Cantwell High School’s Jose Estrada, who was selected as the Daily News boys basketball player of the year, at Cantwell High School in Montebello. (Keith Durflinger / Staff photographer)

Photo gallery: 2013 Whittier Daily News All-Area Basketball Team

Here is the Whittier-area softball schedule for Tuesday, April 16:

Tuesday, April 16
Montebello at San Gabriel, 3:30 p.m.
Keppel at Schurr, 3:30 p.m.
Bishop Amat at St. Paul, 3:15 p.m.
El Rancho at La Serna, 3:15 p.m.
California at Santa Fe, 3:15 p.m.
Whittier at Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.
La Habra at Buena Park, 3:15 p.m.

Here is the baseball schedule involving Whittier-area teams for Tuesday, April 16:

Tuesday, April 16
Montebello at Alhambra, 3:15 p.m.
Bell Gardens vs. Schurr at Whittier Narrows, 3:15 p.m.
Bishop Amat at St. Paul, 3:15 p.m.
Whittier Christian at Heritage Christian, 3:30 p.m.

Here is the Del Rio League softball schedule for this week:

Tuesday, April 16
California at Santa Fe, 3:15 p.m.
El Rancho at La Serna, 3:15 p.m.
Whittier at Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.

Thursday, April 18
California at Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.
La Serna vs. Whittier at York Field, 3:15 p.m.
Santa Fe at El Rancho, 3:15 p.m.

Here is the Del Rio League baseball schedule for this week:

Wednesday, April 17
California at Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.
Santa Fe at La Serna, 3:15 p.m.
Whittier at El Rancho, 3:15 p.m.

Friday, April 19
El Rancho vs. Whittier at York Field, 3:15 p.m.
La Serna at Santa Fe, 3:15 p.m.
Pioneer at California, 3:15 p.m.

El Rancho’s Frank Vargas slides safely around the tag of Santa Fe’s Eddie Fournier during Friday’s Del Rio League game. (Keith Durflinger / Staff Photographer)

Photo gallery: El Rancho-Santa Fe baseball

By Eric Terrazas, Staff Writer

PICO RIVERA – El Rancho High School did not need any late-game heroics in its Del Rio League game Friday against visiting Santa Fe.

After scoring four seventh-inning runs in a 5-2 win Wednesday at Santa Fe, the Dons took control quickly Friday and went on to defeat the Chiefs 9-1.

Senior third baseman Dylan Guzman drove in a team-high five runs to pace El Rancho. Guzman’s biggest hit was a grand-slam home run in the fourth inning, which put the game out of reach.

Senior starting pitcher Nick Vasquez was also a major contributor, throwing five scoreless innings. He allowed six hits, one walk and struck out three.

Friday’s triumph allowed the Dons (12-5 overall, 6-1 league) to keep sole possession of first place in the Del Rio.

“We’re very fortunate to have very good guys who work hard every day in practice,” El Rancho coach Frank Llanes said. “They really have each other’s backs.”

Llanes, in praising the Dons pitching, added, “This is the deepest staff we’ve had in a long time.”

He also credited the team’s defense, which includes catcher Frank Vargas, first baseman Anthony Herrera, second baseman Joe Sanchez, shortstop David Corrales and Guzman.

All of the above are seniors.

Sophomore outfielder Eli Ledesma drove in the only run for Santa Fe (6-11, 2-5).

“We ran into a buzzsaw in El Rancho,” Chiefs coach Pierre Romo said. “They are playing good ball together and they will be tough to beat down the road.”

El Rancho seized momentum instantly by scoring four runs in the bottom of the first, which started with senior outfielder-pitcher Julian Vizcarra’s infield single.

After Sanchez drew a one-out walk, junior outfielder Esteban Solis loaded the bases when he delivered a base hit to center.

The Dons then grabbed a 2-0 lead when Vargas and Guzman reached base on back-to-back walks. Vasquez followed by helping his own cause by producing a two-run single to left.

El Rancho seized control by scoring five runs in the fourth inning.

Junior infielder Steve Patino led-off the frame with a single to right and then stole second. After a walk to Corrales and Sanchez’s single loaded the bases, Solis delivered a run-scoring single to right.

A two-out walk to Vargas set the stage for Guzman, who cleared the bases with a grand-slam home run.

“We’re working hard in practice,” Guzman said. “Every day, we do our best and come game time, it’s no problem for us.”

Guzman added on his grand-slam, “The first strike I saw, I put the bat on the ball.”

The Chiefs broke El Rancho’s shutout bid in the sixth, which began with sophomore catcher Eddie Fournier’s line-drive single to right. Fournier then scored on Ledesma’s base hit to left.

Nine players produced at least a hit for El Rancho, which finished with 11.

The Dons pitching duo of Vasquez and Marcus Price held the Chiefs to eight hits, which were all singles.

eric.terrazas@sgvn.com
twitter.com/WhittierPreps
562-567-7534

By John Sherrard, Correspondent

WHITTIER – The dust has finally settled on the California and La Serna high school baseball teams’ three-game Del Rio League series.

