Eight players on the 2009 George West baseball team received distinction in the District 31-2A All District voting. The club will play warm up games Monday, May 11th at Odem at 6PM and May 15th at home against Stockdale at 7 p.m. The Bi-District playoffs will be on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd against either Riviera or Bishop.

“There are always suprises--good and bad--in all district voting,” said George West coach Antonio Villalon. “I thought a couple of our George West boys deserved better, but Three Rivers’ terrific outfielders Rico Rodriguez and Logan Muniz also didn’t get the voting respect I thought they deserved.

We are looking forward to representing Live Oak County with class and some good baseball in the coming weeks.”

Senior catcher Gabriel Garcia shared similar thoughts. “Although we were poorly represented in the district, we will show people what we are made of in the playoffs.”

First Team All District

Pitcher Lucas Rannefeld: The senior pitcher notched a 4-0 record with 58 strike outs in 45.3 innings after recording a 6-2 record his junior season.

His 3.09 ERA is the best of any Longhorn pitcher. “Never giving up,” said Rannefeld, “is the key to success.”

Outfielder Brett Epperson: The junior followed up a first team selection as a sophomore by hitting .397 with sixteen RBI’s, six doubles, two triples, and two home runs as the team’s cleanup hitter in 2009.

Designated Hitter Shannon Taylor The junior hit .292 with fourteen RBI’s, two doubles, a triple, and a home run. He also leads the team with fifteen steals. Taylor has also thrown 34 innings, has a 5.35 ERA, and a 4-2 record on the mound.

Second Team All District

1B Riley Rocha: The junior stepped in and became a vital cog in the pitching rotation (29.7 innings, 5.66 ERA, 2-4 record), but earned honors by hitting .279 with 11 RBI’s and playing the best defense at first in the district.

For Rocha, however, the best is yet to come. “The season,” he says, “isn’t over.”

OF Holden Holm: The senior followed up a solid junior year as designated hitter by crushing the ball to a .315 average and fourteen RBI’s as the team’s #3 hitter. Holm started the entire season in right field without making one error. “I wish I had more time to prove myself,” said Holm.

“Thank God for the playoffs.”

Honorable Mention

3B Travis Walker: Splitting time at DH, third base, first base, catcher, and left field, the team’s utility player hit .236 overall with 11 RBI’s and filled in wherever the team needed him. He did his best work in district as he hit .321 against district foes. “Getting recognized by opposing coaches,” said Walker, “feels good.”

C Gabriel Garcia: Garcia caught fire four games into district, hitting .282 overall and crushing the ball in an eight game hitting streak that resulted in a .522 batting average in district. “I’m very honored to be considered one of the top catchers in the district,” said Garcia. Coach Villalon added, “Gabriel does a fantastic job behind the plate. Nobody calls a better game, and no one works harder to block pitches in the dirt and to shut down the opponent’s running game. And his bat has sparked our offense in the second half of district.”

2B Albert Gamez: Gamez leads the team with 22 runs scored and has stolen thirteen bases to go along with his .227 batting average and outstanding defense.