The Los Angeles Times 1998 All-County Baseball Team

Robert Avila / Hueneme

Bats/throws: R/R

5-10, Sr., Infielder

* First baseman batted .452 with 12 doubles and 37 runs batted in. Hit six home runs, including game-winner in Vikings’ first-round Southern Section Division III playoff game.

*

Paul Ayala / Rio Mesa

Bats/throws: R/R

5-10, Sr., Infielder

* Helped Spartans win ninth Channel League title in 14 seasons by batting .427 with eight doubles. Selected All-Channel League.

*

Mike Byer / Royal

Bats/throws: L/L

6-0, Sr., Pitcher

* Was 8-4 as Highlanders’ No. 1 pitcher and batted .438 with 20 RBIs. Pitched complete games in seven of 12 appearances and walked only 28 batters in 67 innings. Also played first base.

*

Ryan Cope / Westlake

Bats/throws: R/R

5-9, Sr., Infielder

* Second baseman displayed power for second consecutive season with eight doubles, six home runs and 35 RBIs. Batted .465 and helped Warriors advance to Division III title game.

*

Joey Cuppari / Westlake

Bats/throws: R/R

6-1, Sr., Outfielder

* Three-sport athlete intensified approach this season and batted .495 with 20 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. Center fielder prevented many runs with acrobatic catches.

*

Brian Jacobsen / Agoura

Bats/throws: L/R

6-1, Jr., Infielder

* Helped Chargers post first winning season since 1990 by batting .488 with eight doubles, eight home runs and 34 RBIs. Had on-base strings of 13 and 12 at-bats during season.

*

Jared Krehbiel / Channel Islands

Bats/throws: R/R

5-11, Sr., Catcher

* Raider standout batted .493 with eight doubles, six home runs and 31 RBIs. Repeat All-Ventura County selection was four-time All-Marmonte League pick and had career batting average of .448.

*

Kurt Probasco / Buena

Bats/throws: R/R

6-2, Sr., Catcher

* Emerged as one of region’s top power hitters by belting 10 home runs and driving in 27 runs. Batted .479 and was All-Channel League selection.

*

Matt Rogers / Thousand Oaks

Bats/throws: R/R

6-2, Jr., Pitcher

* After solid sophomore year, became one of region’s best pitchers this season. Posted 7-2 record with 2.06 earned-run average and allowed only 27 hits in 51 innings.

*

Barry Tolli / Newbury Park

Bats/throws: R/R

6-2, Sr., Outfielder

* Transfer from Utah made impression in region by batting .386 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs. Had scholarship to Loyola Marymount before signing with Detroit Tigers.

*

Brett Wayne / Royal

Bats/throws: R/R

5-11, Sr., Utility

* Batted .333, played outstanding defense at shortstop and posted 7-0 record as pitcher. Royal won third Marmonte League title in seven seasons and made seventh playoff appearance since 1990.

*

Chuck Berrington / Westlake

Coach of the year

* Since taking over once-struggling program midway through 1996 season, Berrington has guided Warriors to 41-20 record and this season led them to Division III final.

ALL-COUNTY 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

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

1998 ALL-VALLEY BASEBALL, FIRST TEAM

POSITION: P

NAME, SCHOOL: John Ennis, Monroe

YEAR: Sr.

COMMENT: UCLA recruit was 9-3 with 1.30 ERA and 96 strikeouts

*

POSITION: P

NAME, SCHOOL: Ivan Hernandez, Sylmar

YEAR: Jr.

COMMENT: Was 11-2 and led region with 125 strikeouts

*

POSITION: P

NAME, SCHOOL: Mike Kunes, Chatsworth

YEAR: Jr.

COMMENT: Was 12-2 with 1.77 ERA; batted .425 with 37 RBIs

*

POSITION: P

NAME, SCHOOL: Jordan Olson, Crescenta Valley

YEAR: Jr.

COMMENT: Was 11-1 with 0.92 ERA for Division I champions

*

POSITION: C

NAME, SCHOOL: Brady Burrill, Valencia

YEAR: Sr.

COMMENT: Batted .482 with 11 doubles and 28 RBIs

*

POSITION: INF

NAME, SCHOOL: Jason Gorman, Palmdale

YEAR: Sr.

COMMENT: Shortstop batted .457 with 10 home runs, 31 RBIs; 7-1 as a pitcher

*

POSITION: INF

NAME, SCHOOL: Chris Martinez, Chaminade

YEAR: Sr.

COMMENT: Set state season record with 20 home runs and had 55 RBIs

*

POSITION: INF

NAME, SCHOOL: Tommy Perez, Burroughs

YEAR: Sr.

COMMENT: Shortstop batted .488 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs

*

POSITION: INF

NAME, SCHOOL: Ismael Rangsiyawong, N Hollywd

YEAR: Sr.

COMMENT: Second baseman batted .452 with 11 home runs, 30 RBIs

*

POSITION: OF

NAME, SCHOOL: Andy Campanella, Crespi

YEAR: Sr.

COMMENT: Mission League player of year batted .519 with 41 RBIs

*

POSITION: OF

NAME, SCHOOL: Woody Cliffords, El Camino Real

YEAR: Sr.

COMMENT: Batted .544 with nine home runs for City 4-A champions

*

POSITION: OF

NAME, SCHOOL: Tom Morefield, Chatsworth

YEAR: Sr.

COMMENT: One of region’s top power hitters with 11 home runs, 46 RBIs

*

POSITION: UTL

NAME, SCHOOL: Traviss Hodge, Highland

YEAR: Sr.

COMMENT: Batted .570 with seven home runs; was 5-4 as pitcher

*

Player of the year: Kunes.

Pitcher of the year: Olson.

Coach of the year: Phil Torres (Crescenta Valley).

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

*