In a history-making season for San Benito, there was
contributions aplenty from the entire Haybalers lineup.
In a history-making season for San Benito, there was contributions aplenty from the entire Haybalers lineup.
That was reflected well as San Benito saw eight players received All-Tri-County Athletic League recognition.
At the top of the list was senior outfielder/designated hitter Kevin Medeiros. He batted .533, hit two home runs and drove in 17 RBIs in 11 league games, finishing second in the league in all three categories.
“He was just a few hits away from getting the Triple Crown,” ‘Balers coach Michael Luna said.
Medeiros missed one league game after injuring his hamstring during a tournament game against Santa Cruz, an injury he re-aggravated in the Central Coast Section semifinals against Santa Teresa. Three days after the re-aggravation, he still went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the 6-2 title game loss to Valley Christian.
Hitting fourth behind the also dangerous Brian Haggett, Medeiros routinely took advantage in clutch situations.
“A lot of people pitched around Haggett and pitched to Kevin and that’s a big mistake,” Luna said.
Not surprisingly, Haggett was one of four ‘Balers to earn first-team recognition and one of three underclassmen to receive that honor.
His breakthrough performance, in which hit .419 with two homers, six doubles and 11 RBIs in league play and had six homers and 36 RBIs overall this year, may have him as an early favorite to win the league MVP next season.
San Benito has captured the MVP award the past three seasons with Medeiros joining co-MVPs Karson Klauer and Breyon Canez last season and Jason Sims from two seasons ago.
Sophomore catcher Kyle Zozaya proved to be a find for Luna this season, winning the starting job just before the season started and becoming a main stay behind the plate. He batted .485 with 11 RBIs and often delivered in the clutch.
“Last year we were in the same situation and Travis Ross stepped it up,” Luna said, adding that he originally was ticketing Zozaya as a third baseman. “I think Kyle might have exceeded the expectations from what Travis did and Travis had a great year.”
Junior pitcher Zach Canez became the ace the ‘Balers were looking for late in the season and finished the year with a 4-1 record with a 1.43 ERA, while also batting .353 to make the first team. He was one of the final two nominees for the league’s Pitcher of the Year award, which went to Salinas’ James Coon.
“With Zach on the bump, we always felt we’re going to win,” Luna said.
The only departing first-team selection for the ‘Balers is Justin Andrade. The senior infielder hit primarily in the leadoff role and did an outstanding job all season at getting on base, hitting an even .500 with six doubles and 18 runs scored.
“He also got hit by pitches and walks and his on base percentage was about .650,” Luna said. “He did just an outstanding job.”
Earning second team recognition was senior center fielder Kolton Klauer and junior shortstop Ronnie Fhurong. Senior pitcher Michael Garcia made the honorable mention team and joined Andrade in receiving the Sportsmanship Award.
The league’s Coach of the Year award was shared by Gilroy’s Clint Wheeler, who guided the Mustangs to a share of their first league title since 1991, and Palma’s Mike Dixon, who helped the Chieftains to an 8-4 third-place finish and two wins over league favorite Salinas.
2007 All-Tri-County Athletic League Baseball Awards
Most Valuable Player
Kevin Medeiros (San Benito, Sr.)
.533 BA, 2 HR, 5 2B, 17 RBI
Most Valuable Pitcher
James Coon (Salinas, Sr.)
3-0, 2.02 ERA, 41 K, 13 BB
First Team
Name School Yr Pos Stats
Mike Dinner Palma Sr. DH .514 BA, 5 2B
Jaime Vega Palma So. INF .526 BA, 13 RBI
Chad Caraccioli Palma Jr. OF .432 BA
J. Morris-Divens Palma Jr. P 4-1, 2.21 ERA
Javier Gonzales Alisal Sr. P/INF .324 BA, 9 RBI
Ryan Ralston N. Salinas Sr. OF/P .439 BA, 5 2B
Michael Stevens Gilroy Sr. INF/P .426 BA, 13 RBI
Kevin Grove Gilroy Jr. OF/P .444 BA, 7 2B
Matt Hemeon Gilroy Sr. INF .333 BA
Jacob Dexter Gilroy Jr. P 3-2, 26 K
Michael Aldrete Salinas Jr. INF .316 BA, 4 HR
Jojo Hernandez Salinas Jr. INF/P .375 BA
Brian Haggett San Benito Jr. INF .419 BA, 6 2B
Justin Andrade San Benito Sr. INF .500 BA, 6 2B
Zach Canez San Benito Jr. P/INF 4-1, 1.43 ERA
Kyle Zozaya San Benito So. C .485 BA, 11 RBI
Second Team
Noble Enriquez (Palma, Sr., INF); Billy Foy (Palma, Sr., OF); Aaron Schulman (Palma, Sr., C); Chris Lauritzen (Palma, Jr., INF); Brian Reader (Palma, Sr., P/INF); Tramaine Lamb (N. Salinas, Sr., INF); Matt Paparello (N. Salinas, So., P); Francisco Alarcon (N. Salinas, Jr., C); Michael Bollin (Alvarez, Sr., INF); Matt Blackwell (Alvarez, So., C); Tony Mendoza (Alvarez, Jr., OF/P); Manuel Montanez (Alvarez, Sr., OF/P); Lukas Fortino (Gilroy, So., C); Kolton Klauer (San Benito, Sr., OF); Ronnie Fhurong (San Benito, Jr., INF); Adam Souza (Salinas, Sr., OF); Philip Incaviglia (Salinas, Sr., OF); Nick White (Salinas, Jr., C); Chris Pacheco (Salinas, Jr., INF); Gabe Arcoleo (Salinas, Sr., INF); Andrew Suarez-Lopez (Alisal, Sr., INF/P); Ismael Ramirez (Alisal, Jr., OF/P); Osvaldo Guijosa (Alisal, Sr., C).
Honorable Mention
Alisal (Milton Grant, Jr., Aaron Suarez-Lopez); Alvarez (Angel Garcia, Raul Salizar, David Valenzuela, Matt Baker, Abel Guevarra, Jose Pio); Gilroy (Tyler Osborne, Charlie Duffy, Roberto Celestino); North Salinas (Shane Cluck, Israel Gonzales, Chris Santana); Palma (Phil Speciale, Nick Huston, Jacob Ohman); Salinas (Corey Carma, Dusten Corvello, Dustin Stumpf); San Benito (Michael Garcia).
Sportsmanship Award
Alisal (Nick Magana, Milton Grant, Jr.); Alvarez (Chad Van Schuyver, Manuel Montanez); Gilroy (Adam Martinez, James Lafuente); North Salinas (Mark Martin, Wesley Martin); Palma (Jacob Jackson, Stephen Dotseth); Salinas (Ben Filice, Chris Pacheco); San Benito (Justin Andrade, Michael Garcia).
