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Beckman Coach Kevin Lavalle with the game ball and the lineup from Saturday’s game. (Photo: OC Sports Zone, Tim Burt).
Beckman High School baseball coach Kevin Lavalle had plenty to be happy about Saturday.
Lavalle’s Patriots defeated Woodbridge 4-1 to take over sole possession of first place in the Pacific Coast League at Patriot Park and the popular coach recorded his 300th career victory. He has a career record of 300-81-1 in 15 years.
“The only reason I know this is that my son (Ryan) keeps track of it and every year for CIF we have to put our record as a head coach,” Lavalle said after the game. “I knew I was kind of getting close, every 50 is sort of a bench mark. In doing the math on it, James Kaprielian (Oakland A’s pitcher and former Beckman star) is responsibile for 12 percent of my wins here.
“I love my job, I love the school and I love the kids and the parents and the support we get. Of those 300 games, I think I’m probably responsible for two of them. The players play and we coach and the coaching staff I’ve had here all these years is the real reason for the culture we’ve built here at the school and it’s unique.”
Lavalle was an assistant coach at Canyon before taking over the Beckman program, which had a string of eight consecutive Pacific Coast League titles after taking the crown in 2019. Beckman captured the CIF title in 2011 and was the runner-up in 2009 and 2018.
Beckman players and athletic officials congratulated Lavalle on the milestone after the game.
“Reaching 300 wins is an incredible accomplishment as a coach in any sport,” said Beckman Athletic Director Steve Fischel. “Kevin does a fantastic job every year of putting our kids in a position to be successful on the field.
“Besides his outstanding knowledge of the game, he’s able to keep our boys motivated throughout the year which speaks to the respect our athletes have for him. Congratulations Coach Lavalle on number 300.”
“Congrats to Coach Lavalle on his 300th victory,” added Woodbridge Coach Ryan Brucker. “That’s a big accomplishment for a really good coach.”
For coverage of Saturday’s Woodbridge-Beckman game, click here:
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
