Baseball, softball league races heating up!
*Someone asked if we were covering the PHS-Arcadia baseball game today. The answer is, yes. Keith Lair will be there on assignment and we're also sending a photographer. I will be at the South Pasadena-La Canada softball game. This is going to sound weird, but I just woke up a few minutes ago and I had a dream i was covering Monrovia vs. Rio Hondo Prep in softball. I got to the game in the sixth inning and the score was 3-1, Monrovia. Any psychologists care to dissect that dream? Time to go get a hair cut...
Tournaments were fun and all, but it's about time we're getting back to business and picking up where we left off.
Some leagues started action this week but everyone else will go full steam next week.
With that in mind, let us bring you some of the tight league races with predictions in both baseball and softball as we get ready for the CIF-Southern Section playoffs.
First up, baseball.
Almont League: Alhambra (5-1) is leading Montebello (4-2) and Schurr (4-2) but not by much. The feeling here is the Moors will regroup, find the offense they've so desperately been lacking and not like the feeling of a reigning league title taken away from them.
Camino Real League: Bosco Tech, fresh off its win over Southlands Christian in the Tech Classic, is holding steady atop the standings with a 6-1 record. But St. Monica (5-2) and Cathedral (4-3) are gunning for the Tigers, who take on Cathedral in back-to-back games next week. Bosco Tech certainly has the bats to keep pace but the Tigers are also digging themselves early holes. They did that not just once but three times in the tournament this week. At one point it's going to come back and bite them. Still, I can't say it wasn't fun watching them explode for all those runs. Keep your eye out on senior Justin Mota (.383, 5 HRs, 24 RBIs). The kid is a stud.
Mission League: St. Francis (4-2) has fallen to third behind Notre Dame (3-1) and Crespi (5-1). Back-to-back games against Alemany next week is followed by back-to-back games against Loyola and Notre Dame. The Golden Knights need a sweep against Alemany and at least a split to keep any hope for a league championship alive.
Pacific League: Arcadia suddenly looks vulnerable after losing two games in the Apache Invitational and then dropping a 6-4 decision to Burbank this week. The Apaches (4-1) sit in second behind Burroughs (5-1) and they visit Pasadena (3-2) at 3 today. Can you say upset? Burbank (4-1) is third by virtue of its loss to Arcadia.
Prep League: Pasadena Poly (4-1), Flintridge Prep (3-2) and Rio Hondo Prep (2-2) are still in the hunt, the Panthers holding the edge thus far. Poly hosts the Kares at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The Panthers are led by Matthew Saeta who is batting .364 with three home runs, 17 RBIs, six doubles and one triple. The scary thought? He's only a sophomore. Hunter Merryman helped the Panthers with a three-run homer in a 7-4 win over Flintridge Prep last week. Poly will separate itself from the pack.
Rio Hondo League: Much has been written about Monrovia (5-1) not playing a league game for about 20 days. When they get back, the Wildcats will find a big bullseye on their back. La Canada (4-1), Temple City (4-3) and San Marino (3-3) are not going down quietly. The Titans blanked the Rams this week, 4-0. Today at 3:30, the Spartans visit South Pasadena (2-4) which at one point looked to be in the hunt as well. The intriguing game next week will be Monrovia at San Marino. We'll take the Wildcats to go all the way.
And now, softball:
Alpha League: Maranatha (1-0) and Campbell Hall (1-0) are tied for the top spot. The debate for who belongs will come to rest, for at least a bit, when both teams meet next week at Maranatha.
Mission League: This league is loaded, led by Flintridge Sacred Heart (2-0). Chaminade (1-0), Harvard-Westlake (1-1) and Notre Dame (1-1) appear to make up the final three CIF playoff spots, but the question is which team will finish where? The Tologs are at Chaminade next week. Jessica Ferri will need to continue her dominance on the mound if FSHA is to finish atop the standings.
