NASH smashed the first of his two home runs with a man aboard in the 2nd inning, giving Christian a lead it would not lose. He added a 3-run homer to anchor a 5-run 3rd inning, propelling Christian into 7-1 lead.

Nash has hit three home runs in his last three games.

So has teammate EDDIE YOUNG, who led off the 3rd frame with a rocket over the right-center field fence.

It wasn’t all about the longball for Christian, however, as SHAUN DAY plated a run with a squeeze bunt in the pivotal 3rd inning.

NIKO KANAKARIS, who has been mired in a lengthy slump, broke loose by going 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI against Santa Fe Christian (13-12).

BRADLEY JOHNSTON was the beneficiary of Christian’s latest offensive assault. The senior right-hander scattered seven hits and allowed only two earned runs in six innings as he posted his 4th win of the season.

Mitchell compared Johnston ’s pitching style to that of Padres soon-to-be Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux.

“Johnston reminds me of a veteran 40-year-old who doesn’t have a lot on the ball, doesn’t throw real hard,” said Mitchell. “But his ball has real good movement and he changes speeds a lot. He’s one of those guys that batters walk back to the dugout muttering ‘He’s got nothing,’ but they do it when they just made an out.”

May 21: La Costa Canyon at Granite Hills
(Slideshow by Deborah Von Hagen)
LA COSTA CANYON 3, GRANITE HILLS 1 – JAMES DAVIS is puzzled as to where his Granite Hills Eagles have misplaced their bats. Perhaps, it is the youthful makeup of his ballclub.

While pitcher DEAN MILLER did a better than decent job on the mound as he twirled a 6-hitter en route to his 5th complete game, the Eagles (21-9) sputtered offensively.

“It’s not like we didn’t have any chances to score,” Davis said.

Granite Hills left six runners in scoring position, including the potential tying run in the 7th inning of Wednesday’s (May 21) SDCIF Division I playoff opener against visiting La Costa Canyon (20-12).

Perhaps the most bitter of the latest disappointments came in the 7th inning. TYLER PONCIANO led off with a single to right, and one out later Miller drew his second walk. BRIAN HUMPHRIES, who was 2-for-4, including an RBI single in the 5th, could do no more in this at-bat than advance the runners on an infield groundout.

JARED RAPOZA then knocked a groundball back through the middle.

“I really thought that ball was going to make it through and we would tie the game,” Davis said.

That didn’t happen though, as Mavericks freshman shortstop Phillip Evans broke behind second base to cutoff Rapoza’s bid to be a hero and fired to first base to end the game.

“We had too many defensive collapses and it seemed like they made every play,” Davis said.

La Costa Canyon ’s defense denied two other possible scoring chances. The Eagles had Miller at second base with two outs in a scoreless game in the 3rd inning when Rapoza hit a sinking line drive that appeared headed for the right-field corner. However LCC first baseman Brandyn Delgado speared Rapoza’s shot to end the inning.

Mavericks second baseman Garrett Smith took away a hit and an RBI from JARED HUNT when he made a diving stop and throw in the 4th inning.

“That was another ball I thought was through, but the guy made a good play,” Davis said of Smith, the son of Philadelphia Phillies third base coach Steve Smith.

La Costa Canyon bunched four of its six hits into a 3-run 5th inning. The key blow was Delgado’s 2-run double to right center.

“It’s frustrating, but we’ve gotta bounce back,” said Davis. “It’ll be another day at the field on Friday.”

That’s when Granite Hills will host Eastern League tri-champion Patrick Henry at 3:30.

MISSION BAY 8, SANTANA 2 – For a team that relies on its pitching and defense to create a low-scoring game, the Sultans figured to face a mirror image in Wednesday’s (May 21) first round of the Division III SDCIF playoffs.

But by the time the visiting Sultans got used to the cool beach breezes they found themselves down 8-0 after two innings. They never recovered.

“We got off to a bad start,” said Santana skipper JERRY HENSON. “For the first two innings our pitching and defense lost us the ballgame. We just never really got it going today.”

A throwing error by the Sultans handed Mission Bay a 2-0 first inning lead. It got worse in the 2nd frame.

Santana starter JAMES NEEDY – in what had to be his poorest outing of the year – was victimized by shoddy fielding, poor control and clever bunts by the Buccaneers.

Still, Mission Bay (21-10) did not have to do much to blow the game open. Of the Bucs six runs in the 2nd inning, two scored on walks, one on a hit batter, two on an error and another on a groundout.

Needy recorded only three outs as he was stung for seven runs (four of them earned).

By the time 6-foot-6 senior JOSH POND came on in relief the issue had been decided. However, Pond turned in a powerful performance, allowing just one hit and no earned runs during a five inning stint. He struck out three and walked none.

MIKE MANRING pitched a shutout 6th to complete what was a fine relief effort by the Sultans’ bullpen.

Pond did more than pitch, as he pounded a solo home run in the 3rd inning into a strong headwind blowing in from left field to make it 8-1.

“Pond did a great all-around job today,” said Henson.

Third baseman KYLE HAYES, who was 3-for-3 against Mission Bay ace Francisco Valdez (8-4), singled in the Sultans’ final run in the 4th frame.

Shortstop RYAN STUTZ set up Hayes’ RBI when he followed a walk to CHRIS RABICHAUD with a base hit down the third base line.

As poorly as the Sultans (19-12-1), they have to be somewhat relieved that this is a double elimination tournament. In other words, they’ll get another chance when they host St. Augustine at 3:30 on Friday (May 23).

