Briefs: Lemmerman, Israel win

Corona del Mar High product Jake Lemmerman went hitless in four at-bats as the starting shortstop for Israel, which defeated South Africa, 7-3, in the opening game of a four-team World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament in Jupiter, Fla. on Wednesday.

Team Israel, which also includes former UC Irvine standout Ben Orloff, will play the winner of Thursday’s game between Spain and France on Friday.

— From staff reports

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Zepfel earns honor

Corona del Mar High alumnus Ben Zepfel, now a freshman men’s water polo player at Harvard, has been named the Collegiate Water Polo Assn. Northern Division Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sept. 17.

Zepfel posted 11 goals and four steals, helping the Crimson to a 2-1 record at the North-South Invitational in the first home matches of his collegiate career. The center scored five goals in a 16-9 victory over Mercyhurst, and four more goals in a 15-13 triumph over George Washington.

Zepfel was the Pacific Coast League MVP last year for CdM, helping the Sea Kings win the Pacific Coast League and reach the CIF Southern Section Division 2 title match. He led CdM with 81 goals scored and was a Newport-Mesa Dream Team selection.

— Matt Szabo

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Saleh wins first ATP match

Newport Beach resident Dante Saleh won his first Assn. of Tennis Professionals match Tuesday at the $10,000 men’s futures event in Manzanillo, Mexico on Tuesday.

The 17-year-old fought his way through two qualifying rounds before winning his first-round match against Wilson Leite of Brazil, 6-4, 6-4. Leite is ranked No. 800 in the world.

Saleh is scheduled to play Carlos Diaz Figueroa of Guatemala, ranked No. 410 by the ATP, in the second round.

— Matt Szabo

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OCC’s Penny honored

Orange Coast College sophomore tailback Robert Penny has been named Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week after running for 164 yards and two touchdowns in the Pirates’ 34-12 football win over Long Beach on Saturday.

Penny, who carried 30 times, including six times on a seven-play, 68-yard touchdown drive that finalized the scoring with 1:05 left, leads OCC (2-1) with 295 yards on 61 attempts this season. He has scored three touchdowns.

OCC, ranked No. 18 in Southern California, plays host to No. 5-ranked Palomar (2-1), which is also No. 13 in the state, on Saturday at 1 p.m.

— From staff reports

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UCI’s Pitts listed

UC Irvine senior men’s soccer defender Everett Pitts is one of 30 candidates for the sport’s 2012 Senior CLASS award.

Pitts, a three-year starter at center defender, was a first-team All-Big West Conference pick as a junior, helping the Anteaters win the conference regular-season and tournament titles. He was a preseason all-conference choice this season.

Candidates, who will be pared to 10 finalists by midseason, have demonstrated notable achievement in the community, the classroom, character and competition.

— From staff reports