Monday, June 15
2009 Seniors "Where Are They NOW!"
The Valley Vipers, as of Aug 1st '03, are a 13u travel baseball team consisting of players from the Modesto CA. surrounding area. The team was formed from two local competitive rival 11u teams. We battled hard against each other making both teams better. In 2003 The Vipers have compiled a record of 88-13-1 and ended up being ranked 17th in the State(12yr old division) by USASPORTSRANKINGS.COM. They are the California State Super Series American Division 12u Champions and National Champions of the 2nd Annual Winter Nationals Super Series American Division 13u that took place in Arizona. We start a new Chapter in 2004!!!
Wednesday, September 2
 |
Leighton Pangilinan 46 | 1B
Status: Active
|
|
Stats
AVG:
.299
HR:
4
RBI:
22
SB:
0 |
Full Name: Leighton Pangilinan
Born: 03/06/1991
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 230
Bats: L
Throws: R
|
| 2009 Season |
| BRS |
APP |
.299 |
44 |
144 |
11 |
43 |
10 |
0 |
4 |
22 |
65 |
6 |
34 |
0 |
1 |
.327 |
.451 |
.778 |
| Minors |
|
.299 |
44 |
144 |
11 |
43 |
10 |
0 |
4 |
22 |
65 |
6 |
34 |
0 |
1 |
.327 |
.451 |
.778 |
APPALACHIAN LEAGUE: Sox Slugger Strong In Defeat
By Tim Hayes
Sports Writer / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: August 28, 2009
BRISTOL, Va. – Bristol White Sox first baseman Leighton Pangilinan has been a hit in his first season as a professional.
The California native went 2-for-3 and raised his batting average to .296 on Thursday night in Bristol’s 8-2 Appalachian League loss to the Pulaski Mariners at DeVault Stadium.
Pangilinan connected for a RBI double in the third, doubled again in the sixth and drew a walk in the eighth. He’s shown a nice power stroke this season, which was one of the reasons the Chicago White Sox drafted him in the 40th round of June’s Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
He hit .476 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs as a senior at Escalon High School in Northern California. While he admits that moving from the West Coast to Southwest Virginia has been a bit of a culture shock, it hasn’t bothered him on the field.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Pangilinan said. “It’s a great experience and really good competition, of course. It’s a lot different from high school.”
Pangilinan had the ultimate highlight on July 6 in his professional debut at Johnson City. On the first pitch of his first at-bat, Pangilinan smashed a ball over the right-center field fence at Cardinal Park.
“I was surprised I hit it out,” Pangilinan said. “It was the first pitch … It was right there, and I swung as hard as I could.”
Pangilinan was one of the few highlights for the BriSox (25-38) on Thursday. Four Bristol pitchers combined to allow 12 hits and eight different Pulaski players had at least one hit.
Outfielder Fred Bello led the Mariners, going 2-for-4 with four runs scored, three RBIs and an impressive inside-the-park home run in the ninth inning.
Meanwhile, Pulaski pitchers John Housey and Jordan Merry combined on a five-hitter. Housey (3-2, 2.95 ERA) struck out six in 5 1/3 innings and Merry closed it out for his fifth save.
Bristol has an off day today before playing its final home game on Saturday against Pulaski. While many players are tiring of the daily grind and anticipating getting home for the
offseason, Pangilinan is still producing at the plate.
“I’m just trying to stay focused on the game and not worry about home so much,” he said.
Friday, July 3
Leighton Signs
| 7/2/2009 2:19:00 AM |
|
 |
| Recent Escalon High graduate Leighton Pangilinan has signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox and is headed to Bristol, Virginia to start his professional baseball career. He was drafted by the Sox and officially signed with the club on Sunday. Marg Jackson/The Times |
 |
 |
| Shown at a hastily arranged going away party, the newest member of the Chicago White Sox organization, Leighton Pangilinan, center back, is flanked by his younger brothers Aaron, left, and Owen with mom and dad Kelly and Dan Pangilinan in front. Marg Jackson/The Times |
|
Pangilinan Signs With Chi Sox
By MARG JACKSON
Deciding to seize the opportunity that is in front of him, Escalon High School Class of 2009 graduate Leighton Pangilinan is now a professional baseball player.
The 18-year-old signed a contract on Sunday, June 28 with the Chicago White Sox organization, after being drafted by the Sox earlier in the month. He is due to report today, July 1, to his new team, the Bristol White Sox in Bristol, Virginia. The Bristol squad is a Rookie league team, playing in the Appalachian League. They play their home games at the 2,000-seat DeVault Memorial Stadium and Pangilinan was drafted by the Major League's Chicago White Sox as a first baseman.
He was enjoying a quickly arranged 'going away' party put together by his parents, Dan and Kelly Pangilinan, at the local D'Boni's Pizza on Sunday afternoon.
The party came just a couple of hours after Pangilinan signed his name to his first professional contract.
