Book review: Luke Easter

By Ed Piper

I'm reading the recently-released book, Larry Doby in Black and White: The Story of a Baseball Pioneer, about the first Black player in the American League, the same season (1947) that Jackie Robinson broke the color line in the National League for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Doby, a high-average and home run hitter in the Negro Leagues as a second baseman, didn't have any allies on the Cleveland Indians the way Robinson had with the Dodgers in Pee Wee Reese and others. The contrast in the behavior of the managers foretold how things would go: manager Leo Durocher of Brooklyn called a clubhouse meeting before the season, and told his team, "Jackie Robinson is going to be your teammate, and if you don't like it, then step forward and we'll ship you out" to another team, words to that effect.

Unfortunately, in Doby's case, Bill Veeck, the maverick owner of Cleveland, was totally on board with integrating major league baseball. But his manager, Lou Boudreau, an all-star shortstop who also filled out the lineup card, hadn't been brought into the situation. He announced to the team that Doby had joined them, but he didn't do him any favors or try to lighten the way. Five players shook Doby's hand, others gave him an obligatory handshake with a dead-fish shake, while two others turned their backs and walked away.

More pertinent to this blog entry, the book, well-written and researched by Jerry Izenberg, discusses Luke Easter's coming to the Indians in 1949. Easter played for the Padres in the PCL the season before to prepare him for the majors, and in San Diego the big power-hitting first baseman didn't have to deal with the racist Jim Crow rules of the South.

The major league team roomed Doby with Easter--this was after Cleveland won the 1948 American League title following Doby's rough debut in '47, and manager-shortstop Boudreau was named the league MVP--when Luke came up from San Diego. Luke could hit, and he hit homers. He banged out 31 of them.

Just one thing sabotaged his future with the franchise, situated in a city that wasn't eager to integrate, just as the team wasn't. Easter had a white girl friend, and the white sports-writing press brought this out.

Easter was demoted from the big club, and his career never fully blossomed.

These pioneers had a hell of a time making a way in a sport that resisted change. I mentioned the book to a campus supervisor at a middle school I subbed at Friday (May 17). He commiserated, saying, "Sometimes we don't appreciate what the earlier folks had to go through."

What saved Larry Doby was his wife, Helyn, who was a rock and who had to be the CEO of the family during the baseball season, when Larry would be away for six months or more each year. Helyn had the view that all people are made by God and should be respected. When two of their five kids acted up, she put the pair in Catholic school, where the Catholic nuns weren't afraid to discipline them. Their eldest daughter mentions this, and that her mom had a loving but iron hand in keeping them on the right path.

Larry Doby didn't smoke, drink, swear, or party. His own mother, Etta, insisted when she signed for him to play for the Newark Eagles in the Negro Leagues prior to all of this, that Abe and Effa Manley, the club owners, had to house her son each night after games. Or, barring this, he had to travel home to Paterson, New Jersey, to sleep for the night. He was only 18 when they signed him--prior to his graduation from high school--as a slugging second baseman/outfielder. (He played under an assumed name, so that he could accept a basketball scholarship to Long Island University. But that is another story.)

LJ track: CIF SDS Finals 5/18

Photos by Ed Piper

Payton Smith (left, La Jolla)

#1 in San Diego Section

#1 in California

Won her 400-meter heat in 54.22

MLB: Pitching a gem

By Ed Piper

A few days ago, I pitched a gem.

In my view, at least.

The night before the Padres game I was contemplating, I eyed a $6 ticket on StubHub and went for it. The service fee (to give the site its cut) was more than the ticket price! $7.

The details: $6.47, to be exact, for the seat. (A resale from someone else.) No tax, the receipt says. $7.21 for "Total fees" at the bottom. A big $13.68 total.

After I hopped on the trolley ($1.25 for seniors each way) and had a good day at the park, I remembered the old days.

Four dollars, including parking, a ticket, and whatever. This was 1993-1994, Qualcomm Stadium, so few people there you could hear this one individual calling out--echo, echo, echo.

The parking was in the dirt behind third base, next to where IKEA ended up. A dirt field, no more. The ticket was for straight-away centerfield, not far behind the fence.

I would sit and read a book while I watched the game on a Sunday afternoon, relaxing and looking forward to the rest of the week.

