With Connor Baits on the mound or Sean Stepina at the plate this season, the Point Loma High School (PLHS) baseball team was one of the toughest in San Diego to defeat. Both Baits and Stepina were selected for first team all-Western League honors as the Pointers completed their season 18-13 overall and 6-6 (fourth place) in league play. The team posted an 11-4 record on its newly renamed turf — David Wells Field. PLHS head coach Jon Posternack told a baseball banquet crowd last week about an opposing coach at the all-league selection meeting who asked about Stepina, “How do you get that guy out? We couldn’t figure how to do it.” Few teams were able to solve Stepina, a 6 foot, 2 inch senior catcher whose .458 batting average topped team charts. He led the Pointers in virtually all other offensive categories as well, with 44 hits, 31 RBIs, nine doubles and two triples. Stepina walked away with three major team awards. He was named Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player and earned the Coach Delgado Leadership Award for which the Pointers’ pitching coach selects a player annually who leads the team in work ethic, effort to improve and leadership. Posternack also praised Stepina’s plate discipline. Stepina walked 22 times and struck out only 11 times. Stepina was a unanimous choice by league coaches for first-team honors and will be entering San Diego State University as a preferred walk-on, meaning Aztec coach and former San Diego Padre Tony Gwynn has high hopes — but no scholarships available — for the soon-to-graduate Pointer. “I’m just going to have to work harder than everyone else,” Stepina said. “I sat down with coach Gwynn and his staff and they told me, ‘You’re an Aztec now.’” For sophomore pitcher Baits, 2010 served as a breakout season. The 6 foot, 5 inch righty compiled a remarkable 1.73 ERA while posting a team-leading 9-2 record. Opponents batted only .244 against Baits, who walked 36 batters and struck out 71 in 73 innings. Baits received the team’s Pitcher of the Year award. Senior shortstop Zach Skarbic (.364 batting average) also earned second team all-league honors. Posternack noted the Pointers compiled a .322 team batting average (opponents averaged only .277), while earning the No. 5 seed in the CIF Division II playoffs. “This was another successful year for Pointers baseball,” Posternack said. “We beat No. 12 seed West Hills and upset No. 4 seed Scripps Ranch on their field before being knocked out of the playoffs by Westview and eventual champion Grossmont.” The Pointers lost to Grossmont 8-5 in their first loss of the double-elimination tournament. The Foothillers went on to shut out Helix 8-0 in the CIF finals. According to Posternack, other big wins came over Mission Bay and eventual CIF finalists Madison and Cathedral Catholic. Other notable Pointers include freshman Tyler Majofis, who played in 20 games at third base and the outfield, hitting .294. Majofis was named team Rookie of the Year. “There were only three freshmen who made varsity teams in our league,” Posternack said. Defensive Player of the Year honors went to senior first baseman Cody Harvey, whose ability to scoop up errant throws and help hold opposing runners drew praise. But Harvey, who missed the 2009 season with an injury, also hit .347 in his return to make himself an invaluable two-way player. For 6 foot, 2 inch junior pitcher Max Sorenson, an outstanding 1.77 ERA and 2-1 record gave him the Most Improved Player title. Opponents batted only .188 against Sorenson. Junior Dylan Ruth worked all season as a catcher in the bullpen and helping to warm up pitchers between innings. His hustle and contribution earned him the Coaches Award. For his leadership abilities and constant example of encouraging others, senior Nick Schroeder received the Teammate of the Year award from his peers. Other departing seniors include Davis Callejon (led team with 28 runs scored), Eric Schweiger and Kellen Stewart. “We return 10 players, including six starters, next season,” Posternack said. “Plus, our deep and experienced pitching staff will help us compete for the coveted Western League title.” Other returning players next season will be juniors Campbell Irvine, Adam Eslinger, Sergio Guerra, Dylan Morris, James Vermazen, Kellen Urbon (led team with two home runs), Zach Leslie (.333 average, six doubles) and Campbell Wear (4-3 record, 23 runs scored).