May 2008 Archives
Breaking NewsIn what can be considered a great upset, La Mirada High School's Cameron Gillett just clinched the boys long jump title at the CIF-State Track and Field Championships at Cerritos College in Norwalk.
Gillett won the title with a season-best mark of 24 feet, 1 3/4 inches. The senior entered in a field that included the top two national leaders.
Congratulations and kudos to Cameron.
Whittier's Luis Dorantes also finished off his prep career in style.
The Cardinals senior finished sixth in the boys 3,200-meter run with an incredible mark of 9 minutes, 7.04 seconds.
Congratulations and kudos to Luis
The 50th Annual St. Paul Spring Blue-White Game, which just concluded a few minutes ago, turned out to be pretty successful.Despite obvious rust and new faces there was still plenty of excitement surrounding the 2008 season.
The scrimmage was broken up into two 20-minute halves with a running clock.
The Varsity Blue squad was led on offense by senior quarterback Andrew Canales, who guided his team to the only score of the contest.
Canales hooked up on 67-yard touchdown strike with former Mayfair standout Darius Bratcher, who looked most impressive Saturday morning.
Bratcher only had three carries, yet each went for 6 or more yards. He also had a second-half reception of 16 yards.
Junior quarterback Paul Lopez had a couple of big plays, including when he found another former Monsoons star, Odiase Osagie, on a 64-yard strike in the first half.
The defense, though, looked the best and made minimal errors in allowing only one score.
Not too bad.
Here's my brief interview with Andrew Canales -
Canales_Interview.wav
Check out Wednesday's paper for more info.
While the CIF-State Track and Field Championships will wrap up this Saturday evening at Cerritos College, I know where I'll be headed Saturday morning.The defending CIF Southern Section Western Division football champion St. Paul Swordsmen are having a scrimmage at 11 a.m. which is open to the public?
For the champs, there are so many questions heading into this Spring scrimmage and summer practices.
Who will start at quarterback?
How will the defense adjust with the loss of so many starters?
Who will lead the running game?
Who will step up this year on offense and defense?
And most importantly, can St. Paul repeat?
The start of the 2008 season kicks off Saturday for St. Paul. Paul Lopez (above) is going to be there. Are you?
Tune in Saturday afternoon for more info from the scrimmage.
While no local schools made Sports Illustrated's top 25 high school sports program list, the Golden State had three entries, two of which are nearby.
Mater Dei of Santa Ana was ranked No. 2 in the nation, behind No. 1 Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii), while Long Beach Poly was ranked No. 6.
California's other ranked school was No. 17 Archbishop Mitty of San Jose. It's a pretty informative list.
S.I.'s Top 25
Mater Dei of Santa Ana was ranked No. 2 in the nation, behind No. 1 Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii), while Long Beach Poly was ranked No. 6.
California's other ranked school was No. 17 Archbishop Mitty of San Jose. It's a pretty informative list.
S.I.'s Top 25
La Habra High School senior Ryan Tornell has been selected to next month's prestigious Kiwanis of Anaheim Orange County All-Star Baseball Game.
The Highlanders ace went 5-2 this season with a 3.57 earned-run average. Tornell picked up some huge wins this season, including a 5-4 victory over Sonora during early Freeway League play and a shutout of Fullerton, 5-0, later in the year.
As a hitter, Tornell had the team's third-best batting average (.348) with a homerun, six doubles and 23 RBIs (second-best).
Sonora High School pitcher Steven Cerda (6-1, 1.50 ERA) and infielder Julian Duran (.379 batting average, 26 runs) were also selected.
The game is scheduled for June 3 at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Kudos to all three.
The Highlanders ace went 5-2 this season with a 3.57 earned-run average. Tornell picked up some huge wins this season, including a 5-4 victory over Sonora during early Freeway League play and a shutout of Fullerton, 5-0, later in the year.
As a hitter, Tornell had the team's third-best batting average (.348) with a homerun, six doubles and 23 RBIs (second-best).
Sonora High School pitcher Steven Cerda (6-1, 1.50 ERA) and infielder Julian Duran (.379 batting average, 26 runs) were also selected.
The game is scheduled for June 3 at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Kudos to all three.
The CIF Southern Section-Toyota Masters Meet at Cerritos College is set to go... at least for now.
A CIF official checked in to say that there were no plans to postpone the event.
Our locals involved include St. Paul's Dusty Brown in the pole vault (5:30 p.m.), La Mirada's Cameron Gillett in the long jump (5:30 p.m.), Whittier Christian's Kyle Clark in the boys 300-meter hurdles (7:45 p.m.) and Whittier's Luis Dorantes in the 3,200 (8:25 p.m.).
Good Luck to our final four.
A CIF official checked in to say that there were no plans to postpone the event.