"Whatever" meant I didn't buy concessions (my parents modeled never buying things from concessions; costs too much--my dad was a Depression kid). So, no other expenses...

I realized recently this type of outing isn't for everyone. One person I asked about going to a game (to the Hated Blue North) said if he was going to go, he wanted to buy good seats. Too expensive for me. A couple of seasons ago, I bought seats in the upper left field area of Petco, and they were $37 each, plus fees (and that was before post-COVID inflation hit).

The Padres were owned by Tom Werner in those days, and the Fire Sale was on. Under 10,000 attended games, so people were pretty sparse at the games.

Oh, the good old days...

LJ FB: Spring workouts

Photos by Ed Piper

Aidan "Carolina" McGill

Second Team All-Eastern League

running back

Petco Park: Breitbard Hall of Fame

By Ed Piper

Johnny Ritchey is considered the "San Diego Jackie Robinson". A catcher, he played for the Padres in the Pacific Coast League (minor leagues) in 1948. He braved racism and paved the way for many other Blacks and persons of color on the West Coast. Ritchey starred for SDHS, SDSU, and the Negro Leagues' Chicago American Giants. In 2020, the Padres introduced scholarships in his name for high school seniors who have broken similar barriers.

Bob Skinner played baseball at La Jolla High. As a young man, I had his baseball card in the 60's after he was an established major league player with the Pirates. He also played for the Cardinals. 

Log: A Day in the Life...of a Sportswriter/Photographer

"Lost in Space" on the Bishop's campus

(see 12:42 entry below).

(Photo by Ed Piper, now escaped)

By Ed Piper

8 a.m. Meeting.

9:02 a.m. Head up I-15 from I-8 junction to CIF Division 3 Track Finals in Valley Center (39 miles away). Take circuitous route via Bear Valley Parkway to Valley Center Road.

9:58 a.m. Arrive outside Valley Center High, parking lot packed, meet about to start. Park down Cole Grade Road on the street. Have to harch up the sidewalk, panting, not yet hot in Valley Center but warming up.

10:02 a.m. First photo shots of the morning inside the high school stadium. Small crowd so far, lots of colorful awnings from each school for sun cover, prep athletes in girls long jump and girls 4x100-meter relay on the field and track.

Planning to stay one hour, then jet back to La Jolla to cover the Vikings-Bishop's girls lacrosse quarterfinal playoff game, starting at 12 noon.

10:02-11:02 a.m. Photos of long jump, relays, girls pole vault (boys not yet started), etc.

11:02 a.m. Hustle back to car in late morning heat. (Avery Redfern, La Jolla long jumper, says, "But it's beautiful out here.") Much warmer now (upper 70's, sunny--unlike La Jolla).

Caught a glimpse of flower stands for Mother's Day tomorrow across the road. Pulled off, they take only Venmo or Zell or cash (no credit cards)--try to set up the Venmo app on my phone, it needs to be connected to a debit card, can't do. Have to say goodbye, maybe go to our local Von's for something later?

The lady says "Sell" (what else they accept besides cash at the pop-up stand on Cole Grade Road). I can't figure that one out. It turns out she means "Zell", but in Spanish, like the good Spanish student I was, you pronounce the "Z" as an "s" sound, so you say "Sell". I didn't get it, rushed off.

12:22 p.m. I hurry from the underground parking lot on the Bishop's campus out onto the lacrosse field above, take first shots. It is already the second quarter, 10:10 on the clock. Phenomenal time arriving, considering Cole Grade Road, and especially Valley Center Road and Bear Valley Parkway--people are up and out, so there is much more traffic than at 9 a.m. earlier in the morning.

12:42 p.m. First half ends, Vikings trailing 7-5. I haven't gone to the restroom since I-8 start at 9 a.m., so the need is urgent.

I go into the Science Building next to the turf athletic field on the Bishop's campus. No problem. But instead of going out the way I came in, I think I'll be smart and learn a new way. Out the door I went--the door locking behind me! I go upstairs and downstairs, and it only leads outside the campus to the side street on Draper.

I walk all the way around, down Pearl--I eye the Racket Stringing Workshop business at the corner of Draper and Pearl--then right on La Jolla Blvd., back in.

12:55 p.m. I take my first photos of the third quarter. Most of the third period has elapsed during my lost-in-space episode! La Jolla now trails 8-6. I tell the Knights trainer, Jason, whom I have known for years, of my Science Building lockout debacle. He smiles, I laugh. Pretty embarrassing.

