The Los Angeles Times 1998 All-Valley Baseball Team
Brady Burrill / Valencia
Bats/throws: R/R
6-2, Sr., Catcher
* Dominant offensive catcher in region batted .482 with four home runs, 11 doubles and 28 runs batted in. Was defensive standout as well.
*
Andy Campanella / Crespi
Bats/throws: R/R
6-0, Sr., Outfielder
* Mission League player of the year batted .519 with five home runs and 41 RBIs for league champions. Batted .500 with runners in scoring position. Committed only one error in center field.
*
Woody Cliffords
Bats/throws: L/R
6-2, Sr., Outfielder
* One of region’s most feared hitters. Hit game-winning home run in City 4-A quarterfinal against Carson and had four hits in title game victory over Chatsworth. Batted .544 with nine home runs and 50 runs.
*
John Ennis / Monroe
Bats/throws: R/R
6-5, Sr., Pitcher
* Almost single-handedly led Vikings to Mid-Valley League title with 9-3 record, 96 strikeouts and 1.30 earned-run average. Batted .390, signed with UCLA in November and was selected in 14th round of amateur draft.
*
Jason Gorman / Palmdale
Bats/throws: R/R
6-0, Sr., Infielder
* Golden League player of the year batted .457 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs in leading Falcons to Southern Section Division I quarterfinals. Played shortstop and pitcher, posting 7-1 record with 2.47 ERA.
*
Ivan Hernandez
Bats/throws: R/R
5-11, Jr., Pitcher
* East Valley League co-player of the year was workhorse, leading region with 125 strikeouts in 86 1/3 innings. Finished 11-2 and helped Spartans to City Section 4-A semifinals for first time since 1991.
*
Traviss Hodge / Highland
Bats/throws: L/R
6-2, Sr., Utility
* Batted over .600 for most of season before finishing at .570 with seven home runs, 12 doubles and 30 RBIs. Played right field, first base and pitcher, posting 5-4 record with 69 strikeouts in 46 innings.
*
Chris Martinez / Chaminade
Bats/throws: L/R
5-9, Sr., Infielder
* Second baseman set single-season state record with 20 home runs, including four multiple home run games. Batted .396 with region-leading 55 RBIs and was All-Mission League for second season in a row.
*
Tom Morefield / Chatsworth
Bats/throws: R/R
6-2, Sr., Outfielder
* Made smooth transition from first base to outfield and was leading power hitter for region’s most prolific offense. Finished with 11 home runs, .937 slugging percentage and 46 RBIs.
*
Tommy Perez / Burroughs
Bats/throws: R/R
6-1, Sr., Infielder
* Shortstop holds school career and single-season records in nearly every offensive category. Batted .488 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs this season, with 1.024 slugging percentage. Signed with Loyola Marymount.
*
Ismael Rangsiyawong
Bats/throws: R/R
5-10, Sr., Infielder
* Second baseman had second consecutive impressive season. Batted .452 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs for East Valley League runner-up. Was league co-MVP.
*
Phil Torres / Crescenta Valley
Coach of the year
* Guided Falcons to Southern Section Division I championship and 25-3-1 record. Former minor-league pitcher stressed defense on team that allowed only nine runs in five playoff games.
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
1998 ALL-VALLEY BASEBALL, SECOND TEAM
POSITION: P
NAME, SCHOOL: Kurt Birkins, El Camino Real
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Pitched four-hitter in City 4-A title-game victory to finish 11-2
*
POSITION: P
NAME, SCHOOL: Andy Davidson, Hart
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Was 10-2 with 1.18 ERA and 87 strikeouts for Foothill champions
*
POSITION: P
NAME, SCHOOL: Josh Herman, Crescenta Valley
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Was 9-1 with 2.08 ERA as Falcons’ No. 2 pitcher
*
POSITION: P
NAME, SCHOOL: Tim Leveque, Crespi
YEAR: Jr.
COMMENT: Mission League pitcher of year was 9-1 with 2.40 ERA
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: Tim Arroyo, Kennedy
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .467 after getting at least two hits in each of his last six games
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: Matt Fisher, Chatsworth
YEAR: So.
COMMENT: Tied for City Section lead with six triples, two in playoffs
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: Mark McCauley, Crescenta Valley
YEAR: So.
