Division III Team Led by West Torrance’s Nicholson

West Torrance High infielder Derek Nicholson, The Times’ South Bay Player of the Year, and two players from Pioneer League champion El Segundo have been named to the Southern Section Division III baseball team by the Amateur Athletic Foundation-First Interstate Bank board of athletics.

Nicholson was selected to the first team, El Segundo second baseman Jim Zambarelli was named to the second team, and Eagle pitcher David Reed was a third-team choice.

Nicholson, a junior who played second base and shortstop, batted .520 and led the area with 51 hits, 15 doubles and 37 runs batted in. He also ranked among area leaders with four triples and five home runs. He struck out only four times in 98 at-bats.

Named most outstanding player in the Pioneer League, Nicholson helped West (18-10-1) finish second to El Segundo in league play and reach the Division III quarterfinals. He was five for 10 with six RBIs in three playoff games.

Zambarelli, a senior who was named Pioneer League most valuable player, led El Segundo (20-7) with a .473 batting average, 37 hits, 38 runs scored and six home runs and ranked among team leaders with 26 RBIs.

Reed, a junior left-hander, had a 10-2 record and topped the area with a 1.20 earned-run average. He ranked second in the area with 92 strikeouts in 70 innings. Reed was 9-0 in the Pioneer League and had a 10-game winning streak snapped in the first round of the playoffs against El Rancho.

Utility player Jesus Peinado of Bishop Amat was named division player of the year. Peinado was 11-0 with a 2.13 ERA as a pitcher and he batted .474. He helped top-ranked Bishop Amat (27-1) reach the quarterfinals before it lost to eventual champion Tustin, 5-4.