© East County Sports.com
MOSCOW, Idaho (8-16-10) — HOMER MAUGA, a junior transfer from Grossmont College, is making a swift impact at the University of Idaho.

A 6-foot, 225-pound linebacker, Mauga – a Helix High graduate – recorded a team-best 8 tackles in the Vandals’ first intra-squad scrimmage last weekend.

Defense figures to be Idaho’s strength this season as 10 lettermen return from last year’s fourth-place finish in the Western Conference. The Vandals posted an 8-5 record and edged Bowling Green, 43-42, in the Humanitarian Bowl last season.

© East County Sports.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (7-31-10) — A trio of East County products earned berths on the NAIA All-America women's softball team, the association announced.

Gaining second-team berths are Lee (Tenn.) infielder DANIELLE BALOUGH (Santana) and Cal State San Marcos pitcher BRENNA SANDBERG (West Hills), while Dordt (Iowa) first baseman SARAH SEYMOUR (Christian) received an honorable mention citation.

© East County Sports.com
NEW YORK (7-21-10) — Los Angeles Angels pitcher SEAN O’SULLIVAN made his first major league start in nearly a year Tuesday (July 20) against the world champion New York Yankees in a game televised over the Armed Forces Network from Yankee Stadium.

Of course, the majority of the audience, including the 47,775 fans at Yankee Stadium, was focused on seeking a New York knockout.

After surrendering two runs and two hits in the first inning, O’Sullivan – a product of Valhalla High and Grossmont College – settled in to hold the Yankees hitless over five innings to gain his first pitching decision of the season as the Angels prevailed 10-2.

Nick Longmire trots the bases following his first professional HR. (Howard Owens The Batavian)

Special to East County Sports.com
BATAVIA, N.Y. (6-28-10) — Although the Batavia Muckdogs (4-6) are off to a so-so start in the Class A New York Penn League, former Grossmont High slugger NICK LONGMIRE is on a hitting rampage.

The Muckdogs’ center fielder and No. 5 pick of the St. Louis Cardinals, Longmire leads the league in six offensive batting categories through 10 games. That includes hits (15), triples (3), home runs (3) and RBI (16). His .405 batting average is No. 2 in the circuit.

Special to East County Sports.com
BATAVIA, N.Y. (6-21-10) — Fresh off signing a professional baseball contract as a 5th round draft choice of the St. Louis Cardinals, former Grossmont High standout NICK LONGMIRE has made an immediate impact for the Class A Batavia Muckdogs of the New York Penn League.

Batavia’s fans fell in love with the East County center fielder instantly.

In the Muckdogs’ home opener on Saturday (June 19), Longmire clubbed a home run, two doubles, and had a sacrifice fly to drive in six runs as Batavia edged the Auburn Doubledays, 7-5.

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (6-26-10) — El Capitan High alum KYLE PHILLIPS, 26, is coming home – sort of.

A 10th round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins in 2002, Phillips will now pick up his paychecks from the San Diego Padres organization. The left-hand-hitting third baseman was traded by the Toronto Blue Jays from their Pacific Coast League Triple-A farmclub in Las Vegas to the Padres PCL Triple-A ballclub in Portland on Friday (June 25).

© East County Sports.com
NORTHRIDGE (6-23-10) — Former Grossmont College pitcher BRIAN LONGPRE, who concluded his amateur career with two seasons at Cal State Northridge, has signed a free agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Longpre, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-hander, toiled for the Griffins as a redshirt sophomore during the 2008 season after bouncing back from San Diego State as a freshman. He struck out 37 batters in 31 1/3 innings while compiling a 4.31 ERA.

© East County Sports.com
HUNTINGTON, W.V. (6-14-10) — Former Helix High running back TRAVON VAN, who was ticketed to attend the University of Florida, has changed course after spending last season at Milford Prep Academy.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Van will be eligible to play for the Thundering Herd this season if he clears academic tests. If he fails that test, Marshall first-year head coach John ‘Doc’ Holiday said he will apply for a hardship scholarship to the NCAA for Van

Van rushed for 315 yards and three touchdowns on 86 carries. Serving much of his time as a slotback at Milford, Van also caught 24 passes for 289 yards for the Falcons.

Nick Longmire Pacific Tigers	Greg Garcia Hawai'i Rainbows

The next Strasburg?
Five local players tabbed on Day Two of MLB draft

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (6-9-10) — Five college athletes with East County ties were selected in Tuesday’s (June 8) second day of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

At the top of the list is University of Pacific junior outfielder and Grossmont High alum NICK LONGMIRE (VIDEO) who was selected in the 5th round by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 169th overall pick. He is the highest player drafted out of the Stockton-based university since 2007.

A.J. Griffin USD Toreros	Cameron Selik Kansas Jayhawks

This season at Pacific, Longmire finished as the top hitter in the Big West Conference games with a .354 average. He hit .327 overall.

In his senior year at Grossmont, Longmire led the Foothillers with a .514 batting average, 15 home runs, 19 stolen bases, 36 RBI and a 1.010 slugging percentage. He was also named the San Diego CIF Division II Player of the Year.

