Sierra, Viesca lead the way in the final vote for All-Desert League baseball selections

Holtville's Raul Sierra and Central's Nico Viesca hold down the honors for top two teams

EL CENTRO, Calif., (KYMA, KECY) - The Desert League was dominated by the Holtville Vikings on the baseball diamond in 2023 - leading to good representation on the All-League list.

Four Vikings made up a good chunk of the 1st Team list, along with two of the top three honors in the league to put a stamp on another season, with the Central Spartans not too far behind.

ALL-DESERT LEAGUE BASEBALL

DSL Player of the Year

Raul Sierra - Holtville

The senior created magic from both the offensive and defensive side, earning him the league Player of the Year. He tossed 52.2 innings for the Vikings, ending with just a 1.33 ERA, while striking out 74 batters en route to going 4-0 on the hill.

In the batter's box, Sierra hit .432 with a tie for the team lead in hits (32) and a team leading 32 RBIs - also sporting a .608 slugging percentage and 1.135 OPS.

DSL Pitcher of the Year

Nico Viesca - Central

The young sophomore star for Spartan Nation sported an incredible 0.46 ERA over 60.1 innings pitched, striking out 96 batters and only allowing 17 hits and four earned runs all season. He also won seven games and added a pair of saves, as well.

DSL Coach of the Year

Jon Ayon - Holtville

Ayon and company won 18 games, going 9-0 in Desert League play - reaching the second round of the CIF San Deigo Section Division IV playoff tournament. 

All-Desert League 1st Team

Seth Johnson - Central (Senior)

• .478, 33 hits, 13 RBIs, 1.242 OPS

Jared Martin - Central (Sophomore)

• .385, 20 hits, 4 HR, 17 RBIs, .711 slugging %, 1.241 OPS

Nico Viesca - Central (Sophomore)

• 60.1 IP, 7-3, 0.46 ERA, 96 K's, 2 saves

Bryce Buscaglia - Holtville (Junior)

• .421, 32 hits, 15 RBIs, .644 Slugging %, 1.128 OPS
• 37.1 IP, 5-1, 2.44 ERA, 60 K's

Nic Pacheco - Holtville (Senior)

• .328, 19 hits, 16 RBIs, .989 fielding %

Bently Rothfliesch - Holtville (Senior)

• .292, 19 hits, 24 RBIs, .808 OPS

Raul Sierra - Holtville (Senior)

• 52.2 IP, 4-0, 1.33 ERA, 74 K's
• .432, 32 hits, 32 RBIs, .608 slugging %, 1.135 OPS

Parker Loureiro - Palo Verde (Senior)

• .317, 20 hits, 12 RBIs, .956 OPS

Xzavier Bejarano - Palo Verde (Senior)

• .394, 28 hits, 15 RBIs, .583 OBP, 50 stolen bases

Drew Wright - Palo Verde (Freshman)

• .312, 20 hits, 14 RBI
• 44.0 IP, 2-2, 3.50 ERA, 50 K's

All-Desert League 2nd Team

Octavio Alvarez - Calipatria (Junior)

Juan Perez - Calipatria (Sophomore)

Diego Romero - Calipatria (Junior)

Dominic Diaz - Central (Senior)

Anthony Valladolid - Central (Senior)

Dion Johnston - Holtville (Sophomore)

Jason Martinez - Holtville (Senior)

Matt Pacheco - Holtville (Freshman)

Nick Mojica - Palo Verde (Senior)

Ty Phipps - Palo Verde (Senior)