© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (5-1-08) -- One name lost in all of the fine pitching efforts this season might belong to BRITTANI BERTUSSI. While others have posted impressive numbers, be it with strikeouts or no-hitters, Bertussi has been going about her business, winning two out of every three decisions.

On Wednesday (Apr. 30), another workmanlike effort saw Bertussi allow just three hits, moving Granite Hills back into the Grossmont South League pennant race with a 2-0 shutout triumph at Valhalla.

Bertussi kept the up-and-down Norsemen off-balance with nine strikeouts, making a pair of 2nd-inning runs stand up to forge a logjam in the GSL standings.

"Brittani does what she does best -- throw us away and keep it away," said Valhalla coach DOUG HARTUNG. "Then we didn't defend very well."

Both Eagles runs were set-up on a pair of errors to allow JILL SCIARRA and AMANDA OMAHEN to reach base.

A groundout moved both runners into scoring position, coming home on an RBI single by SHAYLA ZETSCH and a grounder to the right side by LAUREN HAGEMANN.

Valhalla only allowed six hits, as freshman TORREY ROOK tossed the final two innings in relief, recording strikeouts on five of the six batters she faced.

Mount Miguel 2, Helix 0 -- The day's shocker saw Matadors left-hander LAURA NELSON out-duel Highlanders pitcher TERESE DIAZ, tossing a 5-hit shutout at the Scotties,

Nelson struck out seven batters in posting her fourth shutout of the season -- her first since registering consecutive blankings of La Jolla and Hoover in the Falcon Fiesta in mid-March.

"Even though I thought we came out a bit flat, you have to give all the credit to Nelson," said Helix coach MARK PAULE. "She just pitched a great ballgame. We had our chances, but she shut us down."

Helix had an opportunity to steal the victory in the bottom of the 7th after loading the bases, but Nelson capped perhaps her best outing of the season by fielding a tapper right back to her glove, addressing an easy toss to first base to rock the GSL standings,

The Matadors scored twice in the 2nd for all of the ballgame's runs.

SONIA RAY was hit by a pitch, then SHANICE SUTTON beat out an infield chopper for a basehit.

GABBY NADIAS then hit a ball to the right side of the infield which scored Ray, then Nelson lined a single to left to bring home Sutton.

Steele Canyon 8, Monte Vista 1 -- JAZMIN DAIGLE posted another 4-for-4 outing at the plate, while LORENA KLOPP and MICHELE BEASLEY knocked in two runs each to power the first-place Cougars past the visiting Monarchs.

The victory, coupled with losses by Helix and Valhalla, snapped the 3-way tie for first place and moved Steele Canyon into prime position for a third consecutive Grossmont South League crown.

"Not so fast," noted Cougars head coach JULIE BOHE. "We still have a real tough schedule coming up next week. We are in no way thinking about that."

Steele Canyon scored its runs over a 4-inning span, including a 2-run single by Beasley in the 4th, while Klopp connected for a pair of run-scoring singles.

NICOLE RANDEL added a pair of hits among the 15 collected by the Cougars. Meanwhile, JAYME JARVIS and IRENE BLUMENSTOCK drove in runs with basehits. Blumenstock also pitched a perfect 7th inning in relief of GABRIELLE BEASLEY, who tossed 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball before an error led to the lone Monarchs' run.

However, on the very next play, Daigle snared a sharp ground ball at third base, throwing out a runner at the plate.

"Jazmin somehow knocked the ball down, which was amazing enough," noted Bohe. "But then she threw the girl out from her knees -- it was some play."

Santana 3, El Capitan 0 -- JESSIE OWENS raised her pitching record to a perfect 9-0, while AMANDA CARPENTER scored twice, lifting the Sultans past the visiting Vaqueros.

Owens struck out 10 in tossing a 1-hitter for her fifth complete-game shutout of the season. Owens' effort overshadowed a nice effort by El Capitan starter SARAH GROHMAN, who allowed just five hits to the Sultans.

"You really have to give their pitcher (Grohman) credit," said Owens. "She kept us off balance for most of the game. It was really hard to score when both defenses played so well. El Cap played us tough today."

Carpenter doubled in the 3rd inning, scoring on a basehit from catcher BRITTANY FENN for the only run Owens would need.

In the 5th, CARLA CARILLO and Carpenter both walked, eventually scoring on a Fenn fielder's choice – giving the catcher two RBI for the contest – and then a run-scoring basehit by KELSEY McILONIE.

West Hills 15, El Cajon Valley 3 -- Both of Wednesday's (Apr. 30) Grossmont North League ballgames produced 1-hitters, as CHELSEA VELOVICH and JESSICA ALDERSON combined to bump the Braves in a 5-inning contest.

Velovich struck out seven batters over her four innings, while Alderson pitched a perfect 5th, allowing the Wolf Pack to catch Grossmont for second place in the GNL.

The only hit allowed was a no-doubter, as COREY RAINEY boomed a 2-run double to the fence in right-center field, capping a 3-run outburst to trim the West Hills lead to 4-3.

However, the Pack answered with six runs in the 4th, featuring a 3-run homer by sophomore ALEX MILLER, with MICHERIE KORIA later adding an RBI triple. For the contest, Miller batted 3-for-4 with six RBI, including a single for one run, a 2-run double and the homer in the most productive game of her career.

Mira Mesa 9, Christian 4 -- A single inning ruined the Patriots' bid to upset the Marauders after the visitors scored four times in the 7th inning to break open Wednesday's (Apr. 30) 1-run ballgame. With the win, Mira Mesa caught Christian for fourth place in the Eastern League.

"I'm happy with our bats, even with some of our outs -- we hit the ball hard," said Pats coach ROMA DAWSON. "We just need to overcome one bad inning, just like in our game with Serra last week -- another 1-run game got away from us."

KARA CARTWRIGHT gave Christian the early lead with a 2-run double down the left-field line in the 1st. Mira Mesa catcher Shannon Tillett answered with a 3-run homer in the 2nd, but the Patriots immediately got even on an RBI single by AMANDA MARCOS, bringing home ALYSSA GRAUL.

However, Mira Mesa bounced back with two runs in the 3rd, scoring on a fielder's choice grounder by Aarika Pereira for the lead, then an RBI single by Alicia Girbes-Pierce. From there, Marauders pitcher Melanie Goff allowed just one run and three hits the rest of the way to collect the victory, as AMANDA PLUM singled to score Marcos in the 4th.

© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (4-28-08) -- Following a 7-1 start to the season, the El Capitan Vaqueros fell into a sinkhole, winning just three times over the past six weeks.

However, the ballclub is beginning to climb out of the crater.

Paced by pitching of JULIANNA DUNCAN and SARAH GROHMAN, the Vaqueros yielded just two early hits, making a pair of early runs stand up in a 2-0 decision over El Cajon Valley in Grossmont North League action Monday (Apr. 28).

"After making that comeback against West Hills, the team's confidence is much higher," said El Capitan coach JOE COTA on an extra-inning loss to the Wolf Pack. "This team is still working hard because they know they can win some more wins and make the playoffs."

El Cap scored single runs in the 1st and 2nd innings for all of the game's scoring.

KARINA HALE registered a one-out single, moving to third base when the ball was misplayed in the outfield. Seconds later, she scored on a passed ball.

An inning later, Duncan punched a leadoff double, eventually scoring on a sacrifice fly by senior ERICA BERGER, who sat out last season, but has been working hard to regain playing time.

Meanwhile, Duncan and Grohman did not allow a hit the rest of the way.

The only Braves hits were singles by COREY RAINEY in the 1st and ALYSSA GARCIA in the 2nd.

Balough struck out eight and walked just one, running her record to 13-2.

The upstart Hillers, which defeated West Hills to get a shot at the Sultans for the GNL lead, were never in it, allowing three straight walks to open the contest.

Each runner scored, the first on an RBI single by shortstop RACHEL FAILLA, then Michelle Bramlage hit a 3-run double.

The Sultans (21-2) also ran past Grossmont by, well, running past the Hillers, setting what is believed to be a school record with 12 stolen bases. Included were four by AMANDA CARPENTER, and three each by NICOLE BRZECZEK (all as a pinchrunner) and JESSIE OWENS.

Santana is now on pace to become the first ballclub to capture the North League with an undefeated record this decade. Since 2000, every champion or co-champion recorded at least two losses on its way to the pennant.

JAZMIN DAIGLE led the way with a triple and a double, scoring twice and driving in a pair before leading the cheering squad in the dugout. Centerfielder VANESSA ADAME also added a pair of basehits as part of a 12-hit attack, while catcher KELLY CASH went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Adame opened the ballgame with a single, HANNAH ROST walked, then Daigle pushed both across the plate with a double. Mount Miguel then booted the ball three times to begin its downward spiral.

IRENE BLUMENSTOCK and MICHELLE BEASLEY combined on the 2-hitter. Blumenstock raised her record to 6-1, while Beasley went the final three innings to register a save.

Meanwhile, Falcons pitcher Rachel Brown reached the 20-victory plateau by tossing a 4-hitter. She struck out seven.

West Hills snapped Brown's shutout bid with a run in the 6th inning.

After BRIANNA AUSTIN walked, an error on a ball hit by CASSIDY BAGGETT placed runners on the corners, then catcher MICHERIE KORIA singled home Austin. Koria had a perfect day at the plate, going 2-for-2 plus a walk.

© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (4-26-08) -- It wasn't the most auspicious start for Steele Canyon pitcher LORENA KLOPP, but she was philosophical about the ordeal.

"I wasn't down on myself, I just told myself that I really needed to hit my spots because they're a good-hitting team," said the Cougars' pitching ace. "I just needed to settle down."

Despite allowing back-to-back, 1st-inning home runs to Helix' NATALIE SMITH and ALYSSA DRONENBURG, Klopp regained control and struckout 15 Highlanders on Friday (Apr. 25), allowing Steele Canyon to rally for a 5-2 victory in a Grossmont South League night game at Helix.

In a battle of power pitchers, the Cougars held a 7-4 advantage in hits to gain the victory, handing Helix' TERESE DIAZ (14-2) just her second setback of the season.

"Terese is the best pitcher we've faced," noted Klopp. "We've just been focusing on hitting -- that's all we did in practice Thursday -- and we have to keep up playing like we did today and keep our intensity up."

More than 250 spectators attended Friday's (Apr. 25) prime time special; another 7 p.m. contest is slated for next Friday (May 2) against Granite Hills.

Only once all season has Diaz surrendered more than a single earned run in a contest, that to top-ranked and undefeated Escondido . However, the Cougars became the second team to tag the East County leader in pitching victories, immediately grabbing the lead with a 3-run, 2nd-inning rally.

NICOLE RANDEL started the rally with a one-out single. She moved to second on a wild pitch, then scored on a basehit to right by JAYME JARVIS.

KELLY CASH walked, with she and Jarvis advancing into scoring position on a ground out to the right side by IRENE BLUMENSTOCK. Beasley followed with a shot up the middle, as Cash beat the throw to the plate for a 3-2 lead.

"I was just thinking about the situation, then I just hit the ball where ever and tried to step up," Beasley explained. "Everyone was feeling a little down about our (recent) hitting slump, but we all picked it up -- we're all a little more motivated."