Other Inlanders selected were: Valhalla (University of Hawai'i) product and middle infielder GREG GARCIA (7th round, St. Louis); Grossmont alum and USD senior right-handed pitcher AJ GRIFFIN (13th round, Oakland A’s); Grossmont College ’s (now a Kansas University junior) CAMERON SELIK (22nd round, Washington Nationals); and 6-foot-8 Grossmont College freshman KEVIN KLEIS (27th round, Pittsburgh Pirates).

Laurie Lindow (UTM photo)

© East County Sports.com
MARTIN, Tenn. (5-22-10) — Former Santana High catcher LAURIE LINDOW, a member of the 2004 and 2006 All-East County teams, called it a career after 17 seasons of softball following the elimination of her Tenn.-Martin Skyhawks from the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

Lindow, a 3-year starter, helped UTM post a solid 47-11 record this season before falling in the OVC championship game to Jacksonville State .

During the tournament awards ceremony, Lindow and two of her teammates were named to the OVC All-Tournament Team. It was Lindow's second such citation. She was also named to the regular-season All-OVC select as a first-team honoree, leading in conference in number of runners picked-off or caught attempting to steal.

Eric Krause

© East County Sports.com
OSKALOOSA, Iowa (5-22-10) — The awards continue to arrive for former Granite Hills High standout ERIC KRAUSE, who now performs for William Penn University.

Following a Final Four appearance at the California state community college championships for Southwestern College, Krause continued his excellence with the Statesmen, earning Pitcher of the Year award in the Midwest Collegiate Conference.

Courtesy, William Penn Media Relations
OSKALOOSA, Iowa (5-12-10) — ERIC KRAUSE, a graduate of Granite Hills High and Southwestern College, concluded his junior campaign with another solid performance, netting him Midwest Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Week laurels, the league office announced Monday (May 11).

Krause picked up his third league award of the spring as the Statesmen won the game he started on Friday, but lost later that day to end their 2010 season at 25-19.

The junior finished the week 1-0, helping Penn to an 11-2 win over Clarke. In seven innings of work, he gave up two runs (both earned) on four hits, striking out seven with two walks.

© East County Sports.com
ATLANTA (5-21-10) — Nothing has come easy in the long professional baseball career of former Monte Vista High product BROOKS CONRAD.

It took eight long years toiling on bus trips through the minor leagues before Conrad finally advanced to "The Show," breaking in with the Oakland A's in July 2008.

Two years later, Conrad gained an opportunity to do something he had never done in baseball, although the odds were against him.

Batting just .167 without an RBI as a pinchhitter this season, all Conrad could do was grab his helmet in disgust when his long fly ball seemingly landed in the glove of Cincinnati Reds left fielder Laynce Nix in front of the 380-foot sign.

The 2009 East County Sports co-Players of the Year share freshman awards in college. Jazmin Daigle (CCU photo) Amanda Carpenter (Ball State photo) Daigle named Frosh of the Year © East County Sports.com CONWAY, S.C. (5-15-10/revised 5-22-10) — Coastal Carolina University softball standout JAZMIN DAIGLE (Steele Canyon HS) took home one of the major awards given by the Big South Conference, named as the Division I circuit's Freshman of the Year. Daigle also gained a second-team berth on the All-Big South team after ranking fourth in the Big South (tops among first-year players) with a .371 batting average. Daigle ranks fourth in the Big South (tops among first-year players) with a .371 batting average. Hitting in the third spot for the Chanticleers, the rookie leads her team in several offensive categories, including batting average, hits (59), doubles (9), RBI (28) and total bases (89). Daigle registered a 14-game hitting streak during the season, hitting .420 during the span. She also tallied 16 multiple-hit games and seven multi-RBI performances during her freshman campaign, including a grand slam in her first collegiate game against USC Upstate. Coastal Carolina will host the 2010 Big South Championship as the 6th seed against No. 3 Winthrop.

Carpenter ain't no apprentice © East County Sports.com AKRON, Ohio (5-15-10) — Ball State University left fielder AMANDA CARPENTER, a Santana High product, has been named to the All-Freshmen team for the Mid-American Conference, in results announced after balloting by conference coaches. Carpenter ranks second on the Cardinals with six home runs, and owns the team's fifth-highest batting average with a .305 mark. She is ranked No. 2 in the conference with 39 runs scored and 40 RBI. In conference play alone, Carpenter is batting at a .324 clip and is tied for first on the team with four home runs. Additionally, she ranks in the top-five in the MAC in three categories – runs scored, RBI and total bases. At Santana, Carpenter established school and East County records for doubles in a season.

Panthers slugger Jayme Jarvis (Chapman Univ. photo by David Rubene) Anything but a lemon Jarvis tabbed NCAA D-3 All-West Region Courtesy, Chapman Media Relations ORANGE (5-14-10) — Chapman University softball player JAYME JARVIS, a product of Steele Canyon High School, has been named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III All-West Region team.

