The 2011 Irvine World News all-city baseball team. First group, front row (left to right) Zack Rivera and Spencer Ludin; back row, Justin Hazard, James Kaprielian and Chad Rieser from Beckman; upper left, Justin Gisch, Steven Whisler and Eric Winslow from Northwood; middle, Brandon Horth, Ben Wylly, Brennan Leitao and Brandon Smith from Woodbridge; and upper right, Jordan Scheftz, Ian Barwick and Joppi Martin from University. ROD VEAL/OCVARSITY.COM


MVP - JAMES KAPRIELIAN, P, BECKMAN


CHAD RIESER, P, BECKMAN
 
The senior had a 10-1 record and 1.15 ERA with 62 strikeouts to earn first team all-Pacific Coast League honors. He was also named first team all-CIF Division 3. “We almost cut Chad when he was an incoming freshman,” said Coach Kevin Lavalle. “It is unbelievable how far he has come. He is one of the most dedicated athletes I have ever seen. He had a goal every single day to get better, and the result is a 10-1 record and the lowest career ERA in school history. “UC San Diego is getting a great left-handed pitcher, and we are losing a leader, a competitor and a real workhorse on the mound.”


STEVEN WHISLER, P, NORTHWOOD
 
Whisler, a junior, had a 5-4 record with a 1.77 ERA and 39 strikeouts to earn second team all-PCL honors. Whisler threw a no-hitter against North Hollywood. “Steven showed a tremendous amount of growth this year,” said Coach Rob Stuart. “Every part of his game improved and he was a great teammate, competitor, and leader for us. Watching him throw a no-hitter was very special. Best part is that we get him back for what I know will be another outstanding year.”
 

JORDAN SCHEFTZ, P, UNIVERSITY
 
Scheftz, a sophomore, had a 10-5 record, the most wins in school history. He had 38 strikeouts on the season, earning second team all-Pacific Coast League honors. “I don’t think we’ve ever had as fierce a competitor as Jordan Scheftz,” University Coach Chris Conlin said. “Jordan wants the ball and he has great confidence and presence. He broke the school record for wins (10) and decisions (15).”
 

IAN BARWICK, IF, UNIVERSITY
 
Barwick, a senior, had three home runs, 21 RBI and batted .301 to earn first team all-Pacific Coast League honors. He was also a solid pitcher with a 5-3 record. “Ian Barwick is one of the top twoway players that we have ever had,” said Coach Chris Conlin. “His excellent play and leadership led our program to its best finish in school history. It’s going to be tough to replace Ian next year.”
 

JUSTIN GISCH, IF, NORTHWOOD
 
Gisch, a senior shortstop, was an outstanding hitter for Northwood, finishing with a .412 batting average, 12 RBI, eight doubles and a home run to earn second team all-PCL honors. He was also selected to play in the Orange County all-star game. “Justin had a wonderful career and was the leader of our team,” said Coach Rob Stuart. “He was our cap- tain, shortstop, and all around best player. Teams that knew him respected his abilities and when we got out of the area coaches quickly realized that he was our game changer. He has had a great run and I look forward to following his career (at Santa Clara).”


JOPPI MARTIN, IF, UNIVERSITY
 
Martin, a senior shortstop, had a .429 batting average with 30 RBI, 22 runs scored and three home runs to earn first team all-Pacific Coast League honors. He also earned first team all-CIF Division 3 honors. “Joppi Martin is the most unselfish player I have ever coached,” said Coach Chris Conlin. “He changed positions three times in three years to make us better. Without a doubt, he had an MVP year.”


ZACK RIVERA, IF, BECKMAN
 
Rivera, a junior third baseman, batted .370 with five home runs, 31 RBI and 24 steals to earn first team all-PCL honors. He was also named first team all-CIF Division 3. “Physically, he is the most gifted player I have ever coached here at Beckman,” said Coach Kevin Lavalle. “We have him hit fourth because he is strong, but he doesn’t strike out, he can steal bases, he can bunt. He really is the closest thing to a complete package that I have seen in a long time. His defense improved this year too. I think we are just starting to see him play like he is capable of.”


BRENNAN LEITAO, IF, WOODBRIDGE
 
Leitao, a senior shortstop, batted .385 with 24 RBI, two doubles, three triples and a home run and nine stolen bases, Leitao, who is headed to Sacramento State, was co-MVP of the OC Nissan Invitational and was first team all-PCL. He was also named first team all-CIF Division 3. “What a talent,” said Coach Tim Murray. “It was a pleasure to be able to coach him this year. He filled an important role for us as a pitcher and shortstop and had some clutch hits for us this year. He is a hard worker and is dedicated to making himself the best player he can be.”


ERIC WINSLOW, IF, NORTHWOOD
 
Winslow, a senior third baseman, batted .355 with 15 RBI, six doubles, two triples and a home run to earn first team all-Pacific Coast League honors for the Timberwolves. “Eric displayed a lot of grit this year,” said Coach Rob Stuart. “We asked him to play his third position in three years and by doing so we had a lot of success. He continued to switch hit and didn’t get a lot of swings from his natural side but still had an excellent offensive year. These things just proved how dedicated, team oriented, and valuable he was to our success. Eric is the type of player every coach wants on their team.”


