All-Madera Tribune Baseball Team

Most Valuable Players

Davion Pino

Senior 2B Madera

Stats: .435 BA, 41 hits, 4 2B, 26 runs. 

All-League: County/Metro Athletic Conference 1 1st Team

Pino was a player that head coach Andy Underwood could always count on. Underwood could have chiseled Pino’s name at the top off his scorecard for every game. After the first couple of games, Pino cemented himself at the lead-off spot in the order and never let it go. He led the team in batting average by more than 50 points. He also led the team in on-base percentage and slugging percentage. He added a home run and only struck out eight times in 88 at bats. Pino also provided solid defense at second base. He was also named the Coyotes’ Most Valuable Player this season. 

Josiah Ortiz

Senior C-P Madera South

Stats: .368 BA, 32 hits, 21 runs, 12 RBI, 6 2B

All-League: North Yosemite League Most Valuable Player

Ortiz became the leader of the team this season, which is what you would expect out of a three-year starter. Ortiz not only led the team off the field, but on the field. He was the team leader in batting average, runs scored, hits and doubles. Although he struck out 11 times this year, he was walked eight times was hit by a pitch another eight times for a .466 slugging percentage to go with a .460 slugging percentage. For good measure, he led the team with 24 stolen bases. All from the team’s starting catcher, a position he’s held since he was on varsity. He also was a force on the mound, becoming the team’s ace. He had a 2.02 ERA in 45 innings this year. He struck out 34 batters and held batters to a .155 batting average against. 

Pitcher of the Year

Zach Sanchez

Senior CF-P Madera

Stats: .280 BA, 21 hits, 7 2B, 16 RBI, 20 runs, 4-3 record, 1.83 ERA, 49 2/3 IP, 46 K, 17 BB. 

All-League: CMAC 1 1st team

Sanchez had a tough start to the season at the plate, and started to heat up late in the season. However, he got the job done on the mound. Mainly known as a hitter, Sanchez thrived on the mound. He led the Coyotes in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts this season. For good measure, he also led the team with seven doubles, and was second in RBIs and runs scored. Even though he was a hitter, Sanchez developed into one of the better pitchers in the CMAC. Sanchez will continue his baseball career at Eastern University in Pennsylvania. 

Offensive Player of the Year

Carson Groh

Junior OF Liberty

Stats: .400 BA, 26 runs, 30 hits, 15 RBI, 5 2B, 17 SB

All-League: Northwest Sequoia Conference 1st Team

Groh had some big shoes to fill when his brother graduated two years ago. It’s safe to say he outgrew them this year with a great offensive season. Relegated to designated hitter because of the depth of the Hawks, Groh still excelled. He was written into the No. 2 spot in the Liberty line-up, and had plenty of opportunities to drive in runs or get the rally started himself. He finished second on the Hawks in batting average, and was second in runs and hits. He also led the Hawks in stolen bases. With another year to come, he will continue to outgrow his brother’s shoes. He is a two-time All-Tribune selection. 

The Team

Victor Mercado

Freshman P-IF Madera South

Stats: 3.92 ERA, 62 2/3 IP, 87 K, .254 BAA

All-League: NYL 1st team

Mercado was making huge strides during his freshman season. He started dominating teams and throwing complete games. He suffered a bit of arm fatigue as the season wore on, and that made his ERA climb. However, he was chosen to be among the better pitchers in the NYL. With three more years, expect Mercado’s numbers to get better and better. 

Anthony Gaitan

Senior P Liberty

Stats: 5-6 record, 3.28 ERA, 1 save, 57 2/3 IP, 41 K.

All-League: NWSC 2nd Team

Gaitan was kind of a surprise for those following the Hawks. He stepped up midway through the season to become the team’s No. 2 pitcher behind freshman sensation Damian Sandate. Gaitan led the team in innings pitched and was second in strikeouts and ERA. He didn’t get a lot of opportunities last season so it seemed like he came out of nowhere for the Hawks. He earned an All-Tribune selection in football and unlike football, the NWSC noticed his work on the mound. 

Jose Velazquez

Senior P Torres

Stats: 4.17 ERA, 12 games, 50 1/3 IP, 31 K

All-League: NYL 1st Team

Velazquez was battling some arm fatigue, but stepped up to become the ace of the Torres staff. Although the strikeout numbers don’t really pop out, he’s one of those pitchers that you watch and suddenly realize the game is in the fifth inning and he’s only allowed a run and the Toros are in the game. He was the anchor of the staff the past three seasons. 

Anthony Bursey

Sophomore C Madera

Stats: .380 BA, 30 hits, 6 2B, 14 RBI, 13 runs

All-League: CMAC 1 2nd team

Bursey was written at catcher for the Coyotes all season long and did nothing to get him removed from that spot. He was a consistent part of the middle of the Madera line-up. He was second to Pino in batting average, hits and singles. He was second to Sanchez in doubles, and led the team in triples. All while manning the tools of ignorance for all 25 games this year. 

