SDSU BASEBALL FALLS TO UNC GREENSBORO 11-4
Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 16, 2020 (Conway, S.C.) – San Diego State was unable to complete a weekend sweep of first-time opponents on Sunday, dropping an 11-4 decision to UNC Greensboro in the Brittain Resorts Baseball by the Beach event at Springs Brooks Stadium. The Spartans, who outhit the Aztecs 14-11, broke a 3-3 deadlock with a trio of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning as part of an 8-1 closing blitz to hand SDSU (2-1) its first loss of the season. Trailing 2-1, SDSU surged into the lead in the top of the third when Brian Leonhardt cracked a two-run homer off UNCG starter Jeremiah Triplett, plating Matt Rudick, who previously reached on a fielder’s choice. However, the Spartans (1-2) evened the score with an unearned run in their half of the frame. With two outs, Hogan Windish was hit by a pitch; Sam Korushak reached on a fielding error, while Jacquez Koonce soon followed with an RBI single. The Aztecs threatened in the fourth after Deron Johnson and Jacob Cruce led off with consecutive singles. Following a sacrifice, however, Johnson was subsequently thrown out at the plate on Mike Jarvis’ grounder to third. UNCG vaulted in front for good in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs on three hits and a walk. Zack Budzik, who reached on a base hit to left, stole second and later scored on Josh Madole’s RBI single. After Greg Hardison walked, both runners advanced on a wild pitch, while Caleb Webster followed with a double to center field to drive in Madole. Moments later, Hardison scored on Windish’s sacrifice fly. The Spartans extended the margin with single markers in the fifth, sixth and seventh before Webster homered to lead off the eighth, while pinch hitter Mike Ferrara added an RBI double to give UNCG an insurmountable 11-3 cushion. The Aztecs managed just three baserunners in the interim before breaking their scoring drought in the ninth following consecutive doubles by Mike Jarvis and Rudick. Jarvis, Cruce and Anthony Walters finished with two hits apiece to pace the Scarlet and Black, with Cruce supplying an RBI in the second. SDSU starter Aaron Eden (0-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings before yielding to Casey O’Sullivan in the pivotal fourth. Three Aztecs made their collegiate debuts in the latter stages of the contest, including Ricky Tibbett, Jonny Guzman and Avery Jones, Conversely, Phillip Sanderson (1-0) came on in relief of starter Jeremiah Triplett to pick up the victory, giving up one hit and two walks in 3 2/3 innings after entering in the fourth as well. Webster went 4-for-5 at the plate with three RBI, while Koonce and Hardison totaled two hits apiece for UNCG. San Diego State will back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 18, welcoming Cal State Fullerton for its 2020 home opener at Tony Gwynn Stadium starting at 6 p.m. Box
READER’S EDITORIAL: ON SUSAN B. ANTHONY’S 200TH BIRTHDAY, BEWARE OF MEN RUNNING IN THE 50TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHO OPPOSE WOMEN’S RIGHTS
“Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less. I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand. Independence is happiness.” – Susan B. Anthony By Hope C. Justice Photo: Susan B. Anthony, public domain image, drawing by J.E. Baker, Boston February 15, 2020 (San Diego) – Today is the 200th birthday of Susan B. Anthony, who fought tirelessly to win the constitutional right for women to vote- a victory finally attained 100 years ago. She also fought for equal rights for women – a battle that two centuries later, has still not been won. Alarmingly, as we see an erosion of protections for women across the nation in everything from equal pay to violence against women to reproductive health, we have men running for Congress here in California’s 50th Congressional district whose voting records indicate that they are dangerous for women. Two of them, Brian Jones and Darrell Issa, have long legislative records of voting against freedoms for women and touting policies that belong in the Stone Age, not the modern era. A third Republican, Carl DeMaio, is less extreme but still opposes full equality in pay and health services access. (Mercifully, there are other choices in this race, including at least two candidates who support equal rights for women.) Let’s take a closer look at the chauvinistic records of those would-be Congressmen who seek to oppress women out of religious zealotry or political extremism: Brian Jones According to Votesmart.org, as a state legislator, Jones filled out a survey identifying himself as pro-life. In that that survey, he indicated he believes abortion should never be legal, even if a woman’s life is endangered. I can understand concerns for the unborn. But what’s “pro life” about condemning a woman to death? Or choosing who should live and who should die? Shouldn’t a woman and her family make that heart-wrenching choice? A Christian fundamentalist, Jones also opposes abortion for women who are raped and for children who are victims of incest. Young girls who are victims of these brutal crimes are often too small to give birth without C-sections, being cut open in major