And what a series it was.

The teams played to a 6-6 tie last month and Wednesday, La Serna edged the Condors, 1-0.

On Friday, La Serna scored two runs in the fifth inning, breaking a 4-4 tie, and defeated visiting California 6-4 to remain in the hunt for first place in league with El Rancho

El Rancho remains a half-game in front of La Serna (10-6-2, 5-1-1) after beating Santa Fe 9-1 Friday.

“We had a lot of guys clutch up, hitting-wise,” La Serna coach Anthony Gonzales Jr. said. “You can’t just pick one guy.”

Lancers sophomore starting pitcher Preston Brown allowed only one base runner on an infield single by junior Jesse Perdomo in the first four innings before faltering in the fifth when California (10-6-1, 4-2-1) scored four runs.

Leading the way for La Serna was junior catcher Mark Abbate with two hits, a run scored and an RBI.

Senior center fielder Kyle Goethe had a big hit in the third for the Lancers – a three-run, two-out double that gave La Serna a 3-0 lead.

“Kyle has just been tremendous all year long. He has been very consistent and even-keel and came up huge again,” Gonzales said.

Goethe scored the fourth run on a single to left by Abbate.

“It’s a great win for the team,” Goethe said. “It was a huge series for us. It feels great. I’m just so happy right now.”

The Condors finally broke through with four runs of their own in the fifth inning, on five hits, to tie the game, 4-4.

Junior Robert Blount started the hit parade with a single to center, followed by another single from Robert Barraza (2 for 3, run scored) and senior Jesse Oropeza drove in Blount for the first run.

Barraza and Oropeza came in on RBI singles by shortstop Anthony Von Slomski (2 for 3, RBI) and senior catcher Daniel Marquez, respectively. Von Slomski came in for the fourth run on an infield error.

La Serna answered with two go-ahead runs in the bottom half of the inning to lead 6-4.

Goethe walked, went to third on a single to left by Abbate and came home on a single from first baseman Ryan Cordova. Brandon Ramos, who pinch ran for Abbate, scored an insurance run for La Serna on an infield out.

Junior Gavin Calender picked up his second save in the last two games, closing out the seventh inning.

La Serna’s Daniella Gracielita, left, and right fielder Jamie Wren both go for a flyball during Thursday’s game against California. (Keith Durflinger / Staff Photographer)

By Eric Terrazas, Staff Writer

WHITTIER – It may be only the second Del Rio League softball game of the season, but Thursday’s contest between visiting La Serna and California high schools could go a long way toward determining who wins league.

California entered the key matchup on a roll by winning its last 12 games. The two-time defending Del Rio champion Lancers, however, cooled off the Condors with a 2-0 victory.

Lancers senior Nikki Oviedo pitched a complete-game shutout. She scattered eight hits, all singles, and allowed no walks.

“It was probably one of the best feelings ever,” Oviedo said after the game. “I’m very proud of my team. We performed really well together.”

Sophomore outfielder Jamie Wren also played a major role by driving in both Lancers runs.

“It felt good and exciting,” Wren said. “We came together good and I thought Nikki pitched a really good game.”

La Serna, with Thursday’s victory, improved to 10-6 overall and 2-0 in league.

“Nikki was excellent,” Lancers coach Ginger Larsin said. “Nikki and Dana De La Torre, our pitcher and catcher, together did a great job. It was one of our best pitching performances. Everything was in alignment; we played good defense, hit well and pitched well.”

Condors junior Trisha Trujillo also went the distance in coming up on the short end of the decision. She allowed seven hits, two walks and struck out three.

Brigid Ruiz turned in a three-hit day for the Condors (16-4, 1-1).

“It was very disappointing,” Condors coach Jim Kruse said of the defeat. “We didn’t play well and we fell behind early. You got to give (Oviedo) credit for keeping us off-balance.”

The Lancers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Junior outfielder Danielle Garcielita’s infield single set the table for Wren, who delivered a run-scoring single to left field.

California nearly tied the game in the second. With Chloe Michery at second base, Joslyn Macias lined a single to center. Michery tried to score on the play but was thrown out at home on Garcielita’s throw to De La Torre.

La Serna scored its other run in the fifth, which started with Taylor Becerra’s single up the middle. After Becerra took second on Garcielita’s groundout, Wren drove home Becerra with a double to center.

By John Sherrard, Correspondent

MONTEBELLO – The Montebello High School softball team has scored 47 runs in the last five games and started the season 2-0 in the Almont League.

Shortstop Brianna Alvarez had her best outing Thursday by hitting two home runs, including a game-ending grand slam. She also drove in six runs and scored three runs in a 13-0 five-inning mercy win over visiting Alhambra.

“It (home runs) feels good, I was happy and glad we won,” Alvarez said. “We were struggling earlier in the season but we’re coming around now.”

