Maikel Jova Named MVP of North American Baseball League's North Division
September 6, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
San Rafael Pacifics News Release
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Sept. 6, 2012) - San Rafael Pacifics right fielder Maikel Jova has been named the North Amercian Baseball League's North Division Most Valuable Player, and Maui Na Koa Ikaika right-handed starter, Jesse Smith, was named the division's Pitcher of the Year for the 2012 season, the league announced Thursday.
Sonoma County Grapes outfielder Mark Micowski was named the division's Rookie of the Year.
The manager's of the Pacifics, Na Koa Ikaika, Hawaii Stars and Sonoma County Grapes voted to determine the post-season awards and select the division's post-season All-Star Team.
Jova, 31, started every game for the North Division champion Pacifics (34-26), hitting .341 with seven home runs, a team-best 45 RBIs and a .468 slugging percentage. Jova set a league record with a 37-game hit streak - the longest in minor league baseball since 2009 - and reached base in 41 consecutive games between June 5 and Aug. 8. Jova's average was fifth-best overall in the entire North American League and tops in the North Division.
The 31-year-old Smith led the NAL with a 1.33 ERA, was tied for second in wins (10), and third in strike outs with 89. For the second-place Na Koa Ikaika (36-30), the right-hander went 10-2 over 16 starts. In 108 1/3 innings, Smith allowed just 73 hits, holding opposing hitters to a .188 average. His 0.93 WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) was best in the NAL. Opponents slugged just .209 against Smith, who issued just 28 walks all season.
Micowski, 23, played 47 games with the Grapes (19-29), was tied for the team lead in hitting with a .319 average with fellow rookie Brandon Gregorich. Micowski, a Haddam, Conn. native and Georgia State alum, hit two homers, drove in 22 runs and stole a team-high 15 bases. His .410 on-base percentage was best for Sonoma County.
The 2012 All-Star Team was comprised of four infielders, three outfielders, a catcher, a designated hitter, two starting pitchers and two relievers.
A complete list of the 2012 All-Stars and award winners is listed below.
INFIELDERS
Arnoldo Ponce, HAWAII
Jose Sanchez, MAUI
Kalaika Kahoohalahala, MAUI
Johnny Woodward, SAN RAFAEL
OUTFIELDERS
Maikel Jova, SAN RAFAEL
Keoni Manago, HAWAII
Steve Tedesco, HAWAII
CATCHER
Nick Valdez, MAUI
DESIGNATED HITTER
Anthony Lopez, HAWAII
RIGHT-HANDED PITCHER
Jesse Smith, MAUI
LEFT-HANDED PITCHER
Brian Gump, SAN RAFAEL
RIGHT-HANDED RELIEVER
Victor Ferrante, MAUI
LEFT-HANDED RELIEVER
Matthew Stabelfeld, SAN RAFAEL
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Mark Micowski, SONOMA COUNTY
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Maikel Jova, SAN RAFAEL
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Jesse Smith, MAUI
HONORABLE MENTION
Waylen Sing Chow, Utility, MAUI
Danny Sandoval, Short Stop, MAUI
Chase Fontaine, Second Base, SAN RAFAEL
Gered Mochizuiki, Infield, MAUI
D.J. Dixon, C, SAN RAFAEL/SONOMA COUNTY
Brandon Gregorich, First Base, DH, SONOMA COUNTY
Anthony Lopez, DH, HAWAII
Julian Arballo, RHP, SAN RAFAEL
Josh Larson, RHP, MAUI
Dustin Crenshaw, RHP, SONOMA COUNTY
Jake Rasner, RHP, SAN RAFAEL
Adam Jacobs, C, HAWAII
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