BEN WYLLY, OF, WOODBRIDGE
 
Wylly, a senior, had a .412 batting average with 17 runs scored, one home run, 21 RBI, eight doubles and five triples to earn first team all-PCL honors. He also was named to the all-CIF Division 3 second team. Wylly is headed to University of San Diego to play baseball. “He was a four-year starter on varsity who was our most consistent hitter from the day he stepped on the field,” said Coach Tim Murray. “Ben helped this program reach Dodger Stadium and caught fire during our playoff run. It will be hard to replace him. He is a true competitor.”


BRANDON HORTH, OF, WOODBRIDGE
 
Horth, a senior outfielder and pitcher, batted .436 with 24 runs scored, 25 RBI, six doubles, two home runs, a school record 48 hits, five triples and 12 stolen bases while earning first team all-PCL honors. Horth, who is headed to Chapman next year, was also named first team all-CIF Division 3. Horth, the MVP of the PCL, went 7-3 on the mound with a team record 0.93 ERA and 97 strikeouts. He was selected to play in the county all-star game. “Every time he took the mound or came to the plate, we had the advantage,” Coach Tim Murray said. “This is the guy you wanted to have the ball in his hand or be up to bat when the game was on the line.”


SPENCER LUDIN, OF, BECKMAN
 
Ludin, a junior, batted .407 with two home runs and 35 hits, while earning first team all-Pacific Coast League honors. “I really wanted to hide Spencer a little lower in the lineup, but it became pretty obvious that he was too good of a hitter to hit sixth or seventh,” Coach Kevin Lavalle said. “He ended up leading our team in hits. One thing we have never have to do is tell Spencer to swing harder. He takes a ferocious swing, but it’s under control.”
 

BRANDON SMITH, OF, WOODBRIDGE
 
Smith, a junior, batted .374 with 37 hits, 17 runs scored, 16 RBI, five doubles and 16 stolen bases while earning second team all-PCL honors. “He really came into his own this year and at times dominated games with his bat, glove and speed,” said Coach Tim Murray. “This kid does not even realize how talented he is. He was our unsung hero this year and will be counted on as a leader next year. "


JUSTIN HAZARD, C, BECKMAN

Hazard, a senior, batted .377 with a home run, 15 doubles, 33 hits and 23 RBI. He was an outstanding defensive catcher, throwing out 50 percent of potential base stealers, Hazard earned first team all-PCL honors. “Justin has always been able to hit. He is third all-time in Beckman history with 107 hits,” said Coach Kevin Lavalle. “He set a single season record this year with 15 doubles. During his freshman year, we asked him if he had ever caught before, and he said ’a little’ and we gave it a shot. Now, he’s going to UCLA as a catcher. I think that shows you how athletic he is.” >STAFF

ALL-CITY 2011: HONORABLE MENTION
 
Several other players from the city had fine seasons and deserve Irvine World News all-city honorable mention recognition. They are Beckman’s Garrett Brown, Ricky Navarro, Will Barring and Tyler Cook, Woodbridge’s Matt Budgell, Trevor Walker and Sam Lemmon, Northwood’s Jonathon Model and Alex King, Crean Lutheran’s Andrew Jacks, Matt Homan and Ryan Smith, University’s Ethan Saltzman and Irvine’s Jeff Vandemoortel.
 
Brown, a junior shortstop, batted .407 with 11 RBI and 19 runs scored and Navarro, a senior second baseman, batted .365 with four home runs, 12 RBI and 20 runs scored. Barring, a senior outfielder, batted .378 with two home runs and 14 RBI and Cook, a junior first baseman, batted .370 with three home runs and 14 RBI for the Patriots.

Budgell, a senior pitcher and third baseman, went 2-4 with a 4.02 ERA on the mound with 33 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched. He was also given the third base gold glove award at Woodbridge and was named honorable mention all-Pacific Coast League. Walker, a senior second baseman, batted .295 with 14 RBI, 21 runs scored and seven stolen bass. He was picked as an honorable mention all-Pacific Coast League player for the Warriors. Lemmon, a junior catcher, batted .304 with 11 RBI for Woodbridge.
 
Model, a senior pitcher, was 7-7 on the mound in 16 appearances with a 3.50 ERA. The second team all-Pacific Coast League pick finished with 53 strikeouts for Northwood. King, a junior first baseman, batted .371 with two home runs, 12 doubles and 23 RBI. He was a second team allleague player for the Timberwolves.
 
Jacks, a junior pitcher and third baseman, was Crean’s MVP this past season. He batted .591 with three home runs, 38 RBI and 16 stolen bases. On the mound he went 8-2 with a 1.73 ERA and had 81 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings pitched. He was named first team all-Academy League. Homan, a senior pitcher and outfielder, batted .403 with 27 RBI and 10 stolen bases and went 7-3 on the mound with a 2.09 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings pitched. He was also named first team all-Academy League. Smith, a senior catcher, batted .338 for Crean with 30 RBI and 11 stolen bases on his way to being a second team all-league selection.
 
Saltzman, a junior outfielder, had a solid year, batting .359 with two home runs for the Trojans.
 
Vandemoortel, a senior first baseman, was second team all-Pacific Coast League after hitting over .300 for the Vaqueros this season.