North High School - Galaxy Yearbook (Bakersfield, CA)

Page 68 text:

e'1 H i X xw - --- Q k . X - - -1Q- . . ,F fx w 1 1 Valley liliaunps tm For Tilzle Again Our players realized their goal which they had set at the startof the year. It was an honor to represent NHS and a great experience. Coach Tony Silver gave this answer when questioned on how it felt to win the Valley Champion- ship last spring. With their goal realized, the varsity baseball team ended their season at the top of the league. The 1982 team has the same goal and with improved de- fense and more pitching depth, the Stars hoped to again achieve the title. The Stars of 1981 seemed to peak at just the right moment. In a must-win game against BHS in the second round, the Stars won by the score of 3-0. This started the team on a seven-game win- ning streak which led to a co-SYL championship and the Valley title. 64 Varsity Baseball Part of the optimism for the 1982 sea- son could be attributed to the winning attitude gained after attaining the Val- ley Championship. I hope our kids re- alize that they can win anytime they go on the field, answered coach Silver when asked about how winning the championship would help reinforce NHS's winning tradition in baseball. Another part of the optimism could be based upon the quality players return- ing from last year's team. Among these players were two all-leaguers: Pat Hewes behind the plate and Jim Austin in the outfield. Much of hope for North's success also rested upon the strong pitching arms of Greg Williamson, Mike Shults, and Brent Mixon. With the talent, coaching and will to win, the Stars were once again expected to be very competitive. heh'

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Best in the Vallej Hard work, determination and pure tal- ent were just a few of the fine qualities in the boys of the 1981 Valley champi- on varsity baseball team. As usual, North began the season as the under- dog, but as more games were played, the North boys proved to everyone around that they were for real this sea- son, and were not going to let anyone stop them. And they didn't! Coached by Tony Silver, the boys had to work hard throughout the season, for Coach Silver, who believes in hard run- ning, wanted his kids to be in tip- tgp shape, and worked them to that point. Key players included standout senior, Bruce Walton, South Yosemite League MVP, who led the team with his power- ful pitching. ln the Valley finals, he stunned the highly-rated Hanford Bull- pups as North captured the game and the championship. Sophomore Pat Hewes, Rookie of the Year, took up the spot as the Star's catcher, and had a solid batting average throughout the entire season, along with his fine defensive play. As a sopho- more, Hewes more than filled Coach Silver's expectations. At shortstop, a quick and hustling sen- ior, Steve Burnes more than did the job. He made many unbelievable stops and wielded a big bat throughout the season. The 1981 Varsity Baseball team did a TERRIFIC job, and WE CON- GRATULATE THEM!! CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Ll-II- l': Waiting for the line drive, First Baseman Dan Lemon gets into the ready position. Firing a strike, Senior Bruce Walton follows through while Stcvc Burnes look on. 1981 Valley Champs We'rc number one, the Stars all agree. Varsity Baseb ill 61

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-ir' ,. 'M '--, f- sismm, VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM members, FRONT ROW: Ken Clifford, Stuart Dewitt, Jim Mitchell, Larry Collins, Pat Hewes, Shawn Mills, Todd Bockman, Jeff Sabo, Mike Yafchak. ROW TWO: Ted Nelson, Darren McKinsey, Mike Un- derwood, Mike Shults, Greg Williamson, Robert Hudson, Kyle Buntley, Eddie Drake, Brent Mixon, Jim Austin. .tg -- ww A - 'ei g LEAGUE RECORD NORTH OPPONENT . 17 Bakersfield 2 2 East 0 ' 3 , Foothill 6 I ' Highland 0 7 Arvin 5 2 South 3 7 West ll 3 Bakersfield 0 Il East , 3 6 Foothill 3 9 Highland 8 ll, Arvin 7 g X6 South 0 I0 West 1 ' WON ll LOST 3 . VALLEY PLAYOFFS 3 Bakersfield I0 4 'Sanger 2 3 Hoover l ll, Hanford 0 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Out or safe? catcher Pat Hewes collides with a sliding player from South Torrance. Stretching to receive the ball ahead of the runner is first-baseman Brent Mixon. Diving for the base, outfielder Mike Shults flies through the air. Mike had two hits and scored the winning run as the Stars defeated South Torrance 2-l. Third-baseman Jeff Sabo takes a cut at the ball. Going into his windup, pitcher Greg Williamson prepares to fire a pitch to the plate. Greg, the winning pitcher, also drove in the winning run over South Torrance. Intent and ready to field, Jeff Sabo charges a ground ball. Varsity BasebaIlj65