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Every week, coaches around the state submit their nominations for the Prep Baseball California Player of the Week for NorCal and SoCal. Week 5 Players of the Week honors went to Jake Brande (Rancho Christian, 2026) and Jhett Ohira (St. John Bosco, 2026). Brande followed up last weeks perfect game with another dominant outing, tossing a one-hit shutout with eight strikeouts. On the season, Brande has 25 strikeouts over 15 innings with a sub-1.00 ERA. Ohira ahad a massive week, going 7-for-9 with eight RBIs, four runs scored, and a home run in a three-game sweep. On the season, he is hitting .524 with 11 RBIs, continuing to lead the offense.

With several other impressive performances across the past week that were in the mix for both awards and deserve recognition, here is a rundown of some of the other standouts of the week. If you wish to nominate someone for Player or Pitcher of the Week, please be sure to fill out this form before noon on Mondays. 

WEEK 5 DIAMOND NOTES

+ Travis Clifton, RHP (Kingsburg, 2026)

Clifton delivered one of the most dominant performances of the week, tossing a seven-inning no-hitter while striking out 12 and allowing no runs. He followed that up with another strong outing, finishing 2-0 on the week with 22 strikeouts. On the season, Clifton is now 3-0 with a 0.48 ERA and 31 strikeouts, continuing to establish himself as one of the top arms in the area.

+ Andres Gonzalez, SS (Gahr, 2026) — USC commit

Gonzalez put together an outstanding week at the plate, going 6-for-10 with five runs scored, two doubles, a triple, a home run, and five walks. He consistently created offensive pressure with both power and on-base ability. On the season, Gonzalez is hitting .370 with a .526 OBP and a 1.119 OPS, continuing to be a key catalyst in the Gahr lineup.

+ Carlos Munoz, RHP (Gahr, 2027)

Munoz turned in a strong start against American Fork, throwing five innings while allowing just three hits and one run (zero earned) while striking out seven. He showed the ability to pound the zone and limit hard contact. On the season, Munoz has worked 11 innings with 13 strikeouts, continuing to show promise as a developing arm.

+ Clay Riggs, CF (San Juan Hills, 2027)

Riggs swung a hot bat across three games, going 8-for-12 with two doubles, a triple, and four RBIs. He consistently found barrels and provided energy at the top of the lineup. On the season, Riggs is hitting .377 with 14 RBIs and a .447 OBP, continuing to be a steady offensive contributor.

+ Matt Manzo, 3B (Arcadia, 2026) — Colorado State Pueblo commit

Manzo had a strong week at the plate in a two-game sweep over Hoover, going 4-for-7 with two doubles, a home run, five RBIs, and four runs scored. He consistently drove the ball and produced in key situations. On the season, Manzo is hitting .424 with 14 hits, multiple extra-base hits, and 10 RBIs, continuing to anchor the Arcadia offense.

+ Damian Catano, LHP (Arcadia, 2026) — St. Mary’s commit

Catano delivered a dominant outing on the mound, tossing a complete-game shutout (6 IP) in a tight 1-0 win. He allowed just two hits while striking out nine and walking one, showing excellent command and feel. On the season, Catano is now 4-1 with a 1.01 ERA and 31 strikeouts over 27.2 innings.

+ Brody Thompson, C (Alemany, 2026)

Thompson had a huge week offensively, highlighted by a 3-for-4 performance with two home runs, a double, three RBIs, and four runs scored in a key series. He also shut down the running game defensively, showcasing his complete skillset. On the season, Thompson is hitting .412 with a 1.253 OPS, continuing to be a major contributor.

+ Jace Wooley, 2B (Cardinal Newman, 2027)

Wooley was dominant at the plate across two games, going 6-for-8 with two doubles, a triple, four RBIs, and three runs scored. He consistently squared up baseballs and produced in run-scoring situations. On the season, Wooley is hitting .550 with a 1.295 OPS, continuing to impress as a sophomore.

+ Jamie Vozaitis, 3B (Cardinal Newman, 2027)

Vozaitis was nearly perfect at the plate, going 6-for-7 with two doubles and four RBIs while reaching base in eight of nine plate appearances. His approach and consistency stood out throughout the week. On the season, Vozaitis is hitting .450 with a .522 OBP and a 1.122 OPS.

