‘It’s an honor.’ Atwater star is CCC baseball MVP after Falcons’ first title in 35 years
Bo Valladao had a major impact for the Atwater High baseball team this season to help the Falcons claim a share of their first Central California Conference championship since 1987.
The Falcons senior went 9-2 on the mound with a 2.05 ERA. He struck out 102 batters in just over 61 innings pitched. Valladao also hit .463 at the plate with two home runs and he finished 19th in the state and fifth in the Sac-Joaquin Section with 40 RBIs.
The CCC coaches noticed, selecting Valladao as the league MVP.
“Our league was good,” said Atwater coach Jarrod Pimentel. “The pitching was good. To put up the numbers he did and throw as many innings as he did says a lot. He was well-deserving.”
Valladao makes it back-to-back years an Atwater player was named the CCC MVP following Fernando Ruvacalba earning the honor last season.
“I think it’s pretty cool that Atwater has had the MVP the last two years,” Valladao said. “It’s an honor. Our team had a great season and winning the MVP makes it even better.”
Valladao said it wasn’t easy producing as a pitcher and a hitter.
“When I was on the mound that took up my focus and hitting kind of took a back seat,” Valladao said. “I’m lucky I have great coaches who help with my approach on the mound and at the plate. They were a big help in both spots.”
Other top honors
El Capitan left-hander Andrew Bakken was named the CCC Pitcher of the Year. The Gauchos junior compiled a 7-2 record with a 1.82 ERA.
Buhach Colony senior Cooper Lanz was named the Offensive Player of the Year. Lanz hit .455 with two home runs and 30 RBIs this season for the Thunder.
El Capitan infielder Jacob Reyes was named the Utility Player of the Year after hitting .352 with a team-high 34 runs scored.
Buhach Colony, which shared the league title with Atwater and El Capitan, landed five players on the All-CCC first team in pitcher Logan Baptista, first baseman Spencer Lanz, second baseman Kadyn Fillebrown, third baseman Erik Munoz and outfielder Landon Laplante.
They were joined on the first team by El Capitan catcher Aiden Kuhls and outfielder Mitchell Hunter, Atwater outfielder Xavier Cardenas and shortstop Cole Hazel and Central Valley pitcher Gabrial Lopez.
El Capitan’s Aaron Ruiz was named the CCC Coach of the Year.
The second-team selections included: El Capitan pitcher Carson Viers, first baseman Juan Munoz and outfielder Braden Giardina, Atwater second baseman Henry Warden and outfielder KJ Ross, Merced third baseman EJ Knott and outfielder Copper Frost and Golden Valley shortstop Koen Heupel.
The CCC Sportsmanship winners were Ethan Bratcher (Atwater), Michael Gaudreau (Buhach Colony), Alan Lopez (Central Valley), Gavin Kuhls (El Capitan), Gerardo Gonzalez (Golden Valley), Jason Trovao (Mered) and Noah Cozart (Patterson).
This story was originally published May 28, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
