REGIONAL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

SAN FRANCISCO

Owen Mahoney (Lowell): The senior catcher is one of the most accomplished players in Academic Athletic Association history after leading the Cardinals to their fourth consecutive San Francisco Section championship.

The 6-foot, 185-pounder hit .396 with 36 hits, seven doubles, 21 RBIs and 11 steals this season. The AAA Player of the Year also went 7-2 with a 0.66 ERA and 73 strikeouts on the mound.

In his 120-game career (86 of which Lowell won), he had 118 hits, 73 RBIs and batted .377. He also was considered one of the region’s best defensive catchers.

PENINSULA/SOUTH BAY

Ryan Jeffries (St. Francis): The senior left-handed pitcher and infielder led the Lancers (24-8) to a Central Coast Section Division 2 title.

The 6-2, 185-pounder led the team with a .435 average (40 hits, including eight doubles, two triples and two home runs). As a pitcher, he was 8-2 with a 1.81 ERA and in 501⁄3 innings he struck out 48 and allowed just 40 hits.

The Santa Clara commit was the winning pitcher in the CCS title game, an 8-3 defeat of Soledad, when he struck out nine in five innings. It was the Lancers’ third title in four years and eighth overall.

NORTH BAY

Eamonn Lance (Drake-San Anselmo): The 6-foot, 160pound junior infielder and outfielder may have been the Metro’s most improved player.

After hitting .288 with one home run as a sophomore, he batted .455 with 11 HRs and 34 RBIs this year, leading the Pirates (22-7) to the Marin County Athletic League crown. In 88 at-bats, he struck out only eight times.

CONTRA COSTA/ TRI-VALLEY

Brett Hansen (Foothill Pleasanton): The senior pitcher and first baseman was named MVP of the East Bay Athletic League after batting .500 (seven doubles, two HRs, 29 RBIs) and going 8-1 with 71 strikeouts in 571⁄3 innings while crafting a 1.59 ERA.

In 1392⁄3 career innings, the 6-4, 190-pounder went 17-4 with 175 strikeouts and a 1.40 ERA. He was drafted in the 38th round by the Giants this month, but will likely play for Vanderbilt.

Angel Garcia Jr. / MaxPreps Foothill’s Brett Hansen, a Giants draft pick, is expected to pitch for Vanderbilt.