Santa Barbara Gets Commitments

With letter of intent day Wednesday, UC Santa Barbara has received two late commitments in baseball, landing All-Southern Section shortstop Chris Valaika from Newhall Hart and pitcher David Filipiak from Laguna Hills.

Another Laguna Hills baseball player, left-handed pitcher Kevin Barnum, has committed to California.

Drean Rucker of Moreno Valley Canyon Springs, considered among the top linebackers in Southern California, has committed to USC.

Oak Park senior Brandon Beck, the 2002 Tri-Valley League golfer of the year, has also committed to California. Beck, who had a stroke average of 72.9 for the Eagles in 2002, finished fifth in the Southern Section individual finals. His seven-under-par 65 at Soule Park in Ojai at the league finals established a school and league record.

Shaina Zaidi, a 5-foot-8 point guard from L.A. Marlborough, has committed to UCLA. Zaidi averaged 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists last season.

Mandie Rowell, a pole vaulter at Santa Margarita, has committed to Utah. She was the Orange County champion in 2001 but missed last season because of an ankle injury.

-- Eric Sondheimer, Peter Yoon and Dan Arritt