Photo courtesy of Eric D. Danielson

So remember that Flintridge Sacred Heart win over Alemany when the Tologs scored in the bottom of the seventh to record a 4-3 win? Never happened. The Tologs can forget about beating Alemany for the first time in school history. That’s because Alemany protested before its game against FSHA at Glendale Sports Complex, saying the pitcher’s circle was at 43 feet instead of the regulated 40 feet. Alemany athletic director Mike Solar put in a call to CIF the day of the game and they said they still had to play the game. League principals had a hearing and Tologs athletic director Stephanie Contreras was informed the league voted they had to replay the game. FSHA plays at Alemany on Thursday which will technically be the team’s first meeting in the series. The schools have not yet decided when they’ll replay the game. “It’s hard on the girls,” Contreras said. “They beat them fair and square; no advantage or disadvantage. It’s unfortunate.”

Though a few proms, a Lakers playoff game, a few travel ball tournaments, and one other All-Star Game kept a some away Saturday night, the 400 folks that showed up to support “Coaches vs. Cancer”, Steven Adams, and the first Rio/Pac All-Star Game was a huge success. Co-founders Gamal Smalley and Tim Tucker would like to thank everyone who came out and volunteered their time including public address announcer, radio personality, Roland Bynum from 102.3 KJLH, the officials, all the camera men and coaches. “To see Steve Adams smiling with the fans posing for pictures and having a good time was especially rewarding for me, knowing that just a few months ago he was in serious condition after undergoing major surgery for a brain mass,” Smalley said. Buckley High girls basketball coach Byrd Milic stopped by to show his support, too. Coach Milic’s 12 year old daughter was staying a few rooms down from Adams in the Children’s Hospital, battling cancer. A special “Life Time Achievement Award” was made to coach Tom Holfman celebrating his 500 career wins and dedication to coaching over a 23-year span at La Canada High. “My heart was overflowed with joy as our surrounding communities showed a loving spirit with donations, goodwill, fun sportsmanship, and we even had two great ball games,” Smalley said. “Thanks to the Star-News for (their) support, for you really made this effort a success.”

FINAL SCORES
Pacific Girls 78, Rio Hondo Girls 59 — Pacific leading scorer Anna Shahinian (Glendale) 20 points; Lidia Rivas (Glendale) 20. Rio Hondo leading scorer Nicol Biesek (South Pasadena) 26 points.

Pacific Boys 108, Rio Hondo Boys 103 — Pacific leading scorer Joe Henson (Pasadena)17 points; Deon Geary (Blair) 26, MVP honors.

Forgive my late start to the week. But before I go on to post anything else about softball and baseball I am compelled to tell my fellow football bloggers what went down this weekend. As you know, there are some real faithful bloggers here, and they’re usually found during the football season. There’s the Mayor Goldenarm who always has insightful notes anything related Rams football and football, too. There’s also our buddy The Stang Fan who knows all Muir. And who can forget Huckster? (I know, I’m trying to forget, too) There’s also our buddy Stangs03, which brings me to this post. I was out Saturday night with some friends at night spot in Alhambra. As I walk up to the waitress to order a drink someone extends their hand to shake my hand. He calls me by my first and last name. Says it’s a pleasure to meet him. He says he’s a big fan of the blog. I’m flabbergasted he recognizes me, but then comes the shocker: “I’m Stangs03.” I was just amazed. We talked about football, the April Fool’s joke and trying to figure out the identities of Goldenarm and The Stang Fan, but to no avail. It was a meeting of two minds, alright.

Just got back from a three-hour marathon at Temple City High School where the pesky Rams edged La Canada, 4-3, in 10 innings on an overcast Friday afternoon in Rio Hondo League action. Temple City improves to 12-7 overall and 6-3 in league while the Spartans drop to 14-2 overall and 6-2 in league. You wanted some parity in league, well you got it. Four teams are right in the thick of it with Monrovia and San Marino making a strong push. This game was an exciting one. It’s what high school baseball is all about. Jordan Halladay scored the winning run on Branden Pultz’s RBI single. The bases were loaded with just one out. Pultz singled to the shortstop. He bobbled the ball a bit but the play wouldn’t have mattered as Holiday was well on his way home. Patrick Munro picked up the victory for Temple City, whose momentum was suffocated in the eighth inning on two questionable calls. Pultz was tagged out on his way to second after Christian Cano’s hit. After Pultz’s tag, Ian Donnelly threw the ball to first to get Cano out for the double play, putting an end to that inning. It appeared that Pultz beat the tag and Cano beat the throw to home, but there was little Temple City coach Barry Bacon could do. The Rams also didn’t help their own cause in the fifth inning as the Spartans scored two runs on Temple City’s defensive debacle. Luis Carrasquero singled and advanced to second on an overthrow to first. Jeff Oeschel doubled but advanced to third on the bobble in the outfield and eventually scored on the overthrow to home, giving La Canada a 3-2 lead. Temple City tied the game, 3-3, in the next inning on Dusty Sanderson’s sacrifice fly to score Halladay. La Canada got off to a 1-0 lead in the first on Max Russell’s RBI single to right, scoring Eric Smith who drew a walk. But the Rams came right back in the bottom of the first on Pultz’s double to the gap, scoring Sanderson and Morgan Hatch to give Temple City a 2–1 lead. It was only a matter of time until plays started going Temple City’s way, the best coming its way in the 10th when Halladay was called safe at third after Cole Kendall’s high throw to third. The rest is history. Time to knock out the story. I’ll be back in a bit with photos from the game.

Don’t have all the details but I know La Canada had a perfect game going through the sixth until the Rams crashed the party, winning, 2-1, to blemish the Spartans’ record. Mayfield beat Pasadena Poly, 4-3, and Rio Hondo Prep beat Flintridge Prep, 3-2, courtesy of Mr. Clancy. Mario Aguirre will give us the breakdown on the TC-LC softball game in tomorrow’s paper, but why wait until then? If you were there, chime in. All other updates/breakdowns are welcomed, too.