Hurling gems within the past week have been Paige Von Sprecken from Yorba Linda and Theron Kay from Valley Christian of San Jose. Do scouts know the way to San Jose to see Theron Kay play? We think so. Photo of Paige courtesy of school. Photo of Kay from Prep2Prep.com. For more on Prep2Prep’s coverage, CLICK HERE.
You won’t believe some of the totals that came out of a 47-17 softball win by Frazier Mountain of Lebec against California City. For baseball, Vince Fitzgerald from Canyon of Canyon Country ties a state record while Theron Kay from Valley Christian of San Jose does it all in win over Archbishop Mitty.
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As has been customary for many years, we collect the state stat stars in support of the Cal-Hi Sports State Record Book & Almanac. The book has been published seven times (the most recent, though, was 2009) and is as official as a state record book can be since no other exists. To report a State Stat Star of the Week of your own, please email details to markjtennis@gmail.com.
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(Mostly for games played March 24-March 29 but including some from this week; thanks to CIF Central Section historian Bob Barnett for continued contributions to this feature and to the state record book.)
BASEBALL
Theron Kay (Valley Christian, San Jose)
In a performance from earlier this week, this Baylor-bound pitcher not only pitched a no-hitter but he also homered and drove in four runs during a 5-0 win for the Warriors over Archbishop Mitty of San Jose. Mitty came into the game at 10-2 and would have been perhaps in the top 10 of the state rankings if not for the defeat.
Nigel Ward (Servite, Anaheim)
Like Theron Kay, we decided not to wait to list this junior’s performance from Tuesday as he pitched a no-hitter at the Anaheim Lions Tournament during a 8-0 win over Laguna Hills.
Josh Smith (Etiwanda)
Getting the start in the Eagles’ Baseline League opener, he had 12 strikeouts while throwing a no-hitter in a 3-0 win over Rancho Cucamonga.
Joe Hardoon (Sierra Canyon, Chatsworth)
While the school was winning a state championship in girls basketball, he was impressive in Arizona at the Salt River Classic as he allowed just one base runner and pitched a no-hitter during a 15-0 win over Chinle of Arizona.
Kevin Gowdy (Santa Barbara)
Just a sophomore, he pitched a no-hitter during a 2-0 win over Pine Creek of Colorado in a game that was played in Arizona. With players like Gowdy, it may keep legendary Dons’ coach Fred Warrecker around for a few more years.
Jose Arias (Sylmar)
With a football like final score of 21-0, he pitched a five-inning perfect game with nine of the 15 outs coming from the strikeout.
Vincent Fitzgerald (Canyon, Canyon Country)
Not only did Vince go a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, but he hit two grand slam home runs during the Cowboys’ 17-0 win over Golden Valley in Foothill League play. The two grand slams in one game ties the state record along with at least 21 others from our last printed edition of the state record book.
Jack Flaherty (Harvard-Westlake, Studio City)
With a scoreless streak that goes back to last season, he pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out 14 but ended with a no decision as the Wolverines lost 1-0 in eight innings to Horizon of Arizona. With those seven scoreless innings, however, his streak improved to 41 innings.
Tyler Radcliffe (Wilson, Long Beach)
Orginally scheduled to start in the game on Friday, he was needed earlier in the week during Wilson’s Moore League opener. He came in from the bullpen and struck out 10 during nine shutout innings as the Bruins defeated Jordan of Long Beach 4-3 in 15 innings.
Blake Garabedian (Clovis West, Fresno)
We figure Blake and his teammates were hoping for higher state ranking this week, but he makes the stat star honor roll for tying a school record by hitting three doubles in a 9-2 win over Clovis East.
Albee Weiss (Agoura, Agoura Hills)
He had a grand slam and drove in six runs in one inning as the Chargers scored all 16 of their runs during the 6th inning of a 16-0 win over North Torrance. That total while impressive won’t get them listed in the state record book as it takes at least 20 runs in an inning to be listed while the record is 32 runs in a single inning which was done back in 2003 by Twin Pines of Banning.
Henry Carbajal (Palmdale)
As the top home run hitter in the state for those that report stats to MaxPreps, he hit three home runs and drove in five during a 11-4 win over Littlerock two weeks ago. Carbajal has currently homered in three straight games and on the year has seven home runs.
Trevor Trew (Kimball, Tracy)
Not only did he throw all five innings to get the win, but he also had a triple and five runs batted in during a 15-3 win over Lathrop.
Justin Yanez (Banning, Wilmington)
Taking the mound last week to face Chatsworth, he allowed just one hit and struck out eight during a 1-0 win. It was one of just two losses so far for Chatsworth, which makes the start that much more impressive.
Sam Melcalf (Farmersville)
This junior is more known for his accomplishments as quarterback in football, but in baseball last week he pitched eight innings and had a career high of 15 strikeouts in a 6-3 win over Kings Christian of Lemoore.
Micah Ortiz (Chatsworth)
With a chance to give his team a walkoff win, he came up with the bases loaded and did more than just drive in a single run as he hit a walkoff grand slam home run for a 7-3 over Newbury Park.
Kimo Hinton (Rancho Alamitos, Garden Grove)
Named the baseball player of the week by OCVarsity, he had two doubles and drove in five runs against Bolsa Grande and then had a two-hit shutout while driving in two runs against Los Amigos.
Manjot Atwal (Millenium, Tracy)
Striking out the last seven batters he faced during a 5-4 win over Stagg of Stockton, he finished with 12 strikeouts in pitching the complete game.
