New Ruler of Sac-Joaquin Section Softball 
May 22, 2009 3:01 AM
State No. 2 and FAB 50 National No. 3 Sheldon falls to Pleasant Grove in Division I championship. Sophomore pitcher Ally Carda leads the way. Oak Ridge, Rodriguez wins Div. II and Div. III crowns.
By Mark Tennis, Executive Editor
Both J.T. Tiumalu and Mary Jo Truesdale were quick to acknowledge there was a changing of the guard after the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I softball championship that was completed on Wednesday night at the Sacramento Softball Complex.
Tiumalu is the head coach of the new champions from Pleasant Grove High of Elk Grove, while Truesdale is the longtime mentor at Sheldon of Sacramento.
Sheldon came into Wednesday's final needing to beat Pleasant Grove twice in order to win a third straight section title. This was due to a 2-1 upset loss on Monday to Elk Grove. But the Huskies didn't get their chance for a title-deciding contest as they lost to Pleasant Grove, 1-0.
It was billed as an upset, but Pleasant Grove proved it was one of the state's best teams at the same Nike Faster to First tournament that Sheldon won back in March. The Huskies were the No. 1 team in the ESPN RISE FAB 50 after that tourney win and maintained that ranking until April when they fell in the title game of the Livermore Stampede to Archbishop Mitty of San Jose.
Coming into Wednesday night's action, Sheldon was No. 3 in the nation (a ranking that was done prior to the first loss to Elk Grove) while Pleasant Grove checked in at No. 26.
So with only two seniors graduating from the Eagles and with Sheldon losing All-Americans Jolene Henderson (pitcher) and Lindsey Ziegenhirt (catcher) to Cal, was this indeed a new era for Pleasant Grove?(Read full post)
state rankings, CA, softball, Ally Carda, Pleasant Grove, Jolene Henderson, Sheldon, Alyssa Tiumalu, Kasey Stanchek, Oak Ridge
State Stat Stars of the Week
May 21, 2009 4:30 PM
(For additions, corrections or to report a statistical standout we may have missed, email mark@studentsports.com. To inquire about a section or state record, please email Senior Editor Ronnie Flores at ronnie@studentsports.com or call (800) 660-1334 Ext. 4414; To order a copy of our new CalHiSports.com State Record Book & Almanac, please call (800) 660-1334 Ext. 4431. For games played between May 11-16; Writeups by Harold Abend, Steve Brand, Paul Muyskens, Mark Tennis, Andrew Drennen, Garland Cooper & Bob Barnett.)
NOTE: We've been compiling weekly stat stars in various sports for 30 years. The reason we have published them virtually every week of the school year since 1979 is to highlight many of the top performers around the state and to keep our exclusive state record book up to date. We've just printed our seventh edition and if you love the content on our site, you'll love the book, so order your copy today.
BASEBALL
Abi Arias (Menlo-Atherton, Atherton): In two losses to Peninsula power Aragon of San Mateo, the senior third sacker was 5-for-7 with six RBI and hit his sixth home run of the season.
Jesse Arreola (Patriot, Riverside): Arreola threw a three hitter and struck out 13 in a 7-0 shutout over Summit of Fontana. Patriot also captured its fourth league crown with Arreola's win.
Nick Backlund (Valley Christian, San Jose): The Warriors lost 15-11 in the WCAL championship slugfest to Serra, but this slugger did everything he could and has been doing it over the past few weeks as well. With his team trailing 7-5 in the third inning, Backlund smoked a rocket over the 402-foot sign in centerfield for a three run homer that gave the Warriors an 8-7 lead. The bomb was his 12th of the year and eighth in the past seven games, not including this week.
Brett Bell & Stan Moody (Tomales): The NCS reported RBI leader with 48, Bell had seven in one game last week with two doubles and five runs scored in a shellacking of Santa Rosa Christian. Moody, who has 35 RBI this season, had four hits (including a double) four RBI and four runs scored in the same game.(Read full post)
CA, baseball, softball, state record book, state records, Maddy Wilen, Alyssa Taylor, Torie Schmidt, Jenna Martin, Jolene Henderson, Andy Weissberg, David Park, Frank Hutchinson, Jesse Arreola
State Stat Stars of the Week
May 6, 2009 9:57 PM
(For additions, corrections or to report a statistical standout we may have missed, email mark@studentsports.com. To inquire about a section or state record, please email Senior Editor Ronnie Flores at ronnie@studentsports.com or call (800) 660-1334 Ext. 4414; To order a copy of our new CalHiSports.com State Record Book & Almanac, please call (800) 660-1334 Ext. 4431. For games played between April 27 - May 2; Writeups by Harold Abend, Steve Brand, Paul Muyskens, Mark Tennis, Andrew Drennen, Garland Cooper & Bob Barnett.)
NOTE: We've been compiling weekly stat stars in various sports for 30 years. The reason we have published them virtually every week of the school year since 1979 is to highlight many of the top performers around the state and to keep our exclusive state record book up to date. We've just printed our seventh edition and if you love the content on our site, you'll love the book, so order your copy today.
