SDSU BASEBALL: AZTECS DROP SERIES OPENER TO UNLV 5-3
SDSU unable to rebound from early five-run deficit Source: goaztecs.com Photo: Andrew Brown had three hits and an RBI in the contest against UNLV Friday evening. Courtesy goaztecs.com March 17, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego State was unable to overcome an early five-run deficit as it dropped a 5-3 decision to UNLV Friday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. With the loss, the Aztecs saw their record drop to 11-6 overall and 2-2 in the Mountain West. UNLV (10-9, 5-2 MW) got to SDSU senior starter Brett Seeburger for three runs in the top of the first. It marked the 14th time in 17 games this season that either SDSU or its opponent scored in the opening frame. The Rebels would add three more in their half of the fourth to open up a 5-0 lead. Those runs, all off the SDSU starter, meant Seeburger would suffer his first defeat of the year and see his record fall to 3-1. He would eventually go seven full innings allowing the five runs on nine hits with no walks and six strikeouts. He retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced from the fourth inning on. The Aztecs got on the board with a run in the bottom of the fourth as Jordan Verdon led off with a walk and was followed by a single from Andrew Martinez. After the runners moved to second and third respectively on a sacrifice bunt by David Hensley, a fielder’s choice by Tyler Adkison scored Verdon form third. SDSU’s second run came in its half of the seventh as Alan Trejo doubled with a pop fly behind first that could not be handled by the Rebel second baseman. Andrew Brown then singled to right to make it a 5-2 contest. San Diego State’s third run came in the eighth when Adkison’s single to right scored Hensley from second base to close the gap to two runs. That’s as close as the Aztecs would get, however, as UNLV closer Brian Menendez came on to toss the final 1.1 innings and pick up his second save of the season. Andrew Brown led the SDSU offense on the night with three singles and a run batted in. Five other Aztecs tallied one hit apiece, all singles with the exception of Trejo’s two-bagger. San Diego State and UNLV will continue their three-game series on Saturday, March 18, with a contest skated to get underway at 1:00 p.m. PT at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Box
AZTEC SOFTBALL FALLS TO FRESNO STATE 10-7
SDSU loses MW opener for first time since 2007 Source: goaztecs.com Photo: Molly Sturdivant’s two-run homer in the first was not enough in a 10-7 Aztec loss to Fresno State. Courtesy goaztecs.com March 17, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego State rallied late, but was unable to come back from an 8-3 deficit in a 10-7 loss to Fresno State in the Mountain West opener for both teams Friday night at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs (16-10, 0-1 MW) jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the Bulldogs (18-9, 1-0 MW) with three runs in the bottom of the first inning, thanks to a pair of FS errors and a two-run homer by Molly Sturdivant (Santa Ana, Calif.). Fresno State, however, scored eight straight runs, including three in the top of the third, four in the fourth and another in the fifth to take a 8-3 lead. After only getting one baserunner from the second through the fourth inning – a walk by Kiera Wright (Riverside, Calif.), who was thrown out trying to steal second – SDSU finally got its bats going in the fifth. Zaria Meshack (Vallejo, Calif.) had a one-out single and scored on a fielding error by Bulldog left fielder Kierra Willis after Wright’s double down the left-field line. Wright, however, was out on a rundown between third and home on the play and San Diego State was unable to get another run across the plate. After a 1-2-3 inning by Alex Formby (Orange, Calif.), the Aztecs closed the gap in the sixth. Jenavee Peres (Garden Grove, Calif.) and Sturdivant led off with singles and, following Kristen Parker (Mira Mesa, Calif./Mira Mesa HS) replacing Sturdivant on first, moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by Sydnee Cable (Huntington Beach, Calif.). Taylor Stewart (Bellflower, Calif.) hit a fly ball into the left-center gap, but Vanessa Hernandez was able to get to it, limiting SDSU to one run on the sacrifice fly. With two outs, Frankie Orlando’s pinch-hit single scored Parker from second base to make it an 8-6 game. Hernandez put FS back up by four runs with a two-out, two-run homer in the seventh. San Diego State tried to extend the game in the bottom of the seventh as Meshack led off with a walk and, one batter later, scored on a double to right-center field by Katie Byrd (Santee, Calif./West Hills HS). Following a second strikeout of the inning, Sturdivant took a four-pitch walk to make it two runners on base with two outs. Cable took the first pitch she saw to the left side of the infield, but Fresno State shortstop Katie Castellon made a diving catch to end the game. Sturdivant had two hits, two RBIs, a run and a walk to lead the Aztecs, who were outhit, 12-7, for the game. Wright had a double and a walk, while Meshack scored two runs on a single and a walk. Erica Romero (Corona, Calif.) took the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits and a walk over 3 1/3 innings, striking out one. Formby also gave up five runs on four hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings of relief. SDSU looks to even the series with the Bulldogs at 4 p.m. PT Saturday. Fresno State 10, San Diego State 7 Fresno State (18-9, 1-0 MW) 003 410 2 — 10 12 3 San Diego State (16-10, 0-1 MW) 300 012 1 — 7 7 0 Dung and Willmon; Romero, Formby (4) and Peres W – Dung, 12-5; L – Romero, 4-3 HR: Fresno State, Hernandez, 2 (4); Willmon (3); Howe (2); San Diego State, Sturdivant (6) Box
