Wilhelm earns league’s top pitching honor
The Laguna Beach High baseball team placed seven players on the 2012 All-Orange Coast League team, led by sophomore Grant Wilhelm, who was named Pitcher of the Year.
All seven Breakers are underclassmen.
Wilhelm went 8-2 this season, his final victory coming in a CIF Southern Section Division 4 wild -card game against Victor Valley last month. He held a 1.71 earned-run average and recorded 60 strikeouts in 60 innings, Laguna Coach Mike Bair said.
“The poise Grant showed this year was above and beyond that of sophomore status,” Bair said. “Even on days when his stuff wasn’t on, he still competed hard and kept us in games.
“He’s a warrior on the mound. He was great for us all season long, from start to finish.”
First-team members from Laguna included juniors Robbie McInerny and Blake Hester, and sophomore Steven Harrison. Breakers named to the second team were juniors Jackson Rees and Larry Stewart, and sophomore Preston GrandPre.
Junior Wyatt Haccou of league champion Calvary Chapel was named Most Valuable Player.
Laguna went 18-9 and finished in third place in the Orange Coast League. The Breakers defeated Victor Valley in postseason play before being eliminated from the playoffs by second-ranked La Salle in a first-round game.
*
Softball
Laguna junior pitcher Haley Putnam and junior catcher Kennedi Gherardini have been named to the second team on the 2012 All-Orange Coast League team. The league’s MVP and top pitcher honors went to junior Melanie Coyne of league champ Calvary Chapel.
Putnam hit .571 with a 1.043 slugging percentage and also held a 1.71 ERA. Gherardini led the team with 38 runs batted in and hit .491 for the season.
The program held its end-of-season banquet Monday. Coach Alan Ludloff said the Breakers set 12 school marks this season.
Twitter: @MikeSciacca