Seth Smith was one of the San Diego Padres’ major off-season acquisitions and based on his performance in the month of May, it’s paying major dividends.
Smith, NASCAR race driver Jimmie Johnson and LPGA golfer Jennifer Johnson earned professional Star of the Month honors as chosen by the San Diego Hall of Champions.
Smith batted a hefty .354 with a .459 on-base percentage and .683 slugging average helping a team that overall struggled at the plate.
Find out what's happening in Powaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Jimmie Johnson is certainly no newcomer to Star of the Month honors but it is his first one this season. After a slow start he captured the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The race is longest of the season on the NASCAR circuit.
Jennifer Johnson, a 2013 Star of the Year, posted an eye-popping 9-under 62 in first round of the $1.5 million Classic at Galloway Township, N.J. and finished tied for third overall.
Find out what's happening in Powaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On the amateur front, San Diego State baseball player Brad Haynal led the Aztecs into the NCAA Regionals for the second straight year and led seven local college standouts for the month. He was joined by SDSU track standout Nicole Oudenaarden, UCSD’s track duo of Nash Howe and Sabrina Pimentel, San Diego Christian baseball player Cade Gotta, USD rower Michelle Campbell and Point Loma Nazarene track athlete Lindsay Honea.
High school athletes honored included section champions Tori Anderson of West Hills (gymnastics), Westview’s Valerie Hull (swimming), Torrey Pines’ Henry Ji (tennis), Rancho Bernardo’s Franklin Huang (golf), Mission Hills’ Suzie Acolatse (track and field) and Cathedral Catholic’s Hannah Gilliland (softball).
For additional information on the honorees please check the San Diego Hall of Champions web site at sdhoc.com.
—San Diego Hall of Champions
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