EL CAJON HONORS SUNSHINE HORTON FOR “GENEROUS SPIRIT” AS CIVIC VOLUNTEER
By Miriam Raftery March 17, 2017 (El Cajon) — El Cajon’s City Council declared Tuesday, March 14th as Sunshine Horton Day to honor the city’s Goodwill Promoter. Horton, who was previously named El Cajon Citizen of the Year in 2012, has been improving the lives of East County residents for nearly 40 years. “We appreciate all she has done to make El Cajon a better place for all,” Mayor Wells stated in the proclamation. Horton came here as a penniless immigrant from Mexico and was homeless for a time, but quickly found a community in El Cajon that opened its arms to help her. Since then, to show thanks, she has given many hours of her time and energy to make life brighter for others in East County. When her husband, Goeffrey, was deployed to Iraq, she shared her support of our service men and women by tying yellow ribbons around trees in El Cajon, a vigil she kept for nine years. She has been involved in many organizations and projects over the years in San Diego County, including the Mother Goose Parade Association, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, Communities Against Substance Abuse, the El Cajon Kiwanis, the El Cajon Elks, the San Diego Blood Bank, the Salvation Army, areas schools and Rady Children’s Hospital. She is still active with the National Latino Peace Officer Association, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and the San Diego County Crime Commission. She attends El Cajon City Council meetings regularly and can often been seen at local events such as America on Main Street, the Dinner and a Concert events and the Cajon Classic Cruise. Horton was named the city’s Goodwill Ambassador by former Mayor Mark Lewis. The proclamation presented to Sunshine Horton by current Mayor Bill Wells concludes, “Her gift of giving has no limits and we are fortunate to be the recipient of her generous spirit.”
BOYS LACROSSE: THREE HILLERS NET HAT TRICKS AS GROSSMONT TERRORIZES NORSEMEN 16-0
Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity? Drop a line on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage! Like our sports coverage? Donate to help support ECM’s sports section! Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories! Story and photos by Liz Alper March 17, 2017 (El Cajon) – In the midst of Helix basketball’s playoff run, spring sports have begun in East County’s high schools and on St. Patrick’s Day, Valhalla High boys lacrosse traveled to Grossmont for an early season conference matchup which marked the beginning of conference play. Both teams are struggling in the young season; the Norsemen are 0-4 and the Foothillers are 0-3. Ry Wilcox struck first for Grossmont in the first quarter with a nice goal up front. Less than a minute later, Ryan Cruz scored the second Foothillers goals to make the score 2-0 Grossmont. Kyle Cruz made it 3-0 with a slapper down the middle. The Hillers took a little break from scoring, but with 3:27 left, Cameron St. John made it 4-0 Grossmont. A wrister made it 5-0 Grossmont and that was the score after one quarter of play. The teams switched sides for the second quarter and the Grossmont onslaught continued with two goals within 10 seconds of each other to make the score 7-0 Hillers. Cody Young added one more before the half was out and the Foothillers led 8-0 after 24 minutes. Chris Latham picked up right where he left off in the third quarter, netting his second goal of the game, a bouncer into the cage, for a 9-0 Grossmont lead. Young netted his second a few minutes later and the Hillers reached double digits with a 10-0 lead. The quarter of seconds continued when Cruz scored his second and Grossmont led 11-0. Latham was the first to secure the hat trick and Grossmont led by a dozen. Latham scored number four and Grossmont ended the third quarter up 13-0. Grossmont added two more in the fourth and Young got his hat trick to make it 15-0 Foothillers. Cruz followed that up with his hat trick to make it 16-0 Grossmont. Time ran out, the bloodshed stopped and Grossmont picked up their first win of the season, while the Norsemen fell to 0-5. The Hillers travel to Lakeside on Monday night to face the Vaqueros of El Capitan. Match time is set for 7:15 p.m. As for the Norsemen, they’re in action Monday night as well at home against Santana. Match time is set for 7:00 p.m.
