Trio of UYA players get Division I scholarships

Baseball will be their ticket to higher education.

Three players from the Urban Youth Academy in Compton, Calif., announced that they have signed with a Division I school following their participation in the California Collegiate League. All three players spent their summer playing with the Academy Barons while preparing to play at a higher level.

Aaron Cisneros of San Bernardino, who led the California Collegiate League with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs, announced that he will be attending the University of California-Riverside on scholarship. Cisneros played for San Bernardino Valley College for two years prior to transferring to UC-Riverside.

Keyon Allen of Inglewood, who led the California Collegiate League with 20 stolen bases, announced that he will be playing his final two years of college eligibility at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Allen, a swift center fielder, played his first two years of college baseball at local El Camino College.

Trent Hammond of Manhattan Beach announced that he will be playing for the University of Illinois. Hammond played for two years at Fullerton College prior to transferring.

Larry Barraza, who is another player with academy ties, also starred in the California Collegiate League. Barraza, who played for two years at El Camino College before transferring to Grambling State University, led the league in batting average (.430), hits (40) and runs (31) as he prepares for his senior season.

Ken Landreaux, a former big leaguer who manages the Academy Barons, issued an official statement congratulating the team's players for thriving in the league and going on to Division I schools.

"We're extremely proud of these players and all of our athletes who played for the Barons this season," he said. "We wish them all continued success in their academic and athletic careers."