abdominal surgery because men like Jones care nothing for their lives or the trauma imposed. Despite opposing all abortions, even a morning-after pill in the first days after conception, Jones also voted against a program to offer financial help to pregnant teens and against authorizing registered nurses to dispense contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies. He got a 0% rating from Planning Parenthood on reproductive health issues, including access to birth control. He also voted against pregnancy or childbirth leave for employees, against paid maternity leave for teachers, against accommodations for nursing mothers in the workplace, and against positions held by the National Organization for Women the vast majority of the time. At a Feb. 14 candidate forum, Jones said he opposes the Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination against women, single mothers, gay or lesbian people and others in housing, employment and more. He made clear he believes people should be able to discrimination against women and others on the basis of religion. Can you imagine the uproar if someone called for discrimination against men? Why are women not taking to the streets in outrage over such utter disregard for our freedoms? Darrell Issa As Congressman in the 49th Congressional district before running in the 50th (where he doesn’t live), Issa voted against the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay act to assure women could earn the same pay as men for equal work. Issa also voiced opposition to the Equality Act during this week’s candidate forum and he, too, backs allowing religious zealots to discriminate against women among others. He also voted against family planning funds in foreign aid, had a mixed record on the Violence Against Women Act (voting both for and against it in various years), voted against renewing the Children’s Healthcare Act, supported privatizing Social Security, and voted to eliminate all federal funding for Planned Parenthood even for mammograms and other women’s cancer screenings. Issa voted “pro-life” meaning anti-abortion nearly 100% of the time, including voting to make it a crime to take a minor to another state for an abortion, if abortion is illegal in the state where the minor lives. (Sources: VoteSmart and On The Issues). Carl DeMaio The conservative talk-radio show host has positioned himself as less extreme than Issa and Jones on abortion, in the past calling Roe v. Wade “settled law.” But he now favors restrictions on access to not only abortion, but birth control and women’s cancer screenings. At a candidate forum, last fall, he stated, “Anyone who wants to…suggest that Planned Parenthood is a legitimate women’s healthcare outfit is either a fool or thinks you’re a fool…I sure as hell am not going to vote to fund Planned Parenthood.” At a more recent candidate forum held Feb. 14, DeMaio, who is gay, took the hypocritical stance of opposing the Equality Act and supporting an alternative bill that would allow discrimination based on gender or gender identity, leaving equal rights in the workplace, housing and more up to the whims of an employer or landlord’s religious views. We don’t allow such discrimination based on race or religion, so why condone discrimination against women or anybody else? BETTER CHOICES Thankfully, for voters who value women’s rights, health and lives, we do have better choices. Of the nine candidates in this race, two have been outspoken in support of women’s rights. Ammar Campa-Najjar On his website, Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar states, “Today, I am running for Congress to fight for my mother, all women and the women of future generations.” He notes, “I myself often invoke my mother when making the case for why women deserve equal pay. Women don’t deserve equal pay because they had to raise kids like me on their own, they deserve equal pay
READER’S EDITORIAL: PRO-CHOICE DANGEROUS DESCENT
By Sylvia Sullivan February 16, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) — This year marks the Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision 47th anniversary. While mourning the deaths of over 61 million babies, it is also time to reflect on the direction of the pro-choice movement. For years those who defended a woman’s right to abort her baby were thought to be merely confused or misinformed. Although, some disturbing incidents occurred in front of abortion clinics between pro-lifers and those against. Pro-choice young punks kicking a little old lady as she knelt in prayer. Or spewing the vilest language at pro-life teen girls as well as spitting in their faces. Pro-choice activists cheering a plane banner that proclaimed late term abortionist, George Tiller, a “national treasure!” These incidents were believed to be from extreme fringe elements but not representative of most of the pro-choice supporters. They professed to want abortion to be “safe, legal, and rare”.This is a far cry from today’s pro-choice movement as whole and their shocking turn to abortion at any time, for any reason, and at taxpayers’ expense. It has become a proud celebration of abortion as a good thing! As pro-lifers have made advances in favor of life, pro-abortion forces