Photo Credit: Jordan Georgeson
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute and Dylan Wickman
With the conclusion of Week 7, one week remains in the CCL summer season, as the CCL 30 Postseason is set to begin on August 1. While two teams have already secured a spot in the tournament, the playoff race has intensified in both divisions, making for an exciting week of baseball. Each team is carefully ranked based on their overall record, week record, strength of schedule, and recent trends. Read below to find out where each team stands after Week 7.
#1 Healdsburg Prune Packers (–)
League Record: 24-6
League Record This Week: 3-3
Overall Record: 36-6
Overall Record This Week: 3-3
Entering this week, the Healdsburg Prune Packers were riding a 14-game winning streak, and despite losing just their second series of the season, ended the week with a 3-3 record, clinching the first spot in the CCL 30 Postseason.
The Prune Packers suffered their first loss, and first series loss, since their series against the Crawdads in late June. However, after an explosive offensive performance against the Mudcats to close out the week, the Prune Packers still have a couple of outstanding performances.
Outfielder/Infielder Ivan Brethowr (UC Santa Barbara) got his first taste of CCL league play this week and performed outstanding, going 8-for-20 with 12 RBI and five home runs. Two-way player Connor Charpiot continued his All-League caliber season, going 12-for-24 with two doubles and a home run plus seven RBI. Charpiot is slashing .446/.561/.662 at the plate and has 12 strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched on the mound.
In their 5-1 win over the Potters, Healdsburg got a couple of great pitching performances. Left-handed pitcher Christopher Stamos (Undecided) got the win, throwing 4.0 innings while striking out four and giving up just two hits. Behind him was RHP Michael Rice, who went 2.1 innings, giving up just one earned run and striking out five.
Next week, the Packers will look to clinch the North Division No. 1 seed with a huge series against the Crawdads before closing the season with a two-game set against the Mudcats.
#2 Walnut Creek Crawdads (–)
League Record: 21-8
League Record This Week: 4-2
Overall Record: 29-8
Overall Record This Week: 4-2
The Walnut Creek Crawdads got the week started with three high-scoring wins against the Mudcats before losing a tight and competitive series against the Potters. On the way, the Dads’ clinched the second CCL 30 Postseason spot in the North Division.
The Crawdads’ offense is on a tear right now, scoring double-digit runs in five of their last seven games and totaling 77 runs dating back to last Sunday. After starting the season in a bit of a slump, infielder Max Farfan (Illinois Chicago) and outfielder Tyson Pointer (Texas Arlington) have found their stride and have lengthened out the Crawdads’ lineup. But the star of the last week has been outfielder Brian DuRoff who went 9-for-28 with 11 RBI on two home runs and a double.
The amount of runs that the offense has scored has overshadowed what was a rough week for the Crawdads’ on the mound. Despite that, LHP Sean Fitzpatrick (Arkansas) continues to be Walnut Creek’s best pitcher. In a three-inning outing against the Potters, “Fitzmagic” struck out six batters, allowing zero runs on just two hits.
Next week, the Crawdads will battle with the Prune Packers for a chance at the No. 1 seed in the North Division playoffs. They will close the season with a three-game series against the Stompers.
#3 Santa Barbara Foresters (–)
League Record: 21-9
League Record This Week: 3-2
Overall Record: 25-9
Overall Record This Week: 4-2
With a 3-2 record, the Santa Barbara Foresters have posted a winning record for the sixth consecutive week – one that provided no shortage of excitement. After dropping their first game of the week to the Arroyo Seco Saints, Santa Barbara rebounded with a non-league win and sealed a series split with Arroyo Seco a day later, logging their first combined no-hitter of the summer two days later.
This milestone proved all the CCL South-leading ‘Sters needed. They would go on to take a three-game series from the second-place Riptide, building their division lead to 2.5 games with a week remaining in the regular season.
Infielder Eamonn Lance (Arizona State) was one of Santa Barbara’s most productive hitters this week, batting .353 with two doubles, a solo shot, and two RBI in 17 at-bats. Also providing some pop at the plate was backstop Rylan Galvan (Texas), who went 4-for-13 while recording two homers, two doubles, and four RBI.
The Foresters’ biggest pitching story of the week belongs to right-handers Sean Youngerman (Westmont) and Hunter Watkins (Grand Canyon), the duo responsible for Santa Barbara’s combined no-no on July 20. Youngerman and Watkins simply couldn’t be touched, as they fanned a collective nine Saints while issuing just three walks in the 4-0 win.
Another notable performance on the mound for Santa Barbara was that of righty Carson Turnquist (Oklahoma), who started his first game of the summer in the rubber match against the Riptide on July 23. The Paso Robles, Calif. native set the tone in his team’s 9-4 victory, allowing just two baserunners while striking out five in 6.0 innings – and earning his third win of the 2023 campaign.
Next week, the Foresters will look to lock up their third straight CCL South Division regular season title, but it won’t be easy. Their final five contests are against the Oaks and Blues, the two squads fighting for the CCL South’s final playoff spot.
#4 Orange County Riptide (⬆2)
League Record: 18-13
League Record This Week: 2-3
Overall Record: 19-14
Overall Record This Week: 2-3
The Riptide came into Week 7 looking to solidify their playoff position with two key South series — a two-game stint against the San Luis Obispo Blues and three games against the Santa Barbara Foresters — but couldn’t quite capitalize on the opportunity. They split against the Blues before losing two out of three against Santa Barbara, who pulled out a 10-9 nail-biter in Game 1. Despite this, Orange County is still in sole possession of the first seed in the South.
Outfielder Patrick Hackworth (UC San Diego) more than found his rhythm this week, putting up two or more hits in three games while tallying five RBI. Infielder Nathan Cadena (San Jose State) was consistent as well, hitting 4-for-13 and stealing three bases, while outfielders Grady Morgan (Fresno State) and Reese Chapman (Tennessee) were responsible for each of the Riptide’s home runs this week.
The pitching staff put together some stat-stuffing performances as well in Week 7. In the Foresters series, RHPs Jack Kirrer (Cal) and Tyler Valdez (Arizona State) each gave up one earned run in their appearances and struck out six and seven batters, respectively. Fellow righty Josh Randall (San Diego) stepped up in game two against the Blues, retiring six batters with strikeouts and giving up two hits and one earned run.
The Riptide will have some more important games in the South for the final week of the season, starting with one against the Saints, who sit one game below them, and three games against the Blues.
#5 Arroyo Seco Saints (–)
League Record: 17-13
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 19-13
Overall Record This Week: 3-1
Winning six of their last eight league contests with the CCL 30 Postseason looming on the horizon, the Saints picked the perfect time to heat up. This week, Arroyo Seco went 1-1 against the Foresters before picking up two hard-fought victories over the Blues, comfortably positioning themselves in the CCL South Division’s second playoff spot with a three-game lead over the Oaks.
Despite putting up 21 runs in four games, the Saints didn’t have a single far-and-away offensive leader. During his team’s two games in San Luis Obispo, outfielder Kyte McDonald (Wichita State) found his stride, accumulating four hits, a solo shot, and two RBI in ten at-bats. Another Shocker to headline Arroyo Seco’s lineup this week is infielder Jordan Rogers (Wichita State), who went 4-for-12 with a double and four RBI.
Playing in his first week of CCL action, newcomer Thomas Golbranson (Undecided) didn’t need any time to get comfortable. The infielder totaled four knocks – including a three-hit night against the Blues on July 21 – in addition to two walks, three RBI, and a lone strikeout and will look to become another weapon for the Saints heading into the postseason.
During Arroyo Seco’s loss to the ‘Sters on July 20, right-hander Carter Herrera (Cal State Fullerton) was strong, conceding no earned runs and striking out five in a 6.0-inning start. Two days earlier, right-handed reliever Jacob Henderson (Iowa) picked up his first save of the summer in another dominant outing on the bump. The second-year Saint was flawless in 5.0 frames, as he didn’t allow a baserunner and struck out eight, preserving his 0.00 season ERA.
Next week, the Saints will face the Blues and Riptide before rounding out the regular season with a three-game series against the Barons.
#6 Lincoln Potters (⬆1)
League Record: 15-14
League Record This Week: 4-2
Overall Record: 25-16
Overall Record This Week: 4-3
The Potters came into this week with the odds stacked against them. They owned the third and final seed in the North by 2.5 games and had two three-game series against the No. 1 Healdsburg Prune Packers and the No. 2 Walnut Creek Crawdads. The Potters won both series against the top two seeds in the North to give themselves a two-game divisional cushion for a CCL 30 Postseason berth.
Lincoln needed great performances on both sides of the ball to earn these wins, and they got just that. For the pitching staff, LHP Arthur Steinkamp (New Mexico) and RHP Craig Schmich (Minot State) were vital in the Packers’ wins, while RHPs Eric Vasser (Sacramento CC) and Toran O’Harran (Stanford) came through against Walnut Creek.
Steinkamp closed the last 4.0 innings in game one against Healdsburg, allowing three hits and zero runs, while Schmich had a whopping ten strikeouts in the game three effort. Vasser gave up just one hit and a run in 2.0 innings during the two-run win against the Crawdads, while O’Harran struck out five batters and surrendered just one run in Game 3.
Catcher Nolan Wilson had an exceptional week hitting for Lincoln, going 9-for-21 with two doubles, a home run, and eight RBI in four games. He was especially important in the game one win against the Packers, as he went 4-for-5 with three runs and two RBI. Infielder Patrick Herrera and outfielder Payton Brennan (UCLA) also had themselves a week, with Herrera hitting a home run in Games 1 and 3 against the Packers while totaling six hits for the week and Brennan hitting a double in all four games he played while tallying seven hits.
The Potters will look forward to two three-game series against the Solano Mudcats and the CCL affiliate Bay Area Admirals as they look to hold on to their playoff spot.
#7 Conejo Oaks (⬇3)
League Record: 14-16
League Record This Week: 1-2
Overall Record: 15-16
Overall Record This Week: 1-2
While Week 7 – which featured a series loss to the Barons and a non-league victory – didn’t yield the results the Conejo Oaks had hoped for, there is one major positive from their most recent four-game stretch. The Oaks are still heavily in the CCL 30 Postseason conversation, with Conejo a half-game ahead of the Blues for the South Division’s third and final playoff spot.
The reigning CCL South Hitter of the Week, McCabe Moyer (Oregon), continued his hot streak, going 9-for-23 with a double and three RBI. Moyer’s excellent previous two weeks have raised his slash line to .330/.367/.408.
On the bump, RHP Cole Fisher was once again excellent on the mound, throwing 2.1 innings and striking out five of his ten batters while giving up zero runs on two hits. Across two outings this week, LHP Tobias Plotkin (Glendale CC) performed well, giving up zero runs in 5.0 innings pitched and striking out three.
The Oaks will be in a battle for the final playoff spot in the South. A four-game set with the Foresters highlights next week’s schedule.
#8 Sonoma Stompers (⬆1)
League Record: 13-16
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 22-18
Overall Record This Week: 3-1
The Stompers have put together an impressive late-season surge, winning six of their last eight games to put them two games out of a playoff spot. Sonoma’s offense scored 30 runs across five games to power the team to three wins against the CCL affiliate Bay Area Admirals this week.
Catcher Omar Gastelum (San Jose State) led the way racking up eight hits and 11 RBI. The All-Star’s best performance came in Game 2 when he went 3-for-4, hitting two doubles and driving in five runners total. Outfielder Jag Burden (Cal) matched that hit total in that same game while batting in three runners. He now has tallied nine hits over his last five appearances.
The best performance on the mound came from LHP Austin Steeves. He made his CCL debut in game four but looked like a professional on the mound. He pitched 7.0 innings and surrendered just two hits and one run while striking out two hitters. The pitching staff had their best all-around performance in Game 1 when RHP Joey Van Dusen (Sacramento CC), LHP Clayton Longinotti (San Jose State), and RHP Alfredo Capacete (UC Riverside) came together to strike out 11 batters and limit the Admirals to two runs.
