SGV at its Best: Northview and San Dimas deliver another Classic, Vikings win in nine innings, 4-3


Northview, getting a solid outing from Ruben Ramirez, above, took a major step
towards a fourth Valle Vista League title with a 4-3 victory over San Dimas on Thursday.


Northview just continues to deliver, and now they are getting the production for the most unlikely of candidates.
Catcher and No. 9 hitter Arman Valenzuela hit Erik Salcido’s first pitch for home run with one out in the ninth inning and the Vikings took a major step towards their fourth consecutive Valle Vista League title with a 4-3 victory over the visiting Saints in a battle of two of the top three teams the area on Thursday.
Northview, getting a solid 3 1/3 innings of relief from Eddie Pedroza, improved to 15-4 overall and took over first place with a 9-1 league record. San Dimas, which got a two-run home run from Matt Thrall to tie it at 3 in the sixth, slipped to 15-5, 9-2.
Northview closes the regular season with home-and-home series against Ganesha and Covina and a home game against Pomona.
Northview coach Darren Murphy: “You don’t really expect your (No. 9) hitter to hit the walk-off homerun to win it, but we like storybook endings. I’m not much an author. I’ll take it whatever way it happens.
“Sometimes, it’s better to be the team (that does the catching), because when you do, you have all that momentum going. But I feel like we let a three-run lead go. I think for the most part, they had the momentum for about three or four innings. We were on our heels. We had to make some big plays, Eddie made some big pitches. But we escaped and got out of here, got out of here with a win. That’s a heckuva team. They are going to make a run in the playoffs, too.”
San Dimas coach Mike Regan (on his coach’s interference in the eighth): “I don’t have anything to say. I made a mistake. The kids played great and I screwed up.”
Northview’s Arman Valenzuela: I knew he was going to throw that fastball. I didn’t think he was going to leave it up, because he got me with it the last (at-bat). But he came back with that same pitch, I put a good swing on it and let it go. I was trying to get a gap hit, but I got it up and got a (homerun).”

Today’s games
Montview League

Sierra Vista 10, Bassett 0
Azusa at Duarte, 3:15 p.m.
Workman at Gladstone, 3:15 p.m.
Valle Vista League
San Dimas at Northview, 3:15 p.m.
Pomona at Baldwin Park, 3:15 p.m.
Covina at Ganesha, 3:15 p.m.
Sierra League
Damien at Ayala, 3:15 p.m.
Chino 5, Diamond Bar 3
Chino Hills at Glendora, 3:15 p.m.

CIF-Southern Section Polls
Division II – 1. El Toro, 2. Yucaipa, 3. Upland, 4. Notre Dame, 5. Palos Verdes, 6. Chino, 7. Foothill, 8. Damien, 9. Arcadia, 10. San Luis Obispo
Division III – 1. Beckman, 2. Gahr, 3. Bonita, 4. Hemet, 5. South Hills, 6. Alhambra, 7. Downey, 8. Charter Oak, 9. San Gorgonio, 10. Laguna Hills.
Division IV – 1. Bishop Amat, 2. Northview, 3. San Dimas, 4. La Quinta, 5. Palm Desert, 6. Torrance, 7. Fullerton, 8. El Segundo, 9. Anaheim, 10. Colony.
Division V – 1. San Jacinto, 2. Santa Ynez, 3. Maranatha, 4. Calvary Chapel, 5. Campbell Hall, 6. Gladstone, 7. Woodcrest Christian, 8. Citrus Hills, 9. Cabrillo, 10. Linfield Christian.

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Championship Week: Los Altos moves closer to Miramonte League league title, beats Bonita, 3-1

Los Altos reigning player of the year Diana-lynn Patterson struck out eight and scattered four hits to lead the Conquerors to a 3-1 victory (just as predicted) over Bonita this afternoon to take over control of the Miramonte League title race. Bonita scored first when Jacki Campa’s double skipped past the left-fielder, allowing her to round third and go all the way home for a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Los Altos freshman Justine Zavala doubled home the go-ahead run in the second, and the Conq’s added a run in the seventh to secure the victory.

Miramonte League Softball title
CIF-Southern Section Division III

No. 10 Los Altos at No. 3 Bonita, 3:15 p.m.
Prediction: Nothing would surprise me about today’s outcome. At this point, I don’t think the players need any extra motivational speeches, they should be fired up and emotions will be high, even for the spectators who hopefully remain civil and act with class no matter what happens. Games like this usually come down to experience and preparation, and Los Altos has both. The Conquerors are the defending champs and have played a tougher schedule. In case anybody missed it, they did just beat powerful Mater Dei. Bonita is by far the area’s most improved team, but if I’m picking the winner, Los Altos is still the better team. Prediction: Los Altos 3, Bonita 1.

