Ritchie of Glendale Signs With Phillies

Wally Ritchie, the hard-throwing left-hander from Glendale College, has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ritchie, a transfer from Brigham Young University, was drafted in the third round and signed by scout Jay Robertson. He was assigned to the Phillies’ rookie league team in Bend, Ore.

Terms of the contract were not announced, but Ritchie, who had signed a letter of intent to attend Loyola Marymount University, had told friends he would not sign for less than a $50,000 bonus.

Kaplan Nears Contract With Tigers

Paul Kaplan, the Cal State Northridge baseball team’s top hitter this spring, is close to signing a free-agent contract with the world-champion Detroit Tigers.

Kaplan, a first baseman, hit .410 for the Matadors, earning All-California Collegiate Athletic Assn. honors.

Kaplan said he talked to his agent Wednesday morning and was told that the deal had not been finalized.

If he does not sign with the Tigers, Kaplan said he will probably play with the Dodger Rookies semipro team and try to catch on with a professional team during a tryout camp.

Harges Defeated in USTA Tournament

Cecilia Fernandez of USC advanced to the quarterfinals of the $10,000 USTA Women’s Circuit Tennis Tournament on Wednesday with an 6-4, 6-0 victory over Stephanie Harges of Sherman Oaks.

Fernandez, the fifth-seeded player in the tournament, took care of Harges at the Dark Branch Racquet and Swim Club in Fayetteville, N.C.

Slaten Posts 4-0 Record in Connecticut

Former Cal State Northridge softball pitcher Kathy Slaten has a 4-0 record for the Aetna Coeds in a semipro league in Bridgeport, Conn.

Slaten will receive her stiffest test on July 13 when she will face the Raybestos Breakettes, which is generally considered to be the top Amateur Softball Assn. team in the world.

Former Northridge catcher Stacy Lim also plays for the Aetna team.