The skipper of the Grossmont Foothillers the past 12 seasons said he was almost numb after his club made history with an 11-5 victory over Oceanside in yesterday's Division II final at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Grossmont (29-7) is the section's first baseball team to capture four consecutive championships.

“What are the odds of something like this happening?” Phillips said. “What a great way to go out. But really, I didn't do anything, the kids did it.”

After the game, too, when they blind-sided Phillips with a bucket of ice.

“Years from now, you guys will look back at the record book and remember how great this day felt,” Phillips told his team. “You'll always be a part of history. Thank you for making it happen on my watch.”

Grossmont has won six section championships during Phillips' tenure.

“We all wanted this record and to give Coach Phillips a big send-off,” senior catcher Derek Baum said.

Baum hammered a two-run double that landed at the base of the 410 sign in left center to ignite a five-run first inning.

“I think that kinda set the tone,” said Baum, a member of all four championship teams, three as a starter. “I just squared up on a fastball up in the zone and it traveled pretty well.”

Shortstop Bryan Haar also played on all four title teams.

The Foothillers' record roll didn't stop there. They established a Grossmont season mark with 326 runs.

Cash McClellan led the latest onslaught with four RBI, including a three-run homer, staking Grossmont to an 8-2 advantage in the second.

Robert Reyes ripped a two-run home run an inning later.

“They proved they don't just hit home runs at Grossmont,” said Oceanside coach Dave Barrett, dousing the notion that the Hillers' success has been bolstered by playing in a cozy home ballpark. “They certainly earned our respect.”

The Pirates outhit Grossmont 9-7, but Oceanside pitchers issued seven walks. Five were converted into runs.

“Too many walks,” Barrett said. “That's just not the formula we use for success.”

Phillips said he wouldn't rule out returning to the game some day.

“One thing I want to make clear – I'm not leaving Grossmont because I don't believe we can do it five times in a row,” Phillips said. “We have a lot coming back, so keep an eye out for Grossmont next year, too.”