Prep League: Mayfield's (5-1) lone defeat came to Flintridge Prep (3-0) which currently sits atop the standings. They'll meet next week but will face Rio Hondo Prep (3-2) and Pasadena Poly (0-2) first. The Cubs are led by Katherine Clancy's 1.25 ERA and 163 strikeouts this season.
Rio Hondo League: Wow, talk about tight. La Canada (4-0) holds the clear edge but the final two automatic playoff spots are all up for grabs. Monrovia (3-2), Temple City (3-3) and South Pasadena (2-2) will fight it out. The Tigers won't have it any easier today when they travel to play the Spartans.
So much intrigue among league one has to wonder why there's spring break at all.
Oh, that's right, silly me.
miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
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About this blog
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
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Sacred Heart 5
Chaminade 3
area fan,
you're welcome.
I am not MS.... MS used to hate me too.
she said "duh" first.
Dear Fulluvyurself ...errrr Chekyurslf ...err chky ....errrr MS or what ever you are going by today....Let us guess...your daughter has a lot of homers! duh!
Thanks for the summary none the less I suppose... For the lazy who don't want to pull up Maxpreps?
Just Wondering...DUH? let me guess, your daughter has a lot of RBI's?:
Ok, I've updated for over the weekend and added RBI's and ERA's, next week I will add fielding % and strikeouts...
My next update will come next Monday, 4/27:
Area Leaders as of Monday morning 4/20/09 (according to maxpreps minimums)
Area Batting Averages
Jessica Ferri (FSH) .657
Shannon Brooks (Monrovia) .647
Amanda Castro (South Pas) .514
Alexis Watanabe (San Marino) .514
Morgan Barchan (Arcadia) .500
Sam Miller (Arcadia) .483
Shelby Gogreve (South Pas) .471
Veronica Grant (Temple City) .467
Brooke Cowell (Monrovia) .450
Abby Ulf (LaCanada) .447
Katie Tripoli (LaSalle) .433
Katherine Clancy (Mayfield) .431
Amanda Ulf (LaCanada) .429
Marnie Hillier (Maranantha) .418
Laura Wilson (San Marino) .417
Jessica Loiacano(Temple City) .415
Katherine Haderline (LaSalle) .414
Kelsey Buckner (San Marino) .412
Sami Jakeway (Temple City) .412
Jackie Najera (Mayfield) .405
Brittany Vasquez(Temple City) .390
Annie Sommers (Maranantha) .404
Anneliese Luck (Mayfield) .394
Schae Simpson (Monrovia) .390
Tiffany Horton (RHP) .390
Macy Murphy (RHP) .385
Laura Parada(South Pas) .380
Nikki Guzman (Monrovia) .364
Maddie Herlache(LaSalle) .359
Allie Forillo (LaSalle) .356
Kaitlin Fitzpatrick (Mayfield) .354
Kimmie Sommers (Maranantha) .353
Jessica Kosharek(Temple City) .346
Kailey Bray (RHP) .345
Taylor Crotty (FSH) .342
Danielle Rodriguez(Temple City) .341
Jessica Flores (Temple City) .341
Anna Edwards (LaCanada) .333
Megan Luera (FSH) .324
Jackie King (Monrovia) .321
Victoria Baltazar (LaSalle) .311
Emily McQuaid (Arcadia) .308
Kelsey Hardwick (Temple City) .300
Anna Applebaum (LaCanada) .300
Home Runs
Jessica Ferri (FSH) 7
Amanda Castro (South Pas) 4
Abby Ulf (LaCanada) 4
Jessica Loiacano (Temple City) 4
Shelby Gogreve (South Pas) 4
Shannon Brooks (Monrovia) 3
Amanda Ulf (LaCanada) 2
Lenae Sanchez (Temple City) 2
Marnie Hillier (Maranantha) 2
Kimmie Sommers (Maranantha) 2
Maycee Murphy (RHP) 2
Emily Balfour (Mayfield) 2
Kelsey Buckner (San Marino) 1
Laura Parada (South Pas) 1
