Titans tab Tanida
© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (8-31-09) Cal State Fullerton baseball
coach Dave Serrano caught Helix High alum ZACH TANIDA
by surprise when he called Highlanders baseball
coach COLE HOLLAND and offered the catcher out of San
Diego Mesa College a chance to catch for one of the
nations top college programs.
A versatile baseball player for the Olympians, Tanida
continue his education and baseball career with the
NCAA Division I power Titans.
Coach Serrano called us and wanted Zach to come
up and play for him, Holland said. It was
an opportunity that none of us expected.
Tanida batted .345 (51 for 148) with one home run and
31 RBI last season for Mesa.
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Granite Hills' Eric Krause (circa
2007)
(East County Sports.com file photo)
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Former Eagles great accepts scholarship
Krause set Granite Hills mark with 32 career wins
© East County Sports.com
OSKALOOSA, Iowa (8-19-09) ERIC KRAUSE, a former
EastCountySports.com Player of the Year, has
accepted a baseball scholarship to William Penn University.
Krause, who was an all-state pitcher at both the high
school (Granite Hills, 2007) and community college (Southwestern,
2009) levels, is projected to be a starting pitcher
for the Statesmen next season.
Krause, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound right-hander, was named
to the All-Grossmont South League team in 2005, 2006
and 2007 and was also a three-time honoree to the All-EastCountySports.com
team during that period. He established a Granite Hills
record for career wins with 32, leading the Eagles to
the San Diego CIF Division I championship in 2007.
William Penn finished as Midwest Classic Conference
champions and advanced to the regional NAIA Regional
playoffs last season.
Krause just finished a summer campaign with the San
Diego Force that included a trip to the NBC World Series
in Wichita, Kan. While on the Force, he compiled a record
of 5-1, and was named the team's pitcher of the year
in leading the semipro ballclub to the Western Baseball
Association crown. At Southwestern College, Krause compiled
a 6-3 record with a 4.66 ERA in 2009.
Former Griffins making progress
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (8-9-09) Former East County standouts
JOSH MAZZOLA, SHANE KAUFMAN, LANCE JANKE and JOHNNIE
LOWE, all 2006 graduates of the Grossmont College baseball
team, are currently making a strong showing at the minor
league level.
Mazzola, a 23-year-old first baseman for the San Francisco
Giants South Atlantic League (Class A) affiliate
Augusta Greenjackets, is proving to be a big time RBI
man. While compiling a .270 average in 381 at-bats,
Mazzola, a product of Santana High, has driven in 82
runs with 103 hits. Included in his totals are 13 home
runs and 25 doubles.
Kaufman, a 6-foot, 185-pound right-hander out of Santana
High, also began the season pitching for the Greenjackets
before receiving a promotion to the Giants Eastern
League (Double-A) farmclub, the Connecticut Defenders.
Hes posted a combined 4-1 record with a 5.11 ERA.
A product for the Cincinnati Reds, Janke was dominating
the Midwest League as a member of the Dayton Dragons
before he was recently promoted to the Class A Florida
State League Sarasota ballclub. Janke, who played two
seasons (2005-06) for the Griffins, posted a 5-5 mark
and a 4.06 ERA for Dayton before joining Sarasota.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Lowe, a right-handed draftee
in the 6th round by the Chicago White Sox in June 2007,
has made rapid progress up the organizational ladder.
Lowe posted a 7-5 record in 20 outings for the Double-A
Birmingham Barons earlier this season. Lowe has since
moved over to Double-A Winston-Salem of the Central
League, where he has lost his only decision.
Baseball in the summertime
© East County Sports.com
ROCHESTER, Minn. (7-28-09) Although college baseball
players dont play an organized home schedule during
the summer doesnt mean that they arent busy.
Many of them travel to other parts of the country to
fine tune their game.
Five collegians from East County high schools are participating
in The Northwoods League, a 14-team wood-bat circuit
comprised of franchises from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan
and Iowa.
Granite Hills alum and current Pepperdine sophomore
outfielder BRIAN HUMPHRIES along with Grossmont High-Pacific
outfielder NICK LONGMIRE are playing for the St. Cloud
(Minn.) River Bats. Humphries recently earned player
of the week honors with a 3-for-6 batting effort, including
a game-winning single in a 9-8 victory over the Brainerd
(Minn.) Lakes Area Lunkers.
Other Inlanders playing in the Northwoods League include
left-handed pitcher ERIC JULIENNE (Valhalla-Cal State
San Marcos), who toils for the Waterloo (Iowa) Bucks;
sophomore infielder BRYAN HAAR (Grossmont-Pacific) who
is a member of the Mankato (Minn.) Moondogs; and 6-foot-7,
195-pound pitcher MATS MATTSON (Grossmont High-New Orleans),
who plays for Brainerd.
ON TOP OF THE CASCADES
Senior designated hitter/catcher DANE PONCIANO (Mount
Miguel High) and junior third baseman AUSTIN COLEMAN
(Granite Hills), both products of Cal State San Marcos,
have been named to the All-Cascade Conference baseball
team and then repeated the honors by being selected
to the All-NAIA West Region team.
