Kotsay Repeats as Player of Year

Cal State Fullerton junior Mark Kotsay was named Big West baseball player of the year for the second consecutive year, and Long Beach State’s Marcus Jones was chosen the top pitcher Friday in a vote of conference coaches.

Long Beach’s Dave Snow shared coach of the year honors with UC Santa Barbara’s Bob Brontsema. Long Beach won the regular season title and the Gauchos finished in a tie for second with Nevada Las Vegas.

It also was announced Friday that Snow has received a five-year contract. It was Snow’s fifth coach-of-the-year honor in his eight years at Long Beach.

Kotsay, who was college baseball’s player of the year in 1995, led the conference in home runs (17) and runs batted in (73) during the regular season. Jones, a sophomore who pitched at Esperanza High, had the best earned-run average (2.25).

Fullerton placed three other players on the first team: outfielder Jeremy Giambi, catcher Brian Loyd and pitcher Brent Billingsley. Shortstop Jason Knupfer and relief pitcher Ryan Brannan, formerly of Huntington Beach High, were the 49ers’ other first-team choices.

Other selections were first baseman David Willis and outfielder Brett Hardy of Santa Barbara; third baseman Ryan Hankins, designated hitter Brian Anthony and pitcher Tom LaRosa of UNLV; utility player Andy Dominique of Nevada, and second baseman Mark McNelly of New Mexico State.

Fullerton pitchers Scott Hild and Mark Chavez were second-team selections, along with outfielder Will Skett and pitcher Steve Hueston of Long Beach.