Local digest: Longtime Stanislaus softball coach retires
Jan Schefkowitz, the winningest and longest-tenured softball coach at Cal State Stanislaus, will retire after 23 years.
Schefkowitz, the Warriors’ coach since 1993, posted 557 victories, including Stanislaus’ West Regional championship in 2007 and a California Collegiate Athletic Association title in 2008. Her teams made six NCAA tournament appearances, featuring four in succession from 2006-09.
“For more than two decades, Jan has been a role model for the young women that have played in the program,” athletic director Michael Matoso said. “She exemplifies class and dignity and on behalf of our university, I thank her for her dedication to the program and wish her the best in her retirement.”
More than 90 Warriors have earned All-Region awards under Schefkowitz’s guidance. Megan Law was named an All-American in 2006 and ’07. Schefkowitz was the 2000 CCAA Coach of the Year.
“I am fortunate to have coached here at Cal State Stanislaus for the past 23 years,” Schefkowitz said. “The bonds I have made with the student-athletes, my colleagues and the community over the years will last a lifetime.”
Two members of the 2007 team, Jessica Gaumnitz and Meghan Franksen, were inducted to the Warrior Athletics Hall of Fame last February.
“The softball program has a good foundation and a bright future,” Schefkowitz said. “I wish the entire athletics department much success.”
A national search for the softball program’s eighth coach has begun.
Golf
Modesto Metro Conference Championship – Johansen High School’s Daniel Pena, the reigning Sac-Joaquin Section Masters medalist, shot an even-par 71 at Dryden Park en route to medalist honors at the Modesto Metro Conference Championship this week. Gregori, led by 77s by Garrett Ingle and Chris Ebster, claimed its first MMC golf title. The Jaguars totaled 298 strokes, 24 ahead of runner-up Enochs.
Earning first-team MMC honors were Ingle, Greg Jalli and K.J. Dieker of Gregori, Chinmay Joshi of Beyer, Austin Haverdink and Timmy Yang of Enochs.
Gregori, Enochs and Downey will advance to Atwater’s Rancho del Rey for the Section Division I South on Monday. Downey edged Beyer in a playoff for the MMC’s third berth.
Big Sky Conference Championship – Idaho raced to a record-setting total of 8-under-par 856 and captured the Big Sky Conference Championship on Wednesday at Greenhorn Creek in Angels Camp. Runner-up and tournament host Sacramento State trailed the Vandals by 21 strokes. The medalist was Idaho sophomore Jared du Toit (73-69-66 – 208).
High school baseball
Modesto Metro Conference –Beyer and Gregori both are 8-1 and tied for the lead with three games left. Gregori (16-5, 8-1), which shared the title last year with Enochs, blanked Enochs 5-0 Wednesday on Anthony Dugo’s five-hit shutout. Dugo (4-1 in the MMC) struck out eight.
Beyer (16-6, 8-1) stayed even with a 10-4 win over Modesto, thanks to a 14-hit attack that broke open the game in the middle innings.
Next week’s final regular-season games have been moved up a day to Tuesday. If Beyer and Gregori remain tied, they’ll meet at a neutral site Wednesday to decide the MMC’s top seed in the section tournament.
Elsewhere, Elijah Oliver and Christian Phillips combined on a one-hitter as Downey edged Davis 2-1.
Valley Oak League – Oakdale and Sierra remained locked in a tie for first place atop the VOL standings with wins over Central Catholic and Lathrop, respectively.
The Mustangs defeated the Raiders 3-1 and the Timberwolves topped the Spartans 13-5.
For Oakdale, Nolen Legan was 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs, helping to make a winner of Tanner Emes, who pitched five solid innings.
For Sierra, Ryan Vasquez, Jake Souza and Tanner Peterson each collected three hits in the victory.
In another VOL matchup on Wednesday, Manteca outlasted Kimball 19-11, even though the Buffs were outhit 17-11. Kimball committed seven errors while Manteca had four.
Jake Menasco scored three runs and drove in three, while Greg Jones, Kyle Rachels and Jonny Murillo had two RBIs apiece.
This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 10:37 PM with the headline "Local digest: Longtime Stanislaus softball coach retires."