Alvarez, a junior, also scored on a wild pitch from second base to give the Oilers a 5-0 lead in the second inning.

“What a way to end the game,” Montebello coach Laurie Capps said. “A grand slam, her second home run of the game. Right pitch, right time, right hit. Congratulations to her.

“It was a good team effort (Thursday) as everyone was hitting and only one error.”

Capps was referring to her teams’ earlier woes in the field. In their two league games this week, the Oilers (7-10, 2-0) only have one error.

Junior first baseman Alyssa Soneff (2 for 3, 3 RBIs, double, run) and freshman left fielder Brittany Gonzalez (2 for 3, run) added to the Oilers’ hit parade.

Junior pitcher Evelyn Hernandez allowed four hits and struck out four. Only five Alhambra (7-5, 0-2) runners reached base against Hernandez, now 6-6-1.

“Most of them (Alhambra) were standing on top of the plate, so I threw them a little surprise on the inside,” Hernandez said. “Then I worked my way around and got back (outside of the plate).”

Hernandez struck out Alhambra leadoff hitter Isabel Sanchez looking and did the same on two consecutive batters in the second inning.

“I worked with some visualization (things) with Evelyn (Wednesday) on her pitching and she used it (Thursday) and she said it really helped,” Capps said. “That helped her be on her game (Thursday).”

Alhambra had only one batter reach scoring position. Freshman Dezarae Murray singled and moved to second on another single by centerfielder Samantha Garcia.

Montebello started the scoring early with three runs in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run double by Soneff that scored Hernandez and second baseman Ariana Morales. Soneff came home on a single by junior third baseman Andrea Rocha.

Leading 5-0 in the fourth, Quintero (triple, two runs) reached on a fielders’ choice and came home on Alvarez’s first homer.

The Oilers made it 8-0 after Hernandez reached on an error and eventually came home on the second of three wild pitches. Scoring the ninth run was Morales on a single by Soneff.

By Eric Terrazas, Staff Writer

El Rancho High School’s baseball team has put together quite a stretch over the last few days.

The Dons, with their 5-2 victory at Santa Fe on Wednesday, have won five of their six games and grabbed sole possession of first place in the Del Rio League.

Senior pitcher Julian Vizcarra turned in another good performance for El Rancho (11-5 overall, 5-1 league). He allowed seven hits, walked and struck out five in 6 2/3 innings.

Anthony Sanchez, Dylan Guzman, Nick Vasquez and Esteban Solis each drove in a run for the Dons, who scored four seventh-inning runs to earn the win against the Chiefs.

Wednesday’s triumph continued an impressive stretch for the Dons, who captured second place at last week’s Righetti Tournament.

El Rancho hopes to keep things going at home today at 3:15 p.m. against Santa Fe.

“In the Del Rio League, anything can happen on any given day,” Dons coach Frank Llanes said. “We want to enjoy it while we’re on top. We have a really good group of guys who are buying into what we are preaching.

“I’m pleased with our pitchers and the defense behind them is really solid. That’s a good thing to have – good defense and pitching with timely hitting.”

Vizcarra has been stellar on the mound with a 4-1 record and 1.31 ERA. He also has made his presence felt offensively with a .300 average.

Senior catcher Frank Vargas and junior outfielder-pitcher Esteban Solis are two of the Dons’ offensive leaders.

Vargas, who is hitting .400 with two home runs, has a team-high 13 RBIs and has scored 11 runs. Solis, meanwhile, is hitting .320 with two homers and 11 RBIs.

La Serna and California, both 4-1-1 in league, also are playing well.

The Lancers are coming off a hard-fought 1-0 victory at California. Ryan Cordova drove in the game’s only run with a seventh-inning single that scored Kyle Goethe.

Mike Zimmer earned the win for La Serna (9-6-2 overall) while Gavin Calender got the save.

The Lancers also took part in last week’s National Classic and went 2-2.

“The kids played well,” Lancers coach Anthony Gonzales said. “It was a great experience and a really good tournament. We were the only Division 4 team in the tournament. We went 1-1 against Division 1 teams, 0-1 against Division 2 and 1-0 against Division 3.”

Gonzales praised the Lancers after their win against the Condors (10-5-1 overall).

“California is always tough. Even tougher at home,” Gonzales said. “We showed a lot of poise and character. We found a way to get it done.

“It was a great effort by our team.”

La Serna will host the Condors today in the season’s third and final regular-season meeting between the teams. Game time is scheduled for 3:15 p.m.

“We want to keep the momentum going,” Gonzales said. “We have to keep playing hard for all seven innings.”

California also is feeling optimistic about its prospects.

“We’re having a good season at this point,” Condors coach Tony Nieto said. “We’re feeling very confident about our team.

“The Del Rio League is very competitive. We know it’s not going to be easy.”

eric.terrazas@sgvn.com
twitter.com/WhittierPreps
562-567-7534