Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 205

CCS playoffs: Alvarez clinches spot in State NorCal boys’ soccer tournament

SALINAS — A historical boys soccer season — one that has yet to see Alvarez suffer defeat on the pitch — will be extended at least another two matches.

The Eagles stretched their school record unbeaten streak to 21 matches Saturday, earning a spot in the State Northern California tournament in the process after a 2-1 win over Serra of San Mateo in the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs.

Seeded No. 3 in Division I, the 19-0-2 Eagles are headed to the CCS semifinals, where they will visit No. 2 seed Mountain View — 3-1 winners over Mitty on penalty kicks — on Tuesday.

Regardless of the outcome, Alvarez has ensured a spot in the state tournament. Teams placed in Division I in the CCS playoffs can gather a spot in the State Northern California tournament with just one win in the CCS playoffs.

The defending CCS Division III champion Eagles will go into the semifinals having outscored opponents 66-15 this fall. During their current eight game winning streak, they have shutout five opponents.

“Our goalie had another amazing game,” Alvarez coach Gabriel Campos said. “Alvaro (Reyes) is the reason we won. He stopped four one-on-ones. He’s been on an amazing run. He’s got the reflexes required to be a top goalkeeper.”

The 6-foot-2 Reyes finished with nine saves for the Gabilan Division champions, giving him 131 saves between the pipes, to go along with nine shutouts this season.

Fernando Matias — who leads the Eagles in assists, broke up a 1-1 draw against the West Catholic Athletic League runner-ups with his 10th goal with 15 minutes left in the match.

Luis Macis put Alvarez up 1-0 in the first half with his 24th goal of the season, while twins Victor and Emmanuel Coronado both came off the bench to match Serra’s (12-6-3) physicality.

“It goes back to our league,” Campos said. “Our league requires us to be able to withstand different styles. Serra brought a physical presence to the field. But we’ve seen it. So, we weren’t caught off guard. We’re deep. The twins came in and gave us a spark.”

Division IV

Pioneer 5, Palma 4 PK: Scoreless through regulation and two overtimes, the top-seeded Chieftains went to penalty kicks against upset minded Pioneer, falling in the Division IV quarterfinals.

Champions of the Mission Division, Palma was making its first playoff appearance since 2009. The 13 wins marked the fifth straight year it has improved in the win column.

Gio Gutierrez, Eli Dukes, Eddie Calderon and Sebastian Sanchez all scored penalty kick goals for Palma, whose only league loss came from defending State Northern California Division IV champion King City.

Monterey 3, Salinas 1 PK: Tied at one after regulation and overtime, the Toreadores got three penalty kick saves in sudden death by goalie Axel Celaya to advance to the semifinals.

Ethan Bonilla produced Monterey’s only goal in regulation on an assist from Edmar Coronel. Bonilla, Enrique Villalobos and Liam Rawson all scored goals on penalty kicks in sudden death.

The Toreadores, who will face Gonzales on Wednesday in the semifinals at Rabobank, came into the game seeded No. 3 at 11-6-3. Salinas finishes the season 12-6-4.

Last year Monterey fell to King City in the Division IV finals. The Mustangs went on to win their second State Northern California title in the last three years.

Bonilla has produced 24 goals this year for Monterey, while Celaya has collected 100 saves between the pipes.

Greenfield 2, Lincoln 1: The Bruins are one win away from their first trip to the section finals after ending Lincoln of San Jose’s season in the Division IV quarterfinals.

Seeded No. 4, Greenfield (10-5-6) will host No. 8 Pioneer — who knocked off top seed Palma on penalty kicks — on Wednesday.

Alex Sanchez and Braulio Zuniga collected goals in the first half for the Bruins, staking them to a 2-0 halftime cushion.

Gonzales 3, King City 1: With their field and stadium being renovated this season, the Spartans haven’t had a home all year.

That hasn’t slowed the momentum for the Cypress Division champions, who are in the CCS Division IV semifinals after knocking off long-time rival King City at Rabobank.

Seeded No. 2, Gonzales (16-3-2) will play host to Monterey on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Rabobank for a spot in the section title game.

Jorge Uribe produced a goal and an assist for the Spartans, who are 16-3-2 this season. Miguel Ibarra and Ulisses Mancillas each collected goals.

The Mustangs, who won a Northern California Division IV title last year, finished the season 8-6-7.

Division III

The Trojans were ousted in the Division III quarterfinals by No. 2 seed Aragon in sudden death on penalty kicks, ending their season at 7-7-6.

Girls’ soccer

Division II

Salinas 6, Crystal Springs 0: Morgan Retterer had the hat trick, scoring three goals as the No. 2 seeded Cowboys earned a spot in the Division II semifinals, where they will host Sacred Heart Cathedral on Wednesday.

Delilah Vega-Aguilar added two goals and an assist for the Gabilan Division champions, while Kate Nunes collected a goal and two assists. Jenifer Molina and Taylor Ramirez were each credited with an assist.

Salinas (17-1-2), has won nine straight games and is unbeaten in its last 15 matches. Goalies Taylor Ramirez and Luzelena Atrisco combined for four saves between the pipes to earn the shutout.

Crystal Springs came into the match 14-2-3.

