Foothill sweeps Amador in baseball, softball Foothill sweeps Amador in baseball, softball (May 27, 2005)

Sweet ending to season play
Compiled by Lori Nielsen

All of Foothill's baseball and softball teams swept their respective games against cross-town rival Amador Valley last week, making a sweet ending to their league play.
Baseball

The Freshman Falcons put it together to gain the victory 4-1. Leading the infield, McLeod, O'Connor, Rinetti, Chinn, Demera, and Fragulia played perfect defense. In the outfield, Palma, Keaveney, Kruger and Roberts were flawless. Timely hitting by Malinowski, O'Connor, Roberts, Fragulia and Kruger paced the offense. Stellar pitching from William O'Brien and excellent base running by Sleeter and Karavakis helped seal the win.

On Foothill's JV team, Chase Clyma pitched a complete game and first baseman Alex Law, left fielder Ryan Theige, and right fielder KC Woods contributed clutch hits in leading the Falcons to a 3-1 victory over Amador Valley. Clyma limited the Dons to one run on four hits, while striking out five. Theige was 2 for 3 on the day, including a double in the sixth inning. Later that inning, Theige stole home on a double steal play, staking the Falcons to their 3-1 lead.

The game ended on Law's stab of a line drive to the right of the first base bag. Coach Greg Blades' Junior Varsity team completed the season with a 7-5 EBAL record and an overall record of 15-9-1.
Softball

The JV Falcon team had its third win in a row against the Amador team winning 3-2. The win put Foothill tied for 1st place with Livermore in EBAL play. Foothill ended its season just like it began, with hard play and tough defense throughout. Everyone on the team made huge contributions toward this victory: Jenifer Vincent, Claire Robertson, Danielle Ong, Jennifer Flaming, Shaina Dich, Jessica Seitz, Brea Hoffmann, Candace Hoppe, Jill Anderson, Ashley Lundin, Lexi Schvaneveldt, Catrina Cruger, Shannon Little, and Shelby Oldenkamp.
Wrestling

Amador Valley Sophomore Elliott Ripley placed third at the California State Greco Roman Wrestling Championships, qualifying him for the National Tournament in Fargo, N.D. on July 4. A fifth place finisher two weeks ago at the Freestyle State Championships in San Jose, Ripley will be petitioning to be able to compete in both styles of wrestling at this elite tournament. Junior Travis Dowdy also competed, going 1-2 for the weekend, against some of the toughest competition in the state.

Additionally three Foothill wrestlers qualified as well. Junior Phil Boyer and sophomore's Kellen Aura and Tommy Wipfli.

Greco Roman Wrestling, one of the two styles of wrestling used in international competition and the Olympics, is considered to be one of the world's oldest sports. In this style of wrestling, opponents are not allowed to grab the other wrestler's legs. This style of wrestling tends to be very aggressive, with the wrestler often lifting and throwing their opponent to the mat for points.
Girls Lacrosse

Playing in their first NCS playoff game, the Lady Dons held on for a 10-8 victory over Carondelet, improving to 16-4 and reaching the final four in just the second year since NCS section playoffs were introduced. With the score tied six different times during the contest, the game seesawed back and forth until the final minutes.

Amador jumped on top when Joanna LaFrancesca found the back of the net on an assist from Jamie Loney, following up with another shot to put the Lady Dons ahead 2-0. Carondelet responded with 2 goals. Julia Brodnick then intercepted a pass from the Carondelet goalie, and carried it down the field to LaFrancesca, who scored her third goal of the game. Once again, the Cougars responded in kind. The Lady Dons received a solid effort from Julia Brodnick and Jackie Bierre, who caused several turnovers and helped Amador hold on to the lead, 7-5 going into the break.

Carondelet scored quickly in the second half to come within one point of tying the game. A defensive battle ensued, with neither team scoring for the next 15 minutes. Jessica Thomas, Suzanna Sund, Robyn Clark, Katie Zachariades, and Melissa Sheehan worked together to deny the Cougars from scoring again and again. Bekah Cunningham scored the go-ahead goal at, and Jamie Loney, with an assist from Emma Bijesse, made it 10-8 when she found the net with just 22 seconds left. Senior goalie Jessica Starkey was stunning, tallying 18 saves.

Scoring Summary: Joanna LaFrancesca, 4 goals; Bekah Cunningham, 2 goals; Sarina Madnick, 2 goals; Jamie Loney, 1 goal and 2 assists; Kristyn Hayashi, 1 goal; Julia Brodnick, 2 assists, and Emma Bijesse, 1 assist.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.