Ashok holes out for eagle, has 2nd-round lead at LPGA’s LA Championship

• April 29, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Aditi Ashok made enough good swings to balance out her mistakes on a difficult day at Wilshire Country Club, shooting a 1-under-par 70 on Friday to take a one-shot lead after two rounds of the LA Championship.

Ashok holed a sand wedge from about 85 yards on the fly at the par-5 15th, part of a torrid three-hole stretch during an up-and-down round that included five bogeys. She was at 6-under 136 through two rounds, one shot ahead of Cheyenne Knight (69), Hannah Green (69) and Pernilla Lindberg (70).

Ashok, a 25-year-old from India, had her father on the bag, and there was plenty of discussion before her best shot of the day.

“It was kind of an in-between number, so we were almost trying to hit the next wedge because there’s water short of the green, but I decided to hit that one a little more full, and we got the number exactly right because it landed in the hole,” Ashok said. “So we’re like, OK, maybe it’s not a bad number.”

Ashok, ranked 90th in the world, chipped in for birdie on the par-4 fifth hole, but she closed with bogeys on Nos. 7 and 9.

“I think some of the misses here can be really brutal,” she said. “A couple of the par-3s I missed them on the long side, like left on 18 today, and I basically had no shot. I was basically making up-and-down for bogey.”

Green, who made four birdies and two bogeys, said Wilshire tests players’ patience.

“I guess it kind of gets a little swirly out here, so it’s kind of hard to pick the right swirl and the right club. But it also is starting to get bouncy,” Green said. “Greens are still relatively soft, but predicting what the first bounce is is still quite difficult.”

Sarah Kemp (68), Linnea Strom (70) and Alison Lee (71) were two shots back on a bunched leaderboard. First-round leader Linnea Johansson was in a group at 3 under after a 75. There were 21 players within four shots of the lead, including world No. 1 Nelly Korda and third-ranked Jin Young Ko, both at 2 under.

In Kyung Kim made a hole-in-one at the par-3 12th hole and was at even par.

Southern California native Lilia Vu, a week after winning her first major at the Chevron Championship, shot 75 to finish 2 over and miss the cut by a shot.

​ Orange County Register 

NFL draft: USC cornerback Mekhi Blackmon taken by Vikings in 3rd round

• April 29, 2023

Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon used to line up against receiver Jordan Addison in daily practices at USC. Now they will continue to be teammates in the NFL.

Blackmon was selected with the final pick of the third round of the NFL draft on Friday, heading to the Minnesota Vikings with the 102nd overall selection. Minnesota selected Addison, the USC receiver, with its first-round pick on Thursday.

A graduate transfer from Colorado, Blackmon played one season with USC. He immediately took over as the Trojans’ top cornerback, using his physicality to harass opposing receivers. He defended 15 passes and recorded three interceptions to go with 66 tackles as an All-Pac-12 first-team selection.

Undersized at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Blackmon did not enter the NFL draft as a prospect expected to be a Day 2 selection. But he ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash with a 1.54-second 10-yard split at the NFL combine, raising his stock just as he did at the College of San Mateo prior to Colorado.

He became the third Trojan selected in the 2023 NFL draft, joining Addison and Tuli Tuipulotu, the defensive lineman taken by the Chargers in the second round.

Blackmon took a pre-draft visit to Minnesota and is considered a good fit for defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ man-heavy scheme.

“Super instinctive corner,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. “He’s one of those guys who throughout the route there’s a calculation going on at any moment. Plays really physical, plays with good vision on the ball. Somebody we’re really happy we got where we did.”

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Asia Kozan earns family bragging rights as Santa Margarita swimmers blaze at Trinity League finals

• April 29, 2023

Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

Santa Margarita’s boys and girls swimming teams added to their haul of records Friday but one drew an especially bright smile at the Trinity League finals.

Senior Asia Kozan broke the league record in the girls 200-yard individual medley of her older sister Justina by touching in 1 minute, 58.09 seconds at JSerra High.

Kozan flashed her smile after slicing just over two-tenths of a second off the 2021 record of her sister, a former Register swimmer of the year at Santa Margarita now racing for USC.

“I’ve got to brag about it,” Kozan said with a laugh of breaking her sister’s record. “I feel like before I wasn’t really at her level, or even close to her level, but I feel like I’m slowly getting there. I’ve actually never beat her but I just broke her record.”

Kozan, a UC San Diego commit, became the No. 3 performer in Orange County history in the 200 IM. She later won the 100 freestyle in 50.01.

Santa Margarita’s girls, who have set one national record and two county records this spring, blazed three league records en route to a 23rd consecutive Trinity title.

Sophomore Teagan O’Dell challenged her league record from prelims in the 100 butterfly by touching in 52.48. She also won the 50 free in 22.77, missing the league record by six one-hundredths of a second.

One the Eagles’ most impressive league records came in the girls 200 medley relay. O’Dell combined with sophomores Nicole Christensen and Chloe Stinson and junior Ariel Lin to clock a 1:41.49.