"I was just full of energy when I got to do it," he said of signing on for what he hopes will be an eventual trip to the major leagues. "I was ecstatic.
"This is my dream, to try to get there."
A ballplayer ever since he can remember, Pangilinan has made his mark on a number of travel teams and helped propel the 2009 Escalon High Cougars to a 26-1 overall mark and an undefeated Trans-Valley League season. He also has played for the San Francisco Giants Scout Team and it was there and through Cen Cal baseball out of Oakdale that White Sox scout Adam Virchis starting taking notice of Pangilinan's abilities.
"I've always loved it," Pangilinan said of the game, adding that even though it was "a dream" to turn pro, it's not one he thought about a lot, feeling it was just that, a dream.
Now, he has a chance to make that dream a reality.
He has some specific goals for himself as he makes the transition from Escalon to Bristol.
"I will watch what I do, I don't want to make a mistake," he said. "I'll listen to everything they (coaches) say."
Pangilinan will be under the tutelage of hitting coach Jerry Hairston, a former major leaguer, at Bristol. He also takes with him many lessons learned on the Escalon and travel ball fields.
"At Escalon it was fun but we were also serious at the same time," he said.
Coach Greg Largent said he's proud to see Pangilinan take this next step in his career.
"He's matured tremendously as a person the last three years and now he will be surrounded by players just as good as he is," Largent said. "I think there's more in him that hasn't been tapped and I think he's going to take his game to the next level.
"By far he's the best hitter that has ever come through the halls of Escalon High School. We don't go 26-1 without him. There were a lot of cogs in the wheel, but he was one of the main ones."
Mom Kelly was the baseball player in the family, playing in Nebraska while in school because they didn't offer softball at the time. Dad Dan favored football and basketball, but served as assistant coach for some of his son's teams through the years. Both are extremely supportive ... and proud.
"This has been a dream of his," Dan said. "He's still got a long way to go."
But by working hard, the 6-2, 230-pound teen believes his chances for success are good.
His sweet stroke saw him compile a .476 batting average this season in league play, with 42 RBI, 14 doubles and nine homers.
Mom Kelly said she was - appropriately enough - at a Cougar summer baseball game when she got word that he had been drafted in the 40th round.
"Everybody got all excited," she said of the Cougar fans in the stands watching the game when she shared the news. "I think I've been on the phone ever since."
Pangilinan did not have a graduation party, nor did he attend Sober Grad because he had a baseball tournament the following day. So Sunday's gathering at D'Boni's served as a kind of graduation-celebration-going away party.
Pangilinan will suit up quickly for the White Sox, arriving in Bristol on July 1 and getting a chance to play. They are even providing him with a new glove and bats.
Had he not opted to sign, Pangilinan said he would have attended Delta College and played baseball there for the Mustangs. But he figures if the chance is there, he's going to take it.
"I'm nervous but I'm really, really excited to go off and do something I love to do ... for a job," he said, grinning. "I'm just going to focus on baseball, try to get to the big leagues. It'll be tough, but I'm going to try my hardest."
|
Friday, July 3
2009 All State Baseball
Justin Jones (Oakdale) Sr.
He was virtually unbeatable over a two-year span as he went 22-1 and was named the Modesto Bee's player of the year. This year, Justin went 10-1 on the mound with a 0.42 ERA with the lone loss coming in the postseason by a 4-3 final score with all four runs he allowed unearned after three errors. In 66 innings, he struck out 118 and hit .413 at the plate. Jones was drafted in the 7th round by the Chicago White Sox and also has a scholarship to attend Cal.
Zack Jones (Santa Teresa, San Jose) Sr.
The Saints marched to their first Mount Hamilton Division championship since 1993 with Jones leading the way on the mound and at the plate. He was named the San Jose Mercury News player of the year after going 11-0 with a 0.88 earned run average after only allowing 11 earned runs all year. Jones also finished just shy of 100 strikeouts as he recorded 98 strikeouts in 88 innings while hitting .508 with eight homers and 30 RBI. He was drafted in the 24th round by the Kansas City Royals.
All-State Baseball 2009: Medium, Small, Underclass
July 3, 2009 6:09 PM
What makes the CalHiSports.com all-state honors unmatched is that we point the spotlight on players from different-sized schools as well as the best players for the future. Cathedral Catholic and San Dimas lead the medium school selections while Washington of Easton and Escalon each get a pair for small schools. Sixty players also named either first team or second team all-state underclass.
2009 ALL-STATE BASEBALL
SMALL SCHOOLS
Players eligible were from schools that were considered Division IV or Division V for our state rankings.
Catchers
Sam Elliott (St. Mary's, Berkeley) Sr.
Matt Hartunian (Montclair Prep, Van Nuys) Sr.
Leighton Pangilinan (Escalon) Sr.
Andrew Rubalcava (East Nicolaus, Nicolaus) Sr.
Pitchers
Dylan Covey (Maranatha, Sierra Madre) Jr.
John Lopez (Escalon) Sr.
