After a season that featured lethal bats throughout the lineup, it was as though Elk Grove couldn't put two solid hits together at all during the Sac-Joaquin Section's Division I North tournament.
Monday in a consolation contest, the Herd faced a solid pitcher in Vacaville's Anthony Gonsolin and with the exception of Rowdy Tellez' booming 425-foot home run in the first inning, just couldn't muster an offensive attack and was eliminated by the Bulldogs, 7-3.
With Tellez pretty much sidelined except for designated hitter duties, Dom Nunez with a bit of a shoulder issue, Coach Jeff Carlson was pretty much left with having to pitch junior Mikey Wright against Vacaville. The Bulldogs got two sharp hits from Gonsolin and Elway Stanistevan to lead off the game and Wright walked a couple batters then fanned a pair to get out of a fix with just one run surrendered.
Covering the sports in and around Elk Grove, CA.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Elk Grove - Home of Champions
What a great job our Elk Grove-area spring sports competitors have done, especially the past four days or so!
Start off with Dave Smith throwing a no-hitter on Thursday for Elk Grove baseball. That same day Cosumnes Oaks' girls track and field won the Division IV Section championship. The next day Monterey Trail girls took the Division I Section championship in track and Bradshaw's soccer team won its fourth straight Division VI title.
Saturday, Franklin's girls were runner-ups for Division I soccer, Cosumnes Oaks's squad were runner-ups in Division IV, the Wildcat baseball team dominated Elk Grove's baseball team AND both Elk Grove and Sheldon's softball teams won their first two playoff games.
Then to conclude the weekend Cosumnes River College's baseball team, with a lineup loaded with local high school grads, won the state baseball championship.
Good job, everyone.
Start off with Dave Smith throwing a no-hitter on Thursday for Elk Grove baseball. That same day Cosumnes Oaks' girls track and field won the Division IV Section championship. The next day Monterey Trail girls took the Division I Section championship in track and Bradshaw's soccer team won its fourth straight Division VI title.
Saturday, Franklin's girls were runner-ups for Division I soccer, Cosumnes Oaks's squad were runner-ups in Division IV, the Wildcat baseball team dominated Elk Grove's baseball team AND both Elk Grove and Sheldon's softball teams won their first two playoff games.
Then to conclude the weekend Cosumnes River College's baseball team, with a lineup loaded with local high school grads, won the state baseball championship.
Good job, everyone.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
CRC Wins Community College Title
Josh Silver (Franklin H.S.) singled in Colby Brenner (Elk Grove H.S.) with the go-ahead run then Phillip Roa (Elk Grove) doubled in Silver in the top of the 12th inning to give Cosumnes River College an 8-6 win over Rio Hondo College Sunday and give the Hawks their first-ever State Community College baseball championship.
Blake Harrison (Galt H.S.) earned the win in relief pitching four innings of shutout ball. Austin Ales (Oak Ridge H.S.) earned the save, pitching the 12th inning. Bryce Shandro (Franklin) was the starting pitcher for the Hawks.
This is quite an accomplishment for Coach Tony Bloomfield and the Hawks. They never played a home game. The college is building a new sports complex on the CRC campus so CRC's "home games" were played at City College, American River College and even a couple were played at Sacramento State.
Here's the game's box score:
Blake Harrison (Galt H.S.) earned the win in relief pitching four innings of shutout ball. Austin Ales (Oak Ridge H.S.) earned the save, pitching the 12th inning. Bryce Shandro (Franklin) was the starting pitcher for the Hawks.
This is quite an accomplishment for Coach Tony Bloomfield and the Hawks. They never played a home game. The college is building a new sports complex on the CRC campus so CRC's "home games" were played at City College, American River College and even a couple were played at Sacramento State.
Here's the game's box score:
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Cosumnes Oaks Girls Win Track Title
From Cosumnes Oaks Track coach Jeff Adams:
The Cosumnes Oaks High School Girls Track and Field team won the D4 SJC Section championships for a second consecutive year. COHS entered the final event tied in points with SVC rival Vista Del Lago.
The tie was set up by a deep COHS team both on the track and in field events. The team of Ciarra Jones, Ericka Banford, Fiyin Olusola and Natsumi Mcgee started the day by winning the 4x100 in a new meet record time of 49.16. The team then added a victory and fifth place in the 200m, Jones in 25.63 and Banford in 26.85. The freshman Natsumi Mcgee then added a second in the 100m in 12.40.
The real difference in this year's team was the additional depth at hurdles and the jumps. Olusola scored 3rd place finishes in both the 100m hurdles 16.21 and the 300m HH in 46,54 both season record for Olusola. Tais Marinho-Gomez add a 2nd place in the triple jump at 36'9.5" and a 6th place in the long jump at 16'6". A newcomer to the team freshman Mishaye Venerable added to the scoring with a 4th place finish in the long jump and the team scoring was rounded out by a 6th place finish by Martina Chase-Rios in the 1600 in 5:39.19
The tie score set up a must win in the final event, the 4x400, for COHS Girls to repeat. The relay team of Banford, Olusola, Mcgee and Jones won the final event in 4:05.44 setting a second meet record on the day and securing Cosumnes' second consecutive Section Championship
Coach Adams "All in all a real nail biter but that is what track is all about. Down to the last event winner take all, It doesn't get much better than that. This team is a special group of women who have turned hard work into consecutive championships."
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| Cosumnes Oaks Girls' Track Team - 2011 and 2012 D-IV Champs |
The tie was set up by a deep COHS team both on the track and in field events. The team of Ciarra Jones, Ericka Banford, Fiyin Olusola and Natsumi Mcgee started the day by winning the 4x100 in a new meet record time of 49.16. The team then added a victory and fifth place in the 200m, Jones in 25.63 and Banford in 26.85. The freshman Natsumi Mcgee then added a second in the 100m in 12.40.
The real difference in this year's team was the additional depth at hurdles and the jumps. Olusola scored 3rd place finishes in both the 100m hurdles 16.21 and the 300m HH in 46,54 both season record for Olusola. Tais Marinho-Gomez add a 2nd place in the triple jump at 36'9.5" and a 6th place in the long jump at 16'6". A newcomer to the team freshman Mishaye Venerable added to the scoring with a 4th place finish in the long jump and the team scoring was rounded out by a 6th place finish by Martina Chase-Rios in the 1600 in 5:39.19
The tie score set up a must win in the final event, the 4x400, for COHS Girls to repeat. The relay team of Banford, Olusola, Mcgee and Jones won the final event in 4:05.44 setting a second meet record on the day and securing Cosumnes' second consecutive Section Championship
Coach Adams "All in all a real nail biter but that is what track is all about. Down to the last event winner take all, It doesn't get much better than that. This team is a special group of women who have turned hard work into consecutive championships."
Franklin's Blake Pitches Wildcats Into D-1 Winners' Bracket
Franklin left-handed pitcher Tyler Blake scattered seven hits and threw a complete game win as the Wildcats defeated Elk Grove, 9-1, Saturday in a second round contest in the Sac-Joaquin Section's Division I North baseball playoffs.