The victory leaves both teams, plus Valhalla, in a 3-way deadlock for the GSL lead, with Granite Hills just a game back in the tightest pennant race in the county.

Helix' early lead saw Smith, the No. 2 batter, drill a 2-2 pitch over the fence in centerfield. Seconds later, Dronenburg parked a pitch to nearly an identical location, but about 20 feet deeper, for her East County leading sixth homer of the season.

"I'm proud for the way we are executing the plays and making it happen when it counted -- getting those two-strike hit," added Bohe. "Our hitting was consistent, while Helix had just those two pitches."

Kloop allowed two additional singles in the first, yet allowed no additional runs. She capped the game by tossing six shutout innings, yielding just one additional hit. Meanwhile, Diaz finished with 11 strikeouts.

"It might be a home-field advantage for Helix, but we like playing under the lights, like we do at Kit Carson at the beginning of the season," Bohe noted. "Everyone was all hyped up and excited, with a lot of fans here and the principal (DOUGLAS D. SMITH of Helix) throwing out the first pitch here under the lights."

West Hills 7, El Capitan 6 (8 inn.) -- It's been a long season for Wolf Pack pitcher CHELSEA VELOVICH, who will pitch for USD in 2010. The junior finally registered her second victory of the season in seven decisions after West Hills scored in the 8th inning to finally slip past the Vaqueros.

CASSIDY BAGGETT pushed across the tie-breaking run with a walkoff double.

Velovich started the winning rally with a basehit. She was wiped off the basepaths due to a fielder's choice, but KAELI HUNYADY continued the rally with a single. Both runners moved into scoring position on a tapper in front of home plate, then Baggett hit a shot into the gap to snap a mild, 2-game losing streak for the Pack.

The Vaqueros stayed close by taking advantage of four West Hills errors.

Serra 8, Chrisitan 5 -- After opening the season with a 7-2-2 mark, the slumping Conquistadors slipped under the .500 plateau until finally bouncing back to snap a 4-game losing streak in Friday's (Apr. 25) Eastern League victory at Christian.

The Q's, which trailed 2-0 after an inning, pushed across seven runs in the 4th to avenge an earlier 9-0 pasting from the Patriots. The rally started on a double by left-fielder Isela Mohr, then Christian allowed a pair of errors and two walks to fuel the Serra comeback.

Christian scored twice in the 1st when KARA CARTWRIGHT doubled, followed by RBI singles by AMANDA PLUM and ALLIE SCOTT.

The Pats (10-9, 3-3 EL) then added three runs in the 5th, set-up on basehits by Cartwright and Plum . ALY GENTRY followed with an RBI single, then a ball hit by ALLYSSA GRAUL went for two runs by a Serra throwing error.

Grossmont 13, El Cajon Valley 1 -- BRITTANY FISHTROM allowed just five hits to secure the road victory for the Foothillers to move within a half-game of idle Santana for the lead in the Grossmont North League.

Already leading 3-0, the Hillers registered seven runs in the 5th, as the Braves committed errors over five consecutive plays in a rare failure by the improving ballclub. Six of the runs were unearned.

DESIREE OLSON and ADRIANNA NAU both registered doubles and drove in a pair of runs, while MADI HILL added a 2-run double in the 7th.

El Cajon Valley snapped Fishtrom's shutout bid, but barely. With two runners on base, Grossmont threw baserunners out at the plate on consecutive plays. CHELSEA WILSON then singled to load the bases, then DALIA SERRANO broke through with an RBI single.

Uy struck out four and walked only one in a game that was completed in less than 90 minutes.

The Norsemen (14-11, 3-1 GSL), one of the unsung teams in the San Diego Section, took a 2-0 lead in the 3rd inning. JODIE SCHMEHR provided the spark with a one-out single and a steal of second base. KELLEY SEITZ then doubled off the base of the fence in left-centerfield, bringing in Schmehr. A fly ball hit by TORREY ROOK was dropped for a two-base error, allowing Seitz to score easily.

Valhalla pushed over its final run in the 6th inning. Uy singled, KYLA BRANSFORD executed a hit-and-run single to put runners at the corners. HALEY HOLTER then singled to right-center, scoring Uy.

Granite Hills 10, Monte Vista 1 – The Eagles scored six runs in the 1st inning and continued on for the lop-sided Grossmont South League victory over visiting Monte Vista on Friday (Apr. 25).

Junior MEGAN BELIO jump-started the Eagles’ offense with a base hit and then pranced to second on a passed ball. AMANDA OMAHEN followed with a double to score Belio. After pitcher JENNY LAHITTE reached on an error, JESSICA SCHATZ hammered a 3-run homer over the centerfield fence.

But the Eagles (16-5, 2-2) weren’t through.

KYLEE WILSON kept the flame burning with a base hit and advanced to second on one of Monte Vista’s seven errors. LAUREN HAGEMANN singled in Wilson and eventually scored herself on JORDAN CONWAY’s hit.

Lahitte pitched a complete game two-hitter while striking out seven and walking none.

Both Monte Vista hits went to sophomore BRITTANY WRIGHT. A triple by Wright in the 4th inning, coupled with a poor relay throw by Granite Hills that wound up in the dugout, accounted for the Monarchs only run.

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (4-24-08) -- The blueprint in winning fastpitch softball will not be found in Wednesday's (Apr. 23) effort by the Grossmont Foothillers.

"You think I'm upset," mused Grossmont coach JERRY LERUD. "Just think how West Hills must feel."

Nevertheless, seven errors later, the Foothillers still found a way to stave off the Wolf Pack, 7-6, in an upset which leap-frogged Grossmont into second place in the Grossmont North League.

The Hillers' linescore said it all: 7 runs, 7 hits, 7 errors. Ouch.

"It was far from a perfect game, but we got our hits when we needed them, then held on," added Lerud.

Grossmont parlayed six of its hits in the 4th inning, scoring all seven runs to overcome a 2-0 deficit. But West Hills had no one to blame but themselves to set-up the scoring spree.

Following a hit batsman to leadoff, a pair of walks followed to load the bases before the Hillers starting hitting.

DESIREE OLSON singled for a run, then ASHLEY RENALDI tagged a shot to centerfield for a grand slam and a 5-2 lead.

"After Ashley hit her slam, it started to get ugly -- real ugly -- for them," added the coach.

Two batters later, LAUREN VALLELY followed with a solo homer for a 6-2 advantage. Then Grossmont registered consecutive singles, capped by an ADRIANNA NAU basehit to cap the team's largest single-inning outburst of the season.

West Hills answered back with three runs in the 5th, then one in the 6th, but couldn't collect the clutch hit to tie the contest.

CASSIDY BAGGETT opened the 5th with a double to center. MICHERIE KORIA singled up the middle for a run, scoring on an ALEXANDRA MILLER double, also to center. Miller then scored on a basehit by TAYLOR HALLAHAN.

Miller collected her second double for an RBI in the 6th, but Hillers reliever BRITTANY FISHTROM recorded the final outs to gain her first save of the season.

Santana 8, El Cajon Valley 0 -- The Sultans (20-2) joined top-ranked Escondido and Scripps Ranch as the county's only 20-game winners after JESSIE OWENS spun a 4-hit shutout against the Braves in Wednesday's (Apr. 23) Grossmont North League affair.

Owens ran her record to 8-0 after striking out 10, yielding just four singles -- two by KARI SATROM -- and a walk.

After Owens scored in the 1st inning, the Sultans expanded the margin to 5-0 with four runs in the 4th. Half came on a 2-run homer by KELSEY McILONIE, who went 2-for-5 with two runs and a stolen base.

BRITTY BALOUGH slugged a pair of doubles and also scored twice.

"Whether Lorena was 50 percent or 100 percent," Cougars coach JULIE BOHE wouldn't say. "She still pitched a great game -- she definitely got the job done."

Steele Canyon scored all its runs in the 5th, capped by a 2-run single by JAZMIN DAIGLE.

JAYME JARVIS (2-for-3) started the rally with a basehit, moved to second on a wild pitch, then came home on an IRENE BLUMENSTOCK single, one of her three hits during the ballgame.

GABRIELLE BEASLEY and VANESSA ADAME recorded basehits to load the bases, then Daigle struck with her blow to right field.

Granite Hills relief pitcher JENNY LAHITTE finally stopped the Cougars, striking out five over 3 1/3 innings, but the Eagles never solved Klopp, dropping into a fourth-place deadlock with Mount Miguel, which defeated Monte Vista, 5-1.

Helix 8, Valhalla 1 -- In a battle of GSL co-leaders, TERESE DIAZ carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning before settling on her 2-hit victory over the Norsemen. The senior also delivered with the bat, going 3-for-3, including a 2-run homer in the 3rd inning, when the Scotties scored four times to open the scoring.

The outburst started on a walk to JESSICA FERNANDEZ, then consecutive basehits by NATALIE SMITH and ALYSSA DRONENBURG, the latter to open the scoring. Diaz followed with her blast to centerfield.

In the 5th, SIERRAH MOORE hit the base of the fence in center for a double, scoring on a basehit by ALYSSA BRITSCHGI.

Valhalla avoided the shutout in the 7th, when AMBER REARDON singled, eventually scoring on a basehit by CELINA CRUZ.

Scripps Ranch 5, Christian 0 -- In her first outing since getting upset by Valhalla , Falcons pitcher Rachel Brown got back on track in tossing a 3-hit shutout at the Patriots in Eastern League play.

"Rachel was on her game and pitched very well." said Patriots coach ROMA DAWSON about Brown (18-2), who struck out 12. "We played really good defense until the 6th."

Christian stayed close until Scripps Ranch scored three unearned runs in the 6th to pull away. The miscues loaded the bases, then Falcons freshman Nikki Wallstadt cleared them with a triple.

Freshman catcher Maggie Sevilla opened the scoring with a 2-run double in the 1st. Her drive wouldn't normally have gone for a double, but the ball hit a gap on a field without an outfield fence, allowing her to circle the bases.

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (4-22-08) -- Demonstrating the determination to get off the desk, both Valhalla and Santana high schools have been on a roll since suffering embarrassing losses earlier in the month.

Santana's setback came in the Grossmont Conference tournament, going down 7-0 early in a loss to Granite Hills. Meanwhile, Valhalla had lost four straight, including an upset to a mediocre Bonita Vista side.

But look at them now.

While the Sultans took command of the Grossmont North League with their second no-hitter of the season, the Norsemen did one better.

When the fastpitch rankings came out Monday (Apr. 21) morning, Scripps Ranch was ranked third in the CIF-San Diego Section. By late afternoon, those polls became obsolete after Norsemen pitcher ANGELA UY bested Falcons standout Rachel Brown in a 1-0 shutout victory.

"We're just playing a lot more relaxed," said head coach DOUG HARTUNG after the team extended its winning streak to three straight contests. "You can see it in the girls when they're out on the field."

Three key situations -- one pitching, one hitting and once on defense -- decided the ballgame.

Scripps Ranch (19-3-2) loaded the bases with two outs in the 1st inning. However, Uy escaped unscathed with one of her three strikeouts.

The Norsemen offense collected the game's lone run in the 4th after quickly loading the bases when JODIE SCHMEHR singled to left, AMBER REARDON beat out a bunt single, then TORREY ROOK walked.

