Three Warrior baseball players named all-league

This year's all-league baseball players for the Valley League include three Fallbrook High School team members.

Bryson Spagnuolo was chosen for the Valley League first team, Pepe Soto was placed on the second team, and Collin Hoff was recognized at the honorable mention level.

"They all had a tremendous year," said Fallbrook coach Pat Walker.

Spagnuolo had 15 mound appearances during the 2016 season and compiled a 5-2 record with a 1.85 earned run average. Spagnuolo pitched 64 1/3 innings and limited opposing batters to 44 hits and 24 walks while striking out 111 of the 275 batters he faced. Only one of those batters homered off Spagnuolo.

"He was a hard worker," Walker said. "It showed in his performance."

Soto was a shortstop, a catcher, and a pitcher for the Warriors. "Kind of played every position for us," said Walker. "He was a great utility player."

Soto batted .370 with 27 hits, including seven doubles, in 73 at-bats. He scored 18 runs, drove in 11 teammates, and stole five bases.

Spagnuolo and Soto were seniors. Hoff was a sophomore in 2016 and played pitcher and first base. He struck out 33 batters in 37 innings. Hoff's .345 average at the plate reflected a team-leading 29 hits, including seven doubles, in 84 at-bats. Hoff scored 10 runs while driving in 11, and he stole five bases.

"He had a good year pitching and was a good defensive infielder for us," said Walker of Hoff.

The Warriors posted a 9-18 season record which includes a 7-8 Valley League mark to give Fallbrook fourth place in the final six-team standings.

Last year, Valley League coaches named Spagnuolo to the second team and gave honorable mention status to Soto. Fallbrook's other four all-league players in 2015 were seniors last year. Spagnuolo and Soto were among eight seniors on the 2016 team.

"We're going to be very young the next couple of years," said Walker.