ALL-VENTURA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM

TEAM CAPSULES

Mike Lieberthal (Westlake, 6-0, 165, senior): Lieberthal moved from shortstop to catcher in the off-season and quickly became the most sought after backstop in the nation. The four-year starter was drafted third overall in last week’s amateur draft by the Philadelphia Phillies and signed for a bonus estimated at $250,000. Blessed with a tremendous arm, Lieberthal kept runners close by constantly throwing to bases. He also has soft hands, enabling Westlake pitchers to throw low curveballs without worrying about wild pitches. Lieberthal batted third for the Warriors and belted 13 home runs, including four in one game. He batted .438 with 43 runs batted in, 32 runs and 10 doubles.

Mike Eby (Westlake, 6-2, 190, senior): Eby combined exceptional poise and the ability to change speeds to become an unbeatable pitcher. The left-hander perfected a changeup that upset the timing of even the best hitters. Eby, who has signed a letter of intent to attend UCLA, was 11-0 with a 1.56 earned-run average in 14 appearances. He struck out 68 and walked only 28 in 85 1/3 innings. Eby is extremely competitive and Westlake Coach Rich Herrera commented, “Mike has an ideal mental makeup for a pitcher.” Eby did not bat when he pitched, preferring to concentrate on beating opponents with his arm. When not pitching, however, he played first base and batted .316.

Rich Herrera (Westlake): Herrera took the Westlake job in 1989 with two strikes against him: He was young (24) and he was a walk-on. The Warriors struggled in his first season, finishing 11-13. Herrera established his program, however, which paid off this year. Westlake won its first 15 games before falling in a tournament game in Las Vegas. The Warriors then reeled off 13 more victories, including a 12-0 Marmonte League mark, and finished 28-2. The league title was Westlake’s first. Herrera, who played on a Rio Mesa High Southern Section champion and was an assistant coach for two Spartan teams, guided Westlake to three 5-A Division playoff victories before the team fell to Marina in the semifinals.

FIRST TEAM

Sam Arroyo (Buena, 6-1, 190, senior): Arroyo is a pitcher who never beats himself, so it comes as no surprise that he never lost, compiling a 10-0 record and a 1.35 ERA. He walked only 19 in 78 innings and struck out 75. Arroyo, a right-hander with a deliberate delivery, had seven complete games, three saves and batted .403.

David Soliz (Rio Mesa, 5-11, 180, senior): Soliz pitched in all 14 Channel League games, posting three saves and a 7-0 record. He was 9-2 overall and struck out 81 in 85 1/3 innings. Soliz, who has signed a letter of intent to play at Cal State Los Angeles, also had 36 hits and batted .456. He played first base and left field.

Dmitri Young (Rio Mesa, 6-2, 210, junior): Young, a three-time all-county choice, showed an improvement in nine offensive categories over last season. “Everything improved,” Rio Mesa Coach Rich Duran said. “That’s the great thing about him.” Young led county players with a .589 batting average, 50 hits and 46 runs. He also switched from third base to shortstop and made only two errors.

Mike Mitchell (Rio Mesa, 6-3, 185, junior): Mitchell, in his first varsity season, batted .457 and set a Rio Mesa single-season RBI record of 44. The left-handed-hitting first baseman also led the Spartans with seven home runs. Mitchell also will pitch next season.

Joe Gordon (Simi Valley, 6-0, 160, senior): Gordon was the state home run leader with 15 and came within one homer of the Southern Section record. His total tied the school record held by Scott Sharts. “Joe is dedicated to his swing,” Simi Valley Coach Mike Scyphers said. Gordon, who played both second and third base, batted .377 and had 32 RBIs.

Tim Falsken (Westlake, 5-9, 155, senior): Falsken was Westlake’s spark plug, providing excellent defense at shortstop and triggering rallies at the plate. He batted .365 and led Marmonte League players with 37 runs. Falsken also had 18 RBIs and 14 stolen bases, but he was more valuable because of his glove. “Tim made the clutch plays,” Coach Rich Herrera said.

Jon McMullen (Rio Mesa, 6-3, 225, sophomore): McMullen, the son of former major leaguer Ken McMullen, exceeded all expectations, batting .535 with 26 RBIs. “He is a dead pull hitter with a lot of power,” Coach Rich Duran said. “And his instincts for the game are second to none.” McMullen played third this season but may do the catching next year.

Richard Naranjo (Royal, 5-5, 160, junior): Naranjo typified a scrappy Royal team that finished second in the Marmonte League and qualified for the Southern Section 5-A Division playoffs. The diminutive third baseman batted .402, pounding out 35 hits and scoring 20 runs. Naranjo also led Highlander players with seven doubles and 21 RBIs.

Rob Neal (Westlake, 6-1, 175, junior): Neal, a graceful center fielder with great range, made several diving catches for Westlake. He combined with Lieberthal, Falsken and second baseman Rick Wolters to give Westlake solid defense up the middle. Neal, who batted leadoff, also had 33 hits, 31 runs, 19 RBIs and nine stolen bases.

Brent Christenson (Thousand Oaks, 6-0, 185, senior): Christenson, who had 10 RBIs in three playoff games, emerged as the most dependable Thousand Oaks hitter. He batted .444 and led the team with six home runs and 27 RBIs. Christenson also possesses a strong arm and good range in center field.

Ryan Denger (Buena, 6-1, 190, senior): Denger was the player Buena looked to for run production, and the left fielder came through all year. “We pitched around him whenever we could,” Ventura Coach Dan Smith said. Denger batted .451 with 37 hits and 25 runs scored. He also had eight doubles, four home runs and 23 RBIs.

Jacob Cruz (Channel Islands, 6-0, 157, junior): Cruz is a three-year starter who has improved each season. He led Channel Islands in nearly every offensive category, batting .494 with 44 hits and 36 runs scored. He also had eight doubles, two triples and nine stolen bases. Cruz is a center fielder with a tremendous arm and great range.

Billy Hall (Thousand Oaks, 5-10, 180, senior): Hall played catcher for Thousand Oaks, but it was his bat that gained him the most attention. He batted .449 and led the team with 20 runs scored and 31 hits. Hall, who batted .500 last season before an injury ended his season, bounced back and adjusted to his new position.

Kenny Hood (Simi Valley, 6-5, 187, senior): Hood, who pitched and played first base for Simi Valley, excelled in several areas. He batted .446 and led Pioneer players with 28 runs and nine doubles. He had six home runs and 22 RBIs. The left-hander was 7-2 and struck out 41 in 44 innings.

ALL-VENTURA COUNTY SECOND TEAM

Name School Position Year Scott Barkman Thousand Oaks Pitcher Sr. James Clark Westlake Pitcher Jr. Kevin Zoll St. Bonaventure Pitcher Sr. Brandon Banaga Simi Valley Catcher Sr. Jim Davis Channel Islands Catcher Sr. Steve Talafuse Royal Catcher Jr. George Alvarado Channel Islands Infielder Sr. Jason Isaacs Buena Infielder Sr. Ryan Kritscher Thousand Oaks Infielder Jr. Anthony Romero Ventura Infielder Sr. David Skeels Thousand Oaks Infielder Jr. Matt Tackett Camarillo Infielder Sr. Rich Tepezano Channel Islands Infielder Sr. Rob Campos Royal Outfielder Sr. Lance Martin Thousand Oaks Outfielder Sr. Keith Hess Westlake Designated-Hitter Sr.