Our locals involved include St. Paul's Dusty Brown in the pole vault (5:30 p.m.), La Mirada's Cameron Gillett in the long jump (5:30 p.m.), Whittier Christian's Kyle Clark in the boys 300-meter hurdles (7:45 p.m.) and Whittier's Luis Dorantes in the 3,200 (8:25 p.m.).
Good Luck to our final four.
I thought it didn't rain in California, oh well.
Both area softball playoff games have been postponed until tomorrow.
The CIF-SS Division III quarterfinal softball game between visiting Beckman and La Serna has been moved to Friday at 3:15 p.m.
It's the same info for the CIF-SS Division V game between visiting Torrance and Whittier Christian. The game has been postponed to Friday at 3:15 p.m. due to rain.
Both games are tentative due to possible rain Friday. Check back here tomorrow for more updates. Thanks.
Both area softball playoff games have been postponed until tomorrow.
The CIF-SS Division III quarterfinal softball game between visiting Beckman and La Serna has been moved to Friday at 3:15 p.m.
It's the same info for the CIF-SS Division V game between visiting Torrance and Whittier Christian. The game has been postponed to Friday at 3:15 p.m. due to rain.
Both games are tentative due to possible rain Friday. Check back here tomorrow for more updates. Thanks.
Whittier is left with 2 area teams competing today in the CIF Southern Section Divisional Playoffs.
In Division III, Del Rio League champion La Serna (24-4), ranked No. 6, looks to knock off No. 4-ranked Beckman (23-6) of Irvine at home at 3:15 p.m.
If the name Beckman sounds familiar, it should. The Patriots knocked off La Habra 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs and, more importantly to Lancers fans, Beckman booted La Serna from the semifinals last season, 2-1, en route to winning the D-III title over Cal-Hi, 1-0.
The area's other home playoff game takes place at Whittier Christian, where the Olympic League champion Heralds (19-8-1) continue their magical season at 3:15 p.m. in the CIF-SS Division V playoffs against No. 1 ranked Torrance.
What a great season by Coach Dale Van Duyn and the ladies. Remember, this was a Heralds squad that was 3-16 last year.
Good Luck to both the Heralds and Lancers.
Tune in here for scores and a brief summary later in the evening.
La Mirada High School girls soccer coach Dennis Guerra checked in this afternoon to announce his resignation from the program.Guerra is coming off a spectacular year in which he guided the unranked and unseeded Matadores (18-8-6) to a CIF-SS Division III co-championship after the Mats posted a stunning 1-1 tie with powerhouse Mayfair.
The title was the first in La Mirada girls soccer history and helped Guerra garner All LA84 Division III Co-coach of the Year & WDN Coach of the Year honors. Don't forget, the Mats had to pull off three straight upsets just to get to the championship game.
Guerra, who also teaches history and is chairman of the shared decision-making team at LM, confirmed that he has informed his team that he is leaving the school at the end of the semester.
The Brea-resident is taking over as "Director of Soccer" for the newly formed Crean Lutheran South School in Irvine, where he will be in charge of the boys and girls soccer programs.
Good Luck Coach.
Who says the Del Rio League can't ball?
Congratulations to both the California and La Serna High School baseball teams for tremendous wins this afternoon.
Down 6-5 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the unseeded Lancers (20-8) rallied for two runs on two errors in stunning Division III No. 1 seed Crespi 7-6.
Afterwards, co-coach Anthony Gonzales Jr. said that "no one gave his team a chance." He might have been right. Congrats and kudos Lancers!
As for the Condors (19-11), they rolled to a 7-3 victory behind another solid pitching performance from starter Tyler Leibert, the Daily News Athlete of the Week.
The Condors scored run five runs over the second and third innings to create some separation.
Congrats and kudos to the Condors!
It's on to Friday's quarterfinals for both squads as the Lancers will either play Don Lugo or South Hills while Cal will battle Quartz Hill or Downey.
Here are some listings from the CIF's website for local coaching vacancies that have been posted since April 1st. There are some interesting openings.
