2004 Sun All-State Baseball Team

Thursday, June 10, 2004 | 10:10 a.m.

JEFF SCHOENBACHLER

P, Sr., Reno

Noteworthy: The Huskies' southpaw ace dominated Nevada competition in his senior season ... All-State Player of the Year, earning his second straight selection to the first team ... coaches voted him Sierra Region pitcher of the year ... went 12-1 on the mound in 75 innings ... most impressive are his 115 strikeouts, a pace of 1.3 per inning ... allowed just 40 hits and 19 walks, and also recorded a save ... committed to play at Long Beach State, but opted to turn pro after being picked in the fifth round by Minnesota ... "Schoenbachler dominated on the mound because of his ability to locate all three pitches, outstanding velocity, and this year he developed his mental approach on the mound," Reno coach Pete Savage said.

JAKE MCGEE

P, Sr., Sparks Reed

Noteworthy: A fastball reaching into the 90s and a good overhand curveball make McGee tough to hit ... coaches voted him High Desert Region player of the year ... propelled the Raiders into the 4A state playoffs in one of their best seasons ... allowed Cimarron-Memorial just one run in a tough opening-round loss ... the first Nevada high school player chosen in the Major League Baseball entry draft ... went to Tampa Bay in the fifth round and likely to sign a minor league contract ... originally committed to play college ball at UNLV.

JUSTIN MCDANIEL

P, Sr., Foothill

Noteworthy: Surprising Falcons won the Southeast Division and ran through to the Sunrise Region championship game, and All-Southern Nevada hurler McDaniel led them there ... a fastball that touches 90 mph coupled with a good slider ... only loss came to Mission Bay (Calif.) HS, which featured national top draft pick Matt Bush ... in 60 innings, built 7-1 record with 1.73 ERA and 62 strikeouts ... went the distance six times and tossed three shutouts ... solid at the plate as well with .372 average, three homers and 31 RBIs ... "This year, he just improved a lot," Falcons coach Tom Crine said. "He just did a great job for us. He beat Green Valley twice and that's pretty hard to do in one season."

BRYCE MASSANARI

C, Sr., Centennial

Noteworthy: A third straight excellent season leads to a third straight All-State first team nod for Massanari ... the heart of the Bulldogs' squad, Massanari led Centennial to the Sunset Region championship game ... equally strong on defense and at the plate ... batted .491 in regular season play, adding four homers and 41 RBIs ... also slugged .848 and reached base at a .628 clip ... turned it up in playoffs with a .500 average, two homers and seven RBIs ... "He actually brought a little extra (this year)," Bulldogs coach Charlie Cerrone said. "He was like an extra coach on the field for us. I got a little spoiled have the same guy catching back there for four years."

JORGE ESQUIVEL

IF, Sr., Cimarron-Memorial

Noteworthy: Second baseman nicknamed "Pudge" was the Valley's most dangerous hitter in 2004 ... received Player of the Year award from southern Nevada by coaches ... batted a ridiculous .613 to lead all players in batting average by more than 100 points ... also paced all players with 11 homers and 63 RBIs in the regular season alone ... signed to play next season with Community College of Southern Nevada ... "He was our backbone," Spartans coach Mike Hubel said. "I think there were two or three games all year where he didn't get a hit. He had Tony Gwynn-type year, average-wise."

BRIAN SIZEMORE

IF, Sr., Green Valley

Noteworthy: One of the core players who returned from the Gators' 2003 state title run to lead the team to another strong season ... third baseman on the All-Southern Nevada first team ... batted an even .500 (46-for-92) in the regular season ... his 53 RBIs trailed only Esquivel among players in the South ... also smacked eight homers, helping the Gators to the final day of the Sunrise Region playoffs ... as a pitcher, compiled a 5-2 record ... "Overall, he was easily our most valuable player," Green Valley coach Nick Garritano said. "He was a big part of the team that did win (state). Brian was an instrumental part of our program. He had a really good year for us."