Blake backed up his pitching performance with a key RBI single in a six-run third inning. Just prior to his hit, Josh Pigg drove in a pair of runs with a single to right. Later in the inning, Kyle VonRuden stroked a bases-loaded triple off Elk Grove starter and losing pitcher Craig Dowell.
Pigg added another RBI in the sixth inning, scoring Ryan Sarginson who had previously doubled down the right field line.
The Wildcats had ten hits in the game and have set up a winners' bracket game against Davis, another Delta Valley Conference foe, on Tuesday night at Sacramento City College. The Blue Devils defeated Vacaville, 4-3 in eight innings, in an earlier game Saturday.
Franklin head coach Bryan Kilby said he will send VonRuden to the mound to face Davis.
Elk Grove will now take on Vacaville in an elimination game Monday night.
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| Tyler Blake #24 |
Pigg added another RBI in the sixth inning, scoring Ryan Sarginson who had previously doubled down the right field line.
The Wildcats had ten hits in the game and have set up a winners' bracket game against Davis, another Delta Valley Conference foe, on Tuesday night at Sacramento City College. The Blue Devils defeated Vacaville, 4-3 in eight innings, in an earlier game Saturday.
Franklin head coach Bryan Kilby said he will send VonRuden to the mound to face Davis.
Elk Grove will now take on Vacaville in an elimination game Monday night.
CRC Plays For State Title Today
Cosumnes River College's baseball team needs to win one, just one game today against Rio Hondo College to grab its first-ever state community college championship. Saturday the Hawks defeated Sierra College, 12-8, as Colby Brenner had four RBI's and Josh Silver had a pair of big hits.
Later in the day, Sierra was eliminated from the double-elimination championships by Rio, 4-1.
Rio has lost only four games all season, one of them was to CRC on Friday to open the state championships, being played in Bakersfield.
Watch my Twitters today for updates on this game.
Later in the day, Sierra was eliminated from the double-elimination championships by Rio, 4-1.
Rio has lost only four games all season, one of them was to CRC on Friday to open the state championships, being played in Bakersfield.
Watch my Twitters today for updates on this game.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Division I Track and Field Results
The Sac-Joaquin Section's Division I Track and Field Championships were Friday night at Elk Grove High School. It was a big night for Monterey Trail girls as Esther Higgwe took both the 100- and 200-meter dashes and she anchored the winning 4x100 and the fourth-place 4x400 meter relay teams.
The Mustang Girls have also won the team championship, the school's first-ever Section championship.
Here is how our locals did: (the grade of each student is next to their name)
The Mustang Girls have also won the team championship, the school's first-ever Section championship.
Here is how our locals did: (the grade of each student is next to their name)
Big League Dreams, Elk Grove?
Please read the story online today on Elk Grove News.net.
They are reporting that the City is closer to contracting with Big League Dreams to manage a city facility that will contain a baseball/softball complex.
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| Will a sign like this soon adorn an Elk Grove sports facility? |
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Smith Hurls No-Hitter, EG Wins Playoff Opener
Rowdy Tellez got the start on the mound for the Elk Grove Thundering Herd in its Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoff opener against Napa. He walked the first Indian batter and on the first pitch to the next batter, he stumbled off the mound, holding his throwing elbow in pain. He over-extended it.
Head Coach Jeff Carlson pointed to David Smith to come off the bench and begin warm-ups. From that point on, the game was all Smith's. The junior right hander threw the school's second-ever playoff no-hitter as he went the rest of the way, striking out nine and leading Elk Grove to a 1-0 win over Napa.
Smith walked two batters, one of them was the first man he faced in the first inning. The closest Napa got to a hit came in the third inning, but center fielder Derek Hill laid out horizontal on a line drive hit in the gap and grabbed the ball off the grass tops.
The only other no-hitter thrown by a Herd pitcher was in 2005 when Eric Otterson defeated Yuba City in the Division I playoffs. Last season when a part of the junior varsity squad, Smith's pitching coach was Otterson.
Elk Grove's only run came in the first inning when Nick Madrigal drew a walk to lead off the game, went all the way to third when the Napa catcher couldn't find the ball along the backstop after a wild pitch and then scored on Dom Nunez' ground ball out.
The Herd now plays Delta Valley Conference rival Franklin on Saturday at 3 p.m. In the other game in the double-elimination tournament Vacaville will take on Davis, a 5-2 winner Thursday over Oak Ridge.
Listen to the post-game interviews with Carlson and Smith :
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| David Smith |
Smith walked two batters, one of them was the first man he faced in the first inning. The closest Napa got to a hit came in the third inning, but center fielder Derek Hill laid out horizontal on a line drive hit in the gap and grabbed the ball off the grass tops.
The only other no-hitter thrown by a Herd pitcher was in 2005 when Eric Otterson defeated Yuba City in the Division I playoffs. Last season when a part of the junior varsity squad, Smith's pitching coach was Otterson.
Elk Grove's only run came in the first inning when Nick Madrigal drew a walk to lead off the game, went all the way to third when the Napa catcher couldn't find the ball along the backstop after a wild pitch and then scored on Dom Nunez' ground ball out.
The Herd now plays Delta Valley Conference rival Franklin on Saturday at 3 p.m. In the other game in the double-elimination tournament Vacaville will take on Davis, a 5-2 winner Thursday over Oak Ridge.
Listen to the post-game interviews with Carlson and Smith :
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
More Honors For The Hendersons
Micke Henderson better find more shelf space for softball awards won by her girls Danielle and Jolene.
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| Jolene Henderson |
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| Danielle Henderson |
Their Cal teammate Valerie Arioto was selected as the player of the year. Read about this honor for the Pac-12 champions. Cal, 50-4 on the season and ranked #1 in the nation, opens the NCAA Tournament at home against Ione Friday.
Both girls played high school ball at Sheldon.
Day Of Upsets - PG and Jesuit Both Lose
The opening day of the Sac-Joaquin Section's North Division Playoffs can be described with one word - shocking.
The two top teams in the Delta River League, and perhaps the two best teams this season, Pleasant Grove and Jesuit, were both defeated in the single-elimination opening round Wednesday.
In the first game, Eagle ace pitcher Zack Stilwell was tossed around by Franklin in the early innings and the Wildcats upset the DRL champions, 11-5. Stilwell hit three batters, walked three and gave up three hits as Franklin scored five times in the first inning.
In the second contest of the day at Sacramento City College, Jesuit's Logan James was out dueled by Vacaville's Elway Stantistevan, who gave up six hits to squeak out a 3-2 win.
The two top teams in the Delta River League, and perhaps the two best teams this season, Pleasant Grove and Jesuit, were both defeated in the single-elimination opening round Wednesday.
In the first game, Eagle ace pitcher Zack Stilwell was tossed around by Franklin in the early innings and the Wildcats upset the DRL champions, 11-5. Stilwell hit three batters, walked three and gave up three hits as Franklin scored five times in the first inning.
In the second contest of the day at Sacramento City College, Jesuit's Logan James was out dueled by Vacaville's Elway Stantistevan, who gave up six hits to squeak out a 3-2 win.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
CRC Wins Super Regional, Heads To State
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| CRC Coach Tony Bloomfield |
San Mateo forced a second game Sunday in the Super Regional finals by defeating the Hawks, 7-6 in 11 innings. Down 6-4 heading into the final inning, CRC’s Jake Schu drove in two runs on a single in the top of the ninth inning to put the game into extras. In the deciding game two, San Mateo scored three runs in the first inning and was shut out the rest of the way. Colby Brenner drove in four runs while Josh Silver, Luke McDonald and Schu each had two RBI’s. Nick Smart pitched the first six innings for the win.