A league of their own © East County Sports.com CLEVELAND, Tenn. (5-14-10) — "Playing with Fire," the slogan to market the Lee University athletic department, couldn't be any more appropriate for the Lady Flames women's fastpitch team. And the BALOUGH sisters of Santana High – junior infielder DANIELLE and sophomore pitcher BRITTY – are leading the way. Lee enters the week ranked second nationally in the NAIA with a school record-tying 55 victories in its stellar 55-4 record. Included is a mark of 30-2 for the championship in the Southern States Athletic Conference, then the school swept to the title in conference tournament with a 10-2 decision over Shorter College in the finale. With the crown, Lee gains the conference automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, set for May 20-26 in Decatur, Ala.

© East County Sports.com
EAGLE ROCK (5-10-10) — Former Grossmont High standout ALYSSA ESCALANTE capped her career at Occidental College with her third All-Southern Californian Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team selection.

Escalante, a senior who split time between catcher and designated player, was voted by the coaches to the second team for the third time in her four seasons with the Tigers. She also landed berths following her freshman and sophomore seasons.

© East County Sports.com
HOUSTON (5-10-10) — West Hills High alum BRENNA SANDBERG tossed a 5-hit shutout, while Helix High product ALYSSA DRONENBURG batted 3-for-4 and scored three times, leading CSU San Marcos to a 9-0 pasting of Simon Fraser (B.C.) in the title game of the NAIA regional for independent ballclubs.

The victory, the first regional championship in school history, gives the 5th-ranked Cougars (38-14) an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championships, slated to open May 20 in Decatur, Ala.

But during his final year at Grossmont High School (1999), he honestly thought he had a future on the hardwood.

"I had a really good senior year in basketball - 23 points a game, six or eight assists a game, 86 three-pointers," he said. "But no recruiters."

To everybody but McCoy, the reason was obvious. Even his father had to call him on it.

"I was short," he said with a chuckle.

He still is. But that was less a barrier in the sport that gave him a long-term job and finally, at age 29, a spot on the opening-day roster of the Toronto Blue Jays.

© East County Sports.com
ABILENE, Texas (5-1-10) — Texas A&M-Kingsville senior centerfielder CLIFTON THOMAS (El Cajon Valley HS/Grossmont College) has been selected to the first team of the All-Lone Star Conference baseball team. The award was announced at Friday's (Apr. 30) banquet held prior to the start of this weekend's LSC baseball championship at Abilene Christian's Crutcher Scott Field.

Thomas has been the mainstay to the offensive production after putting together one of the most exceptional seasons in school history. Thomas batted .381 with 59 runs, 20 doubles, 9 triples, 9 home runs, a .690 slugging percentage and 26 stolen bases, all while playing outstanding defense. In fact, all but one Kingsville starter batted more than .300 this season (the lone exception batted .296).

Mats Mattson (UNO photo) Mattson produces landmark triumph UNO upsets defending national champ LSU © East County Sports.com BATON ROUGE, La. (4-30-10) — Following Tuesday's (Apr. 27) landmark victory, perhaps the University of New Orleans should re-think its proposal to the NCAA to drop to a non-scholarship Division III program in a few years. Backed by a strong relief pitching stint by Grossmont High product MATS MATTSON, the Privateers rallied with four runs over the final two innings to stun 15th-ranked and defending national champion LSU, 7-4, before a Tigers crowd of 10,584 at Alex Box Stadium. While Mattson shut down the Bayou Bengals, UNO senior Nick Schwaner belted his club-leading 15th home run in the 8th inning for the go-ahead runs to snap the ballclub's 9-game losing streak in one of biggest Division I upsets in the nation this season. Mattson struck out two Tigers in 1 1/3 innings of relief to garner the victory. Mattson, a junior left-hander, has been one of the few bright spots for the Privateers (11-29). Despite being a middle-reliever, Mattson now leads the pitching staff in victories (3), now owning a 7-2 overall record in his past two seasons with New Orleans . He is averaging nearly one strikeout per inning (30 Ks in 32.0 IP), while issuing just five walks.

Nick Spears Shain Stoner Ryan Brosnan (SNU photos) The Sooner Lumber Company © East County Sports.com PLAINVIEW, Texas (4-30-10) — In a career outing, former Grossmont College standout NICK SPEARS belted two home runs and knocked in six runs in a 4-for-5 performance, leading Southern Nazarene University to a 24-14 pasting of host Wayland Baptist in a Sooner Athletic Conference contest Tuesday (Apr. 27). The ballgame featured 11 homers, including seven by the Red Storm (30-13). Spears, who was named the conference top shortstop as a junior in 2009, continues stroking a hot bat. The senior is now averaging .425 this year. Meanwhile, Spears' pair of homers gives him 13 for the year, matching West Hills High alumni SHAIN STONER for the club lead. Stoner leads all Southern Nazarene batters with a .479 batting average, while is just one behind Spears for the RBI lead with 56. Also playing for SNU is RYAN BROSNAN (Santana), who is batting .285 after missing half of his freshman season at Grossmont College with a broken hand after hitting .321 for the Griffins.

