Softball Wednesday: Walnut 2, Nogales 0


Above: Walnut’s Devyn Craine delivers a pitch during Wednesday’s
San Antonio League game at Nogales. The Mustangs scored
a 2-0 victory.

Walnut 2, Nogales 0: Lauren Gomez had an RBI single in the seventh and was solid in relief to lead as the Mustangs took sole possession of first place in the San Antonio League.
Gomez gave up just one hit and struck out four in four innings to improve to 3-2. Walnut is now 5-2 and 2-0. Nogales, which had runners in scoring position with less than two outs in the first and third innings, slipped to 4-6 and 1-1.
Walnut coach Jennifer Cuevas: “For whatever reason, and I was joking (with the players) abou this, it seems to be a Walnut thing (to rally late). We always want to wait until the very last minute. I don’t know if its the pressure that gets to them and the adrenaline helps them, but we just seem to come through. They just do it. I think they just strive on making us (coaches) sweat it out.”
Nogales coach Tim Purcell: We couldn’t get that execution going. We were one base hit from scoring four runs (today). I just told my girls to keep it simple, keep your head up. We play them twice again, and we’ll be ready for them.”
Other Scores
San Antonio League

West Covina 4, Rowland 0
Valle Vista
Northview 25, Baldwin Park 1
San Dimas 4, Covina 1

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

Baseball: Walnut outlasts Nogales


Above: Jimmy Saucedo, seen here pitching against Gabrielino last season, tossed a four-hit shutout to lead South El Monte past Mountian View on Wednesday.

Walnut 8, Nogales 7
I covered the Walnut at Nogales softball game, which Walnut scored two runs in the seventh to win, 2-0. After, I trotted over the baseball game, and watched the end as the Mustangs held off the Nobles, 8-7. Nogales athletic director Bruce Alley told me Walnut got up 8-0 before Nogales rallied. The Nobles got one runner on in the seventh, but they were unable to advance him and dropped the one-run decision.
South El Monte 7, Mountain View 0
Jimmy Saucedo tossed a four-hit shutout and struck out six to lead the Eagles.
Other Scores
Miramonte League

Charter Oak 10, Wilson 0
Bonita 24, Diamond Ranch 6
Nonleague
Western Christian 21, Morningside 3

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

Softball Top 10: Los Altos still wears the crown

It’s still Los Altos: Los Altos solidified its hold on the top spot with a steady, 6-4 victory over Bonita. Glendora, which is off until the day after April Fools Day, stays at No. 2 while Bishop Amat enjoys a big win with the Arroyo Tournament championship and moves into No. 3. Bonita slides a bit to No. 4, with San Dimas rounding out the top 5. Azusa drops out after a three-game losing streak, which puts South El Monte back in.

This week’s big games:
Wednesday: Walnut at Nogales
Friday: Northview at San Dimas

Top 10 Rankings
1. Los Altos (5-2) –
The Conquerors lived up to their name with a 6-4 win at Bonita last week before splitting a pair of tournament games. Los Altos looks to have a firm hold on the top spot with Diana-lynn Patterson in the circle.
2. Glendora (5-2) – The Tartans have yet to capture the momentum, but it was the same last season, until a late-season run to the finals.
3. Bishop Amat (6-3) – The Lancers lived up to the billing by winning the Arroyo Tournament before looking respectable in a 3-2 loss to Rosary on Monday. Next up: Mater Dei.
4. Bonita (9-2) – The Bearcats gave Los Altos a run of its money, and it wouldn’t surprise most if they pulled off the upset in the rematch, except for the Conquerors.
5. San dimas (4-3) – The Saints look to take the quick lead in the Valle Vista League when they host Northview on Friday.
6. St. Lucy’s (7-5) – The Regents looked lost in a 10-0 loss to San Dimas, but fought back to get a split with a 1-0 victory. This team looks capable of making a run for the title in the Sierra League.
7. Charter Oak (6-3) – The Chargers have the best-hitting team in the area, and there are times when the pitching does come around. The key is consistency.
8. Northview (4-3) – The Vikings have looked steady, but they get a major test against San Dimas on Friday.
9. Sierra Vista (4-0) – The Dons, who were impressive last year, again look like the team to beat in the Montview League.
10. South El Monte (4-3) – Reina Gaber and the Eagles are finding their rhythm.