BASEBALL
Mark Appel (Monte Vista, Danville): We missed the Stanford-bound star two weeks ago but he had an exceptional outing against Tokay of Lodi in a 3-2 loss at Banner Island Park in Stockton. Appel and the other pitchers have been doing fine, but the Mustangs' hitting the last two weeks has been anemic. In the Tokay game, Appel pitched six innings with 11 strikeouts, no walks and one unearned run. He left the game with a 2-1 lead after scattering six hits and ended up taking a no decision after Tokay tied the game in the bottom of the seventh. Mark has a 1.40 ERA for the season.
Matt Brezinski (Sacred Heart Prep, Atherton): Pitched a three-hitter and had an RBI double to lead the Gators to their 10th straight win, a 3-0 victory over Mills of Millbrae.
Cody Buckel (Royal, Simi Valley): Buckel went all the way and fanned 13 in a 4-0 win over Agoura of Agoura Hills.
Lazaro Campos (Kennedy, Granada Hills): In an 18-0 win over Reseda, Campos hit an inside the park homer, added a double, a triple and drove in three.
Jose Cardona (El Camino Real, Woodland Hills): Cardona struck out 12 and gave up only one hit in a 6-0 shutout over Granada Hills.
Albert Carrillo (Santa Paula): Not only did he go 2-for-4 at the plate, but on the rubber he fanned 11 in a 6-0 win over Santa Clara of Oxnard.
Christian Carter (Westview, San Diego): His two-run homer was part of five RBI on a 3-for-4 day as the Wolverines spanked San Marcos, 12-2, in SD Valley League play.
John Combest (Huntington Beach): Although Northwood (Irvine) scored seven runs as a team, Combest drove in seven all by himself, slamming two home runs, as the Oilers rolled, 14-7.
Saul Cuevas (Lindhurst, Olivehurst): Led the offense for the Blazers in their 15-5 road win at Golden Sierra of Garden Valley with a pair of homers and seven RBI.
Devin De La Garza (McFarland): Led his team past Laton, 6-0, in a East Sierra League game as he pitched a seven-inning no-hitter with 15 strikeouts.
Mitch Delfino (Cloverdale): This senior shortstop and right-handed pitcher has been on fire at the plate the past two weeks and likewise is pitching well. Last week in an 18-2 blowout of Lower Lake, he was 4-for-4 with two doubles, four RBI and two runs scored. Two weeks ago, he improved to 4-1 on the season when he struck out 15 and hit his fourth home run of this year in a 7-2 win against St. Helena. In four games the past two weeks, Delfino is 11-for-13 with a homer, six doubles, one triple, nine RBI and seven runs scored. Those numbers have propelled him top the top of the NCS in hitting with a .633 mark so far this season.
Ricky Diaz (Tracy): Was a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with his last hit coming in grand fashion. Diaz ended the game with a grand-slam homer in the bottom of the fifth inning in the Bulldogs' 13-1 win over Chavez of Stockton.
Jake Etcheverry (Hughson): It's not quite a record in our newly updated state record book but it's impressive nonetheless as he went 4-for-5 with a grand slam homer and nine RBI as the Huskies scored 16 runs in the second inning of a 30-0 win over Riverbank.(Read full post)
CA, baseball, softball, state record book, state records, Niki Zeibak, Tiffany Smith, Hayley Rodriguez, Jenna Martin, Jolene Henderson, Caity Carabello, Jesus Valdez, Nathan Plein, Eric Jaffe, Mitch Delfino
State Stat Stars of the Week
April 16, 2009 7:00 PM
(For additions, corrections or to report a statistical standout we may have missed, email mark@studentsports.com. To inquire about a section or state record, please email Senior Editor Ronnie Flores at ronnie@studentsports.com or call (800) 660-1334 Ext. 4414; To order a copy of our new CalHiSports.com State Record Book & Almanac, please call (800) 660-1334 Ext. 4431. For games played between April 6 - April 11; Writeups by Harold Abend, Steve Brand, Paul Muyskens, Mark Tennis, Andrew Drennen, Garland Cooper & Bob Barnett.)
NOTE: We've been compiling weekly stat stars in various sports for 30 years. Part of the reason we have published them virtually every week of the school year since 1979 is to highlight many of the top performers around the state and to keep our exclusive state record book up to date. We've just printed our seventh edition and if you love the content on our site, you'll love the book, so order your copy today.
BASEBALL
Victor Bailon (Arvin): Banged out four hits, including two home runs, with six RBI and scored three times as Arvin beat South of Bakersfield, 18-8, in the Don Ward Classic. Teammate Fausto Buelna also stole four bases to go along with three hits, three runs and three RBI.
Bryan Crabb (Coronado): Crabb, a senior right-hander, blanked Palisades 1-0 on a 3-hitter, while striking out 14 in the 59th San Diego Lions Tournament.
Patrick Conroy (Drake, San Anselmo): He's back for a second straight week and after what CalHiSports.com saw from him at the 12th Annual Adam Westcott Memorial Tournament at Casa Grande High, coupled with his current numbers, is any indication of the next season-and-a-half, we may see his name in a few more places. The lefthander pitched a complete game three-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts and hit his state leading 10th home run in leading Drake (13-5) to the tournament title with a 15-0 victory over Bishop O'Dowd of Oakland. The 6-2 junior also had an RBI double in the first inning, was 2-for-3, and reached base four times (error and hit by pitch). He finished with four RBIs and three runs scored. Earlier in the tournament, Conroy hit his ninth homer in an 11-6 loss to Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa.
