MHS shortstop Alex Cordova, who just finished up his junior campaign this spring, was one of just 11 players state-wide in all divisions to earn First Team All-State honors, and one of only four infielders.
“I’d say I’m very surprised,” Cordova said.
MHS coach Brian Artac was also pleasantly perplexed.
“I am a little surprised because usually you get that kind of honor when you team does well,” Artac said. “That is individually-directed.
“To look at him as the only one First Team from the Valley, that threw me for a loop, because there were some very good players in the Valley. The meeting is the Wednesday of the state tournament, so some people went to bat for him.”
Cordova pounded out a .493 batting average, a .576 OBP and a .712 slugging % based on eight doubles, a triple and two home runs. He also knocked out 18 RBI, scored 28 runs and stole 7 bases.
“What helped him was his stick,” Artac said. “.493 for a season is pretty good. His error total is low for being a shortstop.
“He increased his footspeed immensely since last year. I credit a lot of that to Anthony Gerlach with his plyometrics training and (Alex) playing football. He works through the winter to become a better athlete.”
Cordova won’t rest on his laurels.
“Probably what I can improve the most is defensively not making erros and pitch selction at the plate. Baseball I get into quite a bit. All winter long I’m in the batting cage.”
Cordova is the first junior to receive high All-State honors.
“He’s our first junior to be All-State First Team,” Artac said. “The only other First Team player was (Jordan) Stine. We’ve had a couple of Second Teamers because both Grunenwalds (Nick and Alex) were Second Team. Way back, Kent Rein­hardt was a Third Team catcher.”
Bill Boyd and Steve Walsh earned All-State All-Tournament team honors.