Robinson selected by Twins in MLB Draft

By Mike Sciacca

June 13, 2012 12 AM PT

Ocean View senior Timmy Robinson was drafted in the 31st round (940th overall) of the Major League Baseball First-Year Draft on June 6 by the Minnesota Twins. Robinson, who signed last month with USC, batted .523 during the prep season, hit 12 home runs and drove in 37 runs in 27 games. His half-brother, Alex Burnett, a graduate of Ocean View, is a relief pitcher for the Twins.

Ocean View baseball Coach Shane Borowski had Robinson in his classroom during the second day of the draft.

“It’s exciting to have a player the caliber of Timmy,” Borowski said. “Getting phone calls in class, to go as early as the third round, were really gratifying. The new draft rules and signing bonus caps really pushed kids toward playing in college and it forced MLB teams to draft non-college bound kids higher and college-bound kids lower.

“If this had been last year, Timmy could have been a millionaire out of high school. The important thing is, he is going to school (USC) at a place he is very excited to be, and made a very wise and mature decision for a 17-year-old.”

Softball

In a year where its program reached new heights, two members of the Edison High softball team earned top honors on the 2012 All-Sunset League Softball Team.

Junior Sammy Cordova was named the league’s Pitcher of the Year and freshman Ali Wester was named Rookie of the Year. Los Alamitos junior Megan Geer was named Most Valuable Player. The three lead an all-league team featuring 18 other local players.

Cordova, who is committed to Utah, went 25-5 this year.

“(A) warrior and real workhorse who the team rode all the way to semifinals,” Edison Coach Josh Musselman said of his ace who had pitching wins in 25 of the Chargers’ 26 victories.

Musselman called Wester, who batted in the lead-off spot for Edison, the “fastest freshman in the Sunset League.”

Locals who made the first team were: Edison’s Casey Africano, Jessica Plaza and Karley Wester; Fountain Valley’s Cerissa Rivera and Emily Brucelas; Marina’s Sandra Simmons and Tera Blanco.

Local second-teamers were: Edison’s Mercedes O’Connor and Maddy Hickman; Fountain Valley’s Brenda Bott, Tara Robinson and Khailey Campos; Huntington Beach’s Jillian Martinez, Kaitlyn Lanksbury and Micaela Vierra; Marina’s Amanda Cordeiro and Samantha Agamaite.

In the Golden West League, Ocean View junior Brittany Hitchcock has been named Pitcher of the Year. Senior Kristen Nance and sophomore Tobi Salzman were named to the first team, and junior Erika Jason and freshman Olivia Russ were second-team selections.

Brethren Christian placed five players on the All-Academy League team. First-team picks were senior Kelsey Bartlett and junior Rachel Swanson Seniors Emily Hammond and Emily Janio, and junior Brooke Hernandez, made the second team.

In All-Star play June 6 at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, Fountain Valley players Cerissa Rivera had an RBI and Maddie Perez hit a two-run double to help the Orange County All-Stars to a 10-5 victory over the Riverside All-Stars.

Football

Edison won twice and lost four close contests Saturday at the 16-team Nike Air Strike passing tournament at Dana Hills High.

The Chargers started the tournament with three pool-play games. They lost to El Toro (2011 CIF Southern Section Southwest Division runner-up) in their opener, lost on the final play of the game to Santa Margarita (Pac-5 Division champion) and beat Loyola.

In the afternoon session, Edison lost by two points to Narbonne of Los Angeles after failing on a late, two-point conversion attempt, then defeated Tesoro.

In their finale, a game in which Coach Dave White said both teams played their substitutes, the Chargers lost in overtime to Oaks Christian.

Senior Alek Torgersen started at quarterback for the Chargers.

“I thought he did real well and had a real good day,” White said of Torgersen. “We have all new receivers and defensive backs, and we’ll be more of a running team this year. Overall, I thought we did some real good things Saturday.”

Alemany defeated Mater Dei to win the tournament title.

South Coach Rick Gibson (Woodbridge High) announced a roster change for the 53rd Brea Lions Orange County North-South Prep All-Star Football Game, which is July 6 at Orange Coast College. Ocean View’s Timmy Robinson and Mack Pierson of Santa Margarita will not play in the game. Gibson said that the roster slot for Robinson will be filled by wide receiver/safety Zach Hadlock of Huntington Beach. No replacement had been named for Pierson.

The South roster also includes five local seniors: quarterback Chase Favreau, offensive lineman Alex Kircher and defensive lineman Dehvon Brown, each from Edison, receiver/defensive back Sean Myers of Fountain Valley, offensive lineman Jack Rulon of Huntington Beach.

The South will run it first practice in full pads June 22.

Boys’ Basketball

Several prep teams start summer play in the coming week. Below is the upcoming schedule for local teams:

Brethren Christian: The Classic at Saddleback Valley Christian High, Friday-Sunday

Edison: Godinez League, Monday

Fountain Valley: Point Loma University Tournament, Friday-Saturday; Bolsa Grande Summer League, Tuesday

Huntington Beach: The Classic at Saddleback Valley Christian High, Saturday; Sunday at Mission Viejo High.

Ocean View: The Classic at Saddleback Valley Christian High, Sunday-Sunday (at Mission Viejo High).

Top honors

Local high schools have named their top female and male athletes of the year for the 2011-12 school year. Below are the names of the athletes selected by each school:

Brethren Christian

Female: Emily Hammond

Male: Billy Bryson

Edison

Female: Alys Williams and Lauren Grego

Male: Josh Smith

Fountain Valley

Female: Erica Curry

Male: Dean O’Bourke

Huntington Beach

Female: Ramon Vargas

Male: Kelsey Minato