Field Complete for 2012 Hard 9 National Classic
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Marcus Jones Tournament Director (714) 524-9900 [email protected] FIELD COMPLETE FOR 2012 HARD 9 NATIONAL CLASSIC • 23rd Annual Premier High School Tournament to Take Place April 7-12 • 16 Teams from Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Utah and Virginia • Field Includes 32 Players Who Have Committed to NCAA Division 1 Programs • Over 21 Years, National Classic Has Produced 6 National Champions, More Than 30 State Champions, 42 Major League Baseball Players Anaheim, Calif. (March 26, 2012) – The 16-team field for “The 2012 Hard 9 National Classic”, was announced today by tournament officials. Teams from California, Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Virginia and Utah will compete in the marquee tournament that takes place from April 7-12 on the campuses of California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), Esperanza High School and El Dorado High School. The semi-final and championship games will be played at Goodwin Field at CSUF. “The 2012 Hard 9 National Classic will showcase some of the best baseball talent in the country,” said Marcus Jones, tournament director. “Since 1990, the National Classic has been recognized across the United States as the #1 high school baseball tournament in the nation, and that continues with this year’s field.” “This year we will showcase numerous USA National team members, Area Code game participants and past State, Regional and CIF Champions,” added Jones. -m-o-r-e- 2-2-2 2012 Hard 9 National Classic Field Announced More than 35 players in this year’s National Classic have already committed to NCAA Division 1 programs, including UCLA, USC, Stanford, Oregon, Florida, Missouri, Virginia, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Brigham Young, Harvard, Nevada-Las Vegas, Claremont College, Fresno State, UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, Loyola Marymount, Gonzaga, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State and the University of San Diego. More than 250 schools from 24 states have participated in the National Classic over the years. National Classic Alumni include Major League Baseball players Alex Rodriguez, Shawn Green, Brett Tomko, Shannon Stewart, AJ Hinch, Hank Blalock and Pat Burrell, just to name a few. In its’ history, more than 300 players that participated in the National Classic have been drafted and 42 players have played in the Big Leagues. This year’s field includes Chad Gubicza, son of former major leaguer Mark Gubicza and Dylan Suppan, nephew of World Series Champion Jeff Suppan. “This is a great event for our city, and for top-quality baseball in our region,” said Mike Curran, head baseball coach at tournament co-host Esperanza High School. “Every game will be a test and will allow teams to measure up against some of the best high school baseball talent in the country.” Dave Moore, head baseball coach at tournament co-host El Dorado High School agrees. “All of the teams participating this year have high expectations for this season, and to achieve those goals you have to face the caliber of talent assembled at this year’s tournament. Local baseball fans will not be disappointed with this year’s field.” -m-o-r-e- 3-3-3 2012 Hard 9 National Classic Field Announced The 2012 Hard 9 National Classic begins with the annual Home Run Derby, which will take place on Saturday, April 7 at 3:00 p.m. at El Dorado High School. Games begin on Monday, April 9th and will continue through the Championship Game on Thursday evening, April 12th. For the latest ticket and schedule information, visit www.national- classic.com. Here is a look at the teams participating in the 2012 Hard 9 National Classic: Esperanza High School Anaheim, CA The Aztecs return 10 players and 7 starters from last year’s team that lost in Dodger Stadium in the CIF Division 1 Final and were the 2011 National Classic Runner-Up. The Aztecs are led by 2011 National High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee Mike Curran. Leading the charge on the field will be Oregon signee CF Nick Catalano, who batted .377 with 21 RBI and was 23-23 in SB. Fresno State signee Kevin Viers will provide big offensive punch from the left side. Mitch Christensen hit .404 last year and will once again be in the middle of the order. On the mound the Aztecs return LHP Scott Mason who was 6-0 last year with a 2.35 era. El Dorado High School Placentia, CA The Hawks enter the 2012 season led by pair of senior pitchers: USC signee Kyle Twomey, 7-3, 1.32, 65 K's; University of San Diego signee P.J. Conlon, 1.98, 48 K's; and Cameron Yen, 2.33, 37 K's. Others returning include: Cal State Fullerton commit junior SS/P Chris