Six Cougars wrangle Monterey Bay League awards
Just a sophomore, Patrick Valdez has a knack for being a game-changer.
Adjusting to the role of leadoff man for manager Ryan Dequin and the Christopher High baseball team, Valdez was able to fit right in.
“He’s the typical leadoff man – he makes contact and he has speed,” Dequin said. “He’s a little fireball on the bases and is always a threat.”
Valdez collected a ,456 batting average in Monterey Bay league action, scoring 18 times and delivering a team-high 12 RBI.
He can add a MBL First-Team All-League selection to his resume.
The outfielder highlights a list of six Cougars who received league honors at the conclusion of their season.
Junior Brandon Pickens and Nate Davis notched Second-team spots, Brandon Irby made the Honorable Mention list and Jose Chavez and Nader Elaskary were named to the Sportsmanship Team.
“They were all deserving of First-team as far as I’m concerned,” Dequin said.
Picken’s, who is also CHS’s quarterback, hit .340 in league, only striking out three times.
“He’s our quarterback on the diamond also,’ Dequin said. “He was always prepared and we could always count on him to get it done,”
Davis, who clubbed a .373 average, made a smooth transition from third to first base in the field, and slid into the Cougars’ third slot in their lineup as well.
“He did well for us in those positions,” Dequin said. “He was one of our junior leaders.”
Irby had the rare experience of both pitching and catching – not at the same time, of course – for the Cougars this season.
On the mound, Irby dealt 29 innings, allowing a .362 earned run average. At the plate, Irby finished second on the team with 11 RBI.
Dequin said Elaskary and Chavez were nominated for the Sportsmanship Award because of their acceptance of whichever role they were assigned on a particular day and willingness to help out where ever necessary.