CIF FASTPITCH CHAMPIONSHIPS -- WEDNESDAY'S FIRST ROUND
DIVISION I
Rancho Bernardo 5,
at Poway 4
at Eastlake 4,
Calexico 0
at Vista 3,
Patrick Henry 2

La Costa Canyon 3,
at Granite Hills 1

Friday, 3:30 p.m. -- Winners Bracket: Rancho Bernardo at Eastlake, La Costa Canyon at Vista;
Elimination Games: Calexico at Poway, Patrick Henry at Granite Hills.
DIVISION II
at Grossmont 13,
San Ysidro 0
at Steele Canyon 8,
Mt. Carmel 3
at Ramona 16,
Hilltop 4
at Oceanside 7,
Westview 5
Friday, 3:30 p.m. -- Winners Bracket: Steele Canyon at Grossmont, Ramona at Oceanside;
Elimination Games: San Ysidro at Mt. Carmel, Westview at Hilltop.
DIVISION III
at El Capitan 9,
Brawley 8
Cathedral 11,
at La Jolla 4
at Mission Bay 8,
Santana 2
at Montgomery 7,
St. Augustine 0
Friday, 3:30 p.m. -- Winners Bracket: Cathedral at El Capitan, Mission Bay at Montgomery;
Elimination Games: Brawley at La Jolla, St. Augustine at Santana.
DIVISION IV
at Coronado 11,
Tri-City Christian 0
at Horizon 7,
La Jolla Country Day 1
at Mater Dei 7,
The Bishop's 0
at Christian 11,
Santa Fe Christian 3
Friday...
Winners Bracket:
Horizon at Coronado, Mater Dei at Christian, 3 p.m. (time change);
Elimination Games: Tri-City Christian at La Jolla Country Day,
Santa Fe Christian at The Bishop's, at UCSD Spanos Field, 5 p.m. (site/time change)

May 20: Hilltop at Valhalla
(Slideshow by Mark Gonzales)
Sultans avoid rash of upsets

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (5-21-08) — Pitching has not been a problem for the Santana Sultans this season. That proved true again in Tuesday’s (May 20) play-in round of the Division III San Diego CIF playoffs.

BRANDYN BELL and JOSH POND combined to limit visiting University City to six hits and one earned run. Meanwhile the Santana offense reached double scoring digits for only the sixth time in 31 games, rolling to an 11-2 victory.

Santana coach JERRY HENSON has been searching for a leadoff hitter all year. He may have found one in ANTHONY MORENO, who drove in four runs with a double and a single against the Centurions (10-18).

Moreno banged a single up the middle to drive in two runs in the 2nd inning, staking Santana (19-11-1) to a 5-2 lead.

In the 6th inning Moreno put the capper on the Sultans’ playoff plans as he doubled in two runs, stretching Santana’s lead to 10-2.

“It’s all about advancing,” said Henson. “We were able to do that and still got a lot of people in the game.”

HILLTOP 5, VALHALLA 2 – A five-run 5th inning by the visiting Hilltop Lancers in Tuesday’s (May 20) SDCIF Division II play-in round of the playoffs brought a sudden end to the Valhalla Norsemen’s season.

Although Valhalla (21-10) received solid pitching from TREVOR FRANK and JAKE BOEKAMP, they were overmatched by the nifty work of Hilltop’s Dominic Bowen.

“Bowen pitched a good game and kept them in the ballgame,” said Valhalla coach MIKE WILSON.

Bowen struck out 10 and did not allow an earned run in a complete game effort.

Frank rationed the Lancers (16-13) to five hits over six innings and gave up the only earned run of the game.

Valhalla could easily have been shutout had it not been for two 4th inning errors by the Lancers. The Norsemen returned the favor by committing two of their three errors in Hilltop’s only scoring inning.

The difference was provided by Hilltop’s Joey Orozco, who blasted a 3-run double over the left-fielder’s head.

Both teams had six hits, with MATT GONZALES and JOSH AUSTEL garnering two apiece for the Norsemen.

“We had our chances, leaving 11 guys on base, but just couldn't get any timely hits,” Wilson said.

CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC 3, MOUNT MIGUEL 0 – This SDCIF Division III play-in tussle had the ear markings of a notable upset Tuesday (May 20) at Cathedral Catholic.

Prior to the start of the season Cathderal Catholic (23-8) garnered the most first-place votes in the Union-Tribune’s preseason poll. Yet Poway, due to more second and third place votes, gained the nod for the No. 1 ranking. Cathedral settled for No. 2.

Albeit one of the section’s top-hitting units, the Dons have struggled at times. That was evident in the play-in game against the Matadors (11-18) where each team could muster just 2 hits.

Mount Miguel’s 6-foot-6 sophomore right-hander RUDDY ACOSTA, a budding star professional scouts project to be an early pick in the 2010 draft, deserved a better fate. Acosta struck out 6 and walked 3, but each of the Dons’ hits – a triple by Ray Daspit and a single by Ryan Wilkins drove in runs. Three walks did not help Acosta’s cause.

Other factors did support Acosta’s strong-armed effort.

“We played flawless defense,” said Mount Miguel coach BYRON GRIGSBY.

On the offensive end, however, the Matadors, who closed the campaign with eight straight losses, were limited to a double by LUCAS GOLDEN and a single by ERIC POOLE on the arm of Cathedral’s Jake Staton.

“Staton hit four of our guys and we still couldn’t find a way to score,” lamented Grigsby. “We couldn’t capitalize on the breaks.”

CHRISTIAN 22, VISTA-CALVARY CHRISTIAN 5 – Veteran coach MIKE MITCHELL of Christian was almost embarrassed as he reported the demolition of Vista Calvary Christian (15-8) in Tuesday’s (May 20) opening round of the SDCIF Division IV playoffs.

Trailing 2-1, the Patriots (19-10) erupted for 11 runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. And the rout was on.

The Patriots sent 16 batters to the plate in the blowout frame that included a 2-run double by ADAM NASH and 2-run singles by MICHAEL GRUBER and TAYLOR EICHHORST.

EDDIE YOUNG, the Patriots’ stalwart leadoff hitter, was 5-for-5 with 5 RBI, including his 7th home run.

NIKO KANAKARIS launched his 8th home run while finishing 2-for-4 with 4 RBI and three runs scored.

Gruber, who has been struggling at the plate the majority of the season, accounted for six runs as he went 3-for-4.

