Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Grover is among JC all-conference picks

By Dick Sparrer

The area community colleges were well-represented when the coaches of the Coast Conference assembled to select their all-conference baseball team for 1997.

Three players from De Anza Community College were picked to the North Division first team. Pitcher Jeremy Cunningham (Monta Vista), outfielder Rick Wiens (Pioneer), and designated hitter Matt Hall (Homestead) each won first-team honors.

Starting pitchers Jeff Martin (Pioneer) and Jordan Romero and relief pitchers Craig Shara and Matt Clercq (St. Francis) earned second team honors along with catcher Dan Duke (Leland), first baseman Matt Curnutt (Santa Teresa), outfielders Scott Grover (Los Gatos) and Mike Gardner (Leland) and infielders Joey Passanisi (St. Francis), Vinnie Perez and Dom Repetti.

Former Cupertino star Tim DeHart was also named to the all-conference second team as a pitcher for Cañada.

San Jose City College placed three players on the all-conference second team in the South Division, two of them former Fremont stars.

Infielder Rudy DeAnda and outfielder Tom Jimenez were standouts at Fremont before winning all-conference honors at San Jose City. Teammate Kyle Crooks joined the two on the all-league squad.

Ryan Becks (Santa Teresa) of West Valley Community College was named the most valuable player in the South Division of the Coast Conference.

Infielder Isah Yacap (Milpitas) also earned a place on the South first team with second-team honors going to relief pitcher J.T. Harris (Oak Grove), infielder Jeff Canter (Fremont), outfielder Nick Dalis (Bellarmine) and utility player Matt Troedson (Santa Teresa).

De Anza lost its opener in the state playoffs last week, falling 11-4 to the College of the Sequoias. The Dons slipped to 25-20 for the year.

Vikings win a pair

Julia Martin whirled a no-hitter to get the West Valley Community College women's softball team off to a solid start in the state playoffs.

Jennifer Ellinger blasted a two-run homer, and Martin blanked the College of the Redwoods over seven innings to lead the Vikings to the 10-0 victory. Lisa McDuffee ripped three hits in the win.

Kim Samaripa (Leigh) singled and doubled to drive in five runs for Valley and Shannon Sullivan (Los Gatos), and Sarah Dudley (Willow Glen) each singled and doubled. Kimberly Lax added two hits.

Martin came back with a three-hitter in West Valley's tight 2-1 win over Fresno City College. Ellinger had three hits, and Dudley singled and doubled.

The Vikings are now 46-10 for the year, and Martin boasts a 37-7 mound record.

San Jose City College split in two state playoff games, beating the College of the Sequoias 5-3 before losing 5-0 to Consumnes River.

Jessica Rose (Leigh) tossed a five-hitter in the win over COS, running her season pitching mark to 24-5.

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