WEST VALLEY (SARATOGA) – SATURDAY, MAY 6

12 noon, #1 West Valley (45-2) vs. #16 Mendocino (21-22)
2 pm, #8 Siskiyous (33-11) vs. #9 San Jose (25-9)

(story coming soon…)

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SACRAMENTO (SACRAMENTO) – SATURDAY, MAY 6

12 noon, #2 Sacramento (42-5) vs. #15 San Mateo (18-16)
2 pm, #7 Feather River (27-14) vs. #10 Ohlone (25-9-1)

Sacramento coach Bob Maglione has fielded some powerful lineups during his career. So, when he calls this team his most “power-oriented” club, it’s no small statement.

The Panthers needed every one of their school-record 32 homers to capture a deep Big 7 Conference (21-3), and earn a familiar spot as regional hosts.

After dropping its season-opener to top-ranked West Valley (9-0 in 5 innings), Sac City won 25 straight games. The Panthers scored 10 or more runs seven times during the streak, including an impressive four-game stretch: 16-0 vs. Cosumnes River, 13-5 vs. West Valley, 20-0 vs. Reedley, and 12-0 vs. Diablo Valley.

“After we beat West Valley, 13-5 (March 4), I felt our team was going to be something special,” said Maglione, coach of two state title teams.

“Our players feed-off each other, especially when things are rolling for us on offense. They like to swing, and we’ve been mashing people.”

Sacramento batted .373 as a team, and had five of the top six hitters in the Big 7.

Two-time State Player of the Year IF Jaclyn Ecker (.444, 28 RBI, 44 R) leads the team with nine homers. She’s also been walked 17 times.

All-State selections 1B Jordan Dahl (.459 and 48 runs led the conference, 8 HR, 46 RBI) and 2B Tina Gotay (.434, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 37 R) form a scary trio, along with Ecker,  for opposing pitchers.

Outfielder Carol Wells (.451, 23 RBI, 41 R) and Gwen Cox (.400, 29 RBI, 43 R) were voted First Team All-Big 7.

The Panthers also have the pitching to advance to the Final Eight.

Sophomore Tracy Ryan made a “phenomenal jump” from last season, says Maglione, to be voted NorCal Pitcher of the Year.

Ryan (22-0, 1.24, 12 complete games) ranks third in the state for most victories. She recorded 163 strikeouts in 140.2 innings.

Her teammate, though, Kelly Carmichael (11-4, 4 saves) led the Big 7 in low ERA (0.99). Carmichael allowed just 13 earned runs and 60 hits in 91.2 innings.

“This team has exceeded my expectations,” Maglione said. “I thought we could put some wins together, but not go 42-5.”

The Panthers will open with San Mateo, a team they beat 8-0 on March 18.

“San Mateo is well-coached, and fundamentally sound,” he said. “They will be a real challenge for us.

Feather River (Golden Valley co-champs) also fell victim to Sac City (6-3, Feb. 19), but could make some noise this weekend.

“They’re one of the emerging powers in the North,” Maglione said. “They’ve improved since we met earlier. They can swing, and pitch well.”

Ohlone cruised to the Coast Conference North Division title (18-2), winning by five games. The Renegades lost to Feather River (3-0, March 12), but swept their three-game series with San Mateo.

“We haven’t faced Ohlone this season,” Maglione said. “But, it’s another well-coached ball club that is ready this time of year. Ohlone is built on speed and fundamentals. They force you into mistakes.”

QUICK HITS: Maglione says he can’t recall the last time California had a back-to-back State Player of the Year (Ecker, 2005 & 2006) … Feather River freshman SS Michelle Beach (All-State) led the GVC in batting (.482), hits (67), runs (37), and doubles (20). Sophomore OF Tia Bartek (All-NorCal) hit .390 in the regular season with 13 doubles, 3 homers, and 21 RBI … Ohlone 1B Melissa Cross (.402, 2 HR, 10 doubles, 6 triples, 30 RBI) and P Isabel Ramos (12-6, 1.94 ERA) were voted to the All-State Team. Both were conference player and pitcher of the year, while Donna Runyon was voted coach of the year … San Mateo landed three players on the All-Coast Conference North Division First Team: OF Christine Harms (.384, 2 HR, 12 doubles, 20 RBI), IF Heather Huddleton (.364, 3 HR, 4 triples, 23 RBI, 10 SB), and IF Jamie Vanover (.377, 2 HR, 8 doubles, 25 RBI, 13 BB. 

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MERCED (MERCED) – SATURDAY, MAY 6

12 noon, #3 Merced (33-10) vs. #14 Solano (31-14)
2 pm, #6 Redwoods (27-13) vs. #11 Fresno (22-19)

Three of the four teams competing in the Merced regional captured 2006 conference championships: Redwoods (Golden Valley), Solano (Bay Valley, North), and Merced (Central Valley).

The “other” bracket-member, Fresno, finished runner-up in the CVC.

“When you get to this point of the season, it’s all about match-ups,” said Merced coach Steve Cassady. “All of these teams can hit, pitch, and play defense.”

Merced finished 18-3 in the CVC, and basically had the title wrapped-up following a double-header sweep against Sequoias on April 18. Since then, the Blue Devils won a pair of games via forfeit, and lost the season-finale, 8-1, at Modesto.

“There are a lot of unknowns,” Cassady said. “In the playoffs, it’s usually low-scoring games. Hitting is a concern with the long layoff. We just have to maximize our opportunities.”

