Angel Assistant Begert Named Padres’ Trainer

Ned Begert, an assistant trainer for the Angels since 1979, was named head trainer of the Padres Friday.

Begert, 35, replaces Dick Dent, who was fired after last season. Begert began his baseball career in 1975 with the Angels’ Quad Cities farm team in the Midwest League. After four seasons, Begert was promoted to the major league level.

During his tenure with the Angels, Begert has been actively involved in the Professional Athletic Trainers Society, an organization involved in improving medical rehabilitation. He has also been actively involved with the American Cancer Society, speaking on the risks of smokeless tobacco.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

After leading by only three points at halftime, UC San Diego dominated the second half to defeat Pomona Pitzer, 86-65, in the opening round of the La Jolla Classic at UCSD.

UCSD plays La Verne tonight at 8 p.m. in the championship game. Pomona Pitzer plays Bethany at 6 p.m. in the consolation game.

Tim Rapp led UCSD (10-3) with 29 points and Rick Batt added 11 points and seven rebounds. Pomona Pitzer (2-8) was led by William Cover’s 21 points.

In the other tournament game, La Verne (7-4) defeated Bethany, 108-75. Ross Wilkins scored 23 points for La Verne, which led 48-34 at halftime. Andre Huddleston led Bethany with 23 points.

Julious Coleman scored 19 and Frank Dews 17 but Point Loma Nazarene fell short against Grand Canyon, 81-65, and failed to advance to tonight’s championship game against Catawba in the Point Loma Classic.

Mark Bulgin added 12 points for PLNC (7-7), which led 41-35 at halftime.

PLNC plays Pacific Lutheran tonight at 5:30 in the consolation game.

Christian Heritage got 21 points from Vernaldo Butler and 20 from Rob Meeter to score an 82-68 nonconference victory over Evangel, Mo.

Matt Angove added 17 points for the Hawks (4-8).

Evangel is 8-5.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Shannon Abrams scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds in PLNC’s 88-40 victory over Southern California College in the opening round of the Whittier Tournament. PLNC (7-5) plays at 4 p.m. today against Wheaton in the championship game.