COLLEGE BASEBALL ’87 : Pitchers Put Canyons on Track for Another Run Toward State Title

Nine starters batting better than .300 and two pitchers who combined for a 29-1 record led the black-shoed, home run-hitting College of the Canyons baseball team last season to its third state championship in six years.

The prospect that their coach, Mike Gillespie, would be leaving at season’s end didn’t seem to bother the Cougars. Canyons had its best season (41-6) ever and the most wins in state history. Everything was mighty fine in Newhall.

At least until decimation set in.

Gillespie (419-132) left to coach USC and took pitcher Darrin Beer (14-1) with him. Catcher Pete Kuld (17 home runs) left for Pepperdine. First baseman Scott Drury (.355) went to Texas Tech. Pitcher Frank Halcovich (15-0) went to Arizona State. Shortstop Don Erickson (.356) went to Florida State. Right fielder Chris Cota (.328) signed with the Chicago White Sox. Center fielder Bob Clark (.317) left for Lewis and Clark.

Which left first-year Coach Len Mohney short on experience when he took over a program steeped in success.

“Last season,” Mohney said, “we had seven or eight legitimate studs. I mean studs . . . . guys that are starting at Division I schools all over the country.”

Mohney couldn’t be at a better place at a more unenviable time.

“Let’s face it,” Mohney said, “I’m following in the footsteps of the John Wooden of JC baseball. I realize that. And if I don’t win there’s going to be people who take cracks at me. But isn’t that just common to the sport? I’m just hoping we’ll win and I won’t have to worry about that.”

Before taking over the program, Mohney assisted Gillespie for 10 years. He played on Canyons’ first two teams in 1973 and 1974. Canyons has won 11 conference titles since 1973 and has sent many players on to four-year universities and professional careers.

Canyons has an excellent baseball facility and the team has enthusiastic support from the college and community. The program has not been affected by teacher layoffs and labor negotiations that riddled the neighboring Los Angeles Community College District.

It’s still cozy, but some things have changed. Where power hitting propelled Canyons last season--the team hit 72 home runs, pitching appears to be the Cougars’ strength in 1987. Jeff Ward and Chris Zavatsky, Canyons’ No. 3 and No. 4 pitchers last season, are back. Both, however, may take a back seat to newcomer Fred Riscen, a transfer from Pierce.

Riscen led the state in strikeouts (157) last season, and an informal poll of Southland coaches rates him as the best left-hander in the state. Last January, Riscen, who played at Granada Hills High, was drafted by the Montreal Expos.

“He is a darned good pitcher,” Mohney said. “He’s a battler, a competitor. The one strong point about this team that I feel good about is that I’m going down to open the season against Cerritos (Feb. 7) with the best left-handed pitcher in the state.”

Still, Mohney is a new coach with new players. He has had to instill a winning baseball philosophy--one he credits to Gillespie--while stressing the fundamentals.

“All the years I worked with Mike I really picked his brain,” said Mohney. “I have the same philosophies he did.

“We have always played baseball as a percentage game. We love to hit and run. Run and bunt. Steal. The little things. We don’t like to just sit back and make up a lineup. If you pride yourself on being a coach, and let’s face it, I’m a pup and I haven’t proven myself and I’m not saying I’m going to be a great head coach, but if you’re a coach and you love this profession you love those little things.”

The state championship ring Mohney has from last season is not little. With strong pitching and a stronger tradition, Canyons is a legitimate contender for another state title.

A brief look at the Valley’s JCs:

CANYONS

The Cougars won their 11th conference championship last season on their way to the state title. A big turnover left Mohney in a rebuilding stage--or is it reloading? Pierce transfer Riscen, who led the state in strikeouts last season, appears to be the No. 1 pitcher on the staff if not in the state. Valley refugees Ted Weisfuss (.320) and Mark Gieseke (.379) have made their way into the Cougars’ lineup at shortstop and first base, respectively. Vic Sotelo is back at second base and veteran Andy Cutchall will play third. “That’s a mature four guys in the infield,” Mohney said. “That may be our biggest strength.” Alex Vasquez, a starter on last season’s team will play left field. Returner Joe Pieper and Billy Picketts from Kennedy High are battling for an outfield spot. Other impressive freshman include Ray Palagyi of Canyon, Peter Washington of North Hollywood, Chris Joy of Saugus. Pitcher Tim Nedin, a transfer from Santa Barbara who played at Hart High last season, has an injured knee. Pitcher Zavatsky, who came on strong at the end of last season, has an injured back. Craft, an all-league pitcher from Quartz Hill, has a viral infection. “Until we’re healthy,” Mohney said, “it’s just Riscen and the soldiers.” Soldier Jeff Ward, who pitched frequently last season, and soldier Jordan Cook, a freshman from Birmingham High, will round out the pitching staff. Outfielder Len Hokanson, who may end up as a designated hitter, returns from last year’s team.

