4A HONORS: Do-it-all Gator is tops in Class 4A

There wasn’t much Evan Van Hoosier didn’t do for Green Valley’s baseball team. He was the team’s top offensive player and a slick-fielding second baseman.

And when coach Corey Gehlken needed a big out on the mound, he even tried to get those out of Van Hoosier as well, even though the senior wasn’t really a pitcher.

“I threw him on the mound cold twice just because I wanted a competitor,” Gehlken said. “When it’s clutch time, you’ve got to go with big-time players.”

Van Hoosier certainly was that, and for his efforts he was named the Class 4A Southern Nevada Player of the Year by area coaches.

“His game effort is just top of the line,” Gehlken said. “If I could pick where I wanted the ball hit to, it would be there every time. And at the plate, if I could get him up every time, I would do it.”

Van Hoosier hit .567 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs for the Gators this season. He also had 11 doubles, four triples and 20 stolen bases.

Van Hoosier was a four-year fixture in the Green Valley lineup and a consistent threat at the plate.

“I’ve heard scouts, they were telling me he might be the best hitter in town counting CSN and UNLV,” Gehlken said. “I thought that was just a huge compliment.”

As good as he was at the plate, Van Hoosier also was outstanding in the field, getting to balls many wouldn’t and quickly turning double plays at second.

“His defense is really underrated for a lot of things,” Gehlken said. “There are balls that he gets to that he fields in a routine fashion that most guys would be diving for.

“His hands and his quickness turning the double play were phenomenal. I use that word a lot with him.”

The other infielders on the All-Southern Nevada first team were Bishop Gorman’s Joey Gallo, Silverado’s Michael Meyers and Centennial’s Casey Moses and Bryan Bonnell.

The outfielders were Las Vegas’ Dillon Dove, Arbor View’s Jordan Godman, Coronado’s Cody Howard, Liberty’s Jesse Keiser and Gorman’s Johnny Sewald.

Gorman’s Michael Blasko was the catcher.

Bonnell, Dove, Spring Valley’s Dylan Drachler, Coronado’s Dylan Myers and Arbor View’s Zach Quintana were selected as pitchers.

Quintana also was the pick at designated hitter, and Centennial’s Mike Rosenkrantz made it at utility.