Braves send Conrad back to AAA
© East County Sports.com
GWINNETT, Ga. (7-24-09) Its a tough business,
this baseball. Just ask Monte Vista High graduate BROOKS
CONRAD.
Despite batting .344 (11-for-32) with two home runs
and eight RBI in 14 games, Conrad found himself without
a position when Atlantas veteran second baseman
Kelly Johnson was activated from the 15-day disabled
list on Thursday (July 23).
Thus, Conrad was sent to the Braves AAA farm club in
Gwinnett. Serving as Gwinnetts designated hitter,
Conrad went 0-for-3 in a 5-1 win over Norfolk, Va.
Conrad making contact in Atlanta
© East County Sports.com
ATLANTA (7-14-09) Former Monte Vista High graduate
BROOKS CONRAD has spent the majority of his professional
baseball career toiling in the minor leagues.
Oh sure, he had a brief stint 19 at-bats
with the Oakland s As during the 2008 season.
But then, a .158 batting average is obviously not a
high enough caliber to keep one in the big leagues.
The As gave Conrad his release following last
season and the Atlanta Braves signed him as a free agent
on Nov. 18, 2008.
Atlanta manager Bobby Cox sees a positive upside for
the switch-hitting Conrad, whose primary position is
second base.
Fans will love this kid," Cox told MLB.com.
He's all-out all the time. He's one of those gritty
old-timers. He's not old, don't get me wrong, but he
plays like the old-timers."
The 29-year-old Conrad was batting an unspectacular
.259 (67-for-259) with 9 home runs and 38 RBI at Triple-A
Gwinnett, Ga. Yet, Cox had a feeling Conrad was ready
to have a breakout year. The first step of that opportunity
came earlier this month when Conrad was called up to
the major league club.
The veteran skipper wasted little time putting Conrad
in the hot seat, dispatching him as a pinch hitter.
And Conrad
responded with a three-run home run that gave Atlanta
a 9-8 nod over the Nationals in Washington.
"[It was a] huge thrill," Conrad told MLB.com.
"Obviously, [it's] the best experience I've ever
had in the big leagues. It just feels awesome to come
up and contribute right away like that."
Conrad has hit safely in eight of 10 games since joining
the Braves, batting at a .355 clip with a pair of homers
and eight RBI.
An eighth-round pick of the Houston Astros out of ASU
in 2001, Conrad signed as a six-year Minor League free
agent with the A's in December and opened some eyes
with a strong spring, earning a trip to Tokyo for Oakland
's season-opening series against the Red Sox.
He was inactive for the games against Boston and opened
the season with Triple-A Sacramento, where he was batting
.242 with a .321 on-base percentage, 21 doubles, 21
homers and 67 RBI in 93 games for the River Cats.
"It's been a roller coaster," Conrad said,
But I'm just floating right now."
More honors for Phillips
© East County Sports.com
ORANGE (06-09-09) Chapman University senior and
Grossmont High graduate TRISTAN PHILLIPS has been named
to the All-West Region Division III baseball team, as
selected by the American Baseball Coaches Association
(ABCA).
A second team pick, Phillips batted .416 with a team-high
64 RBI and added eight home runs and 17 doubles. Phillips'
RBI total is the most by a Chapman player since 1999.
Chapman won its fifth consecutive West Region title
in 2009 and finished third place at the Division III
championships. The Panthers were 32-17 overall.
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Tristan Phillips
(Chapman University photo)
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Phillips at D-3 World Series
© East County Sports.com
APPLETON, Wis. (05-24-09) Former Grossmont High
all-star TRISTAN PHILLIPS and his Chapman University
teammates have split their first two games at the NCAA
Division III World Series.
Thus the Panthers (31-16) need a victory over Kean
University (39-10) of Union, N.J. on Sunday (May 24)
to remain alive in the double-elimination tournament
that concludes on Tuesday (May 26).
Chapman lost its series opener to St. Thomas (Minn.),
9-1, but rebounded to defeat Farmingdale State (N.Y.)
a day later, 4-2.
Kean toppled Trinity (Conn.) 8-5 in round one only
to fall to Wooster (Ohio) 14-1 on day two.
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Tristan Phillips
(Chapman University photo)
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Phillips advance to D-3 finals
© East County Sports.com
APPLETON, Wis. (5-18-09) TRISTAN PHILLIPS has made
it clear to all those who know him, including his baseball
oriented father coach ROB PHILLIPS, that the 6-foot-2,
210-pound senior Panther isnt ready to hang up his
cap regardless how Chapman fares in the NCAA Division
III championships that begin Friday (May 22) and runs
through Tuesday (May 26).
The Panthers (30-15) take on St. Thomas (Minn.) with a
36-12 record in the opening round of the eight team tournament
on Friday at noon.