Cody Poteet (Christian, El Cajon) Fr.
Kenny Treadwell (R.L. Stevenson, Pebble Beach) Sr.
A.J. Venegas (Redwood Christian, Castro Valley) Jr.
Michael York (Chowchilla) Sr.
Infielders
Andrew Ayers (St. Bernard's, Eureka) Sr.
Matt Chabot (Woodcrest Christian, Riverside) Sr.
Kenny Diekroger (Menlo School, Atherton) Sr.
Michael Gerlach (Carmel) Sr.
Trevor Miller (Bret Harte, Altaville) Sr.
Outfielders
Patrick Bariteau (Liberty, Madera Ranchos) Sr.
Mitch Delfino (Cloverdale) Sr.
Jake Etcheverry (Hughson) Sr.
Billy Flamion (Central Catholic, Modesto) Soph.
Mike Moyer (Head-Royce, Oakland) Sr.
Aaron Roth (Cornerstone Christian, Camarillo) Jr.
Riley Showers (Bakersfield Christian) Sr.
Multi-Purpose
Cameron Bedard (Oxford Academy, Cypress) Sr.
Patrick Conroy (Drake, San Anselmo) Jr.
Brett Haringa (Baptist Christian, Hemet) Sr.
Tyler Johnson (Campbell Hall, North Hollywood) Sr.
Adam McCurley (Washington, Easton) Jr.
Andrew Morovick (Tahquitz, Hemet) Soph.
Miguel Navarro (San Jacinto) Jr.
Andrew Rich (Washington, Easton) Sr.
Small Schools Player of the Year:
Andrew Rich (Washington, Easton)
Small School Coach of the Year:
Brad Gunter Jr. (Valley Christian, Roseville)
Monday, June 15
College commitments
Nick Lucchesi / Delta JC
Micheal Rivera / Fresno Pacific
James Lagorio / Cal Poly SLO
Jake Cose / Delta JC
Jason Rasmussen / Modesto JC
Kirk Rocha / Merced JC
Zack Jones / San Jose State
Jordan Mould / Delta JC
Leighton Pangilinan / New Mexico JC
Kyle Wagner / Modesto JC
Justin Jones / UC Berkeley
Monday, June 15
Viper All Stars
San Joaquin 19th Annual High School All-Star
North Nick Lucchesi, Calaveras
James Lagorio, Linden
Kyle Wagner, Ripon
South Leighton Pangilinan, Escalon
Michael Rivera, St. Mary’s
Modesto Sunrise Rotary All Star Game
Justin Jones, Oakdale
Kirk Rocha, Downey
|
| CenCal's Micheal, Justin, Leighton, Zack going to WWBA in Georgia
|
|
 |
Monday, June 15
Three Vipers Selected in 2009 MLB Draft
|
722
|
|
Jones, Zachary |
Santa Teresa HS (CA) |
RHP |
R/R |
6'01" |
185 |
|
HS |
|
1213
|
|
Pangilinan, Leighton |
Escalon HS (CA) |
1B |
L/R |
6'03" |
230 |
|
HS |
Monday, June 15
Justin Jones
Oakdale High lefty Justin Jones, The Bee's Stanislaus District Player of the Year, was selected Wednesday by the Chicago White Sox with the 223rd pick in the seventh round of the Major League Baseball draft. Jones was 22-1 over his final two varsity seasons and has already signed a letter of intent to play at Cal. Jones’ next major decision will involve whether to pursue a pro career with the Sox, or to attend Cal
Monday, June 15
Zack Jones
The senior right-hander struck out nine batters in six innings as the Saints (20-5, 14-5) defeated Sobrato 4-0 to clinch the Mount Hamilton title last Tuesday. It was their first Mount Hamilton title since the Blossom Valley Athletic League adopted a three-tiered system in 1993, Coach Steve Beaulieu said. Jones improved to 13-0 and continued his hot hitting with four hits, including two doubles, in two games last week. In league play he is hitting .507 with seven home runs and 34 RBIs. "Zack is very athletic and is a tremendous competitor with a strong presence on the mound," Beaulieu said. "His fastball is in the high 80s and low 90s and he has worked real hard to develop a good fastball in the last couple years." Jones has received interest from Division I schools such as San Jose State.
Monday, June 15
Leighton Pangilinan
Escalon High’s Leighton Pangilinan, a three-year varsity starter who discovered his power stroke this season, was taken by the Chicago White Sox in the 40th round. The 6-3, 230-pound catcher — named to The Bee’s all-District team last weekend hit .476 with nine homers, 14 doubles and 48 RBIs.
13U American Div. 2nd Annual Winter Nationals 1st Place
|
|
| Kyle & Zac Defense & Offense MVPs
|
|
|
|
|
Tristin 1st Pitch Opening Ceremonies
|
|
Super Series California State Champions American Division
VIPERS Take 1st at Twin Creeks
USSSA/Worth Tournament 1st Place
|
Welcome 
