Huntington Beach, Calif. - Golden West's Dillon Persinger was named the 2016 OEC Player of the Year. The Sophomore second baseman finished the regular season with 61 hits, 17 doubles, 3 triples, 6 home runs, and 35 runs batted in. He lead the Rustlers in every offensive category and is the pace setter for the team. He started the season with a 7 game hitting streak to only break that streak with an 11 game hitting streak through the month of March. In the 9 games played in March, Persinger went 19 for 35 with 6 doubles, 4 (of his 6) homeruns, and drove in 14 runs for a staggering .543 batting average and 1.057 slugging percentage.
In OEC play Persinger lead the conference with a .480 batting average, finished 4th with 36 hits, 4th with 9 doubles, tied 3rd best in triples with 2, finished 3rd with 5 homeruns, 5th with 23 RBI's, and finished tied for 3rd with 6 stolen bases. His efforts helped propel the Rustlers to finish 2nd in the Orange Empire Conference behind Saddleback College, conference champions.
Chris Gilbody, a sophomore from Pacifica HS was named first team All-Orange Empire Conference Catcher. Gilbody was at his best during OEC competition, in conference he hit .341 with 28 hits, 4 doubles, 7 RBI's, and 14 runs scored. He not only helped his team with his offensive abilities, but lead the conference by throwing out 11 runners attempting to steal bases.
Other Rustlers nominated to the OEC Teams include:
Tyler Tungate – 2nd Team Pitcher. Tungate finished the regular season with a 7-2 record, 3 complete games, 88 innings pitched, 80 strike outs, and a 3.17 ERA.
Brett Mays – 2nd Team Pitcher. Mays finished the regular season with a 5-2 record, 1 complete game, 61.1 innings pitched, 36 strike outs, and a 4.11 ERA.
Josh Gogue – 2nd Team Reliever. Gogue lead the conference with 6 saves in 20 innings of relief, striking out 10, and posting a 2.70 ERA.
Cody Marshall – 2nd Team 1st Base. Marshall finished the regular season with 47 hits, 13 doubles, 29 RBI's, and .356 batting average.
Tyler Depreta – 2nd Team Infielder. Depreta finish the regular season with 34 hits, 3 doubles, 13 RBI's, and .283 batting average. He really shined on defense flashing his leather, in 172 chance he committed only 6 errors for a .965 fielding percentage.