Anna Edwards (LaCanada) 1
Jessica Flores (Temple City) 1
Veronica Grant (Temple City) 1
Jessica Kosharek (Temple City) 1
Marnie Hillier (Maranantha) 1
Sarah Sandoval (Maranantha) 1
Maddie Herlache (LaSalle) 1
Katie Tripoli (LaSalle) 1
Allie Forillo (LaSalle) 1
Haley Mojica (FSH) 1
Morgan Barchan (Arcadia) 1
Sam Miller (Arcadia) 1
Kara Kirby (RHP) 1
Kim Combs (Mayfield) 1
RBI’s
Jessica Loiacano (Temple City) 22
Abby Ulf (La Canada) 19
Marnie Hillier (Maranantha) 18
Jessica Ferri (FSH) 17
Shelby Gogreve (South Pas) 17
Brittany Vasquez (Temple City) 16
Amanda Castro (South Pas) 15
Jessica Kosharek (Temple City) 15
Katherine Clancy (Mayfield) 13
Kimmie Sommers (Maranantha) 13
Allie Forillo (LaSalle) 13
Katie Tripoli (LaSalle) 12
Meghan Luera (FSH) 12
Kelsey Buckner (San Marino) 11
Veronica Grant (Temple City) 11
Laura Wilson (San Marino) 10
Shannon Brooks (Monrovia) 10
Maycee Murphy (RHP) 10
Charley Parker (RHP) 10
Stolen Bases
Annie Sommers (Maranantha) 13
Veronica Grant (Temple City) 12
Alexis Watanabe (San Marino) 10
Morgan Barchan (Arcadia) 7
Ashley Perez (Temple City) 6
Emily Balfour (Mayfield) 6
Emily McQuaid (Arcadia) 6
Jessica Ferri (FSH) 5
Jessica Kosharek (Temple City) 5
Shelby Gogreve(South Pas) 5
ERA
Jessica Ferri (FSH) .34
Maddie Herlache (La Salle) .60
Katherine Clancy (Mayfield) 1.25
Lauren Oleary (LaCanada) 1.45
Kimmie Sommers (Maranantha) 1.55
Charley Parker (RHP) 1.88
Allie Forillo (LaSalle) 2.58
Nicolby Atallah (Maranantha) 2.75
Schae Simpson (Monrovia) 2.76
Kelsey Hardwick (Temple City) 2.97
Marika Stanfor Moore (South Pas) 3.23
Cori Williams (Monrovia) 3.35
Jessica Loiacano (Temple City) 3.59
Marrissa Baca (South Pas) 3.94
Alexandra Shelburne (San Marino) 5.37
Destinee Quinn (South Pas) 5.51
Just wondering, I put a note that I am following up with RBI's and pitching and fielding stats.
Why Home runs and not RBI's? Which is a more important stat? Duh!
Not saying it would have changed the outcome of the game but word around town is that Arcadia was able to pick PHS catcher's signs when Bernstein was pitching.
Sp 2 Poly 1
Sp 10 Poly 3
Gogreve hit a deep one out to left center with one on.
Chyk
"Celebrate the Parity" - slogan of the year...and much preferred over "Celebrate the Mediocrity".
tc champs
you are on a roll......
Seriously...the whole "down year" thing is a bunch of bs, in any sport. That comment disrespects all of the kids that are working their butts off out there. If there isn't the dominance that you want, celebrate the parity.
I still say Baseball is in a down year. Does anybody really dominate on the hill, at the plate????????
Was Reace the guy from Johnny Quest?
sgv fan: the column in today's paper was about league races that were tight. Such is not the case in the Pacific League that involves area teams.
La Canada 9 - South Pasadena 5 - (softball)
LC beats SP 3-0 oeschel flirts with no hitter goes 6 and 2/3 of no hit ball!
is there a reason the Pacific league was left out of the recap for softball....
In the Prep league Mayfield and Flintridge Prep are vitrually tied for first place. Prep lost to Poly earlier this week but the scores haven't been entered into Max Preps.
The next two weeks should either sort things out in the Prep League or really mix them up - it will be fun to see. Poly seems to be coming on strong after a very slow start and will be tough to beat down the stretch.