KELLEY SEITZ then laced a single to right to score Schmehr, but the ball was hit so sharply, Reardon was held at third base.

Brown then got out of the inning with a strikeout, a fielder's choice on a ball back to the senior for the forceout at the plate, then another ground ball.

However, Valhalla did one better on defense when the Falcons attempted to quickly respond right back at the Norsemen in the 5th

Scripps Ranch registered a one-out single, advancing the runner to second. Then the ball reached all corners of Leto Field on a nice defensive sequence.

Another basehit went to left-center field, with centerfielder KAITLIN McGINLEY collecting the ball and firing a strike to Seitz at the plate. When the lead runner overran the bag, Seitz fired to third baseman CELINA CRUZ. Although the throw was late, the batter then attempted to take an extra base.

"Kelley made a great throw behind the runner," added Hartung. "But then Celina was heads-up and fired the ball to second base."

Schmehr caught the ball and applied the tag for the second out, then Uy got the next batter on a popup, allowing the Norsemen to escape without yielding a run.

Valhalla next meets Helix on Wednesday (Apr. 23) in a battle of Grossmont South League co-leaders.

Santana 11, West Hills 0 (5 inn.) -- The Sultans' BRITTY BALOUGH and JESSIE OWENS combined to throw a no-hitter at the Wolf Pack, sending Santana to undisputed possession of first place in the Grossmont North League.

Balough struck out three over the first four innings, walking one and hitting a batter. Owens registered three strikeouts in the 5th, as the umpire then called the contest on runs, although such a rule does not officially exist in the San Diego Section -- it was never approved by the Coordinating Council.

Not that West Hills was complaining after not scoring after gaining a pair of baserunners in the 1st (a leadoff walk and the hit batsman), then allowing eight runs in the 4th.

For Balough, it was her first no-hitter, while Owens tossed a complete-game, 5-inning no-hitter against Mar Vista in March.

After the Pack failed to score, the Sultans (19-2) posted three runs in their first at-bat.

AMANDA CARPENTER started the rally with a double, BRITTANY FENN singled, then the runs came home on a fielder's choice grounder by KELSEY McILONIE and a double by MICHELLE BRAMLAGE, which scored pinchrunner NICOLE BRZECZEK, who was making her first appearance since an appendectomy.

Key plays in the 4th included an error on a ball hit by Carpenter, allowing two runs to score, with three others coming home in wild pitches.

Bramlage paced the Sultans by going 3-for-3, Carpenter was 2-for-3, while Owens, Balough and AMANDA GRABLE recorded an RBI each.

ADRIANNA NAU powered a 12-hitting attack with three hits, including a double, scoring three times and driving home a pair.

JAYME TALMICH batted a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI, while KATHERINE MIRANDA went 2-for-4, with two runs and a pair of RBI.

BRITTANY FISHTROM tossed four shutout innings before getting tagged in the 5th. However, ASHLEY RENALDI entered to log the final four outs, registering her East County leading second save of the season.

El Capitan's rally was capped by a 2-run single to right-centerfield by SARAH JO GROHMAN, scoring KARA HOSTETLER and LESLIE KUHNE. Also knocking in a run was catcher KATHERINE BROWN, driving home pinchhitter KARINA HALE, who singled.

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (4-19-08) -- Everyone knew that the winner of Wednesday's Helix-Granite Hills game (Helix won) would end the week sharing first place in the Grossmont South League.

No one figured that also sitting at the top of the perch would be the Valhalla Norsemen.

However, there are the Norsemen after senior AMBER REARDON drove home the tie-breaking run in Friday's (Apr. 18) surprising 2-1 upset at Leto Field over two-time GSL champion Steele Canyon.

Reardon lined at RBI double to the fence, allowing CELINA CRUZ to circle the bases from first base. Cruz, the third baseman, went 2-for-2 with a double and a walk, but her lead single looked to be wasted after the next two batters failed to advance her until Reardon came through with a two-out shot to center after fouling off several pitches to stay alive.

"Amber has to be our most consistent player," said Valhalla coach DOUG HARTUNG. "She leads the team in RBI and always seems to come up with clutch hits. And she's a leader both on and off the field, too."

Cruz also doubled in the 4th, scoring moments later when catcher KELLEY SEITZ smacked a 2-0 run homer to open the scoring.

However, after Steele Canyon immediately answered with two runs in the 5th, Hartung called on freshman TORREY ROOK to get out of a bases-loaded jam.

"Before we went to Torrey, ANGELA UY got the ground ball we wanted, but we misplayed it and Steele Canyon tied the game," noted Hartung. "So Torrey goes in and gets an identical ground ball, but this time we made the play."

Rook went on to set the Cougars down in order in both the 6th and 7th innings, retiring all seven batters she faced to collect the victory. She struck out four in lowering her earned-run average to 0.61.

Uy was cruising with a 2-hit shutout through four innings, but Steele Canyon loaded the bases on basehits to KELLY CASH and GABRIELLE BEASLEY, sandwiched around JAYME JARVIS getting hit by a pitch.

VANESSA ADAME walked to force in a run and halve the margin to 2-1, then Valhalla misplayed a grounder hit by NICOLE RANDEL to tie the contest. However, Rook coaxed a grounder off JAZMIN DAIGLE, the Cougars' top hitter, swinging the momentum back to the Norsemen.

The victory leaves the Scotties and upstart Valhalla at the top of the Grossmont South League standings.

Top: Christian High pitcher Jenna Royce. Bottom: Aly Gunter ruled safe at 1st base. (Photos by Jeanne Royce)

Royce struck out eight batters, keeping Christian in a second-place deadlock with 3rd-ranked Scripps Ranch -- the Patriots' next opponent comes at 3 p.m. Wednesday (Apr. 23) at Scripps Ranch.

"Jenna pitched very strong and got batters out with her changeup," said Christian coach ROMA DAWSON. "It was a real nice effort for her."

The Patriots snapped a 1-1 tie with four runs in the 5th inning.

After the first two batters made outs, catcher ALLIE SCOTT doubled and promptly scored on a basehit by ALY GENTRY for a 2-1 lead.

KARA CARTWRIGHT followed with a single, then an error loaded the bases. NICOLE MARCOS lifted a deep fly ball to centerfield, but when the ball was dropped and runners were on the move with two outs, all three baserunners easily crossed the plate.

AMANDA PLUM and Scott each batted 2-for-3, combining to score the tying run in the 3rd when Plum doubled and was knocked in by Scott.

Morse halved the lead when catcher Kayla Calabrese homered in the 6th.

Meanwhile, ASHLEY RENALDI marked her return to the pitching circle by tossing a 3-hit shutout at Otay Ranch.

"Ashley struck out three, but got ground balls all day long," said Hillers coach JERRY LERUD.

Renaldi was in mild trouble only once, but centerfielder LAUREN VALLELY threw a strike to catcher MADI HILL for the out at the plate in the 3rd.

Leading the 14-hit attack for the Hillers was KATHERINE MIRANDA, who batted 4-for-4 with three RBI.

Santana 8, El Capitan 0 -- BRITTY BALOUGH yielded just four basehits, while the Sultans erupted for 15 hits to blank the Vaqueros. Balough pitched 6 2/3 innings, then JV call-up MADDY CLINKENBEARD registered the final two outs in her first varsity appearance.

Senior third baseman KELSEY McILONIE paced the offense with three hits. Included was a 2-run homer in the 4th to open the scoring, then a 2-run single in the 5th.

Balough also registered three hits, while shortstop RACHEL FAILLA stroked a 2-run double in the 7th, later scoring on a sacrifice fly by BRITTANY FENN.

West Hills 8, El Cajon Valley 2 -- The Wolf Pack scored five times in the 3rd on a series of Braves errors, then went longball late to build an 8-0 lead.

Included were solo homers by ALYSSA EVJEN in the 5th, then BRIANNA AUSTIN in the 6th.

The Braves ruined the shutout bid by Wolf Pack pitcher JESSICA ALDERSON by scoring twice in the 7th.

Rainey started the rally with a single, Garcia walked, then EMILY RAWLS singled to load the bases. SAMANTHA JULIEN followed with a drive to left-centerfield which brought home Rainey and Garcia.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-17-08) -- A pair of Top 10 heavyweights opened Grossmont South League action with the anticipated classic, as Helix' TERESE DIAZ out-dueled JENNY LAHITTE of 5th-rated Granite Hills in the Highlanders' 2-1 road verdict.

Diaz finished with a 3-hitter, striking out seven to run her season ledger to 12-1.

"Terese threw well -- she had to go through a little adversity because we made three errors," said Scotties coach MARK PAULE. "There were a few innings when Granite threatened, but Terese got through them."

With the GSL schedule going only two rounds (the North League plays three), the win guarantees No. 20 Helix at least a split of the league series. If the Highlanders can do the same with 8th-ranked Steele Canyon (and avoid an upset among the other three schools), they can be on track to win the school's first pennant since 2001.

All that after just a single ballgame?

"It's good to get an early win, but it's still early," noted Paule. "It'll still be tough the rest of the way."

ALYSSA DRONENBURG led the Helix offense with a perfect 3-for-3 outing, including a pair of doubles. Dronenburg also scored the tie-breaking run in the 6th inning, coming home from second base when Diaz stroked an opposite-field basehit to right field.

"They were pitching Terese outside, so she just went with the pitch," added the coach. "It wasn't fancy, but it thayt situation, you don't want to be. She just went after the ball and put it into play to get the run home."

Helix (14-4-1, 1-0 GSL) took the lead in the 2nd when SHALEY MADRUGA took two bases on an error, then moved to third on an ALYSSA BRITSCHGI push bunt.

ANDY MARTIN DEL CAMPO followed with a ground ball to third, as Madruga paused then headed to the plate when the throw went to first base. The relay home was too late.

Granite Hills, which stranded a runner at third base in the 4th, finally broke through an inning later.

JILL SCIARRA doubled to right, followed by consecutive basehits by CHAYLAH ZETSCH and LAUREN HAGEMANN to tie the contest. The three hits in the inning were the only ones allowed by Diaz all contest.

Steele Canyon 9, Mount Miguel 3 -- Mired in a mild slump, the bats of the Cougars came back to life in Wednesday's (Apr. 16) Grossmont South League opener.

Paced by a 3-for-4, 2-RBI performance by shortstop HANNAH ROST, Steele Canyon broke open a close contest with four runs in the 6th inning to top the visiting Matadors.

"We finally started hitting," said Cougars coach JULIE BOHE. "It took us a little while to catch on to ( Mount Miguel pitcher LAURA) NELSON before we got some good hits. I'm also happy that they were earned runs for the most part."

Nelson's bat kept the Matadors close. The senior went 2-for-3, including an RBI double and an RBI triple to move the team to within 3-2 in the 5th.

However, GABRIELLE BEASLEY delivered run-scoring singles in the 5th and 6th for Steele Canyon, then Rost drove home another run to put away the victory.

VANESSA ADAME and NICOLE RANDEL each batted 2-for-4. Randle also drove in a run, along with LORENA KLOPP, IRENE BLUMENSTOCK and MICHELLE CASH.

Klopp also just missed a home run on a drive which hit the crossbar at the top of the outfield barrier, but remained in the ballpark for a booming double in the 5th. Pinchrunner LACEY FUENTES later scored on Beasley's basehit, who also pitched the final four innings to collect the victory.

