Complete Game: The Story of Andrew Lorraine, Part 1 of 3

A pitching coach for the Chicago Cubs once told him he was "persistent as f---." But Andrew Lorraine would say he is devoted. Despite what some may urge, his devotion won't be compromised. "I still feel passionate about baseball," Lorraine says contemplatively, his forefinger resting below his lip. Lorraine is 36 years old. He is a father, husband and son. The 1990 Hart High School graduate has spent nearly his entire adult life in professional ...

Local boxer’s stock on rise

Hart High graduate Said El Harrak is climbing in the world of professional boxing. He is now 6-0. El Harrak, who lives and trains in Las Vegas, has two fights in August, one of which could be televised on ESPN2 August 7. The 2000 Hart grad will fight a boxer to be announced and is fighting on the undercard of the Alfredo Angulo-Gabriel Rosado battle in Primm, Nev. Should that fight end quickly, El Harrak's ...

Driver on title track

When the old NASCAR Southwest Series shut down a few years ago, M.K. Kanke had won more races than any other driver in the history of the division.

Locals abound in minor leagues

Tuesday night was the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, but with no local talent involved in the game, here's a look at the players with Santa Clarita Valley ties who may someday wind up in the Midsummer Classic:

Semi-pro soccer team earns another season

The Premier Santa Clarita Valley Rooks' first season in the Women's Premier Soccer League's Pacific South Division may not have yielded many wins, but it did prove to be a productive campaign that will lead to another year for the team in the league. The Rooks scored their first win last week when Chelsea Riggins hit Adriene Dickerson, who knocked home the only goal in a game against Claremont. The victory ended a seven-game losing ...

Pursley's return to Irwindale

Toyota Speedway at Irwindale holds some special memories for Greg Pursley, a Canyon High graduate and driver in the NASCAR Camping World Series West.

Dodgers win final game without Manny

LOS ANGELES - The countdown is over and not a moment too soon. Despite a 1-0 win Wednesday afternoon over the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers remain in their longest offensive slumber of the season. This on the heels of Manny Ramirez's return to the lineup Friday in San Diego after serving a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy. Los Angeles plated the game's only run in the bottom of ...

Southwell's future bright

Todd Southwell's resume as a stock car driver is pretty impressive. The Canyon High graduate won four races and finished fifth in the NASCAR Super Late Model standings at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale in 2005. He was fifth in the Super Late Model standings at the track in 2006 and established himself as a championship contender, but he went more than three years between races at Irwindale.

Draftee faces tough career decision

When many players are selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, they are put in a difficult situation.

Final day full of surprises

The Major League Baseball Draft is unpredictable and the point was proven Thursday on its third and final day.

MLB teams grab four locals

Valencia High graduate Virgil Hill was selected in the sixth round of Wednesday's Major League Baseball Draft, highlighting a day in which four locals were taken.

The draft dream

The Major League Baseball draft has now grown to the biggest height it has ever seen. The 2009 draft will span three days, instead of the usual two, with the first round being televised live today at 3 p.m. on the MLB Network.

Truck racer adding to total

Every time Ron Hornaday Jr. wins a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, he adds to his own record for career wins. He has 40 Truck Series wins in his career, the most recent coming at Lowe's Motor Speedway in North Carolina on May 15.

Owens signs with M’s

According to various media reports, Hart High graduate and former The Master's College baseball player Jerry Owens has signed with the Seattle Mariners. On May 1, the Chicago White Sox outrighted Owens to Triple-A Charlotte to make room for the recently signed Scott Podsednik.

Schantz signs with Steelers

Canyon High graduate Andrew Schantz signed a rookie free agent contract Tuesday with the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

After the draft SCV minor league update

The Santa Clarita Valley is well represented at all levels of the minor leagues this season, as athletes continue their quests for the Major Leagues.

Shields helps Royals take down Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - David Lough was willing to endure a little pain to help the Kansas City Royals win.

MLB: Valaika breaks his wrist

Hart High graduate and Miami Marlins infielder Chris Valaika will miss the next four to six weeks of the season after fracturing his left wrist Tuesday night in a game against the San Diego Padres, the Associated Press reported.

Three COC products sign with NFL teams

The 2013 NFL Draft wrapped up this past weekend, but three more College of the Canyons products signed on with teams on Monday as undrafted free agents.

NFL draft: COC product Mychal Rivera drafted by Oakland Raiders

Former College of the Canyons wideout Mychal Rivera heard his name called today at the 2013 NFL Draft.

Tommy Milone gets third straight win

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Jed Lowrie drove in four runs, Saugus High graduate Tommy Milone won his third straight start and the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros 11-2 on Monday night.

Hart's Jessica Shults drafted by USSSA Pride

USA Softball player and University of Oklahoma catcher Jessica Shults has another option for her post-collegiate career. The Hart graduate was selected fifth overall by the USSSA Pride of the National Pro Fastpitch softball league this week. She would join Valencia High graduate Jordan Taylor as the only Santa Clarita Valley products currently playing in the league. Taylor, coincidentally, is also on the Pride's roster. Shults would also join currently Oklahoma teammate, and arguably the ...

Hart graduate James Shields overcomes slow start for Royals

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Billy Butler was excited his hit drove in three runs and he was standing on second base. It got a whole lot better for Butler when the umpires returned from the video review room.

MLB: Bauer roughed up in his 1st Cleveland start

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Alex Cobb scattered four hits in 7 1-3 innings, Kelly Johnson homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Indians 6-0 on Saturday night.

Hart grad Trevor Bauer to start for Indians Saturday

TORONTO (AP) - Indians left-hander Scott Kazmir was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a strained ribcage muscle, retroactive to April 2.

Tommy Milone settles down for win in debut

OAKLAND (AP) - Jed Lowrie and Chris Young hit back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning, helping Saugus High graduate Tommy Milone and the Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 6-2 on Wednesday night.

James Shields gets outdueled in opener

CHICAGO (AP) - For all the deep breaths he took before the game, Chris Sale sure was a picture of calm once he stepped on the mound. More important for the White Sox, he was the definition of dominant.

Hart graduate Chris Valaika is getting another shot at the Major League

Santa Clarita Valley athletes had mixed results in Spring Training

Hart grad Chris Valaika earns Marlins roster spot

Four days ahead of Major League Baseball's opening day, the Miami Marlins announced Hart graduate Chris Valaika has earned a roster spot, according to the Marlins' official website.