LYB 12U Baseball Qualifies For Ripken World Series

The Laguna Bandits will return to the Cal Ripken World Series, two years after competing in the age 10-and-under version of the big event.

The Laguna Youth Baseball League’s Age 12-and-under squad won the Pacific Southwest Regional Tournament Sunday to qualify for the Ripken World Series in Aberdeen, Maryland. The event will be Aug. 8th through the 18^th.

The Bandits defeated teams from Hawaii, Guam, Southern California, Bakersfield and Northern Utah to earn a spot for the second time in Ripken Baseball’s top venue. In 2011 the same group of boys placed third at the 10U World Series in Virginia.

Coached by Mike Stevens, Leo Morales and John Regino, the Bandits have now won five consecutive Northern California state championships, as well.

During the regional tournament last week the team outscored the competition 80-20 in the six games and a total of 11 homeruns were hit. Jonah Ira was named the tournament’s most valuable player by getting nine hits in 12 at-bats with six RBI’s and scoring 11 runs. 

Laguna Bandits, the Pacific Southwest Regional champions
of Cal Ripken Baseball

R.J. Blanton, Cole Bendle and Jino Enriquez were named to the All-Tournament team. Blanton had a pair of homers, including a grand slam. Bendle as had a pair of round-trippers and drove in 11 runs.

Enriquez went nine-for-15, stole nine bases and scored 12 runs. 

The other members of the team are Grant Stevens, Carson Stevens, C.J. Long, Alex Morales, Collin Dean, Gabe Bonilla, Riley Sikora, Zachary Meddings, Nico Regino and Justin Wilburn

Team mom Lesa Sikora said they are accepting any donations to help offset the cost of traveling to Maryland. She added they’d like to borrow a bus or a series of vans to take the team as one group to San Francisco to catch their plane next week.

Contact Amy Long at 916-541-2936 if you can help.

Henderson Sits Out NFP Season

A knee injury suffered near the end of the Cal Golden Bears’ softball season has forced former Sheldon High School and All-American pitcher Jolene Henderson to delay her professional debut one season.

“Due to her injury she chose to sit out this season but has every intention of signing with the team next season,” Jacquie Boatman, a spokesman with the Chicago Bandits, wrote recently in an email to the Citizen.

The Bandits, a franchise in the National Fast Pitch Professional Softball League,  made Henderson its first round draft selection earlier this season.

She helped the Bears to a 38-19 record along with a nation's-best 28th consecutive postseason berth. Henderson topped her career with a no-hitter against Valparaiso at the Ann Arbor Regional in her final win. Along the way, Henderson became Cal's all-time winningest pitcher with 130 career wins. She ranks second all time for games (186), games started (143), saves (9), complete games (123) and innings pitched (1,095), and is one of just four Cal pitchers to toss more than 1,000 strikeouts.

Koria Inks With Concordia (Oregon)

Evan Koria, a soccer player at Pleasant Grove High School and Cosumnes River College, has signed a national letter of intent to play for Concordia College in Portland, Ore.

Koris has seen time all over the field in his career. He was named the defensive MVP of his CRC team, but led the Eagles in goals and assists during his senior season.

"Evan could fit nicely in to the midfield or outside back roles," Cavaliers’ soccer coach Dan Birkey said. "He's quick and explosive, and has an optimistic attitude."

Ramirez Earns Honors At N.D. Wrestling Camp

Elk Grove High School wrestler Annastassia Ramirez scored well at the Junior & Cadet National Championships two weeks ago in Fargo, N.D.

In the cadet division Ramirez placed sixth earning "All-American" honors with a record of 3-2.

Annastassia Ramirez (in red) wrestling in North
Dakota in mid-July

With her strong showing she was select as the 112 pound wrestler for the California Dual team. In that competition California placed second losing  to New York in the finals. Ramirez’ record in the team dual competiton was 3-1.

Mayor To Host Bocce Ball Tournament

Elk Grove Mayor Gary Davis will be hosting a bocce ball tournament on Saturday, August 31, at Rau Park beginning at 10:00 a.m. 

Net proceeds from the tournament will benefit Serve Elk Grove, the hub for connecting people with needs by making it easy to both find service project opportunities and to post service needs.  Additionally, Serve Elk Grove works cooperatively with other nonprofit organizations in Elk Grove to identify opportunities to share resources and opportunities.

Teams of four, in four different categories – men’s, women’s, mixed and family- will play for first and second place prizes.  The cost is $100 per team and includes the entry fee and luncheon.  Sponsorships are also available.

For questions, including sponsorship inquiries, please contact Teresa Rodriguez Event Planning at ttmrodriguez@gmail.com or 916-606-3905.

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