HONORING CREAN LUTHERAN: Baseball coach proud of team’s work ethic

Members of the Crean Lutheran baseball team posed for a picture earlier this season. Back row left to right: Derek Bagatourian, Min Sung Choo, Solomon Yi, Assistant Coach Trent Abbott, Head Coach Jake Haney, Assistant Coach Guy Sardo, Chase Kanegae, Brett Aguirre and Jake Somerville; middle row Seth Holbrook, Niko Ramos, Daniel Vega, Andrew An, James Derflinger, Darin Hahn, Luke Belden and Caden Daniels; front row Drew Barragan, Michael Panichi, Liam Gallagher, Ethan Hockman, George Manera, Noah Long, Austin Blanco and Zach Tittle. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran High School/Yary Photography)

Crean Lutheran High School baseball coach Jake Haney said he was proud of the effort of his players this season. The squad had a 5-6 record when the season ended.

“I am heartbroken that our 14 seniors didn’t get to finish what they started,” Haney told OC Sports Zone in an Email. “A lot of people might look from the outside and see that we only had a chance to play 11 games. And they’re right. But this team started working last June. We had countless practices, weightlifting sessions, fall ball games, team lunches, team meetings and team devotions.

“One of the things that you always share with your athletes is to finish what they start. Every rep counts on the field and in the weightroom. Every pitch in a game counts. Every game counts too. Not only for the wins and losses, but for the memories that are made. I am sad that it doesn’t look like we will get to make any of those memories on the field again. The class of 2020 is special. Those 14 young men have a myriad of gifts and talents bestowed upon them by the Lord and I know whether or not their baseball careers continue, they will have an opportunity to bless others with those gifts.”

Crean Lutheran seniors:

Derek Bagatourian

Solomon Yi

Chase Kanegae

Brett Aguirre

Jake Somerville

Seth Holbrook

Niko Ramos

Daniel Vega

Luke Belden

Caden Daniels

Drew Barragan

Liam Gallagher

Ethan Hockman

Noah Long

If you took pictures before the season, we would like to share team pictures of spring teams with our readers. These can be pictures of seniors or the entire team and we will run these throughout the coming months to salute the dedicated athletes of Orange County who have had their seasons cut short. Please email pictures, names of the players and some highlights to timburt@ocsportszone.com so we can share with our readers. Horizontal pictures similar in size to the one above work best. Please do not take pictures now for us.