September 2008 Archives

James Skelton, a former standout baseball player at West Covina High School, completed a solid 2008 season in the Detroit Tigers organization, moving from Single-A to Double-A by season's end.

The former Bulldog hit a combined .303 while making stops for the Tigers' affiliates of Lakeland, Fla. of the Florida State League and Erie, Pa of the Eastern Association. He wound up the season with five home runs, 34 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. He hit .307 in 63 games with Single-A Lakeland before moving up to Double-A Erie after the Tigers traded veteran Pudge Rodriguez in July. He hit .294 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 24 games with Erie.

Former Charter Oak punter Aaron Perez, who is now at UCLA, is on the Ray Guy Award watch list.

Aaron Perez was one of the top punters in Southern California when he was at Charter Oak High School, and he has continued that success now that he is at UCLA.
Perez, one publication's preseason pick for first team All-Pacific 10, was recently added to the watch list for the Ray Guy Award, which goes to the top punter in the nation.
Perez has been solid this season, with 10 punts for an average of 47.7, including a long of 61 yards.
He plays a key role in UCLA's battle to win the field-position game.

Former Glendora star Wes Roemer enjoyed a solid season in Single-A, nearly throwing a perfect game in July.

The 2008 baseball season is over for former Valley players Sergio Pedroza of Northview and Wes Roemer of Glendora.
Roemer, pitching for the Single-A Visalia Oaks, an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, went 7-12 with a 4.59 ERA. He also had 122 strikeouts in 162 innings. Roemer did flatter with perfection earlier this season, taking a perfect game into the seventh inning before finishing with a three-hitter in a 4-2 victory over the Modesto Nuts in early July.
Pedroza had a solid season playing for the Double-A Montgomery (Ala.) Biscuits, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. He .248 with five home runs and 16 doubles.

Former Mt. SAC QB Kevin Craft makes one of his throws that helped UCLA beat Tennessee on Monday.

UCLA may be in Westwood, but the Bruins football team certainly has some San Gabriel Valley flavor.
Of its top players, three have a Valley connection - Mt. San Antonio College's Kevin Craft, Los Altos' Brigham Harwell and Charter Oak's Aaron Perez. All three played key roles in UCLA opening the season with a 27-24 victory over Tennessee at the Rose Bowl on Labor Day.
Harwell was a monster inside, constantly blowing up the Vols' offensive schemes from his defensive line position. Perez, a two-year starter at punter, allowed UCLA to win the field-position battle, and Craft was the talk of the nation after following a four-interception first half with stout second half in which he led UCLA to a pair of TD drives that eventually led to the 27-24 victory.
Keep up the good work, Valley stars!