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

Andrew Prince to Harvard

The proudest moment in Golden Era's short history came on December 14th when Andrew Prince was accepted to Harvard University, where he will play baseball for the Crimson beginning in 2007. Andrew is 1 of 7 players Harvard will be bringing in from across the nation to be part of their incoming freshmen class. 

Harvard in 2005 made the College World Series making it to the regional round before being eliminated by Cal State Fullerton.

Andrew's success on the baseball field is nothing compared to his outstanding achievement in the classroom where he holds a very impressive GPA and SAT test scores that are remarkable. On top of that Andrew is also the President of the Black Student Union at Bishop O'Dowd high school and a National Merit and National Achievement Scholar.

"Ever since I first coached Andrew when he was a sophomore with me at Bishop O'Dowd, he has always been an extremely hard worker both on the baseball field as well as in the classroom. I have seen him continually improve, but the biggest thing that stands out about Andrew is the level of maturity and character that makes up who he is. He's a born leader, and with his political interest Harvard couldn't be a better fit. I remember telling all the players who were with me as sophomores at O'Dowd, that if they worked hard... both on the field and off... good things would happen for them. Andrew bought in and took those words to heart. Good things happen to those who work hard. Congratulations Andrew from everyone who knows you, and we wish you continued success." dbell

Josh Richie Homerun Advances Golden Era to Championship in 1st Tournament in Program History

Josh Richie (Actual Home-Run Photo)

2005 18U Memorial Day Classic Update

The Golden Era squad knew they we're one win away from advancing to the championship game of the 2005 Northern California Memorial Day Classic when they took the field Monday morning against the Delta Indians.

Golden Era would have there hands full facing the Delta Indians ace on the mound, Vega, who's fastball was consistently over 90 miles per hour.

The game wouldn't be close though as Golden Era erupted for 5 in the first capped off by one of the furthest home-runs we have ever seen by Josh Richie, a ball that traveled an estimated 450 feet, while cruising to a win.

1st Pitch in Program Histroy Thrown by Kyle Teague

Golden Era's 18U squad took the field for the first time in program history. The first pitch was thrown by Kyle Teague....

Spring of 2005 Hitting Classes Get Underway

Derek Bell & Hitting Student Ricky Pata

Spring of 2005 Hitting Classes are now underway with morning sessions in Fremont and afternoon sessions in Pleasanton. Currently all of the Spring Hitting Classes are full.

Hitting Class Short Details:
8 Session Program
1 Hour Each Workout
10 Players per Class

Golden Era Baseball's 1st Program Begins (2004 Off-Season Hitting Classes)

Andrew Prince in the 1st Hitting Class offered by Golden Era Baseball

Golden Era Baseball 1st program began this evening, our 2004 Off-Season High School Hitting Class. The class consists of, Max Schupe, Trevor Sampson, Kevin Ruma, Tyson Ross, Joey Ross and Nikko Wahl.

UPDATE: This class consisted of some players who moved on to do some pretty special things baseball wise:

• Tyson Ross (Drafted in the 2nd Round of the Major League Draft by the Oakland A's)
• Joey Ross (Drafted in the 1st Round by the San Diego Padres)
• Andrew Prince (Played College Baseball at Harvard)
• Kevin Ruma (Moved on to play college baseball and now is a coach himself at Bishop O'Dowd High School)
• Max Schupe (Moved on to play college baseball at Oregon State)
• Trevor Sampson (Moved on to play college baseball at Chabot)

Derek Bell & Shawon Dunston Working a Summer Baseball Camp