Feature on Diamond Bar sophomore standout Stephany LaRosa

Today’s games:
Del Rey League

St. Joseph’s at Bishop Amat, 3:15 p.m.
Miramonte League
Los Altos at Bonita, 3:15 p.m.
Diamond Ranch at Charter Oak, 3:15 p.m.
Montview League
Duarte at Sierra Vista, 3:15 p.m.
La Puente at Azusa, 3:15 p.m.
Bassett at Workman, 3:15 p.m.
Sierra League
Chino Hills at Glendora, 3:15 p.m.
Chino at Diamond Bar, 3:15 p.m.
St. Lucy’s at Ayala, 3:15 p.m.

CIF-SS Softball Rankings
Division III – 1. Tesoro, 2. Oaks Christian, 3. Bonita, 4. Patriot, 5. Crescenta Valley, 6. Chino Hills, 7. Cajon, 8. Downey, 9. Ayala, 10. Los Altos. (Where is Glendora, this is beyond ridiculous).
Division IV – 1. Ocean View, 2. El Segundo, 3. St. Joseph’s, 4. Segerstrom, 5. Santa Monica, 6. Torrance, 7. Aquinas, 8. Bishop Amat, 9. Morro Bay, 10. Buena.
Division V – 1. Woodcrest Christian, 2. Whittier Christian, 3. Village Christian, 4. Calvary Murrieta, 5. San Jacinto, 6. San Dimas, 7. Riverside Christian, 8. Sierra Vista, 9. La Canada, 10. Walnut.
Division VI – 1. La Salle, 2. Maranatha, 3. Marymount, 4. South El Monte, 5. Ramona Convent, 6. Oxford Academy, 7. Grace Brethren, 8. Campbell Hall, 9. Arroyo, 10. Marlborough.

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Championship Week: Charter Oak 6, Bonita 3

There was a time when Jake Bailey had solidified his spot in the Charter Oak High School baseball team’s starting line-up do his ability behind the plate.
But Wednesday the senior catcher showed he can be quite effective either behind the dish, or beside it.
Bailey hit two home runs and went 3 for 3 with five RBIs and the Chargers took over first place in the Miramonte League with a 6-3 victory over visiting Bonita in a battle of two of the top teams in the area.
Charter Oak, also getting a complete game from freshman Travis Santiago, improved to 14-6 overall and 6-2 in league play. Bonita, which will get a second, and final shot at the Chargers on Friday, slipped to 14-5 and 6-3.

Charter Oak catcher Jake Bailey: “I just had a lucky day. We had a freshman pitcher going today and I was just trying to give him some support. I wouldn’t say they were (mistake pitches). They were pretty good pitches. I got some good swings on them. (Bonita’s Jason Plowman) is one of their aces, so I wouldn’t say they were mistakes. They were pretty good pitches. I just got lucky.”
Charter Oak coach Tom Quinley: “We’ve put (freshman pitcher Travis Santiago) in some tough situations this year. I said (earlier) that he grew up. Well, today, he really grew up. He threw one heckuva game today.
Bonita coach John Knott:
“You have to give (Bailey) all the credit. He had two quality at-bats when they needed them. Their entire line-up hit the ball off Plowman really well, and obviously Bailey had two big hits.
“Friday’s going to determine our fate, our involvment in this league here. We’re just going to have to hit the ball better and ultimately play a better game, and come out with a little better energy and fire.”

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Baseball: Start thinking about All-Area teams

Since I asked the question in softball, I’m asking in baseball too. Start thinking of player of the year and first-team all area honorees. In all my years doing this, this could be the toughest of all. There are so many deserving players to choose from. You could come up with a solid first team all area’s just from the Sierra League alone. Of course the CIF playoffs will have a lot to do with it, but who are your leading candidates to this point. Go ahead and fill in the blanks, and make your arguments.
Player of the year: ?
First team
Pitcher: (2); Catcher: (1); Infielders: (4); Outfielder: (3); Utility: (1)

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Jacob Shirley’s appeal denied, South Hills standout must sit out the rest of the season

Highly regarded junior shortstop/pitcher Jacob Shirley, who transferred from West Covina to South Hills high school over the summer, lost his appeal to the CIF-state appeals board and will be ineligible the rest of the baseball season. As its policy, the state had no comment. Shirley will be eligible for high school participation in the fall, but has not decided whether he will play football again. He was a starter on West Covina high’s football team as a sophomore, but hasn’t played since. CIF-Southern Section commissioner of athletics James Staunton handed down the initial ruling, explaining that Shirley’s transfer was “athletically motivated.”

