2016-17 local college athlete rundown: Male edition
A look at every Yuma County kid who played a men’s sport collegiately this past school year
With the 2016-17 school year officially in the books, it’s time to take a look back at what Yuma County high school products were able to accomplish at the collegiate level.
Below is a list of every former Yuma County high school athlete who played a men’s sport collegiately this past school year, and a look at how each one fared. A list of female athletes will be published Friday.
Omar Celaya (Cibola ’12)
Former AWC Matador excelled as a second-year member of the Warriors’ bullpen, posting a 2.05 ERA with eight saves and 30 strikeouts (in 22 IP) en route to being named First Team All-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference
Angel Sanchez (Kofa ’12)
Improved on his 2016 numbers (.252 avg., 12 RBIs) by batting .307 with 28 RBIs in his second and final season with the Golden Eagles (transferred from Cabrillo College)
Jorge Duarte (San Luis ’14)
Cochise transfer hit .304 with 25 RBIs as a usual starter
Joey Miranda (YC ’15)
Hit .279 with 20 RBIs (third-most on the team) as a regular starter in his first season with the Illinoisbased Regents
Matt Valdez (KHS ’13)
Valdez, a Cabrillo College transfer, started 62/62 games for Kentucky-based Campbellsville, which was the National Christian College Athletic Association World Series runner-up and a top-25 NAIA team. The redshirt junior ranked topfour on the Tigers in batting average (.308), RBIs (37), runs scored (40) and stolen bases (10).
Bobby Mena (GR ’14)
AWC transfer ranked top-three on the team in batting average (.327), RBIs (30), runs scored (34) and stolen bases (17)
Austin Browning (GR ’13)
GateWay transfer, who also previously played at AWC, hit .258 with 29 RBIs as a regular starter
Zach Boehler (YC ’14)
AWC transfer, who also previously played at New Mexico Highlands, hit .328 with 29 RBIs as a semi-regular starter
Emilio Griego (GR ’14)
2-5 record, 6.28 ERA in 15 appearances (13 starts) as a second-year member of the Bulldogs’ rotation
Phillip Griego (GR ’16)
16.62 ERA in 8 2/3 IP
Cameron Sharp (KHS ’16)
4.15 ERA in 4 1/3 IP (4 appearances); 1-for-2 offensively
Roger Varela (CHS ’15)
University of Texas Rio Grande signee hit .324 with 31 RBIs as a second-year starter for the Vaqueros
Jerry Ochoa (SL ’15)
9-3 record, 4.21 ERA in 19 appearances (12 starts)
Alfonso Barragan III (GR ’14)
Hit .230 in his second season as a part-time player for the Thunderbirds