NO. 12 SDSU WATER POLO DOWNS FRESNO PACIFIC 14-9
SDSU improves to 2-0 in GCC action, 21-0 all-time in league Source: goaztecs.com March 17, 2017 (Fresno) – No. 12 San Diego State scored the game’s first six goals and never looked back in a 14-9 road victory over Fresno Pacific Friday night. The win moved the Aztecs to 2-0 in Golden Coast action (21-0 all-time) and 10-8 overall. Hannah Carrillo got things going for SDSU and it was a prelude of what was to come. The sophomore scored the first goal of the game, which later led to goals, in succession, from Alyssa Diacono, Caroline Israels, Diacono, Paola Vizcarra and Israels. Carrillo also set up Diacono’s second goal of the quarter. FPU stopped the run with one second left in the frame as Sam Witt found the back of the net. Similar to Thursday’s game vs. fifth-ranked UC Irvine, San Diego State was shut out in the second period. Unlike Thursday, however, the Aztecs only allowed two goals rather than the three to the Anteaters. Amber Penney notched both of the Sunbirds’ goals to shrink SDSU’s lead at halftime to 6-3. The scoring picked up in the third quarter as eight combined goals were put on the board. San Diego State recorded three of the first four goals with a pair coming from Benekou and the other from Israels. With the Aztecs ahead, 9-4, the teams traded goals in the final five minutes and SDSU enjoyed an 11-6 lead after 24 minutes. Carrillo, who went quiet with the exception of a third-quarter assist, put the game away in the fourth. The San Diego native scored on a power play off a feed from Mikayla Vessey. FPU responded with an Emily Knowles goal, but Carrillo posted her third goal of the game with 4:39 left. Israels added a penalty shot and the Sunbirds scored twice more to provide the final margin. Kate McDonnell made six saves between the pipes. The junior now has 12 games with at least six saves. San Diego State will now travel to Bakersfield to compete in the Roadrunner Invitational on Saturday. First up is a game vs. Cal State East Bay at 10 a.m. PT, followed by a showdown with No. 11 Princeton at 1:30 p.m. PT. Box
SDSU MEN’S TENNIS DOWNS HARVARD 4-1
Source: goaztecs.com Photo: Marko Goles-Babic (left) and Milen Ianakiev were upset winners at No.1 doubles for the second straight match on Friday. Courtesy goaztecs.com March 17, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego State tried to right the ship in its second match of the San Diego Spring Break Tournament, but still encountered rough waters in a 4-1 defeat to Harvard in the consolation round Friday at Aztec Tennis Center. With the result, SDSU was unable to avoid its fourth loss in a row, falling to 5-9 on the year, while the Crimson improve to 9-7 overall. For the second day in a row, the Aztec senior doubles pairing of Marko Goles-Babic and Milen Ianakiev upset a nationally ranked duo after shutting out No. 40 Brian Yeung and Kenny Tao in the No. 1 spot, 6-0. Unfortunately, SDSU could not duplicate the feat on the other two courts, as junior Santiago Cevallos and sophomore Sander Gjoels-Andersen suffered a 6-1 setback to Michael Peters and Jean Thirouin in the second position, while the freshman tandem of Joel Popov and Rafael Gonzalez Almazan fell victim to Christopher Morrow and Logan Weber by a 6-4 margin at No. 3. Stung, the Aztecs tried to regroup in singles play, and things looked good early after Gonzalez Almazan turned the tables on Morrow with a swift 6-0, 6-2 triumph in the No. 6 position. However, SDSU was stymied for the remainder of the afternoon as Harvard reeled off three straight wins to claim the match. The Crimson jumped in front for good after Ianakiev experienced a 6-2, 6-2 defeat at the hands of Thirouin in the No. 2 spot, while Popov came up short to Andy Zhou at No. 4, 6-4, 6-1. Staring down the barrel of a 3-1 deficit, Goles-Babic fought valiantly to extend the dual against Tao at the top of the ladder. After dropping the first set in a tiebreaker 7-6(5), however, the Aztec senior was unable to grab the upper hand in the second frame, ultimately falling by a 6-4 count. Over on court three, Gjoels-Andersen prevailed in the opening set of his encounter with Yeung in a close tiebreaker 7-6(7) before forging a 4-2 advantage in the second when the match was halted. Simultaneously, Cevallos abandoned his battle with Grant Solomon early in the third set at No. 5 after the players split the first two sets. SDSU wraps up play at the San Diego Spring Break Tournament on Saturday when its squares off against Arizona at Aztec Tennis Center, starting a 2 p.m. PT. Harvard 4, San Diego State 1 March 17, 2017 Aztec Tennis Center San Diego, Calif. Doubles 1. Marko Goles-Babic/Milen Ianakiev (SDSU) def. #40 Brian Yeung/Kenny Tao (HARV), 6-0 2. Michael Peters/Jean Thirouin (HARV) def. Santiago Cevallos/Sander Gjoels-Andersen (SDSU), 6-1 3. Christopher Morrow/Logan Weber (HARV) def. Rafael Gonzalez Almazan/Joel Popov (SDSU), 6-4 Order of finish: 1, 2, 3 Harvard wins doubles point Singles 1. Kenny Tao (HARV) def. Marko Goles-Babic (SDSU), 7-6(5), 6-4 2. Jean Thirouin (HARV) def. Milen Ianakiev (SDSU), 6-2, 6-2 3. Sander Gjoels-Andersen (SDSU) vs. Brian Yeung (HARV), 7-6(7), 4-2, DNF 4. Andy Zhou (HARV) def. Joel Popov (SDSU), 6-4, 6-1 5. Santiago Cevallos (SDSU) vs. Grant Solomon (HARV), 6-4, 2-6, 1-2, DNF 6. Rafael Gonzalez Almazan (SDSU) def. Christopher Morrow (HARV), 6-0, 6-2 Order of finish: 6, 2, 4, 1* * – Match-clinching victory