Eric Contreras (Pacifica, Oxnard): Contreras went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs as Pacifica topped Channel Islands, 6-3.
Ian Delgado (El Modena, Orange): Powered out two home runs and doubled, collecting four RBI, in an 11-7 win over Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates) at the Orange County Tournament.
Myles Dempsey (Patrick Henry, San Diego): The senior shortstop went 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI as the Patriots grilled Granada Hills, 15-3, in a San Diego Lions Tournament game.
Tyler DeTrinidad (Santiago, Corona): DeTrinidad had a big day at the plate in a 9-4 win over Fullerton. He went 2-for-3 and drove in four runs.
Larry East (Vista): Went 6-for-7 with four runs scored, three RBI and three stolen bases in a 10-0 win over Eastlake (Chula Vista) in the Classic Division championship of the SD Lions Tournament.
Adam Ehrlich (Campbell Hall, North Hollywood): Ehrilch had four hits and two RBIs for Campbell Hall in an 8-7 loss to Cleveland of Reseda. The two teams faced each other at the Durango Tournament at Centennial High School of Las Vegas.
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(Read full post)
CA, baseball, softball, state record book, state records, Victor Bailon, Bryan Crabb, Max Fried, Kyle Krinks, Kim Bruins, Lauren deCastro, Teagen Gerhart, Jolene Henderson
State Stat Stars of the Week
March 26, 2009 4:00 PM
(For additions, corrections or to report a statistical standout we may have missed, email mark@studentsports.com. To inquire about a section or state record, please email Senior Editor Ronnie Flores at ronnie@studentsports.com or call (800) 660-1334 Ext. 4414; For games played between March 16-21; Writeups by Harold Abend, Steve Brand, Paul Muyskens, Mark Tennis, Andrew Drennen, Garland Cooper & Bob Barnett)
NOTE: We've been compiling weekly stat stars in various sports for 30 years. Part of the reason we have published them virtually every week of the school year since 1979 is not only to highlight many of the top performers around the state, but to update our exclusive state record book and we've just printed our seventh edition. If your love the content on our site, you'll love the book, so order your copy today.
BASEBALL
Josh Anderson (Poway): Went 6-for-6 in the final two games of the Hilltop Tournament in Chula Vista, rocketing three solo home runs, but the Titans dropped the title game to San Diego's top-ranked team, Cathedral Catholic, 14-6.
Shane Cabral & James Bowan (Maxwell): Runs rained in as heavy as the rain from the sky on Saturday as they each hit grand slams in a 22-10 win over Wheatland in the championship game of the Maxwell Invitational.
Matt Davis (Taft): Pitched a no-hitter with seven strike-outs, allowed only one walk in a seven inning South Sequoia League 8-0 victory over Shafter. Left-fielder Jonathan Guzman made a divining catch in the sixth inning to preserve the no-hitter.
Dylan Floro (Buchach Colony, Atwater): The Cal St. Fullerton bound senior struck out 12 in five innings and may have had even more if he didn't also drive in three runs to help end the game early. Buchach Colony won in five innings, 10-0, over Turlock.
Ron Galosic (San Pedro): Another Pirate made stat stars this week, as Galosic collected four hits and drove in four in a 19-3 win over Bellflower.
Kurt Heyer (Edison, Huntington Beach): After being staked to a 6-0 lead in the first inning, the righty allowed just five hits, striking out seven, as the Chargers beat Esperanza (Anaheim), 11-0, in the Sunset League opener. Heyer retired 9 of the first 11 and pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth.
Parker Hipp (Cathedral Catholic, San Diego): Hipp, who directed the Dons to the state Division II football championship as a quarterback, is a sure-handed second baseman who went 2-for-2 with a triple and three RBI in a 14-6 win over Poway in the Hilltop Tournament (Chula Vista) championship. Football teammate Tyler Gaffney, California's Mr. Football State Player of the Year, added a 2-run single during an 8-0 first inning in which Cathedral sent 14 batters to the plate, taking advantage of four hit-batsmen and three walks.
K.C. Hobson (Stockdale, Bakersfield): Showed why he's got scouts showing up for his games, as he tossed a five inning perfect game with 13 strikeouts in a 17-0 win over Highland. At the plate he had two doubles and a homer with six RBI.
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Anthony Hutting (Tesoro, Las Flores): One home run in high school baseball is pretty special but two shows some real muscle as Hutting sent two out of the park in leading the Titans to an 11-8 slugfest win over Mission Viejo in South Coast League play.
Jake Jelmini (Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach): Jelmini collected three hits and drove in four runs in the Mustangs' 9-7 win over Palisades.
Jacob Johnson (San Pedro): The Pirates just topped Kennedy 9-8 and Johnson was a big part of the win. He tripled, homered, drove in two runs and scored three times.
Felix Juarez (Poly, Sun Valley): The Parrot hurler tossed a five-inning no-hitter with eight strikeouts in a 24-0 shutout over Canoga Park.
Will Kollmeyer (Torrance): The Tartar scored three times and swiped four bags in a 13-6 Torrance win over host Ventura.
Gabriel & Jose Lopez (Paramount): The Lopez brothers led the way in a 12-3 win over Downey. Gabriel, a senior, hit a two run bomb and drove in four total, while younger brother Jose, a sophomore, tripled, scored three times and drove in four.
