Salinas High grad Nathan Martorella has started 15 of the first place Pensacola Blue Wahoos — a Miami Marlins’ Double A affiliate — first 17 games at first base for the Miami Marlins Double A affiliate.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound former Cal slugger is second on the team in walks with nine, having hit a homer with five runs batted in.

The left-handed swinging Martorella sports a .333 on-base percentage, while stealing three bases in three attempts this spring.

Drafted by the Padres in the fifth round in 2022 before being traded in mid-game last year while in Double A San Antonio, Martorella has climbed three levels in the minor leagues.

The 24-year-old has hit 41 homers in 1,089 career minor league at-bats, having driven in 169 runs, while scoring 165.

An All-Pac 12 selection at Cal, Martorella was a four-time member of The Herald’s All-County baseball team and the Male Athlete of the Year in 2019 at Salinas.

Former Panther runners dropping time >> Former Hartnell College track and field All-American Moises Benito has climbed to No. 4 in the Pac West Conference in the 1,500 meters for Concordia University in Irvine.

Benito, a state runner-up in the 1,500 last spring for Hartnell, ran a career best 3 minutes, 49.70 seconds for Concordia. The former Palma standout was an all-state selection in cross country and track and field in 2024.

Having shaved 20 seconds off his 3,000-meter steeplechase time, Daniel Pantoja has climbed to No. 14 nationally in the NAIA for the University of St. Mary’s in Kansas.

Having earned all-state honors at Hartnell, the Greenfield High graduate was clocked in 9:25.05 in his last meet for St. Mary’s.

Another former Panther on the prowl is Frankie Maciel, who has run nearly a minute faster this spring in the 10,000 for Southern Oregon.

Maciel, who prepped at Alvarez, moved to No. 3 in the Cascade Conference and No. 6 nationally in the 10,000, running 30:26.18. He’s also ranked No. 6 in the 5,000 (14:27.93).

A state meet qualifier in 2023 in the steeplechase, Maciel is ranked No.10 all-time at Hartnell in the 5,000 and 10,000.

Rey setting the table >> Spending most of the spring hitting near the top of the order for the Central Florida softball team, Samantha Rey is batting .270 in 45 starts.

Rotating between second base, left field and center field, Rey is second on the team in doubles with nine and third in runs scored with 23.

The former Notre Dame of Salinas standout has collected 35 hits and 12 walks, compiling a .328 on-base percentage with a homer and 12 runs batted in.

The Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division’s Player of the Year in 2023 and a member of The Herald’s All-County softball team, Rey has handled 92 out of 96 chances in the field for a .958 fielding percentage.

Rey’s sister Victoria, has started 32 games this year at Weber State, hitting .235 with 12 runs scored.

Amaral establishing career milestones >> Injury free for the first time in his collegiate career, Palma grad J.T. Amaral has set career highs in every single offensive category this season for the University of San Francisco baseball team.

In 22 games this spring for the Dons, Amaral is hitting .268 with four homers and 14 runs batted in, while compiling a .382 on-base percentage.

The outfielder has raised his average over 100 points from his first season at USF in 2023. Half of his hits this year have gone for extra bases. The four homers are two more than his entire career.

Having prepped at Palma, Amaral has established single season marks for runs scored, triples, hits, walks, homers and RBI, while yet to commit an error in the outfield this year.

Johnson-Toney Football Camp >> \The Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County will showcase the 13th annual Johnson-Toney free football camp.

The camp — for boys and girls ages 9-14 — will be staged June 24-27 at the Cal State Monterey Bay soccer fields, with boys and girls ages 15-17 slated for July 22-25 at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas.

Ron Johnson and Anthony Toney, who both played for the Philadelphia Eagles, have been a part of the camp since its inception when it was called the Herm Edwards Football Camp.

The camp is non-contact, mirroring the NFL Play 60 Character Camp. Coaches will teach basic football skills, as well as gratefulness, self-control, loyalty, honor, truthfulness and integrity.

The youth camp is limited to 300 participants, with the high school portion limited to 100 kids. Deadline to register is June 23. Register on-line at bgcmpc.org

Coaches needed >> Salinas is looking for a boys and girls cross-country coach, a girls volleyball coach and a girls water polo coach for this coming fall. Go to art.hunsdorfer@salinasuhsd.org

Marina is looking for varsity, JV and freshman head coaches this coming fall for girls’ volleyball. Go to edjoin.org

Officials needed >> Peninsula Sports Incorporate is looking for high school and middle school officials for all sports this season. Varsity officials are paid $100 a game.

There is an immediate need for officials in the fall for football, flag football, water polo, field hockey and volleyball. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at (831) 241-1101.