Bruin baseball and softball players were recently awarded for their excellence in their respective sports.
Senior and Varsity Baseball Catcher Jake Rogers was honored with the All League award, and fellow Senior and Varsity Softball Pitcher Kaitlyn Maddux earned All City. According to them, the awards were based on their skill and their stats this season. Maddux explained what she thinks made her stand out this year.
“This year, I think it’s because my experience in high school has kind of gone up a little bit because I’ve played Varsity all four years,” she said. “I think it was because… the experience of being on Varsity and playing travel ball has helped me grow throughout the season.”
Senior and Varsity Softball Second Baseman Gabrielle Royston described her take on the award.
“I think she won the award because she works really hard and is a very good team player, and just tries really hard at softball,” Royston said. “She deserves it. I think she improved this year by being able to take the losses, because we lost a lot, and then just being positive and being a team leader.”
Varsity Softball Head Coach Steve McCullough described his experience with Maddux.
“I have coached her since her 9th grade year with Mr. Zauner,” he said. “She works hard and is dedicated to softball playing high school and travel league.”
Jake Rogers elaborated on his side of the story.
“I got Co-MVP of the league, which is the top players,” he said. “I tied with a guy from Lincoln-he was really good, we were just neck and neck all season. I worked hard, I had it in my mindset that I wanted it at the beginning of the season… I just worked towards it and I achieved it.”
Varsity Baseball Head Coach Eric Van Patten said something similar.
“I have coached Jake all four years while at BRHS,” he said. “…. Jake had set out at the beginning with me to strive for an MVP nomination and all his hard work paid off- he was voted in as such…. [I am] honored to be his head coach of his high school time.”
Senior and Varsity Baseball Pitcher Clay Corippo explained what he thinks are Rogers’ best athletic qualities.
“Jake, he’s one of the best hitters in the league, and he’s definitely the best catcher in the league, he’s got the strongest arm, he’s really a game changer,” Corippo said. “He brings a lot to the team and that’s what makes him so valuable for the award.”
So what does the future hold for these two talented athletes? According to Royston, Maddux has earned a full ride scholarship to pitch at Sonoma State for the next four years. According to Rogers, he wants to play as long as possible, beginning by playing for a junior college.
“I’ve played for 14 years,” he said. “… I’m going to Butte College to go play baseball there, and then I hope to get picked up to a four year and then go on from there. I just want to play to see how far I can go.”