Cantwell-Sacred Heart
Posted: May 15
Position Type Contact Number
Girls Volley JV-Frosh Coach Walk-on Pete Smolin (AD) 323.887.2066
Santa Fe
Posted: May 14
Position Type Contact Number
Varsity Coed Track Coach Walk-on Steve Hendry (AD) 562.698.8121
Sonora
Posted: May 14
Position Type Contact Number
Girls Water Polo Walk-on Rich Lodding (AD) 562.266.2031
Santa Fe
Posted: May 13
Position Type Contact Number
Varsity Softball Coach Walk-on Steve Hendry (AD) 562.698.8121
Varsity Coed XC Coach Walk-on Steve Hendry (AD) 562.698.8121
California
Posted: May 2
Position Type Contact Number
Varsity Boys Volley Coach Walk-on Leonard Espinoza (AD) 562.698.8121
Varsity Asst. Boys BB Coach Walk-on John Horwath (AD) 562.698.8121
JV Tennis Coach Walk-on John Horwath (AD) 562.698.8121
JV Girls BB Coach Walk-on John Horwath (AD) 562.698.8121
JV Coed XC Coach Walk-on John Howath (AD) 562.698.8121
JV Coed Water Polo Coach Walk-on John Horwath (AD) 562.698.8121
JV/Frosh Swim Coach Walk-on Leonard Espinoza (AD) 562. 698.8121
Cantwell-Sacred Heart
Posted: April 16
Position Type Contact Number
JV/Frosh Football Asst. Coach Walk-on Peter Smolin (AD) 323.887.2066
Posted: April 10
El Rancho
Position Type Contact Number
Varsity Coed Wrestling Coach Walk-on Lynn Lawson (AD) 562.801.5355
Cantwell-Sacred Heart
Posted: May 15
Position Type Contact Number
Girls Volley JV-Frosh Coach Walk-on Pete Smolin (AD) 323.887.2066
Santa Fe
Posted: May 14
Position Type Contact Number
Varsity Coed Track Coach Walk-on Steve Hendry (AD) 562.698.8121
Sonora
Posted: May 14
Position Type Contact Number
Girls Water Polo Walk-on Rich Lodding (AD) 562.266.2031
Santa Fe
Posted: May 13
Position Type Contact Number
Varsity Softball Coach Walk-on Steve Hendry (AD) 562.698.8121
Varsity Coed XC Coach Walk-on Steve Hendry (AD) 562.698.8121
California
Posted: May 2
Position Type Contact Number
Varsity Boys Volley Coach Walk-on Leonard Espinoza (AD) 562.698.8121
Varsity Asst. Boys BB Coach Walk-on John Horwath (AD) 562.698.8121
JV Tennis Coach Walk-on John Horwath (AD) 562.698.8121
JV Girls BB Coach Walk-on John Horwath (AD) 562.698.8121
JV Coed XC Coach Walk-on John Howath (AD) 562.698.8121
JV Coed Water Polo Coach Walk-on John Horwath (AD) 562.698.8121
JV/Frosh Swim Coach Walk-on Leonard Espinoza (AD) 562. 698.8121
Cantwell-Sacred Heart
Posted: April 16
Position Type Contact Number
JV/Frosh Football Asst. Coach Walk-on Peter Smolin (AD) 323.887.2066
Posted: April 10
El Rancho
Position Type Contact Number
Varsity Coed Wrestling Coach Walk-on Lynn Lawson (AD) 562.801.5355
photo courtesy of Cerritos College
Congratulations to the Cerritos College softball team, which won its first California Community College Athletic Association championship since 1978. The Falcons did so by knocking off Mt. San Antonio College, 5-1, in Sunday afternoon's championship game in the comfort of the 100-plus degree weather at Riverside's Orange Terrace Park.
Locals on the Cerritos team included Jennifer Salas (Cal-Hi), Stephanie Lomeli (Montebello HS), Vanezza Martin Del Campo (Pico Rivera resident) and Audrey Leyva (Montebello resident).
Locals on the Mounties runner-up team included Shelair Rowell (Santa Fe), Alex Martinez (Cal-Hi), Lisa Hernandez (Pioneer) and Liz Javier (Whittier resident).
Congrats to the Falcons and Mounties.
Cantwell-Sacred Heart's Khamari English checked in between running events at Saturday's CIF Southern Section-Toyota Track and Field Divisional Championships at Mt. San Antonio College last Saturday.
English, who rushed for 947 yards and a team-leading 11 touchdowns as a running back for the Cardinals football team, had a solid day at Mt. SAC.
He finished fourth in the Division IV 100-meter dash with a time of 10.97 seconds. He was sixth in the 200 with a mark of 22.24.
While English has yet to decide where he is going next year, he has said that he has narrowed his choice to either Arizona State, Azusa Pacific or Long Beach State. While he has been offered track scholarships to ASU and the Beach, he said he might consider APU, where he has a chance to play football.
English said he would check in with the WDN when he's made his choice. Until then, good luck.
Caption: El Rancho plays La Serna during their league baseball game at El Rancho High School on Friday April 4, 2008. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Keith Durflinger/Sports)
In case you didn't read Friday's WDN sports section or check out this or Roger Murray's blog, last weekend was pretty big for Del Rio League baseball. El Rancho pulled off a gritty sweep of La Serna for the DRL title while Cal-Hi swept Whittier for the DRL's final playoff spot.
