Oaks Christian Varsity Baseball Program Earns NCSAA Honors

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. - Aug. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- Westlake Village, California--After Oaks Christian School’s Varsity Baseball Team went to new heights this past season--winning its first CIF Southern Section Division IV Championship--the National Christian School Athletic Association (NCSAA) has named Oaks Christian School's Varsity Baseball Head Coach Tim Penprase as the National Coach of the Year.  Coach Penprase led the OCS Varsity Baseball Team through an exciting season that culminated in an 18-strikeout game against El Rancho, which produced the Lions’ first Division IV title.  OCS pitcher Phil Bickford was the team leader who became nationally known for his 97-mph fastball.  The NCSAA named Bickford the National Player of the Year.

In addition, the NCSAA has recognized other Oaks Christian standouts in varsity baseball.  Named to the NCSSA All-American First Team are Jack Kruger, Nate Palace, and Phil Bickford.  Second team includes OCS pitcher and then junior Spencer Vogelbach who pitched some exciting games to keep Oaks Christian on the championship path. 

On National Signing Day last February, five OCS baseball seniors received athletic scholarships.  Phil Bickford signed to play for Cal State Fullerton, Brandon Evans will play for UC Santa Barbara, Jack Kruger committed to West Point, Nate Palace signed with Valparaiso University, and Cole Taylor will play for University of Utah. OCS varsity baseball player Cody Philips won the 2012 Mike Scioscia Award of Excellence for outstanding character on and off the field and he will attend Princeton University.

Oaks Christian School is an academically rigorous, faith-based, college preparatory school for grades 6th through 12th with the motto: "Preparing Minds of Leadership and Hearts for Service."  The school mission emphasizes "academic excellence, artistic expression and athletic distinction." Oaks Christian School is located in Westlake Village, California.