August 19, 2014 – The Victoria Generals racked up the most post season honors in the TCL with six players selected for the All-TCL Team. Included in that was Kris Looper being selected as the TCL Pitcher of the Year and Pedro Barrios sharing the Freshman of the Year honors with John Jaeger of the Pump Jacks.
The TCL Pitcher of the Year honor went to Generals right-hander Kris Looper, who until his last start owned an ERA below 1.00. He finished a dominating summer leading the league with an ERA of 1.06, racking up four wins against just two losses with one save. Looper appeared in 10 games, five of them starts, and allowed just 33 hits in 50.2 innings. He walked more than one batter in just one game all summer, issuing a total of only five free passes while striking out 33. The junior from Incarnate Word allowed just six earned runs on the season, three of them in his final appearance. Looper was also a selection on the All-TCL Team as a Right-Handed Pitcher.
Pedro Barrios was a co-selection as Freshman Of the Year as the top Freshman player in the TCL. Barrios earned the honor by batting .270 with 22 runs scored and 19 RBI in 51 games while playing superb defense. The Ranger College middle infielder, who was selected to start at second base in the TCL All-Star Game, finished the season and the playoffs with an eight-game hitting streak.
Alvaro Rondon claimed his spot on the All-TCL Team at Shortstop. Rondon played in 32 games for the Generals before getting picked up as a free agent by the Arizona Daimondbacks. In 32 games, Rondon hit .364 with 48 hits, two doubles, three triples, 11 RBI's while drawing 18 walks and only striking out five times on the season. Rondon was also a threat on the base path with 18 stolen bases in 21 attempts. Rondon was also selected as a starter in the TCL All-Star game at shortstop.
Justin Pacchioli was an All-TCL selection in the Outfield. Pacchioli won the batting title hitting .370 (second all time in Generals history to Mark Hudson .375 in 2009) in 44 games played. Pacchioli had 57 hits, seven doubles, two triples, three HR's, 39 runs scored, 22 RBI's, while drawing 32 walks. Pacchioli was also solid on the base path with 21 stolen bases in 22 attempts. Pacchioli was also a TCL All-Star selection in the outfield for the All-Star game.
Brian Portelli was also a selection for the All-TCL Team in the Outfield. Portelli played in 54 games, hit .312, had 64 hits, 13 doubles, five triples, three HR's, had 35 RBI's, scored 25 runs while drawing 22 walks. Portelli's five triples was a Victoria Generals team record that was set by Mark Hudson in 2009 (4). Portelli was also a selection in the TCL All-Star game that was played in early July.
Wrapping up the All-TCL selections at the Utility position is CJ Pickering who shared the award with Anthony Gonsolin and Dirk Masters. Pickering earned the award for his solid play to wrap up the season including several relief appearances on the mound. Pickering was one of the Generals clutch hitters down the stretch, coming up big several times hitting game winners to help the Generals compete for the TCL championship. As a reliever, Pickering made five appearances, 8.1 innings, 1.08 ERA, allowed one earned run, while striking out eight and walked three batters. Pickering ended the season with a 1-0 record.
The Victoria Generals organization would like to thank their fans, sponsors, host families, players and coaching staff for a great season. We look forward to seeing all of you back at the ball park for the 2015 season. If you are interested in being a new sponsor for the 2015 Victoria Generals, contact the office at 361-485-9522.
2014 TCL Award Winners
Player of the Year: Connor Barron, Acadiana
Pitcher of the Year: Kris Looper, Victoria
Co-Freshmen of the Year: Pedro Barrios, Victoria & John Jaeger, East Texas
Coach of the Year: Curt Dixon, Brazos Valley
2014 All-TCL Team
Catcher: Cason Shaddy, Texas
First Base: Spence Rahm, Woodlands
Second Base: Pedro Barrios, Victoria
Third Base: Chance Vincent, Acadiana
Shortstop: Alvaro Rondon, Victoria
Outfield: Connor Barron, Acadiana
Outfield: James Lear, East Texas
Outfield: Justin Pacchioli, Victoria
Outfield: Brian Portelli, Victoria
Designated Hitter: Logan Nottebrok, Brazos Valley
Right-Handed Pitcher: Kris Looper, Victoria
Left-Handed Pitcher: Cody Brannon, Brazos Valley
Relief Pitcher: Gandy Stubblefield, Woodlands
Utility: Anthony Gonsolin, East Texas
Utility: Dirk Masters, Woodlands
Utility: C.J. Pickering, Victoria
