BENICIA HIGH senior Caleb Van Blake accepted a scholarship to play baseball for U.C. Davis after graduation.

Benicia High baseball star Caleb Van Blake made his senior year a little more comfortable after accepting a partial scholarship last week to play for U.C. Davis after graduation.

Van Blake will begin his third season on the Benicia varsity this spring, where his versatility as a shortstop and pitcher helped the Panthers win the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship last season.

“They liked my versatility,” Van Blake said of U.C. Davis baseball coaches. “They were looking for someone who could play multiple positions and I think it really helped that I was a right-handed thrower and a left-handed batter.”

“We feel like he can help us in a couple different areas,” said Davis head coach Matt Vaughn. “He’s a guy who can get on the mound at the end of the game and get some guys out. He’s not bothered by the situation. He’s just going to pound the zone and let it all out.”

“He’s such a diverse player,” said Benicia head coach Jim Bowles. “We haven’t had a lot of guys who could pitch and play a position at the Division I level. He can do either. He’s been an infielder his whole life but he was willing to play outfield for us and could always pitch. He does whatever’s best for the team.”

Van Blake’s most memorable moment with Benicia came his sophomore year in a playoff elimination game against Bella Vista. Van Blake came on as a relief pitcher and promptly gave up the go-ahead run, but he came up later as a hitter, drove in the tying run and eventually scored the winning run to send the Panthers to the Section championship game.

Last season as a junior, Van Blake hit .254 with two homers, 17 runs and 22 RBI as the Panthers won the Section championship for the second time in four years.

“A lot of good players have come out of that (Benicia) program in the past and Caleb is just one of the latest to come out,” Vaughn said. “He’s their field general out there. If you watch them play, he’s the one telling everyone where to go. Very vocal and very much a leader.”

“I’ve known him since he was a little kid and watching him develop has been real nice,” Bowles said. “He’s worked so hard to develop his skills. He loves to be in big situations and he usually comes through. He’s a clutch performer. He’s just now starting to scratch the surface of his power and he’s really good at driving the ball the other way with outside pitches.”

Van Blake is just happy to have his college future taken care of.

“It makes my high school season a lot easier,” Van Blake said. “But people will still be watching. I still have to play at a high level and get better.”

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