CALABASAS, Calif. — Orange Coast College suffered an incredible loss on Jan. 26 when longtime baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri and youngest daughter, Alyssa, were among the victims of a helicopter crash that took the lives of nine people, including NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

“It’s hard to put into words what this loss means to the college and the athletics department,” OCC Athletics Director Jason Kehler said.

“John was a tremendous coach and an even better friend. Beyond that, he was an amazing mentor to all of the students and athletes that he taught and coached. He treated them all like family and his impact will live on forever.”

Altobelli, who is survived by his son, J.J. and daughter Lexi, helped lead the Pirates to the 2019 state baseball championship last year and was named the National Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

About to start his 28th season with the Pirates, Altobelli was 705-478-4 (.592) with four state championships, eight trips to the State Final Four and seven Orange Empire Conference championships (including the last three years). His four state baseball championships are tied for the third-most in the history of California Community College baseball.

Associate head coach Nate Johnson will take over for the 2020 Pirates

Altobelli was lofty company in 2019 when he guided his Pirate ball club to the CCCAA State Championship, becoming just the fifth coach in the history of California Community College baseball to win four or more state championships.

In addition to the titles, Altobelli also picked up career win No. 700 with a 10-7 win over Mt. San Antonio on May 17, becoming just the 16^th coach in CCCAA baseball history to reach that milestone.

The 2019 Pirates set a school record for wins in a single season (39) and OCC won the Orange Empire Conference for the third straight year, last accomplished at Coast when Mike Mayne’s Pirates win three straight conference crowns from 1980-82. It was also the eighth State Final Four appearance for Altobelli’s Pirates and fourth state championship during his tenure (2009, 2014, 2015, 2019). 

As a player, Altobelli was a standout outfielder at both Newport Harbor High School and then at Golden West College. As a sophomore in 1983, he was chosen team captain and was named the team’s “Rustler of the Year.”

Altobelli transferred to the University of Houston, where he was a team captain and two-year starter in the Cougar outfield. As a senior, he led the Cougars to the NCAA Regional Finals, bringing them one game from advancing to the College World Series. Following college, Altobelli played one season of professional baseball with the Miami Marlins of the Florida State League.

Altobelli earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from the University of Houston in 1987 and then picked up a master’s degree in education from Azusa Pacific University the following year.

TUCSON, Ariz. — An all-star lineup of high school players headlines Collegiate Baseball’s 2020 Pre-Season High School All-America team, powered by Diamond Sports.

The players on this list have demonstrated amazing athletic ability and talent in their respective positions and are among the most sought after players by pro scouts and college recruiters.

The majority of the players have committed to a college and most have received national recognition already from various organizations and ranking services. Many were named players of the year in their league, region or state last season while several played on Team USA or in prestigious summer events. Players were nominated by their high school coach.

To read about each player and see stats from last year, read the complete story in the January 24, 2020 edition of Collegiate Baseball. To order a copy or subscribe, CLICK HERE.

First Team
Pitchers

• Logan Wood, LHP, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s HS, MI
• Mick Abel, RHP, Jesuit HS, Portland, OR
• Jared Kelley, RHP, Refugio HS, TX
• Cam Brown, RHP, Flower Mound HS, TX
• Trevor Martin, RHP, Asher HS, OK
• Chipper Menard, LHP, New Iberia Senior HS, LA
• Michael Fowler, RHP, Hewitt Trussville HS, AL
• Ty Langenberg, RHP, Urbandale HS, IA
• Ryan Hagenow, RHP, Farragut HS, Knoxville, TN
• Nate Savino, LHP, Potomac Falls HS, Sterling, VA
• Max Rajcic, RHP, Orange Lutheran HS, CA
• Rielly McAdams, RHP, Ingraham HS, Seattle, WA
• Travis Sthele, RHP, Reagan HS, San Antonio, TX
• Xander Stephens, RHP, Parkview HS, Lilburn, GA
• Cameron Caley, LHP, The Woodlands HS, TX
• Josh Hartle, LHP, Reagan HS, Pfafftown, NC
• Lucas Gordon, LHP, Notre Dame HS, Sherman Oaks, CA

Catchers

• Corey Collins, North Gwinnett HS, Suwanee, GA
• Mark Black, Serra Catholic, McKeesport, PA
• Drew Romo, The Woodlands HS, TX
• Tyler Soderstrom, Turlock HS, CA
• Alek Boychuk, Mill Creek HS, Hoschton, GA
• Mac Guscette, Venice HS, FL