Jessie Owens (PLNU photo) Owens lone frosh on All-GSAC team © East County Sports.com POINT LOMA (4-30-10) — JESSIE OWENS, a former All-East County player for Christian and Santana high schools, continues to shine for 6th-ranked Point Loma Nazarene University. Owens, who plays in the outfield for the Sea Lions (26-12), was the only freshman named to the All-Golden State Athletic Conference softball team. The listing of 18 players was voted on by GSAC coaches. Owens leads all PNLU batters with a .347 batting average -- the 9th-best in GSAC -- starting in every contest for the Sea Lions this season. The left-handed hitter (Owens is a righty when pitching) also leads the conference in stolen bases with 24, five more than second-standing AMANDA OMAHEN (Granite Hills), an Alpine resident who is the leading hitter (.326 average) for Vanguard University.

Brenna Sandberg (left/ctr), Alyssa Dronenberg CSU San Marcos makes huge jump © East County Sports.com HOUSTON (4-28-10) — Earning its highest national ranking of the season, the No. 7 Cal State San Marcos women's softball team earned the top-seed in next week's NAIA regional for independent ballclubs. The 6-team, double-elimination event will be hosted by 21st-ranked University of Houston-Victoria. The Coyotes (35-13) are led by pitcher BRENNA SANDBERG (West Hills) and power-hitter ALYSSA DRONENBURG (Helix). Sandberg owns a 33-10 record and a 1.30 ERA, with both totals listed among the NAIA national leaders. Among the junior right-hander's recent victories was a 7-4 verdict over top-ranked Cal Lutheran last Wednesday (Apr. 21) in Riverside. Dronenburg owns a club-best .440 batting average and an even more impressive .888 slugging percentage, placing her 10th in the nation. Nearly half of the sophomores hits go for extra bases, including 16 home runs, plus 48 RBI. One of her homers came in back-to-back fashion with teammate Ciera Ashman (Patrick Henry HS) in the win over Cal Baptist. The Coyotes earned a first-round bye in the regional, meeting the winner between Ohio Dominican and Brithish Columbia. on Thurs., May 6. The other half of the draw features 2nd-seed Simon Fraser (B.C.), plus LSU-Alexandria and host UHV. The event winner will gain an automatic berth to the NAIA Women's World Series, slated for May 20-26 in Decatur, Ala., although San Marcos seems a lock for an at-large berth.

© East County Sports.com
PROVO, Utah (4-26-10) — Former Steele Canyon High standout SAMANTHA BEASLEY struck out 11 BYU batters Friday (Apr. 23), lifting San Diego State to a 9-4 Mountain West Conference victory over the host Cougars.

With the effort, Beasley's career-long 9th consecutive victory, the junior set an Aztecs record for strikeouts in a single season with 277, two more than Christina Ross (2008). Beasley has now won 17 of her last 18 decisions for SDSU (27-11, 5-1 MWC).

© East County Sports.com
KEARNEY, Neb. (4-22-10) — Former Grossmont College student KENNY HILL, a 2009 grey-shirt football player who never actually played for the Griffins, still possessed plenty of videotape of his abilities to gain a scholarship with Neb.-Kearney, an NCAA Division II school.

The school was attractive since the Lopers graduated all four starters from their secondary. Now, following spring ball, Hill has been named the starting right-side cornerback for this coming season. The left side will be filled by Ryan Lendrum ( Carlsbad ).

Hill's career including two seasons at St. Augustine High, where he was one of the county's leading tacklers (111 stops, 47 solo) while gaining an all-Eastern League honorable mention berth, He also played two seasons of basketball with the Saints.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound defender is majoring in broadcast communications (3.50 grade-point average). Hill's cousins are former Lincoln High standout and current Philadelphia Eagles running back Dewayne Wright and retired Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Tony Hill.

© East County Sports.com
BUFFALO, N.Y. (4-22-10) — One of the problems playing outdoor sports in the northeast is always the weather. So unlike their Southern California brethren, the University of Buffalo women's softball team didn't hold its home opener until Apr. 14. But it was memorable.

Former Helix High standout TERESE DIAZ established a school record with 16 strikeouts, throwing a no-hitter at St. Bonaventure in a 7-0 victory.

Ashley Lovelady

The 2009 Player of the Year in the Pacific Coast Conference, Lovelady again paced Northwestern's Rangers to a road doubleheader split with Rogers State (Okla.).

In game one, Lovelady batted 2-for-6 in an 11-inning loss, but bounced back in the second contest by going 2-for-4 with two runs and a pair of RBI in a 4-1 triumph. The big blow was a 2-run homer to left field in the 3rd inning, raising her season batting average to .440 with seven homers.

Eric Krause (WPU photo)

The Granite Hills High alum hurled eight scoreless frames for William Penn (Iowa) University last week, including a complete game six-hit, 7-inning shutout with nine strikeouts in beating Iowa Wesleyan.

Krause raised his season record to 7-1 while lowering his ERA to 2.45. The junior right-hander has 66 strikeouts in 56 innings for the Statesmen (22-13).

© East County Sports.com
OSKALOOSA, Iowa (4-17-10) — Former Granite Hills High-Southwestern College pitcher ERIC KRAUSE tossed two strong games to earn Midwest Collegiate Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Week laurels for the league-leading William Penn University Statesmen.

