© 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.