SPORTS

Mustangs drop 6-3 decision to Oak Grove in softball

Silva pitches five shutout innings in relief after six-run first by Eagles

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

Pioneer shortstop Britney Rivas scoots into second base during a 6-3 loss to Oak Grove on April 6. Rivas went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the loss. Photo by Dan Miranda.

The Pioneer softball team could not overcome a six-run first inning by the Oak Grove Eagles in a 6-3 road loss on April 6.

With starting pitcher Alyssa Walker unable to play for academic reasons, Pioneer Head Coach Ernie Garcia looked for some help from the JV ranks and gave the starting assignment to pitcher Katie Town instead.

Town didn’t last long in her varsity outing, surrendering six runs in one inning of work.

“It was a little rough for her, but she did what she could,” Garcia said of Town. “It’s a tough one because she just practiced with us for a whole week. No excuses, but I think if we hit and these girls believe, you know, they scored six runs in the first inning and we if we don’t make a lot of mistakes, then we’re right in there.”

Down 6-0 after the first inning, the Mustangs (8-7, 1-2) chipped away at their early deficit and plated their first run in the top of the third inning.

The Mustangs got the third inning started with a one-out double to right field off the bat of Danielle Clough. With two outs and Clough on third after a groundout by Vanessa Silva, Oak Grove catcher Kendra Powers threw a wild pickoff attempt to third base that rolled into foul territory down the left field line, allowing Clough to score.

The Mustangs added their final two runs of the game in the top of the fourth inning, which started when Stephanie Morales reached base on a bunt attempt. A wild throw to first on the attempt allowed Morales to get to second base, giving the Mustangs a runner on scoring position.

Amber Medlock then stepped up and dropped down a sacrifice bunt, but another wild throw to first base allowed Medlock to go all the way to second base, with Morales scoring easily from second. Later in the inning, with Medlock at third and one out, Britney Rivas hit a grounder to second base for the second out of the inning, with Medlock scoring for a 6-3 Oak Grove lead.

“We tend to fall back, but these girls don’t give up,” Garcia said of the offense. “They kind of refuse to lose. They played hard and they finished all the way to the end.”

The Eagles got their six-run first inning started with an infield single by Oak Grove second baseman Katrine Gabriel, who ended up on second base after a wild throw. Centerfielder Angela Alvarez then dropped down a bunt single, but another wild throw went into foul territory along the right field line, scoring Gabriel for a 1-0 Eagles lead.

Later in the inning, with runners on second and third with one out, third baseman Desarae Benavides singled to right field, scoring shortstop Alicia Noriega from third for a 2-0 lead. With runners on the corners, Town then uncorked a wild pitch, moving Benavides to second base before Powers launched a booming double to right field, scoring Duran and Benavides for a 4-0 lead.

“All along, we planned on jumping on a team that we know can struggle because they’re not as strong,” said Oak Grove Head Coach Frank King. “So we jumped on them and we held them, which is a plus.”

The Eagles managed to tack on two more runs before the end of the first inning. The fifth run of the inning was scored on a bloop single to center field from first baseman Julie Pike, driving in pinch runner Jamika Gulley from third base. The Eagles then plated their sixth run on a two-out double to left field from Emily Soumountha, scoring Pike from second base.

Silva, also up from JV for the past two weeks, then stepped in and pitched the remaining five innings in relief, allowing four hits and a walk while holding the Eagles scoreless the rest of the way.

“She actually did really good,” said Pioneer catcher Nikki Rebhan of Silva. “I’m really proud of her. She hit her spots really good.”

AVGSL hit-a-thon sees participation and funds raised by all

League hopes to double 2004 fund-raising total for field improvements, equipment

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

Last Saturday’s picture day for the Almaden Valley Girls’ Softball League also turned out to be a day to raise funds for the league.

