Clipboard: Soledad grad Segura dealing for Oregon State

There has been no sophomore jinx for Eric Segura, whether he’s in the starting rotation or coming out of the bullpen for nationally-ranked Oregon State.

The former Soledad High pitcher sports a team-leading 8-1 record in 14 appearances (four starts) this spring for the Beavers, who were in the NCAA Corvallis Regionals this past weekend.

Primarily coming out of the bullpen, the 6-foot-2 right-handed hurler’s most recent appearance was a 5.2 innings start, in which he struck out six, allowing one run against Long Beach State.

Segura has struck out 69 hitters in 51 innings this season for Oregon State – 42-12 and ranked No. 8 in the nation – with a 4.24 earned run average.

In addition to leading the team in wins, Segura is third in innings pitched and strikeouts, with opponents hitting just .218 off him this spring.

In two seasons for the Beavers, The Herald’s 2022 Player of the Year in baseball is 14-2, with 141 strikeouts.

Clements has auspicious debut

Jessica Clements’ decision to finish her collegiate softball career at UCLA has put her in the spotlight as the former Santa Catalina slugger made a splash in her debut last Thursday with a walk-off homer in a win over Oregon.

The left-handed swinging Clements tore up pitching in the NCAA Regionals, collecting three hits and scoring three runs in the Bruins’ win over South Carolina to punch their ticket to Oklahoma City.

Hitting in the leadoff position for UCLA, the center fielder went into the College World Series hitting .374 with a team-leading nine steals.

The 5-foot-9 Clements is second on the Bruins in hits (80), runs scored (71) and doubles (17), ripping five homers and driving in 44 runs over 64 games.

With 24 walks, Clements sports a .445 on-base percentage for UCLA and has not committed an error in the outfield in 69 chances.

Clements spent her first three years at Cal Poly, where she was the Big West Conference Player of the Year in 2024, becoming the program’s all-time leader in batting average.

Martorella providing punch

While Nathan Martorella struggles to raise his batting average, the left-handed swinging first baseman leads the Miami Marlins Double A team in a handful of categories.

Having played in all 44 games for Pensacola, Martorella leads the team in runs batted in (18), walks (17) and doubles with eight.

The Salinas High graduate and Herald 2019 Male Athlete of the Year is third on the Blue Wahoos in homers with three.

Drafted in the fifth round by the San Diego Padres in 2022, Martorella has a career .241 batting average in three-plus minor league seasons with 43 homers and 182 RBI.

An All-Pac 12 selection at Cal, where he put together a 19-game hitting streak, Martorella was a four-time member of The Herald’s All-County baseball team.

Jensen coming out of the bullpen

Former Chicago Cubs No. 1 pick Ryan Jensen has made 14 appearances this year for Triple-A St. Paul, mostly out of the bullpen for the Minnesota Twins affiliate.

The right-handed hurler with a fastball that approaches the century mark, Jensen is 1-1 with 26 strikeouts in 18 innings, sporting a 4.42 earned run average.

In five-plus seasons in the minors, Jensen has 354 strikeouts in 290 innings of work, with a 12-25 record.

Originally drafted by the Cubs out of Fresno State to be a starter, the Salinas graduate has gone back and forth, with 54 of his 144 appearances being starts, including one this year.

The Mountain West Pitcher of the Year and a second-team All-American at Fresno State in 2019 after going 12-1 with a 2.88 ERA, Jensen was the 27th overall player taken in the 2019 MLB draft.

Jensen was a three-sport standout at Salinas, earning all-county honors in baseball and football.

Johnson-Toney Football Camp

The Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County will showcase the 13th annual Johnson-Toney free football camp.

The camp — for boys and girls ages 9-14 — will be staged June 24-27 at the Cal State Monterey Bay soccer fields, with boys and girls ages 15-17 slated for July 22-25 at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas.

Ron Johnson and Anthony Toney, who both played for the Philadelphia Eagles, have been a part of the camp since its inception when it was called the Herm Edwards Football Camp.

The camp is non-contact, mirroring the NFL Play 60 Character Camp. Coaches will teach basic football skills, as well as gratitude, self-control, loyalty, honor, truthfulness and integrity.

The youth camp is limited to 300 participants, with the high school portion limited to 100 kids. Deadline to register is June 23. Register online at bgcmpc.org.

Coaches needed

Carmel is looking for a varsity girls volleyball coach, a varsity boys and girls cross-country coach, a JV flag football coach and a JV boys water polo coach. Go to http://carmelunfied.org

Marina is looking for varsity, JV and freshman head coaches this coming fall for girls’ volleyball. Go to edjoin.org

Officials needed

Peninsula Sports Incorporate is looking for high school and middle school officials for all sports this season. Varsity officials are paid $100 a game.

There is an immediate need for officials in the fall for football, flag football, water polo, field hockey and volleyball. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at (831) 241-1101.