Patrick Henry pitcher Ciera Ashman tossed an 8-hit shutout to defeat Christian, 5-0. (Photo by Jeanne Royce)

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Christian finished with eight hits, but never collected the clutch hit to stay in the contest.

"We had trouble putting hits together today," said Patriots coach ROMA DAWSON. "Ashman is a fine pitcher and she dominated us totally when we needed a big hit."

Ashman also slugged a 2-run homer in the 2nd inning to mount a 3-0 advantage.

Christian saw catcher ALLIE SCOTT and shortstop NICOLE MARCOS go 2-for-3 each, but Henry did better, including 3-for-4 performances by Sarah Shaffer and Taylor Hensley.

Valhalla 14, Monte Vista 1 -- ANGELA UY batted 4-for-4 and drove in three runs while JODI SCHMEHR slugged a 2-run homer Wednesday (Apr. 16), awakening the sluggish Norsemen into their best performance of the season in this Grossmont South League opener.

Schmehr's homer gave Valhalla the lead in the 4th inning after Monte Vista scored first. The Norsemen would close the contest with 14 unanswered runs, allowing relief pitcher TORREY ROOK to claim the victory.

The Monarchs took a 1-0 lead in the 3rd when LYDIA VENIEGAS singled to left, scoring on the first of two doubles by catcher JESIKA PEREA.

Santana 8, Grossmont 1 -- The already ailing Foothillers pitching staff didn't receive any breaks when the defense committed two errors for a pair of Sultans runs in the 1st inning, as Santana opened its Grossmont North League schedule by winning via a rout.

Grossmont answered with a 2nd-inning run on consecutive hits by ADRIANNA NAU, JAYME TALMICH (double) and HANNAH ESCALANTE (RBI), but the Sultans immediately answered with three runs for a 5-1 lead, featuring a 2-run single by CARLA CARRILLO.

In the 6th, the Sultans’ BRITTANY FENN knocked in a run, followed by a 2-run double by RACHEL FAILLA. Both are juniors.

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (4-16-08) -- The struggling Valhalla Norsemen dropped Tuesday's (Apr. 15) lone contest involving East County teams on a single play.

A throwing error cleared the loaded bases for three unearned runs, allowing University City -- the third place team in the Western League -- to skate past the Norsemen, 3-0, at Leto Field.

"We're just in a funk and I don't know what we can do to snap out of it," said Valhalla coach DOUG HARTUNG after the team fell to 10-10 overall after dropping its fifth ballgame in six starts. "It's always just one or two things, but we are so close to coming out of it."

"We just keep reminding the girls to keep going and working hard -- things will change for us."

The game's only scoring play came in the 2nd inning, when it looked like Valhalla would escape after the Cents loaded the bases on an infield single, a hit batsman and a walk.

Otherwise, the Cents registered just one other hit all afternoon off losing pitcher TORREY ROOK. Meanwhile, Stephanie Wood (3 innings) and Amanda Hansen (4 innings) combined on a 6-hit shutout, with Hansen receiving credit for the victory in relief.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-15-08) -- There is one sure way to get the jump on preseason favorite Santana to move into first place: play ballgames before the Sultans do.

In a scheduling situation which will give the competing Grossmont North League teams an ever so slight first-week advantage, Grossmont and West Hills took charge early to share the Opening Day lead after posting victories Monday (Apr. 14).

Grossmont overcame an early 3-0 deficit to paste El Cajon Valley, 13-3, while West Hills struck early to quickly dismiss El Capitan, 8-0.

In other action, Steele Canyon jumped to a quick 4-0 lead to dump El Centro-Southwest, 6-3, in non-league action.

"I think I'm hitting my spots more," said Fishtrom, who tossed 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball following the homer. "I still want to go all the way."

Grossmont's woes in the opening inning have been well chronicled all season, but the Hillers (6-9) are now showing the capacity to fully come back in claiming their third straight triumph following a 3-9 start against one of the toughest preseason schedules in the conference.

"It's kind of hard to come out and pitch every game," added Fishtrom, who continues to pitch despite pain from her undisclosed injury. "But I deal with it."

Meanwhile, senior ADRIANNA NAU, who plans to major in business at San Francisco State next fall, went 2-for-4, driving home the first run to start the comeback.

"Brittany's has to work through her pain because there's no one else that can pitch," noted Nau. "It's got to be tough on her."

Nevertheless, Nau is pleased with how the team's offense is coming on, taking pressure off their pitcher.

"We're improving a lot on our hitting, we just need to improve more on our defense -- it's not quite (there)," added Nau. "We're starting to play more like a team and we're working well together, so hopefully we'll turn it around a little bit more."

Shortstop DESIREE OLSON led the Hillers with three RBI, including a 2-run double in the 5th to cap the scoring.

For El Cajon Valley, Garcia reached base on all three of her at-bats. Following her homer, she was walked twice.

"After she just wiped the ball out of the park, we definitely pitched around her," said Grossmont coach JERRY LERUD. "There was no way we were going to pitch to her again unless we absolutely had to."

Garcia welcomes the compliment, but would rather get a chance to swing the bat.

On her home run, "I just swing -- it was right down the middle and I jumped on it. But it gets frustrating when they don't pitch to you or the umpire's not calling the pitches right."

Also collecting hits for ECV were shortstop COREY RAINER, second baseman KARI SATROM, centerfielder JESSICA GIBSON and right fielder EMILY RAWLS.

Third baseman STASIA HOLDMAN delivered on offense early. She slugged run-scoring doubles in both the 2nd and 3rd innings, powering the 15th-ranked Pack to a 7-0 advantage. Holdman also scored twice.

Shortstop BREE AUSTIN started the scoring spree with a 2-run single in the 2nd en route to a 4-0 lead. Meanwhile, left-fielder KAELI HUNYADY batted 3-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs to snap the Vaqueros' 2-game winning streak.

Steele Canyon (10-4-1) rode the arm of pitcher IRENE BLUMENSTOCK, who struck out a half-dozen Southwest batters to run her record to 3-0. And the sophomore may need to carry the workload for at least the next week or so when Grossmont South League play opens due to injuries to two other pitchers.

Meanwhile, Eagles pitcher Megan Lerno, a freshman, was impressive despite the setback. She struck out eight Cougars, yielding only a pair of late earned runs.

"She was very impressive," said Steele Canyon coach JULIE BOHE. "If her defense doesn't do anything for her, we might've been in trouble."

The only earned runs were single markers in the 5th and 6th innings, as junior catcher KELLY CASH hit the top of the fence in centerfield, with the ball bouncing over the barrier for a leadoff home run. Later, sophomore NICOLE RANDEL belted a triple, scoring on a wild pitch.

The 1st-inning freefall by the Eagles' defense saw the first two batters reach on miscues, with VANESSA ADAME and Randel both scoring on a basehit by JAZMIN DAIGLE. Other run-scoring hit were registered by JAYME JARVIS and GABRIELLE BEASLEY.

Southwest (10-7) trimmed the deficit to 4-3, as Danie Benito followed three consecutive singles with a groundout for a run in the 4th, then Lerno stroked a 2-run single in the 5th.

Christian High's Aly Gunter (top) downed Mira Mesa, 2-1, by throwing a 2-hitter. Meanwhile, teammate Mo Elliott (bottom) places a perfect sacrifice bunt. (Photos by Jeanne Royce)

© East County Sports.com
ORANGE (4-13-08) -- Steele Canyon High left-fielder JAYME JARVIS, who has been a part of two CIF-San Diego Section championships with the Cougars, will continue playing fastpitch in college after announcing she will attend Chapman University.

The Panthers, one of the top NCAA Division III programs in the country, currently sport a 26-8 overall record and are ranked 15th in the country (2nd in the west behind Redlands) and should qualify for the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season.

"Chapman is the perfect school for me," said Jarvis, who plans to major in public relations. "I always knew I wanted to stay relatively close to home. When my (San Diego Legacy) travel ball coach told me that Chapman coaches were looking at me, I automatically thought, 'That's perfect!'"

Jarvis ranked among East County 's home run leaders last season with seven -- one of four Cougars to reach the plateau -- and finished fourth in RBI while batting .316 after posting a .282 average as a sophomore.

However, earning a pair of rings ranks among her proudest achievements.

"My best high school highlights would most definitely be winning the CIF championship back-to-back in 2006 and 2007," added Jarvis, who served as a captain both years. "I was so proud to be a member of both of those teams."

"My sophomore year we were the underdogs, and winning the title came as a surprise to, I think, everyone. But the following year, people noticed us and saw us as a very loaded team. We worked hard again all season. We had tasted victory once before and we knew we wanted to win it all again.

Chapman was virtually an "automatic" selection for Jarvis.

"It is far enough away to where it is away from home and I can get to live a life of my own, but close enough to where I could come back home anytime I needed or wanted to," she added. "After I visited for the first time in November, I automatically knew that it is where I wanted to go."

"On my second visit, I stayed in the dorms with one of my future teammates. I knew that there was no other school for me, I fit in so well with the people and the team. I didn't make my decision based only on how well I fit in, however. Chapman offers the programs that I am interested in, and in my eyes, it is a privileged education. "

Jarvis also noted a low 16-to-1 student-teacher ratio and the relatively small student population (about 5,000 students), beating out other school under consideration, including 14th-ranked UC San Diego, Whittier College, Boston College and Penn.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-13-08) -- Valhalla High freshman TORREY ROOK belted a pair of home runs, but the rest of Saturday morning's (Apr. 12) non-league fastpitch contest with Bonita Vista wasn't very pretty.

The Norsemen committed seven errors to giftwrap six unearned runs, allowing the Barons to take a one-sided 8-2 decision at Leto Field.

Senior second baseman Lauren Carlson, daughter of Bonita Vista head coach John Carlson, hit a 2-run homer in the 1st inning, but Rook answered with a solo shot in the 2nd.

However, by the time Rook homered again in the 7th, miscues on defense allowed the Barons (8-6) to score four times in the 5th and two more in the 7th to breeze to victory, while send the Norsemen (10-9) to a 4th setback in five outings.

"Torrey is such a consistent hitter," said head coach DOUG HARTUNG. "She's hitting around .420, which is truly remarkable for a freshman."

Rook now has three homers this season.

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (4-12-08) -- Don't let the final score fool you.

Even after 9th-ranked Granite Hills scored seven times in the 3rd inning to take a commanding lead in the final of the Grossmont Conference Tournament, the ballgame came down to one final play before the Eagles escaped with Friday's (Apr. 11) 7-3 verdict over 7th-ranked Santana.

With starting pitcher JENNY LAHITTE obviously limping to the finish line on fumes and Santana bringing the potential tying run to the plate, Eagles teammate MEGAN BELIO earned the save in centerfield by hauling in a line drive for the final out, allowing Granite Hills to take the crown and avenge an earlier extra-inning loss to the Sultans during pool play.

"Having a 7-run lead made it easier to go back out there and pitch," said Lahitte, who struck out 11 Sultans to avenge her only setback of the season. "But they hit the ball hard the last two innings."

Lahitte was tossing a 2-hit shutout for five innings before starting to labor. A walk and a wild pitch put JESSIE OWENS on second base before BRITTANY FENN laced a double to left-centerfield to put Santana on the board in the 6th.

