DAILY NEWS ALL-AREA BASEBALL 2024
Harvard-Westlake’s Bryce Rainer hits a double against St. Francis March 8 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Bryce Rainer, Harvard-Westlake, Senior
Harvard-Westlake’s offense knew how to make an immediate statement with Bryce Rainer as the leadoff hitter. Professional scouts lined the fences during games to get a look at not just his hitting, but also his play at shortstop.
The Mission League player of the year and All-CIF Southern Section Division 1 honoree managed a .511 batting average and .621 on-base percentage ahead of either a professional career or a collegiate career — whichever he chooses.
“We’re just going out there and having fun,” Rainer said during the season.
Rainer logged 48 hits, 36 runs and 17 stolen bases this season heading into the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game against Corona. At shortstop, he registered 39 put-outs and 54 assists.
“He’s arguably one of the best bats in the country, I would say,” Harvard-Westlake coach Jared Halpert said. “So you’re either gonna risk him squaring up a ball or you’re gonna walk him and now you’ve got a well above-average runner on the bases.”
He also pitched 23 innings and held a 1.83 ERA while striking out 35 hitters and walking 14.
“Whenever I’m called upon to help my team, I’m ready to go,” Rainer said.
Harvard-Westlake dropped only one Mission League game, to Chaminade, this season and tied another one against Sierra Canyon. They fell to rival Orange Lutheran twice but also beat the Lancers twice — one winning occasion was the CIF-SS semifinal game that sent the Wolverines to the Division 1 championship game.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Duncan Marsten, Harvard-Westlake, Senior
Harvard-Westlake pitcher Duncan Marsten reacts after fielding a ball and throwing out a Chaminade batter during Mission League baseball action March 27, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Harvard-Westlake’s Duncan Marsten came into his senior season seemingly unburdened by the injury and Tommy John surgery that kept him off the mound the two years prior.
He was locked in as the Wolverines’ ace to go 11-1. Heading into the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game against Corona, he held a 1.63 ERA with 66 strikeouts. Marsten threw the first complete game of his career against San Dimas to get Harvard-Westlake to the semifinals.
Marsten is a Wake Forest commit and also a 2024 MLB Draft prospect.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Nicholas Boldt, Heritage Christian, Sophomore
Nicholas Boldt led Heritage Christian in batting average (.469), on-base percentage (.500), hits (45) and doubles (13) on his way to earning a nod on the All CIF-SS Division 7 team.
The sophomore also tacked on 29 runs, 12 RBIs and 14 stolen bases as he started to look more and more like the future of Heritage Christian baseball.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jim Ozella, Hart
Hart High School baseball coach Jim Ozella looks on against West Ranch April 19, 2024. Hart won the game, 5-3.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Jim Ozella went out on top after his 25-year career as Hart’s head coach. He guided Hart to a CIF-SS Division 2 title — the program’s first title since 1999. Hart also won its third Foothill League title in the last four seasons and dropped only two league games, both to Saugus.
Ozella compiled an overall record of 467-247 at Hart and was known for his strategic style of play and even keel in addition to his sense of humor.
PITCHERS
Anthony Camas, Paraclete, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 4, 9-3, 1.38 ERA, 84 Ks
Troy Cooper, Hart, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 2, All-Foothill League first team, 1.32 ERA, 93 Ks
Ian Edwards, Hart, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 2, Foothill League Pitcher of the Year, 1.06 ERA, 48 Ks
Michael Figueroa, Birmingham Charter, Sr.
All-City Section Open Division first team
Jordan Kingston, Calabasas, Sr.
Marmonte League co-Pitcher of the Year, 8-1, 1.49 ERA, 47 Ks, three complete games, one shutout
Calabasas pitcher Jordan Kingston throws to home plate during their CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoff game against Norco, Friday, May 5, 2023, at Calabasas. Calabasas won 9-3. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, contributing photographer)
Nate Kugler, Notre Dame, Sr.
All-Mission League first team, 8-2, 0.95 ERA, 60 Ks
Jacob Magna, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.
