Peres named SCIAC Athlete of the Year, four Leopards tabbed All-SCIAC

LA VERNE, CA — Christopher Peres was named SCIAC Athlete of the Year and four members of the University of La Verne baseball team earned All-SCIAC honors the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced Thursday.

SCIAC Release

Peres also earned First Team All-SCIAC honors along with catcher Adam Santa Cruz. Left fielder Christopher Ligot and pitcher Cody Norman were both named Second Team All-SCIAC.

Peres picks up first team honors for the third straight season and SCIAC Athlete of the Year recognition for the first time in his career. The senior, who on Tuesday was tabbed the Anthony P. Scafani award winner as La Verne's top male athlete, boasted an incredible season on the mound and at the plate. The Burbank native logged a .295 batting average with 28 hits, eight doubles, two home runs, and 18 RBI in 24 conference games. He also drew eight walks and stole a base in addition to posting a .358 on-base percentage and a .442 slugging percentage. On the mound, he ranks third in the SCIAC with six saves and a 2.38 ERA to go with four wins and no losses in conference action. Overall, Peres sports eight saves, a 1.98 ERA, a .354 batting average, a .422 on-base percentage, and a .514 slugging percentage.

Santa Cruz earns All-SCIAC honors in back-to-back seasons after picking up second team accolades a year ago. Santa Cruz leads the Leopards with 52 hits, 31 in conference games, and overall ranks second in the SCIAC with 42 RBI. The junior has also totaled 31 runs, nine doubles, three home runs, two triples, and 15 walks. He has a .349 batting average with a .497 on-base percentage and .497 slugging percentage and has struck out just nine times this season in 149 at bats. Defensively, Santa Cruz has caught 10 runners stealing. 

Ligot makes his way onto the All-SCIAC team for the second year in a row. The senior finished the regular season with 28 RBI, 42 hits, 24 runs, 12 walks, nine doubles, three triples, and a homer. The Burbank native is slugging .480 with a .336 batting average an .426 on-base percentage.

Norman makes his first appearance on the All-SCIAC team in his career. The junior from Vacaville led La Verne on the mound all season. The Leopards' ace ranks second in the SCIAC with eight wins overall with five coming in conference action. He's struck out 45 batters with a 2.78 ERA.

The Leopards open the SCIAC Tournament tomorrow with a 3 p.m. home game against Occidental.