BASEBALL DREAM TEAM:Lemmerman leads way

The total package and Corona del Mar High’s John Emme saw him come, coached him four years, and saw him go.

Hello, goodbye. A sad time for Emme because senior Jake Lemmerman exemplified what he desired from a high school baseball player.

“Great kid, phenomenal athlete, hard worker, extremely coachable,” Emme said. “You never get all those.”

Reasons Emme said Duke University’s coaching staff called him on several occasions. The Blue Devils wanted his shortstop.

Not to just play.

“To build their program around Jake,” Emme said.

Since Emme saw Lemmerman as a freshman, he knew the tools were there for something special. Lemmerman started on the Sea Kings’ CIF Southern Section Division IV championship team, and since then has led the way.

The Sea Kings never returned to the section championship, but Lemmerman saved his best season offensively for last, earning him the Dream Team Player of the Year accolade for the second straight year.

The numbers are exceptional, a .425 batting average, 10 home runs, 31 RBIs, six doubles, a .862 slugging percentage and a .524 on-base percentage. All from the No. 2 spot in the batting order and he shared the Pacific Coast League Player of the Year award.

Emme batted Lemmerman in that slot, usually suited for batters sacrificing themselves by moving runners over on bunts. The reason? Emme wanted to increase Lemmerman’s total at-bats by about 15 and have pitchers pitch to him.

More opportunities for Lemmerman gave the Sea Kings a better chance to win. They won, going 19-9 overall and 8-4 in the Pacific Coast League, and made the Division III playoffs.

The thrilling 19-16 playoff win over Don Lugo of Chino last month and the championship win over Tesoro at Dodger Stadium in 2004 are two games Lemmerman said he’ll never forget.

There were eight lead changes and both CdM and Don Lugo combined for 32 hits, four home runs, five doubles and one triple.

Lemmerman hit a three-run home run and finished three for four with five RBIs and two doubles. A great game and it goes well with a fantastic four-year career in which he was a three-time Newport-Mesa selection.

Lemmerman finished second in all-time hits with 125, seven behind Ty Harper, who also holds the single-season home run record (12) with Eric Wiethorn. Lemmerman is also second all-time in RBIs (88) and at-bats (125), first in runs (93), fourth in home runs (16), sixth in average (.388) and eighth in doubles (18).

Gaudy statistics, but Emme’s losing more than a baseball player.

“It’s sad to see Jake go, last time I get to coach Jake,” Emme said. “After four years, by far one of the most special players ever to come out of here. I didn’t want it to end quite yet.”

The area’s best in baseball for the 2007 season:

Danny Moskovits

Corona del Mar, sophomore

The right-handed pitcher assumed the ace role from the start of his sophomore year. He looked cool throughout, going 5-3 with a 2.96 earned-run average. He led the team with five complete games in 11 starts, also struck out 29 in 61 1/3 innings and walked 14. He threw one shutout, coming in a 9-0 victory against Irvine, and garnered first-team all-league honors. Hit .393 with six RBIs.

Vinnie St. John

Corona del Mar, senior

The USC-bound pitcher was a consistent starter. In his only relief stint, he saved CdM. Was the lone pitcher of seven not allowing a run during a 19-16 victory over Don Lugo of Chino in a CIF Southern Section Division III first-round playoff game. The right-hander finished 3-4 with a 3.95 ERA, 32 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings, and earned second-team All-Pacific Coast League honors. Hit .306 with 15 RBIs, 23 runs and stole 11 of 11 bases. This is his second straight Dream Team honor.

Garrick Williams

Costa Mesa, senior

The area’s most resilient pitcher challenged hitters. In a must-win game to help Costa Mesa make the playoffs for the first time since 2001, he delivered. After scoring the go-ahead run, he completed his second scoreless inning in relief, picking up the victory in a 7-5 win against rival Estancia that clinched the Orange Coast League’s second postseason berth. He went 4-6, led the area with 55 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings, and received second-team all-league honors.

Trevor McDonald

Estancia, senior

The catcher stood out as the top in a position featuring two other strong catchers in the area. Besides being the best-hitting catcher (.395, 10 doubles), he threw out 12 runners trying to steal. Six runners before they tried to steal, as four runners were picked off leaning too far from third and two from first. Not the heaviest at 170 pounds, but the first-team All-Orange Coast League pick blocked the plate as good as he called games.

