THE TIMES 1999 ALL-COUNTY BASEBALL TEAM

PITCHER

Eric Bowden

Trabuco Hills Sr.

An opposing coach summed up Bowden’s season in one word--”Wow!” That’s understandable. Bowden began the season as the Mustangs’ No. 2 pitcher and went on to be one of the best in the county. His strikeout total was second in the county. Has signed with St. Mary’s. “He was an absolute phenomenon,” Coach Tim Ellis said.

1999 pitching record

*--*

IP W-L SO BB ERA 79 10-1 119 28 1.13

*--*

PITCHER

Mike Martinez

Katella Sr.

His batting credentials--.444, 28 hits, 19 RBIs--were excellent. But it was on the mound that Martinez excelled with great command of his pitches and even greater composure in the heat of battle. “He did everything for us--pitching, shortstop, outfield--and never complained,” Katella Coach Tim McMenamin said.

1999 pitching record

*--*

IP W-L SO BB ERA 84 12-1 92 22 2.55

*--*

PITCHER

Brian Wolfe

Servite Sr.

Wolfe, a repeat selection who again was considered the top pitcher in the county, just missed recording a second straight 100-strikeout season. But he leaves Servite as the career strikeout leader and was 33-4 in three varsity seasons. He has signed with Cal State Fullerton. “He meant everything to us,” Coach Todd Cook said.

1999 pitching record

*--*

IP W-L SO BB ERA 69 2/3 12-0 99 27 1.30

*--*

PITCHER

Brett Young

Calvary Chapel Sr.

Young was practically unbeaten (24-1) his last two years on varsity. In 1999 he led the county in wins and strikeouts, and was the pivotal force in leading the Eagles to the Division V championship. Young is one of three Eagle players headed to Mississippi. “A great competitor and the fastest guy we’ve ever had,” Coach Joe Walters said.

1999 pitching record

*--*

IP W-L SO BB ERA 82 1/3 15-0 130 33 1.11

*--*

CATCHER

Josh Hansen

Mater Dei Jr.

In a position with many standout players, Hansen--a converted outfielder--stood out. His biggest home run came in the seventh inning against Trabuco Hills to give Mater Dei a seventh consecutive South Coast League title. “We knew about his offense,” Coach Bob Ickes said. “But he handled the pressure of handling a young pitching staff.”

1999 batting record

*--*

AB H HR RBI BA 89 39 12 40 .438

*--*

FIRST BASEMAN

Josue Lopez

El Toro Sr.

Lopez bulled his way onto the first team with a quick bat, an open stance, and added muscle from playing football. Lopez finished the season tied with Edison’s Tony Cappuccilli for the county home run lead. He finished his career as the Chargers’ single-season and career (18) home run leader. He is considering Southeast Missouri.

1998 batting record *--*

AB H HR RBI BA 91 39 14 38 .429

*--*

INFIELDER

Jason Corapci

Canyon Sr.

A four-year varsity starter and a two-time Century League MVP, Corapci led all county batters in 1999 with the sixth-highest average in the past 13 seasons. He was also one of four players to have at least 50 hits. He has signed with Cal State Fullerton. “The team’s heart and soul the past two years,” Coach Mike Najera said.

1999 batting record

*--*

AB H HR RBI BA 87 51 9 38 .586

*--*

INFIELDER

Ty Harper

Corona del Mar Sr.

A three-year varsity starter and a career .500 hitter, Harper was the catalyst for Corona del Mar’s first Sea View League title in 18 years and its Division IV championship. He won four games, two of them with home runs, in his final at-bat. “No doubt the best pure high school hitter I’ve ever seen,” Sea King Coach John Emme said.

1999 batting record

*--*

AB H HR RBI BA 101 51 12 37 .505

*--*

INFIELDER

Pat Manning

Mater Dei Sr.

Manning is The Times Orange County player of the year and a two-time all-county selection. His final season was his best, improving in every offensive category from last year. Has signed with Atlanta. “He has been an amazing player for four years, and this year came way up in the leadership role,” Mater Dei Coach Bob Ickes said.

1999 batting record

*--*

AB H HR RBI BA 77 38 12 37 .494

*--*

OUTFIELDER

Ben Francisco

Servite Sr.

Last year’s leadoff hitter was a star as the Friars’ No. 4 batter. Francisco delivered power and speed for Servite. He also showed tremendous range in center field, making every play from the routine to the spectacular. “He carried us,” Coach Todd Cook said. “Ben was our most consistent hitter and our offensive MVP.”

1999 batting record

*--*

AB H HR RBI BA 68 38 6 24 .559

*--*

OUTFIELDER

Dan Franklin

El Dorado Sr.

Coach Steve Gullotti wasn’t sure Franklin--a liability on defense and subpar offensively last year--was going to start in 1999. But Franklin dedicated himself to the game and the results speak for themselves. Franklin was second in the county in RBIs, and was a vital cog in the Golden Hawks’ Division III championship run.

1999 batting record

*--*

AB H HR RBI BA 92 31 10 46 .337

*--*

OUTFIELDER

Ryan Johnson

Laguna Hills Sr.

Johnson has had a brilliant athletic career at Laguna Hills, earning 11 varsity letters and eight all-league selections in three sports. A four-year starter in baseball, Johnson finished as the school’s career home run leader. He has signed with Wake Forest. “Our team leader since he was a sophomore,” former Hawk Coach Pete Tereschuk said.

1999 batting record

*--*

AB H HR RBI BA 86 36 12 34 .419

*--*

DESIGNATED HITTER

Tony Cappuccilli

Edison Sr.

Cappuccilli went past “potential” and became a star. He was the first player to pass Gerald Laird as the county career home run leader. (He and Mater Dei’s Pat Manning are tied with 32.) He has signed with Nevada. In addition, Cappuccilli was voted Edison’s athlete of the year and has been inducted into the school’s hall of fame.

1999 batting record

*--*

AB H HR RBI BA 73 30 14 30 .411

*--*

UTILITY

Jeff Tuttle

Villa Park Jr.

One of two juniors on this year’s team, Tuttle’s potent bat was a driving force in Villa Park’s rise to the Century League championship. Along with his outfield play, Tuttle provided bullpen relief. He and junior Brandon Averill gave the Spartans a solid 1-2 punch in the lineup. “He is a tremendous athlete,” Coach Tom Tereschuk said.

1999 batting record

*--*

AB H HR RBI BA 70 36 11 35 .514

*--*