Howard, Kozlowski Make National Team

Kevin Howard of Westlake High and Jessie Kozlowski of Simi Valley have been named to the 18-member USA Baseball Youth National team.

Howard, who will be a junior, was the Warriors’ third baseman and batted .512. He was a member of The Times’ 1997 All-Ventura County team.

Kozlowski, a right-handed pitcher who will be a sophomore, was selected most valuable player of the Pioneers’ junior varsity.

Howard and Kozlowski are among six Californians selected to the team, which will depart July 9 to compete in the International Baseball Assn.’s AA World Youth Championships, July 12-20 in Tapei, Taiwan.

Players cut: Cal State Northridge men’s basketball players Brady Mertes and Sha-Ron Elzy will not have their scholarships renewed for the coming academic year, Mertes said Thursday.

“I found out a long time ago, at the end of March,” Mertes said. “Sha-Ron found out even earlier.”

Mertes, who averaged 2.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 24 games in his only season at Northridge, said he is not upset with the moves.

“I’m not blaming Braswell at all,” Mertes said. “I didn’t have a good year and he had to do what he had to.”

Before the cuts, Braswell had committed scholarships to 14 players for next season. The NCAA maximum is 13.

Mertes, a 1993 Chatsworth High graduate who played two seasons at Moorpark College, said he will not play elsewhere.

Ventura highway: Jaime Ambriz and Adam Reeves from Rio Mesa High will play soccer at Santa Barbara City College, Rio Mesa Coach Brent Kruk said. Ambriz, a member of The Times’ all-region team the past two seasons, considered attending Fresno State, Westmont and Cal State Los Angeles. Reeves, a member of The Times’ 1997 all-region second team, earlier committed to play at Gonzaga.

Walking out: Kristi Tynan, a touted women’s soccer recruit at Cal State Northridge, said she has left the program because of personal conflicts with Coach Brian Wiesner. Tynan began last season as the Matadors’ starting sweeper, but broke her collarbone shortly after the first match and did not play again.

Heat is on: The West Valley Heat girls’ 16-and-under softball team defeated Chino Hills, 7-0, in the championship game of the Upland Tournament.

The Heat posted a 4-0 tournament record as right-hander Jenny Pitillo recorded two victories and a save, and Candy Wang batted .647.