Krause picked up his first career league award as the NAIA Statesmen (20-12, 10-4 MCC) went 5-1 last week. The junior right-hander went 2-0 during his week of honor. He gave up just one run (earned) on nine hits in 13 2/3 innings while striking out 16 with only one walk. Opponents hit only .188 against him.

For the season, the Statesmen’s ace is 6-1 with a 2.81 ERA. His six wins and 57 strikeouts in 48 innings lead all MCC pitchers.

Clifton Thomas (TA&MK photo)

Thomas was named LSC Player of the Week for this effort.

© East County Sports.com
ADA, Okla. (4-19-10) – Former El Cajon Valley High-Grossmont College outfielder CLIFTON THOMAS hit for the cycle Friday (Apr. 16), leading Texas A&M-Kingsville to a 12-7 Lone Star Conference victory over East Central (Okla.).

Thomas singled in the 1st inning, led off the 5th with his seventh homer, began the 6th with his sixth triple and doubled in the 7th.

In the 7th, it looked like Thomas would not have a chance to hit for the cycle when the first two Hoggie batters made outs. Trent Wagner was then hit by a pitch to give Thomas a chance and the senior center fielder came through with a double to complete the cycle.

The Javelinas finished the game with 15 hits. Thomas went 4-for-5 with four runs and two RBI.

© East County Sports.com
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The final season of Point Loma Nazarene University softball finds the Sea Lions ranked third nationally in the NAIA. Above them: defending national champion Cal Baptist as a unanimous No. 1 at the top rung of the rankings, followed by Lee University (Tenn.), which features several East County products.

The Lady Flames (36-3) are currently riding a 22-game winning streak, aided by starters DANIELLE and BRITTY BALOUGH of Santana High.

The Flames lead the Southern States Athletic Conference by 4.5 games following Tuesday's (Apr. 6) doubleheader road sweep at Brenau University (Gainesville, Ga.), raising their SSAC mark to 19-1.

© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (3-30-10) — With an influx of players from San Diego County, both Cal State San Marcos and little Simpson College of Redding rank among the winningest NAIA teams in the west this season. The teams met in an important doubleheader with playoff implications on Monday (Mar. 29), heavily influenced by East County products.

Helix High alum ALYSSA DRONENBURG slugged a grand slam in the opener, while West Hills High product BRENNA SANDBERG struck out 14 over both contests, allowing just one earned run, as CSU San Marcos swept the twinbill, 8-1 and 2-1.

© East County Sports.com
SAN BRUNO (3-30-10) — Former Grossmont High standout AARON GRIFFIN shared this week's West Coast Conference pitcher of the week honor following one of the best pitching efforts of the season for Loyola Marymount.

Facing powerful Cal State Fullerton, Griffin , a freshman right-hander, tossed his first career complete game, leading the Lions past the Titans, 4-2. Griffin carried a shutout into the 9th, then hung on to defeat a team which owns three College World Series titles.

© East County Sports.com
KINGSVILLE, Texas (3-22-10) – In perhaps the biggest weekend of his collegiate career, former El Cajon Valley High and Grossmont College standout CLIFTON THOMAS batted a smooth .706 (12-for-17) to lead Texas A&M-Kingsville to a 3-1 series victory over Northeastern State (Okla.) at Nolan Ryan Field.

© East County Sports.com
MUNCIE, Ind. (3-20-10) — Former Santana High standout AMANDA CARPENTER is building a nice career at Ball State University.

The starting freshman outfielder for the Cardinals capped a big week by being named the Mid-America Conference player of the week for the period ending Mar. 14. It was the left-hander's first career citation for her playing during a two-week, spring break roadtrip to Clearwater, Fla.

© East County Sports.com
PHOENIX (3-17-10) — It took a lot longer than expected, but the new baseball program at Academy of Art University in San Francisco finally owns its first-ever baseball victory. And the winning pitcher hails from East County.

When the history of Urban Knights baseball is penned, it will be former Helix High standout ALEX ROSENTHAL who will be denoted as gaining the first win after AAU downed host Grand Canyon University, 5-4, in the second game of a Pacific West Conference (NCAA Division II) doubleheader held March 12 at Brazell Stadium.

Courtesy, SDSU Media Relations
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (3-12-10) — San Diego State junior SAMANTHA BEASLEY (Steele Canyon HS) has been named the Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Week, the league announced Thursday (Mar. 11). It is the third weekly award for the righthander and the seventh of her career. MORE

The following week, Beasley topped former Helix High standout pitcher TERESE DIAZ, as the Aztecs (13-8) won their fifth straight victory after topping the University of Buffalo, 5-0, Wedesday (Mar. 10) at the SDSU Softball Stadium.

© East County Sports.com
NEWBERG, Ore. (3-5-10) — The University of Redlands women’s basketball team takes on No. 13 University of Puget Sound (Wash.) on Friday (Mar. 5) at George Fox University in the Bulldogs' first-ever NCAA appearance.

Sharing in that inaugural NCAA Division III playoff debut is former Grossmont High guard CHRISTINA RIOS, currently a sophomore backcourt point guard standout at Redlands.

