1987 ALL-VALLEY BASEBALL FIRST TEAM

Jim Henderson, Westlake

CATCHER, 6-3, 200, SR.

Henderson spurned an offer by the Milwaukee Brewers, who drafted him June 2, to accept a scholarship to USC. A 4.0 student, Henderson posted fine marks on the field as well, batting .442 with 5 home runs and 28 RBIs. He led Westlake to a share of the Marmonte League title.

Mike Urman, Canoga Park

CATCHER, 6-2, 195, SR.

A second-round draft choice of the Atlanta Braves, Urman had the best throwing arm and defensive skills of any Valley catcher. He also wasn’t bad with the bat, hitting .418 with 3 home runs and 24 RBIs. Urman will choose between the Braves and a scholarship to Oklahoma State.

Matt Franco, Westlake

INFIELDER, 6-2, 200, SR.

Franco, who can play shortstop, first or third, has already signed with the Chicago Cubs, who drafted him in the seventh round. Franco batted .532 and had 46 hits, including 7 home runs and 9 doubles. The left-handed hitter had 97 hits in three varsity seasons.

Greg Gerber, Simi Valley

INFIELDER, 5-7, 145, JR.

Gerber won the shortstop position with his slick fielding, but surprised everyone when he complemented the glove work by banging out a batting average of .489--a school record. Gerber is an excellent contact hitter who had 45 hits--including 9 doubles--and 28 RBIs.

Danny Gil, Poly

INFIELDER, 5-11, 175, SR.

Opponents had their fill of Gil, who batted .528 with 12 extra-base hits and 40 RBIs. A shortstop who was able to play at major-league depth because he has a superior arm, Gil was drafted by the Chicago White Sox. In the City final, Gil hit a three-run home run.

Ernie Perez, Birmingham

INFIELDER, 5-10, 170, SR.

Perez, a two-time All-Valley choice, batted .441 with 4 home runs and 3 triples. He also led the Mid-Valley League with 29 RBIs. Perez, who was co-most valuable player of the league, has a tremendous arm. With Damon Buford, Perez formed a solid double-play combination.

Scott Sharts, Simi Valley

INFIELDER, 6-6, 220, JR.

Sharts set a school record with 11 home runs. The first baseman also has 17 career home runs--another school record. Sharts, most valuable player of the Marmonte League, batted .467 with 33 RBIs and had a 9-4 record in a league-leading 88 innings as a pitcher.

Joel Wolfe, Chatsworth

INFIELDER, 6-2, 190, JR.

Perhaps the best pure hitter in the City Section, Wolfe batted .468 with 14 extra-base hits and 29 RBIs. Wolfe, who also led the West Valley League with 19 stolen bases, helped Chatsworth to a share of the league title. He will play in this year’s U.S. Olympic Festival.

Rex McMackin, Chatsworth

OUTFIELDER, 5-8, 165, JR.

McMackin isn’t tall, but he is built like Popeye. Pitchers hate to throw to his compact strike zone, making McMackin one of the most feared batters in the Valley. The left-handed hitter led the West Valley League with a .522 average and 10 doubles, and also drove in 24 runs.

Adam Schulhofer, Canoga Pk

OUTFIELDER, 6-2, 190, JR.

The winning pitcher for the Hunters in the City final, Schulhofer had a 9-2 record in 62 innings. The right-hander roamed center field when not pitching and was Canoga Park’s best clutch hitter in addition to being an excellent fielder, batting .393 with 7 home runs and 33 RBIs.

Joey Speakes, Poly

OUTFIELDER, 6-1, 180, SR.

A center fielder with great range, Speakes was a fourth-round selection of the San Francisco Giants. Speakes led Poly to the East Valley League crown by batting .470 with 5 home runs, 27 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He made a spectacular running catch in the City final.

Gino Tagliaferri, Kennedy

UTILITY, 6-1, 182, SOPH.

The kicker on the Kennedy football team, Tagliaferri showed he has plenty of pop in his bat as well as his foot. Usually the designated hitter, Tagliaferri batted .421 with 4 triples, 5 home runs and 23 RBIs. He should be one the Valley’s most feared batters for two more years.

Frank Serna, San Fernando

PITCHER, 5-10, 155, SOPH.

Serna came out of nowhere to become the key to San Fernando’s Mid-Valley League championship. In his first varsity season, the right-hander posted an 8-1 record and a 1.43 earned-run average in 68 innings. Serna beat Cleveland, 5-0, in his only playoff appearance.

Greg Nealon, Poly

PITCHER, 6-0, 165, JR.

A slightly built left-hander, Nealon used a deceiving fastball and excellent curve to post a 10-2 record and help Poly to the East Valley League title and the City final. Nealon, who was strong in relief during the final, had nine complete games and a 1.93 ERA.

Chris Spears, Crespi

PITCHER, 5-10, 154, SR.

Spears’ outstanding slider and curve enabled him to strike out 110 batters in 82 innings and lead Crespi to the Del Rey League title. Spears, a left-hander, had a 10-2 record with eight complete games, three saves and a 1.95 ERA. He will attend UCLA as a walk-on.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR Mike Kerber

CANOGA PARK

A pitcher/first baseman, Kerber was the best hitter and best pitcher on the best team in the Valley. The junior batted .400 with five home runs--including one in the City final--and was 7-0 on the mound with a 1.52 earned-run average. Tendinitis kept Kerber (6-4, 185) from pitching until midseason, but he was unbeatable upon his return.

COACH OF THE YEAR Doug MacKenzie

CANOGA PARK

In his 37th season at Canoga Park, MacKenzie won his first City Section 4-A title with a 5-4 win over Poly last week at Dodger Stadium. The victory was also the 300th of MacKenzie’s career and Canoga Park’s 18th in its last 19 games. The Hunters were co-champions of the West Valley League and finished the season with a 19-4 record.

PITCHER OF THE YEAR Olonzo Woodfin

SYLMAR

Woodfin, a 6-4, 187-pound junior, was the most dominant pitcher in the Valley, striking out 166 batters in 100 innings. The left-hander was 11-4 with a 1.47 ERA and nearly pitched Sylmar into the City Section 4-A final, winning two playoff games before losing to Canoga Park. He pitched a no-hitter against North Hollywood.