ALL ABOUT PARTICIPATION. Members of the AVGSL’s Dynamites show off the T-shirts handed out to hit-a-thon participants. From left, Maggie Isied, Melissa Tencati, Anissa Tanksley, Ashley Gomez, Alexa Silva, Julianne Kendrick and Kacey Gricius. Photo by Diego Abeloos.

After posing for pictures with coaches and teammates, the softball girls participated in the 2nd annual AVGSL hit-a-thon at Bret Harte Middle School, which raises funds through individual and corporate donations for sorely needed equipment and other amenities.

“It’s to raise money for the league, so we can do some field improvements and make things better around here for the girls,” said Steve Kendrick, who serves as a coordinator for the AVGSL and as an assistant coach for the Dynamites, a 12-and-under team in the AVGSL.

Kendrick said the money raised will go toward immediate needs, such as a new chalker to draw in baselines for game and a new pitching machine, as well as future projects, like new dugouts at Bret Harte Middle School, where the AVGSL hosts all its games.

“There’s kind of no other way to get the dough to work on these fields,” Kendrick said. “The fields belong to (Bret Harte), but this is where we play.”

The AGVSL, which fields a total of 28 teams in five different age groups for the 2005 season, raised approximately $3,000 last year in the first hit-a-thon event. This year, the league hopes to raise anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.

“We have a lot of needs,” said AVGSL President Ivo Landre, whose league registered over 300 girls for the 2005 season. “Fields can always be improved, but we need batting cages, dugouts, all kinds of stuff that our league registration fees don’t cover. We just cover the bare minimum for equipment, uniforms, some of the basic necessities.”

Unlike last year, when the event was put together in a matter of three weeks, AVGSL Secretary Lee Koolpe organized the 2005 hit-a-thon methodically over a span of several months. Because of the length of time afforded to put the event in place, Koolpe said more sponsors in the form of local businesses were able to donate gifts and money this year. More than 50 local businesses, including The Pampered Chef, The Britannia Arms of Almaden, the San Jose Giants, and Happy Hollow Zoo, to name just a few, donated gifts or money for the hit-a-thon.

“I sent out about 180 letters,” Koolpe said. “I basically blanketed all the sponsors that I could think of in the Almaden area and up through Blossom Hill and so forth. I got a pretty good response.”

In addition to Koolpe’s efforts, AVGSL softball players raised money in the form of pledges from neighbors and family members alike. The AGVSL players got a chance to bat during the hit-a-thon, taking swings and accumulating a total number of feet in distance with their hits to raise the funds they sought out.

“It’s ultimately their league,” Koolpe said of the AVGSL players’ efforts in raising funds. “All the money they raise in the hit-a-thon is going to go back them in terms of prizes and in terms of the overall quality of the league.”

The top three winners in each age group, from 6-and-under through 14-and-under, received gift cards redeemable at any local Westfield shopping mall in the area.

Each hit-a-thon participant also received a T-shirt with several sponsors listed on the back. Prizes were also handed out to the top 10 fund-raisers in the league. The top fund-raising teams in each age group were also rewarded with a pizza party.

High School Sports Schedule April 15 - 21

Leland High School
Friday – Baseball at Branham, 3:30 p.m.
Friday – Softball vs. Pioneer, 3:30 p.m.
Friday – Girls’ lacrosse vs. Woodside, 4 p.m.
Friday – Boys’ lacrosse at Woodside, 6 p.m.
Friday – Swimming at Independence, 3 p.m.

Monday – Boys’ lacrosse vs. Sacred Heart, 4 p.m.

Tuesday – Badminton at Willow Glen, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Girls’ lacrosse vs. Menlo-Atherton, 4 p.m.
Tuesday – Boys’ volleyball at Oak Grove, 7 p.m.
Tuesday – Boys’ tennis vs. Silver Creek, 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday – Softball vs. Oak Grove, 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday – Boys’ lacrosse vs. Menlo, 4 p.m.
Wednesday – Baseball vs. Mt. Pleasant, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday – Badminton vs. Evergreen, 3 p.m.
Thursday – Boys’ volleyball vs. Pioneer, 7 p.m.
Thursday – Boys’ tennis vs. Yerba Buena, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Track vs. Independence, 3:30 p.m.

