Canyons Sees 13 Players Earn All-WSC Awards
COC placed seven players on the All-WSC First Team, led by outfielder Chad Bible who led the state in both home run (15) and RBIs (59), while batting an impressive .392.
After compiling a 28-8 regular season record and leading the state in nine offensive categories, the College of the Canyons baseball team saw 13 players earn All-Western State Conference (WSC) honors.
The Cougars finished third in the highly competitive WSC, South, but entered the postseason with the state-wide lead in hits (477), runs (337), batting average (.353), extra base hits (166), total bases (780), home runs (63), RBIs (305), on base percentage (.427) and slugging percentage (.577).
Those numbers helped COC place seven players on the All-WSC First Team, led by outfielder Chad Bible who tops the state in both home run (15) and RBIs (59), while batting an impressive .392 and scoring 50 runs on the season.
Meanwhile, fellow All-WSC First Team selection Anthony Lepre ranked second in the state with 13 home runs to go with a .392 average.
Infielder Colton Burns batted .421 on the season, to rank third in the state, and scored 49 runs on his way to a second straight First Team selection.
Also honored with an All-WSC First Team nod were designated hitter Darren Kriz (.375, nine home runs, 25 RBIs), infielder JD Krauskopf (.347, five home runs, 33 runs scored) and outfielder Roy Verdeo (.346, six home runs, 37 RBIs, 36 runs), who was also an all-conference selection year ago.
COC hurler Jacob Musial was also named to the First Team after posting a 9-1 regular season record to go with 69 strikeouts and a 2.99 ERA through 72 and 1/3 innings of work.
Earning All-WSC Second Team honors were first baseman Jake Spurlin (.359, three home runs, 33 RBIs), outfielder Chris McCready (.324, five home runs, 26 RBIs, 44 runs) and starting pitcher Justin Dehn (4-1 record, 45 strikeouts).
Honorable Mention awards went to infielder Wyatt Hoppie (.286, three home runs, 30 runs and 21 RBIs), starter Chase Wheatcroft (6-1 record, 42 strikeouts) and relief pitcher Sean Ward (1-0 record, 2.70 ERA).
In addition, McCready earned a Gold Glove award after flawlessly fielding his position through 36 games.