College Baseball Poll - Collegiate Baseball Newspaper

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Wednesday (April 4, 2003)

LA QUINTA NO. 1 IN EASTON SPORTS COLLEGIATE BASEBALL NEWSPAPER (www.baseballnews.com) POLL

TUCSON, Ariz. — La Quinta High School (Westminster, Calif.) is ranked No. 1 for the second straight time in Easton Sports' National High School poll coordinated by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

Off to a 12-0 start, the Aztecs under Head Coach Dave Demarest are hitting .401 as a team with 21 home runs and 25 doubles in 12 games. La Quinta has outscored opponents, 146-37. The pitching staff has an ERA of 2.67 with 85 strikeouts and only 19 walks while the defense has committed only 9 errors all season.

For the last seven games, the Aztecs have been without All-American RHP/OF Ian Kennedy who fractured his kneecap in a collision during a game. Before the injury, he struck out 23 batters in 13 innings and only walked one.

"We have been an extremely well balanced ball club this far," said Demarest. "Our other Ian (Ian Stewart) is hitting .525 (21-for-40) with 8 homers, 7 doubles, 34 RBIs and 24 runs scored in just 12 games. Cole Garner is hitting .553 with 4 homers, 3 doubles, 16 RBIs and 16 runs scored. The top of the lineup has been superb as well. Ryan Johnson is our leadoff hitter and Aaron Randall bats second. Both have 20 hits each, and between them they only have two strikeouts in 12 games.

"So far all aspects of our team have been outstanding. Our kids have been doing an exceptional job."