Sports Shorts Sports Shorts (August 12, 2005)

SEMI-PRO BASEBALL . . . The Palo Alto Oaks concluded their season last weekend after being eliminated from the semi-pro Western regional by the Novato Knicks, 13-4. Daniel Ruberte had two hits and an RBI in a losing cause for the Oaks, who had beaten the Knicks to win the Northern California tournament only several days before. After losing their first game in the double-elimination regional, the Oaks bounced back to take the next two games behind stellar pitching. The Oaks first defeated the L.A. Banditos 3-2 behind pitcher Matt Campbell , who threw a complete-game gem. Then Oaks pitcher Jason Kleinhoffer tossed a seven-inning no-hitter in a 1-0 win over the San Francisco Bears. The Oaks finished their season at 24-3 . . . The Oaks will host the annual Tony Makjavich Memorial Golf Tournament on September 10 at Moffett Field Golf Course in honor of their former legendary coach. The tournament begins with a 2 p.m. shotgun start and costs $125 per person, including greens fees, a cart, prizes and a Tri-tip dinner. The Oaks will be offering a car with a hole-in-one on a selected par-three.

OAKS CORNER . . . The Menlo College women's soccer team has hired Jeff van Gastel as an assistant coach to Owen Flannery. The hiring reunites the former Palo Alto rivals; van Gastel coached at Palo Alto High when Flannery was at Gunn. The 33-year-old van Gastel led the Vikings to five CCS appearances in six seasons. "We're very excited to have a coach of Jeff's experience and we know he'll play a big part in the future achievements of the Menlo College women's soccer program," Flannery said. "I have coached with Jeff at the club and high school level and we've enjoyed success together in the past. We hope to continue those winning ways at Menlo College." Van Gastel comes to Menlo from the De Anza Force Soccer Club - an organization he founded before serving as director and president of the program. Flannery reels in van Gastel to a team that went 13-6-1 last season and reached the Cal Pac Conference title game for the first time in school history. Menlo opens the regular season Sept. 1 at Fresno Pacific.

OF LOCAL NOTE . . . Menlo-Atherton product Atlee Hubbard begins her second season with the Sacramento State volleyball team this fall. Hubbard, an assistant coach for the Castilleja volleyball team a year ago, started 33 matches for the Hornets, averaging 2.73 kills and 2.99 digs per game. Hubbard transferred from Rhode Island after her freshman year . . . Palo Alto Babe Ruth is now conducting online registration for their Fall Baseball league, which is open to Babe Ruth age players (incoming 13-, 14- and 15-year olds) residing in Palo Alto Babe Ruth's local area. Details and registration information can be found at www.eteamz.com/palo_alto_babe_ruth. Cost is $135 for the season, which runs from Labor Day through October. All registration will be on-line . . . Additional youth summer lacrosse clinics have been added for August. Boys and girls ages 5-13 can participate from Aug. 15-19. A mini camp for 5- and 6-year olds will be from 4-5 p.m., followed by beginners (4-6 p.m.) and intermediate (6-8 p.m.). All camps will be at Holbrook Palmer Park, 150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton. For more information: 799-3600 or www.athertonlacrosse@gmail.com or www.GoodDogCompany.com/Lacrosse.

COACHING CORNER . . . Menlo School is looking for a girls' varsity basketball assistant coach and girls' frosh-soph basketball coaches. Call 330-2001 (ext. 2282) or e-mail bmckinney@menloschool.org. . . Menlo-Atherton is looking for coaches for the 2005-06 school year: wrestling, track and field assistant (shot and discus), JV boys' and JV girls' water polo, girls' varsity and JV lacrosse, and frosh-soph softball. Those interested should contact M-A Athletic Director Pam Wimberly at 322-5311 (ext. 5706) or e-mail resumes to pwimberl@seq.org

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