Optimist games roundup: Zack Malone earns North Team Most Valuable Player award

The 51st annual Optimist High School Baseball All Star Games were played at Army Depot Park in Sacramento on Sunday where nine South Placer athletes competed and Woodcreek High senior Zack Malone was named Most Valuable Player for the North Team. Malone went two for four with two runs scored and a run batted in. He got on base four times in the contest and also got the chance to pitch on the mound. "It was awesome playing with all of these guys and was a great experience seeing everyone's skill," Malone said. "Having that level of talent and competition while grinding for the win, even though we didn't get it, was really fun and I'm blessed to have won the Most Valuable Player award." The North Team lost 15-12 but still put up a great fight and was leading going into the ninth inning before Vanden High senior Tyler James hit a three-run triple that gave the South Team the lead and the win. Other notable performances were Granite Bay High senior Preston Fondren, who went two for three with two runs scored, a run batted in and a stolen base. Del Oro High senior Jaren Ekkelboom went two for four with a run batted in and also struck out three batters as the starting pitcher. Roseville High's David Centeno had a run batted in and also struck out a batter while Oakmont High senior Tristan Ogles got on base three times, scored twice and batted in a run. James earned the Most Valuable Player award for the South Team and also had a two-run triple in the sixth inning. In the small school game, the North Team won 13-2 and was led by great pitching early with solid batting later in the game. Valley Christian Academy senior Riley Houghtby pitched two shutout innings with four strikeouts and no hits allowed. His teammate, Tim Bacon, got on base twice during the game. "I kind of came in a little more loose and I was just out here for fun," Houghtby said. "It was my last high school game and I got to play with some new guys and play with another teammate." Houghtby will continue playing baseball next year at Folsom Lake College. "I'm just looking forward to competing in college and you know, going into a good program," Houghtby said. "I'm ready to compete. Have fun, get better and hopefully play some competitive baseball." Western Sierra Collegiate Academy senior Chris Halikas had two plate appearances in the game. Softball The 45th annual Optimist High School Softball All Star Games were played on June 8 at Capital Christian School where the small schools North team defeated the South 7-4 and the large schools South Team took down the North 20-4. In the small schools game, Valley Christian Academy senior Angela Blumert competed and went 0-1 with a sacrifice fly to break a 4-4 score in the top of the fifth and a second run was scored on a throwing error. Blumert also played multiple innings at third base. The Outstanding Player of the North Team was Riley Wickum from Sutter Union High School. In the large schools contest, there were 10 South Placer area athletes who competed in the game with Rocklin High's Brielle Wright striking out two batters and hitting a single while also getting the chance to play at first base. Thunder senior Marissa Robertson also got a hit in the contest. "It was really cool to represent Rocklin and play with all of these great athletes and just have a good time," Wright said. "It was fun playing with people we have played against." Other area athletes in the game included Kayleigh Lugowski from Del Oro High, Kylie Nelson from Granite Bay High, Raelyn Anderson from Rocklin High, Shaylen McDowell from Roseville High, Jilly Jochims and Jordyn Jochims from Whitney High, and Krystyn Dodd and Claire Escatel-Zeek from Woodcreek High. Following the conclusion of the large schools game, Roseville High coach Art Banks was inducted into the Optimist Hall of Fame as he finished his 38-year career coaching softball with more than 750 wins. "I didn't think I'd be coaching for this long and these last eight years, I was glad I came out of retirement to help out the program and work with these girls. They are just a great bunch of young ladies," Banks said. "Every season is special and there is a lot of gratification for those kids that have worked so hard to go onto college and play at the next level. I'm so happy for them and I hope they achieve every goal they set out to achieve." The Outstanding Player of the North Team was Madison Scroggins from Antelope High School and the Outstanding Player of the South Team was Imani Black from Sheldon High School, who finished with two home runs and five runs batted in. Boys' volleyball The 25th annual Optimist boys' volleyball games took place on June 5 and six area players competed in the contests. John Adams Academy senior Sawyer Baker participated in the small schools game and was on the North Team that lost in five sets to the South Team. In the large schools contest, Woodcreek High had Jackson Bush, Caden Schauer and Nico Nielsen compete along with Andrew Tanner from Granite Bay High and Moses Gamble from Rocklin High. The North Team won the match 25-22, 25-23, 25-23.