“This game moves us forward… It was a good chance to get everyone some playing time,” said Christian coach MIKE MITCHELL.

SAN YSIDRO 9, WEST HILLS 6 – Stalked by adversity throughout the second half of the season, host West Hills failed to pass its play-in test in Tuesday’s (May 20) SDCIF Division II playoffs against the Cougars.

San Ysidro (19-10) snapped a 3-3 tie by scoring six runs in the 4th inning to gain a lead it would never lose. A 2-run single by Edwin Salgado and a 2-run triple by Antonio Carrillo were the key blows in the pivotal inning.

The Wolf Pack (13-16) scrambled back for three runs in the 6th inning and should have had more if not for base-running lapses.

TONY SPEARS, who was 3-for-4 with three runs scored, slashed a 2-run single to left field.

“I really thought we were on our way then,” said West Hills coach CHRIS BAUM. “But we made a base-running blunder which led to the first out of the inning at third base.”

That mental error took the wind out of the Pack’s comeback as West Hills scored only one more run in the 6th frame – that coming on a wild pitch.

For one of the few times this season West Hills junior right-hander ROBBY ROBLES was roughed up for eight earned runs in 3 1/3 innings. Reliever BRANDON HAMILTON came on to hold the Cougars scoreless over the final 3 2/3 innings.

“We’re not satisfied that we just got into the playoffs,” Baum said. “We wanted more. But we made too many mental errors.”

As Baum reviewed a rocky season that included a clerical error that led to four forfeit losses as well as a couple of key injuries, he said he had to be satisfied that West Hills finished 17-12 on the field.

“In my seven years of coaching I’ve never felt so close to a team as I did to this one,” he said. “These kids played their hearts out. I just wish we would have had a better ending.”

CIF FASTPITCH CHAMPIONSHIPS -- TUESDAY'S PLAY-IN ROUND
DIVISION I
Mira Mesa 6
at Rancho Bernardo 7
Torrey Pines 0
at Calexico 1
Otay Ranch 0
at Patrick Henry 2

La Costa Canyon 7
at Bonita Vista 4

DIVISION II
San Ysidro 9
at West Hills 5
Mt. Carmel 7
at Mission Hills 2
Hilltop 5
at Valhalla 2
Serra 1
at Westview 8
DIVISION III
Brawley 9
at Madison 3
Mount Miguell 0
at Cathedral 3
University City 2
at Santana 11
St. Augustine 6
at San Dieguito 3
DIVISION IV
High Tech 2
at (1) Coronado 8
Imperial 6
at La Jolla Country Day 13
Holtville 2
at (3) Mater Dei 10
Francis Parker 6
at Santa Fe Christian 7
Tri-City Christian 10
at Mtn. Empire 4
San Diego Jewish 2
at (4) Horizon 6
Olympian 5
at The Bishop's 12
Vista Calvary Chr. 5
at (2) Christian 22

Hillers headed to possible history
Grossmont seeking 4th consecutive CIFSDS crown

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (5-17-08) — Seeded first in Division II of the San Diego CIF playoffs that begin with a play-in round on Tuesday (May 20), the Grossmont Foothillers are looking to make history.

Grossmont (24-6), which has claimed the last three SDCIF Division II championships, has its eyes on making it a 4-Peat. If successful in that quest, the Foothillers would be the first team in the SDCIF’s 47-year history to capture four section titles in succession.

Coach ROB PHILLIPS’ Foothillers are 12-0 during those three post-season championship drives. They’ll begin their bid for a 4th title on Wednesday (May 21) when they host the winner of Tuesday’s San Ysidro-at-West Hills play-in game at 3:30 p.m. MORE BELOW BRACKETS

CIF-SAN DIEGO SECTION BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
DIVISION I
Tue., May 20
Play-In Game

3:30 p.m., unless noted
Wed., May 21
Frist Round

3:30 p.m., unless noted
Fri., May 23
Second Round

3:30 p.m.
Mira Mesa (18-9) at Rancho Bernardo (18-12) winner at (1) Poway (26-5)  
Torrey Pines (19-11) at Calexico (13-9) winner at (4) Eastlake (22-6)
Otay Ranch (17-12) at Patrick Henry (19-9) winner at (3) Vista (20-10)  
La Costa Canyon (18-12) at Bonita Vista (20-9) winner at (2) Granite Hills (21-8)
Third Round: May 24 at Carlsbad. Fourth Round: May 27. Fifth Round (if necessary): May 29.
Championship: May 31, Tony Gwynn Stadium, 7 p.m.
DIVISION II
Tue., May 20
Play-In Game

3:30 p.m., unless noted
Wed., May 21
Frist Round

3:30 p.m., unless noted
Fri., May 23
Second Round

3:30 p.m.
San Ysidro (18-10) at West Hills (13-15) winner at (1) Grossmont (24-6)  
Mt. Carmel (13-16) at Mission Hills (20-9) winner at (4) Steele Canyon (17-9)
Hilltop (15-13) at Valhalla (21-9) winner at (3) Ramona (22-6)  
Serra (20-9) at Westview (15-14) winner at (2) Oceanside (22-7)
Third Round: May 24 at Hilltop. Fourth Round: May 27. Fifth Round (if necessary): May 29.
Championship: May 31, Tony Gwynn Stadium, 4 p.m.
DIVISION III
Tue., May 20
Play-In Game

3:30 p.m., unless noted
Wed., May 21
Frist Round

3:30 p.m., unless noted
Fri., May 23
Second Round

3:30 p.m.
Brawley (16-10) at Madison (20-7) winner at (1) El Capitan (21-8-1)  
Mount Miguel (11-17) at Cathedral (22-8) winner at (4) La Jolla (19-8)
University City (10-17) at Santana (18-11-1) winner at (3) Mission Bay (20-10)  
St. Augustine (17-12) at San Dieguito (20-8) winner at (2) Montgomery (21-7)
Third Round: May 24 at Coronado. Fourth Round: May 27. Fifth Round (if necessary): May 29.
Championship: May 31, Tony Gwynn Stadium, 1 p.m.

