California’s Esparza, La Serna’s Garcia, Carrasco lead spring Del Rio League selections

Here is the All-Del Rio League selections for the spring, led by baseball co-MVPs Michael Esparza, of California, and Alex Garcia, of La Serna, and softball MVP AJ Carrasco, of La Serna

BASEBALL
Co-MVPs — Michael Esparza, Cal, Jr., and Alex Garcia, La Serna, Sr.
MVP Pitcher — Jimmy Olguin, California, Jr.
Offensive Player of the Year — Jose Romero, Whittier, Sr.
Defensive Player of the Year — Frank Vargas, El Rancho, Jr.
First Team
Pitchers: Jared Wight, La Serna; Joe Melendrez, Whittier. Catcher: Daniel Marquez, Cal. Infielders: Michael Davis, Cal; Kevin Rodriguez, El Rancho; Ryan Cordova, La Serna; Johnny Salgado, Whittier. Outfield: Kyle Goethe, La Serna; Gilbert Medina, Santa Fe; Damian Salcedo, Whittier. Utility: Steven Cordova, Santa Fe. D.H.: Ruben Pinedo, California; Victor Garcia, El Rancho.
Second Team
Pitcher: Nathan Blount, Cal; Cody Carmona, Whittier. Catcher: Daniel Balzano, La Serna; Ramon Lizarraga, Santa Fe. Infield: Anthony Von Slomski, Cal; Joe Sanchez, El Rancho; De Andre Sanchez, La Serna; Gilbert Sanchez, Santa Fe. Outfield: Julian Vizcarra, El Rancho; Nick Vasquez, El Rancho; Hector Ramirez, Whittier. Utility: Taylor Lowinnger, La Serna.
Honorable Mention
Pitcher: Nick Sosa, Whittier. Infield: Dominic Rodriguez, California; Nick Vaca, Whittier. Outfield: Alec Ojeda, California; Fermin Beza, Cal; Patrick Jimenez, Pioneer.
SOFTBALL
MVP: AJ Carrasco, La Serna
MVP Pitcher: Trisha Trujillo, California
First Team
Cal: Rayleen Pallan, Christina Pantages, Joslyn Macias. El Rancho: Alex Barcenas, Aiyana Leal-Robles, Jamie Ramirez. La Serna: Dana De La Torre, Jackie Valdez, Nikki Oviedo. Pioneer: Alisha Brock. Santa Fe: Miranda Hernandez, Cristin Gallego. Whittier: Ilene Ruiz.
Second Team
Cal: Rachel Shumaker, Miranda Perez. El Rancho: Anissa Sanchez, Katherine Flores. La Serna: Danielle Garcielita, Carley Espinoza. Pioneer: Amanda Fitzgerald. Santa Fe: Arianna Hernandez, Elena Gallego. Whittier: Alexandra Romero.
Honorable Mention
Cal: Meah Lopez, Lorren Sharp. El Rancho: Brianna Ramos, Sam Alvarez. La Serna: Redd Pichardo, Jamie Wren. Pioneer: Raquel Norzagaray, Sydnee Alvarez. Santa Fe: Brittany Gonzalez, Jazzmin Espinoza, Myranda Bueno. Whittier: Desiree Bretado, Larissa Andrade, Evonne Torres.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
MVP — Jaime Ayala, Pioneer, Sr.
First Team
Cal: Bryan Limon, El Rancho: Jonathon Ayala, El Rancho, Nathan Volk. Pioneer: Daniel Mariscal, Robert Nunez. Santa Fe: Jordan King, Derek Orozco, Cristian Perez.
Second Team
Cal: Erik Perales. El Rancho: Martin Gutierrez, Matthew Mayoral. La Serna: Joseph Sanz. Pioneer: Nathan Gonzales, Johnnie Lopez. Santa Fe: Roberto Rivera.
Honorable Mention
Cal: Danny Gallegos. El Rancho: Cristian Roldan. La Serna: Paul Young, Tavis Guerra. Pioneer: Angel Paez. Santa Fe: Dior Rodriguez. Whittier: Brandon Orantes, Kevin Sheridan.