Division V

Rancho San Juan 2, Stevenson 1: The Trailblazers are headed to the third straight CCS semifinal appearance, needing overtime to knock off Stevenson in the Division V playoffs.

Rancho San Juan, who came into the postseason having dropped four straight Gabilan Division games, improved to 10-8-2 overall this season.

Karina Vargas produced both goals for the Trailblazers, using assists from Larissa Lopez-Ordaz and Natalee Morales-Gonzalez. Emily Garcia was credited with nine saves in the cage.

Seeded No. 3, Rancho San Juan will visit the No. 2 seed North County — 3-1 winners over Oak Grove — for a spot in the section finals on Wednesday.

Boys Basketball

Division III

El Camino 52, Soledad 47: Less than 24 hours after an emotional 55-54 overtime win over Live Oak, the Aztecs couldn’t recapture the magic in falling to No. 7 El Camino in the Division III second round.

Pedro Morales led Soledad (15-11) with 16 points, while Pablo Morales chipped in with 13. Anikan Tavarez added seven

Pioneer 65, North County 35: The Mission Division champion Condors season came to a sudden halt, falling to Pioneer in the Division III playoffs.

Earning its first postseason win in five years after Friday’s 67-62 win over Greenfield, the Condors finished the season 20-7.

Arnulfo Jimenez scored nine points for North County, with Kenji Mellin finishing with eight.

Division IV

Pacific Grove 56, Gunderson 32: Andrew Nimri poured in 23 points as the Breakers earned the right to face No. 3 seed Half Moon Bay on Tuesday.

Gabriel Valencia and Brody Edmonds each added 14 points for Pacific Grove, who came into the Division IV tournament seeded No. 6. Gunderson earned the right to face the Breakers after a 47-43 win on Friday.

Girls’ basketball

Division I

Alisal 38, Milpitas 26: Mia Rivera dropped in 16 points as the Trojans advanced to the Division I quarterfinals, knocking off upset minded Milpitas.

Milpitas came into the game having beaten Carlmont 40-31 on Friday. Rivera added five rebounds for Alisal, who is seeded No. 7 and will visit No. 2 Evergreen Valley (18-6) on Tuesday.

Lucy Peinado added 10 points and three steals for Alisal, who is 16-9 overall.

Division III

Soledad 49, NMC 31: Limping into the postseason, the Aztecs looked at the postseason as a fresh start, posting a 17-point win in the Division III second round.

Seeded No. 6 at 14-10, Soledad dropped six of their final seven Gabilan Division games, enduring a coaching change in the middle of league play.

Justina Botello-Naranjo had 11 points for Soledad, while Jessica Morales and Amy Amaro each contributed 10 points

Soledad will face No. 4 seed Pioneer (10-14) on Tuesday in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m.

Ashley Torres had 17 points for the Condors (19-6), who opened the tournament with a 56-40 win over King City. Xochitl Ramirez pulled down 10 rebounds, while Peyton Phillips finished with six boards.

Division IV

Pacific Grove 54, Stevenson 50: The Mission Division champions needed overtime to extend their milestone season, knocking off rival Stevenson for the third time this season — this time in overtime.

The No. 8 seeded Breakers (20-5), who established a new school record with 12 straight wins earlier this year, are 15-1 in their last 16 games.

Pacific Grove will have the distinction of facing top-seed Menlo (15-8) on Tuesday.

Jasmine Booker ignited the Breakers attack with 22 points, with Savannah Hardy adding 19 points, and Lilli Gaona six.

Stevenson (20-6) advanced to the second round after a 56-40 win over Marina on Friday. Three of its six losses came from the Breakers by six, eight and four points.

Kobie Crutcher scored 16 points for the Pirates, with Peyton Sanchez adding 10.

Division V

Palma 77, Pescadero 16: The Chieftains made their playoff debut in basketball by rolling to a 61-point win in the Division V second round.

Frankie Rossi erupted for 24 points for Palma, who is seeded No. 5 at 22-3. Carolina Lorca added nine points, while Melany Duenas finished with eight.

Palma, who added girls to its campus this year for the first time in 60 years, will visit No. 4 seed Cristo Rey (10-7) on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

High School wrestling: Monterey captures programs first girls section team title

SAN JOSE — The first thing Ella Myers’ teammates asked her is ‘do we get rings’?

Myers, who has been a part of two Central Coast Section divisional softball title teams and a State Northern California championship team for Monterey, answered ‘absolutely.’

This one, though, might feel a little more special for Myers as the Toreadores milestone season added a CCS wrestling title to their resume, the first in school history after Saturday’s 123.5-121 win over St. Francis at Independence High.

The only other program in the county to win a girl’s CCS wrestling team title was Alvarez in 2012.

“I was asked does this mean we get rings,” Myers said. “I said ‘Yes. That’s how it works’. Coach said you’ll have to pay for it. I told him I’m fine with that.”

The Toreadores had six individuals finish in the top five in their respective weight classes, including Violette Ross, who took second at 235 pounds to advance to state.

“It hasn’t quite set in,” Ross said. “I think once we’re back at school, it will sink in. It’s nice to win as a team. I’m really proud of my teammates.”

