100% of 06 Grads Moving on to Play in College

With the summer winding down it’s getting close to the time for all of our 06 grads to move on to the next level. When Golden Era’s 18U team took the field for the first time over Memorial Day weekend in 2005, with mainly all juniors at the time, never did we imagine that little over a year later 100 percent of our 1st graduating class of players would be moving on to play college baseball.
 
Through a lot of hard work, sacrifice and dedication on behalf of the players though, everyone of our graduating seniors will be continuing there baseball days at the next level, everywhere from Harvard, to the junior college ranks, all the way thru one of the best division I teams in the country.

Knowing how hard all these players have worked and to see them be rewarded in this fashion.is the most satisfying feeling coaches could ever have. It's what it's really all about.

We wanted to say congratulations to all of our 06 grads and we wish you continued success at the college level. We're extremely proud of all of you. We also wanted to say thank you to the tremendous parent support we have had from day one from each of these families and every family from within the program!!! Without that support from the parents none of this would be possible. Thank you and enjoy San Diego to see this special group together for one last time.

Jason Bennett (Sonoma State Univ.) Josh Riche (Chabot College) Jordan Durrance (Pepperdine Univ.) Chris Hillman (Canada College) Andrew Prince (Harvard Univ.) Jon Pirkle (Sierra College) Phil Estrada (Ohlone College) Will Dugoni (Loyola Marymount Univ.) Carlton Steudeman (Chabot College)

Durrance Signs Scholarship to Pepperdine University

Jordan Durrance

Congratulations to 18U Golden Era player, Jordan Durrance, who has signed his scholarship to Pepperdine University. 

The signing of the scholarship wraps up a very impressive baseball season for Jordan, which has seen him throw a "Perfect Game", be drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, have an amazing summer season, capped off by choosing pepperdine over about 20 major division 1 universities.

Great job Jordan, we could not be any happier for you! 

Golden Era Reaches Finals of the Northern California Connie Mack Playoffs

Will Dugoni

Connie Mack Playoffs Update (2006)

Josh Riche's game winning double over the EDH Vipers put the GE 18's into the final rounds of the Northern California Connie Mack Playoff's. 

On the mound the 18's were lead with 6 strong innings and 13 K's from Jordan Durrance and clutch hitting from Jason Bennett, Ryan Lopes and Chad Santos

Golden Era Cruises to Victory over the California Smoke (Connie Mack Playoffs 2006)

Andrew Prince

Connie Mack Playoffs Update

Andrew Prince connected for a 3 run home-run off the California Smoke that went over the creek beyond the right field wall at Diablo Valley College. The 3 run home-run put the GE 18's ahead for good as they went on to defeat the Smoke 8-2 to advance in the 2006 Northern California Connie Mack Playoffs.

Jordan Durrance Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles

Jordan Durrance

GE 18's Roll into the Championship Game of the 4th of July Classic in Orange County

FIRECRACKER UPDATE (2006)

After dropping the first game of the West Coast 4th of July Firecracker Classic, the GE 18's responded with wins over the Orange County Angels, Arizona Firebirds, Danville, Arizona All-Stars and the Fullerton Stingers, to reach the finals of the tournament.

Kyle Page Drafted by the Washington Nationals

Kyle Page

Will Dugoni to Loyola Marymount University

Will Dugoni

Congratulations to 18U Golden Era player who will be moving on to play his college baseball at Loyola Marymount University in Southern California.

Jonathon Lewis to University of Pacific

Jonathon Lewis

Congrats to Jonathon Lewis, 'J-Lew", who will be continuing his baseball days at University of Pacific.

Jordan Durrance Throws a Perfect Game!

ARTICLE FROM SACRAMENTO BEE FOR GOLDEN ERA 18U PITCHER, JORDAN DURRANCE

 GALT — Sierra pitcher Jordan Durrance knew he was tinkering with perfection midway through the fourth inning Tuesday.

So did his teammates.

With nine outs separating Durrance from program history, an eerie hush fell over the Sierra dugout. The baseball chatter stopped and Durrance, a soft-spoken senior, drifted off onto an island.

The silence was deafening.

“Things got pretty quiet,” he said. “Everything stopped. I think they knew. “After the fourth, going into the fifth, I realized it was possible. I tried to keep it out of my mind. I was in zone.”

Was he ever.

Durrance struck out 12 batters in his first-ever perfect game and helped his own cause with an RBI single in the seventh as the Timberwolves rolled to a 4-0 non-league win at Galt. Sierra pounded out seven hits, and held a 3-0 lead after five.

Brandon Proctor roped a two-run single in the fourth, and a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded in the fifth stretched the Timberwolves’ lead to three. It was all the run support Durrance needed. 

And he didn’t need much.

The lanky left-hander threw just 84 pitches and only found himself behind in the count twice. Each time, he roared back with a strikeout. “It was very exciting. I was really happy for Jordan,” Sierra coach Jack Thomson said. “He threw three pitches for a strike and worked ahead in the count. When you do that, you’re pitching.

“Afterwards, I told (the team) we witnessed something pretty special. This doesn’t happen very often.”

It was a first for Thomson, who has coached Manteca-area high schools for 28 seasons. A few had come close.

Robby Woods was the closest. In 1986, when Thomson roamed the dugout as Manteca High’s skipper, Woods came within one out of perfection.

Then it happened.

With two outs in the seventh, and after retiring the first 20 batters he had faced, Woods issued a walk.

He settled for a no-hitter. Durrance, on the other hand, wouldn’t be denied his first perfect game — as nerve-racking as it was. “I was battling,” he said. Second baseman Jake Rovig solidified the feat with a putout on a sharply hit ground ball.

Sierra's Durrance is perfect