DIVISION IV
Tue., May 20
Play-In Game

3:30 p.m., unless noted
Wed., May 21
Frist Round

3:30 p.m., unless noted
Fri., May 23
Second Round

3:30 p.m.
High Tech (13-10) at (1) Coronado (21-8)
Tri-City Christian (22-6) at Mtn. Empire (18-6)
   
Imperial (6-14) at La Jolla Country Day (15-13)
San Diego Jewish (16-6) at (4) Horizon (17-8)
 
Holtville (4-17) at (3) Mater Dei (16-13)
Olympian (4-22) at The Bishop's (11-10)
   
Francis Parker (5-17) at Santa Fe Christian (12-11)
Vista Calvary Chr. (15-7) at (2) Christian (18-10)
 
Third Round: May 24 at Grossmont. Fourth Round: May 27. Fifth Round (if necessary): May 29.
Championship: May 31, Tony Gwynn Stadium, 10 a.m.

Hillers-history:

Phillips did not dwell on or discuss the chances of securing yet another section pennant.

“What happened in the past isn’t going to help us win this year,” he said. “But I like our chances.”

Grossmont closed the regular season with wins in 10 of its last 11 starts to procure its third straight Grossmont North League flag. The Hillers will ride a five-game winning streak into the playoffs.

Nine East County teams earned bids to the playoffs.

El Capitan (21-8-1) grabbed the top seed in Division III, while Granite Hills (21-8) was seeded No. 2 in Division I. Christian (18-10), which clipped Coronado (21-8) in the final game of the regular season 8-6 on the peninsula, is seeded No. 2 behind the Western League co-champion Islanders.

“We got what we deserved,” El Capitan coach STEVE VICKERY said of his club’s lofty ranking. “We played an incredibly tough schedule. We were 8-4 against league champions (including state powers from Arizona, Colorado and Utah).”

Grossmont South League champion Steele Canyon (17-9), which has never been seeded in the playoffs, earned the No. 4 slot in Division II. The Cougars thus skip the play-in round and begin the 8-team double-elimination tournament on Wednesday by hosting the Mt. Carmel-at-Mission Hills winner.

In Tuesday’s play-in round, Mount Miguel (11-17) and sophomore pitching sensation RUDDY ACOSTA travel to Cathedral Catholic (22-8) in what could result in a major upset in Division III; Santana (18-11-1) hosts University City (10-17) in another Division III encounter; Valhalla (21-9) hosts Hilltop (15-13) while West Hills (13-15) entertains San Ysidro (18-10-1) in Division II; and Christian welcomes Vista Calvary Christian (15-7).

All play-in and first round games begin at 3:30 p.m.


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2008 STANDINGS
Grossmont North League
School
W
L
T
W
L
T
Grossmont
10
2
0
29
7
0
El Capitan
8
3
1
23
10
1
a-West Hills
6
6
0
13
16
0
Santana
4
7
1
21
13
1
El Cajon Valley
1
11
0
9
20
0

Grossmont South League
School
W
L
W
L
T
Steele Canyon
12
3
20
11
0
Valhalla
11
4
21
10
0
b-Granite Hills
10
5
22
10
0
Mount Miguel
4
11
11
18
0
Helix
4
11
9
18
0
Monte Vista
4
11
9
19
0

Eastern League
School
W
L
W
L
T
Mira Mesa
9
3
19
10
0
Patrick Henry
9
3
20
11
0
St. Augustine
9
3
18
15
0
Serra
6
6
21
9
0
b-Christian
5
7
22
11
0
Scripps Ranch
4
8
9
15
0
Morse
0
12
4
22
0

Citrus West League
School
W
L
W
L
T
SD Jewish
11
1
15
7
0
Vista-Calvary Chr.
10
2
17
8
0
Christian Life
8
4
12
6
0
Lutheran
6
6
10
11
0
#Midway Baptist
3
9
6
11
0
Foothills Christian
2
10
12
14
0
#Guajome Park
2
10
2
18
0
#MB won by forfeit          

a-forfeited 6 games (4 were victories)
b-received forfeit win from West Hills
Schedule subject to change

CIF-SDS PLAYOFFS
Sat., May 31 -- Championships
At Tony Gwynn Stadium, SDSU
DIVISION I

Poway 8, La Costa Canyon 3
DIVISION II
Grossmont 11,
Oceanside 5
DIVISION III
Cathedral 5, Montgomery 3
DIVISION IV
Coronado 5, Christian 1

Thurs., May 29 -- Playback Final
DIVISION I
Poway 11, Eastlake 3
DIVISION II
Grossmont 17, Steele Canyon 8

Wed., May 28 -- Fourth Round
DIVISION I
Poway 5, Eastlake 2
La Costa Canyon 9, Vista 8 (10 inn.)
DIVISION II
Grossmont 9, Steele Canyon 3
Oceanside 9, Ramona 3
DIVISION III
Cathedral 18, El Capitan 15
Montgomery 3, Santana 1
DIVISION IV
Christian 10,
Mater Dei 3
Coronado 7, La Jolla Country Day 6

Tue., May 27 -- Third Round
DIVISION I
Vista 6, Granite Hills 5 (9 inn.)
Poway 4, Rancho Bernardo 3
DIVISION II
Grossmont 20,
Mt. Carmel 12
Ramona 12, Westview 6
DIVISION III
El Capitan 13,
La Jolla 12 (10 inn.)
Santana 5,
Mission Bay 4
DIVISION IV
La Jolla Country Day 12, Horizon 4
Mater Dei 5, Santa Fe Chr. 0

