Irvine Valley baseball coach Kent Madole announced that sophomore outfielder Dane Nakatsuka has committed to continue his academic and baseball career at NAIA power Vanguard University.
Nakatsuka finished strong for Irvine Valley in the 2021 season, despite missing the start of the season with an injury.
He bounced back and helped IVC to a successful 2021 year.
Nakatsuka, out of Capistrano Valley High, batted .333 in the 15 games he played for Irvine Valley with seven runs scored, 10 RBI and two stolen bases.
Nakatsuka helped the Lasers finished tied for fourth in a deep and tough Orange Empire Conference with a record of 9-9.
The Lasers finished with a record of 12-14-1 overall.
But, IVC went 11-3-1 during a stretch during 2021 with Nakatsuka adding to the Laser wins.
Nakatsuka played at IVC during the 2019, 2020 (partial season due to COVID) and the shortened 2021 season.
In the 15 games and 33 at bats he had after battling back in 2021, Nakatsuka hit .333 with four doubles, one triple and 10 RBI. He ended with a .515 slugging percentage.
Nakatsuka is headed to an impressive Vanguard squad that went 40-16 overall in 2021, won the Golden State Athletic Conference Championship Tournament and made the NAIA opening round.