Seeded No. 6 in the eight-team West Region, the Panthers
(30-15) won four of five games in the double elimination
event that concluded with a 7-4 victory over George Fox
(Ore.) Sunday in McMinnville, Ore.
That victory catapults Chapman into the Division III final
eight for the fifth straight season.
Phillips: An independent man
© East County Sports.com
ORANGE (5-17-09) Former Grossmont High standout
and current Chapman University third baseman TRISTAN
PHILLIPS and eight of his teammates have been named
to the Association of Division III Independents All-Independent
baseball team for 2009.
Phillips was selected Independent Player of the Year and
Panthers' head coach Tom Tereschuk was named Coach of
the Year for the fifth consecutive season. It's Phillips'
second All-Independent selection of his career.
A 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior, Phillips earned the award
after leading Chapman with a .436 batting average and
60 RBI in 40 regular season games. He also had eight
home runs and 14 doubles and compiled a .952 fielding
percentage at third base.
Phillips torrid batting has carried over into
the NCAA Division III West Regional Playoffs in McMinnville
, Ore. where he and the Panthers are only one victory
short of qualifying for the Division III World Series
in Grand Chute, Wis. (May 22-26).
But first things first. Chapman (29-14), which has
swept to regional wins over Tyler ( Texas ) 16-2, Cal
Lutheran 7-6, and Pomona-Pitzer 5-2, needs to beat George
Fox ( Ore. ) on Sunday (May 17) at noon. If the Panthers
win that game, a second contest between the two clubs
will follow 40 minutes following the conclusion of game
one.
Phillips is batting at a .538 clip (7-for-13) with
a pair of doubles and three RBI in the regionals.
His production numbers have been some of the best in
Chapman history. His batting average currently ranks
second all-time in school history and only two players
have had more RBI in a single season.
Phillips reaches fourth NCAA D-3 regional
© East County Sports.com
McMINNVILLE, Ore. (5-13-09) Former Grossmont
High School standout TRISTAN PHILLIPS will lead Chapman
University into the NCAA Division III West Regional
baseball playoffs Thursday (May 14) at Linfield College
when the Panthers take on No. 2 seed Texas-Tyler (38-10)
at 3:30 p.m.
Although the Chapman Panthers (26-14) are the four-time
defending champs, they are seeded No. 5 in the six-team
bracket, making them an underdog for a change.
Rounding out the six-team first round bracket are No.
1 Pomona-Pitzer (35-5), No. 3 Cal Lutheran (31-9), No.
4 George Fox (33-9) and No. 6 Hendrix (22-21). The Panthers
are 2-4 against the field this season, having been swept
in a three-game series by Pomona-Pitzer, splitting a
pair of games with Cal Lutheran and defeating Hendrix
( Ark. ) in March.
Nobody has stopped Phillips, however. The Panthers
are led by an offense that is averaging over 8.6 runs
per game and batting .343. Phillips is the leader of
the pack with a .436 batting average, with 8 home runs
and 60 RBI.
Phillips is on track to establish several career batting
records.
Temperatures in the McMinnville area have been in the
high 30s, which certainly will be no advantage to Chapman.
Phillips ranks among national leaders
© East County Sports.com
ORANGE (3-28-09) Former Grossmont High standout
TRISTAN PHILLIPS is tearing up NCAA Division III
pitching as a senior for perennial power Chapman University.
Phillips, in fact, ranks second nationally with 48
hits and is tied for fourth in the nation with 42 RBI.
In his last two games against Claremont-Mudd
on Friday (Mar. 27) and Sunday (Mar. 22) versus Occidental
Phillips pounded four home runs and drove in
a dozen runs for the Panthers (17-6).
Phillips also tops Chapman in batting average with
a .478 mark and 7 home runs.
He trails only Javier Arrieta of Sul Ross State (Texas)
for the NCAA Div. III lead in hits (51). The RBI race
is a little more jammed up as three players are tied
for first with 44 runs driven in.
Powell, Blondin, named NAIA All-America
© East County Sports.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (6-5-09) Former Grossmont College
standouts MATT POWELL and ROSS BLONDIN have been selected
among a group of 17 players as first-team members of
the NAIA All-America baseball team. The team was chosen
by the NAIA Baseball Coaches Association selection committee
Powell, a senior catcher who transferred from Cal State
Fullerton to Southern Nazarene (Okla.), batted a career-best
.451 for the Crimson Storm (37-15), including 12 homers
and 65 RBI, starting in all 52 ballgames.
Powell is currently a member of the Barona-San Diego
Stars semipro baseball club.
Meanwhile, Blondin helped Lubbock Christian (Texas)
to the
NAIA national championship. The junior third baseman
batted .437 with 25 homers this season, finishing second
to teammate Will Stramp (26 HRs) nationally.
Blondin also aided the Chapparals (51-8) in defeating
Point Loma Nazarene, 5-1
and 11-8,
for the school's second national crown at the NAIA World
Series, held in Lewiston, Idaho.
