RUHS Athletes Named to All-CIF Teams

junior first baseman Dylan Hatch was named a second-team pick on the All-CIF Division II Baseball team on Monday.

"I was really surprised, but really happy I made it," Hatch said. "I haven't been playing baseball that long. I started when I was 11 and I'm only 16 now. It's a real honor."

Hatch deserves it. In addition to being an All-CIF selection, Hatch was a recent pick on the All-Bay League team. One of the league's top hitters, Hatch finished with a .451 batting average and was a key player in the Sea Hawks advancement to the CIF playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

His six home runs were second in the league. Overall, Hatch had 37 hits, 16 of those going for extra bases. He also finished with a .562 on-base percentage. In 82 at-bats, he struck out only 10 times.

Practice definitely made perfect this season, he said.

"I think getting more experience and knowing how the pitchers were throwing helped me out this season," Hatch said. "I played a lot of travel ball, too, so that helped. I just took the off-season more serious. I practiced a lot and there was a lot more dedication than before. I practice about four hours per day. Plus, all of the coaches helped me out a lot. That made a big difference."

Hatch believes he can only get better.

"You can never be too good or never too good not to put in some extra work," he said. "I'll probably be working on my swing this summer and being in better shape. I'll be in the gym more and I'll be playing baseball 24-7. I just want to keep improving and be the best I can be."

Moore Nabs Spot on Second Team of All-CIF

Peninsula senior pitcher Sam Moore was also chosen for the second team of the All-CIF Division II Baseball team.

Moore was one of the top pitchers in the South Bay. Picked as the Most Outstanding Pitcher recently in the Bay League, Moore is the first Panther to earn All-CIF honors under Peninsula coach Dennis Gonsalves, who has guided the program for the past seven seasons.

"He had a tremendous season and had a special season his senior year," Gonsalves said. "He was dominating on the mound. And in addition to that he had a big year hitting. He was so dominating on the mound because he was able to get ahead of hitters early in the count and spot his pitches. He's a three-pitch guy—fastball, curveball and split-finger. Once he got ahead of hitters, he was a difficult guy to hit."

Sometimes, Moore was almost unhittable. He compiled a 0.89 ERA and recorded eight complete games. He finished with a 9-2 mark. In 71 innings, Moore had 78 strikeouts and gave up only 38 hits. Only two players homered off him this season.

"Our pitching coach Jim Bullard should get some credit for some of his success," Gonsalves said. "He really helped our staff. We've also got a great hitting coach in Sterling Roux. Sam not only had a super season on the mound, he also hit well."

As the team's designed hitter, Moore hit .350 with two home runs and 16 RBIs in only 60 at-bats.

But it's his pitching that will carry him to the next level. Moore will play next season at UC Irvine, which has risen to become one of the top baseball programs on the West Coast.

"That was actually my No. 1 choice for school," Moore said. "So when they called it was huge. I'm looking forward to it."

"He's going to really help them," Gonsalves said of the Anteaters, who were an out away from advancing to this year's College World Series before falling to top-seeded Virginia recently.

Moore, who was pretty excited about the All-CIF selection, said one of his biggest adjustments this season was staying calm on the mound.

"Some of the games I lost last year, I didn't keep my composure as well as I did this year," he said. "I felt more in control this year. Just having that attitude of being a winner helped, too."

Costa's Isaac Lands on All-CIF Second Team

Though Mira Costa fell a bit short in its bid for the postseason, it didn't prevent senior pitcher Sean Isaac from earning a spot on the All-CIF Division II Baseball team.

A second-team pick, Isaac was one of the top players in the Bay League this season.

"He stepped up and carried us all year long, on the mound and with the bat," Mira Costa coach Cassidy Olson said. "The CIF team is usually reserved for kids whose teams make it to the playoffs, but since we didn't, that tells you how big of a year Sean had. He's got tons of talent. He did everything for us and all that we asked."

Isaac compiled a 7-2 mark overall and an outstanding 1.30 ERA. He gave up only 54 hits in 59.1 innings pitched. He recorded 48 strikeouts and allowed only 20 walks.