Tyler Matzek (Capistrano Valley, San Juan Capistrano): Rated by most veteran baseball observers as a certain first-round draft pick this June, the 6-foot-3 lefty's stock did better than most on Wall St. as he fired a no-hitter in a 4-0 win over Aliso Niguel, ranked No. 9 by the Orange County Register, in a South Coast League game.
Conor Meredith (Grossmont, La Mesa): Meredith guided the Foothillers to the Foothiller-Aztec Classic title with a 6-0 win over Montgomery (Chula Vista). Meredith was 5-for-7 with a .714 slugging percentage as he collected a home run, a double, drove in six runs and scored three.
Seth Moranda (Buchanan, Clovis): Pitched a perfect game in seven innings with 12 strikeouts in a 2-0 win over Madera in a Tri-River Athletic League game.
A.J. Monarrez (Hawthorne): Hawthorne took both games in a twin bill against Leuzinger. In the first game, Monarrez tossed a one hit shutout and collected two hits with two RBIs in the 5-0 win.
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Hiro Nakatomi (North Torrance): Nakatomi collected five hits during a twinbill, including a triple, two doubles and four RBIs in 5-2 and 9-2 wins over Amino of Inglewood.
Steven Packard, Mission Hills (San Marcos): Hurled a three-hitter and struck out 10 to pitch the unbeaten Grizzlies past Castle Park (Chula Vista), 4-1, in the Bully's East Tournament at Sweetwater High (National City).
Leighton Pangilinan (Escalon): To say he was seeing the ball well off of Hughson pitcher Archie Quay's hand might be an understatement as he hit three two-run homers off the hurler in a 8-0 win.
Mike Polley (Frontier, Bakersfield): Polley had a big day against Highland in a lopsided win, 23-2, in the Tailgatters Classic. He went 3 for 4 at the plate and batted in five RBIs and teammate Luc Pomales went 3 for 4 and added four RBIs. Pomales continued his hot streak the next day against Garces in a 16-6 win by batting in eight runs on three hits, which included two doubles and a home run.
Zach Roberson (Summerville): In a football-like final score of 21-14 over Amador, the Bears scored at least two runs in every inning led by Roberson. He went 6-for-6 with two doubles, a homer, and eight RBI.
Will Swanner (La Costa Canyon, Carlsbad): Collected three hits-two of them home runs-driving in three runs and crossing the plate three times himself to lead the Mavericks to a 10-0 rout of Scripps Ranch in the championship of the Pirate-Falcon Classic in Oceanside.
Philip Valos (Stockdale, Bakersfield): Struck out 13 batters in a 7-0 win over Foothill for his third straight shutout performance on the mound.
Ronnie Ybarra (Riverdale): This junior is the thief of the week as he stole six bases in six attempts and went 2-3 at the plate against Strathmore 9-1 in a non-league victory.
SOFTBALL Naomi Amu (El Camino, Oceanside): In a rematch of last year's San Diego Section Division I playoffs, Amu was too tough for the Mavericks as she went 2-for-4, both hits being doubles and resulting in three RBI, in a 6-2 win in the North County Tournament championship. She also pitched the final 2 2/3 innings to wrap up the victory.
B.B. Bates (Victor Valley, Victorville): Bates hit two home runs in the first inning of a 10-2 win over Serrano. She finished the game three for three with five RBIs.
Amanda Baun (ML King, Riverside): In a 5-0 win over Fontana, Amanda Baun recorded 13 strikeouts and allowed only one walk.
Caitlin Brooks (Escalon): Was close to perfection but after allowing a walk with two outs in the sixth inning she went back to work as the sophomore captured her third no-hitter of the season in the Cougars 9-0 win over Riverbank.
Cassidy Coleman (Horizon, San Diego): Just a junior, Coleman tossed four shutouts, including three on Saturday, leading the Panthers to the Friar Classic championship. In the 6-0 win over Monte Vista (Spring Valley) for the title, she struck out 18.
Kailee Cuico (San Pedro): She has been a force on the mound. She earned MVP honors at the Downey Tournament behind a 3-1 win in nine innings as the Pirates won the title game against Torrance High.
Kalye Garcia (Colton): Garcia drove in four out of five runs for Colton in a 5-4 victory over Temecula Valley.
Kayla Gardner (Garces, Bakersfield): She batted in five RBI's, four on a grand slam, as Garces beat West 10-0 in a non-league game.
Alyssa Gonzales (Rosary, Fullerton): Powered out a home run and double while driving in three runs as the Royal jumped all over Murrieta Valley, 9-0, in a Foothill Tournament game.
Jolene Henderson (Sheldon, Sacramento): Struck out all nine batters she faced in three innings against Franklin of Elk Grove. She then ended the week with her first no-hitter of the season against St. Francis as she struck out 18 in six innings for the top-ranked team in the state heading into this weekend's Faster to First Tournament.
Shelby Hoffman (Serrano, Phelan): Hoffman pitched a shutout and went two for three at the plate for Serrano of Phelan in a 4-0 win over Victor Valley.
Vaneza Hoover (Ceres): Did it all to earn the win as she struck out 16 and allowed just two hits to pick up the shutout win while also providing her own run support with a two-run homer.
Bailie Kirker (Crescenta Valley, La Crescenta): For the second time in a three game span, Kirker hit three home runs in a single game in a 19-0 win over Hoover. Unlike last time when they were all solo shots she had plenty of Falcon runners on base as she finished with ten RBI on the 5-for-5 night at the plate.