Pioneer High School
Friday – Swimming vs. Santa Teresa, 3 p.m.
Friday – Softball at Leland, 3:30 p.m.

Monday – Golf vs. Westmont, 4 p.m.

Tuesday – Boys’ volleyball vs. Westmont, 7 p.m.
Tuesday – Boys’ tennis vs. Leigh, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – Badminton vs. James Lick, 3 p.m.
Tuesday – Girls’ lacrosse at Woodside, 4 p.m.

Wednesday – Golf vs. Westmont at the Villages, 3 p.m.
Wednesday – Softball vs. Westmont, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday – Baseball at Prospect, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Boys’ tennis at Santa Teresa, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Track vs. Leigh, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Badminton at Lincoln, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Boys’ volleyball at Leland, 7 p.m.
Thursday – Girls’ lacrosse vs. Gunn, 4 p.m.
Thursday – Swimming vs. Leigh, 3 p.m.

Pioneer Athletics: http://www.phsathletics.com/
Leland Athletics: http://www.lelandathletics.com/
Blossom Valley Athletic League: http://www.bval.org/

High School Scoreboard

April 5
Leland boys’ tennis 6-1 win at Yerba Buena
Leland golf 210-260 win vs. Willow Glen
Leland boys’ volleyball 23-25, 25-17, 15-25, 25-18, 15-10 win at Willow Glen
Leland girls’ lacrosse 11-8 win vs. Castilleja
Leland badminton 11-4 win vs. Westmont

Pioneer girls’ lacrosse 9-7 loss at Sacred Heart Prep
Pioneer boys’ volleyball 25-17, 25-15, 25-23 loss at Prospect
Pioneer golf 208-244 win vs. Leigh
Pioneer boys’ tennis 6-1 loss vs. Santa Teresa
Pioneer baseball 14-1 win vs. Independence

April 6
Leland softball 2-0 loss at Leigh
Leland boys’ lacrosse 14-8 loss vs. Bellarmine

Pioneer golf 213-219 win vs. Leigh
Pioneer baseball 8-2 win at Silver Creek
Pioneer boys’ swimming 135-43 win vs. Branham
Pioneer girls’ swimming 139-46 win vs. Branham

April 7
Leland boys’ swimming 101-69 win vs. Westmont
Leland girls’ swimming 113-57 win vs. Westmont
Leland golf 206-285 win vs. Willow Glen
Leland boys’ volleyball 25-15, 25-19, 25-20 win vs. Leigh
Leland badminton 11-4 win vs. Overfelt

Pioneer baseball 13-3 win vs. Lincoln
Pioneer boys’ tennis 6-1 loss vs. Evergreen

April 8
Pioneer softball 8-5 win vs. Branham
Pioneer girls’ lacrosse 9-7 win vs. Leland
Pioneer boys’ volleyball 25-13, 25-9, 25-17 win vs. Gunderson

Sports Briefs

2005 Pop Warner Football announces tryouts
The Almaden Pop Warner Football organization will hold tryouts at the Almaden Country School Little League Field on Trinidad Drive on the following dates: Sunday March 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday April 2, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., Saturday April 9, 10 a.m.-3 pm; and Saturday April 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

USYVL youth volleyball signups for spring 2005 going on now
The United States Youth Volleyball League is accepting registrations for the spring 2005 season, slated to begin in early April, for programs in Los Gatos, San Jose and Morgan Hill. Boys and girls ages 8 to 14 are welcome to sign up and learn the basic techniques of volleyball. The program meets two days a week with one day for practices and one day for games.

For more information on registering, visit www.usyvl.org or call 1-888-988-7985. 