Mon., May 26 -- Second Round
DIVISION III
La Jolla 4, Brawley 0

Sat., May 24 -- Second Round
DIVISION I
Winners Bracket:
Eastlake 4, Rancho Bernardo 2
La Costa Canyon 5, Vista 3
Elimination Games:
Poway 8, Calexico 0
Granite Hills 3, Patrick Henry 1
DIVISION II
Winners Bracket:
Steele Canyon 2, Grossmont 1
Oceanside 7, Ramona 0
Elimination Games:
Mt. Carmel 14, San Ysidro 5
Westview 6, Hilltop 4
DIVISION III
Winners Bracket:
Cathedral 7, El Capitan 1
Montgomery 1, Mission Bay 0
Elimination Games:
Brawley at La Jolla, ppd., wet grounds
Santana 7, St. Augustine 5
DIVISION IV
Winners Bracket:
Coronado 2, Horizon 0
Christian 8, Mater Dei 7 (8 inn.)
Elimination Games:
La Jolla Country Day 5, Tri-City Chr. 0
Santa Fe Chr. 8, The Bishop's 4

Fri., May 23 -- Second Round
All games postponed, rain

Wed., May 21 -- First Round
DIVISION I
Rancho Bernardo 5, Poway 4
Eastlake 4, Calexico 0
Vista 3, Patrick Henry 2
La Costa Canyon 3, Granite Hills 1
DIVISION II
Grossmont 13,
San Ysidro 0
Steele Canyon 8, Mt. Carmel 3
Ramona 16, Hilltop 4
Oceanside 7, Westview 5
DIVISION III
El Capitan 9,
Brawley 8
Cathedral 11, La Jolla 4
Mission Bay 8, Santana 2
Montgomery 7, St. Augustine 0
DIVISION IV
Coronado 11, Tri-City Christian 0
Horizon 7, La Jolla Country Day 1
Mater Dei 7, The Bishop's 0
Christian 11, Santa Fe Christian 3

Tue., May 20 -- Play-In Game
DIVISION I
Rancho Bernardo 7, Mira Mesa 6
Calexico 1, Torrey Pines 0
Patrick Henry 2, Otay Ranch 0
La Costa Canyon 7, Bonita Vista 4
DIVISION II
San Ysidro 9, West Hills 5
Mt. Carmel 7, Mission Hills 2
Hilltop 5, Valhalla 2
Westview 8, Serra 1
DIVISION III
Brawley 9, Madison 3
Cathedral 3, Mount Miguel 0
Santana 11, University City 2
St. Augustine 6, San Dieguito 3
DIVISION IV
Coronado 8, High Tech 2
Tri-City Christian 10, Mountain Empire 4
La Jolla Country Day 13, Imperial 6
Horizon 6, San Diego Jewish 2
Mater Dei 10, Holtville 2
The Bishop's 12, Olympian 5
Santa Fe Christian 7, Francis Parker 6
Christian 22, Vista-Calvary Christian 5

WEEK 1
Wed., Feb. 27
Tri-City Classic
Foothills Chr. 5, San Pasqual Aca. 1

Sat., Mar. 1
Foothiller-Aztec Classic
Grossmont 13, Carlsbad 5
Chula Vista 3, Santana 1
Steele Canyon 1, Montgomery 0
Valhalla 3, Ramona 1
West Hills 4, Castle Park 0
Mater Dei 8, Helix 0
Eastlake 6, Monte Vista 5 (8 inn.)
Bully's East Tournament
Mount Miguel 6, Mar Vista 3
El Centro-Central 12, El Cajon Valley 9
Tri-City Classic
Foothills Christian 7, CV-Calvary 0 (forfeit)
Non-League
Christian 8-4, San Jose-King's Aca. 6-3

WEEK 2
Mon., Mar. 3
Christian Patriots Invitational

Horizon 7, Christian 5 (9 inn.)

Tue., Mar. 4
Hilltop-Lolita’s Tournament

El Capitan 14, St. Augustine 10
Granite Hills 9, Hilltop 0
Bully’s East Tournament
Brawley 4, Mount Miguel 0
El Cajon Valley 6, San Dieguito 4
Tri-City Classic
Army-Navy 15, Foothills Christian 2

Wed., Mar. 5
Foothiller-Aztec Classic

Grossmont 17, Eastlake 7
Santana 4, Helix 2
Montgomery 4, West Hills 3 (10 inn.)
Ramona 9, Steele Canyon 5
Valhalla 2, Bonita Vista 1
Carlsbad 7, Monte Vista 2
Christian Patriots Invitational
Christian 6, The Bishop’s 1

Thur., Mar. 6
Hilltop-Lolita’s Tournament

Granite Hills 11, Rancho Buena Vista 0
El Capitan 9, Fallbrook 6
Bully’s East Tournament
Sweetwater 6, Mount Miguel 2
Mission Hills 18, El Cajon Valley 6
Citrus West League
SD Jewish 13, Foothills Christian 8

Fri., Mar. 7
Foothiller-Aztec Classic

Grossmont 12, Helix 2
Valhalla 23, West Hills 2
Steele Canyon 15, Castle Park 9
Eastlake 8, Santana 2
Mater Dei 1, Monte Vista 0

Sat., Mar. 8
Hilltop-Lolita’s Tournament

Granite Hills 6, Rancho Bernardo 4
Poway 11, El Capitan 3
Foothiller-Aztec Classic
Valhalla 4, Castle Park 0
Steele Canyon 5, Bonita Vista 4
Santana 5, Carlsbad 3
Monte Vista 6, Chula Vista 4
Grossmont 14, Mater Dei 1
Eastlake 3, Helix 2
Vista 2, West Hills 0
Bully’s East Tournament
Mount Miguel 3, San Diego 2
SD-Southwest 7, El Cajon Valley 5
Christian Patriots Invitational
La Jolla Country Day 16, Christian 1
Tri-City Classic
Calvin Christian 12, Foothills Christian 9

WEEK 3
Mon., Mar. 10
Christian Patriots Invitational

Christian 15, Santa Fe Christian 2

Tue., Mar. 11
Hilltop-Lolita’s Tournament

El Capitan 6, San Marcos 4
Granite Hills 10, Escondido 2
Bully’s East Tournament
El Cajon Valley 8, Olympian 0
Bully’s West Tournament
Mount Miguel 4, El Camino 3

