Since Seth Hudson began playing baseball at the age of 5, he’s
always aspired to play at the highest level possible. He never even
dreamed of a day he could call himself one of the best the nation
has to offer.
Since Seth Hudson began playing baseball at the age of 5, he’s always aspired to play at the highest level possible. He never even dreamed of a day he could call himself one of the best the nation has to offer.
But after racking up an incredible sophomore season at Gavilan, the former San Benito High star is exactly that as he was voted to the Northern California All-American team.
“I’ve been playing ball since I was 5 years old and I’ve done nothing but dream of playing top notch college baseball,” Hudson said. “But I never imagined being named All-American. It’s a pretty humbling thing to take. It’s probably the best achievement I’ve ever experienced in my baseball career.”
Hudson, who two weeks ago signed a full scholarship to play for Cal State Stanislaus, was the Rams’ starting catcher and had team highs in batting average (.398), hits (49), home runs (3), RBIs (29), doubles (19), walks (28) and hit by pitches (15).
That production came while the first-team All-Coast Conference selection battled a season-long back injury, which he originally injured his senior year at San Benito.
“It’s a pretty big honor. I don’t think Gav’s had an All-American in awhile,” Gavilan coach Neal Andrade said. “He had to (tough it out) for us all year. Just being a catcher and to have those offensive stats is tough.”
Hudson credits much of his accomplishments to the coaches he’s learned from, in particular Andrade – a former college catcher – and San Benito coach Michael Luna.
“I owe most of my success to Coach Luna and Coach Andrade,” Hudson said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be half the player I am.”
Luna, who guided the Haybalers to the Central Coast Section Division I finals this season, was ecstatic to hear about his former player’s honor.
“It’s very exciting,” Luna said. “It couldn’t have happened to a better kid. His work ethic is so outstanding.”
Even since graduating, Hudson has been no stranger to the San Benito campus. He shows up about every other week to work with players and said he plans on spending some one-on-one time this summer with ‘Balers catcher Kyle Zozaya, who just finished an outstanding sophomore season.
“That should be fun,” Hudson said. “He seems to have more natural talent than I do so I hope to bring some of my work ethic to him.”
Hudson is excited to be joining the Cal State Stanislaus program, where he’s been told he’s likely to enter next season as the starting catcher.
“They’re in the best Division II conference in the nation,” Hudson said of the California Collegiate Athletic Association, which features highly-ranked Sonoma State, Cal State Los Angeles, Chico State and U.C. San Diego.
“I was recruited by most of the coaches in that conference and most of them say if you can be the starting catcher in that conference, you’re set to be one heck of a ballplayer,” Hudson said.