© East County Sports.com
CHICO (2-24-10) — Sophomore RACHEL FAILLA, Chico State’s top slugger from a year ago, is already providing the Wildcats with plenty of middle-of-the-lineup production in 2010.

Failla batted .364 over the weekend, collecting a pair of extra base hits – including her first home run of the year – and drove in four runs in Chico State 's four-game series against Cal State Monterey Bay . For her efforts, Failla is the first Chico State softball player this spring to be honored as Wildcat of the Week.

© East County Sports.com
RIVERSIDE (2-21-10) — Former Helix High standout ALYSSA DRONENBURG will be listed among the leaders when the first set of NAIA national batting statistics are released shortly.

Entering Saturday's (Feb. 20) ballgame against top-ranked Cal Baptist at the Southern California Smash tournament, Dronenburg, the starting Cal State San Marcos first baseman, was batting an even .500 following a 2-for-2 outing earlier in the day against Holy Names.

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (2-20-10) – Addison Reed, the 2009 National Stopper of the Year, made his first collegiate start but took the loss as 22nd-ranked Oklahoma opened the NCAA baseball season by rallying past San Diego State, 7-4, Friday (Feb. 19) at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Reed, a junior who was a consensus All-American, carried a 3-2 lead into the 5th inning, but allowed a pair of runs before getting lifted following a career-long stint of 4 1/3 innings.

© East County Sports.com
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (2-16-10) — San Diego State junior SAMANTHA BEASLEY (Steele Canyon HS) was named the pitcher of the week in the Mountain West Conference. It was her fifth career citation.

Beasley, a 2009 all-MWC performer, registered four of the Aztecs' five victories to open the season at the Kajikawa Classic last week, each against ballclubs receiving votes in both major national polls. Over 22 1/3 innings, she struck out 32 batters while posting a 0.31 earned-run average.

© East County Sports.com
KINGSVILLE, Texas (2-7-10) – Former El Cajon Valley High standout CLIFTON THOMAS opened his senior season at Texas A&M-Kingsville in record-setting fashion.

Thomas, the starting centerfielder, equaled a school record by stealing four bases in the season opener, lifting the Javelinas to a doubleheader sweep of University of Houston-Victoria, 8-2 and 10-0, on Friday (Feb. 5) at Nolan Ryan Field.

© East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (2-3-10) — Former Helix High standout ALYSSA DRONENBURG helped christen the new softball diamond at Cal State San Marcos by blasting a pair of home runs, powering the Cougars to a doubleheader sweep of Redlands on Saturday (Jan. 30).

CSUSM, behind Dronenburg's blasts, captured the opener, 6-1. Former West Hills standout BRENNA SANDBERG, a junior, then captured her second pitching victory of the day with a 4-3 decision in 8 innings in the debut of new Cougars coach Dave Williams, the former long-time skipper at Point Loma Nazarene.

© East County Sports.com
OMAHA (12-26-09) — In San Diego, football coaches select all-league and all-CIF divisional teams, while the media chooses regional (e.g., all-East County, all-North County) all-star squads, including the official All-San Diego Section teams.

The same process holds true across the nation, including Nebraska, where the Omaha World-Herald named the state's All-NAIA college team.

Two former East County standouts were honored.

Named to the World-Herald's first team were running back KHALID WATERS (Grossmont HS) and BRANDEN BROWN (Steele Canyon), a defensive back. The La Mesa residents are both sophomores for Midland Lutheran University.

© East County Sports.com
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (12-19-09) — With the deep passing game absent due to rainy conditions, former Monte Vista High standout BRANDYN HARVEY was anything but unhappy after going without a reception Friday (Dec. 18).

Instead, Villanova (14-1) went with short passes and the ground game to rally past top-seeded and undefeated Montana, 23-21, for its first NCAA Football Championship Subdivision title at Finley Stadium. MORE

Harvey, Nova advances to FCS finale

© East County Sports.com
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (12-16-09) — After winning a CIF championship at Monte Vista High in 2003, former Monarchs standout BRANDYN HARVEY will attempt to gain a collegiate crown on Friday (Dec. 17; 5 p.m. PT on ESPN2) at Finley Stadium.

Harvey, the starting wide receiver for Villanova, will play for the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) crown against No. 1 Montana. In the semifinals, Nova scored late to nip William & Mary, 14-13, while the Grizzlies eliminated Appalachian State, 24-17.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (12-15-09) — It's never too early for baseball, as the NAIA released its preseason rankings and the preseason All-America team – both with a distinctive East County flavor.

Former Grossmont College standout ROSS BLONDIN not only landed a first-team berth along with his Lubbock Christian teammate R.L. Eisenbach, the defending national champion Chapparels gained the No. 1 ranking in the 2010 NAIA Baseball Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll.

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SAN DIEGO (12-12-09) – JERICA WILLIAMS, a three-time All-East County pick, and San Diego State junior guard, has decided to leave the SDSU women’s basketball team. A 2006 Mount Miguel graduate, Williams played in eight games as a reserve this season for the Aztecs, averaging 3.5 points per contest.