Wed., Mar. 12
Foothiller-Aztec Classic

Grossmont 12, Monte Vista 0
Chula Vista 7, Helix 3
Santana 4, Mater Dei 0
West Hills 2, Steele Canyon 1
Valhalla 6, Vista 4
Christian Patriots Invitational
Christian 15, Mountain Empire 4
Citrus West League
Foothills Christian vs. Guajome Park, ppd. (new date TBA)

Thur., Mar. 13
Bully’s Tournament

Final: Patrick Henry 11, Sweetwater 1
Hilltop-Lolita’s Tournament
El Capitan 5, Mission Bay 0
Cathedral Catholic 12, Granite Hills 3
Eagle Classic
Foothills Christian 7, Guajome Park 0 (forfeit)

Fri., Mar. 14
Non-League

West Hills 5, Otay Ranch 0
Chula Vista 6, El Cajon Valley 2
Citrus West League
Foothills Christian at Christian Life, ppd. (to Mar. 15)

Sat., Mar. 15
Foothiller-Aztec Classic
Championship: Grossmont 7, Valhalla 0
Non-League
West Hills 6, Patrick Henry 1
Citrus West League
Christian Life 10, Foothills Christian 9

WEEK 4
Mon., Mar. 17
58th Annual Lions Tournament
Classic Division
Grossmont 11, Elk Grove 1
Silverado (Nev.) 7, Valhalla 0
Granite Hills 12, Pleasant Valley 11 (9 inn.)
Division 5A
Santana 6, Hilltop 2
Division 4A
Christian 8, Kearns (Utah) 7
Steele Canyon 12, Foothill (Nev.) 2
Taylorsville (Utah) 5, Helix 4
West Hills 8, Brawley 3
Division 3A
Monte Vista 12, Francis Parker 0
Division 2A
Mount Miguel 11, Madera South 3
Division 1A
El Cajon Valley 10, Capistrano Valley Christian 7
Cleat’s National Classic
At Scottsdale, Ariz.

El Capitan 8, Scottsdale Horizon (Ariz.) 5

Tue., Mar. 18
Cleat’s National Classic
At Scottsdale, Ariz.

El Capitan 16, Grandview (Colo.) 6
El Capitan 7, Bingham (Utah) 6
58th Annual Lions Tournament
Classic Division
Kennedy 9, Valhalla 2
Green Valley (Nev.) 6, Granite Hills 5
Grossmont 6, Temecula Valley 5
Division 5A
Santana 8, Escondido 2
Division 4A
West Hills 10, Kearns (Utah) 8
Helix 4, Valley Center 0
Christian 7, Brawley 6
Steele Canyon 12, Calexico 2 (6 inn.)
Division 3A
Monte Vista 7, Kearny 5
Division 2A
Mount Miguel 10, Imperial 7
Division 1A
El Cajon Valley 19, Lutheran 2 (5 inn., run rule)

Wed., Mar. 19
58th Annual Lions Tournament
Classic Division
Grossmont 13, Cathedral Catholic 4
Valhalla 7, Torrey Pines 4
Granite Hills 7, Poway 6
Division 5A
Santana 5, La Jolla 0
Division 4A
Serra 12, Steele Canyon 7
West Hills 14, Christian 8
Helix 10, Beaumont 4
Division 3A
Monte Vista 5, Scottsdale Christian (Ariz.) 4
Division 2A
Mount Miguel 14, Hoover 8
Division 1A
El Cajon Valley 15, Crawford 5

Thurs., Mar. 20
58th Annual Lion’s Tournament
Classic Division, at USD
Semifinals

Poway 8, Grossmont 2
Montgomery 10, Torrey Pines 4
Final
Poway 10, Montgomery 0
Consolation
Green Valley 4, Valhalla 3
Granite Hills 2, Anaheim-Kennedy 0
Premier Division, at UCSD
Semifinals
Vista df. Rancho Bernardo
Final
Vista 11, Coronado 4
Division 5A, at Grossmont College
Semifinals
Santana 3, Mission Hills 0
St. Augustine df. Bonita Vista
Final
Santana 4, St. Augustine 3
Division 4A, at Southwestern College
Semifinals
Chula Vista 4, West Hills 3
Division 3A
Semifinals
San Pasqual 7, Monte Vista 5
Sweetwater df. University City
Final
Sweetwater 13, San Marcos 5
Division 2A
Semifinals
San Marcos 6, Bakersfield-Highlands 0
San Diego 7, Mount Miguel 4
Final
San Marcos 6, San Diego 4
Division 1A
Semifinals
El Cajon Valley 5, Tri-City Christian 0
Mar Vista df. Sitka (Alaska)
Final
El Cajon Valley 15, Mar Vista 5
Cleat’s National Classic
Scottsdale, Ariz.

Semifinals
Rocky Mountain (Colo.) 9, El Capitan 7
Third
Hamilton (Ariz.) 11, El Capitan 1
Citrus West League
SD Jewish 23, Lutheran 8

WEEK 5
Mon., Mar. 24
City Conference Tournament

Christian 5, University City 4
Non-League
El Cajon Valley 3, Horizon 2

Wed., Mar. 26
City Conference Tournament

Christian 6, Point Loma 5
Citrus West League
San Diego Jewish 1, Calvin Chr. 0

Thur., Mar. 27
Grossmont North League

West Hills 13, Grossmont 7
Santana 9, El Cajon Valley 1
Grossmont South League
Steele Canyon 3, Helix 1
Helix 3, Steele Canyon 2
Granite Hills 9, Mount Miguel 7
Granite Hills 21, Mount Miguel 0
Valhalla 5, Monte Vista 4
Valhalla 4, Monte Vista 0