In the first game, Blondin slugged a solo homer, then
went 2-for-4 with three RBI in the playback final.
Notes Former El Cajon Valley High standout
CLIFTON THOMAS, who spent this past baseball season
with Texas A&M-Kingsville, has been signed to play
summer ball with the Brazos Valley (Bryan, Texas) Bombers
of the Texas Collegiate League.
Known for his exceptional defensive ability, Thomas
has also been a terror at the plate this season for
the Javelinas. In 50 games, the center fielder has hit
.330 with 12 doubles, 10 home runs, 37 RBI and 20 stolen
bases.
Thomas was selected in the 46th round of the Major League
draft by the Texas Rangers. He earned First-Team All-San
Diego CIF honors during his senior season after setting
an East County record with 50 stolen bases. Thomas also
earned First-Team All-San Diego honors in football his
senior season after catching 92 passes.
Former Griffins earn post-season honors
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-13-09) Three former Grossmont College
baseball standouts have earned 2009 All-Sooner Athletic
Conference awards.
Lubbock Christian Universitys third baseman ROSS
BLONDIN, and Southern Nazarenes shortstop NICK
SPEARS and catcher MATT POWELL all received first-team
honors.
Powell, a senior catcher from La Mesa, was one of two
First Team All-Conference catchers after finishing regular
season play with an average of .463, which is second
best on the SNU squad. Powell had 12 homers during the
regular season and hit 62 RBIs, while finishing
with a slugging percentage of .815 and a school record
on-base percentage of .556. Powell also earned the SACs
Golden Glove Award as the top defensive catcher in the
league.
Spears, a junior from West Hills, was chosen the SACs
top shortstop this year and is third on the team in
hitting with a .424 average. Spears has 13 homers on
the year, which is second best on the team, and 67 RBI,
which is second best on SNUs squad thus far this
season. Spears has scored 63 runs heading into post-season
play and has a slugging percentage of .762 and an on-base
percentage of .507.
Blondin, a 6-foot-3 junior third baseman, leads the
LBU Chaps with 84 RBI and 22 home runs. He ranks second
in the NAIA in RBI per game (1.7) and is fourth in total
bases per game (3.6) and slugging percentage (.942).
UPDATE - Chaps alone in First Place
LUBBOCK, Texas (4-5-09) The only thing
close in No. 1 Lubbock Christians ballgame
at No. 21 University of Science & Arts of
Oklahoma was the program records the Chaparrals
nearly set Saturday (Apr. 4).
The Chaps were a home run shy of tying a school
single-game record for homers, as they used seven
home runs to
defeat USAO 20-1 in a game shortened to seven
innings by run rule in sweep a 3-game Sooner Athletic
Conference road series at Bill Smith Ballpark.
The Chaps are now in sole possession of first
place in the SAC because No.2 Oklahoma City University
lost at home to Oklahoma Baptist University 7-5.
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Blondin hits cycle for No. 1 Chaps
© East County Sports.com
ABILENE, Texas (4-1-09) Former Grossmont College
standout ROSS
BLONDIN became the first player in Lubbock Christian
University history to hit for the cycle Tuesday (Mar.
31), going 4-for-6 to power the Chaparrals to a 13-6
triumph over host Hardin-Simmons at John J. Hunter Field.
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Ross Blondin
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Blondin opened his cycle sequence with a 1st-inning, 2-out
solo homer, his team-leading 16th of the season.
He later added a line double off the top of the right-centerfield
wall to drive home two more runs in the 3rd. An inning
later, he went down the right-field line for a triple,
then completed the feat with a lead single in the 8th.
For the contest, he produced four runs and three RBI.
Blondin, who has started in all 34 games at third base,
is second on the team with
a .446 batting average and a massive .962 slugging
percentage.
The Chaps (30-4), ranked first in the nation in the
NAIA, have now won four straight contests. They are
tied for lead in the Sooner Athletic Conference with
a 13-2 record. FULL STORY HERE.
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Nick Spears
(SNU Courtesy Photos)
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Spears finds the bull's-eye
© East County Sports.com
BETHANY, Okla. (2-25-09) NICK
SPEARS has made a lot of stops during his amateur
baseball career.
Spears found firm footing at Poway High as a junior
and senior, and finally locked in at Grossmont College
last year as a sophomore. At present Spears, a junior
shortstop, is tearing it up at Southern Nazarene University.
Spears is batting at a .600 clip (27-for-45) for the
Crimson Storm, an NAIA team that boasts a 13-1 record.
He was named Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the
Week for Feb. 16-21, when he hit .667 (12-for-18) with
12 runs, two doubles, a triple, four home runs and 12
RBI.
Jusino loved in Philadelphia
© East County Sports.com
PHILADELPHIA (6-3-09) Former Grossmont College
standout TONY JUSINO has been named to the All-Philadelphia
Big 5 team. The selections are from the five Division
I schools Temple, Villanova, Penn, St. Joseph's and
La Salle located within the metro area.
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Temple infielder Tony Jusino.
