Coyote Athletics : Baseball : Articles

Coso celebrates season with awards dinner

By Nathan Ahle, The Daily Independent

DAILY INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY NATHAN AHLE
The Cerro Coso baseball award winners show off their hardware after Tuesday's awards dinner at Sizzler. Back row: Ben Douglas (Charles Dye Memorial Award), Adam Auer (co-Rookie of the Year), Tony Teixeira (Most Improved), Head Coach Dick Adams, Ryan Penn (Most Valuable Pitcher, Desert Dawg Award), Assistant Coach Chris O'Brien, Darren Green (Daily Independent Award), and Matt Smith (Big Stick, co-Rookie of the Year). Front Row: Antoine McLeod (co-MVP), Kip Keith (co-MVP), and Rodney Black (Gold Glove). DAILY INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY NATHAN AHLE

The Cerro Coso Coyotes baseball team was disappointed that they weren't selected for the state community college playoffs, but the team found reasons to smile Tuesday night, as they celebrated a successful campaign with an awards dinner at Sizzler.

Head Coach Dick Adams and Assistant Coach Chris O'Brien presented awards in several categories. First, Adams recognized the team members who received All-Foothill Conference recognition. Pitcher/utilityman Ryan Penn earned Player of the Year honors, and Antoine McLeod (First Team), Darren Green (Second Team), Kip Keith (Second Team), and Tony Teixeira (Second Team) were also named to the squad.

Because of his Player of the Year selection, Penn was also named an All-American for 2004.

Rookie of the Year honors went to first baseman/pitcher Matt Smith, who also hit .391 to earn the team's "Big Stick" award. Smith shared the top rookie award with catcher/third baseman Adam Auer.

Teixiera also received the Most Improved Player award, as voted by his teammates. The players also voted on the Team Captain and Most Valuable Pitcher awards, given to Penn, and the Most Valuable Player award, shared by outfielders Keith and McLeod.

Second baseman Rodney Black was recognized with the team's "Gold Glove" award, and also received a plaque for setting a new school record by being hit by a pitch 20 times this season. Penn also set three school records, for earned run average, shutouts and complete games, both in a season and in a Cerro Coso career.

Adams was joined by wife Wendy and daughter Amie to present the Charles Dye Memorial Award, given to pitcher Ben Douglas. Adams mentioned that the local Kiwanis club also presents a monetary award in honor of Dye, a longtime Coyote supporter.

The "Desert Dawg" award, an honor given to the player that exemplifies the tradition of Coyote baseball, was given to Penn.

The Daily Independent presented its Player of the Year award to Green. The reliever earned his award because of his outstanding ERA (1.54 in conference play), and other impressive stats throughout the season (23 strikeouts, five walks in 35 innings pitched).

The Fire Mountain Foundation's academic award went to reserve infielder Jeremy Etchemendy.

Award Winners