Then the big finish in the 7th saw two runs come home on an AMANDA CARPENTER drive which hit the base of the fence in centerfield for a double. Fenn walked to re-load the bases, but a heart-stopping drive by KELSEY McILONIE didn't have the elevation to get out of the park, landing in Belio's glove to end the game rather than going for a game-tying grand slam.

"We set a goal earlier this week to come out and play hard," noted Eagles head coach ERIN COYNE. "We approached the game as if we had nothing to lose."

Santana seemed to have the edge going in – a better record, a higher ranking and home-field advantage.

"Santana is a great team," added Coyne. "It didn't surprise me that they battled back."

The Eagles' outburst starting innocently enough with a basehit by SHAYLA ZETSCH, a sacrifice bunt by LAUREN HAGEMANN, then Belio legged out an infield single.

Then the play which might've opened the floodgates saw BRITTANI BERTUSSI hit a shot off Sultans pitcher BRITTY BALOUGH. The ball bounded toward the shortstop for no play as a run scored.

Balough wasn't the same over the rest of the frame, getting removed for Owens to start the 4th. Owens tossed four shutout innings, allowing just three basehits, but not before the Eagles (13-4-1) unloaded with both guns.

JESSIE SCHATZ reached on an error to load the bases, then Lahitte singled in a pair of runs with a drive to right-centerfield for a 3-0 lead.

AMANDA OMAHEN walked to re-load the bases, then JILL SCIARRA and KYLEE WILSON each stroked 2-run doubles to bust open the contest.

Christian 2, Mira Mesa 1 -- The Patriots rallied with a pair of runs in the 5th inning, moving to 2-0 in Eastern League play following Friday's (Apr. 11) road upset of the 10th-ranked Marauders.

ALY GUNTER, in easily her best pitching performance of the season, limited Mira Mesa to just two hits, registering six strikeouts.

Gunter had control problems in just one inning, when the Marauders (15-6, 0-1) parlayed a bloop single by Martina Galinato, two hit batsman, and finally a bases-loaded walk to Mira Mesa catcher Shannon Tillett into the team's only run in the 3rd.

However, Christian (9-6, 2-0) answered when AMANDA PLUM slugged a 2-run single to right field.

The inning started when NICOLE MARCOS reached on an error, AMANDA MARCOS sacrificed with a bunt, then Gunter singled and stole second base to put two runners in scoring position to set-up Plum.

Gunter went 2-for-4, the lone player on either side with multiple hits.

© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (4-10-08) -- A half-dozen East County girls fastpitch teams have been in the county rankings this season, but four other area ballclubs own winning records without a sniff at the Top 15.

On Wednesday (Apr. 9), two of those teams made cases to gain some recognition during the final day of pool play in the Grossmont Conference Tournament. And both did it by coming through in the 7th inning.

El Capitan made its case after LESLIE KUHNE capped a 4-RBI performance with a walk-off, 2-run single, pumping the Vaqueros past No. 15 Valhalla, 5-4. Meanwhile, Monte Vista pitcher WHITNEY MULLINS was able to strand the game-tying run in scoring position, allowing the Monarchs to hang on and stun 10th-ranked Mira Mesa, 2-1.

El Capitan 5, Valhalla 4 -- Looking more like the ballclub which started the season 7-1 to earn honorable mention in the county rankings, rather than the team which dropped five straight, the Vaqueros used a pair of clutch hits by Leslie Kuhne to stun the Norsemen.

The junior third baseman tied the contest with a 2-run single in the 3rd, then after El Capitan failed to score the tying run on a controversial call at the plate in the 6th, rebounded nicely when Kuhne delivered her game-winning liner to centerfield.

"I was very nervous -- there were two outs," said Kuhne. "But I was able to hit it up the middle."

"We've been struggling hitting the ball, but because our defense is really good, we just need to work on our hitting if we want to do well in league."

In the 6th, a double-steal saw HEATHER BREWER wait for the throw to go to second base before she headed home. Most observers believed Brewer slid under the tag by Norsemen catcher CELINA CRUZ (a transfer from El Capitan ), but Brewer was called out.

So in the 7th, after leadoff batter ALISHA WYCKOFF was called at first on her grounder to the hole at shortstop, an appeal led to a call reversal by the home plate umpire.

"I knew I was safe, so I had to ask for coach (JOE COTA) to ask for a second opinion on it," said Wyckoff , a sophomore. "The umpires had a discussion and the home plate umpire said he had a better angle on it and changed the call."

"Then Leslie powered the ball over everybody's head to the right spot. Everyone has their head in the game -- we want to go to CIF -- and everybody's working together."

To their credit, the Norsemen did not cry sour grapes on the call reversal which was key to starting the Vaqueros' game-winning rally. Meanwhile, El Capitan admitted what Valhalla surely thought about.

"I think (the umpire) tried to make-up for his call when Heather slid into home head-first, but was called out," noted Kuhne. "I really do think it was a make-up call."

Following an out, CATHERINE BROWN reached first when her sacrifice bunt was booted. PAIGE BORRAS grounded to the right side to advance both runners into scoring position to set-up Kuhne's heroics.

"They were pitching to me the same (way), but I had two strikes so I was swinging at anything close," added Kuhne. "It just happened to go up the middle."

After El Capitan scored an unearned run in the 1st, Valhalla answered with consecutive run-scoring doubles by KYLA BRANSFORD (2 RBI) and TORREY ROOK (1 RBI). Kuhne's first 2-run single tied the contest, but the Norsemen reclaimed the lead in the 4th on a sacrifice fly by KAITLIN McGINLEY, scoring ANGELA UY.

Monte Vista 2, Mira Mesa 1 -- The Monarchs ran their season record to 11-7, equaling the school's most non-league victories since 2001, by shocking the Marauders to complete play in the Grossmont Conference Tournament.

Winning pitcher WHITNEY MULLINS fought through a 7th-inning Mira Mesa rally to hang on in the school's first victory over a ranked opponent in several seasons.

"We showed we can play with the big schools," said Monarchs coach SIG CHABROWSKI. "Our girls played solid defense today -- everybody was up and ready to play."

Mullins made a pair of 4th-inning runs standup, albeit barely.

Mira Mesa pitcher Melanie Goff started the 7th with her second triple of the contest, promptly scoring on a bloop single over the second baseman's head by Aarika Pereira.

Sophomore Kelli Mleczko sacrificed Pereira into scoring position with a bunt, but Mullins struck out Lauren Mersereau -- her 6th strike out of the ballgame -- to claim the triumph.

Monte Vista's runs were set-up on consecutive singles to centerfield by JESIKA PEREA and Mullins.

Both were replaced by courtesy runners, as McKENNA CLARK opened the scoring on a double to right-centerfield by sophomore BRITTANY WRIGHT. Mira Mesa changed pitchers, but AMBER McMILLAN welcomed her with a sharp single to left, bringing home ALEX ROSS.

With the triumph, Santana will host South League pool winner Granite Hills in Friday's 4 p.m. championship ballgame.

JESSIE OWENS ran her season pitching record to 7-0 after allowing just five hits in her 9-strikeout performance. The lone Steele Canyon run was unearned.

Cougars starting pitcher LORENA KLOPP gave it a try, but was lifted after two innings with continuing sprained knee woes (CORRECTION from earlier information). And Santana took advantage, quickly tagging the relief corps with four runs.

The first came in the 4th inning, when BRITTY BALOUGH singled home RACHEL FAILLA, who walked, then took second base on a ground out.

An inning later, the Sultans scored three times for a 4-0 lead.

Following an Owens single and a walk to AMANDA CARPENTER. KELSEY McILONIE doubled home a run, then Failla drove in a pair off a basehit. McIlonie batted 2-for-3 among Santana's six hits.

The Cougars answered in the 5h when MICHELLE BEASLEY singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, then came home on a NICOLE RANDEL single which was misplayed in the outfield for the extra base.

Granite Hills 5, West Hills 1 -- Eagles pitcher JENNY LAHITTE doubled home a first-inning run, then tossed a 4-hitter to power Granite Hills into the title game of the Grossmont Conference Tournament. Lahitte struck out 11 to run her record to 6-1.

BRITTANI BERTUSSI batted 2-for-4, including a pair of doubles, scoring on Lahitte's early basehit. Bertussi also scored in the 4th, one of two runs coming home on a basehit by JESSIE SCHATZ for a 4-0 lead.

"All our girls are hitting the ball," said Eagles coach ERIN COYNE. "Every ball we hit seemed to be a hard shot."

In the 7th, LAUREN HAGEMANN brought home KYLIE WILSON with a basehit.

Lahitte lost her shutout in the 7th when STASIA HOLDMAN singled, stole second base, then scored on a grounder to the right side by sophomore centerfielder ALEX MILLER.

Grossmont 2, Mount Miguel 1 (8 inn.) -- Left-fielder ADRIANNA NAU scored the tying run in the 4th, then drove home the winning run in the 8th, helping the Foothillers rally past the visiting Matadors in Grossmont Conference Tournament play. The senior batted a perfect 4-for-4 in the contest, while first baseman HANNAH ESCALANTE went 2-for-3 with a double.

Matadors shortstop GABBY NAIDAS went 3-for-3, including an RBI single in the 3rd to score LAURA NELSON, who also singled to right, then moved into scoring position on a bunt by JENNIFER BELL. Nelson batted 2-for-4 and walked.

However, Nau answered with a one-out double in the 4th, scoring when a ground ball by LAUREN VALLELY was thrown away going toward first base.

In the first extra inning, catcher MADI HILL registered a basehit, moved to second on a bunt by KATHERINE MIRANDA, then Nau capped her solid batting performance with a double into the gap in right-center field. The hit made a winner of Hillers pitcher BRITNEY FISHTROM, who has now won two straight following a rough start this season.

Helix 11, El Cajon Valley 0 -- Following a bout with pneumonia, TERESE DIAZ began her "rehab assignment" by tossing three innings, combining with SIERRAH MOORE and NATALIE SMITH to a 1-hit blanking of the Braves.

The Highlanders' SHALEY MADRUGA slugged a 3-run homer to right field, highlighting a 6-run explosion in the 2nd inning.

The Scotties collected 16 hits as the entire bench played, including a 2-for-2 outing by second baseman KANANI PAULE.

El Cajon Valley's lone hit was a 1st-inning single by second baseman KARI SATROM.

The long reach

Christian's Aly Gunter makes the over-the-shoulder grab to rob a Q's batter in Christian's 9-0 win. (Photo by Jeanne Royce)

The shortstop limited Serra to just five hits in her second pitching outing of the season, striking out seven.

"And we didn't lose anything on defense by moving Mo," said Christian coach ROMA DAWSON. "We still had experience at shortstop with AMANDA PLUM, while RICKI GENTRY moved over to third, which is her position on her club team. We didn't need to move anyone else which helped with our team's confidence."

Meanwhile, the offense erupted for six runs in the 1st to chase overworked Serra starter Lexie Ryan, who failed to answer the bell for the 2nd inning.

Gentry started the outburst with a 2-run triple, scoring on a basehit by KARA CARTWRIGHT, who went 4-for-5 on the afternoon.