I obviously meant "races". I wrote it five minutes after I woke up so please forgive me. It's fixed now. On my way to LC.
what is a reace?
Miguel,
The cool part about RHL softball is that each team plays each other three times. So there is a rubber match. And it never seems to play itself out until the end. Last year LaCanada was 4-0 in league at this point and ended up finishing third. But I think they are a little more seasoned this year.
The fat lady is not even close to singing.
By the way here are my Area Batting Average and Home Run Leaders:(I will follow with RBI's and ERA's as well as fielding stats; I am sure I made some mistakes, please let me know. I didn't put in the Almont League, because Alhambra is the only team reported on maxpreps and their #s are too odd to put in, when they fix it I will fix it. There are some teams that may be from our area that I am not sure of, let me know and I will include them, but I can't include them if their #s aren't entered in maxpreps. And by the way what is Jessica Ferri eating for dinner?)
Area Batting Averages
Jessica Ferri (FSH) .657
Shannon Brooks (Monrovia) .647
Morgan Barchan (Arcadia) .545
Amanda Castro (South Pas) .542
Alexis Watanabe(San Marino) .514
Abby Ulf (LaCanada) .484
Jessica Loiacano(Temple City) .457
Shelby Gogreve (South Pas) .450
Veronica Grant (Temple City) .450
Brittany Vasquez(Temple City) .435
Katie Tripoli (LaSalle) .433
Katherine Clancy (Mayfield) .431
Brooke Cowell (Monrovia) .429
Marnie Hillier (Maranantha) .418
Laura Wilson (San Marino) .417
Macy Murphy (RHP) .417
Katherine Haderline (LaSalle) .414
Kelsey Buckner (San Marino) .412
Jackie Najera (Mayfield) .405
Schae Simpson (Monrovia) .405
Annie Sommers (Maranantha) .404
Tiffany Horton (RHP) .395
Anneliese Luck (Mayfield) .394
Nikki Guzman (Monrovia) .393
Sami Jakeway (Temple City) .393
Amanda Ulf (LaCanada) .389
Nicole Parada(South Pas) .381
Sam Miller (Arcadia) .375
Maddie Herlache(LaSalle) .359
Allie Forillo (LaSalle) .356
Kaitlin Fitzpatrick (Mayfield) .354
Kimmie Sommers (Maranantha) .353
Jessica Kosharek(Temple City) .348
Kailey Bray (RHP) .345
Taylor Crotty (FSH) .342
Jessica Flores (Temple City) .341
Megan Luera (FSH) .324
Danielle Rodriguez(Temple City) .324
Jackie King (Monrovia) .321
Victoria Baltazar (LaSalle) .311
Anna Edwards (LaCanada) .306
Cori Williams (Monrovia) .300
Home Runs
Jessica Ferri (FSH) 7
Amanda Castro (South Pas) 4
Abby Ulf (LaCanada) 4
Jessica Loiacano (Temple City) 4
Shelby Gogreve (South Pas) 3
Shannon Brooks (Monrovia) 3
Amanda Ulf (LaCanada) 2
Lenae Sanchez (Temple City) 2
Marnie Hillier (Maranantha) 2
Kimmie Sommers (Maranantha) 2
Maycee Murphy (RHP) 2
Emily Balfour (Mayfield) 2
Kelsey Buckner (San Marino) 1
Laura Parada (South Pas) 1
Anna Edwards (LaCanada) 1
Jessica Flores (Temple City) 1
Veronica Grant (Temple City) 1
Jessica Kosharek (Temple City) 1
Marnie Hillier (Maranantha) 1
Sarah Sandoval (Maranantha) 1
Maddie Herlache (LaSalle) 1
Katie Tripoli (LaSalle) 1
Allie Forillo (LaSalle) 1
Haley Mojica (FSH) 1
Morgan Barchan (Arcadia) 1
Sam Miller (Arcadia) 1
Kara Kirby (RHP) 1
Kim Combs (Mayfield) 1