Bay Area TPX Top 96 High School Invitational Baseball Showcase set for June 3-4
Applications are now being accepted for the Bay Area TPX Top 96 High School Invitational Baseball Showcase.  The top 96 position players and top 48 pitchers will be selected from those who apply.  The application deadline is April 30.  The showcase is June 3-4 at PAL Stadium in San Jose.  Apply online at www.top96.com or call Doug Henson at 508-481-5939.

Almaden Ladybugs holds soccer tryouts
Almaden Ladybugs Premier/Class 1, U17 girls, holds tryouts for state cup and spring/fall season every Tuesday and Thursday.  Date of birth must be after 7/31/88. Contact Roger Haupt (408) 779-7697, Linda Urzi (408) 723-0928.  

Pioneer’s shallow bench leads to serious problems

2004 graduation leaves boys’ tennis team in ribbons

By Carl Ponzio
Times Intern

The sun began to fall as Pioneer No. 3 singles player Adam Gregerson battled his Evergreen counterpart on April 6.

While Gregerson hoped to put his team on the board against the Cougars, the Mustangs boys’ tennis team was more concerned for Gregerson’s health.

It has been anything but easy for the boys of Pioneer. Starting the season without Head Coach Julie Szarlacki and crew of only 10 players, the Mustangs’ season was heading south before it even started. Staggering with two weeks left in the season, the Mustangs stand at a 1-6 record in the Santa Teresa Division with their 6-1 loss to the Evergreen Cougars on April 6.

“We’ve had a tough season. We only have 10 guys, we usually have 15 or 20,” said Pioneer No. 1 singles player Ben Cooper. “We didn’t get to pick who was on varsity; it was just whoever came out. We only have two seniors, so we are really inexperienced.”

Problems started for the Mustangs after their 2004 season concluded. Seven out of the 14 team members had diplomas waiting for them in June. The team had been cut in half in the blink of an eye.

With the team cut in two, Szarlacki found herself in a bit of a pickle. However, before she could start working out solution for the 2005 season, Szarlacki went on maternity leave. Needing three more players to meet the 10-player requirement and with her time away from the court, Coach Szarlacki left the team in the hands of her two assistant coaches, Ryan Pang and Long Phan.

“The two (assistant) coaches that I have are great,” said Szarlacki. “They have been playing tennis all of their lives.”

Five weeks into the 2005 season, Szarlacki returned to find her team hanging on to each other closely. The Mustangs had gained the three players they needed to participate in competition, although having only 10 players put the team in a tight spot. If anyone were to get hurt, the Mustangs would have to forfeit each game until their 10th player returned from injury.

Clinging on to hope, the Mustangs are looking to make the best out of the last two weeks of the season. Szarlacki says that she would like to see her boys win their last two games of the season, but winning isn’t always everything. She enjoys seeing the good sportsmanship on the court and the fact that her boys aren’t afraid of a little bit of hard work.

“I run a lot of practice,” said Szarlacki. “Of all the teams that I have had they have complained the least.”

Standing out on the 10 players squad is the Mustangs’ No.2 singles player Noah Lamoyne. Bringing a colorful hairdo and consistent play to the court, Szarlacki says that Lamoyne is levelheaded and always brings his best.

After the wind had died down and the sun’s descent was half complete, Gregerson had battled for a 6-6 tie against his Cougar rival. With a win on the tip of his tongue, he captured his first win of the season in a 7-3 tie-breaker.

While the Mustangs were proud of their teammate’s accomplishment, they were equally relieved just to find that no one had gotten hurt.