Ross, who will graduate a year early, was winless two years ago as a freshman. This season she suffered just four losses in winning a Gabilan Division title, falling in the CCS finals to Soledad’s Natalie Ramirez.

“A lot has changed for me from the beginning,” Ross said. “My remember my coach told me after my freshman year to come back to practice. I just got better. I finally feel like I know what I’m doing.”

The CIF state championships will begin on Thursday in Bakersfield. The top four in each weight class for boys and girls advance to the double-elimination tournament.

“I think after our first practice, we realized we had something special,” Myers said. “Coach Seva’aetasi had multiple meetings, telling us this will only work if we work together and show up. We’re all here for each other.”

Myers’ season isn’t over as the senior is headed to the state championships for the third consecutive year after finishing third at 140 pounds for Monterey.

“Obviously the goal was to defend my CCS title,” Myers said. “But going to state is what matters. An individual title here does not matter as long as I do better at state than I have the last two years.”

Joining Myers and Ross at the state championships will include teammates Tillia Perry, who finished third at 110 pounds, and Marina Davis, who placed fourth at 145.

“There’s a big trophy for winning a CCS title,” Myers said. “Throwing that up in the air will be big.”

Alisal is sending two girls to the state championships, including Areli Rodriguez, who was a champion at 170 pounds. Teammate Brianna Ochoa finished second at 110.

For Rodriguez, it will be her second straight state meet appearance. Ramirez was the only other CCS girls champion for Soledad with her win over Ross at 235.

Making a return trip to the state meet will be three-time Gabilan Division champion Keira Siason of Alvarez, who finished fourth at 105 pounds.

“I’m very grateful,” Siason said. “I know how hard I’ve worked for this. I didn’t get the result I wanted. But I get one last shot in high school to wrestle on the biggest stage.”

Siason, who has won over 125 wrestling matches in her career, went 3-2 overall at the section finals, falling in her final match for third place. She will go into the state tournament 41-11 overall this winter.

“I wish I could have my last match back,” Siason said. “I was tired and I needed to prepare a little better, maybe prep a little better. I have these mental exercises that tend to help a lot. Wrestling is a very mental sport.”

Iliyana Nava of Salinas defeated Davis of Monterey for third place at the 145 pounds.

Boys

Jacob Perez was nearly flawless in his journey to a CCS title at 157 pounds for Alvarez, going 4-0 in defeating his opponent in the finals by a technical fall 16-1.

Perez, who is 35-3 this season, is ranked No. 4 in the state going into next week’s state championships.

“I’m excited for state,” said Perez, a two-time Gabilan Division champion. “It feels good. But I know there is more work to be done. I want to make a run at state.”

Perez, who went to state last year as a CCS runner-up, admitted he was overwhelmed when he made his first appearance at the state championships last season.

“Last year I felt I could not breathe under the lights,” Perez said. “This year I’m more mentally prepared. The work I have put in, the partners I’ve trained it. It’s all paying off.”

Moving up a weight class this season didn’t keep sophomore Aiden Garcia from repeating as a section champion, capturing the 113 pound weight class for Palma.

Garcia, who has been ranked in the top eight in the state all season, finished sixth last year at the state finals as a freshman at 106 pounds.

“I just felt like going up a weight class,” Garcia said. “Once I get to college, there are no weight classes under 125. I still had to cut some weight from time to time. But it was a little easier.”

Garcia, who is ranked seventh in the state, went 4-0 at the section finals with a 7-0 decision in the title match. The two-time Gabilan Division champion is 33-3 this season.

“This time I am going for it all,” Garcia said. “Now I know what state is like and how it will be. I will be more prepared.”

Joining Garcia will be teammate Isaiah Rangel, who was the CCS runner-up at 165 pounds. A CCS champion last season at 175 pounds, Rangel — a two-time Gabilan Division champion, went 3-1 in the tournament.

Monterey’s Gabriel De La Rosa qualified for the state tournament by finishing third at 113 pounds, as did Fabian Martinez for Alisal at 215. Jason Valencia of North Salinas took fourth at 175.

SF Giants’ top prospect Eldridge hits 450-foot homer in Cactus League debut

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Bryce Eldridge, the San Francisco Giants’ top prospect, told reporters earlier this week that his main goal during his first major-league spring training was to make a good impression. One game into Cactus League play and it’s safe to say he’s done so.

Eldridge capped off the Giants’ first game of spring training with a no-doubt, 450-foot, 110.4-mph homer as San Francisco defeated the Texas Rangers, 6-1, on Saturday afternoon at Surprise Stadium. There were no shortage of cameras to capture the moment — the Rangers’ did not televise the game — and Eldridge will need them to remember exactly how the moment played out.

“I honestly blacked out for that whole thing,” Eldridge said. “I really don’t remember it. I remember looking at the outfielder and he was acting like he was going to catch it. I was like, ‘I think I got that one.’”

Eldridge, indeed, got that one. But not before he got got in his first plate appearance, which ended on a four-pitch strikeout. The first baseman fell behind in the count, 0-2, during his second plate appearance, but felt himself slow down with each passing pitch. When the Rangers’ Matt Festa tossed a 92 mph four-seam fastball right down the middle, Eldridge didn’t miss his opportunity to clear the fences.

