GRIFFINS SURVIVE A SCARE FROM MESA

Noah Lane hits a home run at Long Beach City (2/14/22)

Photo Courtesy of Chris Davis
Noah Lane hits a home run at Long Beach City (2/14/22) Photo Courtesy of Chris Davis

EL CAJON – Less than 24 hours after finishing the longest game in the State of California this season, the Grossmont College Griffins escaped with a 9-8 victory over San Diego Mesa in a game that was postponed from late March. 

Noah Lane collected three hits in the victory while collecting three runs batted in. Skyler Agnew and Nevan Noonan both collected a pair of hits, while Luke Denos collected three RBI on a home run in the bottom of the seventh. 
 
Jason Gonzalez (2-1) came in relief of Caleb Harris and was credited with the victory. Harris, Gonzalez and Koda Alto were all the beneficiaries of a season-high five Griffin (16-15, 9-10 PCAC) double plays. 
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Olympians (11-23, 9-10 PCAC) scored two runs powered by a triple by Tyler King. In the bottom of the second, the Griffins saw Lane double down the right field line to bring in Brodie Romero (who reached when he was hit by a pitch). 
 
Mesa hit a solo home run in the top of the third to make it 3-1. Mansy walked with one out, Noonan singled to center to put runners on first and second. Romero walked to load the bases up. Agnew singled down the right field line advancing everyone 90 feet and scoring Mansy. Juan Nunez reached on a fielder's choice, forcing Agnew at second and scoring Noonan and Romero scored on a throwing error to give Grossmont the 4-3 lead. 
 
The fourth and fifth innings were scoreless, Mesa scored two runs to retake the 5-4 lead through six innings. 
 
As usual, it was going to be another Griffin come from behind victory. In the bottom of the seventh, with two out and runners on first and second, Denos hit his third home run of the year to give Grossmont the 7-5 lead. 
 
An inning later, the Griffins would add to their lead. Noonan got hit by a pitch to get things going. Romero was also hit by a pitch (four Griffins were hit by Mesa pitchers) and Agnew was walked to load the bases. After a interference assisted double play, Lane hit a double down the right field line to score Agnew and Romero to make it 9-5 G-House lead going to the ninth. 
 
Four straight Olympians safely reached base before an out was recorded. A single by the Olympians sixth batter scored one and kept the bases loaded. A single by the seventh batter brought in one run and a second would-be run was thrown out at the plate by Ethan Caschetta for the second out. The final out was a lineout to Agnew. 
 
Grossmont will resume the series against Southwestern on Thursday before heading to Chula Vista on Friday to close out the three-game set. The road game on Friday is the final road game of the regular season.