Sanchez enjoys success at junior college level
By Felix Chavez
Sun-News reporter
LAS CRUCES — As a high school pitcher at Mayfield High School, Gera Sanchez was one of the best in the state of New Mexico.
As a junior he won 10 games for MHS in helping them advance to the Class 5A semifinals. Last year as a senior, he went 9-2 with 93 strikeouts in helping lead the Trojans to a runner-up showing in 5A.
This year at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, the talented right-hander is 8-0 for the Thunderbirds with an earned run average of 1.84.
“Things are going well, I’ve moved up to the No. 2 spot in the rotation,” Sanchez said. “I’m locating my fastball better and I’ve dropped down some on the release point at times. My curve and slighter are good as well. The competition is good at this level.”
New Mexico Junior College won the national championship in 2005 and was second last year. So far this year, the Thunderbirds are 35-5 and ranked No. 4 in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association Poll.
“We have a good team and there is an expectation here to do well,” Sanchez said. “Our goal is to get back to the Junior College World Series and we have a chance to do that with this team.”
Mayfield head baseball coach Miguel Gomez said Sanchez’ success at the junior college level is no surprise.
“Gera is a resilient pitcher,” Gomez said. “In no way am I surprised that he’s competing as well as he is. I knew he had to add some weight to his frame and the last time I saw him, he appeared stronger. He’ll be able to go longer and the future is bright for Gera. He’s very competitive and he has different pitches that he can use effectively.”
Felix Chavez can be reached at fchavez@lcsun-news.com
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Miguel Cotto and this weekend's fight
One of the world's best welterweights, Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto, is back in action this weekend against Mexico's Alfonso Gomez.
Cotto is 31-0 and shouldn't have a major problem with the improving Gomez, who is 18-3-2 and who is best known for his work on the show "The Contender" and for his win against an aging and now retired Arturo Gatti last summer.
Cotto has been workmanlike in his career, improving each fight and in his last two wins against Zab Judah and Shane Moslely, he did so with grit and a good jab.
Many have been clamoring for a Cotto vs. Floyd Mayweather fight. And rightfully so because both are in their prime and both are unbeaten.
Mayweather doesn't seem interested in a fight right now and he fights Oscar De La Hoya in September, so it looks like a Cotto/Mayweather fight won't happen until next year.
But Cotto will do what he always does and take care of business. He will wear down Gomez and improve to 32-0.
Cotto is simply a well-schooled fighter who is hard to beat. He wears fighters down and he's confident in what he can do.
After his likely dismantling of Gomez, Cotto could fight the winner of Saturday's other welterweight bout between Kermit Cintron and Antonio Margarito. Margarito already owns a win over Cintron and will be the favorite to win.
I'm pulling for Margarito because I believe a Margarito/Cotto matchup would be a wonderful and entertaining fight later this year.
Margarito lost a tough 12-round decision to Paul Williams last summer, then demolished Golden Johnson in November. Cintron has improved in recent fights, but I still think Margarito still wins.
- Felix
Cotto is 31-0 and shouldn't have a major problem with the improving Gomez, who is 18-3-2 and who is best known for his work on the show "The Contender" and for his win against an aging and now retired Arturo Gatti last summer.
Cotto has been workmanlike in his career, improving each fight and in his last two wins against Zab Judah and Shane Moslely, he did so with grit and a good jab.
Many have been clamoring for a Cotto vs. Floyd Mayweather fight. And rightfully so because both are in their prime and both are unbeaten.
Mayweather doesn't seem interested in a fight right now and he fights Oscar De La Hoya in September, so it looks like a Cotto/Mayweather fight won't happen until next year.
But Cotto will do what he always does and take care of business. He will wear down Gomez and improve to 32-0.
Cotto is simply a well-schooled fighter who is hard to beat. He wears fighters down and he's confident in what he can do.
After his likely dismantling of Gomez, Cotto could fight the winner of Saturday's other welterweight bout between Kermit Cintron and Antonio Margarito. Margarito already owns a win over Cintron and will be the favorite to win.
I'm pulling for Margarito because I believe a Margarito/Cotto matchup would be a wonderful and entertaining fight later this year.
Margarito lost a tough 12-round decision to Paul Williams last summer, then demolished Golden Johnson in November. Cintron has improved in recent fights, but I still think Margarito still wins.
- Felix
Friday, April 4, 2008
Big weekend of racing
This weekend is a big one for Kentucky Derby prep races. One of the big races in the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday in California.
Colonel John is slated to run in Saturday's race for trainer Eoin Harty. Colonel John has won three times and finsihed second twice.
Colonel John won the Sham Stakes earlier this year and hopes for a repeat effort on Saturday.
Also on Saturday, the talented War Pass will try to rebound from a poor showing in the Tampa Bay Derby by trying to win the Wood Memorial.
War Pass won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year and was expected to roll in the Tampa Bay Derby, but a poor showing left that in doubt.