Last Friday the Hawks opened Super Regional play with a 10-4 win over Ohlone College. Silver and Garrett Heisinger each drove in two runs. On Saturday the Hawks defeated San Mateo College, 8-1. Silver, a graduate of Franklin High School, was again the hitting star with three doubles. Austin Ales pitched eight innings of four-hit baseball.
The State Community College championships begin May 18 at Bakersfield College. The event will be a four-team, double-elimination tournament to determine a state baseball champion.
CRC will open Friday against Orange Coast Community College with a 36-5-1 record. The other Nor Cal team to qualify, Sierra College, will face Rio Hondo College (38-3).
Busy Week Ahead For Local Prepsters
Besides the start of playoffs for local baseball and softball (see Saturday's post), other local spring athletes are winding down the school year with their post-seasons:
Golf:
The Sac-Joaquin Section's Masters' Tournament will be Monday at the Reserve in Stockton. None of our local teams qualified, but Pleasant Grove's Michael Grenz and Elk Grove's Connor Scott will compete individually for a spot in the State Tournament next weekend.
Girls' Soccer:
Tuesday in the Section quarterfinals, Franklin will host Vintage.
Boys' Volleyball:
All local teams have been knocked out of the playoffs.
Track and Field:
Quite a number of locals made the Division I meet which begins Tuesday at Elk Grove High School. As a team, Monterey Trail looks to be the strongest, especially on the girls' side. But, Davis has a very strong boys' and girls' squad, especially in the longer runs and in the field events. Finals in all events will be Thursday.
Golf:
The Sac-Joaquin Section's Masters' Tournament will be Monday at the Reserve in Stockton. None of our local teams qualified, but Pleasant Grove's Michael Grenz and Elk Grove's Connor Scott will compete individually for a spot in the State Tournament next weekend.
Girls' Soccer:
Tuesday in the Section quarterfinals, Franklin will host Vintage.
Boys' Volleyball:
All local teams have been knocked out of the playoffs.
Track and Field:
Quite a number of locals made the Division I meet which begins Tuesday at Elk Grove High School. As a team, Monterey Trail looks to be the strongest, especially on the girls' side. But, Davis has a very strong boys' and girls' squad, especially in the longer runs and in the field events. Finals in all events will be Thursday.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Softball/Baseball Playoff Brackets Set
The Sac-Joaquin Section's Division I softball playoffs open Monday. Here's the Division I brackets. In "Play-in" games Tuesday, Sheldon travels to Tracy and Franklin will host Atwater. Those winners advance to what is typically called "Suicide Saturday" where all D-I clubs play in a "must-win" contest. The victors then advance into a double-elimination bracket.
All games will be played May 19 at the Sacramento Softball Complex at Watt Ave. and I-80.
The other local teams participating are Elk Grove, the #2 seed from the Delta Valley Conference and Pleasant Grove, the #2 seed from the Delta River League.
In Division IV, Cosumnes Oaks, the #2 seed from the Sierra Valley Conference, will play Ceres Thursday at the Arnaiz Softball Complex in Stockton.
In baseball, everything begins for the North Division I playoffs Monday when Franklin, #3 seed out of the DVC, takes on the Monticello Empire League third-place team, Vintage, in Yountville. The winner then advances to face the Delta River League champion Pleasant Grove Eagles on either May 16 at 1 p.m. or May 17 at 4 p.m. (Graduation ceremonies are messing with the scheduling of the games, set to be at Sacramento City College)
Elk Grove will take on Napa, the MEL champion, on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The opening round winners will advance into the double-elimination portion of the bracket on Saturday.
All games will be played May 19 at the Sacramento Softball Complex at Watt Ave. and I-80.
The other local teams participating are Elk Grove, the #2 seed from the Delta Valley Conference and Pleasant Grove, the #2 seed from the Delta River League.
In Division IV, Cosumnes Oaks, the #2 seed from the Sierra Valley Conference, will play Ceres Thursday at the Arnaiz Softball Complex in Stockton.
In baseball, everything begins for the North Division I playoffs Monday when Franklin, #3 seed out of the DVC, takes on the Monticello Empire League third-place team, Vintage, in Yountville. The winner then advances to face the Delta River League champion Pleasant Grove Eagles on either May 16 at 1 p.m. or May 17 at 4 p.m. (Graduation ceremonies are messing with the scheduling of the games, set to be at Sacramento City College)
Elk Grove will take on Napa, the MEL champion, on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The opening round winners will advance into the double-elimination portion of the bracket on Saturday.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Higgwe Dominates In DVC Track Meet
Elk Grove schools gave a spectacular performance at the Delta Valley Conference Championships on Wednesday, May 9th. Esther Higgwe of Monterey Trail placed first at 12.50 seconds in the Varsity Women’s 100 Meter Dash, and Chinyere Dike of Franklin took third at 12.90. Elk Grove High’s Armando Martinez came in first in the Boys 400 meters with a time of 50.56.
View meet results here:
2012 DVC Championships
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Minnatee's Slam Lifts PG Into Softball Playoffs
Freshman Kaylen Minnatee hit a two-out grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Pleasant Grove a come-from-behind 4-2 win over Sheldon in the Delta River League regular season finale. The win combined with Ponderosa's 1-0 victory over St. Francis gave the Eagles (17-9, 7-3 DRL) the number two seed in the DRL heading into next week's playoff. The Bruins, with their win, took the league championship.
The loss put Sheldon (16-9, 6-4 DRL) into a third place tie with the Troubadours, but because the Huskies defeated them twice this season, Sheldon will take the DRL third seed.
Listen to my post-game interview with Eagle head coach Chris Murray and with Minnatee.
The loss put Sheldon (16-9, 6-4 DRL) into a third place tie with the Troubadours, but because the Huskies defeated them twice this season, Sheldon will take the DRL third seed.
Listen to my post-game interview with Eagle head coach Chris Murray and with Minnatee.
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Pleasant Grove Takes DRL Title
Pleasant Grove won its first league title in baseball Tuesday by defeating five-time defending champion Jesuit, 5-3. Ian Chandler drove in three runs, including two in the sixth inning to give the Eagles the lead. Tyler Rathjen pick up the win on the mound for Pleasant Grove (13-1 DRL, 21-4 overall).
Watch the game highlights and listen to head coach Rob Rinaldi's post-game interview.
Watch the game highlights and listen to head coach Rob Rinaldi's post-game interview.
Monday's Scores: PG Beats Jesuit In Gm.1
Baseball:
The first game in the three-game set to determine the Delta River League championship went to Pleasant Grove Monday, 6-5. Jesuit had just scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning to grab a 5-3 advantage before the Eagles scored three in their half of the inning to win. Matt Stafford stroked a single up the middle to score the deciding run.
Logan James of Jesuit and Zack Stilwell of Pleasant Grove battled on the mound through six innings. Stafford picked up the win by pitching the seventh inning in relief.
