HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Monte Vista Benefits Most in a Mistake-Filled Game

Two of the top teams in the Grossmont Conference got together at Santana Friday afternoon and sometimes played as if they were two of the worst.

For the record, Monte Vista (11-3) topped Santana, 9-7. Santana fell to 8-5.

Three of Monte Vista’s runs came as direct results of errors, and another came on a balk by reliever Tom Weinbrecht. But Monte Vista almost gave it right back in the seventh as Santana rallied for two runs.

Two walks and an error helped Santana get one of them. The other came on a home run from Lance McClure, his second of the game. That was more typical of Santana’s offense on the day. For the most part, the Sultans were driving in their runs.

That’s no big deal except that they were doing so against Robbie Stone, one of the top pitchers in the county.

Stone entered the week fourth in the county in strikeouts at 37 and ninth in earned run average at 1.18. That will change. Only one of Santana’s seven runs was unearned.

Simply put, Stone, a junior, was not sharp. His fastballs were up, and his curveballs often failed to break.

In fact, he hung a curve to Chris Hastings in the fifth after shaking off catcher Vern Mullis, who called for a fastball. Hastings launched the pitch over the left field fence for a two-run home run.

He may not be shaking off his catcher much more.

“The reason why Robbie is a successful pitcher is because Vern is a very good catcher,” said Rob Phillips, Monte Vista coach. “He calls a good game.”

While Stone suffered through an off day, his offense gave ample support.

The Monarchs collected 11 hits, including four doubles. Two of the doubles--Steve Dolias’ in the second and Mullis’ in the sixth--scored runners from first. On each occasion, the runner was moving with the pitch.

“That’s what I’m happy about,” Phillips said. “We hit the ball. We didn’t hit it out of the yard, but we were getting hits at the right time.”

In other nonleague games:

Helix 3, Valhalla 1--Rob Ippolito had quite a day: He went the distance, allowing one hit and striking out 14 to improve to 2-2, and went two for three and scored once. Helix improved to 7-5-1. Valhalla dropped to 7-8-1.

Grossmont 12, Mt. Miguel 6--Jason Eskridge singled and drove in two runs for second-ranked Grossmont (14-0-1). Jim Hoffman hit a three-run homer run in the sixth for Mt. Miguel. Mike Spears (2-0, five saves) picked up the victory for Grossmont, which had a six-run fifth.

El Capitan 2, El Cajon Valley 1--El Capitan scored both runs by stealing home with two outs. Mike Farrell stole third while Ryan Ransom stole home, then Farrell stole home one pitch later. El Capitan is 9-4.

Granite Hills 7, West Hills 1--Shane Spencer (3-0) and Tom Fordham combined for three-hitter for Granite Hills (8-4-1). Ryan O’Coyne went three for four with four RBIs. West Hills is 2-10.

Avocado League

Fallbrook 14, San Dieguito 2--Craig Buckley struck out 11, walked two, allowed five hits and improved to 2-0. He also had two hits, including a three-run homer, for Fallbrook (6-4, 2-1). Teammates Tim Jones (four RBIs), Steve Pack (two RBIs) and Kelley Fieux (scored three times) all went three for three.

Escondido 7, San Pasqual 4--Mitch Anderson hit a three-run homer for the Cougars (5-6, 2-0) over the Golden Eagles (1-1 in league).

Palomar League

Poway 6, Vista 2--Brock Marsh went two for four, stole two bases and drove in two runs to lead No. 10 Poway past visiting Vista. Poway improved to 7-3-1, 2-1. For the Titans, Danny Miller (4-1) pitched a four-hitter and struck out 12.

Mt. Carmel 7, Torrey Pines 3--Matt Miller and Chris Chavez homered in the ninth inning to cap a four-run rally for the Sundevils (11-1, 3-0). Mario Israel (4-0) won in relief. Jason Withrow homered for Torrey, 5-7, 0-3.

Rancho Buena Vista 8, Orange Glen 2--Donovan Crocker (4-2) scattered seven hits, and Dave Roberts and Tony Pallatto had three hits apiece for the Longhorns (7-4-1, 3-0). Lance Keller homered for Orange Glen (8-5-1, 1-2).