Prep quintet earns honor

Since the first pitch of the season, Flintridge Prep baseball Coach Buzz Cook relied on a quintet of players to help transform the Rebels into one of the top teams in the Prep League.

Given various responsibilities, each of them met Cook’s expectations. Flintridge Prep finished second in league behind Pasadena Poly and advanced to the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division VI playoffs.

Because of the performances turned in by the group, each earned a spot on the all-league team as voted on by the league’s five coaches.

Connor McCann and Royce Park earned spots on the first team, while Kyle McDonald, Will Peterman and Karlsen Termini were named to the second team.

“I’m happy with our representation,” said Cook, whose team finished 12-12 and 8-4 in league. “We had an inconsistent year, but it was good to get second place.

“The guys who made all-league carried us for the better part of the year.”

McCann, a senior center fielder, excelled with the bat and glove.

McCann didn’t make an error and batted .373 (28 for 75) with seven triples and a pair of doubles en route to being named to the first team for the second season in a row.

“Connor just had another solid year,” Cook said. “He always played solid defense, and he would start a rally or drive in a key run late in a game.”

McCann took it upon himself to prove he was a worthy candidate to make the first team again. He scored 22 runs and drove in 16.

“I’m happy with the year that I had, and I felt like I did contribute,” McCann said. “I’m glad that I could play a certain role for the team, and I felt pretty strong defensively. I’m honored and excited, and I’m glad that we had a lot of players make the [all-league] team.”

Park, a sophomore pitcher/infielder, batted .462 (30 for 65) with two home runs and a team-best 29 runs batted in. He registered a team-high eight doubles and scored 28 runs.

On the mound, Park, the team’s ace, went 5-5 and struck out 65 in 49 2/3 innings.

“He was our team MVP, and I don’t know where we would have wound up if it weren’t for him,” Cook said. “We put a lot of pressure on him, and he pitched against some of the top teams that we faced.

“He had a good eye at the plate, and we’re glad we have him for two more years.”

McDonald, a junior infielder, provided the Rebels with solid at-bats and speed.

He batted .313 (21 for 67) and drove in 16 runs. McDonald scored 27 runs and stole 15 bases.

“He certainly stepped up for us and was our leader,” Cook said. “He will be our team captain next year.”

Peterman, a senior utility player, proved he could handle any responsibility handed to him by Cook.

Peterman, a four-year varsity athlete, hit .327 (17 for 52) with three doubles, two triples and 10 runs batted in. He also scored 13 runs.

“His value was his willingness and capability to play pretty much anywhere on the field,” Cook said. “He played almost every position for me in his four years, and he came on strong toward the end of the season.”

Termini, a freshman pitcher/designated hitter, showed moments of promise throughout the season. While he struggled on the mound, Termini flourished with the bat.

Termini batted .555 (20 for 36) with six doubles and 19 runs batted in. His lone home run came in the final game of the regular season, when he hit a walk-off, pinch-hit grand slam to spark the Rebels to an 11-7 league home victory against Chadwick on May 13 at the Glendale Sports Complex.

“With freshmen, it’s about trying to pace them because it’s a jump up in regard to the level of competition,” Cook said. “He was always ready to come off the bench and pinch hit.

“His power numbers will get better as he gets more experience.”