The two clubs play today at Jesuit H.S. at 4 p.m.
In the DVC, Davis won at least a tie for the conference championship by beating Franklin, 5-2. Ben Eckels pitched a nifty game and had three RBI's to support his cause for the Blue Devils. Those two teams play again Wednesday.
Other scores:
Laguna Creek 19, Monterey Trail 0 (5)
Lodi 11, Bradshaw Christian 10
[Note: we did not get the final score between Elk Grove and Grant, just that the Herd won]
Sac-Joaquin Section North Division I Golf Tournament:
The first game in the three-game set to determine the Delta River League championship went to Pleasant Grove Monday, 6-5. Jesuit had just scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning to grab a 5-3 advantage before the Eagles scored three in their half of the inning to win. Matt Stafford stroked a single up the middle to score the deciding run.
Logan James of Jesuit and Zack Stilwell of Pleasant Grove battled on the mound through six innings. Stafford picked up the win by pitching the seventh inning in relief.
The two clubs play today at Jesuit H.S. at 4 p.m.
In the DVC, Davis won at least a tie for the conference championship by beating Franklin, 5-2. Ben Eckels pitched a nifty game and had three RBI's to support his cause for the Blue Devils. Those two teams play again Wednesday.
Other scores:
Laguna Creek 19, Monterey Trail 0 (5)
Lodi 11, Bradshaw Christian 10
[Note: we did not get the final score between Elk Grove and Grant, just that the Herd won]
Sac-Joaquin Section North Division I Golf Tournament:
18 holes at Cameron Park, par 72
Team results: Jesuit 394, Oak Ridge 397, Vacaville 422 (Vacaville advances on tiebreaker), Davis 422, Elk Grove 441, Napa 441.
Individual results: Pereira, Ponderosa, 70; Tavelaro, OR, 75; Corfee, J, 76; Peil, Ponderosa 77; Beverly, Armijo, 77; Sandoval, J, 78.
Sunday, May 06, 2012
Cal Softball Sweeps, Again
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| Lindsey Ziegenhirt, after stroking a two-run homer Sunday |
Cal’s softball team will likely win 50 games this season.
The Bears swept Oregon State this past weekend in a three-game set to go 48-3
on the season, 19-2 in the Pac 12. There’s one more conference series this next
weekend, against Arizona State, and the NCAA regionals begin the following
weekend.
Sheldon’s Jolene Henderson has shared the pitching duties
with Valerie Arioto, who stands to be the NCAA player of the year with the kind
of season she is having. A senior from
Pleasanton, Arioto is batting .396 with 21 home runs and 55 RBI’s, plus an
amazing slugging percentage of 1.006. She leads Cal in all those categories. On
the mound she is 19-2 with a 1.29 ERA.
Henderson, who was a first-team All-American a year ago,
will likely repeat this season with the kind of numbers she has on the mound.
She’s 29-1 with a 1.10 ERA. She has struck out 226 batters in 190.2 innings
pitched.
Her Sheldon teammate, Lindsey Ziegenhirt, homered in
Sunday’s 4-1 win over Oregon State. She has been catching most of the games
this season for Cal. She has not committed an error this season in 226 chances.
Saturday, May 05, 2012
DVC/DRL Baseball Set For Interesting Conclusions
This coming week has the word "interesting" written all over it when it comes to local high school baseball.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Jesuit and Pleasant Grove face off for the Delta River League championship in a three game set. Oak Ridge has landed the #3 seed for the post-season out of the the DRL.
In the Delta Valley Conference Davis plays Franklin on Monday and Wednesday. The Wildcats (10-3) could win a share of the conference title if Franklin sweeps the Blue Devils this week, assuming Elk Grove (also 10-3) wins both of its games against Grant, too.
Davis (11-2) will win the DVC outright and the #1 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section's Division I North tournament if they sweep Franklin. A split would mean Davis and Elk Grove would share the DVC championship, again, assuming the Herd beats Grant twice this week. If this happens, Davis would still have the #1 seed and Elk Grove #2 because the Blue Devils took two of the three contests against the Herd.
Friday's 15-10 win over Elk Grove not only was ugly but revealed some pitching weaknesses on this year's Herd team. Rowdy Tellez pitched six pretty strong innings and Elk Grove had a 10-8 lead going into the top of the seventh inning. Jordan Koch, Mikey Wright and Mason Crump then gave up seven runs on only one hit to Davis. Walks, hit batsmen and misplayed balls abounded for the Herd in a dreadful half-inning.
For the game, the Blue Devils got just five hits and the Herd committed seven errors.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Jesuit and Pleasant Grove face off for the Delta River League championship in a three game set. Oak Ridge has landed the #3 seed for the post-season out of the the DRL.
In the Delta Valley Conference Davis plays Franklin on Monday and Wednesday. The Wildcats (10-3) could win a share of the conference title if Franklin sweeps the Blue Devils this week, assuming Elk Grove (also 10-3) wins both of its games against Grant, too.
Davis (11-2) will win the DVC outright and the #1 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section's Division I North tournament if they sweep Franklin. A split would mean Davis and Elk Grove would share the DVC championship, again, assuming the Herd beats Grant twice this week. If this happens, Davis would still have the #1 seed and Elk Grove #2 because the Blue Devils took two of the three contests against the Herd.
Friday's 15-10 win over Elk Grove not only was ugly but revealed some pitching weaknesses on this year's Herd team. Rowdy Tellez pitched six pretty strong innings and Elk Grove had a 10-8 lead going into the top of the seventh inning. Jordan Koch, Mikey Wright and Mason Crump then gave up seven runs on only one hit to Davis. Walks, hit batsmen and misplayed balls abounded for the Herd in a dreadful half-inning.
For the game, the Blue Devils got just five hits and the Herd committed seven errors.
New CIF Transfer Rule Passes
Citing growing number of school transfer requests and mounting litigation costs, the California Interscholastic Federation Friday passed a new regulation that addressed eligibility of student/athletes who switch schools.
The CIF, which governs high school athletics in California, voted 114-21 to allow an athlete to transfer schools but the student would be ineligible for the first 30 days of their season. According the language of the new rule, fall sport athletes would become eligible Oct. 1, winter sport athletes on Dec. 31 and the athlete participating in a spring sport could participate in games beginning April 1.
The new rule is to overcome the subjectivity of hardship cases, according to Elk Grove Unified School District athletic director Jim Smrekar. Plus, he added, there would no longer be a "one free pass" transfer after the student/athlete's freshman year.
In the past, CIF rules stated a student/athlete would be ineligible in their sport for one full year if they transferred schools without changing residences.
Smrekar also said the participant would be fully eligible for play in the sport if there is a legitimate change-of-residence.
According to CIF officials, the number of transfers has increased by 38% in the past four years.
The CIF, which governs high school athletics in California, voted 114-21 to allow an athlete to transfer schools but the student would be ineligible for the first 30 days of their season. According the language of the new rule, fall sport athletes would become eligible Oct. 1, winter sport athletes on Dec. 31 and the athlete participating in a spring sport could participate in games beginning April 1.