Danielle L'Argent (Clovis): L'Argent batted in five RBIs on a home run and a double against Davis-Modesto and won 11-0. She added two more hits in the second game of a double-header, which Clovis also won 9-2.
Mary Lee (Torrey Pines, San Diego): Just a sophomore, Lee, a third baseman, went 8-for-10 in three North County Tournament victories, topped by a 3-for-3 performance against Vista. She had three RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base in leading the Falcons (8-1) to their best start in school history.
Janesse Martinez (Cabrillo, Long Beach): She struck out an impressive 16 batters in a 5-3 victory over Dominguez of Compton.
Ashley McCloud (Hesperia Christian): McCloud hit three homeruns in a 20-0 blowout over Bloomington Christian. She was three for four with four RBIs and three runs scored.
Amy McIntyre (Francis Parker, San Diego): Pitched a one-hit shutout, striking out 15 against Brawley in the Hilltop Tournament. At the plate, McIntyre was 3-for-3 with a solo home run.
Jessica Moore (Sutter): The Oregon commit was named Las Plumas tournament MVP honors after leading the Huskies to a perfect 5-0 record and the championship with four no-hitters in the five games.
Katrina Pinkowski (Corona): The hurler had 18 strikeouts for Corona in a 4-1 win over Palm Springs. Earlier in the week in a 2-0 win over San Jacinto, Pinkowski pitched a two hitter and recorded 14 strikeouts.
Hayley Rodriguez (Torrance, North): Rodriguez threw a three-hitter with 11 strikeouts in the Saxons' 3-0 win over Bishop Montgomery of Torrance.
Brittany Schutte & Brianne Matthews (Mater Dei, Santa Ana): Schutte, the Monarchs catcher, was unstoppable, going 4-for-4 and driving in three runs as Mater Dei routed Foothill of Tustin, 10-0, in the Round Table Invitational. Matthews, a freshman pitcher, was the beneficiary of the 10-run output as she allowed just one hit and fanned eight in the game shortened to five innings by the mercy rule. Matthews also doubled in two runs.
Jordan Stanaland (Lindhurst): Junior hurler fanned 20 during an eight inning affair against Lassen. The game ended in a 1-1 tie as Lassen's only score came on an unearned run. Three nights later, she did just as well at the plate, going 4 for 5, with a triple, while also striking out 10 batters in a 22-3 win over San Juan of Citrus Heights.
Haley Steele (Poway): Steele's three-run home run gave the Titans all the runs they needed in a 5-0 win over Mt. Carmel (San Diego) in the title game of the Cougar Classic in Escondido. She batted .500 for the tournament and has nine RBI so far this season.
Jessica Thweatt (Inderkum, Sacramento): Stuck out a season-high 19 in the Falcons' 7-0 win over Laguna Creek.
Shanel Tolbert & Leesa Harris (Westchester, Los Angeles): Tolbert threw two straight no-hitters for Westchester this week. She stuck out ten in a 15-0 win over LACES. She went four for four at the plate with a homerun and six RBI. Leesa Harris was three for three with four runs scored and six steals in the same game.
Laura Winter (Rancho Bernardo): An all-around standout, the junior pitched four complete games in leading the Broncos to the Copper Division title of the Cougar Classic in Escondido. She was 2-1-1 with 49 strikeouts in 28 innings in addition to driving in nine runs while batting .500.
CA, baseball, softball, state record book, state records, Jolene Henderson, Parker Hipp, K.C. Hobson, Kailee Cuico, Jessica Moore
State Stat Stars of the Week
March 18, 2009 10:03 PM
(For additions, corrections or to report a statistical standout we may have missed, email mark@studentsports.com. To inquire about a section or state record, please email Senior Editor Ronnie Flores at ronnie@studentsports.com or call (800) 660-1334 Ext. 4414; For games played between March 9-13; Does not include many of the basketball performances in regional title games that were already mentioned in weekend coverage on this site; Some baseball and softball performances could be from two weeks ago; Writeups by Harold Abend, Steve Brand, Paul Muyskens, Mark Tennis, Andrew Drennen, Garland Cooper & Bob Barnett)
NOTE: We've been compiling weekly stat stars in various sports for 30 years. Part of the reason we have published them virtually every week of the school year since 1979 is not only to highlight many of the top performers around the state, but to update our exclusive state record book and we've just printed our seventh edition. If your love the content on our site, you'll love the book, so order your copy today.
BOYS BAKSETBALL
Tyler Bray (Kingsburg): A 6'6' junior and a outstanding quarterback on Kinggburg's football team lead his team in a losing effort (71-61) with 21 points against Bishop Montgomery-Torrance in a Div. IV regional playoff game.
Lance Reeves (Central Valley Christian, Visalia): Senior lead his team to a first round regional playoff win 81-66 over View Park Prep as he scored 27 points. Freshman Grant Verhoven chipped in 21 points. In the second round against No. 1 seed Windward of Los Angeles, they came up short 80-67, but Reeves made six three-pointers good for 28 points. Reeves also became the schools all-time leading scorer, passing his coach Blake Van Der Schaaf.
