Sox, Buchanan earn All-CIF baseball stripes
It figured to be a bit of a transition season for the La Cañada High baseball team in 2017.
The Spartans brought in new coach Matt Whisenant, who looked to steer the program in the right direction. With a blend of young and experienced players, which included Matthew Sox and Connor Buchanan, the Spartans wound up moving to the penthouse in the Rio Hondo League. The Spartans finished 23-6, 12-0 in league and won their first league championship since 2013 after placing fourth in 2016.
Sox and Buchanan provided balance in the lineup and on the mound to help the Spartans advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1989.
For their impressive accomplishments, Sox and Buchanan were bestowed with All-CIF Southern Section Division V recognition after the CIF office unveiled its lists for all seven divisions Monday.
Sox, a senior pitcher/infielder, was named to the first team. Buchanan, a sophomore outfielder/pitcher, earned a spot on the second team.
The Whitman College-bound Sox finished 6-1 with a 1.57 earned-run average in nine starts spanning 49 innings. He struck out 49, walked 17 and allowed 14 runs (11 earned).
In addition, he batted .356 with 17 runs batted in, 13 runs and 12 stolen bases en route to being named the Rio Hondo League Most Valuable Player.
“It’s well deserving for Matt because he did just about everything,” Whisenant said. “He was our top guy on the mound and at shortstop.
“He proved to be a great leader, on and off the field. He just had that ability to go out there and execute.”
Buchanan hit .343 with 13 RBI, seven runs and seven doubles.
On the mound, Buchanan finished 4-4 record with a 1.73 ERA in nine appearances. In 48 2/3 innings, Buchanan struck out a team-high 50 and yielded 16 runs (12 earned).
“Connor put together a real great year, especially on the mound,” Whisenant said. “We got a good idea of what he can do on the mound and he’ll be big for the team next year.
“He also put together some quality at-bats and kept improving with the bat as the season went along.”
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