The new rule is to overcome the subjectivity of hardship cases, according to Elk Grove Unified School District athletic director Jim Smrekar. Plus, he added, there would no longer be a "one free pass" transfer after the student/athlete's freshman year.
In the past, CIF rules stated a student/athlete would be ineligible in their sport for one full year if they transferred schools without changing residences.
Smrekar also said the participant would be fully eligible for play in the sport if there is a legitimate change-of-residence.
According to CIF officials, the number of transfers has increased by 38% in the past four years.
DRL Softball Race Yet To Be Determined
It will all come down to Wednesday. Four Delta River League softball teams vying for three spots in the Sac-Joaquin Section's Division I playoffs.
On Friday, Ponderosa pitcher Paris Hallums tossed a 3-0 shutout at Sheldon. That combined with wins by St. Francis and Pleasant Grove means everything rides on Wednesday's outcome. Ponderosa, at 7-2, is in first place and can win the title outright when it takes on 6-3 St. Francis at the Troubadour's field.
Sheldon (6-3) will face Pleasant Grove (6-3) Wednesday with the winner in the playoffs and the loser possibly out.
There are lots of interesting scenarios but, let's look at who would be in and who would be out:
Ponderosa: Win - DRL champions, #1 seed
Lose - still in because the Sheldon/Pleasant Grove loser will be 6-4
Sheldon: Win-in the playoffs, possibly the #1 seed if Ponderosa loses to St. Francis
Lose - out if St. Francis beat Ponderosa, in if Ponderosa beats St. Francis
St. Francis: Win - in the playoffs, possibly a #1 seed if Pleasant Grove beats Sheldon
Lose - out if Pleasant Grove beats Sheldon, if Sheldon beats the Eagles, it may be a coin flip between the Troubadours and Pleasant Grove to decide the DRL #3 seed because they split in the two head-to-head games.
Pleasant Grove: Win - in the playoffs, but split with St. Francis and Pondo so likely a #2 seed.
Lose - out if St. Francis beats Ponderosa, if the Bruins win, they'd have to win the coin flip with the Troubadours.
** I hope the DRL allows Pleasant Grove to play St. Francis in a one-game elimination contest. Coin flips stink, especially for the loser.
On Friday, Ponderosa pitcher Paris Hallums tossed a 3-0 shutout at Sheldon. That combined with wins by St. Francis and Pleasant Grove means everything rides on Wednesday's outcome. Ponderosa, at 7-2, is in first place and can win the title outright when it takes on 6-3 St. Francis at the Troubadour's field.
Sheldon (6-3) will face Pleasant Grove (6-3) Wednesday with the winner in the playoffs and the loser possibly out.
There are lots of interesting scenarios but, let's look at who would be in and who would be out:
Ponderosa: Win - DRL champions, #1 seed
Lose - still in because the Sheldon/Pleasant Grove loser will be 6-4
Sheldon: Win-in the playoffs, possibly the #1 seed if Ponderosa loses to St. Francis
Lose - out if St. Francis beat Ponderosa, in if Ponderosa beats St. Francis
St. Francis: Win - in the playoffs, possibly a #1 seed if Pleasant Grove beats Sheldon
Lose - out if Pleasant Grove beats Sheldon, if Sheldon beats the Eagles, it may be a coin flip between the Troubadours and Pleasant Grove to decide the DRL #3 seed because they split in the two head-to-head games.
Pleasant Grove: Win - in the playoffs, but split with St. Francis and Pondo so likely a #2 seed.
Lose - out if St. Francis beats Ponderosa, if the Bruins win, they'd have to win the coin flip with the Troubadours.
** I hope the DRL allows Pleasant Grove to play St. Francis in a one-game elimination contest. Coin flips stink, especially for the loser.
Friday, May 04, 2012
Thursday Scoreboard
Before I get to the scores, read Bill Patterson's story in the Bee about the possibility the CIF will look at a different rule, much more liberal, in dealing with athletes who transfer from one school to another.
With open enrollment in Elk Grove, we're finding a "bunching" of the top baseball players in about three EGUSD schools, softball players are pretty much in about three schools. All the wrestlers seem to attend Elk Grove. Basketball players are moving into the city to attend Sheldon.
Bill's story talks about how CIF is now saying short of a legitimate change of residence, there will be a 30-day ineligibility for any athlete who does transfer. This means no more "free passes" for the athlete who goes in-between their freshman and sophomore years to a new school.
Now to yesterday's scores:
With open enrollment in Elk Grove, we're finding a "bunching" of the top baseball players in about three EGUSD schools, softball players are pretty much in about three schools. All the wrestlers seem to attend Elk Grove. Basketball players are moving into the city to attend Sheldon.
Bill's story talks about how CIF is now saying short of a legitimate change of residence, there will be a 30-day ineligibility for any athlete who does transfer. This means no more "free passes" for the athlete who goes in-between their freshman and sophomore years to a new school.
Now to yesterday's scores:
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Wednesday's Scoreboard
This was a big day for both baseball and softball around Elk Grove. Here's the scores I've had reported as of 9:30 p.m.:
Baseball:
Laguna Creek 5, Grant 4 (8 inns.) - sophomore Anthony Poindexter doubled off Grant ace Cameron Avila-Leeper to lead off the 8th and scored on Zachary Smart's double.
Franklin 12, Monterey Trail 1 - (6 inns.)
Elk Grove 16, Davis 2 - Rowdy Tellez had a grand slam and Derek Hill stroked two homers, and almost a third, off Blue Devils' ace Ben Eckels. Read about it in the Davis Enterprise. The Herd is now tied with Davis for first place.
Softball:
Delta River League had a three way tie for first between St. Francis, Sheldon and Ponderosa going into today's games.
Ponderosa 10, Folsom 1
Sorry, no report yet from St. Francis vs. Sheldon
Baseball:
Laguna Creek 5, Grant 4 (8 inns.) - sophomore Anthony Poindexter doubled off Grant ace Cameron Avila-Leeper to lead off the 8th and scored on Zachary Smart's double.
Franklin 12, Monterey Trail 1 - (6 inns.)
Elk Grove 16, Davis 2 - Rowdy Tellez had a grand slam and Derek Hill stroked two homers, and almost a third, off Blue Devils' ace Ben Eckels. Read about it in the Davis Enterprise. The Herd is now tied with Davis for first place.
Softball:
Delta River League had a three way tie for first between St. Francis, Sheldon and Ponderosa going into today's games.
Ponderosa 10, Folsom 1
Sorry, no report yet from St. Francis vs. Sheldon
EG Win DVC Golf Title
Delta Valley Conference
18 holes at The Reserve, par 72
Team results: Elk Grove 419, Davis 426, Franklin 447, Monterey Trail 484, Grant forfeit, Laguna Creek forfeit.
Individual results: Patrick Levin, EG, 77; Tam, F, 79; Klein, D, 80; Scott, EG, 80; Chen, D, 82; Cain, EG, 82
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Stilwell - "I've pitched better"
His coach, Rob Rinaldi, told him in his 29 years of
coaching, he’s never witnessed nor heard of a 21-up, 21-down pitching gem in
this area. Zack Stilwell, Pleasant Grove’s left-handed ace, needed only 77 pitches
to strike out 14 batters and mow down the Ponderosa lineup for a 4-0 win on Monday.
