Tough day on the mound leads to loss

El Cajon — The Grossmont College Griffins and Southwestern College Jaguars were locked into a competitive game on Friday, April 29^th until the ninth inning.  Ultimately, the Griffins dropped a 9-2 decision to Southwestern at Noel Michelson Field.

The Griffins (22-16, 15-10 PCAC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead after four innings behind a quality start from Noa Ponciano.  Ponciano went five innings allowing a run on just two hits, walking two and striking out two.

How it happened:

• The Green and Gold got things started with a single by Ethan Caschetta.  After an out, Luke Denos scorched a double to right center.  Sean McGrew drove in Caschetta with a sacrifice fly to left field.
• Three innings later, GC got it rolling again.  McGrew got hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Brodie Romero doubled down the left field line to score McGrew.
• Southwestern loaded the bases in the top of the sixth.  A double play by Grossmont allowed a run to score.
• After the Griffins successfully pulled off a "strike 'em out, throw 'em out" double play, the Jags worked back-to-back walks.  Which lead to an RBI single and sacrifice fly scored two runs to give them a 3-2 lead after six and a half innings.
• In the ninth, the Jaguars went triple, triple, sac fly, double, 2-run home run, walk, HBP, wild pitch walk to score six runs.

Griffin Notes:

• Caschetta secured two hits from the leadoff position.  The center fielder racked up 52 hits in the regular season.
• Nine pitchers threw for the Griffins in the regular season finale.
• Five Griffins reached the 30 RBI mark in the regular season.
• Seven players reached the 30 hit plateau in 38 games.
• Seven batters also hit .300 for the regular season.

The Griffins now wait until Sunday to find out where they will be heading for the CCCAA Baseball Playoffs.  Brackets are scheduled for mid- to late-afternoon on Sunday.