Colby DeVries was named Most Valuable Player of the Southern League after leading Ripon Christian (12-2, 15-11-1 overall) to a share of its first conference championship.

The senior shortstop/third baseman is joined by four Knights on the All-SL team. Ripon Christian’s John De Visser and Mariposa’s Bruce Begely were named Co-Coaches of the Year. In the Trans-Valley League, crosstown rival Ripon High had three players named to the all-conference team and had four others earn honorable mention.

DeVries boasted a .457 average, rapped 32 hits and plated 31 runs — both team highs — to go with 22 RBIs. He was also the team’s ace pitcher, compiling an 8-3 record with a 1.83 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 72.2 innings.

Senior shortstop/pitcher Kalvin Prins (.333, 24 RBIs; 6-5, 2.87, 69 Ks), junior catcher Dominic Nelson (.382, 3 HRs, 13 2Bs, 37 RBIs), junior outfielder Jon Vander Molen (.389, 20 runs) and junior infielder Chris Saenz (.417, 29 runs) are the Knights’ other All-SL selections.

Ripon (8-4, 10-8) was the runner-up in the TVL and will return all but two of its all-league players. Sophomores Josh Clark (.364, 17 runs) and Caleb Rogers were voted onto the All-TVL first team along with senior shortstop Cesar Nuno (.296). Rogers (4-1, 1.97; .320, 16 runs, 12 RBIs) was Ripon’s ace pitcher.

Junior outfielder Dante Machado (.353, 17 RBIs), senior second baseman Sam Bennett, freshman infielder/pitcher Trent Murphy and junior pitcher/utility player Scott Robison made honorable mention.

First-place Escalon nearly swept the major awards with Josh Miguel the MVP, Gino Franceschetti the Most Outstanding Defensive Player, Matt Valencia Pitcher of the Year and Greg Largent Coach of the Year. Hilmar’s Matt Tyler was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player.