Championship High School Team Crowned in the Toyo Tires National Classic

Business Wire, April 5, 2002

Sports Editors/Baseball Writers & Columnists

FULLERTON, Calif.--(BW SportsWire)--April 5, 2002

Bishop Amat of La Puente, Calif., has been crowned the champion of the Toyo Tires(R) National Classic high school baseball series, defeating La Quinta High School of Westminster, Calif. in a 6-2 victory.

The final game was held at the California State University Fullerton's baseball field, culminating a week-long tournament against some of the top high school baseball teams from around the country.

This is the second consecutive Toyo Tires(R) National Classic series win for Bishop Amat. It is also the first time a team has managed such a feat in the 13-year history of the tournament. Bishop Amat prevailed in a hard-fought tournament which included a total of 16 of the nation's top high school baseball teams.

The series pitted both Northern and Southern California teams against schools from Arizona, Florida, Nevada and Tennessee. In addition, the event provides an opportunity for young athletes to display their talent. More than 234 athletes who have competed in this series have been drafted into major league baseball teams throughout the United States and Canada.

Three outstanding athletes for the Toyo Tires(R) National Classic tournament were also named last evening:

Adam Simon of Bishop Amat won the "Most Outstanding Player" award, with performances such as last evening where he went three for three with a double, scored two runs and drove in one.

Anthony Hildalgo, a senior at Bishop Amat, won the "Most Outstanding Pitcher" crown as he managed to strike out 11 batters, walking two and only allowing five hits and two runs in seven complete innings.

Ian Stewart of La Quinta High School was named the "Most Outstanding Offensive Player," leading his team to the final round of the tournament.

Toyo Tires, based in Cypress, Calif., is the title sponsor for the National Classic. Toyo's support of this series is to help promote youth baseball programs throughout the United States. For more information about products from Toyo Tires and the various programs they support, log onto their interactive Web site at toyo.com.