Corvallis Shortstop Richie Jimenez of Riverside CC Named WCL MVP.

Knights' Ace Matt Andriese of UC Riverside Named WCL Pitcher of the Year

The West Coast League announced its annual awards today and Corvallis shortstop Richie Jimenez was named the league's Most Valuable Player. Jimenez was one of four Knights to be honored.

Knights' ace Matt Andriese (pictured) of UC Riverside was named West Coast League Pitcher of the Year. And skipper Brooke Knight was named co-Coach of the Year and team president Dan Segel Executive of the Year.

"We are very pleased for Richie," said Segel. "He works hard at the game and is a team and fan favorite. I'm really excited for the young man. He's a special person and a very good baseball player"

Jimenez, a two-year starter for the Knights, led the league in hits with 57 and finished second in the WCL in hitting with a .354 league batting average. The junior-to-be at UNLV was steady and often spectacular at shorstop. Richie, a clubhouse leader, only committed 6 league errors and posted an impressive WCL fielding percentage of .970.

Soph-to-be Matt Andriese went 5-0 in the WCL and posted a league-low 0.78 ERA. The right-hander from Redlands, California struck out 40 over 46 innings pitched and walked only six.

"Matt is an electric pitcher," said Segel. "He has a bright future in the game. Like all of our kids, he did a super job of competing and representing himself, his family and his college program."

Coach Knight, who guided the Knights to a league record 38 wins and a West Division title, won his second Coach of the Year award as Brooke also earned the honor following his rookie season with the Knights in 2008.

"Coach Knight, Coach Hanson and Coach Heil were outstanding," said Segel. "Brooke did another wonderful job creating the right environment to gell, compete and get better. We couldn't be more pleased with the staff."

Team president Dan Segel was named Executive of the Year for a third consecutive season. Segel's Knights went 49-13 overall and the club's total attendance increased from 17,929 in 2008 to 30,064 in 2009.

"Recognition like this is flattering, but it's only made possible by where we are at (the Mid-Valley), our fans and advertisers, a great coaching staff and an army of support led by difference makers like Stro Strohmeyer, Brian Brooks, Doug Blair, Bre Kerkvliet, Mike Parker, Jeremy Ainsworth, Ron Northcutt and our extraordinary interns," said Segel. "And all of the above is real because of the unwavering support of Penny Knight. She is a memory maker and we are very fortunate to have a leader like Mrs. Knight."