Rancho Santiago’s Hamelin Honored by State Coaches

Bobby Hamelin of Rancho Santiago has been picked as the Southern California community college baseball player of the year by the state’s coaches.

Hamelin, a sophomore transfer from UCLA, set state records in home runs with 31 and runs batted in with 105. He was also an all-state first-team first baseman.

Brent Magnusson, a catcher from Santa Rosa, was the player of the year from the north. The coaches don’t name a player of the year for the whole state.

Hamelin was joined on the all-state first team by teammate Rich Gonzales (designated hitter). Benny Gonzales, a pitcher from Cypress, and James Buccheri, an outfielder from Golden West, also were on the first team.

Derek Dehdashtian, an infielder from Orange Coast, was named to the second team.

Hamelin, Dehdashtian, Rich Gonzales and Benny Gonzales, no relation, also were on the Southern California first team.

Pitchers David Tellers (Rancho Santiago) and Tom Thobe (Golden West), catcher Ken Briggs (Cypress), first basemen Rod Klopfer (Fullerton) and Tim Churchill (Cypress), infielder Mike Gonzales (Rancho Santiago) and outfielders Todd Lloyd (Rancho Santiago) and Craig Paquette (Golden West) made the Southern California second team.