1:26 p.m. The Vikings drop a 12-10 heartbreaker, end of their season.

LJ baseball: Senior Game 5/10

Photos by Ed Piper

Andrew Cho

Declan Kelly

Centerfielder-pitcher

Shortstop Corey Druse

Pitcher Cole Roberts y familia

Outfielder Chris Monell

Catcher Shane McMillan

LJ baseball 2, El Capitan 1 - CIF D3 play-in game

Viking LF Andrew Cho bunts on a squeeze play,

bringing in Travis Lancaster for La Jolla's second

run in a 2-1 win over El Capitan Tues., May 14.

The Vikings play number-one Valhalla

Wednesday. (Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

As Viking Ryan Kestler gathered Andrew Conyers' groundball into his big first baseman's glove and went to the base to tap it for the final out, a big smile began to spread over his face as he and pitcher Cole Roberts converged. Roberts came over to the bag in case Kestler needed to make a toss, but Ryan had plenty of time, so he took it to the bag himself.

Roberts, a senior, pitched a complete-game win--extending his La Jolla career school record for complete games to 16, his seventh this season--giving up one run, and leftfielder Andrew Cho had a hand in both Viking runs as La Jolla downed El Capitan, 2-1, Tues., May 14, to move on to a David-Goliath tussle at Division 3 number-one seed Valhalla Wednesday.

In the second inning, Cho, hitting a consistent .264 in 25 games in his senior season, drove in Travis Lancaster for the Vikes' first run off Vaquero righthander Brody McAuliffe, notable for his long, straight hair hanging down to the middle of his back.

Then, in the bottom of the fourth with no outs, Cho came up after DH Harper Lane bunted his way onto base following rightfielder Travis Lancaster's leadoff double down the left field line.

With Lancaster on third, Andrew also bunted, this one to the left of the mound. Travis sprinted to the plate on the squeeze. McAuliffe, though agile, in his hurry over-ran the ball and everyone was safe, the run upping La Jolla's lead to 2-0.

Coach Gary Frank's squad could not capitalize any further, and the inning ended.

But Roberts, achieving his eighth victory against three losses, with a sparkling 1.69 ERA, scattered eight hits and didn't allow El Capitan to score until the seventh inning. With a runner on third with two outs, a run in, Cole retired Conyers for the final out and he and Kestler embraced as the rest of the Vikings began to celebrate winning the elimination game.

Cole threw 95 pitches in seven innings, McAuliffe 105 in six innings in also going the distance.

Roberts, the lefty, completed seven of his 12 starts this season. Last year he completed nine of 10 starts, for the combined total of 16 complete games in his LJHS career.

McAuliffe, the Vaqueros' ace, finished his senior season at 7-2, with a 1.65 ERA.

LJ baseball: Three runs in the fifth

Centerfielder Adam Lafever takes a cut

against Mira Mesa starter Zerek Zamora

early in the game Fri., May 10.

Lafever scored in the fifth inning

as the Vikings went ahead temporarily, 4-2.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

La Jolla pushed three runs across the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning, to add to a first-inning run. But the 4-2 lead didn't hold up, as visiting Mira Mesa scored three more runs in the top of the sixth to win, 5-4, Fri., May 10, in the two Eastern League teams' final game of the regular season.

In the fifth, Hank Hansen, hitting in the third slot, led off with a hard grounder to short, which he reached base on due to a throwing error by Nathan Widelski.

Ryan Kestler, batting cleanup, was hit by a pitch.

Then Adam Lafever grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing out Hansen on the play at third base.

With runners on first and second, that set up Andrew Cho to line a double to right, driving in Kestler and tying the game 2-2.

Shane McMillan lined a double into the left field corner, bringing in Lafever and Cho.

The Vikings then loaded the bases, but could not drive in any more runs.

"We put pressure on Mira Mesa every inning," said La Jolla coach Gary Frank. "Unfortunately, we ultimately left too many runners on base (13) to win the game."

LJ baseball: Q&A with Johnny Agbulos

LJ assistant coach Johnny Agbulos (far left)

gives a fist bump to Viking players coming

in to the dugout Fri., May 10.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Johnny Agbulos is a friendly, outgoing assistant coach for the La Jolla High baseball team. He is a former Viking player. This conversation took place before La Jolla's home game against Mira Mesa Fri., May 10.

