Ford driven to succeed

On his way to watch Brian Ford play in his final high school baseball game last month, Corona del Mar Coach John Emme talked about Ford’s future.

Emme knows Ford has a bright one at UC Davis, where he plans to play for the men’s soccer program. But Emme believes baseball can lead Ford to a brighter one.

To Emme, Ford can easily play baseball on the next level, not just in college. He thinks Ford has the potential to make a living playing baseball.

Emme said he talked to Ford about baseball before he played in last month’s Orange County All-Star baseball game for seniors in Anaheim. He told Ford to consider the sport at UC Davis because he has the tools, the speed and arm in the outfield, a sweet and short swing at the plate, to play baseball at a high level.

Ford can be a two-sport star in college. He showed it as a senior at CdM.

How many athletes can end a successful long boys’ soccer season, and then in two days turn around and join a baseball team and continue to excel?

Not many, but that is exactly what Ford proved was possible. On the soccer field, he struck a ball with his feet almost as beautifully as he struck a baseball with a bat in his hands.

Ford was one of the top soccer players in the area this season, but he wasn’t the best.

In baseball, Ford was No. 1 and that is why he is the Daily Pilot Newport-Mesa Dream Team Player of the Year. Ford can flat out play baseball.

Emme wonders how much better Ford could be if he just concentrated on baseball.

Ford displayed his talents as a leadoff hitter and center fielder. He batted .444 with 10 doubles, swiped 15 bases in 17 attempts, and ran underneath balls in the outfield that should have gone for extra-base hits.

Ford did it all against stiff competition. Two of the teams reaching the CIF Southern Section Division III title game were Beckman and Woodbridge and they played in the Pacific Coast League with the Sea Kings.

The only setback for Ford this season was his team failed to reach the playoffs for only the second time in Emme’s 14 years in charge. The league, the CIF and the all-star committees still recognized Ford’s abilities, naming him first-team all-league, second-team All-CIF, and to two all-star games.

Ford was also the Pacific Coast League Male Athlete of the Year. In soccer, he earned first-team all-league, first-team All-CIF, and second-team All-American ESPN RISE honors.

He starred on two fields, one as a center fielder and another as a midfielder.

Emme believes what Ford can do with his hands is more impressive than what he can’t do with them playing soccer.

Here’s a look at the rest of the Dream Team:

*

Andrew McCormack

Corona del Mar

The junior pitcher joined the baseball team a couple of days after the boys’ basketball season and McCormack went on to pick up almost half of the Sea Kings’ 13 victories this season. The right-hander posted a 6-3 record with a 2.91 earned-run average and 49 strikeouts. He worked 55 1/3 innings, including three complete games. McCormack earned second-team All-Pacific Coast League honors.

*

Max Gerard

Newport Harbor

The senior pitcher faced robust lineups consistently in the Sunset League and recorded a 2.46 ERA in league. Gerard contributed to the Sailors’ two-hitter, which resulted in Newport Harbor’s first league win, a 5-1 decision against Huntington Beach. He struck out 41 and only walked 11 in 65 2/3 innings of work and went 2-8. Gerard earned second-team all-league honors.

*

Tyler De la Peña

Estancia

The senior pitcher led the Eagles to the CIF Southern Section Division IV playoffs for the second straight season. The right-hander started on the mound in each of Estancia’s two postseason games. De la Peña finished with a 2.50 ERA and three complete games. He had one of the best pickoff moves. De la Peña earned first-team All-Orange Coast League honors.

*

PJ Maloney

Costa Mesa

The senior pitcher turned into the Mustangs’ workhorse, going the distance is six of his 11 starts on the mound. Maloney went 5-4 with a 2.84 ERA and struck out 31 in 61 2/3 innings. The right-hander batted .338 with five doubles. He was responsible for half of Costa Mesa’s 10 wins. Maloney earned second-team All-Orange Coast League honors.