Infielders

• Jase Bohrofen, 1B, Westmoore HS, Oklahoma City, OK
• Drake Westcott, 1B, Edwardsville HS, IL
• Blaze Jordan, 3B, DeSoto Central HS, Southaven, MS
• Sam Busch, 1B, East Lansing HS, MI
• Werner Blakely, SS, Detroit Edison Academy, MI
• Edward Howard, SS, Mount Carmel HS, Chicago, IL
• Dylan Ray, 3B, Bob Jones HS, Madison, AL
• Max Anderson, SS/2B, Millard West HS, Omaha, NE
• Coby Mayo, 3B, Stoneman Douglas HS, Parkland, FL
• Alex Mooney, SS/2B, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s HS, MI
• Tyler Wilson, 1B, Hamilton HS, Chandler, AZ
• Bryce Eblin, SS, Center Grove HS, Greenwood, IN
• Drew Bowser, SS, Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, CA
• Cayden Wallace, 3B, Greenbrier HS, AR
• Michael Brown, 1B, Vacaville HS, CA

Outfielders

• Slade Wilks, Columbia Academy, MS
• Michael Brueser, Hamilton HS, Chandler, AZ
• Jake Vogel, Huntington Beach HS, CA
• Brandon Fields, Dr. Phillips HS, Orlando, FL
• Pete Crow-Armstrong, Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, CA
• C.J. Cepicky, St. John Vianney HS, St. Louis, MO
• Dylan Crews, Lake Mary HS, FL
• Jake Deleo, Avon Old Farms HS, Avon, CT

Multi-Position Players

• Jordan Walker, 3B/SS/RHP, Decatur HS, GA
• Masyn Winn, RHP/SS, Kingwood HS, TX
• Jared Jones, RHP/CF, La Mirada HS, CA
• Calvin Harris, C/RHP, Western Dubuque HS, Epworth, IA
• Ronan Kopp, LHP/1B, Scottsdale Christian Academy, AZ
• Aaron Nixon, RHP/SS, McAllen HS, TX
• Brody Drost, CF/LHP, Barbe HS, Lake Charles, LA
• Robert Hassell III, CF/LHP, Independence HS, Thompson’s Station, TN
• Joey Vetrano, LHP/1B, Lakeland HS, Shrub Oak, NY
• Max Carlson, RHP/OF, Burnsville HS, MN
• Caden Rose, SS/RHP, Bob Jones HS, Madison, AL
• Camden Hill, 1B/LHP, Bob Jones HS, Madison, AL
• Colten Keith, SS/RHP, Biloxi HS, MS
• Joseph Rawlings Hector, RHP/SS, Anna HS, TX
• Nolan McLean, RHP/UT, Garner Magnet HS, Willow Springs, NC

Second Team
Pitchers

• Kyle Harrison, LHP/1B, De La Salle HS, Concord, CA
• Camden Minacci, Tampa Jesuit HS, FL
• Miles Garrett, RHP, Parkview HS, Lilburn, GA
• Caedon Kottinger, RHP, Reno HS, NV
• Brock Begesha, RHP, Lake Central HS, St. John, IN
• Carter Baumler, RHP, Dowling Catholic HS, IA
• Jason Savacool, RHP, Baldwinsville HS, NY
• Jonathan Cymrot, RHP, Valley Christian HS, San Jose, CA
• Cadon Wilson, RHP, Liberty North HS, Liberty, MO

Catchers

• Jack Bulger, DeMatha HS, Hyattsville, MD
• Kevin Parada, Loyola HS, CA
• Bennett Lee, Tampa Jesuit HS, FL

Infielders

• Clay Artho, 3B/SS, Canyon HS, TX
• Michael Brooks, SS, Palm Beach Central HS, Wellington, FL
• Coleman Schmidt, 3B, Reno HS, NV
• Matt Schark, 3B/1B, Francis Howell HS, St. Charles, MO
• Hunter Wood, SS, Har-Ber HS, Springdale, AR
• Jack Moss, 1B, Cherry Creek HS, Greenwood Village, CO
• Kendall Diggs, 3B/2B, Saint Thomas Aquinas HS, Overland Park, KS
• Mitch Jebb, SS, Saginaw Swan Valley HS, MI

Outfielders

• Josh Pearson, West Monroe HS, LA
• Zac Veen, Spruce Creek HS, FL
• Cole Koniarsky, Ayala HS, Chino Hills, CA
• Houston King, Cabot HS, AR

Multi-Position Players

• Austin Hendrick, CF/LHP, West Allegheny HS, Imperial, PA
• Paul Skenes, C/RHP, El Toro HS, Lake Forest, CA
• Landry Alligood, MIF/RHP, Anacoco HS, LA
• Landon Lucas, INF/RHP, Blythewood HS, SC
• Davis Meche, SS/RHP, Barbe HS, Lake Charles, LA
• Nate Wohlgemuth, RHP/OF, Owasso HS, OK
• Caden Grice, 1B/LHP, Riverside HS, Greer, SC
• Eddie Parks, OF/P, Valley Christian HS, San Jose, CA
• Philip Forbes V, 2B/RHP, Menchville HS, Newport News, VA