MOORPARK

Coach Ron Stillwell will enter the season without Eric Fischer and that’s enough to make him cautious. Fischer, who batted .324 and played first base, was injured in an automobile accident. Ensuing elbow surgery put him out for the season. “We have very few returning players,” Stillwell said. “Eric is a severe loss.” Second baseman Tom Sullivan is returning to the Raiders and, Stillwell said, is being challenged by Vaughn Herron, a freshman from Simi Valley High. Middle infielder Rick Allen, a transfer from Fresno State, may wind up at first base. “He can play anywhere in the infield,” Stillwell said. Dan Russell, who played at Moorpark two years ago, is slated to start at third base. Stillwell’s son, Rod, a transfer from Oral Roberts, will start at shortstop. Pitcher Anthony Mohr, who compiled a 2-1 record last season in limited playing time, is back. “I just want to be competitive,” Stillwell said. “That’s my main concern. I’m hoping that by mid-season my pitchers will be semi-veterans and we’ll be able to beat the good clubs.” On the addition of state champion Canyons to the Western State Conference, Stillwell said, “Lucky us, eh?”

PIERCE

Technically, Charlie Williams is the coach because of teacher layoffs and budget problems within the L.A. Community College District. He’s full-time. On the field, however, Bob Lyons is the Brahmas’ skipper. But the pair get along well and together have saved Pierce baseball from the jaws of bureaucracy. After Tim Collins quit after last season, Pierce needed a coach by June 30 or it would have had to drop the program. Williams and Lyons stepped in. Together they’ll have to deal with the loss of Fred Riscen. (If you think you’ve heard enough about Riscen so far, wait until the regular season starts.) “It hurts,” Lyons said. “I understand Riscen was like money in the bank.” Or at least worth about 10 strikeouts a game. “So, our biggest problem is pitching,” Lyons said. The Brahmas have Jim McDonald, Dave Borrell, Will L’Heureux and Leif Christopherson ready to throw. Third base is up for grabs as the start of the season closes in, Lyons said. Two players, John Hauptman and John Brunette, may end up taking turns at first base. At second base, Mike Rosenberg, who batted .315 last season at Pierce, is back and has a lock on his position. Darin Cornell, who didn’t play last season, appears to be the starter at shortstop. “We’re in pretty good shape up the middle,” Lyons said. Mark Bowen, who for a spell last season led the state in batting, will return to left field. He ended the season with a .421 average. Rob Campbell (.363) will play center. Brad Winowich, a starter last season, will catch.

MISSION

On a team built for speed, brothers Tim and Peter Harper have the fastest wheels. As an outfielder, Pete was an all-conference selection last season. He may see time at short, co-Coach Phil Lozano said. Both played at San Fernando High and, Lozano said, have drawn attention from professional scouts. “They both have great skills and great speed,” Lozano said. “We’ll have a very strong team overall with speed being our main strength.” Mission’s pitching is starting to come around. Jaimie Ponce, a left-hander from Kennedy who is 6-4, 225, appears to be tops on the staff. He will be joined by Dave Alma. James Coley, who batted .358 last season as an outfielder, is being prepped to play catcher. Coley was first team all-conference last year. John Chung from Poly High will most likely start at third. The addition of Lee Fisher as co-coach, Lozano said, has been a tremendous help. “He has been through the minor leagues and helped the St. Louis Cardinals organization,” he said. “The kids really get along well with Lee and he has been able to teach them some things that they didn’t know. I can’t say enough about the guy.” Dave Peskin is slated to play first base. Frank Zavala from San Fernando joined the team late into the winter season but is expected to make an impact. “Our pitching has been coming into its own,” Lozano said. “We have done really well against the schools we have played. I think we have as good a chance as anyone of winning our division.”

VALLEY

After two years as an assistant coach at Long Beach City, Kevin Murphy has returned to Valley, where he was a member of its 1982 state champion team. Pitching coach Jim Benedict was also a member of that team. “Jim has been an awful big help bringing our pitchers around,” Murphy said. Another title for Murphy, however, may not be coming around. The Monarchs lost two key players, infielders Ted Weisfuss and Mark Gieseke, to Canyons but Murphy said the gap has been filled. Still, the rookie coach is apprehensive. “We’re not a real good team,” Murphy said, “but we’re not terrible, either.” One positive is that Valley has nine pitchers, including Dave Bogacz who was 3-0 last season. The pitching staff also includes Terry Seward, who was a standout at Notre Dame High before leaving baseball for two years, Mike Oberlander, Jose Banuelos and Don Hussey. “Hussey has good stuff and I’m hoping that he can help us out,” Murphy said. Valley also has Chae-Ho Chung, a transfer who played catcher last season at Arizona State, and Jason Peterson, who was an all-league performer at Grant High. “We’ll be OK, believe you me,” Murphy said. “Certain days we’re really strong in some places and other days we’re not. If we can catch and play defense we can stay in games. We found out over the fall that we can manufacture runs. I think we’ll have a good year.”