While that's old news, I couldn't help but think of the decision made by the La Serna coaching staff, in particular head coach Anthony Gonzales Jr.
Now, let me first say that I think Coach Gonzales is one of the most innovative minds in the area. I can appreciate that he's not afraid to take chances and that he's quick to own a mistake and slow to accept compliments. Those are traits you just don't see.
However, his pitching decision last week was interesting.
With a chance to secure the DRL title at home, Gonzales opted to go with Casey Serna (the team's No. 2 pitcher in my opinion), who was 5-0, against Dons No. 1 Chris Villalobos (10-1), the winningest pitcher in El Rancho history.
The result. A Dons 7-1 win on Wednesday that carried over to a 3-1 league-clinching victory Friday.
Now, let me say that Casey Serna was more than capable of starting Wednesday. In fact, Serna picked up the win when La Serna defeated El Rancho on April 4.
Of course, it didn't help that the Lancers scored a combined two runs in both games. The lack of offense nullified a solid performance by ace Victor Soto (7-2) Friday.
However, with all of that said and with the benefit of hindsight, with an opportunity to clinch a league title in front of your own crowd, wouldn't it be best to go with your top gun?
Cantwell-Sacred Heart Athletic Director Pete Smolin checked in to remind the WDN that the Cardinals softball team claimed yet another Camino Real League title last Thursday with a 9-1 win over San Pedro Mary Star of the Sea.
Cantwell finished yet another CRL season undefeated. The No. 8-ranked Cardinals are 17-9 overall and 8-0 in league and will find out whom they host in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division VII playoffs.
Congratulations to Coach Alex Blanco and the Cardinals.
And to Coach Smolin, don't worry, we didn't forget Cantwell.
In case you missed it, the Whittier Christian High School baseball team clinched the Alpha League title outright when league-rival Brentwood was upset on the road by Downey Calvary Chapel 6-5 last Tuesday.
The Heralds (16-10 overall, 7-1 in league) finished the regular season ahead of second-place Brentwood (14-9, 6-2).
Caption: Whittier Christian High School's Mark
Edwards pitches vs. Brentwood Tuesday, April 15,
2008. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Raul Roa/SPORTS)
Postseason pairing will be announced Monday. Stay tuned.
Kudos to Coach Arlie Kearney and the Heralds.
Caption: Whittier High School's Luis Dorantes runs toward the finish
line during the Del Rio League Boys Varsity Cross Country Finals at La
Mirada Regional Park on Tuesday, October 30, 2007. (SGVN/Staff Photo by
Keith Durflinger/Sports).
Saturday's Division I, II and III Track and Field Preliminaries proved to be a difficult trek for the Del Rio League as only two athletes qualified for advancement to Saturday's CIF-Southern Section Divisional Championships at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.
Dorantes led the charge by winning his heat in the boys 3,200-meter run at the Division II Prelims at Moorpark High School.
His time was the third best in the Southern Section this past weekend.
1. Riley Sullivan, Trabuco Hills, Division I - 9:14.63
2. Rex Nelson, Newport Harbor, Division II - 9:18.523
3. Luis Dorantes, Whittier, Division II - 9:19.12
Congratulations to Luis and to the DRL's only other qualifier, Pioneer's Michelle Macias.
The senior finished ninth in the girls 400-meter dash with a time of 58.86.
There were also two other local qualifiers from Division II.
La Mirada senior Stephanie Felix was eighth in the girls 3,200 (11:11.22) while senior Cameron Gillett qualified in both the boys long jump (23-4 3/4, second) and triple jump (44-7, seventh).
The area's only other qualifiers came from the Division IV prelims at Carpinteria.
Cantwell-Sacred Heart's Khamari English qualified in both the 200 (22.56, sixth place) and 100 (11.04, eighth). St. Paul's quartet of Dusty Brown, Ryan Cadwalader, Eddie De Dios and Pete Romo all tied for first in the boys pole vault with marks of 12 feet while Daniel Trejo advances in the 300 hurdles (42.35, fifth). Whittier Christian's Kyle Clark also won the boys 300 hurdles (39.86) and took third in the 110 hurdles (15.69) while the Heralds boys 400 (43.86, fifth) and 1,600-relay teams (3:34.62, eighth) also earned nods to Mt. SAC.
Possible alternates for Saturday include:
10th place
Natalie Galvan (El Rancho) first alternate in the girls 300 hurdles (44.94)- DI
Alex Valdez (Schurr) first alternate in the boys long jump (21-6)- DI
Felix (La Mirada) first alternate in the girls 1,600 (5:10.67)- DII
Natalie Le Flore (La Mirada) first alternate in the girls triple jump (35-00 3/4)- DII
11th place
Pedro De Alba (El Rancho) second alternate in the boys 1,600 (4:19.52)- DI
Dorantes (Whittier) second alternate in the boys 1,600 (4:22.78)- DII
John McDonough (Whittier Christian) second alternate in the boys 3,200 (10:03)- DIV
Ross Ferguson (Whittier Christian) second alternate in the boys 200 (22.83)- DIV
Congratulations to all the competitors.
