The baseball and softball fields are busy with action during the final regular-season games before CIFs.On the baseball diamond, La Jolla High (12-12, 3-7 league entering this week) dropped a pair of Western League contests last week.The Vikings bowed to the Cathedral Dons, 6-3. After falling behind early 3-0, La Jolla rallied to tie the game at 3-3 behind a two-RBI triple by Blake Shelburne. The game remained tied until the top of the sixth, when Cathedral received several fortunate bounces en route to a three-run inning. The Vikings had chances but just couldn’t get the big hit when they needed it as they stranded nine base runners. Billy Bright (4-4) was the hard-luck loser for La Jolla.
University City (UC) High (see update below) downed La Jolla 6-2 later in the week. UC cashed in on three walks and four hit batters in the first three innings off starter Moose Halpern to build a 5-1 lead. The Centurions were able to keep the Vikings at bay the rest of the way, allowing only a solo home run to Wyatt Hoff in the fifth inning.
“We’re playing good, solid baseball right now; we’re just not getting the breaks we need to get us over the top in some of these games,” La Jolla head coach Gary Frank commented. “If we keep playing the same quality of baseball, we will win our share of games.”
UC came into play this week with an overall record of 21-5, having won four of five games in May.
On the softball diamond, La Jolla Country Day (LJCD) School opened last week with a 5-3 win over Santa Fe Christian. Ally Berenter got the win on the mound. On Thursday, the Lady Torreys lost 6-0 to the Division IV number one team, Francis Parker, which is 18-1 overall and 5-0 in league.
According to LJCD coach Corinne Brunn, “Even though the Torreys suffered a loss, they have shown great improvement against tough teams and seem to be in a good position to get a high seed in the upcoming play-offs.”
Last Thursday was the Athletic Awards Assembly at LJCD and winning awards for the softball team were: “¢ Coaches Award ” Samantha Berenter. Leads the team in all offensive categories and has not made an error at shortstop since March 9.”¢ Most Improved Player ” Ashley Pollack. Has developed into one of the top catchers in the league and is a constant threat as the team’s number four hitter.”¢ Most Valuable Player ” Alexandra Berenter. Has been the dominating player for the Lady Torreys each of her four seasons and has accumulated numerous CIF and All-League awards.
At The Bishop’s School, the Lady Knights won one game by forfeit and three others on the field in recent action.Bishop’s topped Tri-City Christian (forfeit), Calvin Christian (25-1), Horizon (3-2) and Holtville (1-0 in nine innings).In the Horizon game, Laurel Casey hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to put Bishop’s ahead 3-1. Horizon attempted to rally in the top of the seventh but was denied.Natalie Carmada scored the game-winning run after Hillary White hit a single between shortstop and third in the win over Holtville. Carmada also got it done on the mound, striking out 11 in a complete-game effort.
University City High entered action this week with a mark of 13-4, having scored wins in four of its last five contests.