The future is now for Ripon Christian, which won its first championship in the Trans Valley League and reached the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI final with just two seniors on the roster.
Both of the elder statesmen made the All-TVL Team, but the biggest honors went to a pair of sophomores.
Infielder/pitcher Ethan Vander Plaats earned MVP and Trenton Cloward is Most Outstanding Pitcher, while John de Visser received Coach of the Year.
Ripon catcher Brayden McDowell garnered Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Hughson freshman Tanner Ehlers was tabbed Most Outstanding Offensive Player.
With five all-league selections in total, Ripon Christian (11-1 TVL, 28-4 overall) established its winningest season in program history this spring.
Vander Plaats led the Knights in all facets in TVL play. He hit for a .480 average and posted a .588 on-base percentage — both team-highs — in 11 games, tallying 13 runs and eight steals.
On the mound, Vander Plaats pitched 17 1/3 innings, striking out 11 while picking up a win and two saves. He was also rock solid defensively, committing only one error in 15 chances for a .933 fielding percentage.
The left-handed Cloward emerged as the staff ace, going 3-0 in league with a 1.51 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 37 innings. He was also a contributor to the offense with a .385 average.
Seniors Maxx Anderson and Jackson Howell join them on the all-league team, along with sophomore Stadtler Postma.
Anderson helped guide the young pitching staff at catcher and was a key run producer for the attack with a .343 average, four doubles, 12 runs and 10 RBIs.
Howell was a late addition because of transfer rules. He arrived after a three-year varsity stint at Big Valley Christian and was an immediate boost with his power and speed at the top of the lineup and defensive versatility. He chipped in a .444 average in eight TVL games with 11 runs and nine steals. He also made three pitching appearances, winning all three while striking out 16 in 12 2/3 innings.
Postma also pressured opposing teams with power and speed. His 15 hits, 13 RBIs and 14 steals in league are team-highs. The infielder/outfielder finished with a .357 average.
McDowell is one of three all-league selections for Ripon (9-3, 17-10). The sturdy junior had no errors in 10 league games and commanded a pitching staff that had a 2.02 ERA. He was also one of the Indians’ top offensive players with a .355 average and team-best 1.036 on-base/slugging percentage.
Two other junior infielders made all-league for Ripon.
Second baseman Jack Peters paced the Indians with a .442 average, 19 hits and 13 runs, to go with nine RBIs. Corner infielder/pitcher Fabian Nuno hit .350 with 10 RBIs. Pitching-wise, he had a 3-2 record with a 2.24 and 50 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings.
Getting honorable mention were Ripon senior third baseman/pitcher Hunter Weber and Ripon Christian sophomore first baseman Talen Tameling.
