Clovis surprises in TRAC

It’s difficult to associate overachievement with a baseball program that has won 11 of the past 14 titles at the highest level of competition in the Central Section.

But the fact is, Clovis by no means was expected to capture any of the past three Tri-River Athletic Conference championships, yet the Cougars did.

And the fact is, they weren’t expected to hang with Buchanan and Clovis West this season after right-handed pitcher/first baseman Evan Wolf broke a bone on his left hand when struck by a pitch a month ago, yet they are.

“I’m surprised, for sure,” said coach James Patrick, whose third-ranked Cougars, at 7-2, are locked in a three-way tie atop the TRAC with No. 1 Clovis West and No. 2 Buchanan entering two games with the Bears this week.

The first, played today at Clovis at 6:30 p.m., will be a rematch involving Cougars senior left-hander Zach Coy (8-1, 1.65 ERA) and Buchanan sophomore right-hander Seth Moranda (7-1, 0.57) ERA.

Coy’s two-hitter beat Moranda 6-1 in a March 27 TRAC first-rounder that saw four Bears errors lead to four unearned runs off their ace in five innings. Then the back of Wolf’s hand was nailed by a pitch from Buchanan reliever Brett Bishop.

Wolf, headed to UC Davis, figured to be lost as a hitter for about six weeks, until early May. But he actually pitched four days after being injured, only to have the damaged bone move.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has been prohibited from playing in games since, but Patrick said that could change soon as a pitcher: “We may get good news this week. He’s the hardest-working, most self-motivated guy I’ve ever had. He’s worked hard through this thing and has stayed in pretty good shape.”

Parrish, Hatten lead honors

Hanford’s Madison Parrish and Clovis West’s Morgan Hatten highlighted Central Section representation among Cal-Hi Sports All-State girls basketball honors.

Both made the third team on Cal-Hi’s overall All-State teams in addition to making their respective division teams — Parrish in D-II and Hatten in D-I.

Parrish, The Bee’s Player of the Year, was also named All-State Sophomore, as was Clovis East’s Erica Banks.

Also making All-State by division were Clovis West’s Janae Coffee (D-I) and Fresno Christian’s Larissa Hensley (D-V).

Roosevelt’s Mark Gradoville had previously been named Cal-Hi’s D-III Girls Coach of the Year.

New football coach at CVC

Mason Hughes knows exactly what he’s stepping into — lofty expectations created by a run virtually unmatched this decade among small-school football teams.

Central Valley Christian’s new coach takes over a program that has gone 73-25 during the past eight seasons, with eight playoff appearances, three section titles and a seamless transition from D-V to D-IV.

“The biggest challenge for us is to keep that going and to not feel like things are owed to us because we have been successful in D-V and now D-IV,” Hughes said.

Hughes, who served as CVC’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach last season, was promoted to head coach after Ryan Phelan stepped down to take a teaching position and assistant coach’s job at Dinuba.

Phelan went 58-17 as he led the Cavaliers into D-IV after Mark Gambini stepped down following the third of three straight D-V titles in 2005. Phelan led CVC to a co-championship in its first year in the deep Central Sequoia League last season. He also led the Cavs to the East Sequoia League title in 2007.

Hughes began his coaching career at Immanuel — his alma mater — in 2001. After two years with the junior varsity, Hughes coached the offensive line and called plays for the varsity through 2007.

Hughes said the transition to his first head coaching job will be eased by the retention of three assistants from last season — Ralph Carrender (defensive coordinator), Noel Piepgrass (receivers and defensive backs) and Neil Zwart (linebackers). Nick Yockey, who played for Hughes at Immanuel, has been brought over to coach the defensive line.

“It’s a good opportunity to be at a great small-school program,” Hughes said. “I was really happy how I was treated here the past year, and I love the kids. They work hard. I can’t think of a better place to be to start my head coaching career.”