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

*