“I was thinking to myself in that at-bat that I just need to slow things down,” Eldridge said. “Progressing through that whole at-bat, all those three pitches, I kept getting slowed down and more slowed down, so it worked out for me.”

Barring the unforeseen, the 20-year-old Eldridge will not make the Giants’ Opening Day roster out of spring training after hitting 23 homers with 92 RBIs and a .291 batting average last year across four different minor-league levels. Eldridge may have to spend more time in the minors before making his debut, but his home run on Saturday was further proof of how his power will translate at any and all ballparks.

“For a guy his age, he certainly looks very calm. Two strikes, trying to put the ball in play and he hits it 40 feet over the center-field fence. We’ve seen a lot of that in his at-bats in lives and (batting practice). He just looks very hitter-ish all the time. It’s nice that he gets off to a good start after his first at-bat. It makes you feel good, and it makes you feel like you belong.”

SF Giants’ Lee singles, flashes leather in first game in nine months

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Jung Hoo Lee doesn’t quite have his swagger back. Not all of it.

The San Francisco Giants’ Cactus League opener against the Texas Rangers represented Lee’s first game since May 12, 2024, the day that Lee barreled into the wall at Oracle Park and suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. In the grand scheme of the season, the Giants’ 6-1 win over the Rangers counts for nothing. For Lee, his abbreviated afternoon provided him with a step in the right direction.

“I can’t say at the moment that I’m 100 percent confident playing offense and defense right now,” Lee said through team interpreter Justin Han. “I’m putting a lot of effort … into what I’m doing right now on the field, trying to help the team out. Hopefully, I get to the field when I’m 100 percent confident.”

Afternoons over the next week such as this one will certainly help in the confidence department. Batting in the three-hole, Lee impressed on both sides of the ball in his first game in nearly 300 days. At the plate, Lee roped a 105.1 mph single on the very first pitch he saw, sharing with reporters that he planned on swinging at the first pitch he saw today.

“I wanted to check on my swing today and see if my hands were on time,” Lee said. “Luckily, I did get the hit. It was all about if I was late, if I was fast, if I was going in the right direction, if my mechanics were okay.”

In the field, Lee tracked down Evan Carter’s deep drive to left-center field just shy of the warning track. As Lee ran at full speed towards the wall, manager Bob Melvin admitted that he was reminded of the injury that ended Lee’s rookie year nine months prior.

“It was the same spot,” Melvin said. “I even said something to (Ryan Christenson). I almost was like, ‘Slow down, slow down.’ I certainly didn’t want to see him come up against the wall. He doesn’t have that in him. He was going to go get it. It was a nice play that he made look easy.”

Lee’s second plate appearance of the afternoon won’t make any of Lee’s personal highlight tapes. On a 3-2 count, the Rangers’ Jack Leiter threw Lee a payoff slider down in the dirt. Lee not only swung at the offering but awkwardly contorted his body and lost his helmet in the process. All in all, Lee finished his first game 1-f0r-3.

“It’s tough for anybody who’s been out as long as he has to see every pitch really well,” Melvin said. “First pitch, he gets a base hit. Then, maybe expanded a little bit, but you see a lot of that in spring training. Makes a really good play on the first ball hit out to left-center field. You look up and your eyes tell you he’s already at full sprint. I think it was a successful day for him.”

Huff makes early case for Opening Day roster

Prior to January, the only team that Huff had ever known as a professional was the Texas Rangers. The Rangers drafted Huff in the seventh round of the 2016 MLB Draft, and Texas’ first-base dugout on Saturday was filled with people he’d once called teammates. He was happy to see familiar faces, from players to coaches to clubhouse attendants.

Once the Giants’ Cactus League opener began, the relationships Huff built in Texas took a backseat. His job was to perform — and perform he did.

Huff not only hit the Giants’ first home run of Cactus League play — a 422-foot no-doubter to center field — but he became the team’s first player to challenge and win a call with the automatic ball-strike (ABS) system that will be in effect this spring.

In the top of the first inning, right-hander Landen Roupp threw a 95 mph sinker that appeared to hit the bottom of the zone, but home plate umpire John Bacon called the pitch a ball.

Roupp subtly grimaced, suggesting he thought the pitch was a strike. Huff shared the same thought, and tapped his helmet twice to signal he wanted a challenge. The jumbotron at Surprise Stadium showed an animated replay of the pitch barely clipping the zone and the pitch was changed from a ball to a strike.

The ABS system giveth for Huff, but it also taketh away. Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka challenged a call during Huff’s second plate appearance, flipping a ball to a strike. When the call was overturned, the Rangers’ bench wasn’t afraid to have some fun at their old teammate’s expense. Huff, though, did draw a walk in the end.

“Oh, I hate it,” Huff said of being on the other side of a call. “I was looking at the whole dugout. They were laughing. I knew it clipped, and I knew they were going to say something.”

Melvin announces first slate of starters

Before Saturday’s game, Melvin announced his first rotation of starters.

Logan Webb will start on Sunday against the Reds at Scottsdale Stadium and Hayden Birdsong will piggyback from there.

