Close-Ups of the South Bay’s Best

Mike Busby, Banning--Named the Most Valuable Player of the Pacific League, Busby emerged as the South Bay’s most dominant pitcher in his junior season. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-hander was 9-4 with a 1.45 earned-run average and led the area with 127 strikeouts. He walked only 20 batters in 92 innings.

Rob Croxall, El Segundo--Selected the Most Valuable Pitcher of the Camino Real League, Croxall was 10-1 with an area-leading 1.02 ERA. He had a streak of 31 consecutive scoreless innings and pitched a three-hitter in a 7-1 victory over St. Anthony to put El Segundo in the Southern Section 2-A Division title game.

Garret Quaintance, El Segundo--One of the Eagles’ top hitters each of the past two seasons, Quaintance batted .442 (46 for 104) with 42 runs batted in, six home runs, 15 doubles and 43 runs scored. He was a defensive mainstay at catcher, earning All-Camino Real League honors for the second consecutive year.

Tate Seefried, El Segundo--The Times South Bay Player of the Year.

Mark Lewis, El Segundo--Considered one of the top shortstops in El Segundo history, Lewis committed only three errors in 31 games and helped the Eagles turn a school-record 24 double plays. He hit .425 with 36 RBIs, five homers and 10 doubles. He transferred from Rolling Hills after his sophomore year.

Jeff Richardson, St. Bernard--The leading hitter for the Camino Real League runner-up, Richardson batted .468 with 38 RBIs, seven home runs and 23 stolen bases. The third baseman was at his best in clutch situations, hitting .524 with runners in scoring position. He had two home runs against El Segundo.

Antone Williamson, Torrance--One of two repeat selections on the all-star team, Williamson hit .500 (43 for 86) to lead the Tartars to a three-way tie for the Bay League title. The junior third baseman had 34 RBIs with five home runs, four triples and eight doubles, and had two saves as a relief pitcher.

John Coleman, St. Bernard--The South Bay’s fastest player, Coleman set a school record with 43 stolen bases and was a catalyst in the lead-off spot. The rangy center fielder hit .370 and scored 36 runs. Scouted by Auburn alum Bo Jackson, Coleman will attend the Alabama school on a partial scholarship.

Armando Fernandez, Hawthorne--Although he failed to match the statistics of his stellar sophomore season, Fernandez was still rated among the area’s best players. The junior left fielder batted .382 with 24 RBIs and tied for second in the South Bay with 23 stolen bases. He is a repeat all-star selection.

Eric Gonzalez, Torrance--The clean-up hitter of an explosive Tartar lineup, Gonzalez led the Bay League with a .600 average. The junior right fielder hit .488 for the season (42 for 86) with 41 RBIs and 11 doubles. He was chosen to the All-Bay League first team and helped Torrance average eight runs a game.

Kirt Kishita, Rolling Hills--Selected the Bay League Most Valuable Player, Kishita carried the Titans to a share of the league title. As a pitcher, the junior right-hander completed 11 of 14 starts on his way to a 9-5 record. He beat every team in the league. He also played second base and hit .388.

Pat O’Hara, Palos Verdes--One of the area’s leading power hitters, the 6-4, 205-pound O’Hara was a scourge to Bay League pitchers. The junior left-hander batted .364 and led the Sea Kings with six home runs, four triples and 37 RBIs in 26 games. He played first base and pitched with a 2-2 league record.