All-CIF honors for two Patriots

Beckman’s Trevor Ernt (left) and Matt McLain earned all-CIF Division 2 honors.

Beckman baseball players infielder Matt McLain and pitcher Trevor Ernt capped big seasons by being selected first team All-CIF Division 2.

“Both Matt and Trevor were very deserving of being named first team all CIF,” said Beckman Coach Kevin Lavalle.

For a slide show, please click on the first photo.

McLain batted .390 with 39 hits, seven doubles, two triples, five home runs, 17 RBI, 31 runs scored and 20 walks. He was drafted in the first round by the Arizona Diamondbacks but opted to honor his college commitment with UCLA.

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“Matt is the best player in the history of our program, and we have had several great ones,” said Lavalle said. “He’s at the top or near the top of every single offensive category, and it’s almost scary to think what he would have been able to accomplish with the old bats.

“Despite being pitched differently than any other player in our lineup, he was still able to put up impressive numbers. Obviously all the tools and skills are there that make him attractive to college and professional baseball decision makers, but the thing you see when you watch him practice or play is the fact that Matt has that special it characteristic that separates him from everyone else.  Matt McLain was born to be a baseball player. He’s a great older brother, a natural leader, and we’ll miss him.”

In 52 innings, Ernt, a junior, was 9-0 with three saves and allowed just five earned runs with a .063 ERA. He walked only nine and struck out 49.

Trevor Ernt went Into the season with a bit of uncertainty simply because we didn’t know how we were going to use him.

As we got a few weeks in, it was obvious that he was ready to be a starter, and to his credit he just took that role and ran with it.

“He has really dedicated himself to his craft,” Lavalle said. “He is left handed and has three pitches that he can throw for strikes at any time. He’s a competitor, he’s smart, and he’s composed. The numbers speak for themselves. It’s entirely possible that next year his numbers won’t match what he did in 2018, but the way Trevor is working, I can pretty much guarantee he will be even better.”