‘Balers load up on TCAL awards with Canez
&
amp; Klauer as Co-MVPs and Luna as Coach of Year; team lands 6
on 1st team
Hollister– Nearly two weeks after they hung up their spikes, the ‘Balers continue to dominate their Tri-County Athletic League brethren. After running away with the league championship, the San Benito baseball team put a cap on its outstanding season by sweeping the top TCAL awards and landing six players on the All-League First Team.
‘Baler seniors Breyon Canez and Karson Klauer were named TCAL Co-Most Valuable Players in a unanimous vote by the league’s head coaches. Michael Luna, the mastermind of San Benito’s 16-2 league record and 24-5 overall showing, was honored as TCAL Coach of the Year.
Joining Canez and Klauer as First Team selections were four other seniors: Ryan McFall, Travis Ross, Josh Torrise and Sky Valenzuela.
Canez said the ‘Balers’ accolades were made possible because of the team’s extraordinary chemistry and devotion.
“We don’t have just one guy that stands out,” said Canez, who was a 2005 First Team selection as well. “When you play as a team, everyone gets noticed – not just one person.”
Four other ‘Balers were voted onto the All-League Second Team: senior Jacob Boyd, junior Kevin Medeiros, and sophomores Zach Canez and Brian Haggett. ‘Balers third baseman Justin Andrade was named TCAL Honorable Mention and won San Benito’s Sportsmanship Award.
Gilroy landed the second-most players on the TCAL First Team, with four honorees. Live Oak and Palma each received three selections, and Salinas earned two.
While speaking graciously of his honor, Luna said both the coaching award and the team’s championship were made possible because of the players’ efforts.
“It is an honor to be voted by your peers,” Luna said of being named Coach of the Year. “Being as successful as we were this year, it all comes down to the players. I was just fortunate this year to have such an incredible group of kids. Not just players, but incredible people.”
Breyon Canez said his coach was typically being too modest.
“It was an honor to play for him these last two years,” Canez said.
For the Co-MVPs, sharing the award meant that much more because they are cousins.
“I’m very happy to share the award with Breyon. It’s like a little cherry on top,” Klauer said. “That’s pretty awesome because we’ve been playing together since before I can even remember. There’s no one else I’d rather share that with because he deserves it more than anybody.”
Canez, San Benito’s ace, not only dominated when he was on the hill, but also played a critical role when he wasn’t throwing, both in batting and playing first base. The left-hander finished a sparkling 7-0 with a 1.97 ERA in TCAL competition, often taking the ball against the ‘Balers’ toughest opponents. The team’s No. 2 hitter, Canez also batted .406 in league play.
After earning First Team honors in his sophomore and junior seasons, Klauer found a way to surpass those accomplishments in his final campaign. San Benito’s second baseman won the league’s Triple Crown in posting a .508 batting average, slugging four home runs and recording 30 RBIs.
“It’s pretty cool,” Klauer said of feat, “because I’ve always had the batting average and the RBIs, but I finally got a lift in my swing and got some balls in the air. Lots of hard work, a little bit of luck … I guess it adds up.”
In addition to their standout play on the field, Luna noted Canez and Klauer’s invaluable leadership skills as co-captains, along with Ross.
“They were player coaches as well,” the ‘Balers’ coach said. “You can’t replace those two guys.”
San Benito’s other First Teamers also put up eye-popping numbers, be they at the plate or on the mound. Valenzuela, a transfer student from Hawaii, adjusted quickly in batting .416 with 16 RBIs in league play, and playing solid defense at shortstop. Ross drew mention late in the season from his head coach as the team’s unsung MVP at catcher, and finished the TCAL season with a .361 batting average and .565 on-base percentage. Torrise, San Benito’s right fielder, batted .350 in league games with an on-base percentage of .527. And McFall flourished on the mound, posting a strong 4-0 TCAL record with an ERA of 1.91.
In addition to being honored as an All-League Second Team player, Boyd received two additional awards at San Benito’s baseball banquet Wednesday night. The center fielder was named the ‘Balers’ Best Defensive Player and also won the P.J. Galvan Scholarship Award.
Of the latter honor, an award created in memory of the former ‘Baler who suffered a tragic death in 2003, Boyd said: “It means a lot, just carrying on his legacy.”
“I never met him, but I always heard he played the game the right way and had a smile on his face,” Boyd continued. “He was an inspiration to a lot of people.”
Stepping back to look at all that San Benito accomplished this season, Luna said the 2006 ‘Balers epitomized the word ‘team.’
“I had a feeling this year would be special,” the ‘Balers’ coach said. “I knew we’d be good … but we had an outstanding year. It’s a tribute to this team.”
“These guys did a great, great job,” the San Benito coach concluded. “You don’t come around these teams very often and I know that because I’ve been around this game for a long time.”
