Sun Athletes of the Week: J.C. Leach and Brently Bridgeforth

Thursday, March 28, 2002 | 11:17 a.m.

Male Athlete of the Week: J.C. LEACH

School: Centennial

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Baseball

Last week: Leach went 9-for-16, with three home runs and nine RBIs in four games, leading the Bulldogs to wins over area powers Basic, Bishop Gorman, Bonanza and Silverado. Alternating between catcher and DH (along with fellow sophomore Bryce Massanari), Leach also scored six runs as Centennial outscored those four opponents 47-22. "He's a line-drive hitter with some pop who's pretty patient at the plate," Bulldogs coach Charlie Cerrone said. "And he's got really fast hands, which is something I can't coach."

Female Athlete of the Week: BRENTLY BRIDGEFORTH

School: Eldorado

Class: Senior

Sport: Softball

Last week: Bridgeforth tossed two complete games for wins and doubled three times to lead the Sundevils to victories over Bishop Gorman, Coronado and Foothill. In her two pitching starts, the senior limited the Gaels and Falcons to just five hits and two earned runs in 14 innings, striking out 11. In a 5-3 win over Foothill, Bridgeforth went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. "She's doing a phenomenal job this year -- pitching great, hitting much better than last year and she's a great leader for this team," Eldorado coach Anthony Elliott said. "She carries the team, so they jump on her back."