Brucato and Oakley Add Sparkle to Their Diamonds : All-County Team at a Glance

PITCHERS

Paul Abbott (Sunny Hills)--Abbott, a senior, was 11-2 with a 1.92 earned-run average and 158 strikeouts. Abbott, who has signed a letter of intent to play at Cal State Fullerton next season, also batted cleanup for the Lancers and hit .411 with 3 homers and 31 RBIs. He had two complete-game victories in the Southern Section 3-A playoffs, went 6 innings for a no-decision in the quarterfinals and finally lost to Lompoc in the semifinals. “He had an excellent year and it should open some doors for him,” said Doug Elliott, Sunny Hills coach.

Leonard Damian (Canyon)--The right-hander, who transferred from Saddleback prior to his senior year, was 11-2 with 96 strikeouts to lead the Comanches to a 20-4-1 record. He had a 1.82 ERA and walked only 22 batters in 89 innings. Opponents hit .221 against Damian, who also was the Comanches’ cleanup hitter and batted .342 with 9 home runs and 26 RBIs. “He wasn’t a polished hitter, but he was a good one,” said Hi Lavalle, Canyon coach. “He only struck out 3 times in 79 at-bats, and he always made good contact.” If he’s not satisfied with the professional draft, Damian will play at a junior college next season.

Bob Sharpnack (Fountain Valley)--A senior right-hander and three-year varsity starter, Sharpnack was drafted on the second round by the Angels on Monday. He had a 10-3 record, a 1.05 ERA and he struck out 117 batters in 85 innings. Sharpnack also had three saves, the last coming in the Barons’ 4-A championship win over Camarillo last Friday. The power pitcher had a 25-9 overall record at Fountain Valley and is considered one of the county’s top professional prospects. Sharpnack said he will wait at least a week before deciding on his future.

CATCHER

Anthony Follico (Mater Dei)--Follico led Orange County in RBIs this year with 40 and also batted .467 with 5 doubles, 5 home runs and 21 runs scored. The Monarchs, Orange County’s top-ranked team throughout most of the season and ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today, finished 24-2 and advanced to the 4-A quarterfinals where they were upset by Ocean View. Follico, Mater Dei’s cleanup hitter, will attend USC next year on a baseball scholarship. He made only one throwing error in 26 games.

FIRST BASE

Scott Shockey (El Toro)--As the Chargers’ cleanup hitter, Shockey hit .452 and was among the county leaders in RBIs with 32. The senior left-hander added four home runs and also scored 18 runs. Defensively, he made only one throwing error in 26 games. “He gobbled up everything else,” said Dan DeLeon, El Toro coach. “He has a long reach and was able to go out and get balls that other players would have to take on a short hop. He has real good range.” Shockey is being recruited by Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Long Beach, Chapman College and Santa Ana College.

INFIELD

Bobby DeJardin (Mater Dei)--DeJardin, a senior shortstop and the Monarchs’ leadoff hitter, batted .395 with 21 RBIs, 37 runs and 19 stolen bases. He made only 7 errors in 26 games. “He always seemed to be the one who got things going offensively with a hit or a stolen base,” said Bob Ickes, Mater Dei coach. “With him and (second baseman) Chris Gill up the middle, we had a dynamic double-play combination.” DeJardin, one of five Monarchs to receive baseball scholarships, will play at Loyola Marymount next year.

Troy Paulsen (La Quinta)--One of two juniors to make the first team, Paulsen hit .412 with 2 home runs and 21 RBIs, stole 14 bases and scored 32 runs as the Aztecs’ leadoff hitter. The shortstop made 6 errors in 25 games. La Quinta (22-3), which lost its Nos. 4 and 5 hitters for much of the Garden Grove League season, still won the title. “For what we had this year, Troy was the reason we did so well,” said Dave Demarest, La Quinta coach. “He took all the pressure away from the other players. If he has the same year next year, I’d be happy.”

David Tinkle (Ocean View)--The senior shortstop and Sunset League Most Valuable Player helped the Seahawks turn 22 double plays, which tied a Southern Section record. Tinkle batted .378 with 4 home runs, 24 RBIs and 17 runs scored, and was strong during the playoffs. He batted .583 (7 for 12) with three doubles, a triple and a homer in postseason play.

OUTFIELD

Bob Brucato (Mission Viejo)--The senior right-hander posted a 12-0 pitching record but is probably better known for his prowess in the outfield and at the plate. Brucato, who has power to all fields, had 45 hits and a .437 average, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 5 homers, 35 RBIs and 29 runs. Steve Milledge (Canyon)--The senior right fielder set two school records this season, batting .466 and collecting 41 hits. In addition, Milledge scored 23 runs, knocked in 18 and had 11 stolen bases. His on-base percentage was .515.

Andy Ruscitto (Valencia)--Ruscitto set an Orange County record by hitting 12 home runs, but the junior also had an excellent average (.439), had 34 RBIs and scored 30 runs. He helped the Tigers (17-7) to a share of the Orange League championship with Western.

UTILITY

John Schilling (Santa Ana)--The senior pitcher/first baseman had a 10-2 record and was just as impressive at the plate, where he hit .467 with a home run and 29 RBIs to lead the Saints to the Century League championship and the 3-A quarterfinals.

Don Snowden (Fountain Valley)--The left-handed pitcher/outfielder threw a four-hitter and struck out 11 in 6 innings Friday night to lead the Barons to a 3-2 win over Camarillo in the 4-A championship game. On the year, Snowden was 7-3 with a 6 saves, a 1.20 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 73 innings.

THE TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Pitchers

Paul Abbott (Sunny Hills) Sr.

Leonard Damian (Canyon) Sr.

Bob Sharpnack (Fountain Valley) Sr.

Catcher

Anthony Follico (Mater Dei) Sr.

First Base

Scott Shockey (El Toro) Sr.

Infield

Bobby DeJardin (Mater Dei) Sr.

Troy Paulsen (La Quinta) Jr.

David Tinkle (Ocean View) Sr.

Outfield

Bob Brucato (Mission Viejo) Sr.

Steve Milledge (Canyon) Sr.

Andy Ruscitto (Valencia) Jr.

Utility

John Schilling (Santa Ana) Sr.

Don Snowden (Fountain Valley) Sr.

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers

Jon Hulshof (Mater Dei) Sr.

David Salcido (Esperanza) Sr.

Mark Stride (University) Sr.

Catcher

Frank Appice (El Toro) Sr.

First Base

Mike Simms (Esperanza) Sr.

Infield

Jeff Kent (Edison) Sr.

Mike Lutz (Sunny Hills) Sr.

Tony Gardea (Mater Dei) Sr.

Outfield

Joey James (Newport Harbor) Sr.

Robbie Katzaroff (Los Alamitos) Sr.

Ralph Ramirez (Los Amigos) Sr.

Utility

David Kirkpatrick (Dana Hills) Sr.

Jeff Petredes (El Dorado) Jr.