No level seems to overmatch Salinas High graduate Nathan Martorella, who has hit three homers and driven in 15 runs over 23 games since being promoted to the San Diego Padres’ Double-A affiliate in San Antonio.

Over the course of two stops this season, Martorella has hit 19 home runs and driven in 88 runs, hitting .255 with a .368 on-base percentage.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound left-handed hitting slugger has walked 82 times and scored 83 runs this season, with 30 doubles. His production during his time with the Padres’ Fort Wayne High A team earned him a spot on the end-of-season all-star team.

Drafted in the fifth round by the Padres in 2022 out of Cal, Martorella’s numbers over 163 career minor league games are 22 homers, 109 runs batted in, 98 walks and a .370 on-base percentage.

While listed as a first baseman, the 22-year-old Martorella has played left and right field in the minors, with just one error in the outfield.

Having put together a 19-game hitting streak to close his career at Cal, Martorella was The Herald’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2019 and a four-time member of the Herald’s All-County baseball team.

Julian off to sizzling start >> Former York School distance ace Michael Julian has put together a pair of solid races for the UC San Diego cross-country team.

The sophomore was the Tritons’ No. 2 runner in their opening invitational at Cal State Fullerton, clocking 25 minutes, 33.07 seconds over 8K.

Julian came back in his second race to run 19:03.8 over 6K, helping UC San Diego to a team title at the Waves Invitational at Pepperdine.

Julian took part in three meets last year as a true freshman, finishing as the team’s No. 1 runner at a meet in Riverside.

A three-time state meet qualifier in cross country and two-time Central Coast Section Division V champion, Julian finished in the Top 10 as a senior at York at the state cross-country championships.

Julian was also a CCS 3,200-meter champion in track, placing fourth at the state meet with the second-fastest time in Monterey County history at 9:03.22.

Mercurio perfect kicking at Villanova >> Matt Mercurio has yet to miss a field goal or an extra point through three games for the Villanova football team.

The former Palma kicker has converted all 11 extra point attempts for the Wildcats and has kicked a 37-yard field goal in a 2-1 start to the season.

A third-team Coastal Athletic Conference selection last fall after transferring from San Jose State, Mercurio has converted all 46 extra point attempts for Villanova.

A former walk-on at San Jose State who earned a scholarship, Mercurio converted 44-of-54 field goal attempts and 90-of-93 extra points in three seasons before transferring to pursue a master’s degree at Villanova.

Owner of a career-high 49-yard field goal, Mercurio tied an NCAA record in 2020 at San Jose State by kicking four field goals in one quarter.

Lettering in football and soccer in high school, the 22-year-old led Palma to a league soccer title.

New surroundings agree with Jensen >> Salinas High grad Ryan Jensen has taken advantage of a fresh start with the Seattle Mariners Triple-A team in Tacoma, compiling a 1.80 earned run average in 11 relief appearances.

The 6-foot right-hander has struck out 12 hitters in 10 innings of work since being picked up off of waivers when the Cubs took Jensen off their protective 40-man roster, allowing eight hits with five walks.

The No. 1 draft pick and 27th overall pick in 2019 by the Cubs, Jensen was 2-5 with a 5.45 ERA in 14 games with Iowa before being left unprotected.

In four career minor league seasons over five stops at four levels, the hard-throwing Jensen has 201 strikeouts in 180 innings of work.

A starter the first four years of his minor league career, the former Fresno State second-team All-American is being used strictly as a reliever for Tacoma.

Jensen was a three-sport standout at Salinas, earning all-county honors in baseball and football.

Officials needed >> Peninsula Sports Incorporate (PSI) 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, volleyball, water polo and field hockey. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at 831 241-1101.

OJBA fall workouts >> The Orlando Johnson Basketball Academy will be conducting 10 fall workouts for boys and girls grades third-through-eighth Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club in Salinas. The objective is to improve in all aspects of basketball. Go to ojbaacademy@ymail.com or call Robbie Johnson at 831-917-2264

Seaside’s Finest >> Seaside’s Finest is conducting a fall basketball workout program, with a primary focus on skill development. Workouts for boys and girls ages 8-18 will be held Mondays and Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. at Monterey Peninsula College. Go to jwhieb@yahoo.com or https://seasidesfinest.leagueapps.com/camps