SV’s Jacob Pauka, SLV’s Sophia Sarmiento named Preps of the Week | Press Banner Sports Ticker

This week’s edition of the Press Banner Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of April 22-28.   

Preps of the Week

Boys: Scotts Valley High sophomore Jacob Pauka hit a double that drove in the game-winning run for the Falcons baseball team in a 5-4 non-league victory over Alisal High in eight innings April 27. Pauka provided pop in the middle of the lineup, batting 2-for-4 with a team-leading two RBIs and a pair of stolen bases in a 7-4 victory over San Lorenzo Valley High in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League action April 25.  

Girls: San Lorenzo Valley High sophomore Sophia Sarmiento had a pair of base hits and one crucial stolen base that helped set up the go-ahead run in a 1-0 victory over Scotts Valley High in SCCAL softball action April 23. Sarmiento had one hit, one walk, scored three runs and stole three more bases in a 14-5 crushing win over Soquel High in SCCAL play April 25.    

Rising Stars

• San Lorenzo Valley High junior Jori Fields-Rapley batted 4-for-5, including two triples, one double, four RBIs and one run scored in a 14-5 win over Soquel High in SCCAL softball play April 25. Fields-Rapley allowed five runs (three earned) on 11 hits, while recording six strikeouts. Cheyenne Casey had three triples, two RBIs and one run scored, and fellow teammate Sophia Samiento scored a team-leading three runs for the Cougars.
• Scotts Valley High sophomore Jazzy Phillips batted 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the Falcons in a 7-1 win against Aptos High in SCCAL softball action April 25. Freshman pitcher Chloe Kent recorded 11 strikeouts in the circle and allowed just one run on two hits for Scotts Valley. Fellow teammate Gracie Delgado had one home run and one double. 
• Scotts Valley High senior Jack Sanders batted 3-for-3, including one double and two RBIs for the Falcons baseball team in a 5-4 non-league victory over Alisal High in eight innings April 27. Lukas Bloom set up the go-ahead score after he stole second base. Clayton Pryor batted 3-for-4 with three runs scored, one walk and one stolen base, while Jack Abel had a pair of base hits and one RBI. Scotts Valley freshman pitcher Bryce McDonnell allowed four runs (one earned) on three hits, while racking up five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Bloom allowed one hit, two walks and one strikeout to record the win for the Falcons.
• Scotts Valley High’s Blake LaRiviere scored two runs and had three hits, including one double and a three-run home run in a 6-3 victory over Santa Cruz High in SCCAL baseball play April 26. Quinn Turowski batted 2-for-3 with one run scored, one walk, one RBI and two stolen bases. Scotts Valley starting pitcher Corbin Giesen allowed three earned runs on seven hits and two walks, while recording five strikeouts. Kaleb Wing earned the save.
• Scotts Valley High starting pitcher Colin Melrose allowed four runs (two earned) on two hits, while recording three strikeouts in a 7-4 win over San Lorenzo Valley in SCCAL baseball action April 25. Quinn Turowski had four hits and a pair of stolen bases.
• Scotts Valley High Kit DeForest hit a solo home run to start a four-run rally in the sixth inning in an 8-6 victory over Santa Cruz High in SCCAL baseball action April 23. He also earned the win on the mound, giving up two hits, two walks and one run in one inning pitched. Center fielder Jack Sanders batted 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Blake LaRiviere allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits, two walks, while recording six strikeouts in five innings pitched. Jack Parker earned his first save pitching a scoreless seventh frame.
• San Lorenzo Valley High junior James Dahlen and Harbor High’s Kaden Dunton each shot 3-over-par 34 at Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club to earn medalist honors in the teams’ SCCAL boys’ golf regular season finale April 23. Dahlen helped the Cougars beat the Pirates, 191-230, to finish the season 9-1 in league play. Keenan Buntz (35), Mason Atkinson (36), Jack Fontinell (40) and Connor Scarborough (46) also scored for SLV. Other scorers for Harbor include Matthew Salas (43), Kyler Samples (46), Kaito Levy (49) and Colby Allen (58).

Games to Watch       

1. San Lorenzo Valley at Aptos, softball – Tuesday at 4:30pm: The Cougars (12-8, 8-2) are heating up at the right time to take on a Mariners (11-6, 8-2) group that is coming off a 1-0 win over Scotts Valley (8-6, 8-2). The race for the SCCAL softball crown begins now.
2. Scotts Valley vs. Soquel, baseball – Tuesday at 4:30pm: The Falcons (11-7, 6-5) will attempt to extend their SCCAL win streak to five straight against a challenging Knights (13-7, 7-4) squad looking to stay in the hunt for the Central Coast Section playoffs.
3. SCCAL Championships, track and field – Saturday at 10am: A group of San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley athletes will compete against some of the best of what the league offers at the SCCAL Track and Field Championships at Soquel High School.   

Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit scores and highlights to jr****@we*****.com. Follow sports editor Juan Reyes (@jmreyes831) on Twitter for scores and news updates.