FIRST TEAM PLAYERS

Player: Jake Kor

Position: Pitcher

School: Rio Mesa

Year: Sr.

Comment: Right-hander was 7-4 with a 1.77 earned-run average for Channel League co-champions.

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Player: David Arroyo

Position: Pitcher

School: Buena

Year: Sr.

Comment: Right-hander, 6 feet and 210 pounds, was 6-1 with 1.80 ERA. Batted .357 with 15 runs batted in.

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Player: Chris Parker

Position: Catcher

School: Westlake

Year: Sr.

Comment: Perhaps the county’s best defensive catcher, he batted .329. Accepted a scholarship from Oklahoma.

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Player: Jared Krehbiel

Position: Catcher

School: Channel Islands

Year: Jr.

Comment: Played three seasons on the Raider varsity. Batted .494 this season with 28 RBIs.

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Player: Kevin Howard

Position: Infielder

School: Westlake

Year: So.

Comment: Regarded by many as best player in the county. Batted .512 with six home runs and 36 RBIs.

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Player: Ryan Cope

Position: Infielder

School: Westlake

Year: Jr.

Comment: Batted .472 with seven home runs and 31 RBIs. Helped Warriors to first postseason berth since 1990.

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Player: Andy Kroneberger

Position: Infielder

School: Camarillo

Year: Sr

Comment: Co-player of the year in the Marmonte League. Batted .465 and stole 33 bases in 37 attempts.

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Player: Matt Pesso

Position: Infielder

School: Royal

Year: Sr.

Comment: The County’s best defensive infielder. Committed two errors the past two seasons.

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Player: Jay Caligiuri

Position: Infielder

School: Camarillo

Year: Jr.

Comment: Set a school record with 47 RBIs. Batted .398 with 12 doubles and eight home runs.

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Player: David Krewson

Position: Outfielder

School: Simi Valley

Year: Sr.

Comment: Consistent hitter batted .456 with eight home runs and 27 RBIs.

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Player: Jess Sanchez

Position: Utility

School: Hueneme

Year: Sr.

Comment: Player of the year in the Channel League. Played infield, batted .305 and had 6-2 pitching record.

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COACH OF THE YEAR: Reg Welker, Hueneme.

From worst to first? Welker and the Hueneme baseball team almost pulled it off. The Vikings in 1996 placed seventh among eight Channel League teams and were 5-18 overall. This season, they engineered a dramatic turnaround, finishing 16-9 overall and winning a share of the school’s first Channel League baseball title since 1981. Welker has been through his fair share of highs and lows in his 17 seasons as Hueneme’s coach. His career record at the school: a solic 222-194.