For Monday’s split squad games, Justin Verlander will start at home against the Rockies while Mason Black will start on the road against the Angels. Robbie Ray gets the call on Tuesday against the A’s and Jordan Hicks goes on Wednesday against the Cubs.

Melvin said Kyle Harrison is not part of the first rotation because he is a week behind schedule, adding that Harrison got sick and “there were a lot things leading up into camp that set him back a little bit as far as his bullpens go.”

Carmel River: Wading in to save the steelhead

CARMEL VALLEY — Every spring Cory Hamilton and his team wade into the Carmel River armed with nets. Up to their ankles in water, they scan the surface for steelhead trout.

Some of those fish are in distress, stranded as the river dries up. The team nets them and then trucks the rescued fish to a rearing facility or to a safer section of the river.

“It feels good,” says Hamilton, who has been rescuing steelhead in the Carmel River for 22 years, “to help save something.”

Since 1989, nearly 500,000 fish have been rescued, many of them having been threatened by overpumping of the river for potable water to supply the Monterey Peninsula.

The overpumping has stopped, yet the river still dries up in places during the summer. Looming is a new presidential administration that vows to put “people over fish.”

“Environmentally, as long as the river is drying up and people are utilizing the river for water production, there will likely be a need to rescue fish,” Hamilton said.

A rescued steelhead (Courtesy of Monterey Peninsula Water Management District)

The Steelhead Rescue and Rearing Program, part of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, is expecting to reach the half-million fish saved milestone shortly after the next rescue season begins this spring or summer.

The rescue team is usually made up of five people: A biologist, staff from the water management district, and seasonal workers hired specifically for the rescue season. They catch any steelhead they find, releasing them in wet sections of the river or bringing them to the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility in Carmel Valley. There, up to 47,000 juvenile fish can stay until the river’s water levels rise again.

The rescue program is required by water rights due to steelhead’s threatened status under the Endangered Species Act. In 1988, the Carmel River Steelhead Association made a complaint to the State Water Resources Control Board that California American Water was overpumping the river. The board responded, in part, by implementing the rescue and rearing program.

By 1995, the water board determined that Cal Am was indeed overpumping the river and issued a cease and desist order. The water management district then determined that any level of pumping would cause environmental harm. Thus, the steelhead rescue program continued.

Additional mitigation efforts took place in 2015, when the San Clemente Dam was removed to restore natural processes to the Carmel River. Since then, floods during heavy rains have reshaped the river. The flooding led to influxes of sediment, but also helped steelhead pass through more easily, according to a NOAA study.

Now, Cal Am  is within its legal pumping limit of 3,376 acre-feet per year. Overall water use by the Peninsula has decreased dramatically since the 1980s, from 18,000 acre-feet to under 10,000 today. And a smaller fraction of that water is coming from the Carmel River.

Despite efforts to diversify the Peninsula’s water sources, and reduced pumping, portions of the river still dry up in the summer. “Clearly, this river was dealt a bad hand,” said Dave Stoldt, general manager of the water management district. “There’s too many people living on it.”

The fish rescue team nets stranded steelhead. (Courtesy of Monterey Peninsula Water Management District)

The water management district is in a transitional time. To determine the future of mitigation efforts on the river, the water management district will need to monitor environmental conditions for an extended period — perhaps 10 years or more, Stoldt said. The Carmel River is one of the last habitats still cold enough for steelhead to survive. That could change as temperatures continue to rise, Stoldt said, but it’s important to protect the habitat that remains.

For now, the rescue program will continue. “It’s pretty clear that mitigation continues to be needed,” Stoldt said.

The Trump administration, in a slew of executive orders on inauguration day, issued one calling on California to put “people over fish.” The order directed several government agencies to route more water from the San Joaquin Delta to Southern California, prioritizing water access over protecting endangered delta smelt.

That order won’t affect mitigation efforts on the Carmel River, Stoldt and Hamilton said. The river is part of an isolated basin, so wouldn’t be affected by directives targeting the state’s larger water systems like the delta. Steelhead rescue is also required under local water rights due to its threatened status.

“Everything we do is driven by the fact that (steelhead is) a threatened species,” he said.  While the program won’t be affected by any executive orders so far, bigger policy changes — and public opinion changes — could have more bearing on mitigation efforts.

“If this or some future administration eviscerates the Endangered Species Act,” Stoldt said, “then technically we could stop caring about the steelhead.” And if public opinion swayed in the same direction as the Trump administration, it could become difficult to justify funding conservation efforts like the rescue and rearing program, he added.

Undermining the Endangered Species Act would be a long process, Stoldt said, and the water district isn’t currently concerned about it. The Trump administration has not made any indication that the Endangered Species Act is on shaky ground. Still, January’s executive order called for an end to “radical environmentalism,” an attitude suggesting conservation isn’t a high priority.

Hamilton hopes that people continue to see the value in conserving threatened species and protecting fragile ecosystems. “If you take away environmental protection… you lose the ecological benefit of having a system that works how it’s supposed to work,” he said.

The fish rescue team is usually made up of five people. (Courtesy of Monterey Peninsula Water Management District)

Steelhead are a key species in the Carmel River ecosystem. As a top predator, their presence is crucial to maintain balance between all of the species that call the river home. The Carmel population is also considered a mother population, Hamilton said, providing steelhead to the river’s offshoots. To boot, the fish are an indicator species. Their wellbeing reflects on the overall health of the river, as well as water quality.