The Stompers will face the Admirals for three more games and the Walnut Creek Crawdads for two next week to try and keep their postseason hopes alive.
#9 San Luis Obispo Blues(⬇1)
League Record: 13-16
League Record This Week: 2-4
Overall Record: 20-20
Overall Record This Week: 2-4
The Blues had three pairs of two-game series in the South to try and make some ground in the standings. They started things well by splitting with No. 1 seed Orange County Riptide but were swept by the Saints after in a couple of tightly contested contests. They ended the week splitting a doubleheader against the MLB Academy Barons. San Luis Obispo now sits a half-game out of a playoff spot.
In the Game 1 win against the Riptide, the Blues found their groove and put up their highest run total of the season with 13. Infielder Sam DeCarlo (Washington), catcher Matt Spear (San Jose State), and outfielder Jeriah Lewis each (San Jose State) recorded two hits in the effort. The Blues put up seven runs in game two against the Saints, a game that saw Lewis record two more hits and a home run. Outfielder Matt Masciangelo (Undecided) had his bat hot all week long, going 7-for-16 with two doubles.
The pitching staff had strong performances all around this week. Right-handed pitcher Kaden Tynes (Cuesta College) closed the last 4.0 innings in the Riptide win, limiting Orange County to only three hits and zero earned runs. Righty Grant Cunningham (Washington) and LHP Chris Stuart (Undecided) each struck out six batters in their outings. Stuart gave up just two runs, while Cunningham didn’t surrender any.
The Blues will have another six-game slate in the league’s final week to try and move into a postseason spot. They will have individual games against the Saints, Barons, and Foresters, plus a three-game series against the Riptide.
#10 Academy Barons (–)
League Record: 7-23
League Record This Week: 3-3
Overall Record: 7-23
Overall Record This Week: 3-3
Week 7 was the MLB Youth Academy Barons’ best of the summer to date, as they split a four-game series with the Oaks before going 1-1 in a doubleheader with the Blues on July 23, ending the week with a 3-3 mark.
Infielder Kamau Neighbors (Cal State Northridge) has been consistent all season long – leading the CCL South Division with a .384 average – and unsurprisingly spearheaded the Barons’ recent success. The CCL 30 Showcase Game selection recorded multiple hits in four of his last six games, finishing the week with 12 knocks – three of which were for extra bases – four walks, seven RBI, and no strikeouts in 23 at-bats.
Despite his staggering numbers on the week, Neighbors wasn’t the only contributor to the Academy’s success at the plate. Fellow infielder Thomas Williams (Santa Ana College) went 7-for-18 with three doubles and two RBI while only striking out twice.
Perhaps the most interesting Baron this week, however, was two-way player Maximus Berber (Whittier College), who shined in his team’s 8-2 win over Conejo on July 22. After recording three hits – one of which drove in a pair of runs – Berber closed out the game on the hill, holding the Oaks scoreless in the ninth to seal a series split.
Solely on the mound, reigning CCL South Pitcher of the Week Ruben Del Castillo (Wagner College) had a solid 7.0-inning start in Game 1 against the Blues, striking out five while earning one earned run. Right-hander Harold Boyce was also productive in Game 2 of the doubleheader, as he fanned four and also conceded a single earned run in 6.0 frames.
The Barons’ final series of the regular season – a three-game set with the Saints – is sandwiched in between the series finale against the Blues and a one-off in Thousand Oaks.
#11 Solano Mudcats (–)
League Record: 5-25
League Record This Week: 1-4
Overall Record: 6-29
Overall Record This Week: 1-4
On Sunday the Mudcats knocked off the Prune Packers with a walk-off win in 10 innings, snapping their win streak and ending the week on a high note.
The Mudcats received identical contributions from two-way player Jake Tandy (Pacific) and infielder Jeff Hoffman (Willamette). Both players went 2-for-5 with two RBI. With Tandy as the automatic runner on second to start the 10th inning, Hoffman drove him in with a single and sent the Mudcats celebrating.
On the mound, RHP Caleb Davis (Sonoma State) scattered five runs and nine hits through 7.0 innings. However, those would be the last runs the Packers would score in the game as LHP Tyler Lamperti (Cosumnes River College) came and closed the door on Healdsburg. Lamperti went 3.0 scoreless innings giving up just two hits while striking out only one. Lamperti’s performance gave the offense enough time to pull off a four-run seventh inning to tie it up and eventually win in extras.
The Mudcats will look to play spoiler next week with a series against the Potters and a rematch with the Prune Packers.
Full List:
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute, and Dylan Wickman
The CCL is now into the latter half of the season, and teams are gearing up for postseason runs, which means the performances across the league are getting better and better. This week’s prime event was the CCL 30 Showcase Game, but many players put up strong numbers during league play to contend for Player of the Week honors.
The Week 6 hitters of the week are Lincoln Potters infielder Zachary Chamizo for the North Division and Conejo Oaks outfielder McCabe for the South. The best performances on the mound this week came from Walnut Creek Crawdads LHP Sean Fitzpatrick for the North and Academy Barons RHP Ruben Del Castillo down south. Read about how each player earned their award down below.
CCL North Division // Hitter of the Week
The Lincoln Potters’ have had two North Pitchers of the Week so far this year, and, for the first time this season, they have taken home North Hitter of the Week. Infiedler Zachary Chamizo (UC Riverside) is the Week 6 North Hitter of the Week for his performance in the Potters’ thrilling series against the Walnut Creek Crawdads.
Chamizo has had an excellent season this year, finishing the first half with a .322/.453/.441 slashine. In the Potters’ first series of the second half they were going up against North Rival Walnut Creek Crawdads’, and, despite the series loss, Chamizo performed excellently. Across three games, Chamizo went 6-for-13 with five RBI and two triples. Chamizo was on the basepaths all series, scoring four runs with four walks.
Chamizo’s slashline now is .347/.478/.500 with a monster .978 OPS. Last season with Sierra College, Chamizo hit .359 in 36 games played with 21 RBI and 15 walks. His performance earned him a transfer to UC Riverside for his Junior season.
CCL North Division // Pitcher of the Week
The Walnut Creek Crawdads’ have had an excellent year so far this season, and that is made obvious by the league-high ten players sent to the CCL 30 Showcase Game. One of those players, and arguably the Crawdads’ best pitchers, is LHP Sean Fitzpatrick from the University of Arkansas.
In Fayetteville, Fitzpatrick is known by his popular nickname “Fitzmagic” and in his outing against the Lincoln Potters’ last week he played the part of magician. With the Crawdads’ down 6-2 and facing their first series loss since the beginning of the season, they called on Fitzpatrick for his longest outing of the season. Across 4.0 innings, Fitzpatrick shutout the Potters’ lineup while striking out eight batters and allowing zero hits and zero walks.
In a season full of masterful outings, Fitzpatrick delivered his best and allowed the Crawdads’ vaunted offense to get back into the game and eventually come out with the victory, earning Fitzmagic the win along the way. So far this season, the Spring, Texas native has a 1.89 ERA across 19 innings pitched walking just four batters compared to 27 strikeouts.
Fitzpatrick is set up to play a key role as the Crawdads’ battle with the Healdsburg Prune Packers for the CCL North Division Crown.
CCL South Division // Hitter of the Week
For the first time this season, a member of the Conejo Oaks has been selected as CCL South Division Hitter of the Week, with outfielder McCabe Moyer (Oregon) securing the award thanks to a monster four-game stretch at the plate. Moyer was one of four Oaks named to the CCL 30 Showcase Game on Jul. 12, and his recent play only confirmed he was deserving of his spot in the midsummer classic.
Entering Week 6 with a respectable .272/.367/.412 slashline on the season, the Washougal, Washington native proceeded to go 10-for-19 while logging two extra-base hits, four RBI, and just one strikeout – a performance that improved his average to .329. He recorded multiple hits in three of his four games and played a major role in Conejo’s two-game sweep of the Riptide, but Moyer’s best outing undoubtedly came on Jul. 15 against the Saints.
Moyer proved a bright spot in a 16-3 Oaks loss in Pasadena, as he finished the night a home run shy of the cycle and went a perfect 4-for-4. The rising sophomore once again caused probems for Arroyo Seco a day later – this time in a winning effort – going 2-for-5, swiping two bags and scoring a pair of runs to total six knocks through the two-game series.
Moyer will look to build off his big week and remain a catalyst as Conejo fights for a playoff spot down the stretch.
CCL South Division // Pitcher of the Week
The MLB Academy Barons take home their second South Division Pitcher of the Week honor this week. RHP Ruben Del Castillo (Wagner College) earned it for them by carving in his squad’s final game of the week against the San Luis Obispo Blues.
The Diamond Bar, California native had a special performance that saw him throw a no-hitter in 6.0 innings. In the process, Del Castillo struck out ten batters, which is tied for the highest number of strikeouts anyone in the CCL has had this season. It was a dominant performance in all facets that set the Barons up for success, but they couldn’t close it out and were walked off in the 10th innings.
Del Castillo played well in his senior season as a relief pitcher for the Seahawks last season. His best performance came in his 5.0 innings against Sacred Heart University on April 22, when he struck four batters and surrendered only a hit. Del Castillo does not plan to stop pitching in Division 1 baseball and will become a graduate transfer next season.
Del Castillo has had no problems finding the strike zone this season, averaging 15 K’s per nine innings in his three appearances. He’s posted an impressive 1.06 WHIP this summer with an ERA of 2.25. He’ll look to continue retiring batters for the Barons as they try to gain some momentum in the late stages of the season.
Photo Credit: Christina Thai
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute and Dylan Wickman
Another week is in the books for the CCL’s 30th Year. The league is officially heading to the homestretch of the 2023 summer season following the CCL 30 Showcase Game earlier this week. Due to the break in the middle of the week, most teams only played a maximum of four games. Each team is carefully ranked based on their overall record, week record, strength of schedule, and recent trends. Read below to find out which teams placed where after Week 6.
#1 Healdsburg Prune Packers (–)
League Record: 22-3
League Record This Week: 1-0
Overall Record: 33-3
Overall Record This Week: 4-0
After returning to the top of the CCL Power Rankings in Week 5, the Prune Packers continued their winning streak, extending to 14 consecutive wins. Before the Showcase Game break the Packers defeated the Stompers in a one-off game before sweeping a series against a non-league opponent over the weekend.
The offense continues to be the Packers’ strength, scoring 44 runs and averaging 11 runs a game across their four games this week. Utlity man Hunter Dorraugh (San Jose State) continued his impressive summer, going 8-for-16 with two home runs, two doubles and three RBI. Dorraugh is hitting .456 with six home runs and 28 RBI. A new arrival to the Prune Packers this week is outfielder Ivan Brethowr (UC Santa Barbara). In his first three games as a Packer, Brethowr went 6-for-12 with two doubles and 6 RBI.
On the mound, RHP Marvcus Gaurin (Pacific) had his best outing of the year, going 5.0 strong innings giving up just one run on one hit while striking out eight. Guarin’s performance highlighted a strong week of the Prune Packers’ pitching staff as a whole, allowing just seven runs across their four games this week.
Next week, the Prune Packers return to CCL League Play with a three-game set with the Lincoln Potters before rounding the weekend off with two games against the Solano Mudcats.
#2 Walnut Creek Crawdads (–)
League Record: 16-6
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 24-6
Overall Record This Week: 3-1
After sending a league-high 10 players to the CCL 30 Showcase Game, the Walnut Creek Crawdads’ returned to league play with a loss to the Lincoln Potters before turning it around with back-to-back thrilling wins to take the series.
Across their three games against the Potters, there was no shortage of offense as the teams combined to score 67 runs across just three games. The Crawdads’ biggest contributors included Ryan Brome (Texas Tech), Joey Donnelly (Cal) and Matt King (UTSA) each had impressive performances after returning from the Showcase Game. In a wild series finale, Brome and King combined for nine RBI and four doubles as the Crawdads’ won 18-16.
