If there was one key to stopping the Live Oak High baseball team
this year, it was holding the top of the Acorn order in check. But
very few teams could accomplish that. With three speedy seniors in
Doug Porras, Bryce Wilson and Andrew Cummins in the first three
spots in the batting order, and junior slugger Kyle Mosbrucker
hitting clean-up (until he was injured late in the season), the
Acorns created havoc with an opposing team
’s pitching staff, and its psyche. And, LO rode that all the way
to a league title this season. As a result, the Acorn quartet
earned All-Tri-County Athletic League first team honors this
season.
If there was one key to stopping the Live Oak High baseball team this year, it was holding the top of the Acorn order in check. But very few teams could accomplish that.
With three speedy seniors in Doug Porras, Bryce Wilson and Andrew Cummins in the first three spots in the batting order, and junior slugger Kyle Mosbrucker hitting clean-up (until he was injured late in the season), the Acorns created havoc with an opposing team’s pitching staff, and its psyche. And, LO rode that all the way to a league title this season.
As a result, the Acorn quartet earned All-Tri-County Athletic League first team honors this season.
It all started off, literally and figuratively, with Porras, who hit .482 in league play from his lead-off position, with 27 hits and 24 runs scored. Porras also led off two games with home runs. He also played a often-spectacular shortstop and went 3-0 with a 0.48 ERA as the team’s closer.
For his exploits, Porras was voted the TCAL MVP.
“He was the catalyst at the top of our order,” LO coach Mark Cummins said. “He was also a great role model for our younger kids to follow.”
Joining Porras on the all-TCAL squad are seniors Andrew Cummins, a three-time first team all-league selection at second base, and Bryce Wilson, who played left field.
Cummins hit .326 from the third spot in the batting order and scored 17 runs while knocking in 14 for LO in TCAL play. He also provided outstanding defense at second base.
Batting second, Wilson hit .333 with 16 runs scored and 15 RBIs in TCAL, while playing steady defense in the outfield.
Mosbrucker, the team’s ace on the mound who played right field when he wasn’t pitching, hit .400 with 10 RBIs in league play. He also had a 4-2 record with a 3.98 ERA.
The talented junior, who is drawing college and pro attention, suffered an arm fracture late in the season.
Earning all-TCAL second team honors were senior third and first baseman Shayne Christman, senior pitcher/first baseman Eric Nelson, senior centerfielder Shaun Standridge, and junior pitcher Kyle Ferguson.
Christman hit .313 with 14 RBIs, Standridge hit .250 with 11 runs scored and nine RBIs, Nelson went 2-0 on the mound while hitting .243 in league play, and Ferguson went 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA.
Junior third baseman/designated hitter Nick Bonfiglio earned Honorable Mention, while junior catcher Jeff Heil was named to the all-TCAL Sportsmanship squad.
LO’s Mark Cummins was named the TCAL’s Coach of the Year.
