High School Roundup : Early’s Slam Snaps Slump, Propels Grossmont

Jim Early has been in a bad slump the past two weeks, and after he struck out three times against Mount Miguel last week, Grossmont Coach Jeff Meredith decided to sit him down for Friday’s showdown against Valhalla.

But during Monday’s practice, Early convinced Meredith that he was ready to break out. Sure enough, Early not only made contact, he hit a grand slam with two outs in the first inning Friday, giving the Foothillers a four-run lead en route to their 8-4 victory.

It put No. 10 Grossmont (13-7-1, 3-1) in first place in the Grossmont 2-A League and dropped Valhalla (11-12-1, 3-2) out of the running for the title. Santana (2-2), which closes its league season against Grossmont May 17, is the only other team still with a chance to capture the league.

“Now we’re able to control our own destiny,” Grossmont pitcher Mark Gapski said. “We’re in the driver’s seat, and I feel pretty good about our position.”

Meredith started Danny Lennon (4-2) but substituted Gapski with two outs and the bases loaded in the fifth. Gapski caught Mark Dirkes’ popup to end the inning.

“Danny threw about 30 pitches in the first inning and probably 100 in the game. His arm was getting tired. I’ve said all along Mark is the better pitcher, and he came through for us today,” Meredith said.

Meredith’s primary concern against Valhalla was pitcher Tony Clark (5-2). In their first meeting, the Norsemen and Clark defeated Grossmont, 6-4, with the help of Clark’s two home runs.

Friday, Clark was walked three of his four times at the plate. In the third, he scored on David Angotti’s single and in the fourth added an RBI single with two outs and the bases loaded, which scored Bryan Bell.

When Early stepped up in the first inning, it was after the Foothillers had loaded the bases for a third consecutive time in that inning.

Giving up those eight runs set the tone of the game for Valhalla, Coach Terry Love said. Valhalla ended up leaving 10 runners on base.

After Grossmont’s big first inning, after which it led, 6-2, the Foothillers did not score again until the fifth. With two outs and a runner on second, John Tatum hit a home run to secure the victory.