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HELENA, Mont. (12-8-09) — The last time former West Hills High quarterback PHILIP STABACK was involved in postseason play, it was a rather forgettable experience. Starting for Mesa College, the Olympians were shutout by Fullerton, 26-0, as Staback threw for just 166 yards and a pair of interceptions.

Vowing for such a debacle to never occur again, Staback is now within one game of capturing a national championship.

Now the starting quarterback for Lindenwood University of St. Charles, Mo., Staback threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns Saturday (Dec. 5) to lead the 3rd-ranked Lions past No. 2 Carroll College, 42-35, in the NAIA national semifinals.

The winning touchdown came with 49 seconds remaining when Staback capped an 88-yard drive with a 10-yard scoring pass to senior receiver Matt Bramow. The Lions offense finished with 568 total yards against the second-rated defense in the NAIA, as Staback, a criminal justice major, completed 25-of-35 passes.

Wes Davis What a Treat! Davis to Emerald Bowl © East County Sports.com SAN FRANCISCO (12-6-09) — Former Steele Canyon standout WES DAVIS and his Boston College Eagles were rewarded for a solid 8-4 season, gaining a berth in the Emerald Bowl. The Eagles will meet the USC Trojans (8-4) at AT&T Park on Sat., Dec. 26, with kickoff on ESPN set for 5 p.m. PT. Executive director Gary Cavalli extended the Emerald Bowl bid to each team today (Sun., Dec. 6).

Courtesy, Eastern Illinois University
CHARLESTON, Ill. (12-6-09) — A memorial service to honor the life of Eastern Illinois assistant football coach Jeff Hoover was held Saturday (Dec. 5) afternoon in the Grand Ball Room of the Martin Luther King Jr., Student Union on the EIU campus.

Hoover, 41, a 1986 graduate of Monte Vista High School, where he was a standout football player and wrestler, will also be honored with a a memorial service on Dec. 13 at Portland State University, where Hoover coached previously to joining the EIU staff.

Hoover lost his life in a tragic car accident when returning from the Panthers first round FCS playoff game in Carbondale, Ill. Hoover had just completed his third season as a member of the EIU coaching staff.

In 2009, as a senior at Cal Lutheran University, Toilolo feels fortunate to even having played in Saturday (Nov. 21) NCAA Division III playoffs. Never mind that the Kingsmen lost the game 38-17 to Linfield (Ore.) in McMinnville, Ore. Toilolo completed 18 of 34 passes for 155 yards in the defeat.

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FREMONT, Neb. (10-29-09) — Midland Lutheran College, a member of the NAIA Great Plains Athletic Conference, continues to play well with a quartet of East County products on its squad. However, the Warriors keep coming up just short against nationally ranked opponents.

For the third time this season, MLC held a lead against a Top 25 foe. But this latest time, a 21-6 halftime lead disappeared in a 38-27 setback to 5th-rated Morningside College.

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ARKADEPHIA, Ark. (9-29-09) — Before a packed home crowd, No. 21 ranked Ouachita Baptist turned in the most impressive victory in school history on Saturday (Sept. 26), with a 38-14 win over No. 9 Delta State.

The triumph raised the Tigers' record to 4-0, with JEREMY YOUNG, a senior standout out of El Cajon Valley High, at center stage.

Young put together another stellar night receiving with 151 yards on 12 catches. Young also added three rushes for 39 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown run. He totaled 240 yards of all-purpose yardage on the night.

In his last two games, Young, the NCAA Division II Player of the Week, has reeled in 24 passes for 412 yards in his last two games.

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STANFORD (9-25-09) — It seems almost yesterday when Monte Vista High graduate CLINTON SNYDER was involved in his final athletic event which was a basketball playoff game at University City.

The University City crowd was raucous to say the least, holding up placards bearing Snyder’s face and continually hollering at him. Although he was angry, Snyder kept his emotions hidden.

Now the Cardinal defensive leader, Snyder, a 6-foot-4, 240-pounder, has a fumble recovery and made 21 tackles – 15 solo – in the three games.

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DENVER (9-22-09) — Former Grossmont High and USD infielder MIKE McCOY has been promoted to the Colorado Rockies for their stretch run for a wild card berth in the National League playoffs.

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ARKADELPHIA, Ark. (9-22-09) — After setting a school record 261 yards on 13 pass receptions on Saturday (Sept. 19), Ouachita Baptist University senior wide receiver JEREMY YOUNG was named the Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

Courtesy, Poinsettia Bowl committee
SAN DIEGO (9-15-09) — San Diego County Credit Union has extended its title sponsorship of the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, 2009 Bowl President Barbara Warden announced today. The extension is for sponsorship through the 2010 contest, with options for 2011 and 2012. Financial terms were not disclosed. San Diego County Credit Union served as title sponsor since the game’s inception in 2005.

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PHILADELPHIA (9-2-09) — Two East County graduates will be in Villanova University’s starting lineup Thursday (Sept. 3) when the Wildcats tangle with Temple University in the inaugural Philadelphia Mayor’s Cup Game at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles.

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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 nation’s top college programs.

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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.

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ANAHEIM (7-17-09) — SEAN O’SULLIVAN, is ticketed to return to the active roster for the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, July 20, when he is slated to start on the road against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium.

