This week’s edition of the Pajaronian Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of April 29-May 5.
Preps of the Week
Boys: Watsonville High senior pitcher Aiden Rodriguez had back-to-back solid games, allowing just one run in 14 innings pitched for the Wildcatz baseball team. The standout right-hander surrendered one run on four hits and two walks, while fanning nine batters in a 4-1 win against Alisal High in Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division on May 1. He also had two hits, including a double that put the ‘Catz on the board in the bottom of first inning. Rodriguez gave up just three hits and no runs, while recording nine strikeouts in a 2-0 win against King City High in league play April 25.
Girls: Watsonville High senior Julia Maldonado helped lead the Wildcatz softball team to PCAL Mission Division crown following two impressive performances at the plate. The ‘Catz’s team captain had two walks and a clutch double in the second inning that drove in two runs in a 3-1 league win over Pacific Grove High on April 30. Maldonado followed up by batting 3-for-4 with one RBI and a pair of runs scored in a 13-0 win over Santa Catalina School in league action May 3.
Rising Stars
- Aptos High senior Jorden Espinoza allowed just one run on three hits, while recording 15 strikeouts for the Mariners in a 5-1 win over Harbor High in SCCAL baseball play April 30. Matt Hood, Ed Peters, Jasiah McKenzie and Chase Dicey each had one base hit and one RBI for Aptos.
- Aptos High’s Bailey Fulton batted 4-for-5, including one double, three RBIs, three runs scored and one stolen base to help lead the Mariners to a 19-0 crushing win over Soquel High. Raegan Fulton, Mackenzie Lashley, Kailani Aguayo, Cara Allshouse, Ava Banuelos and Emma Burgueno each produced multiple hits for Aptos. In the pitcher’s circle, senior Mileena Carbajal recorded six strikeouts and gave up four hits in three scoreless innings.
- Monte Vista Christian’s Kyra Driscoll and Sophia Sheridan each had three goals for the Mustangs in an 11-2 win against Aptos in non-league action May 1. Maya Moore added two goals and two assists for MVC. Fellow teammate Rhazelle Gonzales contributed one goal, Alexa Malaspina had two assists and goalkeeper Jana Bacero-Duncan finished with 10 saves.
- St. Francis High senior Trey Silva recorded five strikeouts in four innings on the mound in a 10-0 win over Monte Vista Christian in PCAL Gabilan Division baseball action April 30. He also batted 3-for-4 with five RBIs. Mason Borrego, a junior, had one hit and two RBIs, and fellow freshman teammate Nicholas Fantl had one hit and one RBI for the Sharks.
- St. Francis High junior Nash Horton batted 3-for-3, including one double and one triple for the Sharks in a 12-0 victory against Pacific Grove High in PCAL Gabilan Division play May 3. Horton also scored a pair of runs to go along with two RBIs and one stolen base. Micah Cervantes, a senior, had two hits, including one triple, two runs scored, two RBIs and one stolen base, while junior Donovan Dominguez had two hits, two RBIs and scored one run for the Sharks.
- Watsonville High senior Brody Legions had one hit, one walk and scored one run for the Wildcatz in a 4-1 win over Alisal in PCAL Mission Division baseball action May 1. Fellow teammate Francisco Rodriguez-Bermundez and Kaden Ortiz each had one hit, while Hayden Henry had one walk, one RBI and scored one run for Watsonville.
- Watsonville High sophomore Amelia Martinez allowed just one hit, while recording eight strikeouts for the Wildcatz in a 13-0 win over Santa Catalina School in PCAL Mission Division softball play May 3. Jillian Lerma, Taylor Alves, Esperanza Sigala, Kiana Perreira and Mia Espinoza each had two hits for Watsonville.
Games to Watch
- St. Francis vs. Soledad, baseball – Saturday at 11am: The Sharks (21-4, 18-3) will put their 14-game win streak on the line against a difficult Aztecs (20-5, 14-3) squad in the teams’ regular season finale.
- Aptos vs. Palma, baseball – Saturday at noon: The Mariners (12-9-1, 10-3-1) close out the regular season with a non-league meeting against the Chieftains (15-11, 12-9), who are fighting to get into the Central Coast Section playoffs.
- CCS semifinals, track and field – Saturday at 11am: A group of the best athletes in the section will compete at Gilroy High School for a shot to advance into next week’s CCS finals, and possibly beyond.
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.