COMMENT: Pacific League co-player of year batted .452
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: Jerrit Redlich, North Hollywood
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Teamed with Ismael Rangsiyawong to form solid middle infield
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: J.T. Stotts, Hart
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Foothill League player of year batted .429 with 17 stolen bases
*
POSITION: OF
NAME, SCHOOL: Mike Arellano, Palmdale
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .400 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs for Golden champions
*
POSITION: OF
NAME, SCHOOL: Bryan Gant, Chatsworth
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Chancellors’ fastest player stole 27 bases and batted .414
*
POSITION: OF
NAME, SCHOOL: Chris Wright, Hart
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .452 with 13 doubles and 34 RBIs
*
POSITION: UTL
NAME, SCHOOL: Jack Cassel, Kennedy
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Was 8-4 as pitcher and batted .452 for North Valley champions
*
1998 ALL-VENTURA COUNTY BASEBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
POSITION: Pos.
NAME, SCHOOL: Name, School
YEAR: Yr.
COMMENT: Comment
*
POSITION: P
NAME, SCHOOL: Mike Byer, Royal
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Highlander ace was 8-4 and batted .438 with 20 RBIs
*
POSITION: P
NAME, SCHOOL: Greg Ramirez, Rio Mesa
YEAR: Jr.
COMMENT: Was 8-2 with nine complete games in 12 starts
*
POSITION: P
NAME, SCHOOL: Matt Rogers, Thousand Oaks
YEAR: Jr.
COMMENT: Was 7-2, allowing only 27 hits in 51 innings
*
POSITION: C
NAME, SCHOOL: Jared Krehbiel, Channel Islands
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Repeat all-star batted .493 with 31 RBIs
*
POSITION: C
NAME, SCHOOL: Kurt Probasco, Buena
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .479 with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs
*
POSITION: C
NAME, SCHOOL: Joe Yingling, Camarillo
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .524 with eight home runs and 43 RBIs
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: Robert Avila, Hueneme
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .452 with 12 doubles and 37 RBIs
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: Paul Ayala, Rio Mesa
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .427 with eight doubles for Channel champions
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: Ryan Cope, Westlake
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .465 with 35 RBIs for Division III runners-up
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: Brian Jacobsen, Agoura
YEAR: Jr.
COMMENT: Batted .488 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs
*
POSITION: OF
NAME, SCHOOL: Joey Cuppari, Westlake
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .495 with 20 RBIs and 27 stolen bases
*
POSITION: OF
NAME, SCHOOL: Barry Tolli, Newbury Park
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Region’s top draft pick had nine homers and 34 RBIs
*
POSITION: UTL
NAME, SCHOOL: Brett Wayne, Royal
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .333, played shortstop and was 7-0 as pitcher
*
Player of the year: Yingling.
Pitcher of the year: Ramirez.
Coach of the year: Chuck Berrington (Westlake).
SECOND TEAM
POSITION: P
NAME, SCHOOL: Ernie Borjas, Rio Mesa
YEAR: Jr.
COMMENT: Was 10-2 for Channel League champions
*
POSITION: P
NAME, SCHOOL: Chris Cordeiro, Thousand Oaks
YEAR: So.
COMMENT: Emerged as one of region’s best with 5-1 record
*
POSITION: P
NAME, SCHOOL: George Casarez, Fillmore
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Tri-Valley League player of the year was 6-2
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: Jay Caligiuri, Camarillo
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .500 with 24 RBIs
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: Bobby Egan, Royal
YEAR: Jr.
COMMENT: Batted .347 with school-record 10 home runs
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: Kevin Howard, Westlake
YEAR: Jr.
COMMENT: Touted pro prospect batted .366 with 12 doubles
*
POSITION: INF
NAME, SCHOOL: Chad Pierson, Oxnard
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Played infield and outfield; batted .466
*
POSITION: OF
NAME, SCHOOL: Mike Falco, Agoura
YEAR: Jr.
COMMENT: Batted .410 with nine home runs and 30 RBIs
*
POSITION: OF
NAME, SCHOOL: Mike Frick, Buena
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .432 and was effective pitcher
*
POSITION: OF
NAME, SCHOOL: Tyrone Kimbrough, Royal
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .449 with 27 RBIs for Marmonte champions
*
POSITION: OF
NAME, SCHOOL: Todd Scherwin, Simi Valley
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .434 with 22 stolen bases
*
POSITION: UTL
NAME, SCHOOL: Chris Neri, Hueneme
YEAR: Sr.
COMMENT: Batted .418 and was 6-2 as pitcher
*
POSITION: UTL
NAME, SCHOOL: Wes Rasmussen, Moorpark
YEAR: Jr.
COMMENT: Batted .427 and was 6-1 as pitcher
*
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