Chase Tapley (Sacramento): In his final high school game with the Dragons, Tapley scored a game-high 27 points in a Div. III Nor-Cal championship game loss to Sacred Heart Cathedral of San Francisco. Also scored 25 points to go with 13 rebounds in a 61-41 win over Analy.
Rodney Webster (Hanford West): Webster scored 21 points against Gahr of Cerritos in a SoCal Div. III first round regional playyoff game, but his team came up short, 74-54, after leading his team to their first section championship.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Stefani Agostini (Modesto Christian): Hit a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff record eight three-pointers as she scored 26 points in a semifinal win over Argonaut. Had six three-pointers at halftime and may have had more than eight if not for the 76-30 blowout win, which limited her minutes in the second half.
Chelsea Gray (St. Mary's, Stockton): Just like last year, the Rams game against Sacred Heart Cathedral in the NorCal Div. III championship game came down to a final shot at the buzzer but this time it was Gray who had the last shot and she converted in the final seconds for the win. Gray finished the game with 24 points in the 62-60 win.
Brandi Henton (Modesto Christian, Modesto): Set two records in the NorCal Div. IV championship game Saturday at Folsom High as she was sent to the free-throw line for 22 attempts of which she converted 16. Henton finished with 27 points as the Crusaders defeated St. Mary's of Berkeley, 62-57, in overtime and will head to Arco Arena for the state championships.
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Sara James (Oak Ridge, El Dorado Hills): Scored a game-high 30 points in the NorCal Div. II championship but it wasn't enough to get earn a trip back to Arco Arena for the state championship as they were on the losing side of a 60-50 score against Carondelet of Concord.
Ricki Radanovich (Carondelet, Concord): In a game that seemed like it would never end, she scored 32 points and made six 3-pointers as the Cougars earned a trip to Arco Arena for the regional final with with a 76-73 triple-overtime win over Archbishop Mitty in the regional semifinals.
Taylor Spikes (Hanford): Spikes scored 21 points as Hanford crushed Beverly Hills, 90-65, in a first round Div. II regional playoff game. Morgan Mason led Beverly hills with 28 points.
Lashari Clayborne (Roosevelt, Fresno): Clayborne closed out her senior year by scoring 21 points against Marlborough of Los Angeles in a losing effort. Jade Smith scored 23 points for Marlborough in the 60-42 regional playoff victory.
BASEBALL Jason Balades (Oxnard): Freshman tossed a three-hitter and struck out 13 in a 5-3 win over Granada Hills.
Matt Cathcart (Malibu): The Sharks' hurler threw a two-hitter and fanned 10 in a 15-2 thrashing of St. Bernard of Playa Del Ray.
Joseph Daris (El Camino, Oceanside): Daris collected five hits, added a RBI and scored twice in a 10-1 win over Sweetwater of National City.
Michael Fagan (San Diego Jewish Academy): Fagan struck out 13 and gave up 3 hits in a 6-0 win over Vista Calvary.
Donovan Gonzales (Twentynine Palms): Gonzales struck out 11 and gave up three hits in the complete-game 1-0 shutout of Aquinas of San Bernardino.
Nathan Ibarra (Fillmore): Broke a Ventura County record and earned himself a spot in the Cal Hi Sports state record book with 11 RBI in a 14-10 win over North Hollywood. Ibarra hit an RBI double, two-RBI triple and two grand slams.
Christopher Ludwig (Mt. Carmel, San Diego): Ludwig had a stellar game against Mira Mesa, even though his team lost 14-13. In the loss he went 4 for 4 with seven RBI and two homers.
William Munro (San Marcos): The hurler struck out 11 in seven innings of work in a 2-0 shutout over San Pasqual.
Dylan Nelson & Dustin Aldrick (Galileo, San Francisco): Nelson opened the week for the Lions by throwing a perfect game with 17 strikeouts in a 11-0 win over Mission. Andrick, just a sophomore, would finish the week two walks shy of a perfect game, as he had to be more than happy with a no-hitter in a 10-0 win over Burton.
Evan Norton (Arroyo Grande): Norton went 4 for 4, added a trio of stolen bases and three runs in a 15-1 drubbing of Santa Maria.
Aaron Roth (Santa Clara, Oxnard): Roth went the distance and struck out 11, but took the loss in a 1-0 game against Cornerstone Christian.
Jimmy Sherfy (Newbury Park): Sherfy threw a gem in a 1-0 win over Burbank, surrendering only one hit and fanning 13.
Stephen Takahashi (Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates): Takahashi collected four hits, including a double, scored three runs and drove in two RBIs, as the Sea Kings topped South Torrance 20-9 in the Gold Division championship of the El Segundo Tournament.
Joey Torres (Loara, Anaheim): Torres helped lead his team to its first Loara Tournament Title since 1987, as he went 4 for 4 with three RBIs and a run scored in a 6-1 win over Cypress.
SOFTBALL Kayla Alfaqir (Rialto, Carter): The hurler lead the way in a 12-0 shutout of Apple Valley Granite Hills. In her first pitching appearance, she threw a two-hit shutout and recorded 10Ks. At the plate she went three for three with a double, homerun and four RBI.
Lauren Bair (Golden West, Visalia): Blair had six RBI's on 3-4 hitting, including a home run as Golden West edge Clovis West, 10-8, in a non-league game.
Caitlin Brooks (Escalon): Tossed three no-hitters in a four game span for the Cougars with a one-hit performance against Ripon Christian. Struck out 17 against Calaveras and Ripon Christian before recording a season-best 18 strikeouts against Placer of Auburn.
