Sports briefs: Shaun Larkin joins Fresno State baseball staff

Shaun Larkin, who helped Cal State Northridge set a school record for best defense in school history, has joined Fresno State baseball coach Mike Batesole’s staff.

Larkin, 32, will spearhead Fresno State recruiting and work with the infielders as he replaces Pat Waer, who left in June to join the Washington State coaching staff.

Larkin spent the past two seasons at Northridge, including 2011 when the Matadors logged the best fielding percentage in school history.

Furthermore, Batesole believes Larkin’s addition could help Fresno State better recruit Southern California, the hotbed for baseball talent in the nation.

Area youth baseball teams pick up wins

Visalia’s 12-year-old All Stars stayed undefeated in the Cal Ripken Majors/60 World Series, winning 8-2 against El Dorado, Ark., to move to 3-0 in pool play at Winchester, Mass.

Visalia will take on Burlington, Mass., at 11:30 a.m. today to conclude pool play. The single-elimination portion of the tournament begins Tuesday.

• Sunnyside High’s Benny Apolinar threw a complete game and Buchanan’s Michael Bono batted 2 for 3 with two RBIs as the Fresno baseball team defeated Mexico 7-2 in the 31st Annual World Boys Baseball Championship in Australia.

Clovis West tennis player takes fifth

Clovis West tennis player Billy Griffith took fifth in the 16-year-old division of the USTA Nationals in Kalamazoo, Mich., after winning 7-6 (4), 6-1 against Tommy Mylnikov of Bradenton, Fla.

Griffith was seeded No. 15 in the tournament and Mylnikov at No. 7.

The two faced each other after getting knocked out Saturday during the championship quarterfinal.