What are you guys looking for today?

At the end of the regular season, I know the team is feeling fatigued. Declan (Kelly) is a very efficient pitcher. He goes through innings very quickly. Ideally, we can get him a lead and hold that lead by playing clean defense.

LJ baseball: Q&A with Koa Scott

Koa Scott (16), Vikings' pitching

coach, exhorts the troops

before their game Fri., May 10.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Koa Scott is the pitching coach for La Jolla High's varsity baseball team. He played for the Vikings in high school. He went on to pitch for St. Katherine's in North County (it closed recently). These comments came before the Vikings' regular season finale Fri., May 10.

Koa Scott.

Howdy.

Your pitching staff--give me an overview for the season.

I think we've done really well this year. Cole Roberts has been lock-down on the mound this year, getting both the complete-game record (as a starter) and also coming in and getting saves this year, which is not an easy thing to do, coming in as a starter and then having to come in to get saves out of the bullpen. That's two different mindsets, and his ability to be able to do that for us has been phenomenal.

Declan (Kelly) would do the same thing for us early in the season and being nails. Later in the year and getting stretched out and starting games for us (he) has been huge. And then Hank (Hansen) same thing, starting, and now relieving. All three have been great for us.

The other handful of guys who have pitched for us have all been good.

From the start of the season to now, did you expect this level of performance from your staff?

I had hoped that we would be here. I didn't expect the number of guys who have stepped up to step up.

Letter grade. What grade would you give your overall staff for this season?

An A. Definitely. I think that's what has kept us in games, is our pitching--eliminating runs for the other team.

What have you learned this season as a coach?

I'd say, no two players are the same. You can't coach one kid the same as another. You have to kind of find each individual kid's language to relate the same mechanics and the same tools, but different languages to each kid so they all understand it. Not every single kid is going to understand it the same way, so you have to figure out the way to get them to move.

LJ baseball: Q&A with Shane McMillan

Catcher Shane McMillan stands with his parents

on Senior Day before the Vikings' game

May 10 at home.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Shane McMillan is the starting catcher for the La Jolla High baseball team. The senior is known on the team as a prankster. He plays solid ball, and Viking coach Gary Frank loves the way he throws out runners trying to steal second base. But Frank also mentions the "humor" that "Mac" brings to the squad. These remarks came before La Jolla's game against Mira Mesa Fri., May 10, at home.

Why does Coach Gary spotlight you for leadership? He mentioned you specifically, among others.

(Straight-faced) I hold a view that it should have been me at the forefront of that discussion. (reporter chuckling at his deadpan statement)

I think leading by example. It's a big thing I key in on. (seeing teammate Andrew Cho walk by) I just do what Andrew Cho does, and that just sort of helps things out. But that would be my answer.

What do you keep in mind to be a part of the team and to be a contributor? Give it to me straight. You're very modest.

Big on unity. Friendship, I think. It might sound juvenile. But laughing, giggling. (as pings are heard from bats in the batting cage before the game)

Oh, Coach Frank did say you are the jokester.

Yeah, I like to act as if I'm a jester dressed smartly (?), I guess you could say. I think the giggling brings the vibes up and supports the team. That's my purpose probably.

I've only been to a few games. You do not like people to steal second base. Take me through your process.

Let's see. I'm anti-stolen bases. A lot of it relies on the pitcher, how quick they are, lifting their leg to me catching the ball. As an infield conversion, the footwork comes easily.

Conversion from what?

Second base and third base last year. So that helps greatly.

Have you really worked on your accuracy, throwing down to second base?

It's always been a natural talent of mine. So the second thought is just throw it hard, and transfer the ball quickly.

LJ baseball: Q&A with Coach Gary Frank

LJ coach Gary Frank fills out

his lineup sheet before the Vikings'

game Fri., May 10.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Gary Frank is in his 21st year as head coach of the La Jolla High baseball program. These comments came before the Vikings' game at home against Mira Mesa Fri., May 10.

Give me three guys who have been solid this year.

We have more than three. Hank Hansen has been third base, pitcher, closed a lot of games for us. Offensively, defensively, he's been there for us. Cole Roberts, obviously, is our top pitcher that's set the complete game record and done a great job on the mound.

