HS BASE: Valencia sophomore Lopes having another huge season

After hitting 10 home runs as a highly-touted freshman a year ago, Valencia's Christian Lopes is having an All-Amercian type season.

He went 5 for 5 with two home runs, two doubles and six RBIs Friday in a 22-6 victory over West Ranch to push the Vikings into first-place in the Foothill League with two games remaining and giving Lopes 13 home runs, four over the past three games.

Less than halfway through his career, Lopes already has tied Jared Clark's school career record of 23 -- and it would not be a total surprise if Lopes eventually doubles Clark's mark before the young shortstop is finished.

This season, Lopes, a leadoff hitter, is batting .427 with 36 runs and 28 RBIs in 24 games, and his slugging percentage is an out-of-sight 1.200 -- all the more impressive considering Valencia has played one of the area's toughest schedules. He has been walked 24 times.

Furthermore, Lopes again has turned it on toward the end of the season. He has eight home runs over the past 11 games after hitting eight over the final 12 as a freshman.

Of course, none of this is a surprise. As a 13-year-old, Lopes was rated as the No. 1 player in the United States in his age group. He entered high school as perhaps the Valley area's most hyped freshman of all-time.

-- Gerry Gittelson