Month: June 2025

Mike Klan

IRVINE, Calif. – A pair of UCSB Gauchos pitchers led the way in the Santa Barbara Foresters’ 4-0 opening-day victory over the OC Riptide at Great Park in Irvine. While Hudson Barrett and Frank Camarillo put up nine innings of zeroes and allowed only two hits, the Foresters bats came through as well, with every hitter in the lineup but one reaching base.

UCSB lefty Barrett got the inaugural start for the Foresters and was nearly flawless. He kept the Riptide off the scoreboard and rarely allowed them on base, giving up a hit to the first batter he saw and then nothing more than one walk in the rest of his four innings. He also showed good speed and location, striking out six. 

Barrett’s Gaucho teammate, righthander Frank Camarillo, the returning EP 19 Pitcher of the Year, came on and kept the zeroes coming. He even topped Barrett, throwing five scoreless innings, striking out three and also allowing only one hit. 

In the fourth, the Foresters scored the first run of the game—and their first of the summer—without a hit. Rightfielder Brenton Clark worked a one-out walk and hustled to third on a pair of wild pitches. Shortstop Easton Rulli brought Clark home with a sac fly to left field to open the scoring.

In the sixth, a baserunning error wound up costing the Foresters a chance at more. With runners on first and second, what looked like a double steal ended abruptly with two ’Sters on second. The lead runner, centerfielder Maddox Mandino, was put out coming from first, leaving just leftfielder Makani Nabarro at second alone on the bases. Nabarro made up for the mistake by then stealing second. Third baseman Easton Moomau then walked with two outs. After a pitching change, first baseman Caleb Hoover grounded out to end the threat. 

Things turned out better in the seventh. After smacking a leadoff single, second baseman Sawyer Farr stole second and reached third on an error. A wild pitch shortly after brought him with run number 2. 

Foresters bats provided insurance in the ninth, after Farr led off with a walk. He moved to third on a flyout. After a hit by pitch and a walk, Mandino stroked a 3-2, 2-out single through the middle to score two more runs. It was the kind of clutch, two-out hitting that has long been a Foresters hallmark. 

The Foresters continue their six-game, season-opening road trip with a 4 pm start on Saturday at the Conejo Oaks. Tune in to the Foresters YouTube channel to hear all the action.

(Article courtesy of Jim Buckley, Santa Barbara Foresters).

Click here to follow the original article.

Dave Alley

NIPOMO, Calif. – Nipomo High School celebrated the Class of 2025 during its graduation ceremony Friday night, the 21st annual commencement in the history of the school.

Held under a bright blue sky in the school’s athletic stadium, the ceremony featured 186 seniors who were all dressed in cardinal-colored caps and gowns.

Longtime principal John Denno began the ceremony by exclaiming the event wasn’t just a celebration of the graduates, but also the parents, family and friends, as well as local elementary, middle and high school educators.

“(They) have invested in the Class of 2025,” Denno said. “Our support staff, who have regularly worked quietly, humbly and sometimes invisibly for all these years, are also doing so tonight to make this celebration possible.”

Denno added the ceremony was the celebration of a journey that didn’t just start four years ago when the students entered high school, but actually 13 years ago in kindergarten, and for most, in local classrooms at the three Nipomo area elementary schools.

“As parents, many of you have extended your trust to the elementary schools in the Nipomo community, most of you entrusted Mesa Middle School and all of you placed your faith in us here at Nipomo High School,” Denno said. “Thank you for entrusting us with preparing your child for career, college and community readiness. Tonight we celebrate not only these candidates, but our entire community of Nipomo.”

During his speech, Denno announced this year’s group of graduates was the strongest academic achieving class in the history of the school. He listed a number of significant accomplishments the class earned, including:

Over 77% of this year’s graduating class have taken one or more college level classes through advanced placement or dual enrollment coursework.

71% have met the requirements to be considered “prepared” for College and Career Readiness by the State of California.

56% demonstrated proficiency in college preparatory coursework that educates each graduate for the complex and rigorous careers of the future.

Over 62% completed a Career Technical Education Pathway that exposes and equips them for well paying occupations that serve as the backbone of the regional economy.

Students said the class had a strong bond, especially since many of them had grown up together in the tight knit town.

“It’s a close community,” said graduate Emiliano Toledo Mendez. “It’s not a big school. Not to many people. It’s just family. It’s a really bittersweet moment knowing that after four years of same thing, same place, same people, it’s gone, but then you’ll have the memories and it’s just an amazing day.”

“The class of 2025 from Nipomo High School is definitely exciting,” said graduate Sophia Esparza Perez. “You’ve got a lot of excitement, a lot of joy, a lot of friendship, and just a big family that’s super excited to graduate.”

Click here to follow the original article.