ALLYSSA GRAUL and NICOLE MARCOS added run-scoring basehits, then Plum walked with the bases loaded. Graul also knocked in a run during a 3-run rally in the 5th, which was capped by a pinch-hit, two-run double to left by JENNA ROYCE.

In the 7th, Serra had a chance to ruin Elliott's shutout bid by placing two runners on base, but Cartwright, the first baseman, snared a line drive to end the contest.

"Defense played a key role for us," added Dawson . "Not only did Kara make a big catch, ALY GUNTER made an over-the-shoulder catch in left field for us, too."

The Conquistadors, who were once 7-1-1 this season, lost for the 6th time in their last nine starts. Christian started Serra's free fall by defeating the Q's in the title game of the Friar Classic, 3-2 in 8 innings, on Mar. 15.

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (4-8-08) -- There were no signs of panic after West Hills High opened the fastpitch season with a 2-3 record. A young roster and a new head coach all contributed to the sluggish start out of the gate.

Over the ensuing four weeks, signs of a breakout by the Wolf Pack included a victory over a Top 10 ballclub in Mira Mesa, only to fall in the rematch a week later. However, Monday's (Apr. 7) comeback triumph may be the turning point for the team to contend with Santana for the Grossmont North League title.

Trailing 3-0 through five innings, the Pack rallied with six runs over the final two frames, capped by a grand slam home run by CASSIDY BAGGETT to shock 4th-ranked Steele Canyon, 6-4.

The victory kept West Hills (10-5) in contention for the North League berth in Friday's (Apr. 11) tournament championship game, while the Cougars' hopes were essentially dashed. Last season, the Pack won a pair of GCT games from Steele Canyon , including a 4-1 decision in the title game.

Baggett's shot to center field capped a rally against the Cougars bullpen after starter LORENA KLOPP was removed after spraining her knee (CORRECTION from earlier information) after five innings.

A pair of key decisions prior to Baggett's blast went in favor of the Wolf Pack.

Steele Canyon catcher HANNAH ROST threw a strike to second base to nail a potential West Hills base stealer, only to have the entire play nullified when the base umpire called time, believing the home plate umpire had also stopped play due to a foul tip. Whether the ball hit the bat or not didn't matter since Rost cleanly caught the ball.

Then first-year coach MEAGAN HARTUNG was prepared with a strategy decision. With the bases loaded while trailing 3-1 in the 7th, she stopped the potential run from scoring on a basehit to left.

"That was big for us because it would've been two outs and Steele Canyon might pitch around Cassidy," said Hartung. "Sometimes you get lucky."

Baggett then delivered with her first homer of the season.

"I knew I had to hit and get the runners in," Baggett added. "Of course we had a rocky start -- we have new players on the team and a new coach. But the fact that we kept coming back and we kept trying this game will help us."

Steele Canyon fought back in the bottom of the 7th, when JAZMIN DAIGLE opened with an opposite-field homer to right-center field. The first baseman went 3-for-4 with a double.

Klopp followed with a double, then KELLEY CASH stroked a one-out single up the middle, but the centerfielder threw out a baserunner for the second out.

KRISTY VALLES then coaxed a grounder to first for the third out to earn her complete-game victory. Valles struck out two batters, while Klopp garnered nine K's.

"Our pitcher kept us in the game, kept it close, then we found a way to rally back late in the game and win it," Hartung added. "It was a really good team effort, with everyone getting in the game."

Grossmont 6, Monte Vista 5 -- It was all good news for the injury-battered Foothillers, which dodged several rallies by the Monarchs to hang on for Monday's (Apr. 7) Grossmont Conference Tournament victory -- their first in four starts.

After learning that as many as three missing starters could return to the line-up by week's end, those playing showed they didn't want to lose their positions by turning a 1st-inning triple play.

Grossmont, holding a 2-0 lead after LAUREN VALLELY smacked a 2-run single to centerfield to score DESIREE OLSON and MADI HILL, saw the first two Monarchs batters get aboard in the half-home of the 1st.

After LYDIA VENIEGAS walked and SHAAKIRAH RANSOM was hit by a pitch, JESIKA PEREA, the Monarchs' top hitter, smacked a sinking liner up the middle. However, Vallely, the Hillers' centerfielder, charged forward to make the shoe-string catch. And with the runners going on contact, it was an easy toss to shortstop DESIREE OLSON, then a lob to first baseman KELSEY ALVAREZ to complete the triple play.

Grossmont expanded its lead to 5-2 in the 4th, when Olson tripled home Hill, then scored on an RBI single by ADRIANNA NAU.

Monte Vista had a chance to tie the game after loading the bases with no one out in the 5th. However, the Hillers switched pitchers by going with ASHLEY RENALDI, who registered a pair of strikeouts and a grounder to Olson at shortstop to end the threat.

Santana 9, Helix 0 -- The Sultans all-but-mathematically clinched a berth to host the Grossmont Conference Tournament championship game by pasting the Highlanders behind a combined 2-hit shutout by BRITTY BALOUGH and JESSIE OWENS.

BRITTANY FENN doubled home AMANDA CARPENTER for a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning, then the Sultans put Helix away with an 8-run eruption in the 4th.

Key hits included a triple by Balough, who batted 3-for-3, then an Owens single which skipped past an outfielder to allow three runs to score. Owens knocked in three runs, and pitched three innings of no-hit relief with five strikeouts to garner the save.

Carpenter finished batting 3-for-5, RACHEL FAILLA collected a pair of doubles, while AMANDA GRABEL was 2-for-3 as part of a 14-hit attack. Balough recorded three strikeouts, running her season record to 9-1.

Santana will advance against the South League winner if they win on Wednesday; they hold a commanding lead in the tiebreaker (fewest runs allowed, 2-12 to Mira Mesa).

Mira Mesa 1, Valhalla 0 -- The pitcher's duel between the Marauders' Melanie Goff and CELINA CRUZ of the Norsemen went down to the final inning before Mira Mesa scored with two-out in the 7th.

Justeen Maeva opened the inning with a single, advancing to third on a ground out and a sacrifice bunt. Aanika Pereira then followed with a double to right-center field to register the lone run of the contest.

Valhalla had two scoring opportunities, but failed to deliver the key hit.

The Norsemen placed two runners in scoring position in the 2nd, but Goff coaxed a groundout which kept the runners frozen, then a strikeout to end the threat. Valhalla placed the potential tying runner on base in the 7th, but another Goff strikeout ended it.

Both pitchers finished with 4-hitters.

El Capitan 3, Mount Miguel 1 -- The Vaqueros made a pair of 1st-inning runs stand up to top the host Matadors, making a winner of starting pitcher CATHERINE BROWN.

After scoring on a passed ball, JULIANNA DUNCAN drove in the second run. Duncan later took over the pitching duties, tossing a pair of shutout innings to save the victory for Brown.

El Capitan received an insurance run in the 7th, when right fielder KARINA HALE blooped a single over the second baseman. She then stole second base and scored on a Brown basehit up the middle.

Granite Hills 9, El Cajon Valley 0 -- Eagles pitcher BRITTANI BERTUSSI faced just one hitter above the minimum in her 1-hit shutout of the visiting Braves. She struck out nine without issuing a walk.

However, unlike several other performances by East County pitchers earlier in the season, there was no dramatics of a no-hit bid, as El Cajon Valley 's DEENA FORD laced a two-out single in the 1st inning.

Granite Hills catcher JESSIE SCHATZ smacked a 3-run homer in the 1st to jump-start the offense, while Bertussi batted 3-for-5. In addition, the Eagles received two hits each from MEGAN BELIO, MORGAN KURTZ, AMANDA OMAHEN, ANGELA LOVELADY and LAUREN HAGEMANN.

© East County Sports.com
CARMEL VALLEY (4-6-08) -- In a pair of standout pitching performances, Granite Hills High sophomore JENNY LAHITTE came within one pitch of a perfect game, settling for a no-hitter in the semifinals of the Falcon Fiesta. However, the Eagles were stopped by undefeated Rachel Brown of Scripps Ranch in the championship game held Saturday (Apr. 5) at Torrey Pines.

Lahitte came within one pitch of perfection in downing Grossmont South League rival Helix, 4-0. Facing Highlanders slugger ALYSSA DRONENBURG, the 2-2 and 3-2 pitches were ruled to be just outside for a walk -- the lone Scotties baserunner.

"Jenny just pitched another incredible game," said Eagles coach ERIN COYNE. "She was on the mark with her pitches all day. It's just too bad the umpire couldn’t give her one of those last two pitches."

Striking out 12 batters, the no-hitter was Lahitte's third of the season. She earlier accomplished the feat against West Hills (3-0 on Mar. 10) and Carlsbad (5-0, Mar. 19).

The Grossmont Conference record for no-hitters in a single season is four, set in 1979 by CHERYL FOREHAND of Santana -- one of the conference's oldest marks. The East County standard is eight, established in 1993 by Christian's SARAH DAWSON, who went on to become an NCAA All-America selection, then MVP of National Pro Fastpitch for the now defunct Orlando Wahoos.

"Helix never really came close to a hit except for a couple of balls to left field, but KYLEE WILSON came on to make some great catches," added Coyne, who is also a former Helix standout during her playing days.

Scripps Ranch 1, Granite Hills 0 -- Despite three GSL ballclubs in the tournament's final four, Scripps Ranch took the crown as Rachel Brown out-dueled Granite Hills' BRITTANI BERTUSSI in the Falcon Fiesta title contest.

Brown struck out 13 batters in spinning a 5-hitter to raise her record to 13-0, nosing out Bertussi's 6-hit, 7-strikeout performance.

"We started getting to Rachel later in the game, but we just couldn't put all those hits together," noted Coyne. "But it was a great game and I'm proud how well the girls did in the tournament."

The Falcons scored the contest's only run in the 4th, when freshman shortstop Katie Dern singled and scored on a double by Schumacher.

Christian second baseman Monique Elliott grabs the relay throw to easily tag out the Mar Vista baserunner to capture the Falcon Fiesta consolation contest. (Photos by Jeanne Royce)

Christian 5, Mar Vista 1 -- In a Falcon Fiesta consolation contest held at Bonita Vista, the Patriots' MONIQUE ELLIOTT and AMANDA PLUM were central figures in several rallies, allowing Christian to pull away and marinate the Mariners.

Elliott went 2-for-3 and also reached base on an error to set the table for Plum, who batted 3-for-3, including a 2-run double in the 6th after Mar Vista had halved the margin to 2-1.

The two-out rally saw JENNA ROYCE and Elliott both single, then Plum reached the fence in right-center field to chase both runners home.

Christian added an insurance run on doubles by ALLIE SCOTT and NICOLE MARCOS to give the win to Royce, who struck out five Mariners in spinning a 4-hitter. Scott also added an RBI single in the 2nd to help the Patriots snap a 4-game losing skid.

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (4-5-08) -- In the first in a series of ballgames involving East County's five ranked fastpitch programs going head-to-head, Santana High saw second baseman JESSIE OWENS drive in the game-tying run in the 6th inning, then score the winning run in the 9th, pacing the No. 5 Sultans past No. 9 Granite Hills, 2-1, in Friday's (Apr. 4) featured Grossmont Conference Tournament contest.