With offense reigning supreme, great pitching performances were few and far between in this series. Another Showcase Game member, Sean Fitzpatrick (Arkansas), had his best performance of the year. With the ‘Dads down 6-2 through five innings of Game 2 against Lincoln, Fitzpatrick came in and shut down the Potters’ offense, throwing 4.0 scoreless innings with a season-high eight strikeouts. The outing was the longest of the year and it gave the Crawdads’ offense enough time to comeback and take the win.
Next week, the Crawdads’ will take on the Mudcats for a three-game set before rematching with the Potters in a three-game series over the weekend.
#3 Santa Barbara Foresters (–)
League Record: 18-6
League Record This Week: 3-2
Overall Record: 21-6
Overall Record This Week: 3-2
The Santa Barbara Foresters kicked off the home stretch of the 2023 season in scorching-hot fashion, building upon their torrid stretch leading up to Week 6. After dropping their first contest of the week to the Blues, Santa Barbara won two straight over the Barons – sweeping the head-to-head season series – and picked up two more victories over the Riptide.
At the forefront of the ‘Sters offense over the last five games has been catcher Will Rogers (Michigan), who represented Santa Barbara in the CCL 30 Showcase Game on July 12. Rogers belted his first two homers of the season this week and totaled five knocks, a double and two RBI in 19 at-bats. Headlined by a three-hit, four-RBI night on Jul. 15 at the MLB Youth Academy, infielder Jalin Flores’ (Texas) week was also productive, with the Helotes, Texas native going 5-for-21 with two doubles and seven RBI.
Right-hander Ben Bybee (Arkansas) continued his strong summer on the mound on July 14 against the Barons, earning his third victory in as many starts with a lights-out performance. While he allowed six baserunners – five of which came on hits – in 6.0 innings of work, Bybee held the Academy scoreless and struck out six.
Rogers wasn’t the only Foresters’ Showcase Game selection to impress this week, as righty Zane Petty (Texas Tech) did so during Game 1 of the Riptide series. Through 5.0 innings of relief, he fanned nine and conceded an earned run to seal a 2-1 Santa Barbara victory. Petty was credited with the win and now owns a 3-0 record and 2.57 ERA over 14.0 innings in league play.
The ‘Sters have a packed Week 7 ahead that will see them face the Saints twice before beginning a three-game series with the Riptide.
#4 Conejo Oaks (⬆1)
League Record: 12-14
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 13-14
Overall Record This Week: 3-1
The Conejo Oaks opened Week 6 with consecutive victories over the Riptide before running into a scorching Arroyo Seco squad, who would hand them their first and only loss of the week on July 15. Conejo would get revenge a day later, defeating the Saints to round out their best week since mid-June.
Despite boasting a solid overall summer to date – hitting .272 through July 9 and earning a spot in the CCL 30 Showcase Game – outfielder McCabe Moyer (Oregon) found another gear this week. In 19 at-bats, the rising sophomore totaled ten knocks including a double, triple and four RBI to bump his season average up to .329. Infielder Zachary Schwartzberg (Undecided) was also productive at the plate, going 6-for-14 with two doubles, three walks and a pair of runs driven in.
Aside from relinquishing an earned run, right-handed pitcher Kyle Dobyns (Grossmont) had a solid 3.0-inning start on July 13, as he allowed three hits and struck out four. Starter Alexander Rivas (UC Riverside) helped set the tone in the Oaks’ July 16 victory over the Saints, posting three scoreless frames and fanning two in 4.0 innings of work.
Next week, Conejo will see just one opponent – the MLB Youth Academy Barons. The two squads are slated to play four contests against each other, with each team hosting two games.
#5 Arroyo Seco Saints (⬆1)
League Record: 14-12
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 16-12
Overall Record This Week: 4-1
Entering Week 6 with six losses in their previous eight contests, the Arroyo Seco Saints certainly got back on track, posting a 4-1 record since thanks to an explosive offense and sound pitching. On the heels of a walk-off non-league victory, the Saints swept a two-game set against the Blues – outscoring San Luis Obispo 20-1 during the series – and kept rolling with a 16-3 win over the Oaks. Arroyo Seco’s lineup was finally kept at bay on July 16, as it was held to just two runs in a 6-2 loss to Conejo.
As expected when a team plates 42 runs in five contests, the Saints’ offensive contributions came from numerous bats. Infielder Raider Tello (Iowa) logged at least one knock in every game he played this week, hitting .500 with a double and four RBI in 20 at-bats. Outfielder Connor Bradshaw went 5-for-15 with three doubles in four contests, but the stat that truly stands out is his eight runs driven in on the week.
Arroyo Seco’s most impressive single-game performance at the dish this week was from outfielder Preston Godfrey (New Mexico State), whose ability to hit for power was evident on July 15 against the Oaks. In six at-bats, Godfrey accumulated five RBI on two hits – a three-run homer along with a double that scored two more.
In a dominant win over the Blues on July 14, right-handers Caleb Reyes (Cal Poly Pomona), Jacob Henderson (Iowa), and Anthony Giannette (Louisiana Tech) posted a combined shutout, allowing nine baserunners and striking out ten. Despite an unearned run and walk, starter Carter Herrera (Cal State Fullerton) was virtually untouchable in 6.0 frames during Game 1 against San Luis Obispo, as he retired four via the strikeout and posted five scoreless innings.
Next week, the Saints will play a pair of two-game sets against the Foresters and Blues respectively.
#6 Orange County Riptide (⬇2)
League Record: 16-10
League Record This Week: 1-3
Overall Record: 17-11
Overall Record This Week: 1-3
The Riptide were coming off a five-game win streak last week but couldn’t keep the momentum this week, dropping two against the Conejo Oaks and splitting two against the Santa Barbara Foresters.
The Riptide’s pitching was headed by RHPs Jack Kirrer (Cal), who represented Orange County in the CCL 30 Showcase game and Tyler Valdez (Arizona State). Kirrer threw for 5.2 innings in game 1 against the Foresters, striking out five batters and giving up two hits while Valdez posted a season-high in strikeouts with nine to put his ERA at 0.85 for the summer. RHP Josh Randall (San Diego) allowed a season-low one hit in game 2 against Conejo while striking out five batters in 3.0 innings.
Orange County’s offense, while not as potent as it typically is, still had some quality performances. In Game 1 against Conejo, outfielder Patrick Hackworth (San Diego) finished 2-for-4 with a triple. He has logged a hit in eight of his last 10 games. Center fielder Grady Morgan (Fresno State) and infielder Nathan Cadena (San Jose State) each had two hits and a run in the win against Santa Barbara.
The Riptide will look to get back on track next week with two games against the San Luis Obispo Blues and two more against the Foresters.
# 7 Lincoln Potters (–)
League Record: 11-12
League Record This Week: 1-2
Overall Record: 22-13
Overall Record This Week: 2-2
The Potters’ only league action this week was a three-game series against the Walnut Creek Crawdads that saw them go 1-2. They rose their record to .500 for the week by picking up a win in non-league play.
Lincoln produced 33 runs in the series and had some impressive performances on the bats. Outfielder Dominic Rodriguez (San Joaquin Delta College) dominated in the game 1 win, going 4-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. Catcher Nolan Wilson (Nevada Reno) came off his CCL 30 Showcase Game appearance with a scorching performance in Game 3, also going 4-for-5 while hitting a double and accumulating two RBI. Shortstop Zachary Chamizo (Cal Riverside) was consistent all week, recording two hits in all three games this week and hitting back-to-back triples in games 2 and 3.
Lincoln’s pitching staff has its hands full against the dynamic Crawdad offense but had some nice performances in its efforts to contain them. Right-handed pitcher Toran O’Harran threw a whopping eight strikeouts in Game 3 in half-as-many innings while letting up two earned runs. Left-handed pitcher Arthur Steinkamp was solid in his 3.0 innings in game 2, letting up three hits and one run while striking out two.
The Potters will have a very tough schedule next week, playing three against the No. 1 Healdsburg Prune Packers and three more against the No. 2 Crawdads.
#8 San Luis Obispo Blues (–)
League Record: 11-12
League Record This Week: 3-2
Overall Record: 18-16
Overall Record This Week: 3-2
The Blues started this week with a big win against the Santa Barbara Foresters, but that momentum was quickly squandered by the Arroyo Seco Saints, who swept them in a two-game series. SLO managed to go above .500 for the week, however, producing a sweep of their own against the MLB Academy Barons.
The Blues’ pitching was not quite as lockdown as it had been in previous weeks, but it still had some nice performances. RHP Justin Feld (Gonzaga) made just his second appearance of the season against the Foresters, and he made the most of it, striking out five batters in 4.0 innings while giving up zero runs. RHPs Grant Cunningham (Washington) and Fisher Johnson (USC) were both solid in their respective outings against the Barons, combining to pitch 13.0 innings while surrendering only three earned runs.
The Blues bats were hot-and-cold this week but came alive at the opportune times for them to win. Catcher Jake Bold (Princeton) racked up four RBI this week thanks to a home run and has now recorded a hit in six straight contests. Outfielders Jason Hanson (Yuba Community College) and JT Rican (Oregon) each had high moments this week, with Hanson having a 3-for-4 performance in game 3 against the Barons and Rican recording doubles in consecutive games.
The Blues will have two games apiece against the Orange County Riptide and Saints before ending the week with one against the Barons.
#9 Sonoma Stompers (–)
League Record: 10-15
League Record This Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 19-17
Overall Record This Week: 3-1
The Stompers started this week by finishing off a seventh-consecutive game against the Healdsburg Prune Packers, which they lost, before getting back on track with a three-game sweep against the Solano Mudcats.
Sonoma’s offense got into a nice rhythm in the Solano series, totaling 25 runs over the three games. Outfielder Jag Burden (Cal) was already in rhythm, as he went 2-for-2 with a home run and two walks in the Packers’ loss. He tallied two more hits and a double to close the series against the Mudcats. Catcher Omar Gastelum (San Jose State) didn’t lose a step after playing in the CCL 30 Showcase Game, hitting two doubles and two RBI in game 3. That game was a team effort by Sonoma, as nine different Stompers registered a hit.
Sonoma needed some clutch pitching to hold off the Mudcat offense, and their staff did not disappoint. RHP Orlando Leon Jr. had a season-high in innings pitched (5.0) and a season-low in ER (0) in game 1 while also striking out three batters. RHP Hayden Hall (Monterey Peninsula) pitched a perfect 2.0 innings to close out Solano to secure the one-run win in game 3.
Next Week, Sonoma will try to carry their momentum from this week into a four-game series against the CCL affiliate Bay Area Admirals.
#10 Academy Barons (–)
League Record: 4-20
League Record This Week: 0-4
Overall Record: 4-20
Overall Record This Week: 0-4
The MLB Youth Academy Barons dropped two games to the Foresters and another pair to the Blues. The Barons’ record could’ve easily looked very different, with two of their losses being one-score games.
With a .342 season batting average, infielder Kamau Neighbors (Cal State Northridge) has been a catalyst all summer long, and Week 6 was no different for the rising senior. The CCL 30 Showcase Game selection accrued six knocks and three doubles while striking out just once in 16 at-bats. Outfielder Julian Boyd (Colorado Mesa) had a standout performance against the Foresters on Jul. 13, going 3-for-5 and scoring a run.
Another Baron who shined in Santa Barbara on Jul. 13 was right-handed pitcher Maximus Berber (Whittier College), who issued one walk and struck out three in 2.0 innings of relief. In the series finale against the Blues, starter Ruben Del Castillo put up a monster line, allowing just three baserunners and fanning ten in 6.0 scoreless frames.
The Barons will have ample opportunity to get back into the win column during Week 7, as they are slated for a four-game series against the Oaks before hosting the Blues for a double-header on Jul. 23.
#11 Solano Mudcats (–)
League Record: 4-21
League Record This Week: 0-4
Overall Record: 5-25
Overall Record This Week: 0-4
The Solano Mudcats continued their struggles this week as they fell to 4-21 on the season, losing all four league games this week. The Mudcats’ had a prime opportunity with a three-game set against the Stompers, but they fell short in three close games.