(Courtesy, Temple Owls)
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Following a pair of All-Pacific Coast Conference berths
with the Griffins in 2007-08, Jusino ranked third on the
Temple Owls with a stellar .363 batting average, also
ranking among the ballclub's leaders in nearly every offensive
category, including hits (73, 2nd) doubles (19, 2nd) and
RBI (39, 4th).
Jusino's top performance of the season came in an Atlantic
10 Conference game against
Xavier on Apr. 24. Playing at third base, Jusino
batted 4-for-5 with 5 RBI, including a grand slam for
a 13-9 victory at the Owls' home of Skip Wilson Field
in Ambler, Penn.
Unfortunately for Temple, following a 10-5 start in
conference play (16-20 overall), the Owls lost 12 of
their final 13 contests to finish at 17-32 (11-15 in
the A-10).
Jusino, who played his high school ball at Rancho Bernardo
before joining Grossmont College, just completed his
junior year. He is a criminal justice major. MORE
Upstart Utes down Aztecs for MWC title
© East County Sports.com
FORT WORTH, Texas (05-24-09) Utah completed
a remarkable run at the Mountain West Conference Tournament
as it defeated San Diego State, 9-3, to claim the title
and the leagues automatic berth into the NCAA
Regionals. The Utes became the first No. 6 tourney seed
to win the championship while SDSU was the first No.
4 seed to advance to the final.
With the win, Utah improved to 26-29 while the Aztecs
saw their record drop to 40-21.
San Diego State will now have to wait until Monday
(May 25) when the NCAA hosts in annual tournament selection
show to see if it will receive an at-large bid to the
postseason. The show will be telecast live on ESPN at
9:30 a.m. (PT).
Freshman RYAN OSULLIVAN was roughed up by the
Utes on the mound and was saddled with his 4th win in
eight decisions. However, the Valhalla High graduate
paced the Aztecs with three hits, an RBI and one run
scored.
The Utes took control of the contest when they sent
10 men to the plate and scored six times in the top
of the 3rd against OSullivan. After striking out
the first two batters, the Aztec right-hander gave up
five hits and a pair of hit batters including a two-run
double by Austin Jones and two-RBI single by Rick Cornu.
Two Aztecs were named to the all-tournament team at
the conclusion of the contest. That twosome included
third baseman/catcher Erik Castro along with starting
pitcher STEPHEN STRASBURG. Castro hit .400 (8-for-20)
over five games with four doubles, four runs scored
and four RBI. Strasburg made one start, throwing 7.2
scoreless innings with six strikeouts in the win over
New Mexico.
Aztecs go crazy in 8th
SDSU advances to MWC Tournament finale
© East County Sports.com
FORT WORTH , Texas (5-22-09) The University of
Utah entered the 8th inning with a seemingly comfortable
8-1 lead in Thursday's (May 21) winners bracket final
of the Mountain West Conference Tournament.
Did someone say "seemingly"?
Former Valhalla High standout RYAN O'SULLIVAN opened
the bottom of the 8th with a single, the first of 13
San Diego State batters in the frame, as the Aztecs
rallied to shock the Utes, 9-8, at TCU's Lupton Stadium.
The victory advances SDSU to its first tournament championship
contest since 2004, as the Aztecs (40-19) reached the
40-win plateau for the first time since the 2002 season
and staging their biggest rally of the season. Utah
fell to 23-29.
The 8-run outburst started when O'Sullivan led off
with a basehit, was bunted over to second base, then
a pair of walks loaded the bases.
Then it all unraveled for Utah
Erik Castro made it an 8-3 contest with a 2-run single.
A walk to Cory Vaughn re-loaded the bases before Mitch
Blackburn and Matt Parker singled to drive in a run
apiece and pinch hitter Chris Wilson walked to bring
in another and make it 8-6.
Tyler Andersen then came on to pitch, but he fared little
better than his three predecessors. OSullivan
promptly singled up the middle to bring home a pair
of runs and tie the score before Colwell doubled to
left center to complete SDSUs amazing comeback.
During the inning, the Aztecs had nine consecutive
hitters reach base on five hits and four walks.
San Diego State closer Addison Reed was then called
upon in the ninth and he shut down the Utes to record
his nation-leading 19th save in 19 opportunities.
The winner of the challenger (losers) bracket finale
between TCU and Utah , will play the Aztecs in the championship
round, to be held Friday (May 22) at 5 p.m. (PT). If
SDSU falls, a playback final will be played Saturday
(May 23) at 1 p.m. (PT).
O'Boys make some noise
© East County Sports.com
SALT LAKE CITY (5-16-09) One brother is currently
taking the professional route in his baseball career,
while the other is on course for The Show through the
collegiate ranks. The O'SULLIVAN brothers of Rancho
San Diego found themselves just 35 miles apart in the
state of Utah on Saturday (May 16) and both turned
in marvelous performances.