STEVE MAYS

IF, Sr., Reno

Noteworthy: Part of a talented group of seniors who made two straight 4A state championship games, winning it all in 2004 ... Mays, a shortstop, contributed as much as any other player to the Huskies ... led the Reno team with 65 RBIs ... batted .452 with 61 hits ... a major run producer with 51 runs scored ... also knocked out eight homers ... shared All-Sierra League player of the year honors with Douglas' Luke Rippee ... "Steve is a player that I am very proud of," Reno coach Pete Savage said. "Because of his incredible work ethic, Steve turned himself into a consistent fielder with consistent power and production at the plate. He has a passion for the game that is unmatched."

WILLIE BOWMAN

IF, Sr., Carson

Noteworthy: The heartbeat of the Carson team, Bowman proved to be one of the state's finest infielders ... he will remain just that next year, as he moves on to play collegiately at UNLV ... started from his first day with the Senators, earning All-North honors every year (two at 3B, two at SS) ... blasted 10 homers and batted over .400 to help Carson deep into the Northern playoffs ... "He had a great year for us," Carson coach Ron McNutt said. "He's just a quality kid, a hard worker. I think UNLV is going to enjoy him and he'll enjoy UNLV. We depended on him a lot for a big stick in the lineup and team leadership."

DREW JOHNSON

OF, Sr., Reno

Noteworthy: Solid hitting outfielder who rebounded from a difficult injury to help the Huskies win their first state championship in 20 years ... selected to the All-North first team ... played through the playoffs with his broken jaw wired shut ... put up a .506 batting average to pace the team ... also hit five homers and drove in 31 runs ... his grand slam won the Northern Region championship game for Reno ... "He is a legitimate five-tool player who is very good," Huskies coach Pete Savage said. "I believe he is the ultimate team player because his attitude never changed even when he was faced with a devastating injury."

BRANDON TRODICK

OF, Jr., Cimarron-Memorial

Noteworthy: Anchored the outfield in center for the 4A state runner-up Spartans ... chosen for the All-Southern Nevada first team as an outfielder ... excellent defender who covered plenty of ground in the gaps ... ranked among city leaders in regular season with a .465 batting average ... also hit five homers and drove in 23 runs, and followed it with a strong playoff showing ... "He just kind of gets on the ball and just kind of surveys the field to see who he can throw out," Spartans coach Mike Hubel said. "He's probably the best center fielder I've ever coached."

CHRIS MONTANO

OF, Sr., Basic

Noteworthy: Multi-sport athlete who excelled in his first serious attempt at high school baseball ... strong play in the field and at the plate are big reasons for Basic's entry in the Sunrise Region playoffs ... All-Southern Nevada first-team selection in the outfield ... hard-nosed player who finds ways to win ... batted .482 (41-of-85) during the regular season ... ranked fourth in southern Nevada with 44 RBIs, and hit three homers ... also quarterbacked the Wolves' football team to a memorable season and played varsity basketball at Basic.

Mark Willinsky, P, Cimarron-Memorial

Rod Scurry, P, Galena

Dan Morris, P, Silverado

Josh Felker, C, Cimarron-Memorial

Luke Rippee, IF, Douglas

Andy Primas, IF/P, Centennial

John Wallace, IF, Reno

J.C. Leach, IF, Centennial

Scott Berke, OF, Sierra Vista

Chris Cassell, OF, Palo Verde

Dustin Baxter, Util, Cimarron-Memorial

Jaiven Estrada, P, Bonanza

Justin Garcia, P, Sierra Vista

Chris Rickey, P, Reno

Dustin Holland, P, Cimarron-Memorial

Tim Mott, C, Las Vegas

Anthony Griffith, IF, Eldorado

Jake Johnson, IF, Reno

Zeke Roybal, IF, Basic

Matt Bowman, IF, Dayton

Brian Miller, OF, Douglas