Well, that didn’t take long at all

No, he didn’t bunt a third strike foul. And no, the ball wasn’t caught. It was actually nothing that Werbinski did. It was the result of the Scots’ dugout crossing the sportsmanship line.

In a rule only used in high school baseball, Werbinski was called out for “verbal interference.”

Here’s what happened: Werbinski led off the second inning and, on the first pitch, hit a foul ball down the first-base line. Now during a sequence like this, you may hear defensive players yelling different colors to alert the fielder, in this case Aragon first baseman Sean Hickey, about where the ball is.

“Green” means the fielder definitely has a play on the ball. A “yellow” call means there’s a chance the ball could go out of play and when someone yells “red,” the ball is definitely out of play.

In this case, I heard a bunch of “yellow” called out. I didn’t determine who said it, I was focused on the play, which Hickey failed to make as the ball carried back toward the field and he couldn’t quite line up with it.

As Werbinski returned to the plate, Aragon manager Don Hahn came out to ask if there was any verbal interference. The home plate umpire conversed with the field ump and they determined that there was verbal interference and Werbinski was out.

Not surprisingly, Carlmont manager Ryan Hamilton was none too pleased with his dugout, as he gave his team a lecture between innings.

Meanwhile, I went to ask the field umpire what the ruling was. He explained that both he and the home plate umpired heard the Carlmont dugout yell “red” as a way to confuse Hickey.

It’s just another example of how pro and high school ball differ — just like every other professional and high school sport. What you see on television doesn’t necessarily translate to your local school’s team.

***

And speaking of Carlmont, a Scots’ alum is now coaching in the CCS ranks.

Mailey McLemore, who was named the Daily Journal’s Softball Player of the Year during her senior year in 2018, is now the head softball coach at Valley Christian High School in San Jose.

She was hire last summer to take over the Warriors program. Her first win as a high school coach? A 9-7, eight-inning victory over her alma mater Feb. 26.

McLemore, after a year at Foothill College, transferred to Arizona State, where she played for three seasons as a utility player, graduating in 2022. She is also on the Cal Nuggets travel team coaching staff.

***

The Menlo College women’s wrestling team wrapped up one of the greatest seasons in program history by capturing the NAIA national championship at University of Jamestown in North Dakota.

The Oaks had 10 wrestlers make the podium and during the two-day tournament, recorded 16 pins and eight more technical falls.

Tavia Heidelberg-Tillotson capped her college career with the 191-pound national championship, capping a perfect 24-0 season. She trailed 3-2 in the championship match, but got a takedown and two points to post a 4-3 win.

The Oaks had four others finish third: Kayla McKinley-Johnson (101), Alana Vivas (123), Shannon Workinger (155) and Kalila Shrive (170).

Ajayzee Zaballos was fourth at 116, Alexandra Lopez was sixth at 143, while Haley Narahara (123), Louisa Schwab (130) and Stephanie Chavez (136) all finished seventh.

All 10 wrestlers earned All-American honors.

***

The spring season is now in full effect and there are plenty of events to take in. Here are some to watch this week.

It’s a showdown for first place in the Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division boys’ tennis standings, as undefeated San Mateo will be at unbeaten Aragon for a 4 p.m. match Tuesday.

In track and field, a pair of PAL heavyweights will meet when Carlmont hosts Menlo-Atherton at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

In softball, the annual “Battle of Belmont” between Carlmont and Notre Dame-Belmont will be played this week. The two will meet Friday under the lights at Belmont Sports Complex at 7 p.m.

In boys’ volleyball, defending CCS champ Carlmont will open the PAL season at perennial league power Menlo-Atherton for a 6:15 start.

In college baseball, Skyline and Cañada will meet this week for a three-game series. Cañada hosts Skyline at 2 p.m. Thursday and 1 p.m. Saturday, while the Trojans will be at home Thursday against the Colts at 2 p.m.

Nathan Mollat can be reached by email: nathan@smdailyjournal.com.