*

Clark Cashion

Corona del Mar

The senior catcher excelled behind the plate and at the plate. Cashion batted .397 with 13 runs batted in and recorded four doubles. The Sea Kings missed Cashion down the stretch after he injured his leg. Without Cashion, CdM lost three of its final four Pacific Coast League games and missed qualifying for the playoffs for only the second time in Coach John Emme’s 14 seasons.

*

Matt Carpenter

Newport Harbor

The junior first baseman carried the Sailors’ offensive load for a second straight season. Carpenter batted .345 with six home runs and 15 RBIs and finished with a .759 slugging percentage and .537 on-base percentage. He doubled six times, walked 24 times and swiped 10 bases in 12 attempts. He earned first-team All-Sunset League honors. Carpenter is a two-time Dream Team pick.

*

Andres Hernandez

Estancia

The junior second baseman played a major role in the Eagles’ first CIF Southern Section playoff win in 19 years. Hernandez threw five innings in relief and earned the decision in Estancia’s 5-3 victory in a Division IV wild-card game at Anaheim. Hernandez allowed no earned runs, gave up two hits and struck out four. Hernandez earned second-team All-Orange Coast League honors.

*

Chase Kapana

Newport Harbor

The junior filled in at third base and produced for the Sailors when he wasn’t pitching. Kapana hit .304 with one home run and two doubles. As a pitcher, he picked up Newport Harbor’s second win in Sunset League play in the regular-season finale. He finished with a 3-5 record and 27 strikeouts in 37 innings. Kapana earned second-team All-Sunset League honors.

*

Tyler Rios

Estancia

The sophomore shortstop led the Eagles to back-to-back winning seasons and CIF Southern Section Division IV postseason appearances. Rios helped Estancia sweep rival Costa Mesa in the Battle for the Bell, eliminating the Mustangs from reaching the postseason. He batted .337 with eight RBIs, seven doubles and one triple, and scored 19 runs. Rios earned second-team All-Orange Coast League honors.

*

Brent Lawson

Corona del Mar

The junior left fielder started the Sea Kings’ season on an offensive tear before finishing with a .382 batting averaging, team-bests in home runs (four), RBIs (22) and slugging percentage (.691), and he added nine doubles. Lawson’s offensive surge can be connected to CdM moving him to the outfield from the infield, where he struggled defensively. Lawson earned second-team All-Pacific Coast League honors.

*

Alex Trancoso

Estancia

The junior center fielder provided consistency. Trancoso bailed out the Eagles with the bases loaded and two out in the third inning of a CIF Southern Section Division IV wild-card playoff game at Anaheim. He threw out a runner at second and Estancia escaped danger. He batted .321 with two home runs, 11 RBIs and four doubles. Trancoso earned first-team All-Orange Coast League honors.

*

Will Morrow

Corona del Mar

The senior right fielder displayed one of the best arms and swings in Orange County. Morrow batted a stellar .500 to lead CdM. He hit two home runs, drove in 17 runs, doubled four times, scored 23 runs and was five for five in stolen-base attempts. He finished with a .650 slugging percentage and .554 on-base percentage. Morrow earned first-team All-Pacific Coast League and second-team All-CIF Southern Section Division III honors.

*

Jack Heffron

Sage Hill

The senior designated hitter batted a staggering .516, marking the second time the left-handed batter finished with the best average in the Newport-Mesa area. Heffron returned to his freshman form, finishing with 21 RBIs, seven doubles, four triples and 21 runs. He had a .750 slugging percentage and .574 on-base percentage. He earned first-team All-Academy League honors. Heffron is a two-time Dream Team pick.

*

Allen Brown

Sage Hill

The senior utility player played all nine positions for the Lightning. On a team with eight freshmen, Sage Hill needed Brown to contribute everywhere on the field and he came through, never committing an error. The leadoff hitter batted .358 with 16 RBIs, three triples, two doubles and 18 runs. He usually started as a center fielder or pitched. Brown earned second-team All-Academy League honors.