+ Bobby Rapp, SS (Loyola, 2026) — Tufts commit

Rapp had a productive week, going 5-for-10 with a home run, a double, five RBIs, and three runs scored. He also played strong defense up the middle. On the season, Rapp is hitting .412 with an OPS north of 1.100, continuing to provide steady production.

+ Xiano Ortega, 1B/OF (Justin-Siena, 2026)

Ortega delivered a big week offensively, highlighted by a game-changing home run. Over his last three games, he recorded five hits, including two home runs, a double, and a triple, driving in eight runs. On the season, Ortega is hitting .429 with a 1.673 OPS.

+ Max Acosta, RHP (Rosemont, 2029)

Acosta tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing no runs over seven innings while striking out four. The freshman continues to show advanced poise on the mound. On the season, he owns a 1.47 ERA with 32 strikeouts over 28.2 innings.

+ Adrian Garcia, CF (Overfelt, 2027)

Garcia had a massive week at the plate, going 5-for-6 with three RBIs while also swiping seven bases. He also delivered a walk-off hit, showcasing his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. On the season, Garcia is hitting .462 and continues to be a dynamic presence.

+ Michael Golden, RHP (John Swett, 2027)

Golden delivered a dominant outing, striking out 13 over six innings while allowing no earned runs. He consistently generated swings and misses. On the season, Golden has 34 strikeouts over 21 innings with just two earned runs allowed.

+ Gavin Hottle, INF (Orange Lutheran, 2026) — USC commit

Hottle made the most of his opportunities, going 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs in his lone game. The USC commit showcased his power potential. On the season, he has already shown extra-base ability in limited opportunities.

+ Kyle Sweeney, LHP (Sacred Heart Prep, 2027) — Notre Dame commit

Sweeney tossed five no-hit innings with seven strikeouts in a dominant outing. He continues to show advanced feel and command for his age. On the season, Sweeney is 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 14 innings.

+ Jay Ruiz, CF/P (Sanger, 2027)

Ruiz contributed on both sides of the ball, earning a win with five scoreless innings while also hitting .500 across three games with six runs and four stolen bases. He continues to impact the game in multiple ways.

+ Jayden Duong, RHP (Homestead, 2026) — Vassar commit

Duong tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out seven. He showed excellent command and efficiency throughout the outing. On the season, he continues to build on a strong start.

+ Striker Pence, IF/P (Santiago, 2028)

Pence had a standout week as a two-way contributor, going 7-for-11 with two home runs and seven RBIs. On the mound, he added four no-hit innings with eight strikeouts. On the season, Pence is hitting .467 with power while also producing on the mound.

+ Dylan Seward, SS (Norco, 2027)

Seward had a monster week, going 7-for-10 with two home runs, a triple, seven RBIs, and five runs scored. He also added stolen bases and impacted the game in multiple ways. On the season, Seward is hitting .548 with power and speed.

+ Gavin Giese, RHP (Dana Hills, 2026) — USD commit

Giese struck out 15 in a dominant outing, showing the ability to overpower hitters. On the season, he has 42 strikeouts over 21 innings with a 2.33 ERA.

+ Carson Richter, CF (Newbury Park, 2027) — Michigan commit

Richter went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, and four RBIs in a strong performance. On the season, he is hitting .300 with nine RBIs and continues to show offensive upside.

+ Mario Flores, 3B/RHP (Summit)

Flores contributed on both sides of the ball, throwing a five-inning shutout while also collecting multiple extra-base hits, including four doubles. On the season, he is hitting .405 with 17 RBIs while also producing on the mound.

+ Sammy Kane, P/INF (Jesuit, 2026) — Oregon commit

Kane helped lead a series sweep, tossing five innings with eight strikeouts while also contributing offensively with a home run. On the season, he continues to contribute both on the mound and at the plate.

+ Truett Kordes, CF (Laguna Hills, 2027)

Kordes went 5-for-8 with two home runs and eight RBIs, including a go-ahead homer and a grand slam. On the season, he is hitting .474 with five home runs and 18 RBIs.

