DOWNTOWN — It was a good year for Santa Monica-based CIF-Southern Section Division 7 teams.
New Roads and Pacifica Christian’s baseball teams placed four players on the All-CIF-SS Division 7 first team and one on the second, it was announced on Monday.
Pacifica Christian, which lost in the division playoff final against Animo Leadership, is represented by senior Austin Cortina and junior Kevin Hammer. The pair were instrumental in the team’s Heritage League title and their run deep into the playoffs for a second straight season.
Crosstown’s New Roads, which was ranked No. 1 in the division heading into the playoffs before falling in the quarter-finals, also placed two on the first team and another on the second.
Senior shortstop Quinn Barbini and junior catcher Blaise Dolcemaschio made the first team with junior pitcher Anthony Carrillo selected for the second. The honors are nothing new for Barbini and Dolcemaschio, who were named Co-Players of the Year in the Coastal League.
“Both of those guys had great years,” Head Coach Sean Brookes said. “They are a good representation for the team.”
Brookes said that the graduating Barbini’s speed helped the Jaguar’s high-octane offense this season. His .449 batting average didn’t hurt, either. For good measure, the infielder stole 19 of 20 bases.
Barbini is headed to Sonoma State where Brookes said he may try to walk on to the team.
With a year of eligibility remaining, Dolcemaschio may have his baseball ahead of him, Brookes said. The crafty catcher has already attracted the attention of college scouts and the attention of popular website maxpreps.com, which lists him as one of the top catchers in the country.
To further his recruiting cause, Dolcemaschio is slated to appear in a number of showcases during vacation. Showcases are popular among pro and college recruiters.
“This summer will be good for him,” Brookes said. “There has been some interest.”
For Carrillo, the All-CIF-SS nod is his second in a row. Last year, the hurler made the first team. He was also named Pitcher of the Year in the Coast League this season.
“He’s been receiving some pretty impressive accolades,” Brookes said of his star pitcher. “I’m looking forward to him coming back.”
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