Luetje Returns to Coach at Burbank

Wally Luetje, a former defensive coordinator at Harvard-Westlake High, has been hired as football coach at Burbank.

Luetje, 51, was defensive coordinator at Burbank from 1990-92, the last time the Bulldogs made the Southern Section playoffs. He coached at Harvard-Westlake from 1993-95. He graduated from Burbank in 1964.

Luetje left coaching two years ago when he decided to donate a kidney to his sister, who has diabetes.

“It was the thing to do,” he said. “She wasn’t going to last much further.”

His sister has recovered, and so has Luetje, who looks forward to regaining respectability for a struggling football program.

BASEBALL

Russ Ortiz (Montclair Prep) made his major league debut on Thursday, pitching two shutout innings to finish the San Francisco Giants’ 9-2 victory over the Houston Astros.

The 23-year-old right-hander struck out four, walked three and did not allow a hit.

Ortiz, a fourth-round draft choice out of the University of Oklahoma in 1995, was promoted from triple-A Phoenix earlier this week when Osvaldo Fernandez was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

BASKETBALL

Joclin Julmist of The Master’s was selected Honorable Mention All-America by the NAIA.

Julmist, a sophomore forward, averaged 8.7 points and 10.9 rebounds. His 380-rebound performance was his second 300-plus rebound season.

MOTOR SPORTS

The Ventura Raceway program for Saturday has been postponed until June 20 because of wet grounds. The Seaside Park raceway’s next event is set for April 11.

FYI

Youth football and cheerleading sign-ups for the Westlake Braves will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and April 18-19 at sites in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.

Ages 8 through 14 are eligible. Information: (805) 379-5697.