All-Area Baseball First Team
Kevin Baker, Senior, Outfielder, St. Francis
Against the area’s most arduous league competition, the versatile Baker earned All-Mission League first-team accolades as he hit .309 (25 for 81) with six triples, seven doubles, 11 runs and 18 RBI. On the mound, the University of Portland-bound Baker finished 4-6 with a 4.32 ERA, notching six complete games.
Hamilton Evans, Sophomore, Infielder, Flintridge Prep
Surprising season saw Evans emerge as an impact player for the Rebels, taking home Prep League first-team honors, as well as a CIF Southern Section Division VI second-team nod. Hit .411 (30 for 73) with 13 runs batted in, 28 runs and 17 stolen bases.
Fidel Hernandez, Junior, Utility, Hoover
Caught and pitched for Tornadoes, but it was his hitting that made him a standout. The All-Pacific League second-teamer led Hoover, which hit .263 as a team, with a .451 average (32 for 71), along with 21 runs, 21 RBI, seven doubles, three triples and five home runs.
Sean Holt, Sophomore, Infielder, Providence
Was the catalyst for Pioneers’ surprising success, grabbing first-team All-Liberty League and second-team All-CIF Southern Section Division VI honors. Along with a .483 average, he had eight doubles, 26 RBI, 23 runs and 12 stolen bases. As a pitcher, he was 4-1 with a 3.23 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 52 innings.
Kewin Ledesma, Freshman, Utility, Crescenta Valley
In his debut season, Ledesma made an immediate impact, as he led the Pacific League champions with 22 RBI. In addition to handling the Falcons’ stellar staff, he hit .320 with 14 runs.
Justin Lewis, Senior, Pitcher, La Cañada
A dual threat, Lewis posted a tidy 1.15 earned-run average to build a 5-4 record. He struck out 47 batters in 55 innings, giving up 29 runs, but just nine were earned. Batted .355 (27 for 76) with nine RBI and 11 runs.
Brendan McKiernan, Senior, Infielder, Flintridge Prep
Rebels’ top pitcher posted a 5-3 mark, 1.76 ERA and struck out 40 in 51 2/3 innings, earning All-CIF Division VI second-team and All-Prep League first-team notice. Also a shortstop and one of the Rebels’ top hitters, he batted .424 (36 for 85) with seven doubles, 16 runs and 19 RBI.
Cole Meyer, Senior, Pitcher, Burroughs
Matched up against the best of the best in Pacific League, the first-team all-league pick always held his own. Finished with a 5-3 record and 1.17 ERA.
Michael Russo, Senior, Outfielder, Crescenta Valley
Arguably the area’s most dangerous offensive player, the CSUN-bound right fielder had a cannon for an arm and hit .383 (36 for 94) with 20 RBI, 20 runs, 14 extra-base hits, including five homers, 14 walks, a .459 on-base percentage and stole seven bases.
Johnny Selsor, Senior, Catcher, La Cañada
Though the Spartans struggled a bit, Selsor still shined, garnering All-CIF Southern Section Division IV second-team and All-Rio Hondo League first-team accolades after hitting .430 (34 for 79) with 14 RBI, 14 runs and eight double-baggers.
Joe Torres, Senior, Infielder, Crescenta Valley
Manned the hot corner for the Pacific League champs while becoming a weapon at the bottom of the order at the plate. Finished with a .380 average (27 for 71), 10 RBI, 12 runs, 13 walks, a .500 on-base percentage and added a 0.00 ERA over 10 1/3 innings pitching for good measure.
Bryan Wang, Senior, Outfielder, Crescenta Valley
A stellar fielder in center field, as a leadoff batter he hit .383 (36 for 94) with nine stolen bases, 13 RBI, 17 runs, 12 walks and a .468 on-base percentage.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Phil Torres, Crescenta Valley
Navigated Falcons past a loss in first Pacific League game to go unbeaten the rest of the way in league, posting a 12-1-1 mark for an outright league title and the program’s third in a row. Thereafter, Crescenta Valley engaged upon a surprising playoff run, defeating Damien, 6-1, in the first round for CV’s first postseason win since 2009 and advancement past the first round for the first time since 2008. The Falcons bested host Redlands East Valley, 7-2, in the second round before falling against host Placentia Valencia, 8-2, in its initial trip to the quarterfinals since 2007 to end the area’s best baseball run with a 21-8-1 record.