Calaveras’ Christian Moore (far left) catches a fly ball on Monday against Lindhurst. Diane Fischer / Union Democrat.

Moore led off the second inning with a bunt-single and was later driven home on a hit by Mike Seawell with the bases loaded. The Redskins scored three more runs and batted around to give Moore another chance at the plate, this time with the bases loaded.

“The pitch was right where I wanted it and I saw the outfielder in right center with center field wide open,” Moore said.

The Sonora Wildcat swim season came to an end on Thursday and Friday at the girls’ and boys’ Section Trials at Tokay High School in Lodi.

“We had a great meet at Sections,” said Wildcat head coach John-Jay Verhuel. “Although nobody made it to finals, everyone improved their times.”

Katherine Hohne led the Wildcat girls with two season’s best time in the 50 freestyle (25.92) and the 100 butterfly (1:05.63).

A trio of seniors have led the Tioga Timberwolves softball team into the playoffs that begin on Thursday in Lodi.

Brianna Deckard, Sam Hindle and Taylor Powell have put up some hefty numbers to help Tioga finish 6-3 in the Mountain Valley League and earn the No. 2 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII Championships.

After a two-year program absence, Tioga will face Valley Christian of the Sacramento Metro Athletic League at 5 p.m., at the Lodi Softball Complex.

Dallee Mason, of Weiser, ID., (top) had a rough ride on his ornery bull during Sunday’s action at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Amy Alonzo Rozak / Union Democrat.

“We had good attendance, weather and contestant participation,” said posseman Ty Wivell. “I think it was another good year all in all.”

Nearly 260 contestants registered with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competed at the annual event that just celebrated its 56th anniversary. Roughly 6,500 rodeo-goers attended the event over both days, Wivell said.

Calaveras Redskin tracksters completed a perfect sweep of the Mother Lode League this season, earning titles in all four divisions.

The Redskins solidified their sweep by using their talent and depth to take first place as a team in the varsity boys’ and girls’ and frosh/sophomore boys’ and girls’ divisions during the Mother Lode League finals Friday at Frank Meyer Field.

“It’s definitely the first time in Calaveras history that we won all divisions in the same year,” said Redskins head coach Doug Avrit.

Longtime Sonora High coach Dan Dona is the new varsity boys' basketball head coach. Amy Alonzo Rozak / Union Democrat

His feelings were confirmed Tuesday night at Sonora High School’s board meeting.

Dona will take charge of the Wildcats boys’ basketball program after longtime boss, and the Sac-Joaquin Section’s winningest coach, Rick Francis stepped down on Apr. 2.

Rob Hoyt lived in Capitola roughly 200 yards from the beach before recently accepting the job as head coach of mens’ basketball at Columbia College.

“I had a friend ask me why I would want to leave and I replied, ‘Because I’m going home,’ ” the 28-year-old Sonora native said.

Hoyt graduated from Sonora High in 2003, where he played basketball and helped the Wildcats win the 2002  Valley Oak League Championship. He went on to play for the Claim Jumpers from 2003-05 under Columbia head coach Nathan Rien.

The Calaveras Redskins suffered a 5-2 loss Thursday afternoon against the Hilmar Yellowjackets in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Sac-Joaquin Section Division V Girls’ Soccer Championships. 

Thursday’s opening-round postseason matchup played at Hilmar High started drifting in favor of the Yellowjackets, who led 3-0 at halftime, after a strong offensive attack by the Redskins that didn’t net any goals in the first 15 minutes.

“I was really encouraged because we came out really strong on offense,” said Calaveras head coach Rob Leetham. “We had some good chances and didn’t finish. It’s kind of been a struggle with us all season long, we get lots of shots off that aren’t always accurate. It hurt us today because I think it would have been different if we could have converted on some of those early chances.”

Calaveras’ Megan Walters (above) hurled a complete game on Wednesday against Bret Harte in Angels Camp. Amy Alonzo Rozak / Union Democrat

In the final game of the regular season Wednesday, Calaveras defeated cross-county rival Bret Harte 6-2 in Angels Camp. Meanwhile, the Linden Lions split a doubleheader with Summerville that same day, giving the Redskins sole ownership of the MLL title with a 12-3 league record.

Redskin ace Megan Walters struck out six batters in a complete game effort with no earned runs or walks. She also went 2 for 4 at the plate with a run scored and two RBIs.

The Summerville Bears suffered a 5-2 loss in first game of a Wednesday afternoon doubleheader against Linden before turning around with an eight-inning victory in the second to spoil the Lions’ chance at earning a share of the 2013 Mother Lode League title.

“Good for them to come back and win the last game,” said Summerville head coach Ben Watson of his Bears. “We didn’t make the playoffs, but it still has to feel good for the girls to finish on a positive note.”