Saturday's Division I, II and III Track and Field Preliminaries proved to be a difficult trek for the Del Rio League as only two athletes qualified for advancement to Saturday's CIF-Southern Section Divisional Championships at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.
Dorantes led the charge by winning his heat in the boys 3,200-meter run at the Division II Prelims at Moorpark High School.
His time was the third best in the Southern Section this past weekend.
1. Riley Sullivan, Trabuco Hills, Division I - 9:14.63
2. Rex Nelson, Newport Harbor, Division II - 9:18.523
3. Luis Dorantes, Whittier, Division II - 9:19.12
Congratulations to Luis and to the DRL's only other qualifier, Pioneer's Michelle Macias.
The senior finished ninth in the girls 400-meter dash with a time of 58.86.
There were also two other local qualifiers from Division II.
La Mirada senior Stephanie Felix was eighth in the girls 3,200 (11:11.22) while senior Cameron Gillett qualified in both the boys long jump (23-4 3/4, second) and triple jump (44-7, seventh).
The area's only other qualifiers came from the Division IV prelims at Carpinteria.
Cantwell-Sacred Heart's Khamari English qualified in both the 200 (22.56, sixth place) and 100 (11.04, eighth). St. Paul's quartet of Dusty Brown, Ryan Cadwalader, Eddie De Dios and Pete Romo all tied for first in the boys pole vault with marks of 12 feet while Daniel Trejo advances in the 300 hurdles (42.35, fifth). Whittier Christian's Kyle Clark also won the boys 300 hurdles (39.86) and took third in the 110 hurdles (15.69) while the Heralds boys 400 (43.86, fifth) and 1,600-relay teams (3:34.62, eighth) also earned nods to Mt. SAC.
Possible alternates for Saturday include:
10th place
Natalie Galvan (El Rancho) first alternate in the girls 300 hurdles (44.94)- DI
Alex Valdez (Schurr) first alternate in the boys long jump (21-6)- DI
Felix (La Mirada) first alternate in the girls 1,600 (5:10.67)- DII
Natalie Le Flore (La Mirada) first alternate in the girls triple jump (35-00 3/4)- DII
11th place
Pedro De Alba (El Rancho) second alternate in the boys 1,600 (4:19.52)- DI
Dorantes (Whittier) second alternate in the boys 1,600 (4:22.78)- DII
John McDonough (Whittier Christian) second alternate in the boys 3,200 (10:03)- DIV
Ross Ferguson (Whittier Christian) second alternate in the boys 200 (22.83)- DIV
Congratulations to all the competitors.
Saw this story online and thought it was interesting, if not inspiring, about a young baseball player in Pennsylvania.
The story is somewhat long but worth it.
Sometimes we all forget that winning isn't everything...
Teen is Running Out of Innings
The story is somewhat long but worth it.
Sometimes we all forget that winning isn't everything...
Teen is Running Out of Innings
As many of you have heard recently, the New England Patriots are once again embroiled in the middle of "Spygate," a videotaping scandal that allegedly goes back as far as 2000.
While the NFL is hoping that this is an isolated incident, videotaping (legal and illegal) is prevalent all the way down to the local prep scene (and not just in football).
I remember speaking with an area coach that was videotaping teams his squad might see in the postseason back at the Hank Vellekamp Boys Water Polo Tournament at Whittier last year.
My question to all of this is, how far is too far?
The Patriots were docked a draft pick and fined heavily for taping opposing coordinators.
How and where do you draw the line on what can and cannot be taped? And what advantage do teams receive through videotaping?
Unfortunately for Coach Bill Belichick, this topic was brought up too late for his cause.
While the NFL is hoping that this is an isolated incident, videotaping (legal and illegal) is prevalent all the way down to the local prep scene (and not just in football).
I remember speaking with an area coach that was videotaping teams his squad might see in the postseason back at the Hank Vellekamp Boys Water Polo Tournament at Whittier last year.
My question to all of this is, how far is too far?
The Patriots were docked a draft pick and fined heavily for taping opposing coordinators.
How and where do you draw the line on what can and cannot be taped? And what advantage do teams receive through videotaping?
Unfortunately for Coach Bill Belichick, this topic was brought up too late for his cause.
It came down to the last day of the season, but the Del Rio League softball postseason teams and seedings have been decided.
By defeating Whittier 4-3 Thursday, Santa Fe has clinched the Del Rio League No. 2 seeding with a 15-13 record overall and a 6-4 mark in league.
