Loyola’s Napolitano Is Honored by WCC

Loyola Marymount first baseman Anthony Napolitano capped an outstanding sophomore season Thursday when he was selected to the All-West Coast Conference first team.

Napolitano was the only first-team selection for Loyola, which finished 15-37 and last in the WCC at 9-17.

“He wasn’t a real surprise,” Coach Jody Robinson said. “He was a guy that had first-team numbers. He was second in the nation in doubles percentage.”

Despite missing two weeks because of a groin injury, Napolitano still led the conference in doubles with 23. He batted .343, including a .443 average in WCC play to lead the league.

Loyola freshman outfielder Mike Seal, junior designated hitter Darren Sugiyama and sophomore pitcher Shane Bowers were second-team selections.

Seal was among the team batting leaders with a .311 average, and Sugiyama led the Lions with 42 runs batted in and was second in home runs with seven. Bowers made the second team despite a 3-5 record and 5.36 earned-run average.

“I was kind of surprised that Bowers made second team, but he pitched very well in conference play,” Robinson said.

Five other Lions received honorable mention: junior catcher Rob Ickes, sophomore shortstop Greg Carl, senior outfielder Matt Marks, junior utility player Chad Nichols and senior utility player Gerardo Perez.

Pepperdine, which won its second consecutive conference title, dominated the selections.

Second baseman Steve Rodriguez was named player of the year, Patrick Ahearne was voted pitcher of the year and Andy Lopez was coach of the year. Ahearne, a former standout at Harbor College, was 13-1 with a 2.26 ERA.

Former St. Bernard High standout Dan Melendez of Pepperdine made the first team as a first baseman.