MARAUDERS FINISH UNBEATEN IN EASTERN LEAGUE

Marauders, Patriots, prep for CIF playoffs
By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-15-12) — The Eastern League title chase was punctuated long ago by Mira Mesa, yet the Marauders and host Christian Patriots put some fine-tuning to their games in preparation for the start of the CIF San Diego Section playoffs.
In a contest much closer than the final score, the second-ranked Marauders pulled away with four runs in the 7th inning, taking an 8-2 decision at Dawson Field. But the team still took much away in anticipation of the playoff pairings, which will be announced Tuesday (May 15) at 6:30 p.m. at the new section offices at the San Diego Hall of Champions.
"We definitely got really for the playoffs with this one," said Marauders slugger KATIYANA MAUGA, who blasted a 2-run homer to center in the 7th to give Mira Mesa a final regular-season record of 24-5-1 after capping a perfect mark in Eastern play. "We expect to get to the championship, but we will be tested."
Mauga, one of four Marauders with NCAA Division I scholarships, also knocked in her little sister, QUIRISA MAUGA (double) with her blast. Later in the inning, AMBER CORDERO knocked in a pair of runs with a double to lock away the victory..
However, Christian gave the Marauders a tough time. Now fielding a complete, healthy lineup for just the third ballgame all season, the outfield registered several nice catches while the offense collected eight hits.
Included was the ninth home run of the season by MARY GRABOWSKI, now matching her new uniform number with career blast No. 19. The USD bound senior saw freshman sister GABY GRABOWSKI allow just five hits in a strong pitching effort on the afternoon, then she opened the 6th with a shot off the base of the centerfield fence for a double.
The older Grabowski, catching for her sister for the only time of their prep careers, then lifted her homer beyond the swings and into the parking lot in left fence. The back fence is 237 feet from the plate.
"First we were missing MELANIE STARK for a while, then Mary for a few games, then Gaby -- we haven't had our complete team on the field for almost the entire season," noted Patriots coach GEORGE GENTRY. "But with everyone out there, you saw we could compete even with a (Division I) team like Mira Mesa."
ANAYA TOBIASON and KAYLA KRUEL registered two hits each for Christian, who expect to receive one of the top seeds in the Division V playoff field, receiving a bye until Friday's first round. The play-in games are slated for Wednesday.
Trailing 2-0, Christian nearly tied the contest in the 5th. With two runners in scoring position, a basehit would've scored both with two outs. However, ELIZABETH COFFIN raced from the infield to snag a flare ticketed for shallow center field to maintain the lead for starting pitcher ALICIA GARCIA.
LANI VANTA, who is headed for Weber State and is a club ball teammate with several Christian players, then tossed the 7th inning to cap the contest.

Date: May 14, 2012     Time: 4:00pm      Venue: Christian