In the three games against the Stompers, infielder Jeff Hoffman (Willamette) had his best series so far this season, going 6-for-14 with a double in each of the three games. CCL Showcase Game participant Bronson Balholm (Arizona State) was on base all series, going 6-for-13 with two walks, raising his season OPS to .825.
On the mound, Jake Tandy continued his impressive two-way season as he performed well on both sides of the ball this week. At the plate, Tandy went 4-for-11, and, on the mound, he delivered 2.1 innings giving up one run and striking out three.
Next week, the Mudcats will look to get back on track with three-game series against the Crawdads and the Prune Packers.
Full List:
By CCL Reporter Sam Nute
(COMPTON, CA) – On Wednesday, July 12, the CCL’s top talent across the league gathered at the MLB Youth Academy to celebrate the annual CCL Showcase Game. This year’s contest dubbed the CCL 30 Showcase Game honoring the league’s 30th season was broadcasted live on eight Bally Sports’ regional networks across the country.
Sonoma Stompers outfielder Noah Rabin (Illinois State) took home Offensive Player of the Game honors thanks to his monster two-run home run in the fifth inning. On the mound, Santa Barbara Foresters’ right-handed pitcher Robert Cranz set the tone for the South, striking out three in the first inning earning Pitcher of the Game. Healdsburg Prune Packer Damian Bravo (Texas Tech) excelled in the field racking up four putouts en route to the Defensive Player of the Game award.
Cranz shut down the North in the top of the first inning following by an equally impressive performance from North starting pitcher, Prune Packer Myles Patton (Long Beach State).
The offensive would pick-up in the second. An RBI single from Walnut Creek Crawdad Matt King (UTSA) started things off and was soon followed by a throwing error, bringing in the North’s second run.
Throughout the game, each team seemed to answer whenever the other scored. The South did just that with a run in the second frame before taking the lead in the third, completing the game’s first comeback. MLB Youth Academy Barons second baseman Kamau Neighbors (Cal State Northridge) – who was quick on the base paths all night – tied the game at two, scoring from first on a double by Foresters catcher John Newman. The South then took the lead on a passed ball to enter the fourth up 3-2.
The pendulum would swing once again in the fifth inning as the North tied the game on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Stompers catcher Omar Gastelum (San Jose State). With two outs on the board, Rabin would then crushed a 1-1 pitch, sending the game’s lone homer over the right-field wall and giving a 5-3 lead to the North.
It appeared the North might have put the game away when they extended their lead to 7-3 in the top of the seventh, but the South would have one more comeback left in them. After responding with two runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh to cut the lead back to just two, the South exploded for four more in the bottom of the eighth, taking an 8-7 lead on a bloop two-RBI single from Foresters outfielder Will Rogers (Michigan). A sacrifice fly from Conejo Oaks catcher Brendan Durfee would pad the South’s lead, making the score 9-7 heading into the game’s final inning.
Durfee’s insurance run would prove crucial as the North would attempt one more rally, scoring a run in the top of the ninth and advancing the tying run in scoring position. However, the South closed it out, stranding the runner on second to seal a 9-8 CCL 30 Showcase Game victory.
The game was not the only event taking place at the MLB Youth Academy on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, the CCL hosted a combine for scouts and college coaches, USA Baseball Player Development Pipeline testing, and its inaugural Home Run Derby presented by Walter Bat Company. Six sluggers from across the league participated in a single-elimination tournament of three, three-minute rounds.
The objective? Hit as many home runs as possible, and that they did. In the championship round, it was No. 5-seeded shortstop Dominic Hellman (Oregon) from the Foresters and No. 6-seeded catcher Brendan Durfee (Cal Lutheran) from the Oaks facing off.
Durfee topped Hellman’s six home runs with seven of his own, making him the Walter Bat Company 2023 CCL 30 Showcase Game Home Run Derby Champion.
Next up for the league is chase to the 2023 CCL State Championship, August 1-6. Featuring an updated postseason format, the CCL’s 11 teams will vie for a spot in a best two-out-of-three game series Friday to Sunday, August 4-6.
Following a coin flip at a regular offseason league meeting, the South Division representative will serve as the State Championship host this year. The North Division will host next year and rotate back and forth between Northern and Southern California in subsequent years.
To get to the State Championship, the CCL’s second and third place teams from each division, North and South, will take part in the 2023 CCL Division Wild Card Round on Tuesday, August 1. The winners of these two Wild Card games will then play the first-place teams in their respective divisions on Wednesday, August 2 for a chance at taking home the CCL’s 2023 State title.
Photo Credit: Alyssa Gervacio
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute and Dylan Wickman
Week 5 marks the halfway point of the CCL Season as the 2023 CCL Showcase Game takes place on Wednesday. Each team is carefully ranked based on their overall record, week record, strength of schedule, and recent trends. Read below to find out where each team ranks before the CCL takes a break in week 6.
#1 Healdsburg Prune Packers (⬆1)
League Record: 21-3
League Record This Week: 5-0
Overall Record: 29-3
Overall Record This Week: 6-0
The Prune Packers have returned to the number one spot in the Power Rankings following a brief stint at No. 2 last week. Healdsburg’s movement in the rankings followed a series loss against the Crawdads, but since then have rattled off nine straight wins including a win over the Crawdads earlier this week. The Packers began the week with a win over the CCL affiliate, Bay Area Admirals, before finishing the week with a series sweep over the Stompers.
Over their six games this week the Packers scored a whopping 61 runs with the offense leading the way in each win. Having his best week of the season by far was utility player Peyton Schulze (Cal). Over five games this week Schulze went 12-for-20 with 10 RBI on two home runs and two doubles, scoring eight runs. Mirroring Schulze’s production is two-way player Connor Charpiot (Long Beach State) who finished the week going 8-for-17 with six rbi on one homer and one double.
On the bump, Charpiot’s college teammate LHP Myles Patton (Long Beach State) was dominant all week. In two outings, Patton got the win in both games, throwing 7.0 shutout innings allowing just four hits and striking out a massive 14 batters. So far this year, Patton has a 1.77 ERA while striking out 36 batters in 20.1 innings pitched.
Next week the Packers will play one game against the Stompers on Monday before taking the week off for the 2023 CCL Showcase Game break.
#2 Walnut Creek Crawdads (⬇1)
League Record: 14-5
League Record This Week: 2-1
Overall Record: 22-5-1
Overall Record This Week: 4-1
The only blemish on the Crawdads’ record this week is a loss to the Prune Packers, which forces a small slide to No. 2 in the Power Rankings this week. Besides the loss the Dads’ continue to be one of the hottest teams in the CCL and are 20-2 over their last 22 games. This week they swept a two game set against the Mudcats as well as winning two Non-League games.
This week the Crawdads’ were having a quiet week on offense until Sunday where they exploded for 24 runs in a win over the Mudcats. Leading the way was shortstop Matt King (Texas San Antonio) who went 5-for-5 with triple and double as well as 3 RBI. Second baseman Ryan Ellis (St. Mary’s) continued to rake going, 2-for-5 with a double and six RBI.
On the mound, RHP Austin Berggren (Nebraska) continued to be one of the Crawdads’ most trusted arms out of the pen this year. In two outings this week, Berggreen threw 3.0 innings pitched while striking out five and allowing just two hits. Berggren got off to a rough start to the year but over his last five outings he has not allowed a single earned run.
Next week the Crawdads’ will take on the Mudcats before the 2023 CCL Showcase break, and then they close the week out with a three game set against the Potters.
#3 Santa Barbara Foresters (–)
League Record: 15-5
League Record This Week: 5-1
Overall Record: 18-5
Overall Record This Week: 5-1
At the end of Week 5, the Saints Barbara Foresters once again find themselves atop the CCL South Division and at No. 3 in the latest Power Rankings thanks to a 5-1 mark this week. After going 2-1 against the Blues, Santa Barbara used an offensive outburst to win a three-game series with the Barons, plating a staggering 35 runs during that stretch.
While numerous bats contributed to the Foresters’ mammoth offensive showing this week, the most consistent catalyst has undoubtedly been outfielder Max Belyeu (Texas) – the Week 4 CCL South Hitter of the Week – who totaled nine hits this week with a double, two homers, and five RBI in 20 at-bats. Infielder Eamonn Lance (Arizona State) came alive in two games against the Barons, going 4-for-6 while contributing three homers, two doubles, four walks and nine RBI.
Much like its hitting, Santa Barbara’s staff also put up big performances during Week 5. Save for an earned run allowed in the fifth, right-hander Robert Cranz (Oklahoma State) was dominant in a 5.0-inning start on Tuesday, maintaining a sub-one WHIP and putting down nine batters by way of the strikeout. Righty Zane Petty (Texas Tech) enjoyed a quality start of his own two nights later, as he conceded five hits and an earned run while fanning ten in 6.0 frames.
Next week, the ‘Sters will have a one-off with the Blues followed by a pair of two-game sets against the Barons and Riptide.
#4 Orange County Riptide (⬆1)
League Record: 15-7
League Record This Week: 5-1
Overall Record: 16-8
Overall Record This Week: 5-1
After dropping their first game against the Academy Barons to start the week, the Riptide were dominant, winning their next two to win the series before sweeping the Arroyo Seco Saints in three games.
Orange County’s offense was booming this week as they averaged almost eight runs per game in their contests. Its most impressive performance came in game 2 against the Barons when it scored 11 runs in one inning alone.
Outfielder Reese Chapman (Tennessee) was on fire this week, tallying two hits and a double in three out of four games he played this week while batting .429. Shortstop Nolan Funke (New Mexico State) was not too shabby himself, going 6-for-16 with two doubles and a homer. Fellow shortstop Daniel Garate (Oregon) made the most out of his at-bats this week, going 5-for-8 with a triple, four RBI and four walks.
Orange County held their opponent to less than one run in three games this week and had some standout performances in the process. RHP Josh Randall (San Diego) got the start in the final game against the Barons, surrendering just two hits and one earned run while totaling six strikeouts while RHP Jack Kirrer (Cal Berkeley) was clutch in the 1-0 win against the Saints, sporting a WHIP of 0.82 thanks to six K’s and zero base hits.
The Riptide will have two games apiece against the Conejo Oaks and the Santa Barbara Foresters next week.
#5 Conejo Oaks (⬆2)
League Record: 9-13
League Record This Week: 2-3
Overall Record: 10-13
Overall Record This Week: 2-3
For the second consecutive week, the Conejo Oaks posted a 2-3 record, splitting a home-and-home with the Saints before dropping two of three to the Blues.
Outfielder Christopher Wright (Sonoma State) showcased his consistency and power at the plate this week, hitting .333 with two homers and four RBI. Fellow outfielder Austin Carrillo (Biola) was also a dependable bat all week long, as he went 7-for-20 while contributing a double, three walks and four RBI.
Playing in his seventh contest of an eight-game personal hitting streak on Friday in San Luis Obispo, outfielder McCabe Moyer (Oregon) put together one of his best performances of the summer, going 3-for-6 with a double and four RBI in an Oaks victory.
On the mound, right-hander Cole Fisher (Millersville) had his longest start of the season on, going 6.0 innings and finishing with an earned run, eight baserunners and six strikeouts to his name. In game 2 against the Saints, righty Charlie Adamson (Undecided) enjoyed a strong relief appearance that saw him concede two hits and a walk while earning a strikeout in 3.0 frames.
The Oaks will have a relatively light Week 6, as they are slated to face the Riptide and Saints for two games each.
#6 Arroyo Seco Saints (⬇2)
League Record: 11-11
League Record This Week: 1-4
Overall Record: 12-11
Overall Record This Week: 1-4
The Arroyo Seco Saints seem to have cooled off from their scorching stretch in late June and early July that saw them win eight of ten, posting a 1-4 mark this week. After going 1-1 against the Oaks, the Saints dropped two of three to the Riptide to round out Week 5. However, Arroyo Seco certainly played the ‘Tide better than the 1-2 record would indicate – two of their losses were one-score games.