While older brother SEAN O'SULLIVAN was tossing seven
innings of no-hit ball for the Class AAA Salt Lake Bees
of the Pacific Coast League, younger bro' RYAN O'SULLIVAN
had a career game with a pair of home runs and recording
the save in relief for San Diego State.
King Bee stings Iowa Cubs
Sean O'Sullivan flirted with a no-hitter, while his
teammates pounded out 19 hits as the Salt Lake Bees
routed the Iowa Cubs 16-7 on Saturday night. O'Sullivan
(3-1) allowed only one batter to reach in the first
6 1/3 innings and that was when he hit Jake Fox with
a pitch in the 1st inning. Ironically, it was Fox who
broke up the no-hitter with a clean single up the middle.
Sean, a 21-year-old right-hander, fanned a season-high
nine batters in seven innings with one walk. He was
a standout performer at Valhalla High and Grossmont
College before signing as a third round pick of the
Los Angeles Angels in 2006.
Younger OSullivan is double threat
Earlier in the day, a half-hour drive north along Interstate
15, freshman Ryan O'Sullivan lifted the Aztecs from
deficits of 4-1 and 7-3 to stun Utah , 10-9 in 12 innings,
in the teams' final ballgame prior to the Mountain West
Conference Tournament.
Ryan, the starting shortstop, batted 3-for-5 with three
runs, accounting for four RBI with his two home runs.
The first-year shortstop initially torched the fences
at Lindquist Field with a solo homer in the 8th inning,
then added his second bomb in as many innings a 3-run
shot with two outs on a 3-2 pitch tying the game
at 7-7.
In the 12th, SDSU scored three times, but the drama
was far from over though as Utah would score twice in
its half of the inning and eventually load the bases
with two outs.
At that point, OSullivan was called to the mound
and got the final out. He did so by inducing C.J. Cron
to ground into a fielders choice to nail down
the victory and pick up his first collegiate save.
San Diego State (37-19) now heads to Fort Worth, Texas,
for the annual Mountain West Conference Tournament hosted
by TCU. As the No. 4 seed, the Aztecs will open play
against UNLV on Tue., May 19, at 7 p.m. (CT) at Lupton
Stadium.
O'Sullivan homers in Aztecs win
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (5-12-09) Former Valhalla High standout
RYAN O'SULLIVAN was one of three San Diego State batters
to homer Monday (May 11), powering the Aztecs to a 12-4
triumph over San Francisco at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Senior Jon Berger was honored with the start in the
final home game of the season for SDSU (35-18), which
won for the sixth time in seven outings.
Following a shaky start which included a 3-run homer
by Dons second baseman Stephen Yarrow, Berger settled
in and retired 14 batters in a row. Meanwhile, the Aztecs
bats rallied from a 4-2 deficit with a series of homers.
Erik Castro's 2-run homer tied the game, then Chris
Wilson added another 2-run bomb, as State scored four
times in the 3rd inning to take a 6-4 lead.
In the 4th, O'Sullivan launched his fourth homer of
the season his second in two days as the Aztecs
went on to score 12 runs for the second straight contest.
San Diego State will hit the road for its final Mountain
West Conference series at Utah . The 3-game series will
be played in Ogden, Utah, at Lindquist Field, the home
of the minor league Ogden Raptors, a Rookie affiliate
of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
O'Sullivan: Strasburg's future replacement?
National leader Reed equals Ring's save record
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (5-10-09) Just who will San Diego State
replace as a member of its starting rotation following
the expected departure of STEPEHN STRASBURG, who is
odds on favorite to be the No. 1 choice in the Major
League Baseball free agent draft next month.
The Aztecs may have another East County product in
line following Saturday's (May 9) victory.
Former Valhalla High standout RYAN O'SULLIVAN captured
his third straight victory, striking out a season-high
six batters in the Aztecs 5-2 win over Air Force
at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
O'Sullivan, a freshman, tossed the first seven innings,
then relievers GOLDY SIMMONS (Monte Vista) and Addison
Reed limited the Falcons to a pair of unearned runs
on three hits for the team's fifth win in six outings.
Reed, who tossed a perfect 9th inning, recorded the
final two outs of the game on strikeouts. The save was
his nation-leading 17th of the season as he tied the
San Diego State single-season record set by former Monte
Vista High standout ROYCE RING during the 2002 campaign.
The Aztecs (33-13, 12-8 MWC) and Air Force (14-33,
3-14 MWC) conclude their three-game weekend series with
a contest at 1 p.m. Sunday (May 10) in SDSU's final
home game of the season.
The Aztecs close the regular season next weekend at
Utah (May 14-16), then the Mountain West Conference
Tournament will be hosted by TCU in Fort Worth, Texas
(May 19-20).
Niners nixed by O'Sullivan
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (4-22-09) San Diego State freshman RYAN
O'SULLIVAN (Valhalla HS), in his first start in nearly
three weeks, pitched eight strong innings Tuesday (Apr.