Believe it or not, he said he’s pitched better in other games.
“I try to hold myself to a higher standard and I’m pretty
hard on myself, especially when it comes to pitching because I know what I can
do,” he said. “Yes, I have pitched better before.”
He went to a three-ball count to batters twice in the game.
The closest Ponderosa came to getting a hit came in the second inning.
“I threw a change-up to a guy that rolled over on him and he
hit a slow chopper between the five- and six-hole, JQ (Folena) came out of
nowhere, back-handed it and threw the guy out,” Stilwell said.
As the game was nearing the final couple innings, Stilwell
said none of his teammates talked about what was happening on the mound.
“I was hoping no one would be talking about it,” Stilwell
said. “They didn’t. I was up on the (dugout) fence with them, just like normal.
As I went out (to the mound) I just didn’t think about it. I just went about my
game and threw a perfect game.”
Elk Grove’s Eric Otterson threw a no-hitter during the 2005
playoffs against Yuba City, but no one seems to remember a perfect game ever
thrown by a local prepster.
Mon. Scoreboard/Stilwell Tosses Perfect Game
Baseball:
Pleasant Grove 4, Ponderosa 0 - Zack Stilwell threw a perfect game, the season's first no-hitter by a local pitcher. He fanned 14 batters. JQ Folena and Michael Yanez each homered in the DRL win.
No one around seems to know who last threw a full seven-inning perfect game in a high school contest locally.
Jesuit 5, Sheldon 3 - The Marauders scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning off Sheldon pitcher Jake Lorigan. Louis Mejia homered for Jesuit.
Franklin 7, Grant 2 - Brandon Keup picked up the win as Kyle Zanzi homered for the Wildcats.
Davis 10, Monterey Trail 0 (5 inns.) - The Blue Devils remain atop the DVC standings at 10-1.
Softball:
Sheldon 3, Elk Grove 2 - Alexis Cooper threw a three-hitter and went four-for-four at the plate.
Golf:
Pleasant Grove 4, Ponderosa 0 - Zack Stilwell threw a perfect game, the season's first no-hitter by a local pitcher. He fanned 14 batters. JQ Folena and Michael Yanez each homered in the DRL win.
 |
| Zack Stilwell, Pleasant Grove pitcher |
Jesuit 5, Sheldon 3 - The Marauders scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning off Sheldon pitcher Jake Lorigan. Louis Mejia homered for Jesuit.
Franklin 7, Grant 2 - Brandon Keup picked up the win as Kyle Zanzi homered for the Wildcats.
Davis 10, Monterey Trail 0 (5 inns.) - The Blue Devils remain atop the DVC standings at 10-1.
Softball:
Sheldon 3, Elk Grove 2 - Alexis Cooper threw a three-hitter and went four-for-four at the plate.
Golf:
Team results: Jesuit 390, Pleasant Grove 403, Oak Ridge 406; Folsom 416, Ponderosa 427, Sheldon 483.
Individual results: Pereira, P, 70; Grenz, PG, 71; Vander Dussen, PG, 74; Burke, J, 76.
Monday, April 30, 2012
EG Sweeps Series With Laguna Creek, Now It's Davis
Elk Grove took the third and final game of its baseball series with Laguna Creek Monday, 13-2 in six innings, sweeping the season series.
Jordan Koch, who came on in relief in the first inning of Elk Grove starter Thomas Wisdom, picked up the win by pitching four and 1/3 innings.
"We could have come out complacent, looking forward to a big series (against Davis that starts Wednesday)," Elk Grove head coach Jeff Carlson said. "You don't want to do that. Laguna is having a good year and (Josh Lex) has done a good job over here. Today we saw a pretty good arm (in Malik Pruitt) on the mound. It was nice to see our guys compete and make the adjustment to him, especially the second and third time around."
The Cardinals also committed five errors to let Elk Grove dominate the game. Dom Nunez had a two-run triple in the second inning. Rowdy Tellez cleared the bases with a three-RBI double in the 5th inning. He added another RBI on a single in the sixth.
Elk Grove is now 9-2 in the league, 15-6 overall, and will travel to Davis Wednesday to face the first-place Blue Devils. Those two teams play again Friday at EGHS.
One concern Carlson has with just over a week remaining in the regular season is that a couple of his main players are hurt.
"Andrew Horne wasn't here today. He's got the flu," Carlson said. "Dom has a shoulder issue going on so we're going to hold him out the next two weeks and keep him from throwing. He'll (bat as the designated hitter)."
The Herd concludes the year next Monday and Wednesday with games against Grant. The Sac-Joaquin Section's North Division playoffs begin Monday, May 14.
 |
| EGHS pitcher Jordan Koch |
"We could have come out complacent, looking forward to a big series (against Davis that starts Wednesday)," Elk Grove head coach Jeff Carlson said. "You don't want to do that. Laguna is having a good year and (Josh Lex) has done a good job over here. Today we saw a pretty good arm (in Malik Pruitt) on the mound. It was nice to see our guys compete and make the adjustment to him, especially the second and third time around."
The Cardinals also committed five errors to let Elk Grove dominate the game. Dom Nunez had a two-run triple in the second inning. Rowdy Tellez cleared the bases with a three-RBI double in the 5th inning. He added another RBI on a single in the sixth.
Elk Grove is now 9-2 in the league, 15-6 overall, and will travel to Davis Wednesday to face the first-place Blue Devils. Those two teams play again Friday at EGHS.
One concern Carlson has with just over a week remaining in the regular season is that a couple of his main players are hurt.
"Andrew Horne wasn't here today. He's got the flu," Carlson said. "Dom has a shoulder issue going on so we're going to hold him out the next two weeks and keep him from throwing. He'll (bat as the designated hitter)."
The Herd concludes the year next Monday and Wednesday with games against Grant. The Sac-Joaquin Section's North Division playoffs begin Monday, May 14.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Locals Shine At Meet of Champions
Esther Higgwe and her teammates on the Monterey Trail track and field team were the stars of Saturday's Meet of Champions, the largest track and field event thus far this spring. The event is usually at Hughes Stadium, but because of the construction of a new track and football field there, it was moved to American River College.
Higgwe won both the girls' 100 and 200 meters. She and the Mustangs' relay team also took first place in the 4x100 meters and the 4x400 meters.
Here are the Elk Grove-area competitors who finished in the top ten Saturday:
Higgwe won both the girls' 100 and 200 meters. She and the Mustangs' relay team also took first place in the 4x100 meters and the 4x400 meters.
Here are the Elk Grove-area competitors who finished in the top ten Saturday:
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Friday's Stuff/ CRC Wins Big 8
First, a congratulations to Cosumnes River College and coach Tony Bloomfield as the Hawks have won the Big 8 championship in baseball. They defeated Santa Rosa CC, 4-0, in the first game of a twin bill yesterday. Former Pleasant Grove infielder Garrett Heisinger has a key RBI double to lead CRC.
The Hawks played the game at American River College and have had to play all home games at other sites because a new sports facility is under construction on the CRC campus. I have a story with Bloomfield and the CRC team coming out in next Tuesday's Citizen ...
