Local Roundup: Bruin duo makes history
Paquin, Harter team up for first doubles crown at Bear River
The Union staff
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12:01 a.m. PT May 3, 2008
Running through the competition like a buzz saw, running through four matches in straight sets, Marie Paquin and Lindsey Harter teamed up for the first Pioneer Valley League doubles championship in Bear River High School history Friday.
The Bruins duo downed Placer's previously unbeaten and No. 1 seeded team in the finals, 6-3, 6-3 after starting off the match with an 0-3 deficit. Paquin, a senior, and Harter, a freshman, found a way to win six straight games to rally back. The duo also downed Placer's No. 2 team 7-6, 6-3 in the first round, followed by wins over Lincoln's No. 2 duo 6-2, 6-1 and Colfax's top team 7-6, 6-2 in the semifinals round.
Bear River coach Jeff Carrow confirmed the league crown was the first for a Bruins' doubles team. Paquin and Harter will play in the Sac-Joaquin Section tournament at Oak Park in Stockton on Thursday.
"At one time, in my very first year coaching here, we sent two teams to section," Carrow said. "And we haven't been back since. Both finalists go to section and we were just thrilled with that, because this Placer team was nails."
Diving
Three Miners qualify for
Sac-Joaquin Section finals
Nevada Union had three divers qualify for today's Sac-Joaquin Section diving finals, after strong showings Friday at Oakmont High School in Roseville.
Trevor Foster totaled a score of 385 to earn fourth place in the prelims Friday, which also served as his second consecutive All-American qualifying score.
Aaron Carver took third place in the junior varsity boys and Ashley Wilson was sixth in the JV girls. Natalie DeMartini finished ninth and was selected as an alternate at the varsity level.
The finals, which will combine the top eight in the southern part of the section with those in the northern part, will be held today at 8 a.m. today at Oakmont High School.
Softball
Bear River 3, Whitney 2
Facing a team playing for its playoff life, Pioneer Valley League champion Bear River rallied back from an early 2-0 deficit to score a 3-2 win over Whitney Friday.
Kelly Shepard picked up the win, striking out six while scattering six hits and one walk and two unearned runs over seven innings. Shepard also went 2-for-3 at the plate.
Jenna Wermes had a 4-for-4 day at the plate, while Courtney Ceo went 3-for-4. Tera Reason had a 2-for-4 day, while Katie Mathis added an RBI single.
The key defensive gem of the game came from center fielder Jasmine McGown, who caught a fly ball to deep right-center field and launched a one-hopper to Wermes at the plate, gunning down a runner attempting to score from third for a double play.
"We don't make that play and they're ahead 3-1," Bear River coach Duane Zauner said. "And then they've got all the energy."
The Bruins (24-2 overall, 11-0 PVL) travel to Colfax for the regular season finale on Wednesday.
Baseball
Roseville 8, Nevada Union 1
Zander Zeisler sent a solo shot out of the park in the fourth inning, but that was all the offense the Miners could manage Friday in an 8-1 loss at Roseville in Sierra Foothill League action.
Broughan Jantz had a double, while Kelcey Wirick and Robbie Porter each singled for NU.
Zeisler drew the start on the mound, throwing four innings before being relieved by Porter and Travis Custer.
NU slipped to 7-16 overall and 4-12 in the SFL.
JV: Nevada Union 6, Roseville 4
The Miners junior varsity strung together some hits down the stretch for a come-from-behind 6-4 victory over visiting Roseville on Friday.
Matt Blesio went the distance on the mound for the win.
NU (8-8 SFL) travels to Oakmont Monday.
Coaches may submit Local Roundup items by contacting The Union Sports Editor Brian Hamilton via e-mail at bhamilton@theunion.com or by phone at 477-4240. Deadline for submissions is 10 p.m.
