After controlling first place in the Tri-County Athletic League
from wire to wire, and subsequently running away with its fifth
straight league title by a comfortable three-game margin, the San
Benito Haybalers were well represented when the TCAL announced its
year-end awards on Tuesday.
While San Benito manager Michael Luna garnered his fourth Coach
of the Year honor, junior right-hander Darin Gillies was named
Pitcher of the Year and senior center fielder Mark Hurley earned
Most Valuable Player recognition.
HOLLISTER
After controlling first place in the Tri-County Athletic League from wire to wire, and subsequently running away with its fifth straight league title by a comfortable three-game margin, the San Benito Haybalers were well represented when the TCAL announced its year-end awards on Tuesday.
While San Benito manager Michael Luna garnered his fourth Coach of the Year honor, junior right-hander Darin Gillies was named Pitcher of the Year and senior center fielder Mark Hurley earned Most Valuable Player recognition.
Each player earned a first team all-league selection as well, and represented two of the five first-team nods given to San Benito, which finished with a 16-2 record in the TCAL this season, 21-7 overall.
Nick Acosta, Trevor Fabing and Ricky Garcia also earned first-team selections.
Gillies, who gave a verbal commitment to Arizona State last month, earned Pitcher of the Year honors after compiling a 6-0 record in the TCAL this season with a 1.30 earned run average. The junior hurler tossed 43 innings, struck out 55 batters, and allowed 23 hits, 22 walks and eight earned runs.
“He dominated every single game he threw, with the exception of that last Gilroy game,” said Luna, referring to the 14-13 Baler victory on May 13 in which Gillies earned a no-decision.
Up until that game, though, Gillies had allowed three earned runs in 40 innings pitched.
“If there was a word I would use, it’s domination,” Luna said. “He just dominated every single time he pitched.”
Gillies tossed a pair of one-hitters against Palma on March 27 and May 7, as well as a three-hitter against Salinas on April 30 — all victories for the Balers.
“The players felt anytime he was on the mound, that we were gonna win,” Luna said.
Meanwhile, the MVP Hurley batted .451 (28 of 62) for the Balers this past season with five doubles, two homers, 18 RBI and 12 stolen bases.
In what was a close vote — coaches cannot vote for their own players — Luna said opposing coaches felt Hurley was the best all-around player on San Benito, from offense to defense to running the bases.
“Talking to other coaches, they thought he was our best hitter and coaches feared him the most, especially with runners in scoring position,” Luna said. “They were gonna pitch around him any chance they had, so he didn’t have a chance to beat you.
“He was also outstanding out there in center field.”
Staying in the outfield, Nick Acosta earned a first-team nod after he batted .489 (24 of 49) for the Balers this season with six doubles, one homer, 15 RBI and eight stolen bases.
San Benito’s two middle infielders were also named first team all-league this season. Senior shortstop Ricky Garcia earned the nod after he went .480 (25 of 52) at the plate for the Balers with five doubles, one homer, 15 RBI and 10 stolen bases, while senior second baseman Trevor Fabing picked up a first-team selection after batting .421 (24 of 57) with four doubles, one homer, nine RBI and 23 stolen bases.
Other first-team selections included Alisal’s Dominic Chacon and North Salinas’ A.J. Organista, while Gilroy’s Taylor Chris, Eric Vegas, Bubu Garcia and Jordan Holler were also named. Palma’s Garrett Schwartz, D.J. Slaton of Hollister and Julian Larimer, as well as Salinas’ Robert Wayman, Ryan Bangs, Blake Aldrete and Otto Kramm, were also chosen as first-team representatives.
Salinas’ Wayman, meanwhile, was named Most Outstanding Player in the TCAL.
Second team selections for San Benito included Isaak Ramos, Justin Schlie, Bryan Granger, Spencer Brann and Ryan Sabbatini, while Dustin Rovella received honorable mention. Senior Kyle Prewett, who connected on the game-winning hit to beat Gilroy 14-13 in the regular-season finale on May 13, was named to the sportsmanship team.
The Balers advanced to the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs as the No. 2 seed this past season, but had their 2010 campaign come to an end when they lost to No. 7 Valley Christian 4-2 in the quarterfinal round.
Tri-County Athletic League
Pitcher of the Year: Darin Gillies, San Benito, 11
Most Valuable Player: Mark Hurley, San Benito, 12
Most Outstanding Player: Robert Wayman, Salinas, 12
Coach of the Year: Michael Luna, San Benito
First Team:
San Benito — Nick Acosta, 12; Ricky Garcia, 12; Trevor Fabing, 12; Darin Gillies, 11; Mark Hurley, 12.
Alisal — Dominic Chacon, 12.
North Salinas — A.J. Organista, 12
Gilroy — Taylor Chris, 12; Eric Vegas, 11; Bubu Garcia, 10; Jordan Holler, 12.
Palma — Garrett Schwartz, 12; D.J. Slaton, 12; Julian Larimer, 11.
Salinas — Robert Wayman, 12; Ryan Bangs, 11; Blake Aldrete, 12; Otto Kramm, 11.
Second Team:
San Benito — Isaak Ramos, 12; Justin Schlie, 12; Bryan Granger, 11; Spencer Brann, 12; Ryan Sabbatini, 12.
Alisal — Alex Guzman, 12; Michael Valdez, 11.
North Salinas — Ryan Uto, 11; Chris Countryman, 12; Will McCabe, 11.
Palma — Mike Valentin, 11; Chuck Byers, 9; Dillon Given, 12; Brooks Leandro-Farr, 12.
Gilroy — Brent Newton, 10; Jordan Dexter, 10; Reed Kienle, 10.
Alvarez — Austen Reyes, 11; K.J. Brown, 11.
Salinas — Aaron Vasquez, 11; Jacob Bassetti, 11; Julian Wilcox, 9; Michael Romiza, 12; Jesse White, 11.
Honorable Mention:
San Benito — Dustin Rovella, 11.
Alisal — Michael Barron, 10.
Alvarez — Kameron Brown, 10; Jorge Razo, 12; Dallan Rosas, 12.
North Salinas — Andre Juarez, 12.
Palma — Dylan Nobida, 12.
Gilroy — Tyler Price, 12; Angel Gamboa, 12.
Salinas — Anthony Teresa, 10; Jacob Garcia, 12.
Sportsmanship:
Alvarez — Jorge Razo, 12.
Alisal — Nick Martin, 11.
North Salinas — Esteven Gomez, 12.
San Benito — Kyle Prewett, 12.
Palma — Joe Carnazzo, 12.
Gilroy — Max Fisher, 12.
Salinas — Lou Villaneda, 12.
