Granite Hills’ second round playoff game against Torrey Pines on Friday, May 27 was the epitome of a great high school game. Both teams put up a solid defense. Both teams hit, ran and slid their way into runs. Both teams exemplified good teamwork and good coaching. But only one team walked off the field a victor.
Granite Hills’ second round playoff game against Torrey Pines on Friday, May 27 was the epitome of a great high school game. Both teams put up a solid defense. Both teams hit, ran and slid their way into runs. Both teams exemplified good teamwork and good coaching. But only one team walked off the field a victor.
The Eagles won the nail-biting 3-2 game in the bottom of the ninth with a sacrifice fly by Dillan Shrum. As teammate Trevor Omahen crossed home plate for the final run of the game, sealing Granite Hills’ advance directly into round four, the Eagles swooped onto the field with deafening screams.
“It feels really good,” said Shrum. “Especially with more of a younger team this year since we lost a lot of guys. It helps going this deep into playoffs, both for their future and for our goal at the beginning of the season trying to win another championship.”
This year’s Eaglettes may be young, but they have had a strong season. With 10 league wins and a 21-11 season record, they entered playoffs as a high seed team where they shut out their first opponent, Santa Fe Christian High School, 5-0.
GHHS senior Andrew Brown said the squad dynamics have played an important role in doling out wins this season.
“It’s definitely a younger staff but I think it helps,” he said. “We have good team chemistry. Everyone gets along and has fun.”
Brown, who was named Grossmont Pitcher of the Year, completed Friday’s game.
“I just really knew that I needed to hit my spots,” he said. “I did a pretty good job with that, and then just helping my team hitting too.”
Both Brown and Shrum plan on playing college ball in the autumn, but said they are focused on Tuesday’s round four playoff game.
Following their loss to GHHS, Torrey Pines beat Valhalla 6-1 in the third round of playoffs on Saturday, May 28, and are set to play the Eagles a second time. If GHHS wins, they will advance to CIF finals on Saturday. If they lose, it will mean an elimination game and a third match against Torrey Pines.
Round four will be at the Eagle’s home diamond, which Head Coach James Davis said will give them a leg-up.
“It’s a huge advantage playing on the home field,” he said. “We’re used to it. There’s a comfort level.”
Davis said his expectation for the next game is the same as every game: win.
“Our goal at Granite Hills is always to win championships,” he said. “And our mentality is always that we are going to win.”
Shrum said the team’s history has helped cultivate a culture of consistent competition.
“We’re a program that’s been very successful over the years so we always have high expectations for ourselves,” he said. “We practice day in and day out. We usually have three and half hour practices each day. It’s a long season but we definitely grind it out for tough teams like Torrey Pines.”
