Sports Briefs
Compiled by Robert Haugh & Melissa McKenzie

Santa Clara Sparks 10U Softball team recently qualified to compete at Nationals in San Diego the first weekend of August. The girls are seeking sponsorship and any support to help pay for the trip to San Diego. Contact Steven Robles at 408-807-3834 or E-mail kingofcali12@gmail.com for information on how you can help support the achievements of these young athletes.

All Star Chris Wondolowski. On July 10, San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski was named to his first all star team. The MLS selected a 4-3-3 formation this year because the third-ranked forward (Wondo) received more than twice as many votes as the fourth-place midfielder. The seven-year veteran will play with the best in the MLS against English Premier League champions Manchester United at Red Bull Arena in the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at 5:30 p.m. on July 27. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

Westside and Homestead Battle for 10-11 All Stars District Championship Spot. Westside and Homestead's 10-11 All Stars battled each other on July 12 after press time, with the winner advancing to play Campbell in the championship game on July 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Sunnyvale Metro. Homestead fought to the semi-finals in the winner's bracket before succumbing to Campbell 8-4 on July 8, while Westside fought through the loser's bracket, defeating Moreland, Mountain View and Los Altos, all 13-3, then defeating Cupertino American 4-0 on July 11, in which Justin Seidel pitched a complete game shutout for Westside. Seidel went six innings, allowed four hits and one walk and struck out five. Dominic Torregroza was 2-for-2 for Westside with a double, run and RBI. Justin Polk added a run and RBI and Kevin Shea scored a run.

Santa Clara and Wilcox Seniors to Participate in 37th Annual Charlie Wedemeyer All Star Football Game. Wilcox safety Kris Dipko, Santa Clara DT James Gaeta, Wilcox RB//DB Jordan Gibson, Wilcox RB Michael Roman and Wilcox OL/DL Jeremy Souza will represent the North squad. The All-Star game will be at Spartan Stadium on July 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Santa Clara Red Sox Palomino Team Splits Doubleheader vs. Los Altos Knights. The Red Sox won the first game 7-5 but lost the second game 8-7 on July 7 at Washington Park. Nick Morehead picked up the win in the first game, pitching three scoreless innings in relief. Jordan Funtila had three RBI in the win while Alex Medlin had two runs. Medlin, Steven Thompson and Chris Gomez also recorded two hits in the win. Stefan Fahrner had three RBI in the loss while Owen Price had two runs.

The Red Sox compete in the Hoots Tournament in Danville July 14-17 then compete in the Regional tournament July 19-25 at Washington Park.

Santa Clara Dynasty Take Two from Silicon Valley Red Sox on July 10 Pitcher Kyle Hatzenbuhler pitched a complete game, giving up one earned run and striking out five batters in the 10-1 first game victory. In the second game, pitcher Jordan Fanara pitched 5.1 innings, giving up four hits and three runs while striking out five batters. Gabriel Alcantar fueled the Dynasty offense with three home runs in the 14-3 win.

Dyansty Players in Silicon Valley Adult Baseball League All Star Game. Pitcher Kyle Hatzenbuler, catcher Brad Davis, second baseman Jordan Fanara, third baseman Lou Agront, first baseman Trever Hatzenbuler and center fielder Marc Barron will be playing in the SVABL All Star game tonight, July, 13 at San Jose Municipal Stadium. The Home Run Derby will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the first pitch at 7 p.m.

Homestead Junior All Stars Come Just Shy of District Championship. After defeating Los Altos 4-3 on July 8 to force a single-game championship, Homestead came short of winning the District 44 crown falling to Los Altos 6-1 on July 9.

Erik Larson pitched a solid 6-2/3 innings, allowing six hits, but allowing six runs in the finale. Clancy Hilkinbotham recorded Homestead's solo run in the game and also doubled. In the first game that forced the one-game championship, Homestead knocked off Los Altos 4-3 on July 8 behind Nick Green's six-innings where he allowed six hits and three runs. Green cruised through the opening three frames where he allowed only a walk. Drew Pheifer recorded two hits and two runs, while Dominic Bailey recorded a hit and run.

Homestead reached the championship games by defeating Sunnyvale National 9-1 on July 7. Patrick Tolbert was 2-for-2 with a 2-run HR, Bailey was 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs and two doubles and Andrew Reyes recorded a triple in the win. Larson picked up the win.

Homestead 11-12 All Stars Eliminate Westside from District 44 Championship, Fall to Los Altos. The Homestead 11-12 All Stars defeated Westside 5-4 on July 9, keeping their dreams of a District title alive. Homestead's Brandon Munoz was 2-for-3 with a double and Kyle Martin was 2-for-2. Westside's Manny Espinoza was 2-for-3 with a HR. Homestead's Mateo Flota also hit a HR. Westside's Connor Maguire was 2-for-3 with a double.

Homestead's success was short-lived, however, as they were defeated and eliminated by Los Altos on July 11.

Westside Eliminates Homestead and Briarwood from 9-10 All Stars Before Being Eliminated from District Championship Chase. After defeating Homestead 5-2 on July 6 and Briarwood 13-3 on July 8, Westside was eliminated by Campbell on July 11.

Santa Clara University's Kerry Keating Gets Contract Extension. After leading the Bronco men's basketball team to its second-most ever single season wins, and winning the CIT this past march, SCU has offered Keating a contract extension through May, 1, 2015.

SCU Hires New Assistant Baseball Coach. On Thursday, July 7, SCU announced the hiring of Gabe Ribas as the team's new pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. Ribas comes to SCU after spending last season at Northern Colorado.

Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps has completed the first of five weeks in their nationwide tour with good results. The corps was featured in four shows and is quickly approaching an 80 point score mark with recent scores of 78.40 and 79.20. The Vanguard will be performing this week in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minneapolis, for one of the largest shows of the season to date.

The Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets had a successful weekend with shows in the bay area. Their scores of 77.70 and 78.55 rank them in second place in the country among Open Class corps. The Vanguard Cadets will travel to southern California for two shows July 16 and 17, then start their tour across the country concluding at the World Championships in Indianapolis, August 8-14.