All-Mission League first team, 5-0, 1.04 ERA, 26 Ks
Dylan Volantis, Westlake, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 2 8-1, Marmonte League co-Pitcher of the Year, .33 ERA, 96 Ks
Westlake’s Dylan Volantis fires off a pitch against Arcadia during a CIF Southern Section Division 2 baseball quarterfinals game at Arcadia High School on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
FIELD PLAYERS
Taylor Busch, Moorpark, Jr.
All-CIF-SS Division 2, All-Coastal Canyon League first team, .292 BA, 26 hits, 19 runs, 13 RBIs, .10 stolen bases
Nate Castellon, Calabasas, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 1, Marmonte League MVP, .500 BA, 43 hits, 33 runs, 13 RBIs, 10 stolen bases
Elijah Clayton, Oaks Christian, Sr.
All-Marmonte League first team, .333 BA, 27 hits, 18 runs, 12 RBIs, one home run
Jay B Dalumpines, Birmingham Charter, Sr.
All LA City Section Open Division First Team
Ryan De La Maza, Hart, Sr.
CIF-SS Division 2 Player of the Year, Foothill League Player of the Year, .352 BA, 32 hits, 21 runs, 22 RBIs, 10 stolen bases
Holden Deitch, St. Francis, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 4, All-Mission League first team, .362 BA, 29 hits, 20 runs, 12 RBIs, .480 OBP, five stolen bases
St. Francis’ Holden Deitch makes a diving catch fduring a Mission League game against Chaminade on March 31, 2023. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Cody Gallegos, Sierra Canyon, So.
All-Mission League first team, .375 BA, .432 OBP
Nolan Johnson, Westlake, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 2, All-Marmonte League first team, .446 BA, 23 runs, 36 RBIs, nine doubles, seven stolen bases
Lucas Martinov, Grace, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 3, .384 BA, 33 hits, 23 runs, 19 RBIs, eight doubles, four triples, 14 stolen bases
Luke Medhurst, Newbury Park, Sr.
All-Marmonte League first team, .396 BA, 36 hits, 15 runs, 16 RBIs, .513 OBP, 10 stolen bases
Zach Nagy, Royal, Jr.
All-Coastal Canyon League first team, .373 BA, 31 hits, 23 runs, 16 RBIs, 11 doubles, four triples, .10 stolen bases
Winston Peterson, Village Christian, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 6, .286 BA, 22 hits, 19 runs, two home runs, .434 OBP, 16 stolen bases, 92 put-outs
Jacob Shannon-Wilkerson, Moorpark, Sr.
All-Coastal Canyon League first team, .282 BA, 29 hits, 28 runs, 25 stolen bases, 70 put-outs
Robert Snyder, Burbank, Jr.
All-CIF-SS Division 3, .432 BA, .449 OBP, 13 runs
Levi Sterling, Notre Dame, Sr.
All-Mission League first team, .319 BA, 30 hits, 20 runs, 18 RBIs, three home runs, .396 OBP, 42 put-outs
Notre Dame’s Levi Sterling pitches during a 4-0 win in the championship game of the National Classic against El Dorado on Friday, April 5, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Nolan Stoll, West Ranch, Jr.
All-Foothill League first team, .380 BA, 30 hits, 15 runs, 11 RBIs, .480 OBP, three stolen bases, 185 put-outs
Ethan Tibert, Village Christian, Sr.
All-CIF-SS Division 6, .421 BA, 32 hits, 25 runs, 19 RBIs, five home runs, .542 OBP
Vinny Van der Wel, Chaminade, Sr.
All-Mission League first team, .381 BA, 37 hits, 15 runs, 23 RBIs, .410 OBP, three stolen bases
Quentin Young, Oaks Christian, Jr.
All-Marmonte League first team, .353 BA, 30 hits, 20 runs, 18 RBIs, three triples, one home run
Related Articles
Daily News All-Area Softball: Ilove’a Brittingham, Addison Moorman receive top honors
Daily News All-Area Boys Volleyball: West Ranch’s Noah Douphner is the player of the year
Taylor Dockins, softball pitcher who excelled and inspired while battling liver cancer, dies at 25
Daily News All-Area Girls Track: Canyon’s Mikaela Warr is athlete of the year
All-CIF Southern Section boys lacrosse teams and award winners
