Spring is in the air and that means baseball and softball is leaping into action and although those teams have several outstanding players Mariko Rooks, who plays softball and Max Sterner, who excels on the baseball diamond, are at the top of the list.
Rooks, who also plays girls water polo, is like the Energizer Bunny, she keeps going and going. “You can’t ever put a price on how valuable Mariko is to this team,” said first year assistant softball coach Raianna Dobbs last week after the Centaurs beat Leuzinger. “She is that team leader; she is that girl that is always communicating on and off the field with her teammates and coaches. She works the hardest and the other girls follow her because she leads by example.”
Rooks thinks this is the best softball team she has played on during her four years at Culver City. “I am so excited about this years’ team,” said Rooks. “Hands down this should be the best season for me playing softball at Culver City. The chemistry is amazing and all of the girls work well together and everyone has that desire and hunger to play well every single game.”
Rooks has overcome some of her insecurities to become a good athlete. “I put a lot of time and effort and my parent’s money into paying sports,” said Rooks as she looks at her father who was standing close by. “That’s why I when I compete I give it my all every single time.”
Dobbs is excited to have players like Rooks and the other talented athletes on the softball team. “I like their raw potential,” said Dobbs. “These girls have so much athletic ability that they don’t even understand yet. So to have the opportunity to mode them into players that can be the best they can be is the best thing about coaching at Culver City. I love coaching at Culver City. Everyone has made me feel like I am part of the Culver City family.”
The baseball team has its own Rooks and his name is Max Sterner. Sterner is a rare four year varsity starter who plays three positions, first base, outfield and pitcher. “Max has been here for four years so he knows what to expect,” said head coach Rick Prieto after their first win of the season against Los Angeles Dorsey last week.
Prieto is hoping his senior laden team can carry the Centaurs to another Ocean league championship. “The situation we have here is we have twelve seniors on the roster. but only a few of them have varsity experience but they have potential and that’s what we are banking on to be able to compete in the Ocean league.”
The 2-2-1 baseball team travels to Mira Costa on Tuesday, March 14 for a 3:15 p.m. game and plays South Torrance at home on Saturday March 18 at 1 p.m.
The 3-0 girls’ softball team plays two games this Friday and Saturday in the St. Monica Tournament and next week they play in the TNT Tournament. Please check with Culver City High school to get the correct times and dates of these tournament games.