Player of the Year

Matt Deuchler, Centennial

Deuchler, a senior catcher, did not finish his brilliant three-year career with a coveted state title. But it was no fault of his as the No. 11 Eagles (20-6) finished as a Class 2A finalist for the third straight season.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Deuchler, who was second-team All-Metro as a junior, is the total package behind the plate.

He can hit and hit with power, run, block pitches, throw, and has his staff's respect.

Deuchler batted .456 (41-for-90) with 10 doubles, three triples, five homers and 39 RBIs. He had three five-RBI games.

Few catchers run as well as the James Madison University-bound Deuchler, who covers the 60-dash in 6.9 seconds. He stole 15 bases and scored 36 runs this season.

Defensively, Deuchler applied his strong arm and quick release to cutting down five of just eight runners who dared trying to steal against him. He also picked off six runners.

He is the first Howard County player named Metro Player of the Year since Atholton pitcher Mark Carper in 1986.

Deuchler has been chosen for Team Maryland and yesterday's Crown All-Star game. He also participated in Team I at Clemson last July and has played several years for the Columbia Reds during the summer.

Deuchler played his freshman season at Calvert Hall.

In one of his best games for Centennial, he went 2-for-3 with five RBIs, had two stolen bases, a sacrifice fly and a walk against Atholton in a crucial late-season win.

Deuchler was also an All-Howard County football running back.

Coach of the Year

Al Frank, Archbishop Curley

"Baseball is my life, and I don't know what I would do without it," Frank said after the 24-9 Friars, having lost their first playoff game this spring, won four straight to clinch his fifth private schools championship in four decades.

Friars coach for 37 years, Frank is the Baltimore area's winningest coach at 481-369.

But he credits this year's success to two of his former players who helped him coach. "I owe so much to Timmy Norris and Richie Pfaff," he said. "They are like sons to me."

The Friars, who batted .357, set a state record for team homers (49). Their 312 runs were second only to the 326 scored by 1991 Class 2A state champ Northeast (24-0).

Brad Glascock, C. Milton Wright

Coach Bob Rudolph called Glascock "one of the best hitters to ever come out of C. Milton Wright."

Playing first base, being designated hitter at times, and volunteering to pitch for the No. 9 Mustangs (15-9), who lost the Class 3A West region final to eventual state champion South Carroll, Glascock batted .464 (39-for-84) with 40 RBIs, 25 runs, 13 doubles, five triples and six homers.

Considering Towson, UMBC and Hagerstown Community College, Glascock finished with a state career-record 13 triples, 21 doubles and a .506 batting mark.

"We needed another pitcher, and he said he would do it," said Rudolph. "He never pitched before and went 4-2."

Rudolph predicts that Glascock's tools and attitude will make him succeed at the next level.

Anthony Aceves, Howard

Fast and strong, Aceves, a senior outfielder, moved from second-team All-Metro as a junior to first team as a senior after batting .578 (37-for-64).

He set a state record for runs scored (51). Aceves hit eight doubles, four triples, and six homers for the No. 15 Lions (18-5).

He struck out only three times, had 23 walks - 13 intentional - and was hit by pitches five times.

A combination of speed, strong throwing arm and power-hitting ability make Aceves a pro prospect. He was drafted Thursday by the Florida Marlins in the 50th round.

"For average and power, he's the best hitter I've coached in 25 years and he hasn't hit his peak," Howard coach Rich Jenkins said.

Mike Costello, Archbishop Curley

Costello, a four-year varsity player, was the big bopper of the "Fearsome Friars" -- the power-hitting MIAA A Conference champions.

The third-baseman set season state-records for homers (15), hits (62) and RBIs (58), batting .521 (62-for-119) with 12 doubles and a triple.

Costello set a state career record for hits (135), breaking the record of 128 by 1998 Mount St. Joseph grad Mark Teixeira. He was one short of the latter's career record (108) for RBIs.

His 48 runs tied the state record broken by Howard's Anthony Aceves this season.

Costello, who is 6-1, 210 pounds, committed only six errors this season.

Kevin Damiano, South Carroll

Damiano played a major role in No. 2 South Carroll's first state championship with his bat and pitching.

The Penn-State bound left-hander was named the Carroll County Player of the Year.

He led the Cavaliers (21-4) in batting at .539 (41-for-76), RBIs (40), runs scored (30) and doubles (11), and was second in home runs to South Carroll teammate Jason Tourangeau (eight) with six. He was second in triples (five) to designated-hitter Chris Vasse (seven).

On the mound, the left-hander posted a 5-2 victory over No. 9 C. Milton Wright in the Class 3A semifinals. He was 6-0 with a 2.03 ERA in 41 innings, 74 strikeouts, 17 walks and 31 hits.

