Baseball: West Ranch pitcher makes commitment

Ryan Keller, a junior pitcher at Valencia West Ranch, has committed to San Diego.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Football: Does Pete Carroll know about Rio Ruiz?

Rio Ruiz, a sophomore at La Puente Bishop Amat, is committed to USC for baseball, but Pete Carroll might want to take a look at him for football.

Ruiz, who plays receiver and free safety, caught the winning 40-yard touchdown pass in Friday night's 28-21 victory over Mater Dei.

He could be a first-round baseball draft choice by his senior year as an infielder, but he loves USC. He committed last spring as a freshman.

"USC was always one of my favorite schools since I was a kid," he said. "I just grew close to the school and always dreamed about being a Trojan."

Well, as good as a baseball player he is, he's not bad in football either.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Baseball: Poly hires ex-Roosevelt assistant

Sun Valley Poly has selected Gabe Cerna, the top assistant to Scott Pearson at L.A. Roosevelt last season, as its new baseball coach.

Cerna has spent 14 years in the City Section as an assistant coach, including eight years at his alma mater, Marshall, and five at San Fernando. He comes highly regarded by Pearson, who said Cerna was one of the hardest workers he has met.

"I'm excited," the 35-year-old Cerna said. "The possibilities are endless."

Cerna graduated from Marshall in 1992 and was an all-league player.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Baseball: Orange Lutheran sophomore commits

They're getting younger and younger when it comes to making college commitments. Second baseman Andre Real of Orange Lutheran, a sophomore this coming season, has committed to the University of San Diego.

He's part of an outstanding group of rising young players in the Trinity League.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Baseball: CS Fullerton picks up shortstop

Vincent Velasquez, a shortstop at Pomona Garey, is scheduled to sign today with Cal State Fullerton.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Baseball: Hueneme standout signs with Arizona

Jesus Valdez, one of the top pitching prospects in Southern California entering his senior season at Hueneme, signed with Arizona this week.

Valdez, however, has the potential to be a high June draft pick.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Baseball: Westlake trio sign letters of intent

Today was a big day for a trio of Westlake Village Westlake baseball players. Christian Yelich (Miami), Tim Wise (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo) and Cameron Cuneo (UC Santa Barbara) signed their letters of intent during a school ceremony.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Photo: From left to right, Tim Wise, Cameron Cuneo, and Christian Yelich sign their letters of intent.

Baseball: Capistrano Valley is reloading

Don't feel sorry for Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley after losing left-handed pitcher Tyler Matzek to graduation. Matzek led the Cougars to the Southern Section Division I championship, but Capistrano Valley had three pitchers accept college scholarships this week.

Brandon Brennan is headed to Oregon, with Lee Casas and Brian Clough going to UC Irvine. That means Coach Bob Zamora only needs to work on his team's defense and hitting to earn a return appearance to the championship game.

Of course, waiting in the wings is Huntington Beach Edison, which might have the best pitcher in Southern California in junior left-hander Henry Owens.

Can't wait for the baseball season to begin.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Baseball: Harvard-Westlake field takes shape

For about $700,000, North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake is building a new baseball facility at the Franklin Field complex in Encino, and the work is going fast.

Coach Matt LaCour happened to be at the field Tuesday morning and gave me a tour of what it's supposed to look like. Sunken dugouts. Hitting facility. Greg Norman Bermuda grass. Bleachers. Bushes in the outfield similar to Wrigley Field.

It's supposed to be ready by Feb. 1. Take a look at the tour and what's supposed to be built. But the Wolverines still aren't going to be the favorite to win the Mission League. That's the role of defending Southern Section Division II champion Encino Crespi, which I'm sure will look forward to playing the Wolverines on the  new field.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Baseball: Top ECR pitcher picks CS Fullerton

All-City pitcher Jose Cardona of Woodland Hills El Camino Real, a junior expected to be perhaps the No. 1 pitcher in the City Section this spring, has committed to Cal State Fullerton.

-- Eric Sondheimer