+ Jordan Walczykowski, CF (Jesuit, 2026) — USD commit

Walczykowski went 4-for-8 with four stolen bases and five runs scored while playing clean defense. On the season, he continues to impact the game with his speed and consistency.

+ Evrett Rycroft, 3B/P (Foothill, 2027)

Rycroft delivered six shutout innings while also contributing offensively with two doubles, three runs, and three RBIs. On the season, he owns a 1.26 ERA and continues to produce as a two-way player.

+ Dustin Dunwoody, RHP (Royal, 2026) — Arizona commit

Dunwoody struck out 16 over six scoreless innings while allowing just two hits. On the season, he has 42 strikeouts over 23.2 innings without allowing a run.

+ Matt Carta, CF (Saugus, 2026)

Carta hit .545 across three games with two triples, a home run, six RBIs, and five runs scored. On the season, he is hitting .415 with 15 RBIs.

+ Carter Head, RHP (Beckman, 2026) — Air Force commit

Head continued his dominant stretch, tossing six shutout innings with seven strikeouts on just 53 pitches. He also has a no-hitter this season and now owns a sub-1.00 ERA with 28 strikeouts.

+ Jacob Vines, RHP/1B (Sacred Heart Cathedral, 2026) — UOP commit

Vines contributed on both sides, tossing six shutout innings with nine strikeouts while also going 2-for-3 with an RBI. On the season, he holds a 1.43 ERA with 20 strikeouts.

+ Hugo Marks, RHP/DH (Washington–Fremont, 2026)

Marks continued his dominant run, throwing his fourth consecutive complete game while striking out six. He also contributed offensively with a triple. On the season, he owns a 1.50 ERA with 35 strikeouts.

+ Christian Boldt, C (Heritage Christian, 2027)

Boldt has been one of the hottest hitters in the area, batting .690 over 10 games with 20 hits and 18 RBIs. He continued that production this week with multiple hits and RBIs.

+ Cooper Holland, INF (Santa Margarita, 2029)

Holland delivered a standout performance, going 3-for-5 with a grand slam and six RBIs. On the season, he is hitting over .400 with strong extra-base production.

+ Brody Shields, RHP (Lower Lake, 2027)

Shields threw six innings allowing just two runs on two hits while striking out seven in a strong outing.

+ Jordan Rohrbacker, 1B (Lower Lake, 2027)

Rohrbacker contributed defensively with multiple strong plays while also adding a double and drawing three walks.

+ Michael Fava, SS (Castaic, 2026)

Fava delivered one of the more clutch moments of the week, coming through with a walk-off hit in a 4-3 win over West Ranch. He finished the week 4-for-7 at the plate, consistently putting together competitive at-bats and finding ways to get on base. On the season, Fava is hitting .279 and continues to provide steady infield defense and timely hitting for Castaic.

+ Alec Ortega, 1B (Liberty Ranch, 2027)

Ortega turned in a perfect performance at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs while consistently driving the ball and producing in key spots. He showed a strong approach and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. On the season, Ortega is hitting .528 with a .614 OBP and .639 slugging percentage, collecting 19 hits including four doubles while continuing to be a middle-of-the-order presence.

Coaches, do you have a Player of the Week or top performer you'd like to nominate? You can bookmark this link and be sure to check your email inbox each Sunday night and Monday morning for our request. Simply send weekly details/stats to our scouting staff by Monday.

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
San Diego Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	CA	03/21	Maranatha Christian - San Diego, CA
Inland Empire Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	CA	03/29	Corona High School - Corona, CA
NorCal Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	CA	03/29	Delta College - Stockton, CA
Central Coast Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	CA	04/11	Buena High School - Ventura, CA
SoCal Rising Stars Game (Invite-Only)	CA	05/03	Santa Ana, CA
NorCal Rising Stars Game (Invite-Only)	CA	05/09	Islanders Field - Lathrop, CA
High Desert Summer ID	CA	06/17	Antelope Valley College - Lancaster, CA
Bay Area Summer ID	CA	06/30	Islanders Field - Lathrop, CA
San Diego Summer ID	CA	06/30	Maranatha Christian - San Diego, CA
Central Coast Summer ID	CA	07/08	Buena High School - Ventura, CA

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