Ally Carda (Pleasant Grove): After starting the season two weeks ago with a seven inning perfect game that saw her strike out 20 batters, she followed that up with another 41 innings of impressive pitching last week. Carda allowed just four hits in the 41 innings while striking out 92. Despite her still 0.00 ERA and throwing her first of two no-hitters in a row, she suffered her first loss with an unearned run.
Tiffany Friel (Colusa): Just a sophomore, she struck out a season-high 19 and didn't walk a batter as the Redskins defeated Hamilton 2-0 in seven innings.
Teagan Gerhart (Norco): Gerhart pitched a one-hitter in the opening round of the Bullhead Tournament in Ariz. She also recorded 14Ks in the 2-0 win over Chapparral High School out of Scottsdale, Ariz. In the semis, Gerhart threw another shutout and hit a homerun in a 4-0 win over Los Alamitos.
Helena Harrity (Hesperia Christian): Harrity went five for five with a triple in an 11-0 win over Desert Christian Bermuda Dunes. In a 12-3 win over Mesa Grande Academy this weekend, Harrity went three for five with four RBI and a double in non-league play.
Jolene Henderson (Sheldon, Sacramento): Is one of the main reasons the Huskies start out the season as the ESPN RISE No. 1 ranked team in the nation. She out-dueled Freedom's Hannah Williams allowing just one hit and striking out 20 in the Huskies' 11-inning 1-0 victory.
Julia Howell (Calvary, Murieta): Howell hit a game-winning, two-run homerun for Calvary Murrieta in the seventh inning to put the team to stay, 2-1, over Menifee Heritage.
Lauren Hynes (Torrey Pines): The freshman left-handed pitcher threw a no-hitter against Steele Canyon in a 7-0 win. Her next game in the circle, she came in relief for three innings in a 5-4 win over Rancho Bernardo, earning a save. At the plate Hynes is batting .375 for Torrey Pines.
Sophia Perez (Simi Valley): Perez threw a 1-0 shutout against Royal in the Suzanne Manlet Invitational championship game. She allowed only three hits and struck out 12 in the game. In a previous tournament game, she pitched another 1-0 shutout in eight innings against Pacifica. For her efforts, she was named the MVP of the tournament.
Natalee Pulver (Etiwanda, Rancho Cucamonga): The junior tossed a 3-0 shutout against Glendora in the finals of the San Dimas Softball Tournament. She hadn't given up a run in three games as of the tournament's conclusion.
Kathryn Rabak (Bear River): The Bruins' senior catcher was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two doubles, a homer, and seven RBI in a 17-0 mercy rule win over Foresthill.
Jessica Shults (Hart, Newhall): Shults homered in the semifinal and final game of the Hart Classic Tournament, where she was named co-MVP. Earlier in the week, the catcher went four for four with a homerun and three RBI in a 17-2 win over Moorpark.
Haley Steele (Poway, San Diego): Had a good week at the plate going one for two with a solo homerun in a 8-6 win over Torrey Pines and then batting one for three with an RBI in a 3-1 win over Granite Hills. In the Cougar Classic Steele, Steele went one for three in a 2-0 win over Point Loma before going two for four with three RBI and a three-run homerun in the Cougar's Classic Gold Division championship game. They beat Mt. Carmel in the title game, 5-0.
Cecy Torres (Firebaugh): Struck out 17 and allowed just one hit as the Eagles defeated Lathon, 1-0. She improved to 4-0 with no earned runs and has allowed just five hits this season in 21 innings pitched.
Carissa Truijillo (Edison, Fresno): The junior knocked in six RBI's, which included two homers, as the Tigers pounded Shafter, 20-0, in the Bakersfield Tournament.
Darlena White (Lower Lake): Went a perfect 4-for-4 with two triples, seven RBIs, and three runs scored in the Trojans' 14-10 win over Geyserville. She then went 4-for-5 with another triple and six RBI in an even higher scoring 15-12 win over Pierce of Arbuckle.
CA, baseball, softball, state record book, state records, Jessica Shults, Jolene Henderson, Teagan Gerhart, Joey Torres, Chelsea Gray, basketball, Chase Tapley
Preseason Baseball & Softball State Top 20s
March 4, 2009 9:00 PM
Although some teams have begun to play, we still wanted to post our preseason state rankings outlooks for baseball and softball. The Norco baseball and Sheldon of Sacramento softball teams lead the way.
By Mark Tennis, Executive Editor
Contributing: Paul Muyskens, Garland Cooper, Andrew Drennen
There were only a handful of seniors on the roster a year ago when the Norco High baseball team made it to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Div. I playoffs. This is why the Cougars were tabbed No. 1 in the state for the 2009 preseason.
One of those back is Matt Hobgood, the CalHiSports.com State Junior Player of the Year. Hobgood went 10-0 on the mound with a 1.34 ERA and also hit .489 with 45 RBI. Wes Hatton is another ace pitcher to give the team a very strong 1-2 punch. He had a 1.66 ERA as a junior. Also back are honors candidates Jake Romanski, a catcher, and Jake Clark, who plays first base and pitches.
El Toro easily could have been in the preseason No. 1 position as well. The dilemma for the preseason order in California is whether to go with a team that was a semifinalist in the CIF Southern Section in Division I last year compared to one that was a champion in Division II.
