Sun All- State Baseball players

Friday, June 5, 1998 | 12:04 p.m.

C: Russell Cleveland, Chaparral, Senior

Slugger batted .521 with 9 HR, 43 RBI; threw out 12 of 15 runners

1B: Derek Cotton, Valley, Senior

Viking cleanup hitter led Las Vegas-area with 12 homers, 48 RBI, .582 average

2B: Dallas Pollaro, Bishop Gorman, Senior

Consistent performer hit .313 with 24 RBI; .985 fielding percentage

SS: Ryan Ruiz, Silverado, Sophomore

Slick fielder made just six errors in 30 games; .353 average, 4 HR, 30 RBI

3B: Matt McCurdy, Durango, Senior

Versatile cleanup hitter batted .438 with 5 HR, 43 RBI

OF: Austin Leck, Carson, Senior

Feared hitter batted .431 with 7 HR, 40 RBI, 12 doubles; 3-0 pitching record

OF: Jason Van Meetren, Bishop Gorman, Senior

Gaels' leader batted .545 with 9 HR, 47 RBI; 9-1, 1.88 ERA as No. 1 starter

OF: Jeremy West, Bonanza, Sophomore

Smooth-hitting left-fielder hit .419 with 15 doubles, 33 RBI

DH: Kenny Riley, Reed, Junior

Rock-solid catcher batted .440. with 8 HR, 35 RBI

Ut: Kevin Bills, Reno, Junior

Led state with 20 HR, 61 RBI; .454 average

P: Mike Esposito, Cimarron-Memorial, Senior

Right-hander went 8-2, with 2.01 ERA, 89 Ks in 68 IP; batted .400 with 5 HR, 23 RBI

P: Mike Nannini, Green Valley, Senior

Right-hander went 10-1 with 3 saves, 0.58 ERA, 97 Ks in 73 IP; tossed two no-hitters

P: Joe Orloski, Green Valley, Senior

Right-hander went 10-1 with 2.06 ERA, 68 Ks in 68 IP; .365 average, 34 RBI

Coach: Rodger Fairless, Green Valley

Led Gators to 33-2 record and sixth consecutive state title despite losing 14 players to graduation

Honorable Mention:

Chris Bannister, Durango, LHP/OF, Sr.; Eddie Blubaugh, Durango, OF, Sr.; Brandon Boesch, RHP, Bishop Gorman, So.; Brett Bollman, Chaparral, RHP, Sr.; Mike Cocks, Boulder City, RHP/SS, Sr.; Derrick Davis, Churchill County, LHP, Sr.; David Jensen, Green Valley, 1B, Sr.; Jake Laidlaw, Cheyenne, SS, Jr.; Matt McHenry, Sparks, OF, Sr.; Cisco Melendez, Carson, 3B, Sr.; Mike Mooney, Bishop Manogue, SS, Sr.; James Nepa, Cimarron-Memorial, C, Jr.; Jack Newark, Durango, DH, Sr.; Brady Ovard, Douglas, LHP/OF, Sr.; Brandon Perry, Silverado, 2B, So.; Darrell Rasner, Carson, RHP, Jr.; Justin Serrano, Carson, SS, Sr.; Jeff Smith, Virgin Valley, RHP, Jr.; Jeff Tolotti, Galena, OF, Sr.; Vincent Valiente, Silverado, OF, Jr.; Jimmy Wallace, Reno, C, Jr.; Eric Wise, Basic, RHP, Sr.; Chris Wiskerchen, Reed, 1B, Jr.; Paul Wurts, Bishop Gorman, RHP, Sr.