Alonzo Del Toro

Senior C Torres

Stats: .255 BA, 13 hits, 8 runs

All-League: NYL 1st Team

Although the stats don’t say it, Del Toro was an integral link in the Torres success. He had a knack for coming up with the clutch hit or team approach to get the job done. He was behind the plate for 22 of 31 games this season. He will be surely missed by not only the coaching staff, but also the pitching staff. He took his job seriously, and did it well. 

Deegan Shandor

Junior 1B Liberty

Stats: .266 BA, 21 hits, 13 runs, 16 RBI, 8 2B

All-League: NWSC 1st Team

Shandor had the physical presence to make most pitchers shake when he went to the plate. Add in his fierce intensity made a bad recipe for opposing teams. He was a dominant lineman in football and took that approach to baseball, ranking second on the team in doubles while providing some thump to the bottom part of the line-up. He is a two-time All-Tribune selection

Matt Escoto

Senior 1B Torres

Stats: .338 BA, 24 hits, 19 RBI

All-League: NYL 1st Team

Escoto was one of the team’s best pitchers last season. However, arm injuries limited him to first base, where he was an anchor. He was also anchored in the middle of the Torres line-up. He led the Toros in batting average, was tied for second in hits, and led the team in RBIs.  He is a two-time All-Tribune selection. 

Nicola Cercone

Senior 2B Liberty

Stats: .320 BA, 27 runs, 31 hits, 13 2B

All-League: NWSC 2nd team

Why Cercone wasn’t on first team NWSC is besides me. He was the team’s lead-off hitter for all 29 games this season. He was also their emotional leader off the field, as well. He told me that if he’s playing baseball, it’s a good time. He led the Hawks in runs scored, was second in hits and led the team in doubles. I hope he finds a junior college to excel at, and continue playing baseball.

Justin Coleman

Senior 3B Liberty

Stats: .242 BA, 15 hits, 24 2B, 17 RBI

All-League: NWSC 2nd team

Coleman made the most of his senior year. Although with a lower batting average, he came through with clutch hits from the bottom of the Liberty order. He was still third on the team in RBIs and delivered enough big hits in his last season. He played in 28 of the 29 games for the Hawks. 

Chris Capelluti

Junior 3B Torres

Stats: .255 BA, 12 hits, 10 runs, 11 RBI

All-League: NYL 2nd team

Capelluti was the vocal member of the Toros, whether it was helping out the pitcher on the field or getting the dugout going. He provided clutch hits from the middle of the Torres line-up, and finished third on the team in RBIs. He also appeared in 12 games, all in relief, and became the team’s closer with 22 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings. 

Damian Sandate

Freshman SS-P Liberty

Stats: .374 BA, 22 runs, 34 hits, 24 RBI, 5 2B, 7-3 record, 2.48 ERA, 57 K, 53 2/3 IP

All-League: NWSC Underclassman of the Year

Talk about making an entrance. Right after his brother graduated, another Sandate is dominating the Liberty landscape. He became the ace of the staff while leading the team in ERA. He also was the big bat in the middle of the Liberty line-up. He led the team in hits and RBIs, and was second on the team in doubles. He hit one of Liberty’s two home runs against Hanford in the Fresno Easter Classic. Three more years, and expect big things from Sandate. 

Austin Meza

Junior SS Torres

Stats: .297 BA, 13 runs, 27 hits, 10 SB

All-League: NYL 1st team

Meza was a fixture at the top of the line-up for the Toros. He led off every game this year, and didn’t disappoint. He led the team in hits, and was third in runs scored. He will be expected to lead the team next year with an excellent crop of returning players for the Toros. 

Ray Urbano

Senior OF Madera

Stats: .299 BA, 20 hits, 11 runs

Urbano was left out of the All-League voting despite playing in all 25 games for the Coyotes. He was one-third of an excellent Madera outfield. He handled a tough left field that was constantly in the sun. He hit in the No. 9 spot in the line-up, but provided plenty of opportunities for the top of the order. 

Eric Nelson

Senior OF-P Madera

Stats: .293 BA, 24 hits, 5 2B, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 19 runs, 29 1/3 IP, 23 K, 5.27 ERA

All-League: CMAC 1 2nd Team

Nelson, with his tall 6-4 frame, came at hitter from an odd angle, and threw hard, however, sometimes, his control would get the best of him. But, Nelson didn’t let his struggles on the mound affect his approach at the plate. He anchored the middle of the Madera line-up. He was third on the team in hits, led with two home runs and 21 RBIs, and was third in runs scored. He will play next year at Pepperdine. 

Jayden Castaneda

Sophomore OF Madera South

Stats: .355 BA, 10 hits, 22 runs, 12 RBI, 6 2B

All-League: NYL 2nd team

Castaneda came on late for the Stallions. Once he started to get regular playing time, his stats started to rise, as well as his confidence. The more starts he got, the better he became. He was second on the team in batting average and hits, but tied for the team lead in doubles and tied for second in RBI’s. The Stallions have a good young core that will lead to better things in the future.