Tony Dokoupil, Severna Park

One of two All-Metro repeaters, Dokoupil, who has a scholarship to George Washington University, was the Falcons' undisputed leader in center field and as leadoff batter.

Dokoupil, a very good outfielder, batted .391 with a career-high totals of 35 runs and eight doubles, both club-leading stats.

His 20 RBIs (vs. 23 as a junior) ranked second on the No. 6 Falcons (17-5), and despite opposing pitchers who often worked around him, he still managed to hit a triple and three homers.

"Tony is one of the best hitters and outfielders we ever had at Severna Park, " said coach Jim Pitt, who retired after 30 seasons (26 at Severna Park) and played in the minors for the Minnesota Twins.

Gavin Floyd, Mount St. Joseph

Floyd, a 6-4, 190-pound right-hander with a 90-mph-plus fastball, had a super sophomore season.

With a 10-1 record, Floyd pulled off an rarity, beating each of the eight teams the No. 3 Gaels (20-7) played in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference.

Floyd worked 65 innings in 14 games, giving up 38 hits, striking out 84, walking 29 and posting a 1.92 ERA.

He also hit .308 mostly as a designated hitter with two homers and nine RBIs.

"There is no question that Gavin's future is on the mound, and I'm looking forward to the next two seasons," said coach Dave Norton.

Derek Fritz, Archbishop Curley

Fritz, a senior first-baseman, was a model of consistency offensively and defensively (he committed one error all season) in the Friars' drive to the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference title.

He batted .349 (37-for-106) with seven homers, eight doubles, 31 runs scored and 24 RBIs as the team's clean-up batter.

A 6-0, 200-pounder who is right-handed all the way, Fritz knocked in three runs in the 8-5 victory over Mount St. Joseph in the A Conference final.

An accomplished first baseman defensively, scouts can only see him getting stronger and better with the bat. Fritz has a baseball scholarship to Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Ala.

Kyle George, Bel Air

George, a senior who pitched and played infield, led the Bobcats in all major offensive categories, except doubles.

He batted .540 (34-for-63) with 31 runs, 43 RBIs, five triples, six homers and 12 stolen bases.

George was also the team's leading hurler at 5-2, giving up 41 hits in 46 innings with a 3.15 ERA, 56 strikeouts, 28 walks.

No. 13-ranked Bel Air went 17-3 overall before losing in the playoffs' first round. Most Harford County coaches agreed that he was their county's top all-around player.

George is headed to Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Ala.

The right-handed hitting George is expected to play third base at the next level.

Tim Hecker, Glen Burnie

Hecker, Anne Arundel County's Player of the Year, went a school-record 11-1 in pitching the No. 4 Gophers (18-7) to their first state championship.

Over 13 days in region and state playoffs in which the Gophers went 5-0, the right-handed senior won four games -- including the semifinal and title games -- and saved the fifth in working 27 innings.

"Tim deserves a lot of the credit for what we did this season," said coach Bruce Sider.

Hecker finished with 96 strikeouts, 13 walks, 86 hits yielded and a 1.18 ERA. At bat, Hecker, also an infielder, hit .422 with 20 runs, 10 doubles, three triples and 12 RBIs.

He is the first Glen Burnie player to make All-Metro since outfielder Tony Dailey in 1977.

Ryan Kyle, Calvert Hall

A stylish, left-handed pitcher, Kyle was 9-0 for the No. 7 Cardinals (22-9) and a prime reason for their taking the top seed in the MIAA A Conference playoffs.

The 5-11, 170-pound junior dealt conference champion Archbishop Curley its only playoff loss and also posted wins over No. 3 Mount St. Joseph and No. 12 Loyola (17-7).

Kyle scattered nine hits on 96 pitches (60 strikes) with five strikeouts and two walks in an 11-5 victory over St. Joe. Against hard-hitting Loyola, Kyle posted a five-hitter with five strikeouts for a 5-2 triumph.

Kyle, who throws a fastball, change and curve and possesses an excellent pickoff move, gave up 53 hits, 35 walks and struck out 61 in 58 innings with a 3.60 ERA.

Steve Pyzik, Loyola

Clearly, this senior was the Dons' catalyst in a 17-7 season that tied a 24-year-old school record for wins and put them in the MIAA A Conference playoffs.

Pyzik batted .563 (45-for-80) with 37 RBIs, 29 runs, nine doubles, four triples and four homers.

Normally a catcher, the athletic, Clemson-bound Pyzik played shortstop and did some pitching.

"We needed him to play short, and he did a great job for us -- I can't say enough about what he meant to our team," said coach Tim Nordbrook.

Three-hit games were commonplace for the right-handed swinger who sprays the ball to all fields with line-drive power. Pyzik was picked as a catcher for the North team in yesterday's Crown All-Star game.

Jeff Starcher, Glenelg

Starcher led the No. 8 Gladiators (21-4) to a repeat Class 1A state title.

