Ryan Holmes

School: El Modena

Sport: Baseball

Position: First baseman/designated hitter

Class: Senior

When Holmes missed the first six games of the season because of spasms in his lower back, El Modena struggled. The Vanguards were still floundering when Holmes returned, losing their first four Century League games and then losing three of four games in the Pride of the Coast Tournament. “We were all pretty down after the tournament,” El Modena Coach Mike Finn said. “No one was looking forward to the second half of the league season except Ryan, who promised we’d be a different team.” Last week Holmes made good on the promise, helping the Vanguards to a three-game sweep of Canyon, which moved them to within a game behind the four teams tied for first place--Canyon, Villa Park, Orange and Santa Ana Valley. Holmes was nine for 14, including three doubles and a home run, and drove in six runs. Holmes boosted his batting average more than 100 points to .429. Three weeks ago he was batting below .200. “Now that he’s healthy, he’s boosted the team’s confidence and pumped up our offense,” Finn said.

Other top performers:

Brett Haney, Paul Kerwin and Miles Simon each won their three singles sets in helping the Mater Dei tennis team to an 10-8 upset of Dana Hills.

Saddleback’s Mel Lete won four events--the 100 meters (11.1 seconds), 110 hurdles (15.1), 300 hurdles (39.7) and high jump (5 feet 10) in a 87-49 victory over Newport Harbor.

Rich Montgomery had a home run double and six runs batted in in Fountain Valley’s 17-10 victory over Edison, which moved the Barons into a first-place tie with the Chargers. Montgomery had a grand slam in the Barons’ 13-run second inning.

Marina’s Noel Zosa lost only one game in six sets in victories over Servite and Santa Ana as the Vikings won their 17th consecutive match and completed an undefeated Sunset League season.