Fri., Mar. 28
Non-League

El Capitan 8, Bonita Vista 7

Sat., Mar. 29
Non-League

Grossmont 6, Mission Bay 2
Grossmont 13, Mission Bay 11
Santana 13, Canyon Crest 0

WEEK 6
Mon., Mar. 31
City Conference Tournament

Christian 12, St. Augustine 8

Tue., Apr. 1
Grossmont North-South Tournament

Valhalla 6, Grossmont 3
Helix 5, Santana 4
West Hills 4, Granite Hills 3
Mount Miguel 5, El Capitan 4
Steele Canyon 10, El Cajon Valley 2
Citrus West League
SD Jewish 9, Foothills Christian 5
Christian Life 15, Lutheran 3
Guajome Park 12, Midway Baptist 10

Wed., Apr. 2
City Conference Tournament

Christian 13, Hoover 3

Thur., Apr. 3
Grossmont North-South Tournament

El Capitan 3, Steele Canyon 2
Grossmont 8, Monte Vista 3
West Hills 5, Helix 4
Santana 13, Mount Miguel 2
Valhalla 12, El Cajon Valley 5 (8 inn.)
Citrus West League
Lutheran 12, Foothills Christian 9
Christian Life 6, Midway Baptist 1

Sat., Apr. 5
Grossmont North-South Tournament

Granite Hills 3, El Capitan 2 (9 inn.)
Grossmont 10, Mount Miguel 2
Valhalla 2, West Hills 1
Helix 7, El Cajon Valley 1
Santana 5, Monte Vista 0
City Conference Tournament
Cathedral Catholic 11, Christian 3
Non-League
Foothills Christian 6, Maranatha Chr. 3

WEEK 7
Mon, Apr. 7
Non-League

Grossmont 3, Eastlake 0

Tue, Apr. 8
Grossmont North-South Tournament

El Capitan 18, Monte Vista 2
Helix 6, Grossmont 4
Valhalla 8, Santana 1
Granite Hills 20, El Cajon Valley 7
West Hills 3, Steele Canyon 1 (13 inn.)
Citrus West League
Midway Baptist 5, Foothills Christian 4
Calvary Christian 12, Lutheran 4
SD Jewish 8, Christian Life 0

Wed., Apr. 9
Eastern League

Christian 4, St. Augustine 2
Mira Mesa 9, Morse 1
Non-League
Foothills Christian 14, Warner Springs 1

Thur., Apr. 10
Grossmont North-South Tournament

El Capitan 1, Valhalla 0
Santana 11, Steele Canyon 6
Monte Vista 9, El Cajon Valley 3
West Hills 9, Mount Miguel 0
Citrus West League
Foothills Christian at Vista-Calvary Chr., ppd. (rescheduled to Apr. 12)
SD Jewish 6, Guajome Park 3
Lutheran 8, Midway Baptist 6

Fri., Apr. 11
Grossmont North-South Tournament

Granite Hills 4, Grossmont 2
Eastern League
St. Augustine 8, Christian 5
Serra 12, Scripps Ranch 2
Mira Mesa 12, Morse 2
Non-League
DeSales (Geneva, N.Y.) 6, Foothills Chr. 5

Sat., Apr. 12
Grossmont North-South Tournament

Championship
El Capitan 7, Granite Hills 2
Citrus West League
Vista-Calvary Chr. 18, Foothills Christian 0

WEEK 8
Mon., Apr. 14
Eastern League

Patrick Henry 7, Christian 0
St. Augustine 13, Serra 12
Mira Mesa 14, Scripps Ranch 6

Tue., Apr. 15
Grossmont North League

Grossmont 12, West Hills 1
Santana 14, El Cajon Valley 4
Grossmont South League
Mount Miguel 6, Helix 1
Granite Hills 19, Monte Vista 1
Valhalla 6, Steele Canyon 4
Citrus West League
Calvary Christian 10, Midway Baptist 4
SD Jewish 4, Lutheran 3
Christian Life 6, Guajome Park 3
Foothills Christian -- BYE

Wed., Apr. 16
Eastern League

Patrick Henry 6, Christian, 1
Scripps Ranch 4, Mira Mesa 2
St. Augustine 20, Serra 2
Citrus West League
Calvary Chr. 6, Christian Life 4

Thur., Apr. 17
Grossmont North League

West Hills 4, El Capitan 3 (8 inn.)
Grossmont 2, Santana 1 (11 inn.)
Grossmont South League
Mount Miguel 9, Helix 0
Granite Hills 11, Monte Vista 5
Steele Canyon 5, Valhalla 4
Citrus West League
Foothills Christian at Guajome Park, ppd. (new date TBA)
SD Jewish 10, Midway Baptist 2

Fri., Apr. 18
Eastern League

Christian 4, Morse 3
Patrick Henry 8, Scripps Ranch 2
Mira Mesa 10, Serra 6

Sat., Apr. 19
Grossmont North League

El Capitan 14, West Hills 2
Grossmont 5, Santana 2
Grossmont South League
Granite Hills 7, Helix 1
Mount Miguel 9, Valhalla 2
Steele Canyon 6, Monte Vista 3
Non-League
Sweetwater 2-3, St. Augustine 0-0

WEEK 9
Tue., Apr. 22
Grossmont North League

El Capitan 5, El Cajon Valley 1
West Hills 3, Santana 2
Grossmont South League
Granite Hills 7, Helix 2
Valhalla 6, Mount Miguel 1
Steele Canyon 10, Monte Vista 5
Non-League
Foothills Christian 12, Julian 2
Borrego 8, Midway Baptist 4
Citrus West League
Foothills Christian at Christian Life, moved to May 7
Lutheran 7, Guajome Park 5

Wed., Apr. 23
Eastern League

Christian 6, Morse 1
Patrick Henry 4, Scripps Ranch 3
Mira Mesa 23, Serra 1
Non-League
Mater Dei 7, St. Augustine 5
Vista-Calvary Chr. 21, CV-Calvary Chr. 1 (5 inn.)

