Wildcats' incoming class comes decorated

The most successful class in Western Nevada College baseball history will

surely be missed, but their replacements are coming right behind.

The 2009-10 incoming freshmen are walking in with some high awards as they

look to keep the Wildcat baseball program on the right track after it

finished third in the JUCO World Series this past season. The Wildcats will

welcome in the Oregon and Washington state players of the year as long as

the Northern Nevada player of they year in the newest recruiting class.

³(The awards) give them confidence,² WNC coach D.J. Whittemore said.

³Baseball is about success and when you¹re the best in your conference, it

allows you to play against the best competition.²

Kevin Taylor, a shortstop from Sunset High School, was named Oregon¹s 6A

Player of the Year after helping his team to its first state playoff

appearance since 1994. He hit .480 with 11 home runs.

Chris Marangon, an outfielder and pitcher from Tahoma High School, was named

Washington¹s 4A Player of the Year.

Additionally, local product Tyler May from Douglas was named Player of the

Year by the Sierra Media Group, the Reno Gazette Journal and by area

coaches.

The incoming class, 15 recruits have signed letters of intent, will try to

replace the outgoing sophomore class, who posted a program-best record of

83-33 but fell to No. 1-ranked Howard College in the JUCO World Series.