Declan Kelly, both in center, and as our number-two starter, he has been in the middle of the lineup. He has hit well, played good defense, pitched well for us. Ryan Kestler has been phenomenal at first base and has come up with timely hits for us all year long.

Adam Lafever. He's played all over the field for us. He's batting fifth. Corey is our leadoff hitter. Corey Druse has been amazing, one of the top shortstops in the county. He's been incredible in the leadoff spot. He's added about 150 to his average this season. He has really been a leader on the field all season long. He's really stepped into his own this year.

You're going in second in league to the playoffs?

Right now we're the five seed. We can go up the four seed with a win today, down to seven or eight with a loss. Second place in league--if we win today, we're second in league, if we lose we're third.

People you didn't mention yet: who's been a spark, done the quiet work, maybe in a way that doesn't get recognized?

In terms of spark, Luke Fazio is one of our hardest workers. He and Chris Monell, both fantastic energy guys that work hard and don't always get paid off with the stats. But they're the glue of the team that build guys up.

Shane McMillan has done a fantastic job behind the plate. He's kind of the team jokester that keeps everybody loose. He's keeps everyone in a good frame of mind. Andrew Cho is one of our captains. He's just an outstanding all-around guy. He has played a good left field and he's come up with some big hits for us. He's been getting better.

Abel Delgadillo has gotten some nice pinch-hits off the bench. I got two puppies. Renner (Smith) and Harper (Lane) are sophomores.

LJ baseball: Q&A with Malaika Underwood

Malaika Underwood throws out

the first ball at the Viking game

Fri., May 10, with her daughter

Birdie holding her flowers.

The catcher was Danny Underwood

of Mira Mesa's team, her nephew.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Malaika Underwood is the only woman to play varsity baseball for La Jolla High. In 1999 she was named the CIF San Diego Female Athlete of the Year. She was All-CIF in volleyball and basketball.

Earlier this Spring, Malaika (pronounced mah-LAY-kah) was inducted into the La Jolla High Baseball Hall of Fame for her pioneering and for her play on the U.S. Womens National team, where she holds career records in many categories. She threw out the first ball Fri., May 10, to her nephew, Danny Underwood, who plays for Mira Mesa, in her first La Jolla appearance since her induction.

Underwood now serves as an assistant coach in the U.S. Womens Baseball National program, and looks like she could play second base (her spot on the Vikings back then) now.

Being honored today, how does that feel?

It's a great honor, and it's amazing, a reflection of life's hard work and commitment to playing hard. And it's been great to feel the support of La Jolla High throughout my entire career, not just while I was playing in high school, but also when I made the U.S. Baseball Womens National Team.

And so it's an honor, and I love the team and the coaches, past and present, who have supported me. It's been great. It's nice to be here, and to have my family here and have my oldest daughter be able to see it, to be a part of it, and to know that hard work can result in achievement, as well.

At the time, and even now, it's an amazing breakthrough. Can you put that in perspective for us?

Interestingly enough, I think girls and women in baseball has become more of a thing, but there's still a lot of progress that needs to be made. We have the USA Baseball Womens National Team, and there are a lot of travel ball teams, and more and more girls are playing at the youth and grassroots level.

Ultimately, though, I think that we've got to get away from this social construct that girls play softball and boys play baseball, because there's no reason that girls can't play baseball. It's a wonderful game,

Malaika stands with two of her

three LJHS coaches, Nancy Moyer

(left, basketball) and Bob Allen

(baseball), with Birdie in front.

Missing is Kate Pearson Gauger,

her volleyball coach.

and they should have as much opportunity to play as boys do.

What would you say to a young athlete, especially girls, who hear about your accomplishments?

You've got to put in the work, and if you put in the work, you will achieve your goals. But you have to learn to hit the curveball in life, because the path from where you are to where you want to be isn't always a straight line. If you're willing to put in the work, you can get to where you want to be.

Your nephew is here, and what is his name? He just got a basehit in the top of the first.

Danny Underwood. He plays centerfield for Mira Mesa, and against La Jolla Wednesday night (May 8), he got the winning hit off the wall. I wasn't here, unfortunately. I live in Jacksonville, Florida, so just came in today to watch him play tonight.

And what year in school is he?