When rescued juvenile steelhead are released back into the Carmel River, they begin an incredible journey. After growing for two years near their birthplace, they trek to the Pacific Ocean. The fish ride the ocean currents as far away as Japan or Alaska. When they’re ready, their keen sense of smell guides them back to the Carmel River, where they lay their eggs and the cycle begins again.

Of all the steelhead that hatch in the Carmel River, only one percent will one day return to spawn, Hamilton said. Thanks to the rescue program, Hamilton says, each fish has a chance to be one of the lucky few to make it back home.

Liza Horvath, Senior Advocate: Should you be an executor?

Dear Readers: I originally published this column in 2017. A similar question was just received so I am running this column again. Enjoy!

Question: A good friend who lives a couple states away has asked me to be her executor and health care agent. They have a house, pets and, most likely, investments and bank accounts. What happens when I am “needed?” I have a family and commitments here. Would I be able to handle something like this without having to be there for long periods of time?

Answer: Well, it depends. If you are named as your friend’s health care agent, you will be contacted should your friend reach a point where she is unable to speak for herself with regard to her medical needs and wishes. While it might be possible to handle a few phone calls from a distance, she would be looking to you to assess her health emergency, speak with her doctors to determine the best course of action, weigh those actions against her stated wishes and confirm that the actions that you ultimately direct are, in fact, executed. As you can see, these obligations may make it necessary for you be there. You might be needed for just a few days or, in a serious situation that involves a hospital stay, followed by rehabilitation and possibly a change of living circumstances, may require weeks or more of your time.

Being an executor definitely means being there – at least initially. When someone passes away, arrangements need to be made for final services, an obituary and possibly a life celebration. Pets will need to be re-homed or plans made for them to come live with you. Your friend’s home needs to be secured, personal property inventoried and either distributed to beneficiaries or sold. Finally, the house is usually sold.

I am not dissuading you from helping your friend, but if you have a family and other commitments in your own state, traveling to another state to help could impose a significant burden. Many of us, when named as an executor by a friend, feel the need to agree. After all, it is an important position and being appointed can feel like an honor. I applaud you, however, for considering the practicalities of the situation.

If you do end up accepting the position, contact your friend’s estate planning attorney to see if, when the time comes, they can help with some of the “hands-on” work that will need to be done. Many law firms are equipped to take care of the things that must be addressed in person and can also attend to the legal steps that need to be taken to close out your friend’s estate. Unfortunately, if you accept appointment as her agent for health care, there are few substitutes for your presence and you would, most likely, need to go to her.

An option that you could recommend to your friend is to use a private or licensed professional fiduciary. In 2006, California instituted the licensing and regulation of professional trustees and executors and many other states have similar professional licensing organizations. If your friend is concerned that a professional will feel like a “stranger,” you could offer to oversee the services of the professional. This way your friend gets the best of both worlds – a professional with “boots on the street,” so to speak and you, her treasured friend making sure all the best care is given to the situation.

Liza Horvath has over 30 years of experience in the estate planning and trust fields and is the president of Monterey Trust Management, a financial and trust management company. This is not intended to be legal or tax advice. If you have a question call (831)646-5262 or email liza@montereytrust.com

‘The stance looks good’: How SF Giants’ Wade tweaked mechanics to unlock more power

SURPRISE, Ariz. — When LaMonte Wade Jr. sustained a hamstring injury in May, he never truly regained the ability to get into his legs upon returning. The injury’s lingering effects wasn most noticeable in his stance, forcing Wade to get more vertical than desired. Healthy again, Wade is getting low.

“I’m just trying to be more into my legs,” Wade said. “My legs are feeling good, so let me use them.”

The 31-year-old first baseman arrived at spring training with a noticeably different stance, one that has him squatting down lower compared to last season. The tweak was suggested by Matt Swope, the baseball head coach at the University of Maryland. Wade has worked with Swope since 2021, crediting Swope with helping him find a cleaner, simpler movement. With an offseason to get healthy, Wade believes he’s putting himself in a better position to hit.

“When his legs feel good, he’ll get deeper,” Swope told this news organization. “Obviously, he’s had some leg issues over the years. When you see those leg issues or injuries happen, I think there’s a tendency to stand more upright and get more vertical. I think he would prefer to be in his legs a bit more as long as he feels good and healthy and strong.”

Not only is Wade squatting lower, but his hand placement is slightly lower as well. Wade assessed that his hand placement was inconsistent last season and referred to footage of himself hitting in college and in 2021, the season he earned the “Late Night LaMonte” moniker.

“There was a common theme (in those years),” Wade said. “That’s where we ended up putting the hands. That’s where I like them, so that’s where we’re going to go.”

Swope assessed that the tweaks shouldn’t just help Wade generally, but with middle-in pitches specifically, a location that has long been a weakness for Wade. According to Baseball Savant, Wade has a career .211 batting averages on pitches middle and inside.

“The emphasis was to simply the move a little bit to help with that middle-in pitch, which over the years is where he’s been attacked the most,” Swope said. “I definitely think he can hit that pitch. So, it’s something that we kind of dialed in on more this offseason.”