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SAN DIEGO (7-15-09) — San Diego State's STEPHEN STRASBURG has been named recipient of the 2009 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award as the top collegiate player in the nation, USA Baseball announced Tuesday (July 14).

The award caps off a college season that saw the Aztec right-hander win numerous major awards as the top hurler in the NCAA Division I ranks. Strasburg, a product of West Hills High, becomes the second SDSU player to capture the Golden Spikes trophy after former Aztecs first baseman Travis Lee received the award in 1996.

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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 A’s 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 A’s 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.

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ANAHEIM (7-3-09) — SEAN O’SULLIVAN was staring at three possibilities this weekend. He could remain one of the Los Angeles Angels’ five starting pitchers or be shuttled to the bullpen for the first time in his brief professional baseball career.

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SAN DIEGO (7-1-09) – Two more graduates of coach ROB SANDOVAL’s highly successful Mount Miguel High girls basketball program have bounced into the NCAA Division I level after two sparkling seasons at the junior college level.

PRECIOUS ROBINSON, a 6-foot National Junior College Athletic Association All-American out of Central Arizona JC, has accepted a basketball scholarship to Big 12 power Oklahoma State University. Robinson will get a quick start to the 2009-10 season, as the Cowgirls were one of 16 teams to play in the women's preseason NIT.

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TACOMA, Wash. (6-27-09) — It was pregame warm-ups as usual for KYLE PHILLIPS, the leading hitter for the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League Friday night (June 26) in Tacoma.

That is, until pitching coach Andy LaRoche hollered to Phillips that Las Vegas manager Mike Basso wanted to see him.

“Since I hadn’t played for eight days I thought it could be one of two things – either I was going home or being dropped to Double-A,” said the 25-year-old El Capitan High graduate.

He was wrong on both accounts. Basso informed Phillips that he’d been called up to the major leagues by the Toronto Blue Jays. He was ticketed for a “red-eye” flight that would allow him to get to the Rogers Centre in the Canadian city in time for Saturday’s (June 27) game against the visiting American League champion Tampa Bay Rays at 10 a.m. (PT).

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SAN FRANCISCO (6-16-09, 9:59 p.m.) — Rancho San Diego's SEAN O'SULLIVAN will be hard-pressed to select what he liked best about his dream debut in the majors Tuesday (June 16) at AT&T Park.

The 21-year old right-hander out of Valhalla High and Grossmont College allowed just five hits over seven solid innings to collect the victory in his MLB debut. The former East County high school batting champion also registered a basehit, leading the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to an 8-1 spanking of the San Francisco Giants.

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SAN FRANCISCO (UPDATED 6-15-09, 7:50 p.m.) — The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim announced that Ervin Santana will not make his scheduled start Tuesday (June 16) against the San Francisco Giants due to elbow problems, calling up former Valhalla High and Grossmont College standout SEAN O'SULLIVAN for his Major League debut at AT&T Park.

O'Sullivan is slated to be added to the 25-man roster by Angels management prior to the contest. However, O'Sullivan (5-2 with Class AAA Salt Lake City) knew something was up as recently as Sunday.

"Once in a while, the pitchers get to take batting practice if there is time, but Sean was told to take BP prior to Sunday's day game at Reno," said PAUL O'SULLIVAN, his father. "That was his first indication something might be happening."

The Bees flew home to Salt Lake City, but O'Sullivan's stay was brief.

"When they arrived at the clubhouse to unpack, the Bees' manager told him not to."

Instead, O'Sullivan was whisked to the airport for a 90-minute flight to San Francisco to join the Angels for an interleague series.

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LUBBOCK, Texas (6-13-09) — Former San Diego State and West Hills High pitcher STEPHEN STRASBURG has been named the inaugural recipient of the College Baseball Foundation's national Pitcher of the Year Award. MORE-1

Concurrenrly, Aztecs relief pitcher ADDISON REED is the 2009 recipient of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's Stopper of the Year Award, which the NCBWA announced Saturday (June 13) in Omaha on the opening day of the College World Series. MORE-2

Joining Reed as national finalists also included Kyle Bellamy of Miami (Fla.), Jake Hale of Ohio State, Matty Ott of LSU and Eric Pettis of UC Irvine. All five relief aces helped their respective teams advance to the 64-team field of the 2009 NCAA Baseball Tournament.

In addition, Strasburg was named along with North Carolina first baseman Dustin Ackley, Arizona State pitcher Mike Leake as finalists for the 23rd annual Dick Howser Trophy, emblematic of the NCBWA player of the year. MORE-3

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (6-10-09) — Lee University second baseman DANIELLE BALOUGH (Santana HS) has been selected to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region team for the 2009 season.

Balough, a sophomore, hit .405 for the NAIA 16th-ranked Lady Flames this past year, socking three home runs and 16 doubles. She also scored 31 times and recorded 48 RBI, earning an All-Southern States Athletic Conference berth to lift Lee (39-14 overall) to a second-place finish in the SSAC Tournament.

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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.

Meanwhile, Blondin helped Lubbock Christian (Texas) to the NAIA national championship.