The relay posted the third-fastest time in county history and didn’t include freestyle sprinter Teia Salvino, who is representing the Philippines at the upcoming Southeast Asia Games.

Santa Margarita’s boys, who set a county record this season, recorded six league records en route to claiming a fifth consecutive Trinity crown.

Cal-bound senior Humberto Najera led the way with records in the 200 IM (1:48.50) and 100 backstroke (lifetime-best 47.84).

Daniel Verdolaga sliced more than half-a-second off his league record in the 100 butterfly with a 47.84. Hunter Cehelnik edged Grant Shoults’ 2016 league record in the 100 free with  a 44.77 and Nathan Wu touched with a league-record 56.12 in the breaststroke.

“It just shows how we prepared we are (for CIF),” said Najera, who led off the record-setting medley relay (1:30.73).

JSerra’s Ryder Dodd claimed the 200 free in a league-record 1:38.55. “That’s definitely killer,” said teammate Bode Brinkema, who won the 50 free (20.73). “Water polo is all our main sport.”

JSerra’s Sydney Willson swept the 200 (1:50.99) and 500 (4:54.34) freestyles.

In other league finals:

In the Pacific Coast: Woodbridge junior Jacob Wang captured the 50 free at Beckman High in 20.20, second-fastest in county history.

In the South Coast: San Juan Hills’ David Schmitt won the butterfly in 47.78 and San Clemente’s Noah Sech took the 200 IM (1:47.38) and breast (54.23) at Capistrano Valley High.

In the Sunset: Corona del Mar’s Maggie Schalow won the butterfly (52.65) and 500 free (4:47.33) at Golden West College.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Angels missing the big hit or the big out in loss to Brewers

• April 29, 2023

MILWAUKEE — The Angels and Milwaukee Brewers each had a chance to take the lead in the eighth inning on Friday night.

The Angels failed and the Brewers succeeded.

That was the difference in the Angels’ 2-1 loss, a game that wasted a strong outing from starter Tyler Anderson.

The Angels’ hitters came up empty for most of the night, scoring only on a Gio Urshela two-out single in the fourth. They had leadoff baserunners in the fifth, seventh and eighth and could not get any of them home.

“We had a couple chances there,” Manager Phil Nevin said. “Just didn’t didn’t cash ’em in. You are not going to get a hit every time. If you hit .300, you make it to the Hall of Fame. Just didn’t get the hits today. That’s all.”

With the score tied 1-1 in the eighth, slumping leadoff man Taylor Ward began the inning by reaching on an error, bringing up the heart of the order.

Mike Trout hit a flyout. Shohei Ohtani singled, sending Ward to third. Anthony Rendon, who had driven in seven of eight runners from third with less than two outs this season, then hit a fly ball to shallow center, not deep enough to get the run home. Hunter Renfroe grounded out, with first baseman Luke Voit sprawling and keeping his toe on the bag just long enough to get the out.

In the bottom of the inning, Aaron Loup gave up back-to-back singles to start the inning. The Angels got a force at second for the first out. Loup then struck out Voit.

Left-handed hitter Rowdy Tellez then yanked a single through the right side of the infield, driving in the go-ahead run.

The Angels came up against Brewers closer Devin Williams in the ninth, ending their three-game winning streak.

Despite the loss, it was an encouraging outing for Anderson, who gave up one run in 6-2/3 innings.

“For sure that was his best one,” Nevin said. “Other than the pitch to Willie (Adames) in the first first inning (a home run). He was really good… Located very well. The changeup was really good. Kind of added a couple ticks of velocity when he needed it. I thought he was really good.”

Anderson brought a 7.20 ERA into the game. After shutting out the hapless Oakland A’s for six innings in his first start of the season, Anderson had allowed 16 earned runs in 14 innings in his next three starts.

On Friday night, he got off to a bad start when he threw an 89 mph sinker over the middle of the plate and Adames drilled it for a first-inning homer.

In the second, Anderson dug himself a hole by walking No. 9 hitter Joey Wiemer on four pitches, bringing up the top of the order. An infield hit then loaded the bases for Adames. Anderson struck him out on a sinker almost in the exact same spot as the one he hit out.

Anderson escaped a jam with runners at second and third when he struck out Christian Yelich on a four-seamer up in the zone.

After that, he cruised, retiring nine straight hitters before a seventh-inning walk ended his night.

“I feel like I tried to kind of feel for guys’ game plans as the game goes on,” Anderson said. “Then when you get in that situation, you just don’t give in. I start feeling better, executing better, going in the right direction.”

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Dodgers welcome back Will Smith and Max Muncy, place J.D. Martinez on injured list

• April 29, 2023

LOS ANGELES ― Two steps forward, one step back.

On the same day the Dodgers welcomed Will Smith and Max Muncy back to their lineup, designated hitter J.D. Martinez was placed on the 10-day injured list with lower back tightness.

