THE TIMES 1995 ALL-COUNTY BASEBALL TEAM

Craig Jones, Pitcher

La Quinta, Sr.

For two years Jones pitched junior varsity, developed a changeup to go along with a zippy fastball, and waited for a chance to play on the varsity. He made the most of that opportunity as the staff ace of the defending Division III champions, turning in an unbeaten regular season. Considered one of the toughest competitors in La Quinta history.

1995 pitching record

IP W-L SO BB ERA 71 10-0 52 18 1.38

Chris Ponchak, First Baseman

Fountain Valley, Sr.

A multitalented player. Has power, speed and is an outstanding pitcher. Stole five bases in one game this season. Was 5-1 with one save as a pitcher. Homered in the Barons’ 2-0 victory over Trabuco Hills in Division I playoff opener. A three-year varsity starter. Last season, was 8-2 with five saves, including one in the Division I title game. 1995 batting record

AB H HR RBI BA 67 24 2 22 .358

Charlie Marino, Outfielder

Kennedy, Sr.

A four-year starter who hit better than .400 the past two seasons. Hit seven home runs and had 23 RBIs as a junior. Set a school record with 14 career home runs. Had 105 career hits, second on the all-time Kennedy list. Also a standout running back in football. Gained 565 yards, caught 25 passes and scored 14 touchdowns last season.

1995 batting record

AB H HR RBI BA 82 37 7 31 .451

Justin Lynch, Pitcher

Marina, Jr.

Ace of the Marina staff. Led the team in victories, strikeouts, earned-run average and innings pitched. Only regular-season loss was by one run against top-ranked Fountain Valley. Was 6-1 with a 1.63 ERA as a sophomore. Also a dangerous hitter. Had a grand slam against Huntington Beach. Was MVP of the Dole Big West tournament. 1995 pitching record

IP W-L SO BB ERA 68 1/3 9-2 57 28 1.54

Josh Hochgesang, Infielder

Sunny Hills, Sr.

At 6-3 he was supposed to be too big to play shortstop, but that’s what they said about Cal Ripken Jr. Hochgesang won’t compare himself with the Oriole All-Star, but there are similarities--smooth fielding, underrated speed, a strong arm and a powerful swing. Signed with Stanford and was a 15th-round pick by the New York Yankees.

1995 batting record

AB H HR RBI BA 75 38 10 24 .507

Eric Valent, Outfielder

Canyon, Sr.

It’s hard to tell what is more treasured--the lightning bat that sprays hits all over the park or the rifle right-field arm that few baserunners challenged. Valent has hit .400 or better for three consecutive seasons. A two-time all-county selection. Was county’s only baseball participant in last summer’s Olympic Festival. Has signed with UCLA.

1995 batting record

AB H HR RBI BA 85 43 9 32 .506

Jason Stockstill, Pitcher

Katella, Sr.

“I’ve never seen a player go from his junior year to his senior and improve as much as he did in all phases of the game,” Katella Coach Tim McMenamin said of Stockstill. “He was the guy who did everything for us.” Like hitting .385 in the regular season and pitching the Knights to the Empire League tile. Drafted in ninth round by the Angels.

1995 pitching record

IP W-L SO BB ERA 67 2/3 9-2 64 35 2.17

Dan Keller, Infielder

Fountain Valley, Sr.

Took the Barons to another level after returning from foot injury. A solid shortstop and the team’s best pitcher. Went 8-0 with a 1.35 earned-run average. Pitched two one-hitters and a two-hitter in first three starts. Value in the field and at the plate was equally important. Batting average was more than 100 points higher than last year’s. 1995 batting record

AB H HR RBI BA 51 21 0 12 .412

Mike Hessman, Designated Hitter

Mater Dei, Jr.

A shoulder injury would not allow Hessman to build on the promise he showed as a pitcher last season. So he took out his frustrations with the bat, helping Mater Dei win the South Coast League championship. Came within four RBIs of equaling the school record. Hit safely in 22 of 24 games and struck out just five times.

1995 batting record

AB H HR RBI BA 79 32 11 36 .405

Matt Ward, Pitcher

Irvine, Sr.

Ward put the light-hitting Vaqueros on his back and carried them to a second-place Sea View League finish and the Division III quarterfinals. In addition to the second-most wins in the county, Ward--who added two more in the playoffs--also had four saves, giving him a hand in 17 of Irvine’s 20 victories. His six walks were the county’s fewest.

1995 pitching record

IP W-L SO BB ERA 85 11-3 65 5 1.81

Craig Kuzmic, Infielder

La Quinta, Sr.

The hub of the powerful La Quinta lineup that featured five averages above .300, Kuzmic established school records in home runs and RBIs, and--including the playoffs--set a county single-season RBI record (41). His senior season was a great recovery from last year, when, after transferring from Los Amigos, he severely injured his hip.

1995 batting record

AB H HR RBI BA 86 33 11 33 .384

Craig Wilson, Utility

Marina, Sr.

One of the most versatile players in the county. Usually played catcher, but also was used in the outfield and as the team’s closer. Was 1-0 with one save. Tremendous speed and a great arm. A three-year starter. Has signed with UCLA, but was also a second-round draft pick by the Toronto Blue Jays. A second-team all-county selection in 1994.

1995 batting record

AB H HR RBI BA 64 32 6 26 .500

Bobby Brito, Catcher

Cypress, Jr.

One of the most dangerous hitters in Orange County. Came within one home run of the county record despite being walked 36 times. A three-year varsity starter. Has 17 career home runs. Moved to catcher this season and became one of the county’s best at throwing out runners. Played for Cypress in Little League World Series. 1995 batting record

AB H HR RBI BA 69 35 12 35 .507

Greg Hanoian, Outfielder

Fountain Valley, Sr.

A transfer from Edison who became a key part of the Barons’ lineup, batting third. Good contact hitter with some power. Led the team in hitting and runs batted in. Led Edison with a .397 average as a junior. A solid fielder with a strong arm. A three-year varsity starter. Played for Fountain Valley team that won Colt World Series. 1995 batting record

AB H HR RBI BA 85 38 1 31 .447

THE SECOND TEAM

PITCHERS IP W-L SO BB ERA Rik Currier Capistrano Valley So. 59 7-2 84 26 0.36 Ryan Jamieson El Dorado Sr. 72 2/3 10-2 31 28 2.02 Mike Kolbach Mater Dei So. 71 1/3 8-2 47 13 1.09 Jeff Leuenberger Canyon So. 63 1/3 10-1 50 22 0.88

POSITION PLAYERS AB H HR RBI BA C Brad Cresse Los Alamitos Jr. 67 29 9 28 .433 1B Brian Flanagan Cypress Sr. 85 36 5 32 .424 IF Gabe Maldonado Garden Grove Jr. 76 33 3 37 .434 IF David Matranga Orange Sr. 85 42 3 24 .494 IF Mark Patino Sonora Sr. 81 33 4 35 .407 OF Chris Beck El Dorado Sr. 86 36 6 19 .419 OF Greg Ferrell Aliso Niguel Sr. 77 42 0 22 .545 OF Drake Gustafson Katella Jr. 90 37 0 26 .410 DH Mike Penney Santa Margarita Sr. 76 29 9 26 .382 UT Josh Reding Magnolia Sr. 62 27 0 9 .431