Kingsburg’s Jensen Hirschkorn is Fresno Bee baseball Player of the Year
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- Kingsburg senior Jensen Hirschkorn was named The Fresno Bee Baseball Player of the Year.
- Hirschkorn appeared in 10 games and struck out 112 batters.
- Kingsburg finished 23-8 and won the Tri-County Kings Division championship.
Kingsburg High senior Jensen Hirschkorn was an intimidating presence on the mound — the kind of pitcher opposing teams hoped they could avoid.
At 6-foot-7 and more than capable of reaching the 90s with his fastball, Hirschkorn gave hitters plenty to worry about.
The ace appeared in 10 games for the Vikings and posted a 9-1 record. His only loss came against Sierra Pacific, when he surrendered three runs. After that setback, Hirschkorn was nearly untouchable, winning his next eight starts while striking out 112 batters.
His dominance helped lead Kingsburg to a 23-8 overall record and a Tri-County Kings Division championship. For his outstanding season and for consistently giving the Vikings a chance to win, Hirschkorn has been named The Fresno Bee Baseball Player of the Year.
“I always take the mound with a lot of confidence,” Hirschkorn said. “I really don’t show much emotion on the mound. I go up there with a lot of confidence, and I expect the other teams’ best when they are facing me. I think they’re going to try to put it on me really good, but I go up there with a lot of confidence and just try to think I’m the best player on the field.”
He started Kingsburg’s Central Section playoff opener and delivered six strong innings with eight strikeouts in a 10-2 victory over Tehachapi.
That would be Hirschkorn’s final appearance on the mound for the Vikings. Kingsburg was eliminated in the next round by eventual Division III champion Central Valley Christian.
Despite the disappointing finish, Hirschkorn believes the Vikings showed tremendous growth throughout the season. He also credited his coaches and teammates for helping him achieve success.
“My goal is to be the best, if not the best,” he said. “I’m very blessed with what I got and worked toward accomplishing.”
Now, Hirschkorn turns his attention to the MLB draft. While projections have him potentially being selected early, he said he is not focused on mock drafts.
“I haven’t made a decision on anything yet,” Hirschkorn said, referring to the possibility of honoring his commitment to LSU or signing professionally. “I’m still processing it. That’s the dream, to go to MLB.”
As for LSU, Hirschkorn described it as a “highly decorated program and where I can develop the best. I felt like I was at home when I was there. I want to play at the highest level.”
Whatever path he chooses, Hirschkorn will have no shortage of opportunities ahead.
Large School Player of the Year: Austin Finnegan, Buchanan
Austin Finnegan left a lasting impact on Buchanan’s baseball program.
The Bears relied on their standout senior’s consistency as they captured another Tri-River Athletic Conference championship.
During his career, Finnegan compiled 110 hits, 12 home runs and six triples. This season, he scored 40 runs and remained one of the area’s most productive offensive players.
His success attracted significant attention from college recruiters, and he will continue his baseball career at Cal.
Medium School Player of the Year: David Meza, Roosevelt
Meza played a key role in Roosevelt’s historic season, helping lead the Rough Riders to their first Central Section championship since the 1970s.
A dependable force on the mound, Meza finished with a team-high 89 strikeouts.
Small School Player of the Year: Torin Wolf, Minarets
Minarets enjoyed a memorable season, and Wolf was a major reason why.
Wolf hit .442 and led the Mustangs with 20 doubles while driving in 30 runs. He helped Minarets capture both a Central Section championship and a CIF Regional title.
He also contributed on the mound, recording 77 strikeouts during the season.
Co-Coaches of the Year: Jesse Darrah, Minarets, and Manny Molano, Roosevelt
Few coaching performances were more impressive than those of Jesse Darrah and Manny Molano.
Both coaches built championship cultures and earned the trust of their players, who fully embraced their systems throughout the season.
The results spoke for themselves. Minarets and Roosevelt each captured Central Section titles in their respective divisions.
The two championship teams later met in the CIF Regional playoffs, where Minarets edged Roosevelt 5-4.
The Bee All-Stars
Rene Aguilar, Sr., Orosi
Joe Alvarez, Jr., San Joaquin Memorial
Jason Bane, Sr., Bullard
Jason Barron, Sr., Clovis East
Brennan Botill, Soph, Corcoran
Eddie Bravo, Sr., Mission Oak
Xaidyn Camacho, Sr., Riverdale
Nathan Chavez, Sr., Sierra Pacific
Tevin Clay, Soph., Dos Palos
Jaxon Climer, Jr., Buchanan
Anthony Cobian, Sr., Edison
Reynaldo Cruz, Sr., San Joaquin Memorial
Maddie Davila, Sr., Fresno
Jentzen Dunn, Sr., CVC
Brody Frazier, Sr., Corcoran
Tanner Garnett, Sr., Exeter
Hawk Garcia, Sr., Mendota
Esteban Garduno, Sr., Edison
Logan Georges, Sr., Clovis
Brandon Gonzalez, Sr., Orange Cove
Trevor Harper, Sr., Clovis North
Marcus Jackson, Jr., Clovis West
Hayden Keeney, Sr., Hanford
Jonah Kalustian, Jr., Fresno
Kaleb Koelewyn, Sr., Sierra Pacific
Alexander Lizaola, Sr., Orange Cove
Zach Lloyd, Sr., Sierra
Miguel Lopez, Sr., Edison
Matt Luna, Sr., Selma
Sam Makely, Sr., Bullard
Chaz Merrell, Jr., Dos Palos
David Meza, Sr., Roosevelt
Josiah Ortiz, Sr., Madera South
Alex Pirok, Sr., Clovis West
Adam Plascencia, Sr., Buchanan
Manuel Ponce, Jr., Fresno
Gilbert Ramirez, Jr., Dos Palos
Jordan Ramirez, Sr., Corcoran
Aden Robles, Jr., El Diamante
Wyatt Rosenthal, Sr., Bullard
Max Rusk, Soph., San Joaquin Memorial
Jacob Sais, Sr., Edison
Dylan Slakey, Sr., Clovis North
Bohden Smith, Sr., Garza
Cain Soria, Sr., Garza
Torin Spier, Jr., Bullard
Jovani Tovar, Jr., Selma
Jordan Va, Jr., Fresno
Trevin Vincent, Sr., Dos Palos
Dillon Watkins, Sr., Chowchilla
Davis Wilson, Jr., Clovis North
