Defeating Flintridge Prep 17-5 on Thursday, May 10, Webb baseball bettered its season record to 20-4 and its final league record to 10-2—garnering for the first time since 1985 a Prep League Championship. This is also only the fourth time in Webb’s 90 year history that Gaul baseball has captured the top spot in league play. 2012 marks the first 20 win season in program history and the first trip to CIF Playoffs since 2004.

CIF play begins for the Gauls at home Thursday, May 17 against Upland Christian. Gaul baseball is currently ranked 4^th in the CIF Division 6 Media Poll.

Season standouts are many; among them are junior Aaron DiGiamarino ‘13 and senior Sam Woodward ’12. Aaron tops the leader board for the Southern Section in home runs with 6, which also places him the Top 20 in the State of California. On the mound, DiGiamarino is 3^rd in league with 7 wins and 5^th in strikeouts with 79.

Senior Sam Woodward ’12 leads the Prep League in two categories, RBIs with 36 (and in Top 20 in the State) and in batting average with a .488. DiGiamarino is ranked number two in Prep League for both RBIs with 34 and in batting average with a .432.

Another impressive performer this season has been Nick Gollin ’13. Though slowed by a pitching injury in the second-half of the season, Gollin is back on the diamond and ready for post-league play. From a starting position at first base, Gollin ranks third in the Prep League for home runs in 2012 with three. Also, Joe Shaver ’13 and Jordan Veiga ‘13 share the league title for most stolen bases with 8 each. Ian Chavez ’14 is 4^th in league for RBIs with 23 and 5^th in league for his on-base percentage of .459. Major contributions have also come from team seniors Britton Bentley ’12, Wyatt Christiansen ’12, and Austin Plyley ’12, and from varsity players James Hoffstetter ’13, Robbie Armatas ’14 and Ian Henry ’15.

Head Coach Jeff Stodgel says, “This has been a great year with many accomplishments. The boys have worked hard through the off-season to prepare for the opportunities that were presented. They took one game at a time. The seniors provided great leadership. The program is still in its infancy and we look to build on that as the playoffs begin. I am very proud of this group. To know where we started just three years ago to where we’ve come in such a short time is extraordinary. But we still have a lot of work to do.”

**UPDATE** The L.A. Times has named Webb's baseball team as the "long shot" favorite to win the CIF Div. 6 Playoffs.