In addition to winning the CVC, Merced came away with Player of the Year (Aja Scheuber), Pitcher of the Year (Nicky Brown), and Coach of the Year (Cassady).

Scheuber hit .368 with five homers and 39 RBI. She also went 10-3 as a pitcher, leading the CVC in ERA (1.87).

Brown went 17-5 in the circle (2.17) with 12 complete games.

The team’s top hitter, freshman OF Amanda Davis (All-NorCal), batted .400 with 12 doubles and 30 RBI.

“I like our team,” Cassady said. “We don’t dominate in any phase of the game, but there’s not a weak link in our team. The postseason awards we earned are a product of our entire team. That’s our strength. Everyone stands out.”

Merced is familiar with its three opponents, winning five of seven meetings: 2-0 vs. Solano, 2-1 vs. Fresno, and 1-1 vs. Redwoods.

“Solano is aggressive, Redwoods finished strong, and Fresno is in our conference, so they know what we do,” Cassady said.

QUICK NOTES: Redwoods lost 13 games this season (11 vs. playoff qualifiers). Sophomore Hannah Mullen (14-6, 0.93 ERA, 160 Ks in 142.2 IP) was voted GVC Pitcher of the Year and All-State. Corsairs coach Maggie White was selected GVC Coach of the Year … Solano had the Bay Valley’s top pitching duo in Pitcher of the Year Jessica Kerr (15-8, 1.42, 105 Ks in 143.1 IP) and Tiera Sessions (14-6, 1.90). Player of the Year Sherry Clark led the BVC in home runs (9), RBI (63), doubles (19), and triples (5); she ranked second in batting (.387). Terri Pearson-Bloom was picked as BVC Coach of the Year … Fresno sophomore pitcher Tina Gonzalez (All-CVC, All-NorCal) started 36 of the Rams’ 40 games in the circle (20-16, 2.08 ERA, 181 Ks in 240 IP); she also ranked among CVC leaders in hitting (.434), extra-base hits (19), homers (4), and RBI (21). Allison Asahina led the Rams in CVC hitting (.427), while Cindy Chavez (.333) led in RBI (12 in 12 GP); both are All-CVC sophomore infielders. 

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SAN JOAQUIN DELTA (STOCKTON) – SATURDAY, MAY 6

12 noon, #4 San Joaquin Delta (31-12) vs. #13 Reedley (26-24)
2 pm, #5 Sierra (33-15) vs. #12 Butte (28-19)

Delta, Sierra, and Reedley, will all compete in the Stockton regional for a second straight season.

Last year, Delta (fourth at state) entered the postseason as a heavy favorite, landing the No. 1 seed. Mustangs coach Peter Turner has a different take on hosting duties for this weekend.

“This is by far, the toughest regional,” said Turner. “Anyone one of these teams can come out on top.”

Delta finished two games behind Sacramento for the Big 7 title, and won three of four meetings against Sierra. The Mustangs have won 11 of their last 12 games, and carry a modest five-game winning streak into Saturday.

Turner says his club has been up-and-down at times, but has held its own against some of the better teams in the state.

“The maturity of our freshmen has been a big key for us. We start seven freshmen” Turner said. “This is also the most athletic team I’ve had.”

Delta (.303 team BA) is led on offense by All-Big 7 selections OF Amanda Vickers (.352, 36 R, 19 RBI, 22 BB), 2B Jessica Gonzalez (.358, 37 R, 16 RBI, 24 BB), C Tomiko Matsuno (.330, 30 RBI), and C Ashley Young (.328, 10 2B, 15 SB).

Turner expects his pitching staff to fair well this weekend on their home field.

All-Big 7 pitcher Melanie Nordhaus (16-5 record) ranked second in conference ERA (1.14). She allowed just 81 hits and 20 earned runs in 122 innings of work.

Freshmen Megan Young (7-5, 2.46) and Kristina Gonzales (6-1, 2.19) round-out the rotation. Young, a left-hander, recorded 91 strikeouts in 85.1 innings during the regular season.

Delta beat Reedley, 3-2, back on Feb. 16.

Butte and Sierra split two non-conference games this year: Butte winning 6-5 on Feb. 11, and Sierra winning 8-0 on April 23.

QUICK HITS: Reedley hit .291 as a team with 16 HR. Sophomore OF Melissa Gamboa was voted First-Team All-Central Valley Conference and All-NorCal after leading the CVC in batting average (.465), hits (80), and doubles (19). She also hit 6 homers and stole 10 bases; The Tigers (won 9 of last 10) played 50 games this regular season – the most in NorCal … Sierra batted .309 (also 73 for 79 in steals). Freshman 3B Nicole Yarak earned All-Big 7 honors (.383, 4 HR, 34 RBI). Freshman 2B/P Katy Kaestner led the team in batting (.400), extra-base hits (22), and RBI (45); she also went 7-2 on the mound (1.33 ERA). Sophomore pitchers Nichole Tunget (14-6, All-State) and Alex Morales (12-7) both posted ERAs of 1.57 … Butte (8-2 season start) dropped nine of its last 15 games. Sophomore UT Ashley Hartley was voted All-Golden Valley (.357, 8 HR, 37 RBI).

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*Regionals will continue on Sunday, May 7 with elimination games at 10 am and 12 noon; championship games at 2 pm (and 4 pm if needed).