Now that the softball season has ended, expect a new wave of pitchers to capture the headlines. Among them are Camden Catholic's Laura Messina and Kingsway's Dominique Ficara.

Each led her team to winning seasons. Both will be juniors.

- BILL IEZZI 

The Inquirer's South Jersey senior female and male athletes of the year will be announced Sunday.

The five female finalists are Natalia Torosian and Katie Duffey of Lenape, Clearview's Michelle Tumolo, Moorestown's Alyssa Ogle and Eastern's Carlie Rouh.

The five boys' finalists are Shawnee's Chris LaPierre, Ocean City's Brett Johnson, Buena's Kenny Miles, Millville's Mike Trout and Palmyra's Quron Pratt.

Nominations were sent online for candidates. After it was narrowed down to five each, more than 2,000 votes came in. Those votes combined with the input from The Inquirer staff went into the selection process.

Gloucester Catholic shortstop Steve Bruno was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 26th round of Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft.

Bruno, who began his career at St. Joseph's Prep, was the 795th overall selection. This season he batted .515 with four home run and 33 RBIs.

Bruno has a scholarship to the University of Virginia. Players attending four-year colleges have until midnight on Aug. 15 to sign.

If a player attends a four-year college, he can't be drafted again until after his junior year.

George Mason junior catcher Chris Henderson and senior pitcher Mike Modica, who both were high school stars in South Jersey, were selected in the second day of Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft.

Henderson, a former standout at Cherokee, was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 21st round, the 637th overall selection.

Modica, a Washington Township graduate, was chosen on the 24th round by the Houston Astros, the 731st overall choice. It marks the third time that Modica has been drafted by Ed Wade.

The first came as a senior in high school when Wade was the Phillies general manager and Modica was a 45th round pick.

Now the general manager of Houston, Wade's Astros drafted Moidca on the 46th round last season.
And now it has happened a third time.

SECAUCUS, NJ -- Millville centerfielder Mike Trout admitted that he was both relieved and elated after being selected with the 25th pick of the first round by the Los Angeles Angels in Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft.

"I was nervous and I'm happy now that it's done," said Trout, who was the only draft pick to attend last night's draft, held in Studio 42 at MLB Network. "I'm going to a great team with a winning history."  

 Trout and his family set in a replica dugout in the studio for nearly two hours before he was selected.

He admitted to some sleepless nights leading up to the draft.

"I will sleep pretty good tonight," he said. "This is all worth it and it's great to be here with my family and friends."

Trout set a single-season South Jersey home run record with 18. He batted .531 with 45 RBIs.

SECAUCUS, NJ -- Millville centerfeilder Mike Trout waited slightly less than two hours to hear the news he has been looking for all his life.

Trout was selected in the first round of Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft by the Los Angeles Angels with the 25th overall pick.

The Angels had the 24th and 25th pick. They chose Texas high school leftfielder Randal Grichuk with the 24th selection.

Trout is the only projected first round pick who has attended tonight's draft, held in Studio 42 at the MLB Network. 

In fact Trout and his family  have been sitting in a replica dugout in the studio.

Before the selection he was intervieed by MLB, which is televising the first round.

"I'm getting nervous," Trout said.

Then commissioner Bud Selig announced the Angels had indeed selected Trout to loud applause. And he was no longer nervous. He was an Angel.

SECAUCUS, NJ -- There have been 22 selections in Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft and Millville centerfielder is still waiting for his name to be called.

Trout has been projected as a first-round pick and the Los Angeles Angles, who select 24th and 25th reportedly have shown some interest.

Trout and his family are attending the draft here in Studio 42 of the MLB Network.

The draft's first round is being televised and to be honest, it hasn't exactly been compelling television.

The first pick, San Diego State righthander Stephen Strasburg to the Washington Nationals was made at 6:10 p.m. So far it has been a long wait for the Trout family, but one that will be worth it if his name is called soon.

SECAUCUS, NJ -- Two Michaels were named in consecutive first round picks, but no Trout.

Millville centerfielder Mike Trout is projected to be a first round selection and is the one prospect in attendance at Major League Baseball's First-Year Player draft.

The draft is being held in Studio 42 at MLB Network. Trout and his family are sitting in a replica dugout, watching the proceedings. It can't be a lot of fun, especially when back to back picks were named Michael.

The first was Michael Minor, a lefthander from Vanderbilt, taken seventh by the Atlanta Braves.

Then the next pick, Arizona State righthander Michael Leake was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds.

Anytime a player named Mike is named in the first round must cause the Trout family some anxious moments.

Currently 11 first rounders have been selected, headed by San Diego State righthander Stephen Strasburg, who went first to the Washington Nationals.