This week’s edition of the Pajaronian Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of April 8-14.
Preps of the Week
Boys: Aptos High senior Isaiah Work had one double and one RBI to help the Mariners baseball team edge Scotts Valley High in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League action April 9. He also had one home run, one RBI and scored a pair of runs, and recorded six strikeouts in five innings pitched in a 6-2 win over the Falcons on April 12.
Girls: Aptos High senior Ella Shoemaker won four track and field events at the inaugural Santa Cruz County Meet of Champions at Aptos High on April 13. Shoemaker won both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles in 15.84 and 47.22 seconds, respectively. She was also part of the 4×100 relay team that won in 50.45, and the 4×400 relay team that won in 4:13.20.
Rising Stars
- Aptos High’s Ben Nowark shot a 7-over-par 42 to lead the Mariners boys’ golf team to a 230-238 win against Scotts Valley in the teams’ SCCAL match at Seascape Golf Club on April 11. Tyler Grosdidier (43), Shawn Roschelle (47), Luke Garvey and Justin Rifkind (49) also scored for Aptos. Colton Duerson shot 6-over-par 41 to earn medalist honors for the Falcons, followed by Cal Rockow (46), Will Jackson (48), Adrian Creamer (49) and Jack Hipwell (54).
- Pajaro Valley High boys’ 4×800 relay team (David Hernandez, Patrick Lopez, Jesse Rodriguez, Erik Michi) set another school record after placing third in 9:07.91 at the Santa Cruz County Meet of Champions on April 13.
- Pajaro Valley High’s Emily Lopez continues to shine this season after she finished fifth in the 800 in 2:40.44 and 15th in the 1600 in 6:11.03 at the Santa Cruz County Meet of Champions on April 13. Both times were good for No. 4 all-time in the Grizzlies’ record books.
- St. Francis High senior Micah Cervantes had two hits, a pair of RBIs and one stolen base for the Sharks in a 9-5 victory against Palma in PCAL Gabilan Division action April 10. Fellow teammate Nicky Fantl batted 2-for-3, including one double and two runs scored, while Trey Silva scored a pair of runs and gave up two earned runs in six innings pitched on the mound.
- Scotts Valley High junior Gracie Delgado had one home and three RBIs for the Falcons softball team in a 16-3 win over Harbor High in SCCAL action April 11. Fellow teammate Ellen Eagle had a pair of base hits, including one triple and three RBIs, while Isabella Williams had one double and three RBIs. Jazzy Doubek finished with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored for Scotts Valley.
- San Lorenzo Valley High junior Reagan Atkinson had two base hits, including one double, two RBIs and one run scored for the Cougars in a 10-1 win over Soquel in SCCAL play April 9. Fellow teammate Brooke Reed had two RBIs and one run scored, and Alyssa Struthers had one hit, one walk and two runs scored.
- Scotts Valley High junior Sofia Niklaus had five goals, one assist, three caused turnovers and 12 draw possessions, including seven draw controls for the Falcons girls’ lacrosse team in a 15-7 loss to Stevenson School in Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division play April 12. Skylar Dufour had a pair of goals, one assist and five draw controls. Dillon Fiorita had one assist and two draw controls, and Stella Cheney had two caused turnovers.
- Watsonville High senior Julia Madonado batted 3-for-3 for the Wildcatz softball team in a 15-0 win against Santa Catalina School in PCAL Mission Division play April 12. She had one double, one RBI and three runs scored. Fellow teammate Esperanza Sigala had three hits, including two doubles, two runs scored and four RBIs. Cameron Llamas had two RBIs and scored a pair of runs, while Mia Espinoza recorded five strikeouts in the circle for Watsonville (12-2, 6-1).
Games to Watch
- Watsonville vs. Monte Vista Christian, softball – Friday at 4:30pm: The Wildcatz (10-4, 6-1) are currently riding a five-game win streak in PCAL Mission Division action, while the Mustangs (8-6, 1-5) have gone the opposite direction by losing four straight.
- Aptos vs. San Lorenzo Valley, baseball – Friday at 4:30pm: The Mariners (9-5, 7-1) will put their six-game win streak in SCCAL play on the line against the Cougars (3-11-1, 0-7).
- CCS Top 8 Invite, track and field – Saturday at 9am: Local athletes from Watsonville, Aptos and St. Francis high schools will compete along with dozens of other teams from the Central Coast Section at Los Gatos High.
Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit scores and highlights to jr****@pa********.com. Follow sports editor Juan Reyes (@jmreyes831) on Twitter for scores and news updates.
