Former Crespi Pitcher Spears Signs Contract as Free Agent With Padres

Pitcher Chris Spears, a former Crespi High standout, signed a free-agent contract with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday and will report Friday to their rookie league team in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Spears, the 1987 Del Rey League most valuable player and an All-Southern Section 5-A Division selection, is a left-hander who went 8-6 as a senior at Loyola Marymount this past season. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Spears had a 15-7 career record with the Lions.

Noelle Righter of Moorpark College, who moved from the sprints to the middle distances this season, has made a verbal commitment to attend Fresno State, Moorpark assistant Doni Green said.

Righter placed second in the 1,500 meters and third in the 800 at the state junior college championships last month.

She has personal bests of 2 minutes 15.79 seconds in the 800 and 4:38.60 in the 1,500.

Erin Bailey of Bakersfield College has signed a letter of intent with the Cal State Northridge track and field program.

Bailey, the runner-up in the men’s long jump in the Western State Conference championships in April, had a wind-aided leap of 25 feet 1 inch this season. He has a personal best of 24-4.

The addition of Bailey brings to 14 the number of athletes Northridge has signed since April 10.