Since his season debut on Jun. 24, infielder Raider Tello (Iowa) has recorded a knock in every game he’s played in – logging five multi-hit outings during that stretch. Tello increased this hitting streak to nine contests this week, going 5-for-13 while contributing a double and driving in two runs. Outfielder Connor Bradshaw (Pepperdine) hit the ground running during his first week of the season, as he posted six knocks, a double, two walks and seven RBI in 19 at-bats.
Right-hander Caleb Reyes (Cal Poly Pomona) got the nod on Saturday against the Riptide and proved lights-out, allowing just two hits while retiring six via the strikeout in 5.0 scoreless innings. Entering Thursday’s game in the fourth with his team down 3-0 to the Oaks, righty Calvin Bickerstaff (Kent State) proved crucial in keeping the Saints within striking distance through the following 4.0 innings. Bickerstaff conceded four hits and struck out three to prevent Conejo from increasing its lead.
Arroyo Seco is slated to play four games – two against the Blues and two against the Oaks – in its sixth week of the season.
#7 Lincoln Potters (⬇1)
League Record: 10-10
League Record This Week: 1-1
Overall Record: 22-15
Overall Record This Week: 2-3
The Potters stayed at .500 in league play this week after splitting two games against the CCL Affiliate Bay Area Admirals before going 1-2 in non-league play.
Center fielder Nolan McCarty had a valiant effort in game 1, going 2-for-5 with a home run and six RBI, but Lincoln still lost by one run. The Potters responded explosively the next time out however, putting up 22 runs to the Admirals zero. Six different batters put up at least two hits in the game while the team totaled five home runs. Third baseman Reuben Church (Kentucky) and outfielder Tyler Gerety (Kansas) each accounted for two each to accrue nine RBI while second baseman Patrick Herrera (Kentucky) had a solo home run.
The Potter’s pitchers were just as dominant on the other side of the ball in the win, shutting out the Admirals and only conceding three hits. RHP Cooper Robinson led the way by striking out six batters out in as many innings, only giving up two hits. Robinson has now accumulated 13 strikeouts over his last 11.0 innings.
Next week, the Potters will take on the red-hot Walnut Creek Crawdads for a three-game series.
#8 San Luis Obispo Blues (–)
League Record: 8-10
League Record This Week: 3-3
Overall Record: 15-14
Overall Record This Week: 3-3
The Blues started by losing two out of three against the Santa Barbara Foresters before going 2-1 against the Conejo Oaks to go .500 for the week.
San Luis Obispo’s pitching staff was reliable once again this week, holding opponents to under three runs in five of their six games. RHP Matthew Gonzales (University Colorado Colorado Springs) was clinical on the mound across two games. In 9.0 innings, he struck out 11 batters while only giving up six hits and a run. Fellow righties Fisher Johnson (USC), AJ Moreno (Cal Poly Ponoma), and Kaden Tynes (Cuesta College) were also solid in their showings this week, each throwing six or more strikeouts and giving up one run or less
The Blues offense started slow this week but got things going as the games went on. Shortstop Theo Hardy (San Jose State) had a special outing in game 3 against the Oaks, going 3-for-5 with a double, a triple and three RBI. He ended the week with seven hits and four walks, both team-highs. Fellow Spartan and center fielder Jeriah Lewis recorded a hit in four consecutive games this week, capping it off with a grand slam, also in game 3 against Conejo.
The Blues will start next week with another game against the Foresters before having a pair of two-game series against the Arroyo Seco Saints and the Academy Barons.
#9 Sonoma Stompers (–)
League Record: 7-14
League Record This Week: 0-3
Overall Record: 16-16
Overall Record This Week: 2-3
The Stompers did not have a fortunate schedule this week as they had three games against the No.1 ranked Healdsburg Prune Packers after they just had three games against them last week. Although they were close to escaping game 1 with an extra-inning win, they couldn’t prevail and were subsequently swept in the series.
Shortstop Jose Ruiz (UC Santa Barbara) did everything he could in that game for Sonoma, hitting 3-for-5 with a double, a triple and a home run to give him three RBI. Outfielder Jag Burden (Cal Berkeley) had two hits himself in that game and ended the series going 5-for-15 with a double.
The Stomper’s pitching staff had its work cut out for it going against the Packer’s juggernaut of an offense. RHP Chase Meitner (USD) found the most success when he pitched in game 2. He limited Healdsburg to six hits and two earned runs in 5.0 innings while tallying three strikeouts. RHP Nicholas Rodriguez had a couple solid relief showings this week, shutting out Healdsburg in the 3.0 innings he threw.
The Stompers will face the Packers for a whopping seventh straight time to start next week before having three games against the Solano Mudcats and two against the Academy Barons.
#10 MLB Youth Academy Barons (⬆1)
League Record: 4-16
League Record This Week: 1-4
Overall Record: 4-16
Overall Record This Week: 1-4
Week 5 was a tough one for the MLB Youth Academy Barons. After kicking things off with a win against the Riptide, the Barons would drop the next contest to Orange County before suffering a three-game sweep at the hands of the Foresters.
Despite the team’s struggles, multiple Barons’ hitters impressed this week. Leading the way at the plate was infielder Dylan Lina (Golden West College), who has been his team’s most consistent and productive bat all season long. Lina went 8-for-19 with three doubles and two RBI, maintaining a top-two batting average (.387) in the CCL South Division. Infielder Kamau Neighbors (Cal State Northridge) also found success during Week 5, hitting .333 and drawing a walk in 15 at-bats.
Right-hander Carson Hamro (Undecided) enjoyed his best relief appearance of the season on Thursday against the Riptide, striking out two and issuing a single walk in 3.0 innings. Southpaw reliever Charles Acker (East Los Angeles JC) was also solid over two outings this week, as he allowed a lone walk in 2.1 combined shutout innings.
Next week, the Barons will have two chances to get their revenge on the Foresters before playing a two-game set against the Blues.
#11 Solano Mudcats (⬇1)
League Record: 4-17
League Record This Week: 0-2
Overall Record: 5-21
Overall Record This Week: 0-4
The struggles have continued for the Mudcats in to Week 5 of the CCL Season. This week the Mudcats lost a heartbreaker in game one against the Crawdads before losing convincingly in game two.
Despite the loss in game one, the Mudcats got an excellent outing from LHP Karon Casey (Contra Costa College). Across six innings of work, the Vallejo, California native held the dangerous Crawdads’ offense to just one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out three. Over his last three outings, Casey has thrown 11 innings while giving up just three earned runs and eight hits.
At the plate, infielder Tyler Tobey continued his great season for the Mudcats going 6-for-13 with a double and a home run, striking out only one time. So far this season, Tobey is leading the team among qualified hitters with a .347 average.
Next week, the Mudcats will start the week with a one-off against the Crawdads, and then they will play a three-game series against the Stompers after the CCL Showcase Game break.
Full List:
Photo Credit: Texas Tech Athletics, UCI Athletics, Scott W. Coleman (Max Belyeu), Ben Massey (Ben Hansen)
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute, and Dylan Wickman
With another week of the 2023 CCL Season in the books comes the latest installment of CCL North and South Players of the Week. Representing the North Division is Walnut Creek Crawdads outfielder Ryan Brome – who’s coming off his sophomore season at Texas Tech – and Lincoln Potters right-hander Cooper Robinson (UC Irvine). In the South, Santa Barbara Foresters outfielder Max Belyeu (Texas) and Orange County Riptide RHP Ben Hansen (BYU). Learn more about each of these player’s performances as well as notes from the 2023 NCAA season below.
CCL North Division // Hitter of the Week
This week, the CCL saw its first cycle of the year as Ryan Brome (Texas Tech) did it in the Walnut Creek Crawdads’ 18-7 win over the CCL Affiliate Bay Area Admirals. The performance was great, and along with amazing numbers across the whole week, Brome was awarded with the Week 4 CCL Hitter of the Week.
In Brome’s cycle performance against the Admirals, he finished the night going 5-for-6 with a whopping nine RBI. Each of Brome’s five hits came with a runner in scoring position, resulting in the crazy RBI total. Nine RBI ties the Crawdad record for most in a single game, and Brome’s cycle was just the second in franchise history.
Helped by his career performance against the Admirals, Brome finished the week going 10-for-23 with 14 RBI and five walks along with three stolen bases. His 14 RBI this week have launched him to the top of the CCL RBI leaderboards, as he currently sits at 23 on the season.
So far this season, Brome has slashed .321/.418/.500 with 18 hits in 56 at-bats, tallying two doubles, two home runs and nine walks. Brome will look to stay hot as the Crawdads prepare for a tough CCL North Division battle with the Healdsburg Prune Packers.
CCL North Division // Pitcher of the Week
Lincoln Potters RHP Cooper Robinson (UC Irvine) is the second Potter to take the CCL Pitcher of the Week Honors this season thanks to a great performance in a shutout win against the Sonoma Stompers. The Fulsom, California native struck out seven out of 18 batters en route to the 11-0 victory on Thursday.
After giving up a leadoff triple in the first, Robinson responded immediately, striking out the next three hitters to end the Stompers’ scoring prospect before it started. He didn’t look back from that point on, only relinquishing one more hit for the rest of his time on the mound.
Robinson is coming off a solid sophomore season for UC Irvine that saw him total 28 strikeouts in 16 appearances. He was a valuable part of the Anteaters’ bullpen, which accounted for 19 wins, 12 saves and a 3.84 ERA over the season and helped UC Irvine finish 38-17.
Robinson’s showing against Sonoma was only his second league appearance this summer, but he’ll hope to be a big part of the Potters’ rotation going forward as they compete in a tough CCL North Division.
CCL South Division // Hitter of the Week
Santa Barbara Foresters outfielder Max Belyeu (Texas) has secured Week 4 CCL Player of the Week honors thanks to a productive and efficient week at the dish. His standout performance this week is a testament to his contributions throughout the season – the Aledo, Texas native has spearheaded Santa Barbara’s offense almost all summer long.
Suiting up for all five of the Foresters’ games this week, Belyeu went 9-for-16 with two doubles, five walks and three RBI while only striking out twice. Belyeu’s best showing came on Sunday against the Saints, when he logged two singles, a double, and a walk, helping fuel a 10-1 ‘Sters victory.
As a freshman on Texas’ 2023 squad that reached the Stanford Super Regional, Belyeu started four games in a crowded Longhorns outfield that featured former Foresters Eric Kennedy (2019) and Dylan Campbell (2021-22). However, Perfect Game’s No. 6-ranked Texas high school outfielder in 2021 is certainly making his case for an expanded role next spring, as he currently leads Santa Barbara in hits (19), average (.380), walks (12) and RBI (8) during league play.
With Santa Barbara sitting in first place in the CCL South Division, Belyeu will likely continue to be a catalyst as the Foresters battle for their third consecutive CCL South regular season title.
CCL South Division // Pitcher of the Week
This week’s CCL South Division Pitcher of the Week is Orange County Riptide right-handed pitcher Ben Hansen (BYU), who put together his best start of the season in a 6-4 win over the Conejo Oaks on Sunday. Beginning the summer as a member of the Riptide’s bullpen, Hansen now has three starts under his belt, with his most recent showing great promise for the rest of the season.
In 5.0 innings on the hill, Hansen struck out five of the 19 batters he faced while maintaining a sub-one WHIP, good enough to achieve his first win of the 2023 campaign. The rising sophomore has enjoyed a solid season to date, posting 12 strikeouts, a 2.19 ERA and .89 WHIP in 12.1 frames of work.
Hansen saw a solid workload during his freshman season at BYU, pitching 55.0 innings and starting in ten games. His best performance of 2023 came on Feb. 22 against Louisiana – Lafayette, when he allowed two hits, two walks and an unearned run while retiring nine via the strikeout in 7.0 frames of work.
The Pleasanton, Calif. native will look to build off his impressive outing on Sunday and remain a key member of the ‘Tide rotation down the stretch.
Photo Credit: Eric Isaacs
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute and Dylan Wickman
Before you get your July 4th celebrations started this week, check out the latest edition of the CCL Power Rankings. Each team is carefully ranked based on their overall record, week record, strength of schedule, and recent trends. Read below to find out which teams climbed the ladder in Week 4.