California (9-20, 6-4) also clinched the league's final playoff spot with a 2-0, nine-inning nail-biter against El Rancho at home.
Because of the Del Rio's tie-breaker system, in which a split goes to the team who won the second contest, Santa Fe (which beat Cal 5-1) was given the No. 2 seed.
As was known for a while, La Serna (22-4, 10-0), which toppled Pioneer 11-0 in five innings, is the DRL champion and No. 1 seed.
Kudos to both the Chiefs and Condors and also to the Dons and Cardinals for two great games.
All three qualifiers will know their first-round opponent on Monday when the CIF-Southern Section Division III pairings are released.
By defeating Whittier 4-3 Thursday, Santa Fe has clinched the Del Rio League No. 2 seeding with a 15-13 record overall and a 6-4 mark in league.
California (9-20, 6-4) also clinched the league's final playoff spot with a 2-0, nine-inning nail-biter against El Rancho at home.
Because of the Del Rio's tie-breaker system, in which a split goes to the team who won the second contest, Santa Fe (which beat Cal 5-1) was given the No. 2 seed.
As was known for a while, La Serna (22-4, 10-0), which toppled Pioneer 11-0 in five innings, is the DRL champion and No. 1 seed.
Kudos to both the Chiefs and Condors and also to the Dons and Cardinals for two great games.
All three qualifiers will know their first-round opponent on Monday when the CIF-Southern Section Division III pairings are released.
Thanks to a five-run fourth inning, the El Rancho High School baseball team defeated rival La Serna 7-1 to force a deciding Del Rio League Championship Game Friday at El Rancho.
The Dons (19-4, 12-2) entered the top of the fourth down 1-0 behind solid pitching from La Serna starter Casey Serna (5-1), who had started the game with nine consecutive outs.
However, El Rancho received an RBI double from Aaron Flores, an RBI single from Mike Manriquez and a clutch two-out, two-run triple from Marcus Aldecoa.
That was all that Dons starter Chris Villalobos (11-1) needed. The senior struck out nine Lancers (18-7, 12-2) in setting the El Rancho career-win mark at 20 wins. According to Dons coach Frank LLanes, Villalobos broke Ron Leos' mark.
Check out Thursday's paper for more details.
Hope to see a big crowd at El Rancho Friday, it should be wild.
The Dons (19-4, 12-2) entered the top of the fourth down 1-0 behind solid pitching from La Serna starter Casey Serna (5-1), who had started the game with nine consecutive outs.
However, El Rancho received an RBI double from Aaron Flores, an RBI single from Mike Manriquez and a clutch two-out, two-run triple from Marcus Aldecoa.
That was all that Dons starter Chris Villalobos (11-1) needed. The senior struck out nine Lancers (18-7, 12-2) in setting the El Rancho career-win mark at 20 wins. According to Dons coach Frank LLanes, Villalobos broke Ron Leos' mark.
Check out Thursday's paper for more details.
Hope to see a big crowd at El Rancho Friday, it should be wild.
The Rio Hondo College baseball team's postseason run came to an abrupt end this afternoon at Ventura College, as the host Pirates (28-13) bounced the Roadrunners in a play-in game, 12-5.Ventura's reward is a first-round best 2-of-3 series on the road against top-ranked Santa Ana (32-11), which starts this Friday.
As for Rio Hondo, the Roadrunners finish the season 25-18, which is quite remarkable, considering they started out 1-10.
Despite the loss, it was a great season for Coach Mike Salazar and the gang.
Congratulations to the Cantwell-Sacred Heart baseball team, which by defeating visiting St. Bernard today 3-2, clinched the Camino Real League's No. 3 seed, and more importantly, qualified for the playoffs.
The Cards scored runs thanks to an RBI triple from Ralf Weissenberger, a solo inside-the-park homerun from Antonio Andrade and an RBI single from Andrew Fonseca.
Starter Paul Valle (2-1) pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing only two unearned runs on three hits while Andrade was scintillating in 1 1/3 innings of relief, striking out 5 (that's right).
Cantwell, which was once 3-6 this season, is now 12-13 and heading back to the playoffs.
Kudos to Coach Ray Ruiz and congrats to the Cards again.
Here are the games and what they mean.
Almont League
Mark Keppel (0-18, 0-13) at Schurr (10-9, 7-6) 3:15 p.m.
Montebello (13-8, 10-3) at San Gabriel (6-12, 5-8) 3:15 p.m.
Notes: Schurr can clinch the final Almont League guaranteed playoff spot with a win over Keppel or a Bell Gardens loss to Alhambra today (3:15 p.m.). The Spartans own a one-game lead over fourth-place Bell Gardens with two games left. Schurr also clinched the season series 2-1.