Leland’s February Athletes of the Month

Boys soccer - Ben Meade
“Ben is the unsung hero. He does so much work in the midfield that doesn’t show up in the stats. He is very smart, reads the game well and as a junior brings excellent leadership to the team.” – Coach Dave Gold

Girls basketball - Mika Yanai
“Mika has displayed tremendous leadership as team captain leading us to a league co-championship. Mika, although not gaudy, has put up some consistent stats, averaging 7 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals/game. She has also worked hard in the classroom to keep a 3.0 GPA.” – Coach Wade Nakamura

Boys basketball - Danny Hamouie
“Danny, our team MVP, made second team all-league while averaging 10.9 points and 5.4 rebounds/game against often taller opponents.” – Coach Dave Frandsen

Girls soccer - Ali Sturgeon
“Ali, a senior inside mid, controls and distributes the ball well. A key playmaker, she was instrumental in leading the team to the CCS playoffs.” – Coach John Vasquez

Wrestling - Brian Herz
“Brian won the most outstanding senior award, was a CCS qualifier, won fifth place in BVAL, was a CCS GPA winner, and had the most varsity wins, most varsity pins, and most varsity tournament wins (places).” – Coach Dan Lloyd

San Jose sponsors citywide youth track meet

The city of San Jose, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services and the San Jose Police Amateur Athletic Association are sponsoring a free track and field meet for boys and girls ages 9-14. The meet is Sunday, May 22 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Evergreen Valley High School track, located at 3300 Quimby Road, San Jose.

Track events include the 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 meter, and 4 x 100 meter relay. Field events include the standing long jump and softball throw. Group one is for athletes born between 1995-1996; group two is for athletes born between 1993-1994; and group three is for athletes born between 1991-1992.

The event is a qualifier meet for the Nor Cal Hershey State Track and Field Meet held on Saturday, June 18, at San Jose City College, and is a stop on the road to the National Meet in Hershey, Penn.

Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. To obtain more information and registration forms, call the Citywide Sports Office at (408) 369-3900

Registration will also be accepted on the day of the event between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

DOING THE JOB AT THE PLATE AND ON THE HILL

Leland baseball’s Kevin Battipede proved to be a one-man show during a 16-9 loss to Willow Glen on April 6. At the plate, Battipede went 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI and is now batting an even .300 on the season for the Chargers. Battipede also came on in relief during the loss and provided the Chargers with 4-and-2/3 innings in which the right-hander allowed only two earned runs while striking out six. Through 12 innings pitched in 2005, Battipede holds a miniscule 1.75 earned-run average, striking out 15 with no walks allowed.

In addition to Battipede’s efforts, Matt Slaton (pictured swinging) also did some damage at the plate in the loss to the Rams, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.

The Chargers bounced back from their loss on April 6 and picked up a 14-4 win on the road against the Willow Glen Rams on April 8, improving their record to 7-8 overall and 4-5 in the Mt. Hamilton Division. Centerfielder Damon Ronnsvalle and Andrew Kim led the Chargers with three hits each.

Johnson brothers climb USTA ladders

Tennis talent runs deep between pre-teen brothers

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Mere months removed from recklessly bombing yellow PENN 10-balls over their Almaden country home, Eric and Brent Johnson are climbing USTA ranks with precision.

“That’s why I had to put them into tennis classes in the first place,” said proud mom of four Alyson Johnson. “They were losing so many balls over the house, we thought we might as well contain them.”

Still amused, 12-year-old Eric and 10-year-old Brent returned from the annual amateur tennis season kick-off event, the Fig Garden Championship, this week. The boys harnessed creative energies that drove them to pick up a racket in the first place, as 3- and 4-year-olds respectively, and controlled the field in Fresno.

Eric took home two championship trophies, winning the boys’ 12 singles and boys’ 12 doubles divisions, while Brent owned the boys’ 10 singles bracket, also walking with the largest cup.

There was no boys’ 10 doubles event, a coincidence surely praised by challengers.

Eric and Brent were each ranked No. 4 in their USTA Norcal age brackets following the tournament; however, the goal is to reach the top. The Johnsons anticipate a steady assent, barring injury.

