Culver City High School senior Tyler Mark was voted the Ocean League’s Most Valuable Baseball Player last week by league coaches.
Mark led the Centaurs to their second consecutive Ocean League championship at 10-0. Culver advanced to the CIF-Southern Section Division III second round three weeks ago where it was shut out by host Paramount, 2-0.
He finished the season at 7-2 with a 2.13 earned run average. On offense, Mark hit .338 with a .514 slugging percentage.
Head coach Rick Prieto was named the league’s Coach of the Year.
Senior Jon Kocker, senior Brian Ibarra, freshman Jay Sterner and senior Skylar Blocker made first team all-league.
Sophomore Darian Sylvester and senior Adrian Perez were named to the second team.
Overall, the Centaurs ended their season at 20-9.
Mark and Ibarra vied in the 43rd Annual South Bay All-Star Baseball Classic last Friday at Redondo High School. Ibarra, who batted .300 in the season, had a key infield single and was one of two players that scored on a winning two-run base hit by El Segundo’s Leo Fahmie that gave the Red team a come-from-behind 5-4 win over the Blue squad.
Mark pitched two scoreless innings for the Blues, who had a 4-1 lead entering the top of the ninth.
Mark earned Most Valuable Player honors for the team, as presented in the recent baseball program banquet at Culver High. Brian Ibarra was selected Most Outstanding Player. Daniel Hennessy was Offensive Player of the Year with a .368 Batting Average
Jay Sterner was named Rookie of the Year
Eli Bowie was awarded junior varsity Most Outstanding Player. Jonathan Im was Most Improved. Jake Wells was honored as Team Player.
Louis Ortega took home the Frosh/Sophomore Most Outstanding Player award. Welvin Martinez earned Most Improved. Max Akita won the Coaches Award
“These young men have truly been remarkable student athletes. The sacrifices and accomplishments they made this year will never be forgotten, especially the senior class,” said Prieto.
Team liaisons Jennifer Stewart, Shannon Bradley and Sarah Reyes assisted during the season and coordinated the annual team banquet. Chryssa Elliott and Diana Aceves prepared the awards slide show.
