Marcus Mendoza receives ASHOF athlete of the week

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduate earns another honor for state baseball play

2026 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduate Marcus Mendoza, shown pitching in the Crimson Bears’ 5-4 win over the Service Cougars in the ASAA Division I State Baseball Championship game on Saturday, June 6, 2026, was selected as the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame's Player of the Week. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

By Klas Stolpe  

Juneau Independent

Marcus Mendoza, a 2026 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduate, was chosen as the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame’s Athlete of the Week for his performance in Saturday’s title game at the Alaska School Activities Association State Baseball Championships.

The ASHOF in a press release said Mendoza was clutch, hitting a single as part of a sixth-inning, go-ahead rally — and coming out of the bullpen to throw 3.2 scoreless innings in a 5-4 win over Anchorage’s Service High School in the championship game of the Division I state tournament.

“I am deeply appreciative of being named athlete of the week,” Mendoza said. “It really shows how much hard work that has been put in, and I am proud to represent my state in baseball.” 

Mendoza had a stellar state tournament and season. In the Crimson Bears’ 8-3 opening state win against Colony, he had a key hit as a designated hitter that started their scoring, scored one run and earned a walk. In their 11-1 semifinal win over West Valley, he had another key hit, earned an RBI and a walk. He pitched the first inning, earning two strikeouts, and moved to third base, where he caught a key line drive that he turned into a double play by outing a runner too far off first base by throwing to senior teammate Riley Fick. 

Mendoza is playing American Legion Baseball for Juneau’s Auke Bay Post 25 this summer.

“There could not be a more deserving candidate and selection than Marcus,” JDHS head baseball coach Luke Adams said. “Not only did he have a great week and performance at the state tournament, but he is truly an outstanding person and teammate every day of the year. It is great to see him receive this recognition, as he is a player we want younger players to emulate both on and off the baseball field.”

• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com