“They’re both very concentrated boys,” said former coach Gary Roeske. “They’re extremely gifted; I’d say they are probably in the upper 1 percent of the players I’ve ever coached.”

In 15 years serving as an Almaden Swim and Racquet tennis instructor, Roeske has coached several professionals including Robin Wright, Brian Eagle and John Dissly.

He reached the Johnsons early, mentoring them as 6- to 8-year-olds.

“Generally our club gets some good kids out,” continued Roeske. “We can take most of them and turn them into good high school players, but it’s rare that we get kids that possess the talent of the Johnsons.”

Brainwork
The gift is in the mind. Coaches and players say Eric especially thinks like an adult on the tennis court, and that his maturity baffles opponents.

“Eric’s good,” said doubles partner Michael Kuhlman. “He has a good attitude and likes to move the ball around a lot. He knows where to place it at the right point.”

Kuhlman described a technique that Eric mastered.

“He’ll go cross court three times,” he said. “Then when the player expects another one he goes down the line and the other kid will be off balance. We both do that cross court thing when we’re playing doubles.”

Real time logic is extremely rare in young athletes according to Roeske.

“He may be the smartest player I have ever coached,” he said. “He could probably do most anything he wants if the dream is big enough.”

Sibling rivalry
Only recently has Eric subjugated himself to Brent’s skill on the tennis court.

“Eric didn’t used to like to hit with Brent,” said the Johnson’s mother Alyson. “Just within the last year or so have they been able to really practice together.”

Eric embraced the older brother role early. He quickly developed a gregarious, outgoing personality on and off the court.

With older brother receiving so much attention, Brent assumed a more introspective demeanor.

“I remember Brent as a quiet kid,” said Roeske. “But he hit very well. He could maneuver his racket better than most kids.”

Time closed the gap. Brent’s wishes to share the court with his brother several years ago, have morphed into after-hours matches, which the boys practice on a nightly basis. The Johnsons play for hours until bedtime.

“We like to compete at anything,” said Eric, “We’ll play darts or just mess around.”

“Tennis has been great for Brent,” said Alyson. “It draws him out and allows him to make positive use of his cerebral take on things. He has gained a lot of confidence.”

“I like to relax, play darts, ping-pong, swim, go fishing,” said Brent. “I like tennis. It’s really fun, and if you win you get a trophy. I like that it’s individual, because if you win it’s all about you.”

The next set
The Johnsons will next compete at The Spare Time Championship in Sacramento, beginning March 16.

Brent’s next looming goal, a SAP Open berth in February, is pending results in this tournament and upcoming events. Last year Eric made that same appearance, only awarded to the number-one player in respective age groups.

“Last year I got (Andre) Agassi’s autograph,” he said. “I would like to have that number-one ranking in the 10’s so I can play in the exhibition next February.”

Eric’s next task is securing the number-one seed in USTA Norcal 12s. A fresh 12-years-old, Johnson’s age permits him an additional year in that division; however his ideal would be skipping to the 14s.

“This is a very important time for these kids,” said Roeske. “Generally, the same kids that are ranked in the top five as 10s are the same in the 12s, 14s and on up. In the world of amateur tennis, the system chops down the available competition in a hurry.”

States often struggle to compete versus competition bred in tennis hubs like California or Florida. As a result, the amateur tennis community remains familiar and consistent. The Johnson brothers have likely faced kids they will compete with for years to come.

“My ranking really doesn’t matter anything,” said Eric. “I’m in tennis for the long run, so what’s important is that I continue getting better. I try not to get into playing the point game, but a good ranking does open up opportunities like nationals or sponsorships.”

“Dad teaches us a lot and Mom drives us everywhere,” finished Brent. “Mom says I’m stubborn. But when you play a match you have to think about one point at a time, and I’m pretty good at that.”

For more information on youth tennis programs please visit www.usta.com or contact the Almaden Swim and Racquet Club at (408) 268-9555 or Courtside in Los Gatos at (408) 395-7116.

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