continue this dangerous trend. Here are 3 examples: First, 9 states and Washington D.C. have passed late term abortion legislation. This includes 7 that have no limits allowing abortion up to up to the moment of birth. Only 6 other countries allow abortion after 20 weeks, including North Korea and China. The extremists New York legislators cheered when the bill passed while Governor Cuomo had the Freedom Tower lit up in pink to complete the celebration. Secondly, the pro-choice movement lead by many extremists in entertainment joined the viral social movement #ShoutYourAbortion. They work “to normalize abortion through art, media, and community events all over the country.” Women are encouraged to “shout their abortions” by sharing their personal stories. The idea is promoted that abortion is not only necessary but a social good. The latest example is the award-winning actress and reportedly pregnant, Michelle Williams, who proudly proclaimed it in her acceptance speech. She said, “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without employing a woman’s right to choose.” Lastly, probably the most offensive agenda push was expressed by Virginia’s Democrat Governor Ralph Northam. In an interview, he defended the bill regarding the abortion complication of a baby born alive. He chillingly stated, “the infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother.” In conclusion, we’ve learned the slippery slope is very real. Another truth is evident, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:” Rejoicing and allowing profiting from abortion dismantles societal decency. Mother Teresa wisely stated: “Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want. This is why the greatest destroyer of love is abortion.” The views in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org
MEET CANDIDATES FOR SUPERVISORS IN DISTRICT 2 FEB. 25 IN ALPINE
East County News Service February 15, 2020 (Alpine) – The Alpine Chamber of Commerce will host a business townhall and candidate forum for those running in the San Diego 2nd Supervisorial District to fill the vacancy to be left by Dianne Jacob’s retirement. The forum will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 5-7 p.m. at the Alpine library, 1752 Alpine Blvd., Alpine CA 91901. All four candidates running have confirmed that they will attend. They are former State Senator Joel Anderson, Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, behavioral health consultant Kenya Taylor, and homebuilder/rancher Brian Sesko. RSVPs are required by calling (619) 445-2722.
SDSU BASEBALL DEFEATS COASTAL CAROLINA 3-1
Aztecs improve to 2-0 on the year Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 15, 2020 (Conway, S.C.) – Visiting San Diego State won its second straight Saturday with a 3-1 triumph over Coastal Carolina in the Brittain Resorts Baseball by the Beach event at Springs Brooks Stadium. Making his first career start, Troy Melton and two relievers limited the Chanticleers (1-1) to just one run on three hits, while Matt Rudick, Brian Leonhardt and Ryan Orr finished with two hits apiece to lead the Aztec offense. Melton (1-0) held CCU scoreless in five innings pitched, allowing just one hit while posting a career-high five strikeouts en route to his first collegiate victory. SDSU (2-0) quickly grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first after Rudick touched home on Leonhardt’s RBI single down the right field line. The score remained unchanged until the fifth when Mike Jarvis reached on a two-out base hit to left and promptly stole second. Moments later, Rudick roped an RBI single through the left side to give the Scarlet and Black a 2-0 cushion. The Chanticleers broke through with an unearned run off reliever Christian Winston in the seventh to trim the Aztec advantage in half. With two outs and two runners aboard, Winston got Brian Port to swing on a wild pitch in the dirt for strike three. Catcher Wyatt Hendrie chased the down the ball but threw wildly to first base, allowing Cooper Weiss to score before Eric Brown was tagged out at third. SDSU got the run back after Hendrie atoned for his earlier miscue with a bases-loaded walk. Previously, Rudick drew a base on balls from Casey Green, CCU’s second reliever of the game, while Orr reached on an infield hit before Anthony Walters was hit by a pitch. Trailing 3-1, the Chanticleers put a runner aboard in the bottom of the eighth when Scott McKeon drew a leadoff walk. However, after a called third strike on BT Riopelle, Brown relieved Winston, inducing a groundout and flyout, before setting down CCU in order in the ninth to record his first career save. Chanticleer starter Scott Kobos (0-1) absorbed the loss after allowing two runs on eight hits in six innings of work before giving way to Alaska Abney in the seventh. Winston, the Aztecs’ middle reliever, went 2 1/3 innings, giving up the aforementioned unearned marker on one hit and two walks to go with a trio of strikeouts. San Diego State closes out its weekend appearance at the Brittain Resort Baseball by the Beach tournament with a clash against UNC Greensboro starting at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT. The Aztecs are projected to start Aaron Eden against the Spartans’ Jeremiah Triplett, both of whom are righ-handed. Box
SDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO BOISE STATE 69-67 IN OVERTIME
Sophia Ramos had 25 points and a career-high 14 rebounds Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 15, 2020 (San Diego) – The Aztec women’s basketball team (12-15, 7-8) lost to Boise State (18-9, 10-5) 69-67 in overtime inside Viejas Arena Saturday afternoon. The Broncos’ A’Shanti Coleman scored the game-winning bucket with three seconds left on a driving lay-up. The Aztecs led by seven points with four minutes left but then the Broncos’ Riley Lupfer hit back-to-back threes, the first for Boise State on the day, as part of an 8-0 run to take the lead. With the Aztecs trailing by two, Sophia Ramos hit a pair of free throws with 15 seconds left to tie the game and force overtime. Sophia Ramos finished with 25 points and a career-high 14 rebounds and tied the game up in the closing seconds of both regulation and overtime with clutch shots. Taylor Kalmer had 19 points and six rebounds and Téa Adams added 12. For the second game in a row, the Aztecs had a hot start and jumped out to a 10-2 lead. However, a 9-0 Bronco run saw that lead quickly evaporate. Boise State never led by more than three in regulation and the Aztecs led for nearly the entire second half. The Broncos went up by four early in the overtime period but SDSU was able to tie it up with 29 seconds left when Sophia Ramos hit a three. That set up the Broncos’ final possession when Coleman caught the ball on the elbow and drove to her left for a contest lay-up. The Aztecs held the Broncos to 3-for-21 shooting from three, but Boise State made all three in the final five minutes of regulation and overtime. SDSU had 26 free throw attempts but converted just 15 of them. Ramos finished 9-for-13 from the line. Boise State was led by Jade Loville’s 20 points and 11 rebounds. A’Shanti Coleman added 16 points and eight rebounds. Jayde Christopher, who is second in the nation in assists, had 10 dimes. STAT OF THE GAME I Both teams shot 38 percent from the floor. STAT OF THE GAME II The Aztecs were outrebounded 55-39 and 18-9 on the offensive glass. THE NOTE I Sophia Ramos had a career-high 14 rebounds and recorded her third double-double of the season and fourth of her career. THE NOTE II The Aztecs have held their opponents to 4-for-38 shooting (10.5 percent) from three over the last two games. UP NEXT The Aztecs have their second bye of the season next week and won’t be back in action until Saturday when they play at UNLV at 3 p.m. Box
CURVE REALIGNMENT ON HIGHWAY 94 IN DULZURA NEARS COMPLETION
East County News Service February 15, 2020 (Dulzura) – “I am happy to report that work on the State Route 94 (SR-94) Curve Realignment Project in Dulzura is nearing completion and is expected to be finished by the end of March,” says Cathryne Bruce-Johnson, public information officer for Caltrans in San Diego County. Construction activities will typically continue Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will require reducing SR-94 to one lane as needed so that crews can safely work on the closed side of the road. Motorists may be delayed for short periods as they are directed through the single open lane one direction at a time. Crews paved the entire width of the roadway within the construction zone at the end of January and have finished installing guardrails. Work on the storm water drainage system continues and crews are scheduled to apply a final pavement seal by the end of the month. A high friction surface treatment will be used on the pavement to promote tire grip on the roadway during wet weather. Final roadway striping will be applied at the end of the project. Caltrans thanks community members for their patience during construction activities and reminds drivers to ‘Be Work Zone Alert’ by avoiding distracted driving and paying constant attention to traffic. Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. Construction on SR-94 Curve Realignment Project began in March 2019 to realign the roadway to improve the existing curve and widen the shoulders of SR-94 for a quarter mile-section just west of Freezer Road in Dulzura. The project required grading the existing slope and shoulders along eastbound SR-94 and relocating the utilities. The drainage system was modified to accommodate water flow from the new slope. The eastbound side of the roadway was widened to accommodate relocating the entire roadway to the west to soften the curve. Temporary striping was placed on eastbound SR-94 as crews switched work to widen the westbound side. The entire width of the new roadway was repaved and new guardrail installed. A high friction surface treatment will be applied to the roadway and then final striping. For real-time traffic information including traffic speed, lane and road closures due to construction and maintenance activities, and more, go to http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ Follow @SDCaltrans on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SDCaltrans and like Caltrans District 11 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CaltransDistrict11 for news related to state transportation in San Diego and Imperial counties