Did you see the story about the Sierra Foothill League being moved this next school year to Division I? It's about time, really. Those schools (Granite Bay, Rocklin, Roseville, Nevada Union, etc.) are just as large in enrollment as the Elk Grove schools and have dominated Division II the past few years.
The Hawks played the game at American River College and have had to play all home games at other sites because a new sports facility is under construction on the CRC campus. I have a story with Bloomfield and the CRC team coming out in next Tuesday's Citizen ...
Did you see the story about the Sierra Foothill League being moved this next school year to Division I? It's about time, really. Those schools (Granite Bay, Rocklin, Roseville, Nevada Union, etc.) are just as large in enrollment as the Elk Grove schools and have dominated Division II the past few years.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Quinnine Signs With Xavier (La.) Univ.
This news release came from Xavier University of Louisiana:
| NEW ORLEANS — Andraquay Quinnine of Elk Grove, Calif., has signed a women's basketball scholarship with Xavier University of Louisiana. She averaged 13.9 points per game and made 108 3-pointers during the past two seasons. Quinnine, a 5-foot-9 guard, is the Gold Nuggets' second signee for 2012-13. Guard Whitney Gathright of New Orleans signed a week ago. Quinnine averaged 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 29 games for Consumes River College of Sacramento, Calif., this past season and was a California Community College Athletic Association second-team selection in the northern half of the state. Quinnine scored 40 points, including six 3-pointers and 10-of-11 free throws, in the Hawks' 72-64 victory at Diablo Valley on Feb. 7. |
As a freshman at Consumnes River in 2010-11, Quinnine averaged 13.3 points in 26 games. In two seasons at the junior college she made 35.8 percent of her 3-pointers (108-of-302) and 80.7 percent of her free throws (130-of-161).
Quinnine is a 2010 graduate of Franklin High School in Elk Grove and helped the Wildcats reach the semifinals of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Division I section playoffs each of her final two seasons.
Quinnine will be a junior on the Nuggets' roster next season.
Xavier was 26-9 in 2011-12, won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and, for the second consecutive year, reached the second round of the NAIA Division I National Championship. The GCAC Tournament title was the Nuggets' third in a row.
Quinnine is a 2010 graduate of Franklin High School in Elk Grove and helped the Wildcats reach the semifinals of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Division I section playoffs each of her final two seasons.
Quinnine will be a junior on the Nuggets' roster next season.
Xavier was 26-9 in 2011-12, won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and, for the second consecutive year, reached the second round of the NAIA Division I National Championship. The GCAC Tournament title was the Nuggets' third in a row.
Carmazzi Resigns At Jesuit, Joins CB
Dan Carmazzi, the dean of high school football coaches who has been the head man at Jesuit for 31 years, resigned Wednesday and will become the athletic director of Christian Brothers, the school he graduated from in 1971.
In a prepared release, Carmazi said : “I would like to thank Lorcan Barnes and Mary Hesser for extending to me the opportunity to return to Christian Brothers. I will always have tremendous respect for, and be grateful to, theJesuit High School
He'll finish out this school year at Jesuit.
In a prepared release, Carmazi said : “I would like to thank Lorcan Barnes and Mary Hesser for extending to me the opportunity to return to Christian Brothers. I will always have tremendous respect for, and be grateful to, the
He'll finish out this school year at Jesuit.
Wednesday's Scoreboard
Baseball:
Franklin 9, Elk Grove 7 (6 inns.) - The Wildcats, down 6-1, scored eight runs off Herd starter Rowdy Tellez to win a rain-shortened game. Ryan Sarginson had three RBI's. Tyler Blake had a key RBI single and Connor Adams a big double in a five-run fourth inning. Adams picked up the win in relief. Josh Pigg looked good pitching the final two innings for Franklin. Plus, the Wildcats survived two really bad calls by umpires, one was one of the worse missed-calls I've ever seen.
What was interesting about this game was that the umpires allowed the game to go into the seventh inning, despite a steady rain. Elk Grove scored three runs to take the lead, 10-9, had runners on second and third with two outs, then the umpires called the game.
The coaches, umpires and fans all got emotionally into a discussion about what was going to happen. EG fans wanted the game to continue or resume the next day at the same place of the game. Franklin fans said it was a rain-shortened game and the score should revert to the end of the previous inning.
EGUSD athletic director Jim Smrekar phoned me the next day to say NHSA rule 3.6 reads that in the case of an official game (4 1/2 innings played) if the game is stopped in the middle of an inning by umpires due to the weather the final score shall be taken from the end of the previous full inning.
The loss by EG put them a game behind Davis in the DVC. Franklin is a game behind the Herd in third place.
Davis 10, Laguna Creek 5 - Trask gets the win for the Blue Devils. Malik Pruitt got an RBI double for the Cardinals.
Monterey Trail 1, Grant 0 - Congrats to the Mustangs on their first DVC win of the year.
Softball:
Pleasant Grove 6, Ponderosa 4 - This is big because the win puts the Eagles in a tie with the Bruins for first place in the DRL. Kaylen Minnatee had a home run for PG.
Golf:
Franklin 9, Elk Grove 7 (6 inns.) - The Wildcats, down 6-1, scored eight runs off Herd starter Rowdy Tellez to win a rain-shortened game. Ryan Sarginson had three RBI's. Tyler Blake had a key RBI single and Connor Adams a big double in a five-run fourth inning. Adams picked up the win in relief. Josh Pigg looked good pitching the final two innings for Franklin. Plus, the Wildcats survived two really bad calls by umpires, one was one of the worse missed-calls I've ever seen.
What was interesting about this game was that the umpires allowed the game to go into the seventh inning, despite a steady rain. Elk Grove scored three runs to take the lead, 10-9, had runners on second and third with two outs, then the umpires called the game.
The coaches, umpires and fans all got emotionally into a discussion about what was going to happen. EG fans wanted the game to continue or resume the next day at the same place of the game. Franklin fans said it was a rain-shortened game and the score should revert to the end of the previous inning.
EGUSD athletic director Jim Smrekar phoned me the next day to say NHSA rule 3.6 reads that in the case of an official game (4 1/2 innings played) if the game is stopped in the middle of an inning by umpires due to the weather the final score shall be taken from the end of the previous full inning.
The loss by EG put them a game behind Davis in the DVC. Franklin is a game behind the Herd in third place.
Davis 10, Laguna Creek 5 - Trask gets the win for the Blue Devils. Malik Pruitt got an RBI double for the Cardinals.
Monterey Trail 1, Grant 0 - Congrats to the Mustangs on their first DVC win of the year.
Softball:
Pleasant Grove 6, Ponderosa 4 - This is big because the win puts the Eagles in a tie with the Bruins for first place in the DRL. Kaylen Minnatee had a home run for PG.
Golf:
PLEASANT GROVE 214, SHELDON 253
9 holes at Rancho Murieta, par 36
Low scorers: Kelly, PG, 41; Grenz, PG, 41; Thompson, S, 46.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Tuesday Night Stuff
- Franklin boys volleyball defeated Elk Grove tonight in three games. Set scores were 25-15, 25-17, 25-14. Kameron Tinsley & Kyle Belvins both had 12 kills for the Wildcats. ...
