Saturday, June 09, 2007

Second Team All-County Baseball 2007

Kyle Dunkle

Justin-Siena senior P

Dunkle was one of the Braves’ top pitchers this season, helping the club to an appearance in the section championship game.

He went 6-1 with a 3.28 ERA, adding 59 strikeouts and 22 walks.

Thomas Lyall

Vintage senior OF/SS

Lyall hit .310 in MEL play while scoring 22 runs and swiping 8 bases on the season. Lyall made the move to shortstop when the team needed it, even though he had never previously played the position. His speed and ability to get on base (.453 on-base percentage) made him a factor as Vintage’s leadoff man.

Caleb Mendoza

Trinity Prep senior P/C

“Caleb was the heartbeat of a close group of kids. His defensive abilities behind the plate were as good as any catcher at our level,” said Crusaders coach Bob Greene.

Mendoza scored 23 runs while playing in 12 league games. He also had a 3-0 record on the mound, including a win in relief during a 7-6 victory over playoff-bound Faith Christian. Mendoza was a First-Team All-League selection.

Nick Placone

Napa senior C/DH

Placone batted .386 overall with three home runs and .360 in MEL play for the playoff-bound Indians this year.

“Nick is one of the hardest working young men I have ever been around,” said Indians coach Todd Pridy of the All-MEL selection. “He has pushed himself to be the absolute best he can be.”

Placone and Ted LeMasters formed one of the best catching tandems in the MEL this spring. In the playoff loss to Elk Grove, Placone entered the game at catcher in the fifth inning and threw out a base runner on the first pitch thrown.

He was voted as the Indians’ most inspirational player.

Garrett Roualdes,

Justin-Siena senior OF

Roualdes hit .381 for the Braves this season, lending a steady bat, glove and senior leadership to the section runner-ups.

He also chipped in a home run and 5 stolen bases.

Zach Smith

Calistoga junior SS/P

Smith was one of the young Wildcats’ best players this spring, showing a competitive spirit on the mound or at shortstop.

Smith batted .356 on the year, stole 24 bases and slugged a home run.

Ethan Speizer

Vintage junior DH

Speizer was hampered by offseason arm surgery that prevented him from playing in the field almost all season, but as the Crushers’ DH he got hot at the end of the year and ended up hitting .351 overall and .310 in league play.

Speizer led the team with 25 runs scored, including 14 in the MEL. He also swiped 8 bases in 10 attempts to go along with a home run.

Speizer was an All-MEL Honorable Mention pick this season.

Robbie Steen

Napa junior 1B

Steen batted .337 in the cleanup spot and knocked in 18 runs while scoring 16 of his own for the Indians.

He managed 5 doubles and also picked up a couple of stolen bases. He had a .398 slugging percentage that mirrored his on-base percentage.

Dan Streett

Trinity Prep junior SS/P

“Dan adds swagger to our team and exudes a confidence that impacts the program,” said Crusaders coach Bob Greene.

Street’s defense and bat helped the Crusaders sweep through Bradshaw Christian in two games and spur the club to an eight-game winning streak.

Streett was a Second-Team All-League selection this spring.

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