21) to pace the 19th-ranked Aztecs to a 6-3 non-conference
decision over Long Beach State at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
O'Sullivan allowed just seven hits during his stint
on the mound, then sophomore closer Addison Reed recorded
his nation-leading 13th save of the season for the Aztecs
(27-15). The 49ers fell to 17-19.
O'Sullivan was staked to an early lead with three SDSU
home runs, including a pair by sophomore outfielder
Cory Vaughn, who went 3-for-4 for the contest. It was
Vaughn's first multiple-HR game as an Aztec. Junior
center fielder Josh Chasse also homered.
Ryan O'Sullivan chooses Aztecs over Giants
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (9-3-08) When classes began at San Diego
State University on Tuesday (Sept. 2), Aztecs baseball
skipper Tony Gwynn was glad to see freshman RYAN O'SULLIVAN
toting an arm-load of books.
OSullivan, a 10th round draft pick of the San
Francisco Giants last June, turned down the professional
teams offer to accept a baseball scholarship to
SDSU.
We put a number (desired signing bonus) out there
at the beginning of the summer, OSullivan
said. The Giants finally made an offer close to
what we wanted a day or so before the final signing
date. But by then my feelings had changed.
OSullivan shunned the Giants and instead will
play shortstop and occasionally pitch for the Aztecs
for a minimum of the next three years.
Shortstop is my first love, said OSullivan,
who noted the Giants drafted him as a pitcher. I
want to get myself known as an everyday player. I want
to work on getting stronger . . . perfecting my game.
Ill be able to do that at SDSU.
OSullivan spent the majority of his summer playing
wood bat baseball in the Northwoods League. He hammered
five homers and logged 24 RBI in 146 at-bats.
I dont regret my decision to choose college
over pro ball at this time in my life, he said.
I feel in my heart that I made the right decision.
Hell look into his pro future some time before
June 2012.
OSullivan enjoys banner night
Special to East County Sports.com
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (8-4-08) Valhalla Highs
RYAN OSULLIVAN put together one of the best statistical
lines of any Northwoods Collegiate League (NWL) player
this summer in the Eau Claire Express 19-0 destruction
of the Madison Mallards on Sunday (Aug. 3).
It started with a three-run home run in the 1st inning,
O'Sullivan's fourth consecutive game with a homer. He
added three more hits, all doubles, in his next four
at-bats to go with a walk in his other plate appearance.
Overall, O'Sullivan finished 4-for-5 with six RBI and
three runs scored.
OSullivan topped off the evening by tossing three
innings and allowing just two hits while striking out
three. O'Sullivan, a 10th round draft pick of the San
Francisco Giants, is an incoming freshman to San Diego
State University.
Top o' of the mound
O'Sullivan: 7 shutout innings for first collegiate
victory
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (3-18-09) Sometimes its good
to be a little bit Irish. No doubt it would be nice
to have an Irish moniker if one were pitching on St.
Patricks Day.
That combination was a perfect fit for San Diego State
freshman right-hander RYAN OSULLIVAN, who picked
up his first collegiate victory as the Aztecs blanked
Kansas 1-0 Tuesday (Mar. 17) night at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Making his fourth collegiate start, OSullivan
turned in his best performance of the season as he allowed
just three hits over 7 innings with a walk and a strikeout.
After giving up a pair of hits in the 1st, OSullivan
a Valhalla high graduate settled in and
retired 12 batters in a row from the 2nd through 5th
frames before giving up a leadoff single in the 6th.
His excellence was rewarded with a victory as he evened
his season record at 1-1.
The Aztecs improved to 12-6, while Kansas fell to 10-6.
Longmire ain't no paper Tiger
© East County Sports.com
STOCKTON (5-14-09) While the University of Pacific
baseball team continues to struggle, Grossmont High
alum NICK LONGMIRE continues to shine.
Starting all but one of the Tigers 51 games as
a freshman and leading the team in batting average (.323),
triples (3) and RBI (31), Longmire is once again at
the head of the class.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Longmire leads Pacific (18-28)
with a .390 batting mark. He also has four home runs
and 31 RBI with a half-dozen games remaining in his
sophomore season.
He earned All-Big West Conference honorable mention
as a freshman and should be recognized with even higher
postseason praise this year.
Longmire came to Pacific already having proven his
ability to hit the long ball as he led the state of
California with 15 bombs in 2007. Drafted by the Oakland
Athletics in the 37th round of the 2007 MLB Amateur
Draft, Longmire chose instead to pursue his degree and
play for the Tigers.
The Grossmont North League and Division II Player of
the Year in 2007, Longmire led the Foothillers
with a .514 batting average, 56 hits, 15 home runs,
19 stolen bases, 36 RBI and a 1.010 slugging percentage.
In addition, Longmire struck out only nine times during
his senior season.
Thomas joins exclusive club
Thomas named all-conference
© East County Sports.com
RICHARDSON, Texas (5-8-09) El Cajon's
CLIFTON THOMAS, who now plays baseball for Texas
A&M-Kingsville, was one of two Javelinas named
to the All-Lone Star Conference team.