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Another Instant Classic: Northview wins 7-6, rallying from 6-4 down in the seventh

“We were three-outs away from relinquishing a league title we have won three years in a row. But the the heart of a champion came out. If you’re going to beat us, you have to knock us out. They knocked us down a couple times today but we kept getting back up.” — Northview coach Darren Murphy.

“They went up, we fought back, they went up, we fought back, that’s Northview-San Dimas. I love my guys. We will come back on Thursday with the same guys and do it again. We’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves, that’s for sure.” San Dimas coach Mike Regan.

Game story: While the San Dimas High School baseball team ponders how it unraveled and loosened its grip on the Valle Vista League title chase, three-time defending league champion Northview found what it has desperately been searching for.
After scoring two runs to tie the score in the seventh inning, the Vikings pushed an unearned run across in the eighth inning to win it, 7-6. “”The swagger and the heart came back to life today,” explained Vikings coach Darren Murphy. “It always seems like it takes a do-or-die situation to bring out the best in us.”

Continue reading “Another Instant Classic: Northview wins 7-6, rallying from 6-4 down in the seventh” »

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Baseball Rankings: Bishop Amat holds steady, but San Dimas is knocking on the door

Baseball top ten rankings
1. Bishop Amat (16-5) – The CIF-SS Division IV’s top-ranked Lancers split a pair last week, losing to Long Beach Wilson then beating Lakewood, 12-6. Are they still the area’s best team? Yes, but it’s getting closer.
2. San Dimas (15-3) – – This is where we disagree with the Division IV polls. We think San Dimas deserves to be ahead of Northview because of their head-to-head win over the Vikes. Of course, that could all change this week in the much antcipated head-to-head series with the Vikings.
3. Northview (13-4) – We will find out what the Vikings are made of this week. Did competing in the National Classic prepare them for the must-win games they face this week and down the line in the playoffs? We’re about to find out.
4. Bonita (14-4) – By this time of year I expected the Bearcats to be crushing teams and running away with the Miramonte League title. It hasn’t happened, and another loss against a so-so Los Altos team makes you wonder. But hey, on paper you can’t argue with this group.
5. Glendora (13-6) – After a split with Diamond Bar and Damien, I still think the Tartans are the best of the three, but it’s so close. The Tartans impressive run in reaching the final of their own tournament and winning the Arcadia tournament will pay dividends down the stretch.
6. Damien (15-5) – How impressive has new coach Leyva been? They beat a very good Chino team and split with Glendora, leaving them in a three-way tie for second with Glendora and Diamond Bar. This race will continue to go back and forth until the end.
7. Charter Oak (13-6) – Losing Tiffany, their shorstop/pitcher and captain, is going to hurt. The Chargers were one of those teams that couldn’t afford injuries, so I’m guessing this plays a big role in the home-and-home against Bonita this week.
8. South Hills (12-7) – The Huskies closed out the week with a 6-2 loss to Alemany. They still lead the San Antonio, but the question of late is what’s happening with pitcher Jacob Shirley? He was declared ineligible when the season started, but his appeal should be heard any day now.
9. Diamond Bar (11-8) – The Brahmas are at No. 9 for now but can jump and jump quick if they go on a run the final two weeks. They can play with anyone and get beat by anyone. Either way, it sure is fun to watch.
10. Nogales (16-7-1) – There are two kinds of Nobles teams, the one when Andrew Melchor pitches, and the average Nobles when he doesn’t. The one with Melchor can beat anyone, which is going to make them a dangerous playoff opponent.

Did you know: That San Dimas center fielder Tim Brookes had a game for the history books. In a 20-4 win over Covina, Brookes hit two grand slams and finished with nine RBIs, which was the most RBIs in a single game in more than 20 years. His nine RBIs ties him with Rio Hondo Prep’s Jim Key (1977) and Don Lugo’s Bob Malins (1978) for second all-time in the CIF-SS record books for RBIs in a single game. Only Calvary Baptist’s Eddie Martinez had more, setting the record with 11 in 1977.

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




<a href="http://www.maxpreps.com">MaxPreps High School Sports</a>

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