Both Norco and El Toro have outstanding returning pitching and position players. In the case of the Chargers, their 1-2 combo is Chad Thompson (12-3, 1.28) and Tyler Ziegler (6-2, 2.14). Their top returnee at the plate is all-state underclass infielder Nolan Arenado, who batted .456 as a junior with 32 RBI.
The consensus is pretty clear in Northern California that the top team to start out should be Jesuit of Carmichael. The Marauders won the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I title last year and are blessed with returning strength on the mound and at the plate. Andrew Susac is one of the top catchers in the state and has signed with Oregon State. He batted .466 as a junior and hit six homers. Outfielder Jimmy Bosco is back as well with a .505 average and is headed to the Pac-10 as well but to Cal. Three of the top four pitchers are also returning, led by Brock Simon (7-2, 1.97) and Martin Agosta (6-0, 1.16).
Here are the complete preseason state top 20 baseball rankings (listed with win-loss records from last year):
1. Norco 24-4
2. El Toro (Lake Forest) 26-9
3. Jesuit (Carmichael) 27-7
4. Simi Valley 25-8
5. Cathedral (San Diego) 27-8
6. Stockdale (Bakersfield) 31-3
7. Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 24-7
8. Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo) 20-9
9. Poway 31-6
10. Yuba City 29-3
11. Chatsworth 29-5
12. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 24-11
13. Bishop Amat (La Puente) 27-4
14. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 27-4
15. De La Salle (Concord) 17-9
16. Clovis West (Fresno) 23-8
17. Valley Christian (San Jose) 30-6
18. Northview (Covina) 26-4
19. Oakdale 25-3
20. Los Alamitos 26-4
Bubble: Yucaipa 20-9, Serra (San Mateo) 26-7, Mt. Whitney (Visalia) 27-8, Royal (Simi Valley) 19-9, St. Mary's (Stockton) 21-12.
Softball Preseason Rankings
It's Sheldon of Sacramento, then the 1-2 Inland Empire punch of Corona Santiago and Norco that starts out the 2009 California prep softball season.
Coming off a 2008 campaign in which the team won its second straight CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title and ended No. 4 in the final FAB 50 national rankings, head coach Mary Jo Truesdale at Sheldon is loaded again with the return of not only one of the best pitchers in the nation, Jolene Henderson, but also one of the best catchers, Lindsey Ziegenhirt.
Henderson, the CalHiSports.com State Junior of the Year and an EA SPORTS All-American, compiled a 30-1 mark in the circle with 22 shutouts, a 0.41 ERA and whiffed 326 batters. She also hit .400 with 31 RBI. Ziegenhirt, also first-team all-state, batted .446 with six homers and 47 RBI.
Henderson and Ziegenhirt, who are both headed to Cal, and many others from the Sheldon team also proved their strength on the field during the summer as they sparked their travel team to the Under-16 national championship. One of the team's other top players is sophomore third baseman Danielle Henderson, who is Jolene's younger sister.
In Southern California, Santiago of Corona and Norco both have four-year star pitchers so it was hard to look elsewhere for the region's preseason top rankings.
The Sharks have just a touch more returning strength than their arch-rivals from nearby Norco so they start out just one spot higher in the rankings. Head coach John Perez's team features four-year pitching standout Kamerin May, who as a freshman was in the circle when Santiago won the prestigious CIF Southern Section Div. I title. May struck out 311 batters last year with a 0.73 ERA and also hit .400 with six homers. She's joined by twin sister Kristin, who plays third base and catches and hit .350 as a junior. Both May sisters are headed to San Diego State.
While Santiago features the May twins, the Cougars have the Gerhart triplets. Teagan Gerhart is the most prominent of the sisters – at least from a softball standpoint – as she comes back as the Riverside County Player of the Year. She's one of the top pitchers in the nation and also hit .376 last year with 19 RBI. Along with sisters Whitley and Kelsey, Norco fans also are happy with the return of honors candidate Nicole Sappingfield in the outfield.
Here are the complete preseason state top 20 softball rankings (listed with win-loss records from last year):
1. Sheldon (Sacramento) 32-2
2. Santiago (Corona) 26-4
3. Norco 29-6
4. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 23-3-1
5. Hart (Newhall) 24-5
6. Freedom (Oakley) 26-2
7. Valencia 29-5
8. Centennial (Bakersfield) 28-5-1
9. Simi Valley 29-1
10. San Benito (Hollister) 28-4
11. Canyon (Anaheim) 22-8
12. Ayala (Chino Hills) 21-11-1
13. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 23-7
14. Granite Hills (El Cajon) 24-7-1
15. Fairfield 24-7
16. Esperanza (Anaheim) 22-7-1
17. Presentation (San Jose) 26-6
18. Notre Dame (Salinas) 30-5
19. Rosary (Fullerton) 21-10
20. Glendora 19-10
Bubble: Foothill (Pleasanton) 20-8, La Serna (Whittier) 27-4, Lodi 20-10, Madera 31-4-1, Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) 24-6-1.
Corrections or comments? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.
baseball, Preseason baseball, softball, state rankings, Jolene Henderson, Sheldon, Matt Hobgood, Norco, Chad Thompson, El Toro, Andrew Susac, Jesuit, Kamerin May, Santiago
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