This was the second straight season that Starcher, a senior and one of only two first-team All-Metro repeaters, pitched a complete game in the state final.

Pitching, he finished with a 10-2 record (three wins in the playoffs) and 2.95 ERA, toiling 66 innings, giving up 59 hits, and striking out 88. He was 22-4 for his three-year varsity career.

Starcher, who also played second base and shortstop, also helped his team to another title with his bat. He hit .558, setting a state public-school record for hits (48), had six doubles, three triples, eight homers, 33 RBIs and 40 runs scored.

Allen Strick, Mount St. Joseph

Considered a pro prospect with his quick bat, power, good hands and strong arm, Strick, a junior but three-year varsity player, put it all together this spring.

The 6-0, 180-pound Strick batted .417 (35-for-84), scored 27 runs, and drove in 31 runs with 13 doubles and six homers. He stole seven bases in eight attempts.

Playing shortstop, Strick had 31 putouts, 63 assists and 11 errors.

Strick drew the attention of pro and college scouts last summer as MVP of the National Champion Maryland Orioles in the Super-Seven Tournament at Georgia Tech. He is one of Maryland's most recruited juniors, with Clemson, LSU, North Carolina, South Carolina and Old Dominion showing serious interest.

Jason Tourangeau, South Carroll

A pro prospect with a 90-mph-plus fastball, Tourangeau was used mostly as a closer for the Class 3A state champion and No. 2 Cavaliers (21-4).

A 6-4, 215-pound right-handed pitcher/outfielder, Tourangeau was drafted by the Orioles in the 17th round Wednesday. He had a 5-1 record with five saves and a 3.10 ERA in 43 innings with 87 strikeouts, 26 hits and 33 walks.

Headed to East Carolina on a baseball scholarship if he doesn't turn pro, Tourangeau also had a big season at bat. He hit .517 with eight homers, 26 runs and 30 RBIs.

Tourangeau worked only one inning in the state semis. He threw only in the bullpen during the Cavaliers' 8-1 victory over Leonardtown in the 3A final.

Norris Roy, Arundel

Roy's name belongs on the list of great players who have passed through the Gambrills school that has won more state titles (eight) than any other.

He was a three-year starter at third base for the No. 5 Anne Arundel County-champion Wildcats (17-6). The 5-9, 180-pound Roy finished with school career records for at-bats (256), hits (108) and runs (99); he tied for first in doubles (21).

His .481 batting average this season included 31 runs, six doubles, two triples and three home runs, and he tied for the Anne Arundel County lead in stolen bases (28).

Roy ranks fourth in career batting (.422) for those who played two years or more for Arundel.

The All-Metro baseball teams

First team

Name, School, Year, Position

Gavin Floyd, Mount St. Joseph, Sophomore, Pitcher

Tim Hecker, Glen Burnie, Senior, Pitcher

Ryan Kyle, Calvert Hall, Junior, Pitcher

Jeff Starcher, Glenelg, Senior, Pitcher

Matt Deuchler, Centennial, Senior, Catcher

Mike Costello, Curley, Senior, Infielder

Derek Fritz, Curley, Senior, Infielder

Kyle George, Bel Air, Senior, Infielder

Steve Pyzik, Loyola, Senior, Infielder

Norris Roy, Arundel, Senior, Infielder

Allen Strick, Mount. St. Joseph, Junior, Infielder

Anthony Aceves, Howard, Senior, Outfielder

Kevin Damiano, South Carroll, Senior, Outfielder

Tony Dokoupil, Severna Park, Senior, Outfielder

Jason Tourangeau, South Carroll, Senior, Outfielder

Brad Glascock, C.M .Wright, Senior, DH-IF

Second team

Name School Year Position

John Caslin, Fallston, Senior, Pitcher

Greg Hopper, Patapsco, Senior, Pitcher

Andy Kosstic, Arundel, Senior, Pitcher

Bryan Mosser, Dulaney, Senior, Pitcher

Wes Peters, Liberty, Senior, Pitcher

Scott Kosmicky, Curley, Senior, Catcher

Edmund Carazo, Meade, Senior, Infielder

Eddie Henry, Poly, Senior, Infielder

John McCurdy, Arundel, Senior, Infielder

Tony Rolfes, Southern-AA, Senior, Infielder-P

Brett Smagola, Loyola, Junior, Infielder

Nate Weigl, C.M. Wright, Senior, Infielder

Derek Dixon, Severna Park, Junior, Outfielder

Joe Marcozzi, Calvert Hall, Senior, Outfielder

Mike Taylor, Westminster, Senior, Outfielder

Nick Hoffman, Gibbons, Senior, DH

Note: The All-Metro baseball teams were selected by Pat O'Malley after consultation with The Sun staff and area coaches.

Pub Date: 06/07/99