Long Beach State University Athletics
Lavallee, Harrison Earn Top Honors, Eight Dirtbags Named All-Conference
6/2/2021 12:37:00 PM | Baseball
The Dirtbags totaled 10 end of the year awards in the Big West, including Co-Pitcher of the Year and Freshman Pitcher of the Year.
IRVINE, Calif. – Long Beach State totaled 10 end of the year awards, including Johnathan Lavallee being named Co-Pitcher of the Year and Devereaux Harrison winning Freshman Pitcher of the Year. The Big West Conference announced the award winners on Wednesday.
Lavallee becomes the first Dirtbag to win Pitcher of the Year since Darren McCaughan won back-to-back in 2016-17. The junior started the year in the bullpen, but finished the year as arguably one of the best pitchers in the nation. In his final four starts, he went 4-0 allowing just two earned runs in 30 innings lowering his season ERA to 1.89, the twelfth-lowest mark in the nation. He also held opponents to a .160 average, the lowest batting average against by an LBSU pitcher since 2005.
Harrison quickly established himself as one of the best bullpen arms in the country and ends up becoming the first Freshman Pitcher of the Year for Long Beach State since 2015. The right-hander totaled 34.1 innings in 18 appearances pitching to a 1.57 ERA, the eight-lowest mark in program history. He is one of just 23 pitchers in the nation to record double-digit saves, ending his season with 10. He remains on the Stopper of the Year watch list.
Both right-handers were also named to the All-Big West First Team.
Connor Kokx was also a First Team selection after posting a .366/.481/.571 slash line. All three of those marks rank in the top four of the conference. He also led team with 59 hits, 37 runs, 24 walks, 16 hit by pitch, and 14 steals while being in a tie for the lead with 92 total bases.
Chase Luttrell was the fourth Dirtbag selected to the First Team being named the best first baseman in the conference. The sophomore slashed .316/.347/.520 recording the second-most home runs (8) and RBI (30) on the team. He also ranked second on the team with 56 hits and 35 runs scored.
Calvin Estrada earned a Second Team selection after posting the best year of his career. In his final year in the black and gold, the senior led the team with 10 home runs and 36 RBI. He became the first Dirtbag with double-digit homers in a single-season since 2008.
Alfredo Ruiz was also named to the All-Big West Second Team after posting a 5-1 record with a 3.75 ERA. The sophomore struck out 59 batters in 57.2 innings and was a part of two shutouts in his final four starts.
Matt Fields was the third and final Dirtbag to make the Second Team. In 13 appearances, the redshirt junior totaled 23.1 innings and posted a 4.24 ERA while striking out 24 batters and issuing just three walks.
Charlie Loust earned an Honorable Mention as a utility player after slashing .289/.402/.489 in 29 games. The sophomore came up clutch throughout the season totaling 23 RBI, including a six-RBI game against UC Irvine.
The four First Team selections and eight players earning All-Conference honors is the most for the Dirtbags since 2017.
