Skeels a Second-Half Contributor

The JetHawks were tied with High Desert for first place in the California League’s Valley Division heading into a crucial three-game series between the two clubs Wednesday in Lancaster, and catcher David Skeels has found himself playing a key role in the JetHawk’s second-half surge.

The former Thousand Oaks High standout had a team-best 11-game hitting steak, during which he raised his batting average more than 20 points to .298, second highest on the club.

Defensively, Skeels has helped the pitching staff keep its earned-run average to 3.13 in an 11-game stretch in which Lancaster has lost only once.

Not bad for the one-time No. 3 catcher who used to dream at night about playing.

“I’ve stayed prepared throughout the season,” Skeels said. “My older brothers have been an inspiration. You never know when an opportunity comes up and hits you. It’s nice to be in a pennant race and be playing consistent.”

The counseling of brothers Mark, who recently retired, and Andy, a player-coach with Lubbock, an independent team in the Texas-Louisana League, have also paid off defensively. During a stretch last week, Skeels threw out nine consecutive base runners.

*

The JetHawks have acquired catcher Greg Connors to fill the roster spot vacated by pitcher Rafael Rivera, who was promoted to double-A Memphis two weeks ago.

*

Damaso Marte was named the Howe Sportsdata California League pitcher of the week. Marte was 2-0 with a 0.56 earned-run average.

*

Today’s game: High Desert (Jeff Sobkoviak, 13-6, 4.44) at JetHawks (Damaso Marte, 7-7, 4.46), 7:15.

AROUND THE LEAGUES

First baseman Robert Fick (Newbury Park High, Ventura College, Cal State Northridge) of the West Michigan Whitecaps was selected most valuable player of the Class-A Midwest League in a vote of the managers. In 113 games, Fick is batting .356 with 93 runs, 153 hits, 48 doubles, 16 home runs and 85 runs batted in.

Left-hander Jim Parque (Crescenta Valley High, UCLA), a second-round pick of the Chicago White Sox in June, made a huge leap Wednesday, getting promoted from Class-A Winston-Salem to the triple-A Nashville Sounds. In 11 starts at Winston-Salem, Parque was 7-2 with a 2.77 earned-run average, allowing only 29 hits and striking out 76 in 61 2/3 innings. Opponents batted .140 against him.

*

Scanning Tuesday’s box scores: TRIPLE A--Third baseman Torey Lovullo (Montclair Prep) hit his 12th home run and drove in three runs for Buffalo in a 5-1 win over Louisville. . . . Designated hitter Rich Aude (Chatsworth) was two for four with a double, a run batted in and two runs for Syracuse in a 5-2 victory over Toledo. . . . Phoenix right-hander Russell Ortiz (Montclair Prep) allowed four hits and struck out six in seven innings in a 5-3 win over Calgary. He did not allow an earned run and also had two hits in three at-bats. Ortiz is 4-2 since being promoted from Shreveport and he hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last 15 innings. . . . DOUBLE A--Shortstop David Lamb (Newbury Park) was three for three for Bowie in a loss at New Haven. . . . Left fielder Scott Richardson (Cal State Northridge) had two hits, three RBIs and two runs in San Antonio’s 10-2 win at Wichita. Richardson also hit his seventh home run. . . . SINGLE A--Pitcher Jose Villafana (Sylmar, Mission College) worked six innings for the win in Peoria’s 3-1 victory over Rockford. Villafana is 5-2. . . . First baseman Peter Paciorek (Glendale College) had two hits, including his 18th double, in Clinton’s 6-1 win over Quad City. . . . Center fielder Darrell Dent (Montclair Prep) had two hits and two stolen bases for Delmarva, raising his average to .236 and giving him 54 steals for the season. . . . Center fielder Ryan Stromsborg (Notre Dame) hit a two-run homer, his fourth, for Hagerstown in a 5-4 win over Cape Fear. . . . First baseman Greg Sheppard (Cal State Northridge) had two hits and three RBIs for Hickory in a 9-4 win over Savannah. . . . Third baseman Dennis Konrady (Pepperdine) had two hits and two RBIs for Columbus in a 7-6 win over Macon.