Montebello needs to win and have Bell Gardens defeat Alhambra to pull even with the Moors for the top spot in the Almont League. An Alhambra wins clinches it the Almont League title.
Camino Real League
St. Bernard's (12-11, 7-6) at Cantwell-Sacred Heart (11-13, 7-6) 3:15 p.m.
Notes: Cantwell can clinch the Camino Real League's final guaranteed playoff spot with a win over St. Bernard's. The Cardinals lead the series 1-0. A St. Bernard's win would shift the series and season over to a deciding road game on Thursday, with the winner advancing to the postseason.
Glenn (13-9, 6-4) at La Mirada (16-11, 7-3) 3 p.m.
Notes: This game is about seeding as the Mats have already clinched a playoff spot and are currently tied with Bellflower for second in the Suburban League. The bad news for La Mirada is that Bellflower plays lowly Norwalk this week. One loss could cost La Mirada a home playoff game, two could send them into the playoffs against a top-tier team.
Nonleague
St. Paul (17-10-1) v. Mayfair (20-4) at the Urban Youth Sports Complex in Compton, Doubleheader, first game starts at 3 p.m.
Notes: This is the perfect nonleague series for both teams to sharpen their skills before the postseason. Mayfair has already clinched the Suburban League title and has won nine games in a row. St. Paul is a solid No. 2 in the Del Rey League but has struggled as of late, having won only 1 of its last 6 contests.
Whittier Christian (15-9) at Cerritos Valley Christian (9-16) 3:15 p.m.
Notes: The Heralds have already clinched a share of the Alpha League and can win it outright with a Brentwood loss to Downey Calvary Chapel today or Thursday. The Heralds have won five in a row and seven of eight and look to cruise into the postseason.
Freeway League
Sonora (19-5, 11-2) at La Habra (13-8, 10-3) 3:15 p.m.
Notes: It's Round 2 of the intra-city rivalry that takes on even more significance since the Freeway League title is hanging in the balance. While the Highlanders lead the series 1-0, Sonora can clinch the title outright with a win. La Habra needs to win today and Thursday to thwart its foe. A Highlanders win also clinches at least a top-two finish as Fullerton sits two games back in league, however, with the tie-breaker over La Habra.
Rio Hondo College Baseball Coach Mike Salazar checked in a few minutes ago to confirm that Tuesday's California Community College playoff play-in game against Ventura College is on campus at 3 p.m.
While Rio Hondo (25-17) did not face Ventura (27-13) this season, the Roadrunners were 0-4 against teams from the Western State North Conference, including loses to lesser opponents Santa Barbara (23-20) and Allan Hancock (18-26) during the first six games of the season.
Yet, Salazar is convinced his team has grown dramatically since the early non-conference schedule.
"We were a completely different team then than we are now," Salazar said.
Good Luck Roadrunners.
Caption: El Rancho High School plays La Serna during their league baseball game at El Rancho on Friday April 4, 2008. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Keith Durflinger/Sports)
Remember at the beginning of the baseball season,
when we were all experts and predicted how the Del Rio League would
shake down. The two most prevalent questions were "who would win"
and "who's going to make the playoffs?"
The great thing is this week, that all gets settled.
You want to talk about
a blockbuster Wednesday, we've got three interesting games.
El
Rancho (18-4, 11-2) at La Serna (18-6, 12-1), 3:15 p.m. (Battle for
the DRL Crown)
Whittier (11-11, 7-6) at California (14-11, 7-6),
3:15 p.m. (Battle for the postseason)
Pioneer (4-18, 1-12) at
Santa Fe (8-14, 1-12), 3:15 p.m. (Battle for respect)
Here's
the Breakdown -
First Game
The Lancers can clinch the DRL title outright with a win. They are one game up on the Dons and lead the series 1-0. Interestingly enough, from a postseason perspective, the DRL title carries extra incentive for the Lancers - respect. El Rancho has been ranked all year and that ranking will likely amount to a Dons first-round home game, even as the DRL second seed. That might not be the case for La Serna.
As for
the Dons, it's simple. El Rancho needs to sweep to clinch the title. The Dons have already secured a top-2 finish in league. A win Wednesday
would shift the title game to El Rancho on Friday.
Prediction: A split. El Rancho will win Wednesday and La Serna Friday. If the Dons throw Chris Villalobos on Wednesday, they should force a deciding game back at El Rancho. However, I don't expect coach Anthony Gonzales' group to get swept. The Lancers have a little more depth on the mound which will be crucial.
Second
Game
You've gotta love this matchup of one-time contender
Cal-Hi and one-time pretender Whittier.