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Reds finesse their way to 6-3 win over Blues in 16th Whittier Rotary all-star baseball game


Staff photo by Keith Durflinger

By Red Williams, Correspondent
WHITTIER –
Finesse was an uncommon factor Wednesday night in the 16th annual Whittier Rotary All-Star Baseball game at York Field. But when it came, it was a welcome sight.
The Red team, made up of seniors from California, La Mirada, Montebello, Santa Fe, St. Paul and Whittier, rode a 3-run uprising in the second inning to knock off the Blue squad, 6-3. Seniors on the Blue team were from El Rancho, La Habra, La Serna, Pioneer, Schurr, Sonora and Whittier Christian. Some 650 were on hand for the contest.
The Reds took advantage of the lack of finesse in building up their lead, cashing in on a pair of Blues’ errors in that fateful second frame. Jose Romero of La Mirada led off the inning with a high chopper in the infield and legged it out for a single. Ali Anthony (also from La Mirada) followed with a ground single to right field. The ball squirted under the glove of the right fielder for an error, rolling all the way to the fence. Romero came home, and Anthony made it to third.
Bryce Brooks (Santa Fe) then singled through the hole, scoring Anthony. Another error, this on the Blues’ first baseman on a pick-off attempt, sent Brooks to second. He came home two batters later when Silver Sanchez got a sun-field double to left.
Anthony also showed some finesse as the Reds’ starter on the mound. He pitched two perfect innings with one strikeout and allowed just one ball to get out of the infield. He was named most valuable player for the Reds.
“It was cool,” Anthony said. “I’ve been working out on my own since the season finished to get ready for this game.” He said he’s still hoping to land a scholarship somewhere; if not, he’ll try to find a spot with a junior college squad.
Continue reading “Reds finesse their way to 6-3 win over Blues in 16th Whittier Rotary all-star baseball game” »

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Feeling Blue: Pichardo, Valdez lead Blue over Red in Whittier All-Star softball game


By Tom Connolly
WHITTIER –
Jackie Valdez homered and Alendrina Pichardo had five RBI’s to spark the Blue team to an 11-5 comeback victory over the Red Team in the 10th annual Whittier Rotary Club All-Star softball game Wednesday afternoon at York Field.
Pichardo (La Serna) had three hits and her three-run triple in the sixth inning propelled the Blue Team to a 3-2 lead. Pichardo and Red Team’s Arianna Hernandez (Santa Fe) were named the game’s MVPs.
“It’s awesome to get the MVP,” said Pichardo. “I was so nervous when I came to bat. I didn’t want to pop out or strike out. I inhaled and exhaled to clear my mind and calmed myself down.”
Holding onto a one-run lead in the seventh inning the Blue team erupted for four runs.
Valdez came to bat in the seventh with two-outs and two-on. She drilled a smash down the first base line and then cruised around the bases for a three-run homer to give the Blue Team a 7-2 lead.
“It’s really cool to win an all star game; it’s the best,” said Valdez, who was the starting pitcher for the Blue Team.
Continue reading “Feeling Blue: Pichardo, Valdez lead Blue over Red in Whittier All-Star softball game” »

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Top baseball, softball seniors to play in Whittier Rotary

By Steve Ramirez, SGVN
twitter.com/DailyNewsSports
WHITTIER —
The area’s best high school baseball and softball players will get one last chance to shine today.
The 16th annual Whittier Rotary Club All-Star Classic, which features the top 40 senior baseball players and the top 38 senior softball players, is today at York Field in Whittier.
The 10th annual softball game, which will feature reigning Daily News Player of the Year Maleena Esparza, of La Habra, is scheduled for 3 p.m.
The 16th annual baseball game, which will feature La Habra’s Aaron Porter and La Serna’s Alex Garcia, is slated for 6 p.m. There also will be a home run derby prior to the baseball game.
“I was fortunate to play in one of the first (all-star games), now I get to coach in it,” said Santa Fe’s Pierre Romo, who will coach the Red baseball stars. “I get to see the kids go through the experience that I went through. It’s a big opportunity for me.
“We want them to go out there and compete, but have fun at the same time. Hopefully, things go our way. It should be a good deal.”
Continue reading “Top baseball, softball seniors to play in Whittier Rotary” »

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