USD Power-Hitter Rolls Picked by Kansas City

David Rolls, who set University of San Diego single-season records with 18 home runs and 70 runs-batted in this year, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals Thursday in the 13th round of major league baseball’s amateur draft.

“I was told by some scouts that I would be drafted, so I was expecting it,� Rolls said. “I think most little kids dream of playing pro baseball, and now the opportunity is in my hands.�

Rolls, a catcher, played in 56 games for USD this season and batted .374. He also walked 57 times to set another single-season record.

“I’m excited,� he said. “I don’t know of any great catchers in their organization--at least I haven’t heard of any.�

Rolls was named the co-player of the year in the West Coast Athletic Conference despite a fourth-place finish by the Toreros (28-28 overall).

Rolls is going to an organization whose manager, John Wathan, was once a catcher at USD.

Also drafted Thursday were Nikco Riesgo of San Diego State (Padres), Mike Rendina of Grossmont High School (Detroit Tigers) and USIU’s Wally Trice, formerly of Mar Vista High (Houston Astros).

Five members of the San Diego State baseball team have been named to the All-Region 9 first and second teams.

Shortstop Steve Montejano and pitcher John Marshall were named to the first team. Montejano, a senior from Orange, hit .369 and led SDSU in doubles (21), home runs (12) and runs batted in (66). Marshall, a junior right-hander from Lakewood, compiled a record of 11-2 with a 3.64 earned-run average.

Named to the second team were freshman outfielder Jeff Barry (.316, 38 RBIs, 35 stolen bases), junior third baseman Lance Pinnell (.323, 11 doubles, 46 RBIs, 19 stolen bases), and junior right-hander Rob Brown (9-3, 2.53, 99 strikeouts in 110 innings).

FOOTBALL

Season ticket packages for the five San Diego Thunder indoor football home games at the Sports Arena are now available. Prices are: field, $100; plaza, $87.50; loge, $67.50; terrace, $40; upper reserved, $25. The price includes parking. Per-game tickets, which range from $5 to $20, go on sale June 16.

TRACK AND FIELD

Junior Gaylen Ames (39-feet 6-inches) finished 13th and senior Angela McKnight (38-8 3/4) was 17th in a preliminary triple jump heat at the NCAA track and field championships at Eugene, Ore. Neither qualified for the finals.

SOCCER

The United States national soccer team will play the National Selection Team of Chile tonight at 8 p.m. at the Aztec Bowl on the San Diego State University campus. In an under-16 game, the La Jolla Nomads will play Team USA.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The 1988 Greater San Diego Special Olympics are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at San Diego State University.

More than 800 athletes will participate. Saturday’s schedule includes basketball, softball, swimming and track and field. Sunday includes bowling, floor hockey, gymnastics, soccer, volleyball and tennis.