Senior Ben Felix and freshman Nate Jakobs have been selected as league offensive and defensive MVP’s of the baseball team.
The team gathered at Felix’s house on May 22 for a swim party to celebrate their season following their loss in the second round of playoffs.
The players competed in a game of Cornhole and enjoyed a barbecue lunch.
Head coach Chris Millsback and assistant coaches Michael Cvetich and Gary Jakobs gave speeches highlighting the season and praising the team.
The players also received awards.
Felix won defensive MVP of the Sacramento Metropolitan Athletic League, Div. VII, which includes Valley Christian, Western Sierra Collegiate Academy, Faith Christian, Buckingham Charter and Trinity Prep.
Felix pitched a total of 40 innings this season and had an earned run average of 4.72.
He said he was honored by the award.
“My team definitely supported me by playing a great defense,” he said.
“He was a solid number-one pitcher,” Cvetich said. “When you can go out and throw well like that game after game, it’s huge.”
Freshman Nate Jakobs won offensive MVP of the league with a batting average of .579 and 26 runs for the season.
Each school’s coaches also vote on their own players for awards within the team.
Based on Millsback’s and Cvetich’s votes, both Felix and Jakobs won first all-league, and Emil Erickson received second.
Honorable mentions went to freshman Jack Christian and junior Aidan Cunningham.
“The team was a pleasant surprise this year,” Cvetich said.
“We graduated six seniors last year, and (sophomore) Miles (Edwards) can’t play. Essentially, our entire starting team was gone.
Edwards was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy last year, a rare cardiac disorder that prevents him from playing most sports.
“We had quite a few boys who had never played, and if we’re able to win a playoff game like that, we have a solid base to build on next year,” Cvetich said.
—By Sahej Claire
