Shockey Looks for Bigger Challenges

Outfielder Greg Shockey’s tenure with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes is about to end as abruptly as it began.

Shockey, a former standout at Cal State Northridge, said Saturday night was going to be his last game with the Quakes. He is leaving on Monday to play for the Union Laguna Cotton Pickers, of the Mexican League.

“It’s like triple A,” Shockey said. “It’s the level I was at before I got released (by the Angels in spring training). I need to hit at that level. Everything I do here is expected because of the level I was at.”

Shockey, 27, hit .317 with the Angels’ double-A team last season. After he was released this spring, he spent a month out of baseball before signing with the Padres. Less than two days passed from when the Padres first called Shockey to when he hit a home run in his first at-bat with the Quakes.

Shockey, who had three homers in his first five at-bats with the Quakes, went into Saturday night’s game hitting .294 with five homers and 22 runs batted in.

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Rancho Cucamonga first baseman Mike Mitchell (Rio Mesa) decided to accept the California League’s all-star invitation.

He was added to the team when the Arizona Diamondbacks announced Travis Lee would be promoted to triple A.

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Scanning Friday box scores: TRIPLE A--Catcher Bobby Hughes (Notre Dame) hit a homer and drove in two runs for Tucson. DOUBLE A--First baseman Benji Simonton (Pepperdine) hit a home run for Shreveport, La. . . . Designated hitter J.P. Roberge (St. Francis) had four hits, including two home runs, and four RBIs for San Antonio. CLASS A--Right-hander Mike Rossiter (Burroughs) got a victory for Stockton. . . . Second baseman David Lamb (Newbury Park) had three hits, including two doubles, and three RBIs for Frederick, Md. . . . Outfielder Will Skett (Reseda, Valley College) had two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs for Dunedin, Fla.

JETHAWKS

Right-hander Eric Morgan will miss at least his next turn in the rotation because of strained ligaments in his pitching hand. Morgan is scheduled to see a doctor Monday.

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Right-hander Joe Victery clicked on his television Saturday afternoon, saw the championship game of the College World Series, and all the happy memories came rushing back.

Victery was a member of Oklahoma’s 1994 championship team. He is the only JetHawk to have played on an NCAA champion.

“It’s hard to believe I was part of a national championship season,” he said. “It’s overwhelming.”

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Tonight’s Game: Rancho Cucamonga (Eric Newman, 3-3, 5.36) at JetHawks (Joe Victery, 2-3, 6.64), 5:05.