- Josh Crabtree, Sheldon's football coach, announced today he will be taking one year off from his coaching duties. He wants to spend more time with his ailing father. Herbie Berry, his offensive coordinator, will take over during Crabtree's one year absence. ..
- I just finished the "Five Thoughts" column for the Citizen this evening. It's my first attempt at writing the weekly feature. Read it online at EGCitizen.Com Thursday afternoon. ....
- Sheldon's softball team defeated Oak Ridge, 4-0, as Alexis Cooper tossed a one-hitter. The Huskies need to win out the rest of the year for any hope at a repeat Delta River League championship
- I have never heard of ESPN awarding anything like an "Elite Athlete" honor, but this email came in today: As the youngest female sprinter and jumper on the (Franklin) Varsity team, Jorden E. O’Neal is determined to make it to the Olympics in the years to come. At barely fourteen years of age, she jumped an astounding 18-02.25 in the women's long jump at the UC Berkeley’s All Comers Meet on February 18. Since the start of the high school track season in late February, she has competed in multiple events including the 4 x 100 relay, 4 x 200 relay, the Sprint medley, the 4 x 400 relay, 100 meters, and 200 meters. Her recent long jump of 17.15 at the Thunder Invitational on April 14th in Rocklin placed her on the ESPN HS, Top 100 US Elite Athletes list.
- On April 28, Jorden will compete in the girl’s varsity long jump and the girl’s 4 x 100 meter relay at Sacramento’s Meet of Champions.
Good Hitting, Franklin Mistakes Help Herd
The wind was blowing out at Wackman Field at Elk Grove High School Monday and it might have made a bit of a difference with balls hit up in the air, but Franklin's defense made anything in the outfield an adventure as the Herd ran away with a comfortable 10-4 win.
Rowdy Tellez was three-for-three but two balls really should have been caught. One was a major league high popup in the infield that plopped to the ground between three Wildcat infielders. In the first inning, Tellez was gifted an RBI double when a high fly to deep center ended up five feet behind the Franklin center fielder who thought he had it.
In the third inning Matt Aday had a line-drive single that could have been caught, but it bounced over the outfielder's head and rolled to the fence for a two-base error. Andrew Horne scored on that play. Cameron Childs stroked a double to left to score Aday for a 6-1 lead.
Franklin starter Brandon Keup had control problems that hurt him in the second inning. He walked two and hit one batter only to then give up a bases-clearing triple to Dom Nunez.
Another outfield gaffe on Jacob Heingardner's line drive to center in the fifth inning, that put the junior DH on third, gave the Herd another run when Childs hit another RBI single.
"I'm not worried. It was just one of those days," Franklin head coach Bryan Kilby said of his team's lackluster performance. The Wildcats had three errors but at least four other balls should have been caught that led to E.G. runs.
David Smith picked up the win for the Herd pitching six innings. He allowed three runs on two hits. The two clubs play again Wednesday at Franklin.
Rowdy Tellez was three-for-three but two balls really should have been caught. One was a major league high popup in the infield that plopped to the ground between three Wildcat infielders. In the first inning, Tellez was gifted an RBI double when a high fly to deep center ended up five feet behind the Franklin center fielder who thought he had it.
In the third inning Matt Aday had a line-drive single that could have been caught, but it bounced over the outfielder's head and rolled to the fence for a two-base error. Andrew Horne scored on that play. Cameron Childs stroked a double to left to score Aday for a 6-1 lead.
Franklin starter Brandon Keup had control problems that hurt him in the second inning. He walked two and hit one batter only to then give up a bases-clearing triple to Dom Nunez.
Another outfield gaffe on Jacob Heingardner's line drive to center in the fifth inning, that put the junior DH on third, gave the Herd another run when Childs hit another RBI single.
"I'm not worried. It was just one of those days," Franklin head coach Bryan Kilby said of his team's lackluster performance. The Wildcats had three errors but at least four other balls should have been caught that led to E.G. runs.
David Smith picked up the win for the Herd pitching six innings. He allowed three runs on two hits. The two clubs play again Wednesday at Franklin.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Weekend Stuff
Here’s how our local minor leaguers are fairing roughly two
weeks into the baseball season:
Dwight Childs (Elk Grove H.S./Arizona Univ.) - He’s catching
for the Carolina Mudcats in the Advanced-A Carolina League. Childs plays
roughly every third game, batting .200 with two home runs in five games.
 |
| Casey Weathers |
Casey Weathers (Laguna Creek H.S./Vanderbilt Univ.) – He’s a
late inning reliever for the Tennesee Smokies of the Double-A Southern League.
Weathers has a 1-0 record with a 4.15 ERA in four games for the Chicago Cubs’
affiliate.
David Freitas (Elk Grove H.S./Univ. of Hawaii) – Off to a
hot start for the Potomac Nationals of the Advanced-A Carolina League. The
catcher is batting .324 with two home runs and eight RBI’s in 11 games.
Cory Vaughn (Jesuit H.S./San Diego State) – He’s playing for
the Mets’ Advanced-A affiliate in St. Lucie, Fla. The Elk Grove resident is
batting .302 with a home run in the Mets’ first 12 games in the Florida State
League.
 |
| Cory Vaughn |
Raymond Hernandez (Elk Grove H.S./Fullerton St.) – He’s made
the jump to the Advanced-A California League in just his second season of pro
ball. In three appearances and one start for the Visalia Rawhide, Hernandez is
2-0 with a 0.90 ERA.
Kyle Castro (Pleasant Grove H.S.) – He’s on the roster of
the Texas Rangers’ Rookie League team in Arizona.
Brady Dragmire (Bradshaw Christian H.S.) – Playing with the
Toronto Blue Jays’ Rookie League team in the Gulf Coast League.
Kyle Devore (Pleasant Grove H.S./Sacramento City College) –
He’s playing for the Rangers’ Advanced-A club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Brandon Pinckney (Elk Grove H.S.) – Will be playing for the
Worchester (Mass.) Tornadoes of the Can-Am Independent League. His season
doesn’t start until mid-May.
Brad Kilby (Laguna Creek H.S./San Jose State) – Still working
out and hoping for a mid-May return to pro baseball. He’s a free agent after
spending five seasons in the Oakland A’s organization. In the meantime, he’s
been the pitching coach at Franklin High School. ….
Not to forget about the Elk Grove’s only major leaguer,
Arizona pitcher David Hernandez; He’s made eight appearances thus far, all in
late-inning relief and has a 0-1 record with a 3.38 ERA. He’s struck out 11
batters in 7 1/3 innings and has walked only two. Saturday in an inning of
relief against Atlanta he struck out the side. …
The nation’s top-ranked college softball team, Cal, won two
of three games this past weekend at Oregon. The Ducks, ranked 13th
in the country, handed the Bears only its third loss of the season, 1-0, on
Saturday. The Bears, now 42-3 overall and 13-2 in the Pac-12, bounced back
Sunday with a 10-0 win over Oregon.
Sheldon’s sister pair of Jolene and Danielle Henderson each
had two RBI’s Sunday. Jolene threw a three-hitter and struck out six. She
raised her pitching record to 24-1 and has a 1.15 ERA. This weekend they host
UCLA and former Pleasant Grove nemesis Ally Carda in a three-game series
beginning Friday. …
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