CIF Baseball: Ramona Holds On to Beat Monte Vista

Pitcher Jason Snodgrass survived some occasional wild streaks to hurl Ramona High past No. 4 seed Monte Vista by a score of 4-3 in Wednesday’s first round of the San Diego Section Division III playoffs.

 Snodgrass, a senior right-hander, limited the host Monarchs (20-10) to five hits during his 6 2/3-inning stint. But he also walked four and hit five batters.

Nonetheless, with the help of reliever Harrison McGhee, Snodgrass was able to propel Ramona (19-12) into the second round of the winners bracket Friday at top-seeded Cathedral Catholic (27-4).

Ramona jumped on Monte Vista ace Nick Sabo for four runs in the first two innings. Shortstop Jackson Willeford made it 1-0 with a sacrifice fly in the opening frame. He drilled a two-run double in the second inning.

Blake Drake was 3-for-4 for Ramona.

“I like the way we went after their pitcher,” said Ramona coach Dean Welch. “We had a lot of good at-bats. We executed a couple bunts and put the pressure on them offensively all day.

“That was a tremendous job by our senior Jason Snodgrass, keeping guys off balance.”

 Monte Vista did most of its scoring in the bottom of the seventh. Paul O'Connor and Sabo each swatted an RBI single for the Monarchs. But McGhee saved the win for Ramona with a bases-loaded strikeout to end the game.

“It was nice to see a little bit of a fight, however, we waited a little too long to show that energy,” said Monte Vista coach Chad Williams. “Our defense and lack of clutch hitting is what cost us the win today.

“Anytime you make four errors and get one hit through six innings you’re going to be in a little bit of trouble.”

The Monarchs are still alive in the double-elimination tournament as they will host Grossmont Valley League rival Santana in an elimination game on Friday at 3:30.

EastCountySports.com contributed to this report.