#1 Walnut Creek Crawdads (⬆1)
Last week the Walnut Creek Crawdads came in at No. 2 on the CCL Week 3 Power Rankings, setting up a huge three-game series with No. 1 Healdsburg Prune Packers to kick off Week 4. The Crawdads came out on top, taking two of three from the two-time defending CCL State Champions. And, after a series sweep against the CCL Affiliate Bay Area Admirals, the Crawdads have laid claim to the top spot in the Week 4 Power Rankings.
In their series against the Prune Packers, the Crawdads got contributions from all across the roster. Outfielder Casey Cummings (Texas), infielder Ryan Ellis (St. Mary’s) and infielder Griffin Harrison (Sacramento State) each came through in clutch situations for the Crawdads. In the two Crawdad wins, the Prune Packers made a total of six errors, and Walnut Creek cashed in on those mistakes.
However the star for the Crawdads’ this week is outfielder Ryan Brome (Texas Tech) who, in the Dads’ second game against the Admirals, went ballistic, going 5-for-6, completing the cycle and driving in a whopping NINE RBI. Brome’s performance is the second cycle in Walnut Creek franchise history, and his nine RBI are tied for the most in a single game for the Crawdads. He finished the week going 10-for-23 with 14 RBI and five walks.
The star on the mound this week for the Crawdads’ wasn’t just one person but a collective effort from their bullpen. In the two wins over the Prune Packers, the bullpen combined to throw 11 shutout innings, striking out seven and allowing nine hits. The performance from their bullpen allowed Walnut Creek to overcome an early deficit in game one. keeping the vaunted Prune Packer offense quiet in game 2.
Next week, the Dads’ will play a one-off game against the Packers before beginning a three-game series against the Mudcats.
#2 Healdsburg Prune Packers (⬇1)
After holding the number one spot in each of the first two editions of the Power Rankings, the Prune Packers have slid down one spot as a result of their series loss to the Crawdads, losing two games in a row for the first time since 2021. However, Healdsburg bounced back with a series sweep against the Stompers.
The Packers have partly themselves to blame for their series loss to the Crawdads, committing three errors in each of their two losses and allowing five unearned runs over both games.
Despite the two losses, the Prune Packers have continued to get impressive performances out of their lineup with outfielder Robbie Hamchuck (San Jose State) and two-way player Damian Bravo (Texas Tech) each having outstanding weeks, going 11-for-24 and 10-for-23 respectively. So far this season, Hamchuk’s .458 batting average ranks first across the entire CCL, and Bravo’s 21 RBI rank second across the entire CCL.
On the bump, RHP Robert Aivzian (Cal) once again performed outstanding, throwing 4.0 scoreless innings in the Packers 7-0 game 3 win over the Crawdads. Along with his college teammate Andres Galen (Cal), the two Golden Bears have maintained a 0.00 ERA for the Prune Packers, allowing zero earned runs across their combined 29.2 innings this year.
Next week, the Packers will play both the Admirals and the Crawdads before starting another three-game set with the Stompers next weekend.
#3 Santa Barbara Foresters (–)
With a 4-1 record this week, the Santa Barbara Foresters have won eight of their last nine games, moving them to No. 3 on this installment of the Power Rankings. After picking up consecutive victories over the Riptide, Santa Barbara went 2-1 against the Saints to maintain the top spot in the CCL South Division.
Three Foresters – infielder Gianni Horvat (UNLV), catcher Rylan Galvan (Texas) and outfielder Gregory Pace (Michigan) – hit solo shots on Friday against Arroyo Seco, propelling their team to a decisive 8-3 win. Pace’s home run was his second in as many games, and the rising sophomore finished the week with five knocks, two homers, two doubles and six RBI in 11 at-bats. Santa Barbara’s most consistent hitter, however, was outfielder Max Belyeu (Texas), who went an impressive 9-for-16 with three RBI, five walks and just two strikeouts.
Starting on the bump for the first time this summer on Tuesday against the Riptide, right-hander Robert Cranz (Oklahoma State) looked to build off a five-strikeout, 3.0-inning appearance last week. And the Keller, Texas native did just that, allowing a single earned run while fanning a staggering eight in 3.0 frames of work.
Usually a focal point of the ‘Sters bullpen, righty Sean Youngerman was just as dominant in a start – his first of the season – on Saturday against the Saints. Youngerman posted five strikeouts and a 1.00 WHIP in 5.0 innings, earning him the win.
The ‘Sters will kick off a packed Week 5 with a marquee matchup against the Blues on Monday. They will play two more contests against San Luis Obispo, followed by a two-game set with the Barons.
#4 Arroyo Seco Saints (⬆1)
The Arroyo Seco Saints began Week 4 just as they finished Week 3; scorching hot. Arroyo Seco first swept a two-game set with the Barons to extend their winning streak to seven games. However, the Saints then came back down to Earth a bit, posting a 1-2 record against the Foresters to round out the week.
As has been the case all season long, the Saints benefitted from several contributors across their lineup. Outfielder Kyte McDonald (Wichita State) displayed his power once again during the win over the Barons on Tuesday, smacking a triple along with Arroyo Seco’s first grand slam of the summer.
In his last five games, infielder Richie Morales (Arizona) put together his best stretch of the season – highlighted by a three-hit performance in the victory over Santa Barbara on Friday – ending the week going 6-for-15 with a double and three RBI. Another Saint coming off a standout week is fellow infielder Raider Tello (Iowa), who hit .389 with two doubles and an RBI in 18 at-bats.
On the pitching side, second-year Saints right-hander Caleb Reyes (Cal Poly Pomona) had a solid start against the ‘Sters on Saturday, posting a 1.00 WHIP and four strikeouts through 4.0 frames. Righty Jacob Henderson (Iowa) proved a staple of Arroyo Seco’s bullpen in two appearances this week, as he faced just ten batters through three combined innings, allowing no baserunners and putting down five by way of the strikeout.
Next week, the Saints will have a home-and-home with the Oaks before a three-game set against the Riptide.
#5 Orange County Riptide (⬇1)
The Riptide is coming off a great Week 3 where it went 4-1, and despite not having quite the same success this week, Orange County still had some strong showings. It first played two games against the Santa Barbara Foresters – who beat the ‘Tide in both meetings – before going 2-1 against the Conejo Oaks.
Orange County’s lineup stayed hot as the week went on, as they totaled 22 runs in the two-game series against Conejo. Infielder Nathan Cadena went 3-for-5 in the 11-15 game 1 loss while accumulating 3 RBI while catcher Ayden Garcia (Golden West College) had a two-run double with two walks and two runs.
An 11-6 game 2 win was headlined by outfielder Reese Chapman’s two-homer, six-RBI performance. The series against the Oaks was Chapman’s debut in CCL play, and he totaled six hits and ten RBI in just three games. Shortstop Isaiah Morales (Saddleback College), who led the team in base knocks this week with seven, also joined in on the fun, going 3-for-4 with two runs in game 3 against Conejo.
RHP Tyler Valdez (Arizona State) continued his stellar season this week, throwing four strikeouts in 4.0 innings without giving up a run. In four appearances, Valdez has yet to give up an earned run. Right-hander Ben Hansen (BYU) was not too shabby himself, throwing five strikeouts in as many innings during the series finale against Conejo, all while giving up just one hit.
Now, the Riptide will have a two-game series against the Academy Barons and then three games against the Arroyo Seco Saints.
#6 Lincoln Potters (–)
The Potters went 1-2 in their only league series this week against the Sonoma Stompers. Each team picked up a blowout win while the Stompers pulled out a 6-5 nail-biter to take the series win. Lincoln made up for it in non-league play though, going 3-0 and sweeping the competition.
The Potters’ hitters gave Lincoln a good chance to win that tight-knit game 2, as they outhit Sonoma 8-to-4. In the ninth inning when the game was tied 2-2, Catcher Luke Lavin (Stanford) hit a two-run double to take the lead before a wild pitch extended it to three. Unfortunately for Lincoln, the Stompers responded with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to win.
The next game out, the batters came out with a vengeance, scoring 11 runs on 10 hits. Shortstop Zachary Chamizo (UC Riverside) led the way, going 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and a walk. He ended the week hitting .444, going 4-for-9. First baseman Justin Olson (New Mexico) and shortstop Luke Odden (Georgia Southern) were also impressive in game 3, each recording two hits while combining for four RBI.
Despite the series loss, the pitching staff still put in solid performances this week. RHP Cooper Robinson (UC Irvine) headlined the performance for the staff this week, allowing no hits in 5.0 innings in the 11-0 game 3 win, along with seven strikeouts. RHP Colin Reilly (Tulane) had a solid effort in the close loss, throwing five strikeouts in 4.0 innings while giving up just two hits and two runs.
The Potters will play just one two-game set next week, this time against the CCL Affiliate Bay Area Admirals before playing a three-game Non-League series.
#7 Conejo Oaks (⬇1)
After posting a disappointing 0-5 record during Week 3, the Conejo Oaks rebounded, going 2-3 in their following five contests. The Oaks split a two-game set with the Blues before going 1-2 in three contests against the Riptide.
Despite a relatively slow start to his season, infielder Drew Smith (Oregon) had a statement game on Friday at Orange County, reaching base a total of five times. The Eugene, Oregon native went 3-for-4 with two walks and five RBI – three of which came on a bases-clearing triple in the third. Catcher Brendan Durfee (Cal Lutheran) was productive at the plate all week long, hitting .429 with two doubles and four RBI in 14 at-bats.
Right-hander Cole Fisher (Millersville) was credited with his first win of the season on Wednesday against the Blues, as he issued two walks and struck out seven in a 5.0-inning start. Taking the mound in the seventh inning of that same game, lefty Colby Downward (St. Louis) ensured the Oaks stayed in the driver’s seat, dishing out three K’s and allowing a single baserunner in the final 2.0 innings.
Next week, the Oaks are slated to see the Saints and Blues for two games each.
#8 San Luis Obispo Blues (–)
The Blues split both of the two-game series they played this week, first against the Conejo Oaks and then the Academy Barons, before ending the week with a non-league win.
The Blues’ pitching staff had great outings all week to help San Luis Obispo compete, as they have all season. RHPs Lucas Alaniz (Modesto Junior College) and AJ Moreno (Cal Poly) were the premier pitchers in the Oaks series, both throwing five strikeouts in their respective appearances while only giving up one earned run. Alaniz pitched 5.1 innings while Moreno closed the last 6.0 innings of game 2.
Fellow RHPs Fisher Johnson (USC) and Grant Cunningham (Washington) both shoved against the Barons, with Johnson giving up four hits and one earned run in 8.0 innings of game 1 and Cunningham giving up six hits and two earned runs in 8.2 innings of game 2. Johnson also ended with four strikeouts while Cunningham totaled three.
The Blues’ best hitting performance this week came against the Oaks, when they scored ten runs, partly due to Cameron Constantine (Texas), who had two hits, two RBI and a run to fuel the win. He was the best among the batters this week, going 4-for-10 with four RBI in three appearances. Shortstop Theo Hardy (San Jose State) led the team in walks with four while hitting a double and totaling two RBI.
The Blues will look forward to two three-game series next week, one against the Santa Barbara Foresters and one against the Oaks.
#9 Sonoma Stompers (–)
This week, the Stompers started off by taking two of three games in a series win over the Lincoln Potters before dropping three straight to the Healdsburg Prune Packers.
In a decisive 6-5 game 2 series victory, the Stompers entered the ninth inning down 5-2 but loaded the bases and scored a run all courtesy of walks. Then, with one out remaining, third baseman Derek Tenney (Nevada) hit a double to drive in the two tying runs before a passed ball clinched the win for Sonoma.
There were some great individual batting performances this week as well. Outfielder Noah Rabin (Illinois State) went 3-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and a walk in the 11-0 game 1 win against the Potters while his fellow outfielder Jag Burden (Cal Berkely) went 3-for-5 with a double in the 2-5 game 2 loss against Healdsburg. Third baseman Michael Bell (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo) ended the week very well against the Packers, going 4-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.