War Pass is super talented and if he can return to form, he will be tough to beat.
- Felix
Colonel John is slated to run in Saturday's race for trainer Eoin Harty. Colonel John has won three times and finsihed second twice.
Colonel John won the Sham Stakes earlier this year and hopes for a repeat effort on Saturday.
Also on Saturday, the talented War Pass will try to rebound from a poor showing in the Tampa Bay Derby by trying to win the Wood Memorial.
War Pass won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year and was expected to roll in the Tampa Bay Derby, but a poor showing left that in doubt.
War Pass is super talented and if he can return to form, he will be tough to beat.
- Felix
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Johnny Tapia and May 2 fight
Johnny Tapia will fight May 2 at the El Paso County Coliseum against an opponent to be determined.
Also expected to fight are Las Cruces junior middleweight Austin Trout and Las Cruces super bantamweight Ricky Vasquez in seperate bouts.
— Felix
Also expected to fight are Las Cruces junior middleweight Austin Trout and Las Cruces super bantamweight Ricky Vasquez in seperate bouts.
— Felix
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
All-Star hoops and local involvement
All-Star basketball games set
Sun-News report
Several area basketball players have been chosen to play in the North/South girls and boys basketball teams later this year.
In the Class 4A/5A girls game, Las Cruces High’s Domonique Rivera and Amy Fratzola earned spots in the game and will be joined by Mayfield’s Amanda Tucker and Desiree Marrufo and Oñate’s Erica Harris.
In the Class 4A/5A boys game, Onate’s J.C. Ayala, Mayfield’s Luis Quinones, Santa Teresa’s Kevin Paz and Gadsden’s Daniel Rico and Pedro Ortiz were selected.
Mesilla Valley Christian’s Jeremy Roman will play in the Class A/2A game, along with Cliff’s David Welburn and Jarrett Mendenhall.
In the Class A/2A girls game, Kayla Mayberry and Shannon Norris of Cliff were selected to play.
In the 3A girls game, Cobre will be represented by Sabrina Duran and Cecilia North.
In the 3A boys game, Hatch Valley’s Nathan Duran was selected to participate.
The Class A/2A and 4A/5A girls games will be May 31 in Gallup, while the 3A girls game will be July 11 in Las Vegas, N.M.
On the boys side, the A/2A game and 4A/5A game will be July 31 in Albuquerque, while the 3A game is slated for July 11 in Las Vegas, N.M.
Sun-News report
Several area basketball players have been chosen to play in the North/South girls and boys basketball teams later this year.
In the Class 4A/5A girls game, Las Cruces High’s Domonique Rivera and Amy Fratzola earned spots in the game and will be joined by Mayfield’s Amanda Tucker and Desiree Marrufo and Oñate’s Erica Harris.
In the Class 4A/5A boys game, Onate’s J.C. Ayala, Mayfield’s Luis Quinones, Santa Teresa’s Kevin Paz and Gadsden’s Daniel Rico and Pedro Ortiz were selected.
Mesilla Valley Christian’s Jeremy Roman will play in the Class A/2A game, along with Cliff’s David Welburn and Jarrett Mendenhall.
In the Class A/2A girls game, Kayla Mayberry and Shannon Norris of Cliff were selected to play.
In the 3A girls game, Cobre will be represented by Sabrina Duran and Cecilia North.
In the 3A boys game, Hatch Valley’s Nathan Duran was selected to participate.
The Class A/2A and 4A/5A girls games will be May 31 in Gallup, while the 3A girls game will be July 11 in Las Vegas, N.M.
On the boys side, the A/2A game and 4A/5A game will be July 31 in Albuquerque, while the 3A game is slated for July 11 in Las Vegas, N.M.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Las Cruces Boxing tidbits
Amateur fighters Aynna Vasquez, Siju Shabazz and Joseph Guerra, all from Las Cruces won state titles at the New Mexico State Golden Gloves in Clovis last weekend.
Looks like 2-0 pro Sammy Di Pace (118) will next fight on May 9 in Albuquerque.
- Felix
Looks like 2-0 pro Sammy Di Pace (118) will next fight on May 9 in Albuquerque.
- Felix
Jim Bradley, Henry Carrillo
The word on the street is that Jim Bradley Sr. will be the offensive coordinator at Mayfield, replacing his departed son Gary Bradley, who took the head coaching job at Farmington.
Also being talked about is the return of Henry Carrillo to the Mayfield staff. Carrillo went to Cantuillo, Texas, this past year. He's a longtime New Mexico coach and very good at what he does.
Nothing official yet, but those announcements could come soon.
- Felix
Also being talked about is the return of Henry Carrillo to the Mayfield staff. Carrillo went to Cantuillo, Texas, this past year. He's a longtime New Mexico coach and very good at what he does.
Nothing official yet, but those announcements could come soon.
- Felix
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