Softball Standings and Schedules
Del Rey League
Miramonte League
Mission Valley League
Montview League
San Antonio League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

Baseball Top 10: Bonita keeps up the pace

Top 10 Rankings: Bonita continues to be the team beat, keeping the foot on the floor with victories over intra-district rival San Dimas and Los Altos. Northview continues to hold onto the second spot, but we have a few shuffling through the rest of the field as Damien moves up to No. 3 after a big win over Chino Hills. Nogales rides the arm of Andrew Melchor to No. 4, while Glendora, Bishop Amat and San Dimas drop a few positions. The rest of the top 10 is rounded out by Diamond Bar, South Hills and new entry Charter Oak.

Games to watch:
Today: Baldwin Park at Northview; Glendora at Damien;
Wednesday: Walnut at Nogales
Thursday: San Dimas at Northview
Friday: Charter Oak at Bonita

Top 10 Rankings
1. Bonita (5-1) –
It seems to be a two-race battle between the Bearcats and Vikings, and my gut says Northview is the better club, but Bonita, after being moved to No. 1 last week, did nothing to drop, and I won’t penalize the Bearcats after a good win over San Dimas. The big game is Friday against Charter Oak.
2. Northview (5-1) – The Vikings just continue to roll. They had the one hiccup against Claremont, but toyed with Pomona last week in going 2-0 for the week. They get to test Baldwin Park today before taking on San Dimas on Thursday.
3. Damien (4-1) – The Spartans showed they are for real. It wasn’t that they beat Chino Hills, but how easily. Now they get renew their rivalry with Glendora.
4. Nogales (7-2) – Andrew Melchor is as good as it gets from the hill, and he proved it with a solid outing in a 2-1 victory over South Hills. The Nobles now need to take care of business.
5. Glendora (4-3) – It was a tough week for the Tartans, who were hammered by Diamond Bar, then split with Don Lugo, and it’s not like the Conquistadors still have Chad Cordero.
6. Bishop Amat (4-3) – The Lancers took a major hit, being whitewashed by Chatsworth before following with victories over Cantwell and Southgate.
7. San Dimas (4-2) – The Saints get to prove their worth when they face Northview on Thursday.
8. Diamond Bar (4-3) – The Brahmas, who have given the Valley some of its most-talented players over the years, showed they are capable of challenging in the Sierra League with a big win over Glendora. But it gets tougher with a home encounter against Ayala today.
9. South Hills (4-4) – The Huskies split two games with Nogales in a week where they could have been 2-0 or 0-2. They get a test on Friday against Walnut.
10. Charter Oak (5-3) – Welcome back, Chargers! Charter Oak showed its ready to defend its crown with a sweep of Diamond Ranch. But a matchup against top-rated Bonita awaits on Friday.

Baseball Standings and Schedules
Del Rey League
Miramonte League
Mission Valley League
Montview League
San Antonio League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

WBC: Has the U.S. lost its advantage?


Is America no longer the master of its own game?

There was a time when baseball was America’s game. But judging by the recent World Baseball Classic, which tonight concludes with a championship tilt featuring Korea vs. Japan, the sport may have passed the U.S. by.
How else would you explain Japan’s convincing 9-4 victory over Team USA on Sunday. I heard former New York Mets general manager and ESPN commentator Steve Phillips say in an interview on ESPN Radio that if there were no major leagues and you had a season of world baseball, the U.S. would be competitive, but they would not be the best team.
He also said that today foreign players make up 28 percent of MLB rosters and he wouldn’t be surprised if within 10 years that number is up to more than 50 percent.
Yes, the times are a changin.’

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

BASEBALL: The week ahead


Above: Jose Reynoso, and the rest of the Charter Oak Chargers
take on Bonita on Friday.

The league schedule in baseball begins in earnest this week, with several big games on the docket. Those inlcude Northview hosting upstart Baldwin Park on Tuesday; Glendora taking on rival Glendora, also on Tuesday and Bonita against Charter Oak on Friday.
Who do you see as the big games, and what games should we cover?

Here’s this week’s schedule

Continue reading “BASEBALL: The week ahead” »

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

Steve Ramirez, take it from here …

Just when baseball and softball is taking off, I’m taking off for a week. I have to do it, the golf game is struggling and finally, I get a week away from the blog. Starting tomorrow, Stevie Ramirez will take over for a week, it’s his top ten’s, his games to choose, so enjoy. The boys basketball all-area team comes out on tuesday, girls basketball on wednesday and girls water polo on thursday. Boys and girls soccer and wrestling is the following week. The rosters for the Tribune/Star-News All-Star Classic on April 4. will be released later in the week. Fore!

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email