COMMUNITY COLLEGE : Fontana Is State Co-MVP

Mike Fontana, a sophomore right-hander from Rancho Santiago College, was named the co-most valuable player of Southern California on Monday.

Fontana (12-1) was selected along with outfielder Joey Arnold of Los Angeles Pierce. Infielder Chris Saunders of Fresno City was selected the MVP of Northern California. The MVPs from each region are considered the most valuable players of the state as well.

Daniel Hernandez, a middle infielder from Orange Coast who hit .442, also made the all-state first team.

Rancho Santiago pitcher J.J. Thobe (9-4) and Saddleback shortstop Chris Sauritch (.380, 40 runs batted in) were second-team all-state picks.

Sophomore pitcher Todd Blyleven (7-4), utility player David Newhan (.382, 39 RBIs) and outfielder Charles Gipson (.339, 44 runs), all from Cypress, made the all-Southern California team.

Fred Hoover and Mike Sgobba were inducted into the California Community College Baseball Coaches Assn. Hall of Fame.

Hoover coached at Golden West from the start of the program in 1967 until 1988, when he retired with a record of 459-258. Hoover worked as an assistant at Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine before returning to Golden West last season as a walk-on pitching coach.

Sgobba coached at Fullerton for 24 years and retired in 1984 with a mark of 487-325-7, the most victories of any community college baseball coach in county history. He is currently working as a scout for the Chicago White Sox.