Orange County College Baseball : Chapman Bolsters Pitching; SCC Strengthens Schedule

Mike Weathers, Chapman College baseball coach, is excited about his number of pitchers this season, regardless of talent.

The Panthers, down to five healthy pitchers at one point last season, have nine.

The starters are returning junior Steve Dunn (6-10 last season with a 5.45 earned-run average) and community college transfers Jim Bennett (Fullerton) and Jeff Mooney (Cypress).

Among the middle relievers are two of Orange County’s best prep pitchers last season--Steve Halwig and David Bird. Halwig was 11-2 with a 1.14 ERA in the regular season at Esperanza, and Bird was 12-0 with a 0.99 ERA at Sonora.

Converted shortstop Ron Hubel (1-1 with a 1.05 ERA in eight games) is the Panthers’ leading reliever.

“We have some depth we usually don’t have,” Weathers said. “Last season, we had to let starters go too long at times and it hurt us.”

The Panthers also have added infield depth as Bucky Bollinger, Bryan Beals and Jeff Kidwilder can play second base and shortstop.

Mike Cruz (.320 with 12 doubles) will switch from second base to third, and Jeff Morrison (.351 with 6 home runs and 38 RBIs) will play first.

Darren Nelson and Jim Areias return in the outfield.

Chapman opens against Azusa-Pacifc today at 2:30 in Hart Park at Orange.

Coach John Hardin, in his second season at Southern California College, is finally getting things his way.

Though the Vanguards were 36-15 last season, their schedule consisted mostly of Division II and III schools. When the NAIA playoffs rolled around, SCC rolled over in the first round.

The Vanguards, attempting to strengthen their schedule this season, will face San Diego State and Cal State Long Beach.

“We’ve improved the schedule and hopefully, come playoff time, that will help us out,” Hardin said.

The Vanguards’ pitching staff is built around senior right-hander Mark Deushane (8-3 with a 2.13 ERA). Chapman transfer Mike Lomerli also is expected to start.

Steve Overeem, a senior right fielder (11 home runs and 38 RBIs), also might catch at times, depending on the progress of freshman Carlos Salazar from Bishop Amat.

Sophomore Kevin Kasper returns at shortstop, and junior Josh Johnson, a transfer from Riverside City, will play second. Junior Joe Holden, a transfer from Saddleback, is expected to play third, and Matt Konopsios will play first.

SCC opens at home against Cal State Northridge Wednesday at 2:30.