Thomas, a junior centerfielder, had an outstanding
year at the plate and in the field en route to
earning second-team honors. He batted .330 with
a team high 49 runs, .574 slugging percentage,
10 home runs and 20 stolen bases, becoming the
first player in school history to hit at least
10 home runs and steal at least 20 bases in a
season.
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© East County Sports.com
KINGSVILLE, Texas (4-26-09) Texas A&M-Kingsville
will not repeat as Lone Star Conference baseball champions
this season, nor will they advance to the NCAA Division
II playoffs.
But they did enjoy a somewhat memorable season thanks
to El Cajon Valley High/Grossmont College alum CLIFTON
THOMAS.
On Saturday (Apr. 25), Thomas clouted a home run in
the second game of a doubleheader against visiting Angelo
State University, becoming the first Javelinas ballplayer
to ever reach the 10/20 Club for homers and stolen bases.
His leadoff shot to open the 3rd inning allowed Thomas,
a junior, to finish the year with a solid .330 batting
average and a school-high .574 slugging percentage,
Thomas also stole 20 bases in 27 chances this season
to reach the Barry Bonds type figures in 50 starts for
the Javs (20-35).
Thomas transforms into power hitter
© East County Sports.com
KINGSVILLE, Texas (4-5-09) It's hard to believe
that former El Cajon Valley High standout CLIFTON
THOMAS, who fell one short of the CIF-San Diego Section
record for stolen bases in 2006, is developing into a
power hitter.
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Former ECVHS standout Clifton
Thomas (2) jogs
around the bases following his second home run
of the ballgame against Tarleton State.
(Texas A&M-Kingsville courtesy photo)
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Former ECVHS standout Clifton
Thomas (2)
celebrates yet another home run on Mar. 29 for
the Javelinas of Texas A&M-Kingsville. Thomas
batted 2-for-4 with six RBI. FULL STORY HERE.
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Nevertheless, Thomas slugged a pair of home runs in the
first game of a doubleheader Saturday (Apr. 4), powering
Texas
A&M-Kingsville to a split with Lone Star Conference
rival Tarleton State at Nolan Ryan Field.
In the first inning, Thomas struck for a leadoff home
run to right field. An inning later, who went to right-center
with a 2-run shot.
In the second game, Thomas "returned" to his
high school ways, when he registered a stolen base and
a sacrifice fly. The centerfielder finished the doubleheader
batting 5-for-9, with four runs and four RBI for the Javelinas.
For the season, Thomas is batting a solid .338, leading
the ballclub with 8 homers. He also is tops in extra-base
hits, second in RBI, and third in doubles. Oh, yeah,
he also leads in stolen bases, too.
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Clifton Thomas
(TA&M-K photo)
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Thomas starts big in Lone Star Conference
© East County Sports.com
KINGSVILLE, Texas (2-20-09) Former El Cajon Valley
High and Grossmont College standout CLIFTON
THOMAS isn't the "Lone Star" for Texas
A&M-Kingsville. The Javelinas are off to a quick
start thanks a variety of community college transfers
from the West.
Thomas topps the list, keying an early rally with a
towering 2-run homer and also slugging a double, powering
Kingsville to an 11-3 triumph over East Central University
in a Lone Star Conference contest at Nolan Ryan Field.
Thomas' double came in the 1st, scoring on a basehit
by Philip Johnson. An inning later, Thomas hit his homer
to straightaway centerfield for a 5-0 lead. In the third,
Luis Diaz (Cypress College) hit a sacrifice fly, followed
by an RBI triple by Will Mettlach.
Later, Thomas Miller (Western Nevada CC) slugged a
lead home in the 5th for a 7-0 lead.
For the contest, Thomas scored three runs and drove
in a pair for the defending conference champions. He
ranks second on the ballclub in extra-base hits, while
leading the conference with a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen
base attempts.
Thomas earned First Team all-East County honors as
a junior and senior. He was named First Team all-San
Diego during his senior year. He set an East County
record for stolen bases in a season (50) and led the
county in batting average. He was drafted in the 46th
round by the Texas Rangers in 2006.
In addition, Thomas earned First Team all-East County
and all-San Diego honors in football as a senior with
92 pass receptions.
Jenner on record home run pace
© East County Sports.com
DAVENPORT, Iowa (4-16-09) Former Grossmont College
standout GARRETT JENNER slugged a 2-run homer to right
field Tuesday (Apr. 14), capping a 6-run rally to give
William Penn University a 10-3 triumph over St. Ambrose
in Midwest Collegiate Conference action.
For Jenner, a resident of Jamul, it was his Statesmen
leading 12th homer of the season, keeping the junior
on pace to equal the school record of 17, set by Bill
Holman in 1992.
The team's fourth straight victory moved William Penn
(25-11, 10-4 MCC) into a first-place deadlock with Mount
Mercy.
For the season, Jenner is among the conference leaders
with a .366 batting average and 37 RBI.
East
County Players at Four-Year Schools 2009
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