GROSSMONT COLLEGE — With opposing pitcher Mike Austin having all kinds of ball control problems in the third inning — including a walk, a hit batter and a wild pitch -the Grossmont Griffins jumped to a 4-0 lead over first-place San Diego Mesa College, and went on to a 6-1 victory on Thursday, April 12.

When Austin did manage to get the ball over the plate in that tumultuous third inning, Dallas Seidel doubled and Wes Wallace singled to collect two RBI’s each.

The Griffins added to their lead when Justin Hargrove clouted an RBI triple in the 4th inning, and Wallace got another RBI with a ground-rule double in the 7th inning.

Pitcher Justin Disbro collected the win, bringing his record to 5-2.

But there was considerable excitement over the way Grossmont reliever Michael Flores worked himself out of bases-loaded jams in the 8th and 9th innings.  In the 8th he inherited the threatening situation from Disbro with one out, and managed to quell San Diego Mesa’s bats.  In the ninth, Flores got himself into his own version of bases-loaded trouble, but pitched himself out of the situation.

The single run scored by San Diego Mesa came on an error by Grossmont third baseman Aaron Ayon.  Brightening Grossmont’s defense was a stellar performance by catcher Hargove, who threw out three would-be base stealers.

After the game, Mesa pitcher Austin was asked whether he would bounce back from the performance.  “I still have to play hard, work hard, and have fun,” he responded.  “This was a tough one for me, but it is part of the game.”

Noting that the two teams will play again this weekend, Flores declared, “We are prepared to take these guys on at Mesa on Saturday.”

Griffins Coach Randy Abshier said he was confident that reliever Flores would put out the fires.  “I knew with one out in the top of the ninth, with the bases loaded, all I need is a ground ball and this game is over,” he said.

The game brought the Griffins overall record to 13-16, with the won-loss in the Pacific Coast Athletic Division standing at 9-10.  For San Diego Mesa, the record is now 17-12 overall and 12-7 in conference.

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Burke is news editor of GC Summit.  He may be contacted at [email protected]