Rivera, .359, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 2.80; junior OF Drew Winter, .373, 9 SB; junior 3B/P Scott Serigstad, 1.68; and sophomore OF Nate Alam. Top newcomers in 2012 are University of San Diego commit junior 2B/P Seve Romo; junior P Joe Record; and sophomore C Nate Rodriguez. Bishop Amat High School La Puente, CA Last year’s Hard 9 National Classic Champions and Defending CIF Division 4 Champions are once again one of the teams to beat. Led by Head Coach Andy Nieto, the Lancers have won 3 CIF Championships in the last 5 years. This year Senior Rio Ruiz, a -m-o-r-e- 4-4-4 2012 Hard 9 National Classic Field Announced USC signee and possible first round pick, will lead the Lancers on the field after hitting .455 and 3 home runs as a junior. Adam Alcantara is coming back after a sophomore campaign in which he hit .475. and on the mound Daniel Zamora returns after a year in which he had a 9-1 record and a 1.43 era. Spanish Fork High School Spanish Fork, UT Under Jim "Shoe" Nelson's guidance, Spanish Fork High School went 29-3 last season and won its third-straight Utah state title. The Dons also won the prestigious Big Dugout Classic and finished with a Top 10 ranking in most national polls, including a No. 6 ranking by MaxPreps. In the last seven years, Spanish Fork has won five state titles. So it's obvious that Nelson is synonymous with success. The American Baseball Coaches Association National Coach of the Year for a midsize school (between 1,599-800 enrollment) has earned his spot atop Utah's baseball scene. Kayden Porter (MaxPreps Junior of the Year last season), Hayden Nielsen and Brady Corless have scouts drooling. Porter has signed with North Carolina, Nielson with BYU and Corless is the focus of several big-time schools. Porter, 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, has been clocked at 97 mph. Despite it being the middle of the basketball season, radar guns caught him at 93-94 mph at the recently held Baseball Academy Showcase. Porter was 9-1 and struck out 89 batters in 59 innings in 2011 as the Dons won their second-straight 4A title. Nielsen was 11-1 as a junior after going 7-0 as a sophomore. Nelson says Nielsen's control is pinpoint. He can rev it up to 88, but is all about location. Corless was 5-0 as a sophomore after going unbeaten as a freshman. Nelson says he also throws in the 90s with good control, a good slider and a good change. Bishop Alemany High School Mission Hills, CA Bishop Alemany finished the 2011 season with a 20-10 record which included the consolation championship at last year’s Hard 9 National Classic. This year, Bishop Alemany is currently ranked #1 in the CIF Division 2 poll with a 7-1-1 record (March 15, 2012). Players to watch include: 2012 (SS/RHP) – Peter Van Gansen: Peter has signed with Cal Poly SLO, as a junior he was a 1st team all Mission League Selection. Last year Peter hit .394 with 5 HR’s and 25 RBI’s in the lead off position. He is also the closer for the Warriors and finished last year with 11 saves. 2012 (RHP) – Cody Thompson: Cody was the ace of the staff last year (8-3 as a junior), and is known as a “clutch” guy on the hill. His fast ball will reach the upper 80’s- low 90’s and he has command of 4 pitches. -m-o-r-e- 5-5-5 2012 Hard 9 National Classic Field Announced 2012 (OF) – Corey Sims: All CIF DIV. 2 selection last year, as he hit .444 with 6 HR’s and 27 RBI’s. Selected to the All Tournament Team at last year’s Hard 9 National Classic as he carried Bishop Alemany to a 3-1 record in the tournament. 2012 (1B/LHP) – Ryan Paramo: 4 year starter at the varsity level for the Warriors. 2011 (2B) – Ryan Alvarez: Slick fielding second baseman that can really handle the bat, hits second in the order and has verbally committed to San Diego State University. Carlsbad High School Carlsbad, CA This just might be the best Carlsbad team in the 57 year history of the school. Ever since alumnus Coach Chris Greene has taken over the program 5 years ago, the Lancers have continued to improve; winning their first playoff game in 11 seasons a year ago. That was with a squad dominated by underclassmen in the ever difficult North San Diego County conference. This year, the Lancers are poised to make a huge splash. Boasting a roster that could yield 6 Division I prospects in RHP Thomas Eshelman (SR - CSU- Fullerton), RHP/OF Tanner Wrisley (SR - Harvard), SS Austin Avan (SR - Undecided), Matt Wezniak (Soph - SDSU), Kyle Mendenhall (Soph - USD) and Nick Anderson ( JR - Undecided) as well as a few more prolific juniors who are starting to draw the interest of major schools and scouts, CHS is ready to go deep into the CIF playoffs for the first time since 1989! The Lancers are extremely excited to be invited to this year’s collection of Hard 9 participants.