Back Row (Left to Right): Assistant Coach Steve Bavard, Assistant Coach Frank Barthel, Dylan Baker, Joe Kohan, Shane Rud, Buzz Ward, Corey Mahar, Christopher “Critter” Millay, Damon Ludwig, Jamie Daniel, Dakotah Smith, Head Coach Jaime Kissner, Assistant Coach Jaime San Miguel, and Assistant Coach Eric Mccormick. Front Row:Keath Flint, Vinnie Isturis, Miles Bedford, Aaron Cohen, Shawn Ibesate, Sean Bavard, Alex DeRocher, and Hunter Mallinger.
In Jaime Kissner's first year as the JDHS head coach, the Crimson Bears cruised to their third state title in school history, posting an impressive 23-2 record. The Bears capped the season off with a 9-2 victory over back-to-back-to-back state champions and conference rival, Sitka, in the state title game.
In the championship game, senior Joe Kohan recorded 13 strikeouts on the mound, while limiting the Wolves to just four hits in a complete game pitching performance. Aaron Cohen delivered, going 3 for 4 with 2 runs batted in, in the win.
The Bears easily cruised past Colony in the semi-finals behind a near perfect game by starter Sean Bavard. Bavard yielded just one hit, while racking up seven strikeouts in the 10-0 win that only lasted five innings. Cohen went 2-for-2, plating three runs, including a solo homer, and Corey Mahar knocked in 2 runs in the lopsided victory.
Christopher “Critter” Millay pitched the Bears past Dimond in the first round of the tournament, registering 10 strikeouts in a complete game performance, helping JDHS to a 10-3 win. Kohan finished 2-for-4 with 3 RBI and a run, Alex DeRocher went a 2-for-3 at the plate with 2 runs batted in, and Dylan Baker scored twice while knocking in two runs in the victory.
Bavard, Cohen, Kohan, and Mahar were all named to the All-State Tournament Team.
2008 Roster: Dylan Baker (P/INF/OF) Sean Bavard (P/3B/SS) Aaron Cohen (P/C/OF) Jamie Daniel (OF) Alex DeRocher (OF) Keath Flint (1B) Shawn Ibesate (2B) Vinnie Isturis (SS/3B) Joe Kohan (SS/P) Damon Ludwig (P/DH) Corey Mahar (OF) Hunter Mallinger (OF) Critter Millay (P) Shane Rud (3B/P) Dakotah Smith(P/1B/OF) Buzz Ward (OF)
Coaches: Jamie Kissner (Head Coach) Steve bavard (Assis. Coach) Jamie SanMiguelAssis.Coach) Eric McCormick (Assis.Coach) Frank Barthel (Assis.Coach)
Seniors (Left to Right) Joe Kohan, Buzz Ward, Critter Millay, Shawn Ibesate, and Shane Rud
Joe Kohan works against Sitka during the State Title game.
The Bears batted .380 as a team with 21 home runs and 223 runs scored (9.3 runs per game) Cohen, a sophomore catcher, led the team in Batting Average (.512),in Home Runs (6),and in RBIs (36). Joe Kohan batted .500 with 4 home runs, 18 RBI, and 9 stolen bases to go along with his pitching (see directly below) , on his way to being named both Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year and Louisville Slugger Player of the Year. Buzz Ward hit .377 with 2 home runs, 26 RBI and 13 stolen bases. Corey Mahar batted .416 with 4 home runs, 17 RBI, and 14 stolen bases for the Bears.
JDHS posted a team ERA of 2.53, yielding just 80 runs on the season (3.3 runs per game). Kohan went 6-0 with a 1.99 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings pitched. Fellow senior, Critter Millay posted an identical 6-0 record, recording a 2.94 ERA and fanning 44 batters in 33 1/3 innings on the hill and junior, Sean Bavard went 4-0 with a 0.35 ERA along with 23 strikouts in 20 innings of work.
Shawn Ibesate turns a double play against Ketchikan.
Sean Bavard attempts a double play against Sitka.
Aaron Cohen is greeted at the plate by teammate Buzz Ward after his solo home run against Colony.
Practice at Adair-Kennedy Field
Christopher “Critter” Millay fires to the plate against Sitka.
Dylan Baker is greeted by teammate Miles Bedford after hitting a home run in the State Tournament
Aaron Cohen slides home safely against Sitka.
Joe Kohan receives a fist bump from coach Frank Barthel
Shawn Ibesate leads the team in celebration after their 9-2 state championship clinching win over Sitka.
Team and Individual Statistics
NOTE: Individual batting statistics listed below are based on players with at least 40 at bats (AB)
The 2008 Alaska State Championship Crimson Bears' Baseball season records are:
Batting Average = H / AB (H=Hits) divided by (AB= At Bats)
TEAM Batting Average = 268 / 706 = .380
Leaders: Aaron Cohen .512 Joe Kohan .500 Alex DeRocher .452 Corey Mahar .416 Shawn Ibesate .409
Four other Crimson Bears hit over .300
The better hitters have batting average of .300 or higher. However some hitters may hit lower than .300 but hit more timely hits than hitters with higher batting averages, for example hit when runners are on base or in scoring position (a runner on 2nd or 3rd) or hit and keep a rally going.
Three other Crimson Bears were in the high .800 range
(The major league contact rate level is at 80%. However batters who are hitting .300 or better are in the 90% range) (source: Ron Shandler USA Today 4/17/2008).
NOTE: all the individual pitching stats listed below are based on pitchers who pitched at least 20 innings.
Pitching Statistics: Won-Lost ERA WHIP Ratio K/BB Opp. BA # of pitches per inning TEAM 22-2 2.53 1.22 2.36 .182 15
Pitching Leaders: Sean Bavard 4-0 0.35 1.10 3.83 .200 17 Joe Kohan 6-0 1.99 .725 6.80 .126 13 Chris Millay 6-0 2.94 1.41 1.76 .182 16
ERA= (ER x 7) / IP (Earned Runs x 7innings (in high school baseball) divided (/) by Innings Pitched). A good ERA is 4.00 and under.
WHIP= (BB+H) / IP NOTE: WHIP is another way to measure the effectiveness of a pitcher. Two pitchers could have identical ERAs but one pitcher could have a lower WHIP incating that he is a more effective pitcher. For example Pitcher A could give up no runs 1 hit and issue 2 walks.His ERA is 0.00 and his WHIP is (2 BB + 1 H / 6 innings pitch) = .600. Pitcher B could give up no runs 7 hits and issue 3 walks. His ERA is 0.00 and his WHIP is (3 + 7 / 6) = 1.66. A good WHIP is around 1.00 below that is excellant. A poor WHIP is 1.75 or higher. In our example Pitcher B is allowing nearly 2 runners per inning. If a pitcher continues on that path, trouble ahead. Here Pitcher B most likely had solid defense behind him or he struck out batters thereby pitching a shtutout.