B.C. Baseball will recognize the 2017 Chilliwack College Prep Cougars as its Team of the Year at a Feb. 17 luncheon in Langley.
The Cougars won their second straight provincial title last season under the guidance of coaches Shawn Corness and Scott Pankratz.
The team went into battle with a roster comprised of three seniors, nine Grade 11s and three rookies. Many were on the Cougars the previous year when they entered the provincial Final Four as underdogs and ended up winning their first title.
Returning in 2017, they helped the team to an overall record of 50-17-1, including regular season and tournament games.
Corness and Pankratz believe a successful team focuses on development and winning follows. That played out for the Cougars as they started slow but progressively improved.
The Cougars played the 2017 Final Four on their home diamond at Fairfield Island, ultimately beating Cloverdale 5-4 to take the title.
The Cougars went on to represent B.C. at the Diamond Nations Wood Bat Tournament, which was held in New Jersey last August.
Underdogs once more going into the event, the Cougars went unbeaten, toppling several strong American teams to capture the gold medal.
“It is a huge honour for our program to be named B.C. Baseball Team of the Year,” Corness said. “I believe our players have earned this award through the dedication and hard work in following our process to what we believe it takes to be a championship program on and off the field.
“I think this attitude is what has helped us win back to back College Prep championships.”
— A Chilliwack Cougar bantam star is B.C. Baseball’s 2017 Player of the Year.
Jude Hall plays for the bantam AAA team.
He was also on a U-15 B.C. (Minor) Baseball Select Team that went to Chicago, and he was a pick-up for the provincial champion Delta Tigers at a tournament in New Jersey.
“Jude is the type of player coaches dream of having on their roster,” said B.C. Baseball’s Mike Kelly. “Not only is he an elite pitcher, hitter, fielder and base runner, Jude also has the type of attitude that makes all of the players around him better.
“No matter the situation, Jude goes all out. He is close to impossible to play against. He can hit 350 foot home runs but can also lay down a perfect bunt and dive head first to beat out the bunt single.”
“In my mind, Jude was hands-down the MVP of the U-15 division in 2017.”
Hall will also be recognized at the banquet on Feb. 17, which will take place at the Langley Events Centre as part of B.C. Baseball’s annual coaches convention.
“Jude is a very hard working young player that plays with passion and heart which translates to how he performs on the field,” Corness said. “We are happy that he will be wearing our College Prep uniform this year.”