Modesto Sports

The 2010 Modesto Sunrise Rotary Baseball Classic doubleheader is Saturday at Thurman Field in Modesto, with the small-school game at 3:05 p.m. and the large-school game at 7:05.

There's not a pitcher in the Stanislaus District who can control his stuff the way Vince Wheeland can. Wheeland's ability to dominate any foe — whether pitching or hitting — made him an obvious choice to be The Bee's Baseball Player of the Year.

A year after seeing his team's bid for a perfect season end in the first round of the playoffs, Escalon coach Greg Largent refused to let his remaining Cougars dwell on that disappointing finish.

CLOVIS -- When her practice tosses didn't feel right, discus thrower Rebecca Hammar's nerves took hold.

It wasn't exactly a coincidence that two of the four Stanislaus District athletes to qualify for tonight's finals — Buhach Colony junior Rebecca Hammar and Livingston senior Albert Millan — got here in 2009.

When Johansen High football coach Jason McCoy needed a kicker last fall, Vas Giahos offered to handle the task — and no one was surprised.

The CIF State Track and Field Championships brings to an end the high school sports year in California, but it's more than just closure.

Prep athletes for the week of June 3, 2010.

The Bee's large and small school baseball rankings.

The Bee's large and small school softball rankings.

Final baseball standings for local high schools.

Final softball standings for local high schools.

This is why Oklahoma State made Vince Wheeland one of its priorities during the recruiting season. "Vince is pitcher, not a thrower," said Turlock coach Mark de la Motte, noting that Wheeland occasionally hits 90 mph with his fastball.

WHO: Erick Ruiz Velasco, 14; son of Gonzalo and Patricia Velasco

Baseball

High school fans and officials are mourning the death of longtime Modestan Clarke C.

Former Sac-Joaquin Section commissioner Clarke Coover, who ran the section out of his Modesto insurance office from 1968-1993, died on Saturday in Montana.

Mariposa iron man Jacob Johnson, knowing he's got all summer to rest his arm, spent Monday morning convincing coach Bruce Vegely to give him one more start. Johnson won the argument -- and Mariposa won its second Sac-Joaquin Section Division 6 title in three seasons.

It's the game Spencer Franceschetti has been waiting for since he took his first swing for Escalon High. "We knew it was going to be intense, but we're an emotional team so that's OK with us," the senior shortstop said. "It doesn't get bigger than this."

Preparation was as important as anything that took place on the field Monday, and it's the reason Oakdale High is celebrating a third Sac-Joaquin Section Division 4 championship title in four years.