by MARK CAUL

Lehman senior JP Flores led District 17-4A with a .543 batting average this season and was a first-team all-district selection along with teammate Nick Cerda. (Photo by Judy Cooper)

In a year in which they managed to break through and join the postseason party for the first time in school history, the Lehman Lobo baseball team had three players selected to the all-district squad.

Sophomore Nick Cerda, who had an outstanding year with the bat and defensively for the Lobos, was a unanimous first-team selection for Lehman along with senior JP Flores, who led the league in overall batting average.

“We had a very memorable season by making the playoffs for the first time and were able to get a couple of players recognized for their efforts on the field,” Lehman head coach Toby Robinson said. “Both of these guys helped contribute to our success this season.”

Cerda batted .515 this season and slugged six home runs. He also drove in 26 RBIs. Cerda had two game-winning hits for Lehman, including a monstrous walk-off home run against Manor that helped the Lobos overtake the Mustangs in what was a wild finish for the district’s fourth and final playoff spot.

In addition, Cerda was also noted for his defensive prowess, committing only five errors the entire season.

“The future is really bright for Cerda at Lehman,” said Robinson. “He continues to improve each year and he’ll be a huge force for us next year in the new district.”

Flores, playing in his final season at Lehman, fought valiantly through a few injuries and still managed to finish with the district’s highest batting average at .543.

“I worked on my hitting a lot over the past summer and it really paid off for me this year,” Flores said. “I was seeing the ball a lot better and was able to make good contact every time I got up to the plate.”

Flores was a model of consistency at the plate for the Lobos, finishing with only two strikeouts the entire season. He delivered the go-ahead single in a late-season win against Elgin that officially propelled the Lobos into the postseason.

“When you have guys like JP that you can depend on to make contact and get timely hits, then it makes your job a lot easier,” Robinson said. “He was a tough player to get out so that will be a huge loss for our program.”

Flores was the backbone of the Lehman pitching staff, appearing in 16 games this season both as a starter and in relief.

Making the second team was senior outfielder Cesar Ornelas, who completed his high school career with a .375 average this season.

Ornelas was one of the team’s steadiest outfielders and provided a much-needed spark to the Lobos offense. The sure-handed right fielder drove in 10 runs at the AISD Invitational Tournament, which garnered him an all-tournament nod.

“Cesar improved each and every year he was here at Lehman,” said Robinson. “He was outstanding at the plate this year and he was very consistent for us in the outfield. He deserved a spot on all-district.”

Cerda will be among five letter winners slated to return for Lehman next season, along with fellow sophomores Max Solis and Justin Vajgert.

“Now that our guys have had some success and have gotten a taste of the playoffs I think that they will come back next year with a different mindset,” Robinson said. “They know that if they put in the work everyday that there will be a good chance for them to be successful in the new district.”