Paloma Valley, Heritage Advance in Baseball, Softball Playoffs

Three Menifee high school baseball and softball teams advanced to the second round of the CIF Southern Section playoffs and will be in action again on Tuesday.

The Paloma Valley High School baseball team will play at Garden Grove Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. in the second round of the Division 3 playoffs. The Sunbelt League champion Wildcats won their playoff opener 8-1 and are now 20-7 overall.

Heritage High's softball team, which won the Sunbelt League title, will play at Oak Hills High in Hesperia Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. The Patriots, 20-7 also overall, beat Whittier Christian 11-2 in the first round of the Division 4 playoffs.

Also in Division 4 softball, Sunbelt League runner-up Paloma Valley will play host to South El Monte Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.

Paloima Valley's McIntosh is CIF 800-Meter Champion

Paloma Valley High School senior Kiara McIntosh celebrated the end of the track and field season with a victory in the girls 800-meter run at the CIF-SS Division I finals this weekend.

McIntosh was clocked in 2:12.15, good enough for the championship over second-place Natalie Herberg of Capistrano Valley (2:12.75).

Diamonds Coach Praises Players for Greatest Feat: Friendship

The 14U division Diamonds team of Menifee Girls Softball celebrated a fun season with a trip to Knott's Berry Farm.

League champions and tournament winners aren't the only success stories in youth sports, as we read here in a message received from Marco Avila, one of the coaches of the 14U division Diamonds in the Menifee Valley Girls Softball Association:

Athletes come in all sizes: Tall, small, robust or thin. Our girls come with a smile. That's right. Our very own 14U division Diamonds from the MVGSA.

After an exciting season, they managed to come out as winners because they won the best thing everyone can wish for -- friends for life. As veteran players, they managed to steal bases and wound up stealing the hearts of their peers in the league, nicknaming them the “happy team.”

Indeed, they were happy … playing, joking, winning, losing, and most of all molding friendships that will last a lifetime. Their coaches -- Emma, Angel, Marco, and Matt, along with their team mom -- stressed the value of the game as well as the importance of friendship and teamwork. Despite not winning the tournament, we feel the team won a bigger prize -- friends for life.

The players' positive attitude and “esprit de corps” demonstrates that they will always have each other. So what better way to celebrate this than to go out to Knott's Berry Farm and let loose and have some fun?

Two players continued their accomplishments. First baseman Vivian Avila and shortstop Isabelle Arbayo were both selected to be a part of the 14U division all-stars. Good luck to both of them.

To the team Diamonds from their coaches, we will always be proud of you. If you live in the Menifee area and have an interest in having fun, joking around and relaxing -- oh yeah, and playing some softball -- be sure you sign up for the fall season. Come out and have fun, exercise and most of all, make new friends.

AYSO Region 820 U12 Team Places Second in Tournament

The U12 Boys team representing Menifee from AYSO Region 820 had an impressive showing at the recent San Bernardino Arrowhead Tournament.

The team earned second-place silver medals following hard-fought pool play wins against tough teams from Hemet, Moreno Valley and Ontario. Congratulations to the entire team, their parents, and their coaches on their success!

In other AYSO news, Region 820 was a recent recipient of the AYSO National organization's highest Regional Assessment Award. Region 820 received high marks for successfully providing a range of AYSO programs in the local community. The program also actively supporst AYSO philosophies and policies, strives for constant improvements, and demonstrates a commitment to training volunteers.

The Platinum level Regional Assessment Award recognizes the success and dedication of Region 820's board and family volunteers.

If you have news or photos about your favorite team, send an email to menifee247sports@gmail.com.

Sonic Boom Softball Team Wins 12-and-Under Tournament

Congratulations to the Sonic Boom team from the Menifee Girls Softball 12 and under division. They recently won the MVGS championship against Kaos, pulling out a 15-12 victory to win the tournament. Sonic Boom clinched first place in their division as well. Their season record was 12-3.  

If you have news or photos about your favorite team, send an email to menifee247sports@gmail.com.