Martinez was scheduled to take batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Friday afternoon, a last-ditch effort to avoid the injured list after missing the last three games. The “irritation” Martinez first felt in his back on Sunday knocked him out for the entire three-game series in Pittsburgh and ostensibly did not let up in time for the series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Dodgers backdated Martinez’s IL stint to Tuesday, making him eligible to return next Friday (May 5).

Smith had not played since April 12 because of a concussion. Muncy, last week’s National League Player of the Week, missed three games while on paternity leave. Each was among the team’s hottest hitters when they last took the field; Smith batted third and Muncy fourth on Friday against St. Louis.

The lineup frequently suffered without the two stars. The Dodgers went 6-7 in Smith’s absence. They scored only three runs across their previous two games in Pittsburgh.

“If you look at what’s transpired … the roster’s been in flux for so long,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It certainly makes more sense why we haven’t had any consistency but when you’re mired in it, you don’t try to let that bleed into your mindset. You’re trying to figure out the 26 guys you have available that night and try to win a game. That’s where we’re at.”

Martinez’s injury means the Dodgers must wait at least another week before their full Opening Day lineup is healthy.

The veteran said he “should’ve spoken up sooner” after experiencing pain in his back running out of the batter’s box in the fourth inning Sunday in Chicago. His back was still ailing during each of his next two plate appearances, including one that resulted in a home run in the sixth inning.

“Honestly it was me being dumb trying to be a hero,” said Martinez, who is batting .250 with four home runs and 15 RBIs in 23 games this season.

Michael Busch and David Peralta alternated at DH in Martinez’s absence before Smith returned as the designated hitter Friday. Roberts said Smith is likely to DH again Saturday against the Cardinals and might catch as early as Sunday.

To make room for Muncy on the active roster, the Dodgers optioned infielder Luke Williams to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Williams had one hit, a single, in 10 at-bats.

BULLPEN SHUFFLE

The Dodgers also activated right-handed reliever Brusdar Graterol from the paternity list and optioned left-hander Justin Bruihl to Oklahoma City.

Bruihl allowed one run in five appearances spanning five innings. Graterol had not allowed a run in his last six appearances prior to the birth of his daughter. He figures to return to a high-leverage role immediately.

Through Thursday, the Dodgers’ bullpen had a 5.18 ERA, which ranked 14th in the National League.

“There’s only been consistency from a couple guys, where our expectation is that wasn’t going to be the case,” Roberts said. “A lot of it is looking for consistency. I think partly you have had that in years past. But I expect that to change given what these guys have done in the past.”

Roberts cited Graterol, Evan Phillips, Caleb Ferguson and Shelby Miller by name as the consistent pitchers in the group. Phillips, Miller and Graterol (and Andre Jackson, who was later optioned to Triple-A) have all recorded saves in the absence of a designated closer this month.

ALSO

Shortstop Miguel Rojas (left hamstring strain) took live batting practice Friday and is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment Saturday. He could return as early as Monday, Roberts said.

UP NEXT

Dodgers (LHP Clayton Kershaw, 4-2, 2.32 ERA) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (LHP Jordan Montgomery, 2-3, 3.81 ERA), Saturday, 6:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Sierra Canyon’s Madelaine Debs voted Southern California Girls Athlete of the Week

• April 29, 2023

Southern California Girls Athlete of the Week

Athlete: Madelaine Debs

School: Sierra Canyon

Sport: Baseball

Noteworthy: Debs was stellar in Sierra Canyon’s two Mission League wins last week, going a combined 5 for 6 with two homers. She went 3 for 3 with a home run and an RBI in a 6-1 win over Alemany before going 2 for 3 with home run, a double and two RBIs in a 7-5 win over Chaminade.

​ Orange County Register 

Aliso Niguel’s Colin Barker voted Southern California Girls Athlete of the Week

• April 29, 2023

Southern California Boys Athlete of the Week

Athlete: Colin Barker

School: Aliso Niguel

Sport: Lacrosse

Noteworthy: He scored five goals and had one assist in a 12-11 win over San Juan Hills as the Wolverines clinched the Sea View League championship. Barker totaled nine goals and 14 points over Aliso Niguel’s three wins during the week. Aliso Niguel went into this week 13-5 overall and 5-0 in league. The CIF-SS boys and girls lacrosse brackets will be released Saturday.

​ Orange County Register 

NFL draft: Chargers select USC DE Tuli Tuipulotu

• April 29, 2023

A kid from Hawthorne will be playing his home games in Inglewood.

The Los Angeles Chargers selected former USC defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu in the second round of the NFL draft Friday night, using the 54th selection on the former Lawndale High standout.

Tuipulotu was a three-year starter at USC and two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection. He was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous first-team All American as a junior in 2022 after recording 46 tackles, 22 for loss and 13.5 sacks.

The 6-foot-4, 266-pound Tuipulotu provides needed depth at defensive end for the Chargers, but also should give the Chargers more versatility up front after moving around the defensive line for USC and even moving back to a blitzing linebacker at times for the Trojans.

More to come on this story.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register