Corona junior Seth Hernandez, Chino Hills sophomore Brody Buoncristiani and Colony senior Connor Rangel were among those who were chosen division players of the year when the CIF Southern Section released its baseball awards last week.
Hernandez, a standout pitcher who played left field or third base when he was not on the mound, was chosen the Division 1 player of the year after helping Corona win its first section title since 1998. Hernandez posted a 9-0 record with a 0.62 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 56 innings. At the plate, he batted .352 and led the squad with eight home runs and 34 runs batted in.
Buoncristiani, a pitcher and first baseman, was selected the Division 5 player of the year after helping Chino Hills capture the program’s first section championship. Buoncristiani went 11-2 with a 0.41 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings, and he also led the team with a .364 batting average while driving in 12 runs.
Rangel, a catcher, was chosen the Division 6 player of the year after helping Colony win the program’s first section crown. Rangel led the Titans in multiple offensive categories, including batting average (.400), runs (36) and runs batted in (35).
Corona’s Andy Wise, Chino Hills’ Alex Sanchez and Colony’s Al Leyva were among the coaches recognized for guiding their teams to section championships.
An additional 46 Inland players were selected to the first team in their school’s respective playoff divisions.
CIF SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL
Division 1
Player of the Year: Seth Hernandez, Corona, Jr.
Coach of the Year: Andy Wise
Inland players on first team: Seth Hernandez, Corona, Jr.; Ethan Schiefelbein, Corona, Sr.; Josh Springer, Corona, Sr.; Billy Carlson, Corona, Jr.; Anthony Murphy, Corona, So.; Nikko Paoletto, Damien, Sr.; Landon White, San Dimas, Sr.
Division 2
Player of the Year: Ryan De La Maza, Hart, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Jim Ozella, Hart
Inland players on first team: Nathan Chavez, Arlington, Jr.; Caleb Trugman, Ayala, So.; Kade Finazzo, Citrus Valley, Sr.; Chapman Weber, Paloma Valley, Sr.; Ayden Harrison, Paloma Valley, Sr.; Taden Krogsgaard, Temecula Valley, So.
Division 3
Player of the Year: Zach Ireland, Beckman, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Kevin Lavalle, Beckman
Inland players on first team: Ethin Bingaman, Arrowhead Christian Academy, Jr.; Braylon Doughty, Chaparral, Sr.; Dylan Harrison, Summit, Jr.; Coleman Rutkoff, Tahquitz, Sr.
Division 4
Player of the Year: Boston Bateman, Camarillo, Sr.
Coach of the Year: T.J. Foreman, Camarillo
Inland players on first team: Hunter Meyer, Los Osos, Jr.; Wyatt Mohler, Los Osos, So.; Nicholas Whippo, Ontario Christian, Sr.; Luke Ballantyne, Ontario Christian, Sr.
Division 5
Player of the Year: Brody Buoncristiani, Chino Hills, So.
Coach of the Year: Alex Sanchez, Chino Hills
Inland players on first team: Brody Buoncristiani, Chino Hills, So.; Jackson Gray, Chino Hills, Sr.; Favian Vasquez, Chino Hills, Sr.; Andrew Baldomino, Chino Hills, So.; Timmy LaChappa, Hemet, Sr.; Austin Cholodenko, Liberty, Jr.; C.J. Moran, Murrieta Mesa, Sr.; Royce Mendoza, Ramona, Sr.
Division 6
Player of the Year: Connor Rangel, Colony, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Al Leyva, Colony
Inland players on first team: Connor Rangel, Colony, Sr.; Steven Gonzales, Colony, Jr.; Diego Martinez-Gomez, Colony, Sr.; Jacob Castro, Colony, Sr.; Jake Mestas, Diamond Bar, Sr.; Robert Murphy, Diamond Bar, Sr.; Ray Roybal, Grand Terrace, So.
Division 7
Player of the Year: Carter Senglaub, Oxford Academy, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Cory Williams, Oxford Academy
Inland players on first team: Viggo Sahagun, Eisenhower, Jr.; Nathaniel Ortega, Jurupa Valley, Sr.; Francisco Urena, Jurupa Valley, Jr.; Spence Horner, Rancho Christian, So.; Noah Scarlett, Temecula Prep, Jr.
Division 8
Player of the Year: Joshua Torres, Azusa, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Al Sanchez, Azusa
Inland players on first team: Jake Jimenez, Arroyo Valley, Fr.; Zaedik McPhail, Calvary Baptist, Fr.; Devin DeBuono, Calvary Baptist, Fr.; Aiden Zuno, San Bernardino, Jr.; Raymond Merancio, San Bernardino, Sr.; Brayden Williamson, San Bernardino, Fr.; Sean Bonds, San Bernardino, Jr.; Carter Kelly, San Jacinto Valley Academy, So.
