Seniors Marquez, Hernandez Earn All-CCAA Accolades to Close Out Baseball Careers
Marquez garners 1st-Team All-CCAA honors to lead trio of Toros selected to All-CCAA squads
May 9, 2007

Carson, CA - The Toros’ 1-2 senior punch at the top of the lineup both have earned their first All-CCAA honors to close out their Toro careers, with leadoff man and centerfielder Mateo Marquez (Biggs, CA/Cal State L.A.) garnering 1st-Team All-CCAA honors and the man in the second hole, Houston Hernandez (La Mirada, CA/St. Paul HS), making an appearance on the 2nd-Team.

Mateo Marquez (left) and Houston Hernandez represent the Toros on the CCAA all-conference teams just released. File photos by Phil Ellsworth

Marquez had a career year for the Toros as he increased every offensive statistical category in his final campaign, finishing the year with a .357 batting average, nine homeruns and 43 runs batted in, and earning his place amongst the conference’s top 10 in hits (70), triples (5), total bases (119), and stolen bases (19).

Hernandez, who transitioned from second to third base during season, saved his best effort for his last year as a Toro, increasing his batting average from .310 to .340 during his final year as a Toro while becoming the CSUDH all-time career doubles leader on May 4 in his final home game on Toro Field on May 4, 2007, a 17-6 romp over Cal State San Bernardino.

Sophomore Cody Puckett (Apple Valley, CA/Hesperia HS), who was a 1st-Team selection last season, earned All-CCAA honorable mention accolades despite increasing his batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and home run total in his sophomore year.

Sonoma State followed the Toros example from last season by taking home the tri-fecta of CCAA Player, Pitcher and Coach of the Year honors, while also adding the inaugural CCAA Newcomer of the Year award to its collection.

The Toros will return a solid core of players who will have been a part of the team for at least two seasons including Puckett at shortstop, Chris Hunter (Vallejo, CA/Vallejo HS) in the outfield, Martin Conde (Los Angeles, CA/Fremont HS) behind the plate, and Matt Hopps (Torrance, CA/South HS) and David Leyva (Los Angeles, CA/Junipero Serra HS) on the mound as they look to regain their spot atop the highly-competitive CCAA Conference.