Dimond's Lucas Thorp and South's Willy Homza were two-way terrors on the baseball field in the Cook Inlet Conference this season, so it made sense the league's player-of-the-year award was split.
Thorp, a power-hitting third baseman and lights-out relief pitcher, and Homza, a clutch-hitting, slick-fielding shortstop, shared the 2015 Don Rabung CIC MVP Award in a vote by league coaches.
Thorp was Dimond's closer and saw action in seven of the team's 10 games, earning a 1-1 record, two saves and a 2.69 ERA in 13 innings. He batted .414 with two home runs and nine RBIs. Both his home runs were game-winners, including a two-run shot in the 10th inning in a conference playoff pool game to beat conference champion Chugiak 5-3.
Homza was the best player for a South team headed back to the state tournament. The Ivy League-bound infielder -- he's headed to Brown University -- hit .518 in 10 games and flashed a .938 fielding percentage. Half of his 14 hits went for extra bases. He also drove in 10 runs, stole 10 bags and scored 11 times.
Bartlett's Logan Williams won the league's Big Stick award. The senior slugger hit .500 with 12 RBIs and seven extra-base hits in nine games.
The league's Gold Glove award went to South catcher Julito Fazzini, who did not commit an error, threw out nine base runners and picked off four more.
Coaches could not vote for their own players and the number of team nominations was based on league wins during the 10-game regular season.
Second-team and honorable mention honors can be found online at alaskalegion.com
Cook Inlet Conference
All-League Baseball Team
Don Rabung MVP Award
Co-winners
Lucas Thorp, Dimond, Sr., 1B/RP, .414 BA, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .759 SLG, 1-1, 2 saves, 2.69 ERA, 13 IP
Willy Homza, South, Sr., SS, .518 BA, 10 RBI, 7 XBH, .556 OBP, .938 FLD
Big Stick
Logan Williams, Bartlett, Sr., C, .500 BA, 12 RBI, 7 XBH, .765 SLG
Gold Glove
Julito Fazzini, South, Jr., C, 1.000 FLD, 9 CS, 4 PO
FIRST TEAM
Starting Pitcher
Zach Brueggemann, Chugiak, 4-2, 0.69 ERA, 13 IP, 19 K
Joe Fitka, Dimond, 2-1, 2.25 ERA, 13.2 IP, 16 K
Sam Hanson, Chugiak, 3-2, 1.80 ERA, 15 IP
Jonny Homza, South, 2-1, 1.88 ERA, 13 IP, 14 K
Relief Pitcher
Alex Schlegel, South, 1-0, 5 GM, 12 IP, 16 K
Lucas Thorpe, Dimond, 1-1, 2 saves, 2.69 ERA, 13 IP
Catcher
Julito Fazzini, South, .360 BA, 7 RBI, 1.000 FLD
First Baseman
Joe Fitka, Dimond, .310 BA, 2 HR, 4 RBI, .552 SLG
Second Baseman
Jonny Homza, South, .419 BA, 5 XBH, 8 RBI, 9 SB
Shortstop
Willy Homza, South, .518 BA, 10 RBI, 7 XBH, .556 OBP
Third Baseman
Lucas Thorp, Dimond, , .414 BA, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .759 SLG
Outfielder
Zach Brueggemann, Chugiak, .379 BA, 12 R, 8 RBI, .514 OBP
Lian Lincoln, South, .413 BA, 9 RBI, 10 SB, 0 K in 37 PA
Parker Johnson, South, .300, 7 RBI, 8 R
Designated Hitter
Matt Kley, South, .368 BA, 9 R, 6 RBI, .520 OBP
Tristen Woods, Service, .346 BA, 8 RBI, .500 OBP
Utility
Brendon Hayhurst, South, .400 BA, 6 RBI, 6 R, 4 SB
Kyle Henrickson, Dimond, .269, 1 3B, 5 RBI, .713 OPS