Owens, who yielded to BRITTY BALOUGH in the pitching circle, hit a two-out single to score MICHELLE BRAMLAGE. Then with two runners in scoring position in extra innings, Santana's KELSEY McILONIE slapped a one-hopper to third base. The back-handed attempt by the Eagles defender saw the ball bounce off her glove -- both teams were discussing whether it was a hit or an error well after the ballgame -- but either way, Owens scooted home with the clinching run.

Meanwhile, Balough tossed a complete-game, 6-hitter to subdue Granite Hills. The Eagles' lone run came on a solo homer by JENNY LAHITTE, who hit a 2-out homer to left-centerfield in the 6th. But Santana answered immediately on an unearned run on Bramlage's single, a walk, two errors, then Owens' slapper to the left side of the infield.

With the victory, Santana remains the lone undefeated ballclub from the Grossmont North League in the tournament. In the Grossmont South League, Steele Canyon is the lone 3-0 side after out-slugging Grossmont, 13-7.

Balough moved her record to 8-1 with the victory, surviving a two-out rally by the Eagles in the 1st after a basehit and a walk. Afterward, Balough never allowed move than a single baserunner at a time.

"We were just really aggressive on the basepaths -- Jessie ran very well for us -- and we pulled it out somehow," said Sultans catcher BRITTANY FENN, who threw out a runner attempting to steal second base in the 8th with a perfect throw exactly on the bag. "And Britty pitched her butt off -- catching her is just such a pleasure."

Balough struck out five to run her season record to 8-1. Meanwhile, Fenn, who plans to join the Air Force upon graduation, walked three times as Santana had several opportunities to score, yet left 12 runners stranded.

Catching a pair of solid pitchers in Balough and Owens has made life behind the plate enjoyable for Fenn.

"They're both very talented pitchers, with Britty having a bit more speed," added Fenn. "But they both hit their spots well. And we're a good defensive team, so if our bats come around, then we will be a very difficult team to beat."

The Sultans own the best record among East County ballclubs at 14-1.

"We were able to pick her up after she gave up the homer -- it was her only mistake all day."

Owens finished batting 2-for-4 and was hit by a pitch for the 6th time this season. Meanwhile, AMANDA GRABLE slugged a double high off the big fence in left in the 2nd, but was left on base.

For Granite Hills (10-3-1), catcher JESSIE SCHATZ went 2-for-4 with a line single and an infield single. Both teams finished with six hits, but three Eagles errors finally doomed them.

Santana's difficult schedule run continues with games next week against Helix and Steele Canyon .

Granite Hills' slate includes a GCT contest with West Hills, but first meets Helix in Saturday's (Apr. 5) championship round of the Falcon Fiesta. The winner meets the victor of the other semifinal between Steele Canyon and 2nd-ranked Scripps Ranch -- to be played at Poway at 9 a.m. -- in the 1:15 p.m. finale.

West Hills 3, Mount Miguel 2 -- Senior CASSIDY BAGGETT, who is considering to play for Cal Baptist next season, drove in a pair of runs, including the tie-breaking tally in the 5th inning to lift the Wolf Pack past the Matadors in Grossmont Conference Tournament action.

After Mount Miguel scored twice in the 4th to erase a 2-0 deficit, Baggett, who played both first and third base Friday (Apr. 4), delivered in the clutch. She capped a 2-for-2 performance with a basehit to score FAITH KORIA, who started the rally with a single, stole second base, then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore MICHELLE THILLE.

Thille opened the scoring with a 1st-inning basehit, a stolen base, then coming home on Baggett's double to right field. Then in the 2nd, winning pitcher JESSICA ALDERSON aided her own cause. The freshman walked, stole second base, then came home on a sharp single to left field by catcher ARIELLE RODRIGUES.

The Matadors got even on consecutive RBI singles by LAURA NELSON and SHANICE SUTTON. Nelson drove home GABBY NAIDAS, who singled and moved into scoring position on a passed ball, then Nelson came home on Sutton's hit.

Monte Vista 4, El Capitan 0 -- The Vaqueros' patchwork pitching staff couldn't keep up with WHITNEY MULLINS of the Monarchs, who tossed a 6-hit shutout in Lakeside. Mullins struck out three, getting most of her outs on ground balls to stay in control the entire contest.

"Whitney pitched another great game today. She's our horse," said Monte Vista coach SIG CHABROWSKI. "The kids played much looser today. We had a good practice yesterday and it carried over into today's game."

A 3-run outburst in the 3rd inning was enough to carry the Monarchs, which snapped a 1-4 dry spell over their last five outings.

Basehits by BOBBI WOLFENDEN, LYDIA VENIEGAS and BRITTANY WRIGHT loaded the bases, with the trio scoring on an error, then a 2-run single by Mullins. In the 5th, SHAAKIRAH RANSOM stroked a lead single, eventually scoring on a JESIKA PEREA double.

El Capitan, left fielder KARINA HALE registered half of the Vaqs' six hits with a perfect 3-for-3 outing.

Steele Canyon 13, Grossmont 7 -- The usually slow-starting Foothillers caught the Cougars off guard by forging to a 3-1 lead. However, Steele Canyon countered with a run in the 4th and a huge 7-run explosion in the 6th to avoid the upset bid to remain in first place among GSL schools in Grossmont Conference Tournament play.

The Cougars sent 12 batters to the plate, with the tying run scoring on a passed ball, followed by four run-scoring singles, then a 2-run basehit by LORENA KLOPP.

The big inning's other RBI were collected by GABRIELLE BEASLEY, JESSICA HARTNETT, NICOLE RANDEL and JAZMIN DAIGLE. Beasley, a freshman, collected her first varsity victory.

For the game, JAYME JARVIS went 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored. KELLY CASH was 3-for-3, reaching base five times thanks to a pair of walks, and scoring twice.

The Foothillers took the early lead when KELSEY ALVAREZ pounded a 2-run double. She finished with three RBI, while KAITLYN NICKS went 2-for-4 and knocked in a pair of runs.

Mira Mesa 7, Helix 2 -- A tight 1-1 affair turned into a blowout when the Highlanders committed three errors to allow six unearned runs to score in the 6th inning, handing the tournament guest Marauders the Grossmont Conference Tournament victory.

Both ballclubs are now 2-1 in the annual event.

Mira Mesa scored in the 1st, but Helix quickly answered in the 2nd, when SHALEY MADRUGA walked, moved to second on a ground ball, then scored on a basehit by catcher ANDY MARTIN DEL CAMPO.

Following the Marauders, Helix at least didn't roll over, scoring in the 7th when Madruga registered the RBI to score SIERRAH MOORE on a fielder's choice grounder off Mira Mesa winning pitcher Melanie Goff.

Valhalla 11, El Cajon Valley 1 -- Senior second baseman JODIE SCHMEHR batted 3-for-5 and scored three times, leading the Norsemen to the road victory in Grossmont Conference Tournament action.

Schmehr did most of her damage in the first three innings, when Valhalla scored four times in the 1st and 2nd innings for a quick 8-0 advantage to give pitcher MEGAN McGIRR the victory.

AMBER REARDON and KELLEY SEITZ each went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, while TORREY ROOK drove in two runs with her double.

For El Cajon Valley, second baseman KARI SATROM and centerfielder DEENA FORD each batted 2-for-3, with Satrom scoring the Braves' lone run on an RBI single by DESIREE GARCIA in the 4th to snap McGirr's shutout bid.

Fri., Apr. 4 -- Grossmont Conference Tournament

SULTANS 2, EAGLES 1 (9 inn.) Granite Hills (10-3-1) Santana (14-1) 000 001 000-1 6 3 000 001 001-2 6 1 Two out when winning run scored. Bertussi, Lahitte (8) and Schatz; Balough and Fenn. W-Balough (8-1). L-Lahitte (4-1). HR-Lahitte (GH), 6th, solo. WOLF PACK 3, MATADORS 2 Mount Miguel (6-10) West Hills (9-5) 000 200 0 - 2 5 0 110 010 x - 3 6 0 Nelson and Ray; Alderson and Rodriguez M.Koria (4). W-Alderson (3-0). L-Nelson (6-10). MARAUDERS 7, HIGHLANDERS 2 Helix (12-2-1) Mira Mesa (13-4) 010 000 1 - 2 8 3 100 006 x - 7 8 2 Moore and Martin Del Campo; Goff and Tillett. W-Goff (8-3). L-Moore (1-1).

COUGARS 13, FOOTHILLERS 7 Steele Cyn. (9-1-1) Grossmont (3-9-1) 010 107 4 - 13 14 4 003 003 1 - 07 09 4 Blumenstock, GBeasley (4) and Rost, K. Cash (7); Fishtrom, Stalford (7) and Hill. W-GBeasley (1-0). L-Fishtrom (0-6). NORSEMEN 11, BRAVES 1 (6 inn.) Valhalla (10-6) El Cajon Valley (6-4) 442 100 - 11 13 1 000 100 - 01 04 2 Called after 6 innings, run rule. McGirr and Cruz; AGarcia, Wilson (4) and DGarcia. W-McGirr (3-2). L-AGarcia (3-1). MONARCHS 4, VAQUEROS 0 Monte Vista (10-6) El Capitan (8-6) 003 010 0 - 4 7 3 000 000 0 - 0 6 2 Mullins and Perea; Duncan and CBrown. W-Mullins (7-5). L-Duncan (3-3).

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (4-3-08) -- While many ballclubs came out slow following extended breaks, Steele Canyon marched forward without a hitch.

The Cougars exploded with seven runs in the 3rd inning, utilizing small ball and power to eventually drop El Cajon Valley, 11-1, in Grossmont Conference Tournament play Wednesday (Apr. 2).

"I was very impressed with our hitting -- we played great," exclaimed coach JULIE BOHE. "It's what I like to see."

The big rally saw the bottom of the batting order manufacturing their way on base to set-up the power hitters. A walk and a pair of basehits loaded the bases, which JAZMIN DAIGLE promptly cleared with a 3-run triple down the left-field line.

But that was only a prelude to the power. LORENA KLOPP followed with a 2-run homer to straightaway center. Catcher HANNAH ROST made it back-to-back shots for a 6-0 lead, tipping off the top of the fence and bouncing over.

Rost finished going 3-for-4, Daile went 2-for-4 and four RBI, while Klopp batted 2-for-3 with three RBI. However, the hottest Steele Canyon bat still belongs to NICOLE RANDEL, who went 3-for-4 to give her seven hits in nine at bats this week.

BRITTY BALOUGH batted 2-for-4 and scored a run, while tossing a 5-hit shutout for the victory. She struck out seven Norsemen.

If you're looking for run production, look no further than AMANDA CARPENTER, who walked with the bases loaded for the lone RBI -- that was it, as both offenses garnered just five singles each, including two by Valhalla's CORA CORDOVA.

"This was a disappointing game, especially coming off the West Hills win," said Norsemen coach DOUG HARTUNG. "We actually out-hit them, but they out-played us because we allowed 12 baserunners on walks, errors and hitting them with a pitch."

West Hills 9, Monte Vista 1 -- The Wolf Pack bounced back behind the pitching of KRISTI VALLES and JESSICA ALDERSON, who limited the Monarchs to just two hits -- a 4th-inning single by LYDIA VENIEGAS and a 7th-inning single by JESIKA PEREA -- in Wednesday (Apr. 2) Grossmont Conference Tournament action.