The Stompers had some solid pitching performances as well, with RHP Chase Minor (San Diego) throwing a no-hitter in 4.0 innings in game 1 against Lincoln, RHP Orlando Leon Jr. (Hawaii Hilo) throwing four strikeouts and giving up two earned runs in 4.1 innings in game 2 and RHP Hawk Hill (Undecided) throwing three K’s and giving up one earned run in game 1 against Healdsburg.
The Stompers will have three more tough games next week against the Packers.
#10 Solano Mudcats (–)
This week was a short week for the Mudcats as they only played a series against the CCL Affiliate Bay Area Admirals, winning one game of the three-game set.
After a tough 6-3 loss in game 1, the Mudcats handed the ball to their ace, RHP Anthony Galindo (Texas A&M Texarkana). Galindo is coming off an impressive 5.0 shutout innings, seven strikeout performance against the Stompers last week. This week, he followed that up with another great outing. Again in 5.0 innings pitched, the Dixon, California native struck out six, allowing zero runs and just two hits. The performance brings his season ERA to 3.00 on the season with 22 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched.
With Galindo setting the tone, the Mudcat offense had to answer. Infielder Tyler Tobey (San Joaquin Delta) had his best performance so far this season, going 4-for-5 with two RBI and a stolen base. Outfielder Michael Benevides (Yuba CC) also was impressive, scoring three of the Mudcats’ runs with a 3-for-4 night including a double and an RBI.
A good offensive performance and a great start from Galindo led to the Mudcats taking game two 9-2 over the Admirals.
Next week, the Mudcats will play two Non-League games before taking on the Walnut Creek Crawdads for a three-game set.
#11 MLB Youth Academy Barons (–)
The MLB Youth Academy Barons started Week 4 with two losses to the Saints, but that 0-2 mark alone doesn’t tell the whole story. After posting eight runs in a 14-8 defeat on Tuesday, the Barons were narrowly beaten the following night, losing 8-7. However, the Academy rebounded, splitting their final two games against the Blues.
At the plate, it’s been the usual contributors getting it done for the Academy this week. Infielder Dylan Lina (Golden West College) continued his stellar hitting season, going 6-for-12 with a home run, two doubles and four RBI. Another Baron to homer this week was outfielder Jacob Klinovsky (Cal State East Bay), who recorded four knocks and four RBI in 16 at-bats.
Right-handed reliever Nicholas Romanoski (Undecided) was strong in his 2.0 innings of work on Friday, striking out two while allowing two baserunners. In the Academy’s victory on Saturday, fellow bullpen arms Calix Armijo (Cerritos College) and Maximus Berber (Whittier College) combined to concede two hits and a walk while striking out four in 2.1 scoreless innings.
Next week, the Barons will see the Riptide for two contests before beginning a three-game series with the Foresters.
Full List:
Photo Credit: Brigid O’Connell (Prune Packers), Gordie Clary (Mudcats), Sonny Tapia (Saints) and Terry Jordan (Barons)
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute, and Dylan Wickman
It’s time to name the Week 3 CCL Players of the Week. In the North, University of Alabama’s Will Hodo (Alabama) takes home Hitter of the Week while Sonoma State’s Caleb Davis (Mudcats) takes home the pitching honors. In the South, Tarleton State’s Mason Hammonds is the Hitter of the Week and Harold Boyce is awarded with CCL South Pitcher of the Week honors. Learn more about each of these player’s performances as well as notes from the 2023 NCAA season.
CCL North Division // Hitter of the Week
A Healdsburg Prune Packer wins the CCL North Hitter of the Week honor for the second consecutive week as infielder/outfielder Will Hodo (Alabama) takes home the award. Although the Prune Packers suffered their first loss of the season, they finished Week 3 with a dominant 6-1 record, and Hodo was right in the middle of it all.
In 17 at-bats across four games this week, Hodo batted .647 with a 1.582 OPS, tallying 11 hits, one home run, one double, adding four RBI and two walks. Hodo has hit .552 with 16 hits in 29 at-at bats and has proven he can hit with power tallying 5 XBH including two home runs and three doubles.
Hodo is coming off of a solid season at the University of Alabama that saw him as a contributor on the Crimson Tide’s run to the NCAA Super Regionals. In 39 games played, Hodo slashed .280/.411/.420 with four home runs and 21 RBI. Perhaps Hodo’s best game of the year came against NCAA College World Series runner-up Florida. Hitting second in the order, Hodo went 3-for-4 with a walk, setting the table for his teammates and scoring three runs.
Both Hodo and Hunter Dorraugh (San Jose State), last week’s North Hitter of the Week winner, feature to be major pieces in a Prune Packer lineup that is searching for its third consecutive CCL State Championship.
CCL North Division // Pitcher of the Week
The CCL North Pitcher of the Week Honor goes to the Solano Mudcats RHP Caleb Davis (Sonoma State), who was the catalyst in ending the Healdsburg Prune Packers’ 18-game winning streak and handing their first loss of the season.
Pitching a 7.0-inning complete game in the first leg of a double-header, Davis only gave up one earned run to the Prune Packers high-powered offense – which is averaging about eight runs per game this season – while striking out six batters. Davis gave up nine hits and found himself in some binds, but consistently got himself out of them to give his team a chance to win.
The most pressure-packed situation he faced came in the top of the seventh inning when Healdsburg had the tying run on second with two outs on the board. But Davis kept his composure and struck out outfielder Cameron Nickens, a .375 hitter this season, to secure the victory.
This summer, Davis has limited teams to three or less runs in three of his four appearances for Solano. The Mudcats will hope that he continues putting together these big performances as they try to gain momentum in the early season.
CCL South Division // Hitter of the Week
This summer’s second CCL South Hitter of the Week is Arroyo Seco Saints infielder Mason Hammonds (Tarleton State), who has shined during his team’s current five-game winning streak. Hammonds made the most of his nine at-bats, recording six hits, two doubles and an RBI while only striking out once.
With his strong offensive numbers this week, Hammonds has undoubtedly made his presence felt, but consistency at the plate is nothing new for the Lindale, Texas native. So far this season, Hammonds is hitting an efficient .414 through 29 at-bats while recording the second-most hits (12) in the CCL South Division. The rising senior is also a threat on the basepaths, as he’s accrued five swiped bags on the 2023 campaign.
Upon his arrival at Tarleton State for the 2023 season, the starting shortstop became an integral piece of the Texans’ lineup, leading the team in hits (64), runs scored (43), doubles (16) and multi-hit games (18).
Hammonds will look to build off his productive start to the CCL Season and compliment a high-powered Saints offense down the stretch.
CCL South Division // Pitcher of the Week
MLB Academy Barons right-handed pitcher Harold Boyce (undecided) clinched this week’s CCL South Pitcher of the Week title thanks to a commanding first start of the season on June 23. The Canyon Country, Calif. Native fueled a 6-2 victory over the Orange County Riptide, retiring 19 batters – ten by way of the strikeout – and earning the win in 5.0 shutout innings.
Boyce didn’t waste any time asserting his dominance, as he struck out the side in the opening frame. He would then work around two baserunners in the second and fourth to maintain his flawless 0.00 ERA on the summer. And despite excelling in his inaugural start of 2023, Boyce entered the game already a mainstay of the Barons’ staff.
In his first three appearances of the season, Boyce was used as a trusted reliever, issuing just two walks and tossing five strikeouts in six innings of work. With outing number four in the books, Boyce sits atop the CCL South Division for K’s with 16. What makes Boyce’s success even more impressive is the fact that he entered the summer somewhat cold, as he didn’t suit up for the 2023 College Baseball Season due to personal reasons.
During his sophomore season at Los Angeles Mission College in 2022, Boyce showed his versatility, recording six starts, two complete games and two saves. In total, the righty posted a 3.39 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a team-leading 57 strikeouts in 52.1 innings on the mound.
After displaying his flexibility once again this summer, Boyce forms a manacing duo with right-hander Evan Adolphus (Cypress) to headline the Academy’s arms.
Photo Credit: Devon Tessler
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute, and Dylan Wickman
Another week of league play has gone by, which means it’s time for another installment of the CCL Power Rankings. Each team is carefully ranked based on their overall record, the week’s record, strength of schedule, and recent trends. Read below to find out which CCL teams climbed the ladder in Week 3.
#1 Healdsburg Prune Packers (–)
The Healdsburg Prune Packers continued their tear through the 2023 schedule finishing the week with a 6-1 record. The Prune Packers spent the first half of the week completing their five-game sweep of CCL affiliate the Bay Area Admirals before swapping three non-league games and rounding out the week with a two-game set with the Solano Mudcats.
Sunday morning, the Prune Packers were handed their first defeat of the season, losing the first game of a doubleheader against the Mudcats. Despite the loss, infielder Will Hodo (Alabama) continued his dominant week, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. This week, Hodo was impossible to keep off of the bases, hitting .647 with 11 hits, a home run, and a double while adding four RBI and two walks.
On the mound, the Prune Packers avenged their first loss of the season with an impressive shutout performance in Healdsburg’s 9-0 win in the second leg of their doubleheader with the Mudcats. In seven innings of work, the Prune Packers allowed just three batters while striking out 11.
Next week, the Prune Packers play a three-game series with the second-place Walnut Creek Crawdads before closing out the week with a three-game set against the Stompers.
#2 Walnut Creek Crawdads (⬆1)
The Crawdads continued their impressive start to the season, going 5-0 across all games this week. They only played one league game this week, taking a 9-5 win over the Lincoln Potters.
After a rough start to the game that saw starter Jackson Flora (Loyola Marymount) give up three runs in 2.1 innings pitched, the Crawdads’ bullpen was amazing, giving the offense a chance to come back. Left-handed pitcher Jack White (San Jose State), RHP Tyler Blair (Cal), and LHP Sean Fitzpatrick (Arkansas) combined for 10 K’s and four hits over 6.2 innings allowing just two runs, leading the Crawdads to a comeback win.
Offensively, infielder Matt King (Texas San Antonio) continued his hot start to the season, going 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI, two walks, and adding a stolen base. King is hitting .444 with eight RBI and just two strikeouts in 18 at-bats for the Crawdads.
Next week, the Crawdads will play a huge three-game series with the Healdsburg Prune Packers in a battle for first place in the CCL North Division.
#3 Santa Barbara Foresters (⬆1)
Despite only playing in two CCL contests – a home-and-home with the Barons on Tuesday and Thursday – the Santa Barbara Foresters were flawless this week, sweeping their league games before picking up three consecutive non-league victories.
Infielder Ryan Black (Texas Arlington) was productive at the plate against the Barons, as he went 3-for-9 and contributed a double in the series. Playing in his first two games of the summer, infielder Eamonn Lance (Santa Clara) had a promising start to his season, hitting .375 with two RBI in eight at-bats.
Holding onto a 3-2 lead late into Tuesday’s game, Santa Barbara’s bullpen impressed yet again, shutting the door on the Academy and sealing a ‘Sters victory. A tandem of lefty Zach Erdman (Texas Tech), right-hander Jaden Agassi (USC), and RHP Sean Youngerman (Westmont College) combined to allow just two baserunners and strike out three in the game’s final 4.1 innings.
Next week, Santa Barbara will see the Orange County Riptide twice and the Arroyo Seco Saints three times.
#4 Orange County Riptide (⬆1)
The Riptide have boasted a winning record in every week so far this season, and their streak continued in Week 3. They started with a series win over the Conejo Oaks. They lost their next matchup against the Barons but made up for it by throwing a no-hitter in game two, wrapping up the series win in game three.
Right-handed pitcher Jack Kirrer (Cal) led the way, pitching a near-perfect 4.0 innings where he struck out two batters and only gave up one walk. The pitching also proved paramount in the first matchup against Conejo, where a combination of great performances held the Oaks to just two runs. Right-handed pitcher Tyler Valdez (Arizona State) started the game and limited Conejo to three hits over 3.0 innings before two San Diego Toreros – RHP Tristan LaMaison and LHP Sam Hasegawa – threw three strikeouts a piece while giving up zero hits.
