In leading the Gaithersburg High School baseball program to the state playoffs for the first time since 1998, Trojans coach Jeff Rabberman was named the District 2 Coach of the Year by the Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by other coaches around the state for this award,” Rabberman said. “The award really belongs to my players. I give them all the credit.”

Rabberman will be honored along with the other nine district coaches of the year, including Henry A. Wise coach Drew Gilliam, Saturday at the MSABC banquet at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Bethesda Big Train coach Sal Colangelo will be recognized as the Amateur Coach of the Year.

Rabberman led Gaithersburg to a 17-7 record last spring and to the 4A West Region championship in his third season to earn Montgomery Gazette Coach of the Year honors. He also guided the Gaithersburg Giants to the regular season Maryland Collegiate Baseball League this past summer.

Gilliam, the Prince George’s Gazette Coach of the Year, guided the Pumas to their first 4A South Region crown and first state playoff appearance in his fifth year with the program. Colangelo’s Big Train (36-9) finished the summer ranked No. 1 in the nation among summer teams by Perfect Game USA after capturing a third straight Cal Ripken League title.

jpeters@gazette.net