He also made his mark as a hitter, batting .449 and finishing with an on-base percentage of .587.

"I think his work ethic and his demeanor is why he's been so successful," Olson said. "And he never gets fazed by situations. He's a baseball junkie, too. He's either hitting in the cages or working out or doing something to get better. There isn't any secret to his success other than hard work."

"I put in the hard work and it paid off," Isaac said. "It's a bummer that the team didn't make it to the playoffs, but I'm pretty happy with what I accomplished. Having a routine everyday made me feel comfortable and helped me play better. "

Isaac, who was recently named team MVP, said he hasn't decided where he will attend school this fall, but he is learning toward Orange Coast and Cypress colleges.

Redondo Honors Softball Players at Banquet

Redondo coach Jennifer Dessert and her staff recently honored their players at a recent banquet. Freshman Katrina Cohen received the Rookie of the Year honor.

Senior pitcher Brett Aspel received the Coaches' Award, while junior outfielder Juliana Jordan was given the Spirit Award. Senior Jennifer Stevens was honored with the Most Improved Award.

Redondo's Olson, Costa's White All-CIF

Redondo senior outside hitter Ryan Olson and Mira Costa senior outside hitter D.J. White were first-team selections on the All-CIF Division I Volleyball team.

Olson, who was recently named the Most Outstanding Player in the Bay League, helped the Sea Hawks finish runner-up in league to Mira Costa and advance to the CIF playoffs.

White, who was MVP of the league, played a key role in Mira Costa's league title run and another trip to the CIF playoffs.

The two players were the only South Bay players selected to the Division I team.

Peninsula's Blackman Named to All-CIF First Team

Peninsula senior third baseman Allison Blackman was named to the first team of the All-CIF Southern Section Division III Softball team on Monday.

"She had a great year," Peninsula coach Tim Hall said. "She was first team all-league last year and of course MVP this year. She's humble and understands how much hard work pays off. She came into this season with that attitude and with all of that talent, she played extremely well. She put it all together.

"She performed consistently all year. That wasn't surprising to me, but the favorite part to me about Allison is how she blossomed into a leader. She flourished in that role. She had such a positive impact on her teammates and herself. She experienced such great growth this year."

Blackman was a major reason Peninsula finished as co-champs of the Bay League with Mira Costa. She also claimed co-MVP honors in league with Mira Costa's Katie Saunders.

Blackman said her focus and Hall's guidance helped her emerge as one of the South Bay's top players this season.

"My coach helped me to enjoy the game more," she said. "I wouldn't have had such a good season without him. I just tried to do what I do best. I think my attitude was better when I approached the plate this season. I learned how to let my past at-bats go and focus on hitting the ball instead of whatever took place the last at-bat."

Blackman, who hit .425 this season, hit a school-record six homers and drove in 34 RBIs. She had an on-base percentage of .516.

Blackman said she remains undecided where she will play next season, but added that she's received considerable interest from a community college in El Paso. Hall, however, said he's hoping some Division I school comes forward soon and awards Blackman with a scholarship.

"She can definitely play on the Division I level," Hall said. "I hope she gets the opportunity."

Mira Costa's Saunders Earns First-Team Honors

Mira Costa junior catcher Katie Saunders also was named to the Division III All-CIF Softball team.

Saunders, who recently was picked as co-MVP of the Bay League with Blackman, played a significant role in the Mustangs run to the league title and the CIF playoffs. Mira Costa finished the season at 22-7-1 overall, a club longtime Mustangs coach Dick Amberik called his best.

"Katie was second team All-CIF last year and she deserves to be on the first team this year," Amberik said. "She's our team leader, team captain and one of my best hitters. She had a great year. Every year, she's maintained her play and this year she gained more power and hit more homers. For a catcher, she's a very good base runner, too. And the great thing she'll be back next year.

"She's been all league all three years. And she's got a few colleges looking at her."

Saunders hit .480 with five home runs and 36 RBIs. She also had three triples and nine doubles. And she was perfect on the base paths, recording 12 steals in 12 attempts.