Torrance, CA (June 17, 2013): CalHiSports recently released its rankings of the top-25 high school baseball teams of all-time and coming in at number 24 was the 1975 Bishop Montgomery team. Coached by Ernie Martinez, the 1975 Knights finished 27-3 and won a CIF-SS title at Dodger Stadium, 1-0, over Lynwood.
Front Row (l to r): Doug Leach '75, Kelly Gettman '76, Joe Rowell '75, Tom Hentila '77, Jim Roderick '75, John Spagnola '75, Jim Carmody '75.
Back Row (l to r): Head Coach Ernie Martinez, Chris Smith '75, Paul Pudewa '76, Tim Pettit '75, Bill Bordley '76, John Guggiana '75, Tim Collins '75, Ray Petty '76, Bob Seus '77, Assistant Coach Anthony Saldana '71.
The 1975 team was led by pitcher Bill Bordley '76, who went 16-1 with an 0.45 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 115.2 innings pitched. Bordley was named 1975 CIF-SS Player of the Year, an honor he would repeat in 1976. Following graduation, Bordley starred at USC and pitched in the major leagues for the San Francisco Giants. He is currently the Vice President, Security and Facility Management for Major League Baseball. He was elected to the BMHS Athletic Hall of Fame in its inaugural class of 2011.
Offensively, the Knights were led by Chris Smith '75 and his .395 batting average; All-CIF-SS selection Tim Collins '75 (25 stolen bases); and John Guggiana '75 (school-record 27 stolen bases). Smith went on to play in the major leagues with the Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants.
The 1975 team holds the school record for wins in a season (27), winning percentage (.900), and fewest runs allowed (60).
1975 Bishop Montgomery Baseball Team (pictured):
Front Row (l to r): Doug Leach '75, Kelly Gettman '76, Joe Rowell '75, Tom Hentila '77, Jim Roderick '75, John Spagnola '75, Jim Carmody '75.
Back Row (l to r): Head Coach Ernie Martinez, Chris Smith '75, Paul Pudewa '76, Tim Pettit '75, Bill Bordley '76, John Guggiana '75, Tim Collins '75, Ray Petty '76, Bob Seus '77, Assistant Coach Anthony Saldana '71.
Click here for a link to the CalHiSports rankings.