SOFTBALL
Frazier Mountain’s Momumental Day
We almost hate having to report on these kind of games, but here we go. Frazier Mountain and California City new to the CIF Central Section this year and played one of the wildest softball games in state history last Friday, according to section historian Bob Barnett. The Falcons won by scoring a section record 47 runs and getting 41 hits in a 47-17 victory. California City had a section record 26 errors. Individually, Sami Bever went 6-for-6 with 11 RBI, Cambre Rincon went 6-for-6 with seven runs scored and Maggie Gonzalez went 6-for-7. The six hits for one player is a section record as is Bever’s RBI total and Rincon’s runs. Three other players went 4-for-5 with five RBI – Ireland Kelly, Elliana Shillig and Rachel Rivette.
Brianna Tautalafua (Carson)
Well on her way to another big home run season, she now has nine home runs after homering twice and driving in eight runs during a 15-3 win over Oak Hills of Hesperia. Over the past weekend, Brianna also smashed three homers in a doubleheader.
Nerissa Long (Bear River, Grass Valley)
The Bruins have one sensational sophomore as she once again is listed here in our state stat stars. She allowed just three hits while striking out 19 during a 2-1 win over Whitney of Rocklin that also saw her homer and drive in two runs. On the season, she has a reported 132 strikeouts, which is tops for those that report stats to MaxPreps.
Rebekah Cervantes (Redwood, Visalia)
The junior standout became the fourth player in CIF Central Section history to hit two grand slams in one game and set a school record of nine RBI in a 11-2 win over El Diamante of Visalia.
Tayler Misfeldt (Tracy)
Already with a 19-strikeout game earlier this season, she had 16 strikeouts in six innings while not allowing a hit during a 12-0 win over Lincoln of Stockton.
Kailla Searcy (Paraclete, Lancaster)
Here’s one not found in MaxPreps because not every coach uses it, but Searcy makes this week’s honor roll for what she did in a 10-0, 19-0 doubleheader sweep by the Spirits over Palmdale. In game one, Searcy pitched a no-hitter with a two-run homer and a three-run shot, both of which were over the fence. She added another homer in the second game, also over the fence. Both games ended after five innings.
Johanna Grauer (Amador Valley, Pleasanton)
She has yet to allow an earned run all season (heading into this week’s Michelle Carew Classic) after she struck out 13 and allowed just two hits during an 8-0 win over San Ramon Valley of Danville. Now with 50.1 innings pitched this season without allowing an earned run, she will be tested plenty this weekend.
Meehra Nelson (Westlake, Westlake Village)
In a game from earlier this week, she was 2 for 2 at the plate while pitching a one-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts during a 10-0 win over Agoura. She also pitched a one-hit shutout last week during a 4-0 win over Nordhoff and struck out 18 batters. Entering this week, the junior Oregon State commit was 6-3 with a 0.80 ERA and 118 strikeouts.
Kylie Ragsdale (Waterford)
She deserved more than just water to drink after her performance against Denair in a 7-0 win. Ragsdale had two doubles and three runs batted in while pitching a one-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts.
Billi Derleth (Ocean View, Huntington Beach)
A new name to watch this season, this junior not only struck out 13 and got the win while in the circle but she also homered twice and drove in five runs in a win over Irvine.
McKenzie Draper (Rosamond)
Not only does Draper have 14 of the Roadrunners’ 15 wins this season in the circle, but she had a big day at the plate during their 16-5 win over Tehachapi. She had two doubles and a home run while driving in seven runs. Earlier this week, teammate Jaqueline Mercado hit two home runs and drove in eight runs during a 31-0 win for the Roadrunners over California City.
Brynne Fitzpatrick (Valley Christian, San Jose)
According to the San Jose Mercury News, she has been on quite the streak over her last six games in the circle with three one-hitters and one no-hitter while striking out 82 and not allowing an earned run.
Taylor Spence (Westlake, Westlake Village)
The junior second baseman and University of San Diego commit was the hitting star last week for the Warriors while teammate Meehra Nelson was doing the pitching. In five games, Spence went 13-for-16 (.813) with eight runs scored and 12 stolen bases. That included a streak of going 10-for-10 over three games.
Sabrina Moreno (Bishop’s, La Jolla)
During a 20-3 win over Tri-City Christian of Vista, she had four hits including a home run while driving in eight runs.
Paige Von Sprecken (Yorba Linda)
Not only did she strike out 12 and not allow a run while in the circle but she also drove in the game’s only run during a 1-0 win over Cypress in Empire League play. Von Sprecken also had led Yorba Linda to a 9-1 record heading into this week.
Kimberlee Estes (Calvary Chapel, Santa Ana)
The senior standout homered twice and drove in six runs in a win over Orange. She now has six homers on the season and a .449 batting average.
Maia Borovina (Terra Nova, Pacifica)
Finishing a home run shy of the cycle, this freshman hit two singles, a double and a triple while scoring four runs and driving in two during a 15-0 win over Menlo-Atherton.
Meehra Nelson (Westlake, Westlake Village)
In a game from earlier this week, she was 2 for 2 at the plate while pitching a one-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts during a 10-0 win over Agoura. She also pitched a one-hit shutout last week during a 4-0 win over Nordhoff and struck out 18 batters. Entering this week, the junior Oregon State commit was 6-3 with a 0.80 ERA and 118 strikeouts.
Valerie Rodriguez (Orange Cove)
She set a school record by getting five hits in the Titans’ 17-1 win over Orosi. She also scored four times and stole four bases.
Paul Muyskens is the Stockton office assistant editor for Cal-Hi Sports and can be seen around town also working for the Stockton Ports and University of the Pacific. Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow Paul and Mark on Twitter: @CalHiSports
