Six Flintridge Prep baseball players grab all-league accolades

During the past two seasons, the Flintridge Prep baseball team has enjoyed a renaissance.

Backed by a strong nucleus of talent, the Rebels have won at least 15 games and advanced to at least the second round of the playoffs each of the last two campaigns.

At the plate and in the field, the Rebels proved to be one of the top teams in the Prep League. A group of the Rebels had their respective bodies of work recognized, as they received all-league honors as voted on by the league’s five coaches.

Those selected to the first team from Flintridge Prep were Brendan McKiernan, Cole Rademacher, Cole Pilar and Hamilton Evans. Daniel Enzminger and Michael Weinstein picked up second-team accolades for the Rebels, who finished 15-8-1, 9-3 in league for second place before moving on to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division VI playoffs under the guidance of second-year coach Guillermo Gonzalez.

“These six guys got what they deserved,” said Gonzalez, the reigning All-Area Baseball Coach of the Year. “It says a lot about them and what they always brought to the team.

“I’m extremely happy to have four guys make the first team. All six of them were a huge reason for our success and it’s going to be hard to replace many of them next year.”

McKiernan, a senior pitcher/infielder, went 5-3 with a 1.76 earned-run average. The right-hander struck out 40 in 51 2/3 innings. He batted .424 (36 for 85) with seven doubles, 16 runs and 19 runs batted in.

“I thought he was our best all-around athlete,” Gonzalez said. “We tried to build our team around him.

“He knew how to make that big pitch or get the key hit. We always had confidence in him.”

Rademacher provided Flintridge Prep with plenty of versatility, playing shortstop and in the outfield.

He batted .372 (29 for 78) with nine runs batted in, 22 runs and 20 stolen bases.

“He could do anything,” Gonzalez said. “He batted lead off, provided lots of speed and proved to be a clutch hitter.”

Pilar, a sophomore, helped anchor the pitching staff at catcher after playing mostly third base last season.

Pilar batted .347 (25 for 72) with six doubles, three doubles, 17 runs batted in and 18 runs.

“He’s one of our emotional leaders and we wanted to put him back at his normal position behind the plate,” Gonzalez said. “He never missed a game and his fundamentals at the plate and with the glove were what made him stand out.”

Evans, a sophomore, excelled at third base. Evans, along with Pilar, will be expected to be two pillars for the Rebels during the next two seasons.

Evans hit .411 (30 for 73) with 13 runs batted in, 28 runs and 17 stolen bases.

“He began the season batting seventh and we moved him up to the No. 2 spot just before league started,” Gonzalez said. “He proved to be aggressive at the plate and he pushed us once his bat came alive. Plus, he played some good defense.”

Enzminger proved to be a valuable commodity on defense for the Rebels while roaming center field, finishing with eight assists. The senior also provided Flintridge Prep with speed, stealing 11 bases. He batted .343 (24 for 70) with 13 runs batted in and 15 runs.

Weinstein, a senior, helped anchor the right side of the infield at second base. He batted .408 (29 for 71) with seven doubles and scored 15 runs.

Seniors Zach Bern and David Orndorff of league champion Pasadena Poly shared the league’s most valuable player honor.

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Follow Charles Rich on Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich.