The Preps : Irvine’s Koutures Is Player of Year for South Coast

George Koutures of Irvine High School, a three-year starting infielder, was named player of the year in the South Coast League in a vote of the league’s baseball coaches.

Koutures led Irvine to the league title and was joined by teammates Jim Huntsberger and Scott Vollmer on the first team.

The coaches’ teams:

FIRST TEAM

Pitchers Don Goodbrand El Toro Jim Huntsberger Irvine Brian Walker Capistrano Valley Infielders Bill Bardens Capistrano Valley Adam Brass El Toro Brent Ferguson San Clemente Derek Gingerich Mission Viejo George Koutures Irvine Outfielders Craig Lombardi Dana Hills Lance Marks Dana Hills Catcher Scott Vollmer Irvine Utility Matt Balsz Mission Viejo

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers--Darren Deffenbaugh (Dana Hills) and Jeff Stark (El Toro); Infielders--Chris Ashbach (Capistrano Valley), Mark Broccardo (San Clemente), Sean Drinkwater (El Toro), Brian McNamara (El Toro) and Terry Rahmatulla (Irvine); Outfielders--Dave Nemeth (El Toro), Buster Nietzke (Capistrano Valley), Scott Parrott (Mission Viejo), Larry Holman (Trabuco Hills), Paul Maund (Orange), Justin Reyes (Costa Mesa) and Jason Thompson (Laguna Hills).