Comets Slugger Rodda Soars, Canyons Hurler Sturm Superb As SoCal Player/Pitcher Of The Week #13
Palomar College power hitter Michael Rodda and Canyons' versatile starter/reliever Ricky Sturm were chosen as the CCCBCA SoCal Player/Pitcher of the Week #13 (April 13-19).
Rodda, a 6-foot-4 sophomore transfer from Cypress College and Great Oak High/Temecula, rocked Imperial Valley pitching batting 9-for-14 (.643) with three home runs, two doubles and 12 RBI. He launched three bombs and 10 RBI in a doubleheader sweep on April 16.
Rodda is tied for seventh in the state in RBI (49) and is one of 15 players who have 60 hits this season (.397 overall average).
Sturm, a 6-1 freshman righthander from West Ranch in Stevenson Ranch, was instrumental in back-to-back wins by COC over LA Mission.
On April 16, he recorded the final out for his fifth save of the year in a 12-8 win. Just two days later in his scheduled start, Sturm went the complete game, 9-inning distance, firing a 5-hitter, allowing just one run and no walks in a 13-1 win. He threw 74 of his 96 pitches for strikes and picked up three Ks.
Sturm has a 5-2 record in 56.1 innings this season.
Other SoCal Region Conference Players of the Week
Western State North--Player: Makani Nabarro, Cuesta (.333, 6 R, 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBI); Pitcher: Wylan Nelson, Santa Barbara (8 IP, Win, 6 H, 2 ER, 9 K)
Western State South--Player: Quentin Starbuck, Antelope Valley (.818, 12 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 4 RBI, 6 SB); Pitcher: Sturm, Canyons
Inland Empire Athletic--Player: David Trujillo, Chaffey (.364, 3 2B, HR, 3 RBI); Pitcher: Javier Vasquez, Desert (6 IP, Win, 5 H, 7 K)
South Coast--Player: Jackson Giacone, Mt. San Antonio (.583 AVG, 6 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI); Pitcher: Adrian Pineda, El Camino (9 IP, Win, CG, 3 H, 1 ER, 9 K)
Orange Empire--Player: Nick Salmon, Golden West (.545, 5 R, 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBI); Pitcher: Sage Nelson, Fullerton (7 IP, Win, 3 H, 1 ER, 5 K)
Pacific Coast Athletic--Player: Rodda, Palomar, Pitcher: Noah Libed, Grossmont (7.1 IP, Win, 5 H, 2 ER, 7 K)