The Cardinals are intriguing because they've posted good league wins this season over both El Rancho and La Serna. However, they also lost to Santa Fe earlier this year. Whittier is on a five-game winning streak and is starting to look like the team that knocked off Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in the St. Paul tournament - that's right, the L.A. Times No. 1-ranked Notre Dame (20-2).
As for the Condors, while they are 0-6 versus the big boys in league (El Rancho and La Serna), they're also 7-0 against the rest, including a 9-6 win at Whittier on April 4. While Cal-Hi has lost four in a row, the last six games of the season have been against the league's top teams.
Prediction:
A Condors sweep. As much as Whittier has impressed this season, I just
think Cal-Hi is the better team. Maybe Whittier will surprise me. The
problem with the Cards is that they need a sweep.
Third Game
This might be the tightest of the three DRL season-finale series. It's been a tough season for Santa Fe, which has come so close this year. The Chiefs have been involved in six league losses this year by two or fewer runs. Santa Fe is a lot better than its record indicates as evidence by its solid showings in the Montebello and Don Lugo tournaments.
As for Pioneer, its lone win in league came against Santa Fe, 9-8, on April 4. Injuries and a lack of depth have really slowed down the Titans as much as anyone in league. Yet, the guys are still playing hard for coach Paul Magallanes and would love to finish the year with a win.
Prediction: Going with a Chiefs sweep. Santa Fe has been too close too often
to let the last two games slip by. I love Pioneer's heart and I
expect a good showing from the Titans nonetheless.
So, who do you like?
Caption: Jennifer Salas (Cal-Hi) blasted a two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning to give Cerritos a 6-4 lead. Cerritos advances to the Super Regional next weekend with a 12-6 victory Sunday afternoon. Photo courtesy of Cerritos College
It's on to the next round for the Cerritos College women's softball team, which bounced Chaffey (27-20) in two games by scores of 12-6 and 11-0.
The No. 2-ranked Falcons (37-5), champions of the South Coast Conference, now move onto the Super Regionals next Saturday at home against either No. 7 Fullerton (33-15) or No. 10 Palomar (26-14).
Chaffey, which scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 6-6, surrendered six runs in the top of the eighth to the Falcons.
Congratulations Falcons.
Caption: Rio Hondo College plays Chaffey College at home on Thursday, March 27, 2008. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Keith Durflinger/Sports)
It looks like the area is well represented in the California Community College playoffs, which begin Tuesday.
By virtue of sweeping College of the Desert last Thursday by scores of 8-4 and 6-4, the Rio Hondo College baseball team clinched the Foothill Conference's second seed and final playoff berth.
The No. 17-ranked Roadrunners (25-17), who overcame a 1-10 start this season, will be at No. 16 Ventura (27-13), the No. 4 seed out of the Western State North Conference, Tuesday, at a time yet to be determined (I will post that as soon as I find out).
Should the Roadrunners win, they would then advance to play either top-ranked Santa Ana (32-11), champion of the Orange Empire Conference, or No. 2 Cuesta (30-13-1), champion of the Western State North Conference on Friday.
Locals on the team include:
Josh Dunigan (Santa Fe), Chris Galaviz (Montebello), Jon Garcia (Cal-Hi), Dario Gutierrez (Schurr), Ryan Juarez (Pioneer), Brad Laurito (Pioneer), Taylor Martin (California), Juan Martinez (Montebello), Mike Meza (Santa Fe), Marcus Ramirez (El Rancho), Rafael Reyes (Montebello) and Willie Sandez (La Mirada native).
Kudos to coach Mike Salazar on another excellent season.
Also qualifying for the playoffs is two-time South Coast Conference Champion Cerritos College (29-14).
The No. 6-ranked Falcons led their conference since the beginning and open the playoffs at home on Friday against No. 11-Bakersfield (28-16), the No. 3 seed out of the Western State South Conference.
Locals on the team team include:
Steve Blanchette (Schurr), Trevor Blood (La Mirada), T.D. Estrada (La Serna), John Garcia (El Rancho), Brian Gaylord (La Mirada), Tony Peraza (La Mirada) and Brandon Pesante (La Mirada).
Finally, No. 13-ranked East Los Angeles College (30-14), the No. 3 seed out of the SCC, also earned a bid to the big dance. The Huskies open Friday at No. 4-ranked Irvine Valley (29-15), the No. 3 seed out of the Orange Empire Conference.
Locals on the team include:
Isaiah Garcia (Montebello), Dennis Rangel (Schurr) and Hector Solorzano (Schurr).
Each series is a best 2 out of 3 with a single game played Friday, followed by a double-header (if necessary) played Saturday.
Good luck to all the area teams.
I guess last week wasn't the best time to kick off a blog.As some of you may know, we had some problems with the newspaper and blogs last week. I was unable to post anything since last Sunday.
Thanks to everyone for your patience. Let's get back to blogging.
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