Wade’s adjustments have paid dividends so far this spring. On Tuesday, Wade homered in his first at-bat during live bullpen sessions, then drove another ball off the top of the right-center field wall later in the day.

“The stance looks good,” said manager Bob Melvin. “It means he’s comfortable in his legs and they’re healthy.”

With healthy legs and modified mechanics, the Giants are hoping Wade can replicate something close to last year’s pre-injury production.

Before injuring his hamstring, Wade led the majors with a .470 on-base percentage as well as a .426 slugging percentage over 166 plate appearances, putting together a legitimate case to make his first All-Star team. Upon returning from his injury, Wade posted a .316 on-base percentage and .351 slugging percentage over 235 plate appearances.

Overall, Wade finished with a .380 on-base percentage over 401 plate appearances, tied with Jurickson Profar for the eighth-best mark in all of baseball (min. 400 plate appearances). For all of Wade’s on-base excellence, his .381 slugging percentage was below average for the first base position (.399).

Wade says his legs are feeling good this spring, so much so that he floated the idea of occasionally playing outfield to Melvin. Even with Jung Hoo Lee returning to the fray, Wade will likely get his opportunities to bat leadoff this season. His on-base acumen is well known and is valuable in its own right, but additional pop would be a boon to San Francisco’s lineup.

Vanya Quiñones, Guest commentary: CSUMB achieves prestigious research designation

The Carnegie Classification is a leading framework for recognizing the diversity of U.S. higher education institutions. Last fall, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching updated the framework of classifications and now includes a new category— “Research Colleges and Universities” — which acknowledges research contributions from a broader range of institutions.

Cal State Monterey Bay has achieved the prestigious Carnegie “Research Colleges and Universities” designation, marking a significant milestone in its journey as a leading research institution. The new designation acknowledges a commitment to research at institutions that do not grant doctoral degrees but that spend more than $2.5 million a year on research activities. This recognition, awarded for our university’s success in securing extramural research funding, highlights our growing influence in advancing knowledge and driving innovation. It reflects Cal State Monterey Bay’s commitment to both research and academic excellence — prioritizing not just the quantity of research, but its meaningful impact on students, communities and industries in our region.

CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones (Molly Gibbs – Monterey Herald file).

Recent rankings showcase our achievements, with U.S. News & World Report naming us No. 5 among public institutions in the West and No. 1 for upward mobility. Additionally, Forbes ranks us No. 11 among mid-size public schools nationwide, while Money Magazine awards us a 4.5-star rating. We are also proud to be ranked among the top 50 institutions for graduating Hispanic students. We also remain a leading institution within the California State University system, ranked No. 3 for securing extramural funds per tenure-track faculty. Additionally, Cal State Monterey Bay was awarded two of the top 10 largest grants in the CSU system, both focused on advancing research in agriculture. Along with the new prestigious Carnegie recognition, these accolades reflect Cal State Monterey Bay’s commitment to providing a high-quality, accessible education to students in our region.

Cal State Monterey Bay’s recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of faculty, staff and students who have been instrumental in fostering a culture of inquiry and discovery. With this new classification, Cal State Monterey Bay joins the ranks of institutions that prioritize research and development, providing students with valuable opportunities for hands-on learning, collaboration and career advancement in fields such as education, agriculture, engineering, science and technology.

As Cal State Monterey Bay looks toward the future, the Carnegie recognition is just the beginning. We are committed to building a strong foundation for growth in research funding, academic programs and community impact. The university’s progress underscores how innovation, collaboration and our mission to shape the future through education will enhance the economic vitality of our region.

Vanya Quiñones is the president of Cal State Monterey Bay. She is also a neurobiologist, biopsychologist and noted researcher.

 

California Senate Bill takes aim at saving farm lands

Amid a push by local leaders to conserve farmlands and open spaces in the Bay Area from future development, state senator David Cortese has introduced a bill that would shore up funding to preserve agricultural land throughout the state despite the measure’s uncertain financial outlook.

The bill, SB 462, would bolster an existing program called the California Farmland Conservancy Program, which supports agricultural conservation and sustainable land management. If enacted into law, the bill would offer an annual $20 million infusion of funds dedicated specifically to “conservation easements.” Under that  system, the land owner receives payment in exchange for permanently limiting their land to agricultural use – even if it changes owners.

“The best part  .. is that it’s dollars going directly into agricultural preservation,” said Cortese. “We can bring back this opportunity … from a nutritional standpoint, from a food insecurity standpoint, from a small business standpoint.”

In the nearly three decades since its inception, the program has received $88.6 million. If passed, the bill would nearly double those funds in only four years, which Cortese argues is necessary given the rising costs of land in places like Santa Clara County and the high demand of farmers who are interested in entering these kinds of agreements.

According to the USDA, California has lost over 4 million acres of farmland since 1997, and in Santa Clara County, some 28 thousand acres are at risk of being developed. Proponents for open space preservation argue that it offers environmental benefits while preserving food security and agritourism and conserving space for wildlife.

