Jesse Scholtens Rodriguez-Fairfield – Baseball

The Mustangs’ ace pitched a three-hit shutout to defeat El Camino-Sacramento in the SJS Division III baseball championship at Sacramento City College. Scholtens struck out nine batters to help secure the first-ever baseball title for the Rodriguez program. The shutout was Scholten’s fourth of the year and his sixth complete game. The University of Arizona-bound pitcher compiled a 7-1 record, 1.21 ERA, and struck out 122 batters in 75.1 innings.

The Mustangs’ ace pitched a three-hit shutout to defeat El Camino-Sacramento in the SJS Division III baseball championship at Sacramento City College. Scholtens struck out nine batters to help secure the first-ever baseball title for the Rodriguez program. The shutout was Scholten’s fourth of the year and his sixth complete game. The University of Arizona-bound pitcher compiled a 7-1 record, 1.21 ERA, and struck out 122 batters in 75.1 innings.

SportStars Magazine: How did you feel heading into the biggest game of your high school career?

Jesse Scholtens: I think that everyone on the team was just excited for the game. I definitely felt confident in the team because we had been playing well. I knew what we could do and felt we were the better team.

SSM: What was the key to your performance in the final?

JS: My fastball was my best pitch all game. I was locating the fastball, and when I can locate that pitch and have one of my off-speed pitches working for me, I am usually very effective.

SSM: Were you especially excited that you had the ball to record the final out while covering first base?

JS: That was a great feeling. Personally, it was a great way for me to end my high school career, making the last out and having the ball in my glove. After the out, though, I threw my glove in the air and ran for the dogpile, so I don’t know where the ball ended up. 

Honorable Mention

Stephanie Ceo —The Bear River-Grass Valley senior hit a pair of home runs, including a grand slam, to lead the Bruins to a 9-3 victory over Whitney-Rocklin in the Division III Section final on May 28.

Kyle Von Ruden —  The Franklin-Elk Grove senior recorded the save with two scoreless innings in the Wildcats’ 3-2 victory over Davis to claim the school’s first-ever Division I North title on May 25. 

Jenna Curtan — Just a sophomore, Curtan drove in the tying runs and scored the winning run in Woodcreek-Roseville’s 3-2 comeback victory over Del Campo in the SJS Division III softball final on May 28. She was 9-for-13 at the plate in the playoffs.