Carranza, Bermudez headline Imperial Valley baseball All-League squad
Imperial Valley League 1st and 2nd Teams announced following 2023 season
EL CENTRO, Calif., (KYMA, KECY) - Next in line to round out the end of the year springs sports honors lands on the baseball diamond in the Imperial Valley.
From league champs to CIF champs, it was a competitive season - especially in the Imperial Valley League. The chase for the league crown came down to the final week to be decided - and a trip to the Division IV title game landed between two IVL foes later on.
At the end of it all, a pair of All-League teams and top awards showcased some of the best to take the field in 2023.
ALL-IMPERIAL VALLEY LEAGUE BASEBALL
IVL Player of the Year
Tanner Carranza - Brawley
Carranza lit up the league at the plate and behind the dish for the Wildcats. He hit .486 while leading the team in nearly every single offensive category - from slugging percentage, OPS, RBIs, to even stolen bases. The senior will now take that breakout season to the Division I level where he will play at New Mexico State.
IVL Pitcher of the Year
Chance Bermudez - Southwest
The standout sophomore went 6-2 on the hill for the Eagles with seven complete games - tossing 57.1 innings. Bermudez only allowed nine earned runs all season long, resulting in an impressive 1.10 ERA.
IVL Coach of the Year
Ricky Guzman - Calexico
Although they did not bring home the league crown, Guzman led the Bulldogs to a CIF San Diego Section Division IV title. Their impressive postseason run ended in dominating fashion over the No. 1 seed Bishop's in the final - sending the Dogs to a southern California state tournament appearance.
All-Imperial Valley League 1st Team
Tanner Carranza - Brawley (Senior)
- .486, 32 RBIs, 0.642 OBP, 0.847 Slugging %, 1.489 OPS
Tanner Currier - Brawley (Junior)
- .298, 28 hits, 15 RBIs, 12 stolen bases
Ozyel Villanueva - Brawley (Freshman)
- 38.1 IP, 5-0, 2.37 ERA
Randy Baez - Calexico (Sophomore)
- .349, 30 hits, 15 RBI, 10 stolen bases
Andres Ontiveros - Calexico (Junior)
- .379, 25 hits, 8 HR, 32 RBIs
Christopher Tiernan - Imperial (Senior)
- .278, 27 hits, 10 RBIs, 13 stolen bases
Jesse Arreola - Southwest (Junior)
- .465, 33 hits, 22 RBIs, .969 fielding %
Chance Bermudez - Southwest (Sophomore)
- 57.1 IP, 1.10 ERA, 6-2, 53 K's
Hugo Tafoya - Southwest (Senior)
- .314, 16 hits
- 44.0 IP, 0.95 ERA, 4-2, 57 K's
Kenneth Urquidez - Southwest (Junior)
- .270, 17 hits, 6 stolen bases
All-Imperial Valley League 2nd Team
Mario Cazares - Brawley (Senior)
Angel Puentes - Brawley (Senior)
Aiden Torres - Brawley (Senior)
Orlanda LLamas - Calexico (Senior)
Tony Lopez - Calexico (Senior)
Leo Veliz - Calexico (Senior)
Humberto Martinez - Imperial (Junior)
Carter Tucker - Imperial (Sophomore)
Jonah Estrada - Southwest (Junior)
Donnovan Navarrete - Southwest (Senior)