Currently, Santa Clara County has property tax breaks for properties that promise to preserve their farmland and, late last year, agreed to create an office of economic development for the county, whose main focus would be propping up the agricultural business in the county. Meanwhile, the Santa Clara Valley and Peninsula Open Space Authorities have worked to make multimillion dollar deals to preserve thousands of acres of land as farms.

“As we work to preserve Agricultural lands in Santa Clara County, Senator Cortese’s legislation would grow an important tool in the toolbox,” said Supervisor Sylvia Arenas, who oversees the agricultural southern regions of the county. “The funding Senator Cortese proposes would make a huge difference in expanding opportunities to prevent development of our most endangered farmlands.”

While the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority did not collaborate on this bill, they applauded the effort.

“As development pressures intensify in Santa Clara County, the urgency to safeguard our farmland has never been greater,” said Charlotte Graham, Public Information Officer for the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, over email. “Protecting these vital working lands is essential for food security, enhancing regional climate resilience and bolstering our local economy.”

Even so, the bill could face an uphill battle in becoming a law. Governor Gavin Newsom has been signaling a more hawkish approach to maintaining a balanced budget, with budget concerns being the most common reason he vetoed bills last year, according to a CalMatters analysis. Meanwhile, the fires in southern California earlier this year and potential federal funding cuts could throw a wrench in the state’s finances.

Cortese acknowledges that context and hopes that it doesn’t result in “collateral damage” to a bill that might otherwise succeed. Even so, he argues that the budget is in better shape this year and the funding for the bill would be small compared to the hundreds of billions in the budget. He also notes that the bill expands on a program that already has support from the governor and legislature. “(It’s) not a new ideology.”

Horoscopes Feb. 21, 2025: Elliot Page, keep your eye on the goal

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Elliot Page, 38; Jennifer Love Hewitt, 46; William Baldwin, 62; Kelsey Grammer, 70.Happy Birthday: Rewire your brain to fit the circumstances. You have many choices this year that require thought and adjusting how you feel and do things, especially when communication, partnerships and money are the focal points. Keep your eye on your goal and move in the direction that will get you there for the least amount of money and the highest returns. Personal and financial management are essential in making your dreams come true. Your numbers are 3, 12, 19, 28, 35, 37, 46.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take care of tasks you’ve let slip. Call an expert and get the lowdown on how to put matters holding you back to rest. Sign up for something that offers insight into where you want to be or head next. Attending seminars and conferences and establishing yourself in different circles will lead to prospects. 5 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Put muscle behind your plans and rearrange your residence to house developing projects. Be secretive about your plans; when the time is right, you’ll blow everyone’s socks off with what you reveal. The changes you make and the lifestyle you embrace will be impressive but expensive if you don’t budget. 3 starsGEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take a realistic look at your lifestyle, associations and the lessons you learn from your experiences. They say nothing ventured, nothing gained, but today, you are best to tread carefully among your peers, watch what they say and do, and stick to a plan that is right for you emotionally and financially. 3 starsCANCER (June 21-July 22): Push yourself; you can accomplish plenty if you are quick to respond and eager to implement your desires. Look at the big picture, delegate time and skills and source outside help you can rely on to ensure your day unfolds flawlessly. Satisfaction comes from doing the best you can. 3 starsLEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Learn from change. Observation will help you decipher whether following or leading the way is in your best interest. Keep your thoughts to yourself until you have a thorough plan in place. Preparation will help you build momentum. Love is on the rise, and personal and emotional growth is favored. 5 starsVIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Embrace life and attend events that help you put situations in perspective. Take your time, evaluate temptation and refuse to let insecurity unfold due to criticism or bullying. A walk in nature will help you assess what’s important to you and how to turn your desires into a reality. Trust your instincts. 2 starsLIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Gather information, test your faculties and map out a plan that helps hone your skills and uses them masterfully. Travel, group participation and events that bring you in contact with people you’d like to get to know better or work alongside will lead to interesting prospects. 4 starsSCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll gain clarity regarding situations that left you broadsided if you attend a reunion or encounter someone who went through similar circumstances. Communication is the path to understanding and moving forward. Test your imagination and creative strengths, and discover a pastime that brings you peace and joy. 3 starsSAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A friendly demeanor will help ward off anyone trying to pick a fight or take advantage of you. Keep active. Make this a fix-it day, and pay attention to details that can make your life enjoyable, easier and more affordable. It’s up to you to invest in yourself and build opportunities. 3 starsCAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll have many unique ideas. Apply your skills to manifest what you want and attract support. It’s OK to be different; in doing so, you will discover new and exciting ways to raise your income by investing in yourself. Use pent-up energy by participating in physical activities. 3 starsAQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take a timeout and reflect. Get your thoughts in order before deciding to move. Be open and receptive to what others say, but follow the path that suits your needs and budget and helps you reach your destination of choice. Romance is favored. A new look will lead to compliments. 4 starsPISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Let your personality shine through. Engage in chatter and enjoy the company of those who spark your imagination, but don’t feel you have to buy love by paying for others. Simplifying matters will help weed out clutter and those offering temptation instead of beneficial suggestions. Say no to temptation. 2 starsBirthday Baby: You are unique, fun-loving and wise. You are accommodating and upbeat.1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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