Catcher Blake Penso’s (Irvine) bat got hot this week, particularly in game one against the Oaks, where he tallied three of the team’s eight hits. Outfielder Cary Arbolida (Houston) kept up his consistent play this week, recording at least one hit and one RBI in three of the four games.
The Riptide will have two games against the Foresters to start next week before rematching the Oaks for three more games.
#5 Arroyo Seco Saints (⬆3)
Entering the week with a 2-5 league record, the Arroyo Seco Saints turned it on, rattling off five straight wins – two over the Blues and three over the Oaks – and becoming one of the CCL’s hottest teams. With his team’s streak in jeopardy on Sunday against Conejo, outfielder James Nelson (Longwood) erased a two-run deficit with a lone swing, picking up a walk-off bases-clearing single to cap off a miraculous come-from-behind victory and preserve a perfect week.
Serving as the designated hitter on Wednesday against the Blues, Jared Quandt (Hawaii) had a performance to remember, fueling a 6-4 Saints victory with a pair of leadoff home runs. Infielder Mason Hammonds (Tarleton State) also proved a key bat for Arroyo Seco during Week 3, going 6-for-9 with two doubles and two runs scored.
Southpaw Kevin Warunek (Longwood) earned his win on Wednesday with a two-inning, five-strikeout relief appearance that saw him relinquish a single hit. That knock would be the only one Warunek allowed all week, as he was flawless in a 1.0-inning save three days later. Another Saints reliever to pick win during his team’s hot streak was right-hander Matthew Holzhammer (Tarleton State), who kept the Oaks off the basepaths and retired four via the strikeout in 3.0 innings on Friday.
Next week, the Saints will face the Barons for two games before beginning a three-game series with the Foresters.
#6 Lincoln Potters (–)
The Lincoln Potters got started with a tough 9-5 loss to North Division rival, the Walnut Creek Crawdads, before sweeping three games against non-league opponents to round out the week.
Offensively, infielder Justin Olson (New Mexico) continued his great start to the 2023 season. Over the last week, Olson has gone 4-for-9 and hit his second home run of the year. So far this season, Olson is off to a great start, hitting .359 with 14 hits in 39 at-bats, slugging two homers and four doubles while leading the team in RBI with 12.
On the bump, southpaw Gabriel Maya (Loyola Marymount) had two impressive outings, allowing zero runs in 5.0 innings this week. Right-handed pitcher Devin Marton (Nevada) delivered an impressive two innings this week, striking out half of the eight batters that he faced while also allowing zero hits.
Next week, the Potters will continue league play with a three-game series against the Sonoma Stompers.
#7 Conejo Oaks (⬇5)
Week 3 of the CCL season was a difficult one for the Conejo Oaks, who have lost seven straight contests. The Oaks dropped two to the Riptide before suffering a three-game sweep by the Saints.
Accruing six hits and an RBI in 15 at-bats, catcher Brendan Durfee (Cal Lutheran) led the way offensively for Conejo this week. In his team’s 7-6 loss to the Riptide on Wednesday, outfielder Eli Paton (Grand Canyon) provided some flare, with both of his hits on the night leaving the yard.
Right-hander Cole Fisher (Millersville) got the nod on Friday and didn’t disappoint, conceding two hits, issuing a walk, and striking out four in 4.0 innings. Save for an unearned run in the first, right-handed pitcher Blake Reilly (Grand Canyon) held Arroyo Seco off the scoreboard during Saturday’s loss, ending an impressive 7.0-frame start with three baserunners and three strikeouts to his name.
Next week, the Oaks are slated to play a two-game set with the Blues and a three-game series against the Riptide.
#8 San Luis Obispo Blues (⬇1)
This week, the Blues had one CCL series against the Arroyo Seco Saints that saw them drop both games as well as dropping two out of three in a Non League series.
The pitching staff didn’t have their best outings against the Saints, but RHP Joshua Blum (USC) showed out in game one, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out three across 3.0 innings of work.
With the pitching struggling, the offense gave the Blues a chance in game one , as they outhit Arroyo Seco 9-to-4. Four different batters — Right Fielder Giovanni Blanchette (St. Mary’s College of California), Catcher Matt Spear (San Jose State), first baseman Zacahry Tallerman (Cuesta College), and shortstop Augusto Schroeder (Arkansas State) — had multi-hit performances, but they could never string them together to put runs on the board. In game two, centerfielder Nin Burns II (Cal Poly Ponoma) had a nice performance, tallying two hits, two walks, and a run, but it wasn’t enough for the win.
The Blues will look to get back on track next week with a pair of two-game series against the Conejo Oaks and the Academy Barons.
#9 Sonoma Stompers (–)
The Stompers took a three-game series from the Mudcats before splitting a two game Non-League series.
They put together a thrilling win in game two against Solano when they came back from 4-0 down in the seventh to win it 8-4. They scored six runs in the eighth inning alone after drawing four walks and knocking four singles. Second baseman/RHP Hayden Hall (Monterey Peninsula College) was dynamic on both sides of the ball, recording two hits, a run, and an RBI on offense while also closing out the Mudcats with five strikeouts over 2.0 innings.
Shortstop Jose Ruiz (UC Santa Barbara) was the hero in the final game, going 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Catcher Omar Gastelum (San Jose State) had two hits in two of the games and is now batting .400 for the Summer.
The Stompers will have a tough test in store for them next week, with a three-game series against the Lincoln Potters and two more games against the Healdsburg Prune Packers.
#10 Solano Mudcats (⬆1)
After a rough 0-7 start to the league season last week, the Solano Mudcats tallied two wins in Week 3, taking a game from the Stompers and, in a shocking win on Sunday, handed the Prune Packers their first loss of the season.
In the win over the Prune Packers, starting pitcher Caleb Davis (Sonoma State) turned in a heroic complete-game performance. Due to the teams playing a doubleheader on Sunday, Davis’s complete game was a seven-inning grind. Over those seven innings, Davis navigated through nine hits and three walks, but he limited the dangerous Prune Packers lineup to just two runs, one earned, while striking out six.
Offensively, the Mudcats took advantage of the Prune Packers’ mistakes on offense scoring four runs with just two of them earned. Designated Hitter Luke Piazza (UC Davis) went 1-for-3 with three RBI, and outfielder Bronson Balholm (Arizona State) continued to be the Mudcats’ MVP, reaching base four times on a hit and three walks while scoring twice.
Next week, the Mudcats will not play a league game, playing a three-game set against the CCL affiliate Bay Area Admirals.
#11 MLB Youth Academy Barons (⬇1)
After dropping a pair of games against the Foresters, the MLB Academy Barons righted the ship with an emphatic 6-2 win over the Riptide. The Academy wouldn’t be able to replicate this success, as Orange County took the next two games 6-0 and 6-5, respectively.
Catcher Alexander Laureano (Glendale CC) was one of the league’s top hitters during Week 3, posting a CCL South Division-leading seven knocks with two doubles, three RBI, and three walks in 15 at-bats. Infielder Kamau Neighbors (Cal State Northridge) also produced offensively, as he went 3-for-9 with a double and four walks.
While he was solid in all three of his three previous relief outings – maintaining a perfect ERA through six innings of work – right-hander Harold Boyce (Undecided) dazzled in his first start of the season on Friday. In 5.0 innings, the Canyon Country, Calif. native didn’t relinquish a run and fanned ten of the 19 batters he faced, earning the win. The Barons benefitted from another commanding start a day later, with right-handed pitcher Evan Adolphus striking out three and preserving his 0.00 season ERA in 7.0 frames of work.
The Barons will see the Saints and Blues two times each in a relatively light Week 4.
Full List:
Photo Credit: Jordan Georgeson – Gold Country Media & Ashley Paulsen – San Luis Obispo Blues
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute and Dylan Wickman
San Jose State hitters Hunter Dorraugh (Healdsburg Prune Packers) and Theo Hardy (San Luis Obispo Blues), and University of Nevada-Reno pitchers Peyton Stumbo (Lincoln Potters) and Kolby Kmetko (Santa Barbara Foresters) earned CCL Week 2 Hitters and Pitchers of the Week honors, respectively. Learn more about each of these player’s performances as well as notes from the 2023 NCAA season.
CCL North Division North // Pitcher of the Week
The first 2023 CCL North Pitcher of the Week belongs to the Lincoln Potters and University of Nevada right-handed-pitcher, Peyton Stumbo. Last week, Stumbo had his first start of the CCL Season in a dominant performance against Sonoma, striking out nine Stompers in 5.1 innings, while only allowing one earned run.
In his following start against the Solano Mudcats, Stumbo provided a commanding performance once again. In the longest outing by a pitcher in the North Division so far this season, Stumbo threw 7.0 shutout innings while striking out six and allowing just two baserunners on two singles.
The Auburn, Calif. native is coming off a solid season for the Nevada Wolfpack that saw him strikeout 53 batters over 59 innings pitched. With the Potters, Stumbo joins righty Anthony Susac (Arizona) to form a dangerous 1-2 punch at the top of the Lincoln rotation.
CCL North Division // Hitter of the Week
Hitting in the middle of the lineup, San Jose State infielder Hunter Dorraugh has been a key piece to Healdsburg’s undefeated start to the 2023 season. Over the last week, Dorraugh has been on fire at the plate, slashing .458/.485/.542 in 24 plate appearances. The Vacaville native notched 11 hits, six RBI, five walks and eight runs on the way to a perfect 7-0 week for the Prune Packers.
Dorraugh’s highlight performance came in the Prune Packers’ walk-off 7-6 win over the Bay Area Admirals that saw him go 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, including the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning. Dorraugh was on base against the Admirals all week. Two games prior, Dorraugh went 2-for-3, along with two walks and two runs scored.
Dorraugh is coming off a career year in his redshirt junior season at San Jose State. Selected to the Second-Team All-Mountain West team, Dorraugh hit .324 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI in 58 games played. Dorraugh and San Jose State won the Mountain West title, earning the Spartans’ first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2002.
Dorraugh will now try and parlay his early success to the Prune Packers’ third-consecutive CCL State Championship.
CCL South Division // Pitcher of the Week
Santa Barbara Foresters and University of Nevada righty Kolby Kmetko secured the inaugural 2023 CCL South Pitcher of the Week honors with a resounding performance against the Conejo Oaks. Kmetko looked formidable in his season debut last week against the Blues, striking out four and allowing no runs in a 4.0-inning start.
The Phoenix, Ariz. native had a huge opportunity to build upon the impressive outing on Saturday, but it wouldn’t be easy – he was starting against a Conejo squad that entered the contest undefeated on the league season. Facing a scorching lineup did not matter to Kmetko, who threw 6.0 scoreless innings and struck out five en route to the victory.
Kmetko is just two months removed from a productive junior campaign in Reno, his first as a member of the Wolf Pack. The usual reliever adopted a closer role in 2023, finishing the season with the second-most appearances on the team (23) and tied for the seventh-most single-season saves (8) in program history.
CCL South Division // Hitter of the Week
San Luis Obispo Blues and San Jose State shortstop, Theo Hardy, dominated at the plate this week as no pitching staff he faced could keep him off the bases. It was the first action this season for the Berkely native, but it did not take him long to warm up.
He started with an efficient performance against the then-undefeated Conejo Oaks, going 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs.
Hardy made sure the Blues would not lose the next matchup against the Orange County Riptide though, recording a hit in all five of his at-bats in a 5-1 win. He ended the night with two runs, two RBI, a double and a 1.900 OPS, and totaled over half of his team’s hits. It came against no easy opponent either, as Riptide left-handed pitcher, Evan Vasilou, has given up just four hits in his 8.0 innings pitched this season. Hardy is responsible for two of them.
In his next outing against Orange County, Hardy was a mainstay on the base paths tallying three walks, a run, and an RBI.
The senior is coming off an All-Mountain-West First Team campaign this season where he led the Spartans with a .329 batting average while tallying 71 hits, 43 runs, 32 walks and 27 RBI, all career-highs. Hardy batted 8-for-20 in the Mountain West Championships, helping the Spartans win the conference tournament and earn a trip to the 2023 NCAA Regionals.