Three Holy Family softball players among Horizon League’s best
The following are odds and ends from the local sports scene.
TRIO OF GAELS EARN ALL-LEAGUE
Several members of the Holy Family softball team picked up All-Horizon League honors after season’s end. The Gaels, who finished 8-12, 4-4 in league to tie for third place with Bishop Conaty-Loretto, had two players named to the first team and one to the second team.
Senior pitcher Elena Lomeli and freshman catcher Ginnes Paladini earned spots on the first team. Senior first baseman Aurora Aguirre was named to the second team.
Holy Family Coach Greg Ziomek said the Gaels had enough league representation despite the team missing out on the playoffs.
“We undershot our expectations of making the playoffs, but I’m happy for Elena, Ginnes and Aurora,” Ziomek said. “Elena was a four-year starter who could play multiple positions and she was probably our best all-around player.
“Ginnes proved to be very athletic. We came into the season without a catcher and she did an excellent job in what’s a tough position. We figured to break her in now and we are looking for great things from her. With Aurora, I wish I had 10 players like her. She did exactly what she was told to do and she always worked extra hard at getting better.”
Statistics for each player were unavailable.
ALL-STAR VOLLEYBALL MATCHES ON TAP
A group of local boys’ volleyball players are scheduled to participate in private school versus public school matches Saturday at Caltech’s Braun Gymnasium. The underclassman match will start at 2 p.m., followed by the seniors match at 3:15.
The underclassman match will feature three players, including middle blocker Kareem Ismail of Flintridge Prep and outside hitter Charles McCarthy of St. Francis and setter Chris Thompson of St. Francis. The team will be coached by Sean Beattie of Flintridge Prep.
The senior match will include a trio of St. Francis players. Outside hitter Michael Bacall, opposite hitter Wesley Coffey and libero Thomas Banks are all set for action.
CHAMPIONSHIP HOPES FALL SHORT
Men’s golfers Russell Surber, Anton Arboleda and David Lipsky participated in sectional qualifiers Monday for the US Open.
Surber, a Flintridge Prep graduate and Arboleda, a La Cañada graduate now attending UCLA, finished tied for 34th and 52nd, respectively at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City. Lipsky, a La Cañada graduate tied for 63rd at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio.
Surber finished with a two-round score of 143, while Arboleda registered a 145 on the par-72 course. Lipsky, a member of the Asian Tour, had a two-round score of 148 on the par-70 course.
The championship will be held June 14-17 at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.