Matt Pisarski

Costa Mesa, senior

The area’s most improved catcher. He led a group of veteran and young pitchers and got the most out them. The first-team Orange Coast League selection led the team with eight doubles, and batted .326 with 19 RBIs, one home run and two triples.

He batted cleanup behind home-run hitting John Rybarczyk, protecting him as he struck out only eight times in 99 plate appearances.

Brett Houten

Newport Harbor, senior

The second baseman shined during a tough season for the Sailors (5-20, 1-14 in Sunset League). He led the team in practically every offensive category, making him the lone Newport Harbor player earning first-team all-league recognition. He batted .394 with 19 RBIs, collected 28 hits, three home runs, six doubles, and scored 14 runs. He hit a game-winning solo homer in the bottom of the sixth to beat Carter of Rialto, 10-9, in the Newport Elks Tournament.

Blake Pinto

Estancia, senior

The third baseman returned to baseball after a one-year hiatus and produced a remarkable season. He led Estancia with a .416 batting average, .480 on-base percentage, 37 hits, and an area-best 17 stolen bases.

He excelled wherever Coach C.K. Green put him by showcasing his range and strong arm. Earned second-team All-Orange Coast League honors and was an integral part to Estancia taking three out of four games against rival Costa Mesa and winning the Paul Troxel Trophy for the first time since 2001.

Miguel Molina

Costa Mesa, sophomore

The slick fielding shortstop utilized his speed to get to balls in the holes with ease. He batted left-handed, and from the No. 9 spot hit .316 with seven RBIs, four doubles and one triple. He played a key role to Costa Mesa making its first playoff appearance since 2001. The second-team All-Orange Coast League pick will return next year as a junior and just might be the area’s top shortstop with CdM’s Jake Lemmerman graduating.

Austin Elliott

Corona del Mar, senior

The outfielder delivered clutch hits throughout the season. He mostly batted third, protecting CdM’s Jake Lemmerman, and Coach John Emme said he played a vital role to Lemmerman’s success. The second straight first-team All-Pacific Coast League selection led the team with .443 batting average, 33 RBIs, eight doubles and three triples. His four home runs and .739 slugging percentage were second. The Orange Coast College-bound player excelled as a pitcher, too, boasting the staff’s best record (5-1), lowest earned-run average (1.94) and most shutouts (two). This is his second straight Dream Team honor.

Gabe SanchezCosta Mesa, junior

The outfielder will best be remembered for legging out an infield single that drove in the game-winning run in the regular-season finale, helping Costa Mesa beat rival Estancia for the first time in four tries and advance to the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs for the first time since 2001. The leadoff hitter batted .359, ranked second in RBIs (21), home runs (three), runs (23), and stole eight bases, earning him second-team All-Orange Coast League recognition.

Tim MorleyEstancia, senior

The outfielder was called the “ideal leader” by Coach C.K. Green. He pushed Estancia (9-18, 3-9 in Orange Coast League), helping it win three league games, tripling its league-win total from the previous season. The middle linebacker bound for Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., ranked third in batting average (.354) and second in RBIs (22). He received first-team All-Orange Coast League honors after going 16 for 33 (.485) with 10 RBIs in league games.

John Rybarczyk

Costa Mesa, senior

The designated hitter blasted nine home runs, tripling his home-run total from last season. The first-team All-Orange Coast League pick was one shy of tying Costa Mesa’s single-season school record of 10, set by Ruben Mancilla in 1999. He finished with 12 career homers.

He batted .373, led the team with 28 RBIs, 18 walks and was hit nine times. During the Beach Pit Classic, the Vanguard-bound player hit three home runs and scored 11 runs. This is his second straight Dream Team honor.

Michael DiRocco

Corona del Mar, senior

The catcher threw out 75% of runners trying to steal. The Cal State Los Angeles-bound player guided a strong staff, with Danny Moskovits, Vinnie St. John, Austin Elliott, and Trevor Jones, resulting in a combined earned-run average below 3.00.

He batted .308 with 18 RBIs, five doubles, and hit his lone home run, a two-run shot, during CdM’s 19-16 win at Don Lugo of Chino in the first round of CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs.

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at david.carrillo@latimes.com.