Sockers Auto Trader Reserves Take Tournament Title

The Sockers Auto Trader reserves won their third national championship in five years by sweeping through the Mitre Amateur Championship tournament in Atlanta over the weekend.

The reserves were 7-0 in the 32-team national tournament and outscored their opposition by a combined 26-7. They beat Rayo F.C. of Mexico, 3-2, in Sunday’s final.

Mirko Castillo, who is signed to a regular contract with the Sockers but rarely plays with the varsity, scored twice in the final and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Sockers’ developmental player Scott Geraghty finished with four goals and three assists. Brian Craft-Negrete, whom the Sockers picked in the fourth round of February’s draft, scored two goals and set up three others, and John Olu Molomo scored five goals and had an assist.

BASEBALL

With two out in the top of the ninth and the bases loaded, pinch-hitter Brent Ferguson swung at a 2-2 pitch and sent the ball into the gap in right-center for a triple to give the Aztecs a come-from behind 3-2 victory over Sacramento State.

Steve Dietz opened the inning with a single before Derek Vinyard and Greg Quam walked to load the bases.

The late uprising cost Sacramento State’s Roland DeLaMaza a shutout bid in which he struck out 10 Aztecs in 8 2/3 innings.

Six Aztec pitchers combined to strike out 10 Sacramento State batters and freshman Scott Hofstede pitched the final three innings, retiring all nine batters.

SDSU improved to 15-6, and Sacramento State fell to 8-11. The Aztecs play host to USC Tuesday at 5 p.m.

TENNIS

University of San Diego, ranked 21st in the nation, won the BNP Collegiate Tennis Classic by defeating the University of Pacific, 7-0, in the championship match.

It was the sixth consecutive year the Toreros have won their own eight-team tournament.

USD senior Jose Luis Noriega, ranked No. 1 in the nation, led USD to a singles sweep with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Kevin Smith.

In other team matches, Yale placed third by default over Navy, which had to leave the tournament early due to travel arrangements; Pennsylvania finished fifth with a 6-2 decision over Iowa State; and Nebraska placed seventh with a 5-2 victory over Indiana State.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

USD, ranked 15th nationally, defeated 25th-ranked Clemson, 6-3. Sophomore Laura Richards and Julie McKeon won their singles matches, then teamed up for another victory at No. 1 doubles. USD improved to 6-2; Clemson fell to 8-4.