Max Smith, Canyon del Oro
What he did: Smith was the leadoff hitter for CDO’s explosive offense and also proved to be the team’s ace, going 8-1 on the mound. The right-hander and center fielder batted .380 with 35 hits, 32 runs and 33 RBIs. He led off a state quarterfinal game against Salpointe Catholic by hitting his final of seven home runs this spring and went on to double and finish the game with three RBIs as the Dorados held on for a 16-15 win.
Top performance: A week after CDO outlasted Salpointe in that quarterfinal shootout, Smith produced a strong outing both at the plate and on the mound in a 3-1 win against Tucson High, putting the Dorados within reach of their first state championship appearance since 2009. Smith doubled twice, drove in the go-ahead run and held the Badgers scoreless through the first three frames on his way to earning the 4.1-inning win. Smith played center field when the Dorados faced Tucson again in the state final but still made an impact by scoring a run in CDO’s 3-1 victory to cap off a 32-2 season.
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What’s next: Smith is signed to play for UNLV along with CDO teammate Nick Ames.
Runner-up: Zach Malis, Desert Christian. The senior four-year starter played a huge part in helping the Eagles win three straight state championships. Malis, who is signed with Grand Canyon University, was a two-way force who went 10-0 on the mound and had a .569 batting average. He racked up a state-high 62 hits, 64 RBIs and 22 doubles as Desert Christian went 31-1 and outscored opponents 430-58.