"It was a good win after Monday's disappointing loss," said coach MEGAN HARTNG, sounding just like her father. "We came out strong with three runs right away. It set the mood for us."

KAELI HUNYADY slugged a triple for the Pack, which also received doubles from FAITH KORIA and TAYLOR HALLAHAN.

Granite Hills 4, Grossmont 0 -- JENNY LAHITTE extended her season-long scoreless string to 41 innings after blanking the struggling Foothillers Wednesday (Apr. 2) in Grossmont Conference Tournament play. It was the sophomore's third 1-hitter to go along with a pair of no-hitters and a 2-hitter.

Lahitte struck out 13 and carried a no-hitter into the 7th, losing it on a leadoff single by senior JAYME TALMICH.

Already leading 1-0, the Eagles scored three times in the 4th. Included was a 2-run double by BRITTANI BERTUSSI, scoring SHAYLA ZETSCH and MEGAN BELIO. Bertussi then scored on a double by AMANDA OMAHEN.

Belio batted 3-for-4 and stole two bases, while Omahen went 2-for-3 with a pair of steals.

Helix 6, El Capitan 2 -- TERESE DIAZ faced one batter over the minimum in her five innings of shutout ball to defeat the Vaqueros in Wednesday's (Apr. 2) Grossmont Conference Tournament ballgame. Diaz struck out nine.

The Highlanders displayed their power in scoring twice in the 3rd, then four times in the 5th for a 6-0 lead.

The first rally saw ALYSSA DRONENBURG bomb a 2-run homer; the next outburst featured ALYSSA BRITSCHGI going yard for a 2-run homer to cap her 3-for-3 outing at the plate. Prior to Britschgi's blast, NATALIE SMITH doubled home a run as part of her 3-for-4 outing.

In other tournament action, Mira Mesa blanked Mount Miguel, 2-0.

Wed., Apr. 2 -- Grossmont Conference Tournament

EAGLES 4, FOOTHILLERS 0 Grossmont (3-8-1) Granite Hills (10-2-1) 000 000 0 - 0 1 1 001 300 x - 4 9 1 Fishtrom, Stafford (5) and Escalante, Dascomb (6); Lahitte and Sciarra. W-Lahitte (5-0). L-Fishtrom (0-5). HR-none HIGHLANDERS 6, VAQUEROS 2 El Capitan (8-5) Helix (12-1-1) 000 002 0 - 2 04 1 002 040 x - 6 12 1 C.Brown, Duncan (5) and J.Brown; Diaz, N.Smith (6) and Martin Del Campo. W-Diaz (10-1). L-C.Brown (1-2). HR-Dronenburg (H), 3rd, one on; Britschgi (H), 5th, one on. WOLF PACK 9, MONARCHS 1 West Hills (8-5) Monte Vista (9-6) 300 240 0 - 9 12 3 000 010 0 - 1 02 7 Valles and M.Koria; Mullins and Perea. W-Valles (5-1). L-Mullins (6-5).

COUGARS 11, BRAVES 1 El Cajon Valley (6-3) Steele Cyn. (8-1-1) 000 000 1-01 03 1 107 003 x-11 15 1 Wilson and A.Garcia; Blumenstock, G.Beasley (6) and Rost. W-Blumenstock (3-0). L-Wilson (3-3). HR-Klopp (SC), 3rd, one on; Rost (SC), 3rd, b2b. SULTANS 6, NORSEMEN 0 Santana (13-1) Valhalla (9-6) 120 003 0 - 6 5 1 000 000 0 - 0 5 3 Balough and Fenn; Houston, Uy (4) and Seitz. W-Balough (7-1). L-Houston (2-3). HR-none. MARAUDERS 2, MATADORS 0 Mira Mesa (12-4) Mount Miguel (6-9) 000 101 0 - 2 7 3 000 000 0 - 0 2 1 Cronauer and Luevano; Nelson and Ray. W-Cronauer. L-Nelson (6-9). HR-Maeva (Mira) 6th, solo.

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (4-1-08) -- Santana High owns a lofty 12-1 overall record, ranked among the top teams in the county in all three major polls. But a truer indication of how good the Sultans are will be learned shortly when the Grossmont Conference Tournament opened play.

Backed by the 4-hit pitching of junior JESSIE OWENS, Santana opened the annual event on an up-note after topping visiting Monte Vista, 4-1

Following her home run barrage to lift the Sultans to the Hilltop Tournament title over the weekend, Owens is pleased with the progress she's making in the pitching circle.

"I am recovering finally and getting my form back," said Owens, who was hampered with a shoulder injury and an appendectomy last season. "But we're ready -- the tough teams are coming up and we'll prove ourselves."

This could be the most challenging tournament ever for all five Grossmont North League schools, who are again joined by guest participant Mira Mesa, going against a Grossmont South League lineup which features winning records among five of its six programs.

In fact, the Sultans were the lone North ballclub to register a victory Monday (Mar. 31), utilizing small ball then long ball for the victory.

An Owens single to lead off the 1st was followed by a pair of booted grounders that gave Santana a 1-0 lead. Then in the 4th, AMBER BEEBE drilled a triple that was lost in the sun in deep left field, followed by a sharp RBI single by MICHELLE BRAMLAGE for a 2-0 lead.

Owens made her lone mistake when Monte Vista's KAITLYN McMILLAN popped a deep drive which bounced off the rail at the top of the centerfield fence, bouncing long for a solo home run to open the 5th.

However, converted first baseman RACHEL FAILLA answered with her own 2-run homer in the bottom of the inning to gain some breathing room.

Failla is being asked to play shortstop this season following the graduation of an all-league defender.

"We needed to fill the position," said Failla, who plays 1st base and 3rd base in club ball. "People play certain positions, so we try new things. But we're a good team which works together."

The switch has proved to be challenging for Failla.

"I definitely think it's harder," she noted. "You need more range and there are more things that you are responsible for."

Meanwhile, Owens struck out 11 to raise her record to 6-0 for Santana, which closes the week with ballgames at No. 15 Valhalla and home against No. 9 Granite Hills.

Valhalla 6, West Hills 3 -- The inaugural father-daughter Battle of the Hartungs saw Norsemen coach DOUG HARTUNG defeat Wolf Pack coach MEAGAN HARTUNG in Monday's (Mar. 31) Grossmont Conference Tournament opener at West Hills.

Freshman pitcher TORREY ROOK surrendered 11 hits and walked three, but escaped several jams as West Hills stranded 11 baserunners. Valhalla did little better in leaving 13 runners on base, yet received enough clutch hits early to mount a 5-0 lead to coast to its fourth victory in five outings.

"I'm sure she is upset losing to her dad," said Doug. "But we'll be playing each other a bunch of times in the future, so she'll get back at me I'm sure."

KYLA BRANSFORD delivered the key blow when the Norsemen scored three times in the 3rd for a 4-0 lead. Bransford slugged a 2-run single to bring home KELLEY SEITZ and JODIE SCHMEHR.

"We were able to get some big hits early," added the Norsemen coach. "And Kyla's hit was a big one."

The inning started with a pair of walks sandwiched around a sacrifice bunt. Seitz then sent a rope which went off the centerfielder's glove, ruled a single for an RBI, followed by Bransford's hit.

For West Hills (7-5), sophomore rightfielder FAITH KORIA, who entered the contest batting .364 (12-for-33), went a perfect 4-for-4 to raise her ledger to a stellar .432. Included was an RBI single in the 4th to get the Wolf Pack on the scoreboard.

"Faith's on fire," said Meagan Hartung. "She keeps finding ways to get on base."

STASIA HOLDMAN collected the other West Hills RBI.

Granite Hills 6, El Capitan 2 -- The Eagles broke open a tight contest with four runs in the 3rd inning to grab a 5-1 advantage to race past the host Vaqueros in Grossmont Conference Tournament action Monday (Mar. 31).

AMANDA OMAHEN started the siege with a 2-run double, followed by RBI singles by LAUREN HAGEMANN and SHAYLA ZETSCH.

It was all winning pitcher BRITTANI BERTUSSI needed to raise her record to 5-2 in throwing a 4-hitter with eight strikeouts. Bertussi also drove in a run in the 1st.

The Vaqueros used the same combination to score their runs.

After Granite Hills scored in the 1st, El Capitan answered on a lead double by ALISHA WYCKOFF, eventually scoring on a bases loaded walk to LESLIE KUHNE. In the 5th, Wyckoff (2-for-3) singled, again eventually scoring courtesy of Kuhne, who registered a basehit.

Zetsch finished with a pair of RBI after batting 2-for-4.

Steele Canyon 10, Mira Mesa 0 -- The Marauders, guest participants to the Grossmont Conference Tournament, saw their lofty ranking dissolve quickly when the No. 4 Cougars scored six times in the 1st inning.

Meanwhile, LORENA KLOPP struck out nine in tossing a 3-hit shutout to hand Mira Mesa (12-4) only its second shutout loss of the season. West Hills accomplished the other blanking.

The big inning saw Steele Canyon (7-1-1) score over five consecutive at-bats. Included was an RBI single by JAZMIN DAIGLE, a run when a pop-up by Klopp was dropped, then the inning's big blow when NICOLE RANDEL drove in a pair with a basehit for a 4-0 lead.

JAYME JARVIS and IRENE BLUMENSTOCK followed with back-to-back run-scoring basehits.

Randle, who went 4-for-5, later added a solo homer in the 5th. Daigle finished batting 3-for-5, scoring twice, with HANNAH ROST went 2-for-3, with both hits driving in runs.

Helix 6, Grossmont 2 -- When TERESE DIAZ needed to stop pitching when she began to feel ill Monday (Mar. 31), no one said she needed to stop swinging the bat. Diaz unloaded in the 7th with a 2-run homer to lock up the Grossmont Conference Tournament opener.

Diaz went three strong innings before yielding in the 4th, when the Foothillers scored twice to tie the contest. A bases-loaded walk to CORAL KASDEN forced home a run, then KAITLYN NICKS singles in another.

However, Helix answered back in the 5th to re-claim the lead, then NATALIE SMITH entered to toss three innings of shutout relief to garner the save for Diaz, who ran her record to 9-1.

SHALEY MADRUGA was the only player with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Mount Miguel 5, El Cajon Valley 4 (8 inn.) -- The Matadors' LAURA NELSON belted a 2-run double in the 1st inning, forcing the Braves to play catch-up over the rest of Monday's (Mar. 31) contest. However, facing a two-out, two-strike situation in the bottom of the 7th, COREY RAINEY slugged a solo home run -- an inside-the-park variety -- to right-centerfield to force extra innings.

The teams then went to an International Tiebreaker, as LEONA REYNA scored on an error during a sacrifice bunt to claim the victory for Mount Miguel (6-8).

For El Cajon Valley (6-2), DEENA FORD -- now sporting lucky uniform No. 13 -- batted 2-for-4, featuring a triple which also went for an inside-the-park home run when the throw from the outfield went behind the runner at third base, but Ford noticed the ball's direction and motored home.

Ford also cut the deficit to 4-3 by scoring in the 6th. She stroked a lead single and eventually gained third, coming home on a ball hit by starting pitcher ALYSSA GARCIA, who pitched five innings before leaving with no decision. Nelson gained the triumph, snapping the Braves' 6-game winning streak.