He's a senior. They need to win tonight to get to the playoffs.

And your daughter's name?

My daughter's name is Birdie, and her younger sister Kit (?) didn't make the cut to make the trip. She's a wild animal. Isn't that right, Birdie? (at her side)

(Birdie) Yeah.

Last thing, who was a major influence, staff support, here or elsewhere?

Of course, I have to say my parents, because they've been such a support my entire career and they've supported me in everything I've done.

But you know, when I was growing up and going to school in the 90's, there was a team called the Colorado Silver Bullets, and they were a team of women who were playing baseball and barnstorming against men's teams, and they were such an inspiration to me, and many of them are friends of mine now. Tamara Holmes, specifically, up in the Bay Area, who has been a coach for the U.S. Womens National Baseball Team the last few years, and I also got a chance to play with them. They were inspirations to be able to see that, and to imagine myself achieving a high level of success in baseball. I could get to that, because I could see them (doing it).

LJ track @ CIF D3 Finals @ Valley Center

Photos by Ed Piper

4x100 relay

Audrey Aguilar (5) of Imperial competes in the

wheelchair 100-meter as spectators

applaud her for her accomplishment.

Anastasia Volkov

Avery Redfern

Buddies Siena Bateman (blue LJCD uniform)

and Avery Redfern (red LJHS), with

Anastasia Volkov (far left) listening in.

LJ baseball: Frank says 'It is a one-game season'

LJ shortstop Corey Druse (9) plays behind

runner Khalil Graham of Mira Mesa in the top

of the fifth inning Fri., May 10.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

For La Jolla High coach Gary Frank, the Vikings' CIF Division 3 play-in game Tues., May 14 is the "focus"--planning the pitching should the Vikes win and turn around to play again the next day is "not even a consideration".

Frank, in his 21st year as La Jolla's head coach, said of the elimination home game against El Capitan Tuesday, "It is a one-game season, and all our energy is geared towards a very tough El Cap team."

Everything else rests on winning Tuesday.

La Jolla is seeded eighth, El Capitan ninth in the upper part of the D3 bracket. The winner wins the right to face Valhalla, the number-one seed, Wednesday on Valhalla's home field.

The challenge for the play-in winner is shuffling with pitchers in a short time, with back-to-back games in two days, to make a fight against the top team in the entire playoff setup. It's like Mesa College going up against the University of Connecticut in March Madness.

The Vikings got into this position by finishing third in the Eastern League, losing 5-4 to Mira Mesa on their home field Fri., May  10. There was a big crowd for Senior Day, and emotion and feeling were in the air as the team played its last regular season game with six seniors: shortstop Cory Druse, Declan Kelly (who started on the mound), Cole Roberts, leftfielder Andrew Cho, catcher Shane McMillan, and rightfielder Chris Monell.

Vike 2B Renner Smith (18) earns a walk

in the bottom of the second inning.

But it's not a horrible situation. La Jolla made the postseason playoffs, and that was the goal. We won't even talk about the disappointment of last year, when the Vikings failed to qualify.

"Our focus is on Tuesday, and Tuesday alone," said Frank Saturday afternoon after the CIF brackets were announced and he had a chance to chew on them during the day.

"If we win on Tuesday, we will then move onto focusing on our next opponent."

He spoke of his team's strength and readiness: "Our team is battle-tested. We have had multiple weeks with four games in a single week.

"If we are fortunate enough to still be playing on Wednesday, our boys have been there before and will be ready for the challenge."

The Vikings are 5-5 in the Eastern League, 16-12 overall. Scripps Ranch won the league title at 8-2, 13-15 overall. In second was Mira Mesa, 6-4 in league, 16-11 overall.

LJ g lax: Still more photos 5/11

Photos by Ed Piper

LJ g lax: More photos 5/11

Photos by Ed Piper

Viking goalie Pixie DeLeon (far right in helmet)

is aggressive in stepping out against Bishop's

attack players.

LJ defender Sasha Franklin (R), a senior,

marks Knights' Natalie Marvin near the

end of the first half.

Defender Elle Kearney, a junior (4, left) paces

against Bishop's junior ballcarrier Peyton Seltzer.

Vikings Stella Perez (7, left) and Sam

Cousino (2, right) sandwich Bishop's

Natalie Marvin on shot attempt,

which failed.