Thur., Apr. 24
Grossmont North League

El Capitan 18, El Cajon Valley 11
Santana 2, West Hills 1 (12 inn.)
Grossmont South League
Valhalla 6, Helix 2
Steele Canyon 9, Granite Hills 9 (8 inn.)
Monte Vista 17, Mount Miguel 6
Citrus West League
Midway Baptist df. Guajome Park, forfeit
Non-League
Foothills Christian 28, CV-Calvary Chr. 4 (5 inn.)

Fri., Apr. 25
Eastern League

Scripps Ranch 8, Christian 3
St. Augustine 4, Patrick Henry 2
Serra 4, Morse 2
Non-League
El Capitan 8, Eastlake 6
Citrus West League
Lutheran 9, Christian Life 5

Sat., Apr. 26
Grossmont North League

Grossmont 13, El Cajon Valley 1
El Capitan 6, Santana 1
Grossmont South League
Mount Miguel 4, Monte Vista 1
Granite Hills 4, Steele Canyon 3
Valhalla 2, Helix 1

Mon., Apr. 28
Eastern League

Christian 9, Scripps Ranch 3
Patrick Henry 11, St. Augustine 5
Serra 13, Morse 1
Non-League
Foothills Christian at West Shores, Desert Shores Park, ppd.

Tue., Apr. 29
Grossmont North League

El Capitan 2, Santana 1
Grossmont 15, El Cajon Valley 3
Grossmont South League
Helix 7, Monte Vista 4
Valhalla 3, Granite Hills 2
Steele Canyon 2, Mount Miguel 1
Citrus West League
Lutheran 9, Foothills Christian 8
Vista-Calvary Chr. 2, Guajome Park 0

Wed., Apr. 30
Eastern League

Christian 7, Serra 2
Mira Mesa 8, Patrick Henry 1
St. Augustine 7, Morse 1
Ctirus West League
Vista-Calvary Chr. 2, Guajome Park 0

Thur., May 1
Grossmont North League

El Capitan 10, Grossmont 7
West Hills 3, El Cajon Valley 0
Grossmont South League
Monte Vista 5, Helix 4
Granite Hills 7, Valhalla 1
Steele Canyon 8, Mount Miguel 6 (9 inn.)
Citrus West League
Foothills Christian 11, Midway Baptist 4
SD Jewish 4, Christian Life 1
Vista-Calvary 11, Lutheran 2

Fri., May 2
Eastern League

Serra 5, Christian 0
St. Augustine 3, Morse 2
Patrick Henry 11, Mira Mesa 8

Sat., May 3
Grossmont North League

Grossmont 9, El Capitan 8
El Cajon Valley 11, West Hills 7
Non-League
Santana 9-22, La Jolla Country Day 3-1

WEEK 11
Mon., May 5
Non-League
Foothills Christian 10, Vincent Memorial 8

Tue., May 6
Grossmont North League

Grossmont 3, West Hills 1
Santana 3, El Cajon Valley 1
Grossmont South League
Steele Canyon 7, Helix 6 (8 inn.)
Granite Hills 4, Mount Miguel 2
Valhalla 9, Monte Vista 3
Citrus West League
Vista-Calvary Christian 7, Foothills Christian 2
San Diego Jewish 8, Guajoma Park 0
Midway Baptist 8, Lutheran 7

Wed., May 7
Eastern League

Mira Mesa 5, Christian 1
St. Augustine 5, Scripps Ranch 1
Patrick Henry 8, Morse 1
Citrus West League
Christian Life 13, Foothills Christian 1
Non-League
Serra 7, Clairemont 3

Thur., May 8
Grossmont North League

El Capitan 13, West Hills 2
Grossmont 5, Santana 1
Grossmont South League
Helix 3, Mount Miguel 2
Monte Vista 5, Granite Hills 3
Steele Canyon 3, Valhalla 2
Citrus West League
Christian Life at Guajome Park (to May 9)
San Diego Jewish 6, Lutheran 5
Vista-Calvary Chr. 17, Midway Baptist 2

Fri., May 9
Eastern League

Mira Mesa 4, Christian 3
St. Augustine 5, Scripps Ranch 3
Patrick Henry 6, Morse 0
Non-League
Foothills Christian 22, West Shores 8
Citrus West League
Guajome Park at Christian Life

Sat., May 10
Grossmont North League

El Capitan 7, El Cajon Valley 0
West Hills 8, Santana 3
Grossmont South League
Granite Hills 6, Helix 0
Valhalla 14, Mount Miguel 2
Steele Canyon 9, Monte Vista 1
Citrus West League
Foothills Christian 18, Guajome Park 13
Guajome Park 19, Foothills Christian 8

WEEK 12
Mon., May 12
Non-League

Maranatha 2, Foothills Christian 0
Tri-City Christian 11, San Diego Jewish 3
Eastern League
Serra 1, Patrick Henry 0
Scripps Ranch 11, Morse 2
Mira Mesa 10, St. Augustine 1

Tue., May 13
Grossmont North League

Grossmont 8, El Cajon Valley 2
El Capitan 5, Santana 5, tie (11 inn., darkness)
Grossmont South League
Steele Canyon 8, Granite Hills 1
Valhalla 4, Helix 2
Monte Vista 4, Mount Miguel 0
Citrus West League
Foothills Christian 27, CV-Calvary Chr.1
Non-League
Lutheran 8, Borrego Springs 7
High Tech High 3, Christian Life 2

Wed., May 14
Non-League

Christian 8, Coronado 6
SD Jewish 18, San Pasqual Academy 2 (6 inn.)
Eastern League
St. Auguistine 7, Mira Mesa 0
Scripps Ranch 5, Morse 3
Patrick Henry 6, Serra 4

Thur., May 15
Grossmont North League

West Hills 7, El Cajon Valley 0
Grossmont 14, El Capitan 1
Grossmont South League
Helix 8, Monte Vista 2
Valhalla 7, Granite Hills 4
Steele Canyon 16, Mount Miguel 4