Ellsworth Builds Case for Recall

If Steve Ellsworth had pitched for the Boston Red Sox the way he did for their triple-A affiliate at Pawtucket on Tuesday night, he might still be in the major leagues.

The former Cal State Northridge standout had a no-hitter through 8 innings against Oklahoma City in his first start since being sent to the minors. Tom O’Malley, a former major leaguer with the Giants, A’s and Rangers, broke up Ellsworth’s bid with a home run. Pawtucket won, 12-1.

Ellsworth, who last pitched for Northridge in 1981, was 1-6 for the Red Sox with a 6.30 earned-run average. He gave up 38 hits and 14 walks in 30 innings and struck out 14.

Cal Lutheran signing: Dean Martinez, a right-handed pitcher from Saddleback College, has made a verbal commitment to attend Cal Lutheran.

Martinez was 8-6 for Saddleback with a 5.48 ERA.

Kingsmen awards: Jon Egertson, who led the Cal Lutheran baseball team with a .413 batting average, was selected the Kingsmen’s most valuable player.

The senior third baseman led Cal Lutheran with 13 doubles and was tied for the team lead with six home runs. He also committed only two errors to finish with a .973 fielding percentage.

Outfielder Tim Lewis was the team’s most improved player and outfielder Dan Weis, a freshman, received the coach’s award.

Working the lobby: Coach Len Mohney of College of the Canyons did not panic when Cerritos pounded the Cougars, 14-0, last week in the first round of the Southern California junior college regional baseball playoffs at Cerritos.

“I’m not going to take batting practice in the hotel now,” he said.

Perhaps having the pitchers throw in the lobby would have been a better idea.

Canyons scored six runs its next game, but lost, 9-6, to El Camino and was eliminated from playoffs. The Cougars finished the season 32-8.

Raider ripper: Corey Aurand, who led the Moorpark College baseball team with a .372 batting average, was selected the Raiders’ most valuable player.

The sophomore center fielder hit .406 and had seven home runs in Western State Conference play.

Paul Perce, a freshman right-hander, was honored as the Raiders’ top pitcher. Loyd Wood, a freshman third baseman, was selected best defensive player and Kevin Medeiros was rookie of the year. Aurand and pitcher Jon DeGennaro were honored as team captains.

Softball awards: Beth Onestinghel and Debbie Dickmann were honored as co-MVPs at the Cal State Northridge softball awards banquet on Sunday.

Onestinghel, a senior outfielder, batted .384 and had a team-high 47 runs batted in and 16 game-winning hits. She also shared the Gold Glove award with first baseman Pam Smith. Dickmann, a sophomore pitcher, was 23-3 with an 0.28 ERA and 152 strikeouts in 201 innings.

Other award winners were: Lisa Erickson, batting champion and best offensive player; Lisa Martin, most improved; Kim Bernstein, best defensive player; April Russell, most inspirational; Leslie Plank, scholar-athlete; and Chris Seale and Kate Bennitt, coaches award.

Lisa Hall and Janine Cochran were selected captains for next season.

Add softball awards: Junior catcher Teri Rupe, an All-NAIA District 3 first-team selection, was selected MVP on the Cal Lutheran softball team.

Rupe also received the John Siemens Memorial Scholarship for the second consecutive year. It is awarded to the team’s top scholar-athlete.

Pitcher DeeAndra Pilkington was selected the team’s top defensive player and Rosa Jimenez was the best offensive player.

Kelly Ingram was Cal Lutheran’s most inspirational player and Jill Anderson was most improved. Rupe and Anderson were honored as team captains.

Conn game: Missy Conn has been selected MVP of the Cal State Northridge women’s tennis team for the third time. Conn started the season playing No. 4 singles but ended up alternating with doubles partner Allison Kincaid in the top two positions. Kris Anderson was selected most improved and Suzi Izmirian was named most inspirational.