LJ g lax 10, Bishop's 12 - CIF D1 Quarterfinals

Photos by Ed Piper

Lily Mebust (5)

Draw between Lily Mebust (5)

of La Jolla and Alex Pfister (3)

of Bishop's during second quarter.

Vikes celebrate after Allison Hawthorne (12)

scores with two minutes left.

LJ goalie Pixie DeLeon (L) looks to restart

the offense late in the second quarter.

Caroline Bruner (R) is in foreground.

LJ's Sofia Rose (11, right), a sophomore,

defends. 

Junior Laine Jeffery (7) of Bishop's is stymied

by Vikes sophomore Allison Hawthorne (12).

LJ baseball 4, Mira Mesa 5 - end of regular season

Outfielder Travis Lancaster's dad Cory

scores his team's game on Game

Changer Fri., May 10. The Vikings

dropped a 5-4 decision to Mira Mesa.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Cory Lancaster kept score of his youngest son Travis's baseball team, the Vikings, during their key game Friday (May 10) against Mira Mesa on the Game Changer app on his phone. "It took me two or three years to get it down," said Cory, sitting in the back row on La Jolla's fans' side along the first base line. "It takes that, even with me being familiar with the sport."

His son didn't play right field on Senior Day, but many of the six Viking seniors did, even Cole Roberts slotted in by Coach Gary Frank to pinch-hit and lining a single to left field. "I like to go the other way," said Roberts after his base knock, referring to his driving the ball to left as a lefthanded hitter.

But, alas, La Jolla dropped a 5-4 decision to the visiting Marauders, bringing a large contingent of fans traveling from Mira Mesa. Two even flew in from Jacksonville, Florida, where Malaika Underwood lives.

Underwood, who was inducted into the Viking Baseball Hall of Fame this Spring, threw out the first ball to her nephew, Danny Underwood, who plays for the Marauders, getting two hits, including one in the top of the first inning.

La Jolla plated three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to go ahead, 4-2. But then Mira Mesa (6-4 in the Eastern League) erupted for three runs of their own in the top of the sixth and held on for the 5-4 win and second place in the league, the Vikings (5-5) finishing in third. Both teams qualify for the playoffs next week.

LJ softball: Game story 5/7

By Ed Piper

The Vikings held visiting Mission Bay to a 2-0 lead through four innings Tues., May 7, which was an admirable feat considering the two teams' records.

La Jolla has struggled to find someone who can occupy the pitcher's circle and put the ball near the plate consistently this whole season. But in this instance, junior Roxy Metcalf, who normally starts at shortstop, repeatedly gave the Vikes a chance with her pitching, and the defense did a good job of taking care of the ball in the first half of the game.

The occasion was Senior Day, and Kaitlin Murphy, "Katy" to her teammates, played her last home game before a supportive crowd. There were some tears (including some in the dugout before the game from Savannah Putnam, the sophomore centerfielder).

"Murph" made a nice backhand grab of a grounder down the third base line from the Bucs' leadoff hitter, and unhesitatingly threw to first baseman Natalie Alvarez for the out. Kaitlin has made that play numerous times during her four-year career for LJHS, going back to the aftermath of the pandemic, and in travel ball.

Freshman Aviv Laska started at short, with Metcalf pitching. Normally she's a catcher, but she can pretty much play anywhere (starting at first base two days later).

The Vikings, under co-coaches Stephanie Alvarez and Anthony Sarain, have a good core to lead them into 2025 with freshmen Arie Williams (out with a leg issue), Laska, Natalie Alvarez, and Imelda Lopez.

A rare sideline event was the appearance of the three Alvarez sisters, with Emily (Class of 2018), Stephanie ('15), and their little sister, Natalie ('27), all attending. "I could never be a coach," averred Emily before the game behind the backstop. "I don't have the patience."

Other core members of the team for the future include J.C. Taylor, a powerful lefthanded hitter who can play the outfield and first base, and Maddie Ehlert, who caught, beside Putnam. Metcalf will return next year as the solo experienced and frontline senior.

La Jolla did garner five hits in the home loss, which is a start.

LJ softball at Madison 5/9 - end of season

Photos by Ed Piper

Senior Kaitlin Murphy, 3B

Freshman Natalie Alvarez, 1B

JC Taylor

Savannah Putnam, CF