HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PREVIEW : CITY SECTION : MID VALLEY LEAGUE

Granada Hills

Coach: Darryl Stroh, 17th year

Last Season: 11-4 in league, tied for first place

Granada Hills, last season’s 4-A runner-up, is expected to contend for the league championship, but the Highlanders will do it with only two returning starters--outfielders Dean Yoshitani and Sean Brown. That shouldn’t be a problem, though, because as one Valley-area coach said of Granada, “They’re like clones over there. Every year they look the same and every year they win.” Stroh is counting on two junior right-handers to do the bulk of the pitching. Jeff Adams, who pitched on the junior varsity last season and Steve Covacic, who did not play last season. Charlie Fowlks, a backup infielder last season, has moved into a starting role, replacing All-City shortstop Greg Fowble, who is now at the University of Arizona.

San Fernando

Coach: Steve Marden, 10th year

Last Season: 11-4 in league, tied for first place

Bobby Aparicio figures to be the dominant pitcher in the league and his presence on the mound makes the Tigers an instant contender. Aparicio, a 6-4 left-hander, was 5-1 last season after joining the team late because of academic problems. Aparicio averaged two strikeouts an inning during winter league play. “It’s nice to know that going into a game you can win with two runs,” Marden said. “The defense knows all they have to do is get seven or eight outs and he’ll get the rest.” Aparicio isn’t the only talented pitcher. Right-hander Tommy Howard was all-league for the junior varsity last season. Juniors Vince Ortega and Rudy Vargas and sophomore Frank Serna have been impressive in preseason. Defense will be another Tiger strength anchored by senior center fielder Randy Guerrero and junior catcher Andy Kapuscinski. Junior third baseman Josh Bergara leads off and Richard Ortiz, a sophomore, starts at second base.

Kennedy

Coach: Dick Whitney, 3rd year

Last Season: 8-7 in league, third place

Kennedy has a nucleus of talented players, but Whitney says it won’t make any difference unless he finds some pitching. Jason Farrell, a 6-4 junior right-hander, looked impressive in a scrimmage against defending City 3-A champion Venice earlier this week. Farrell should get some help from junior left-hander Colin Hines and senior right-hander Donald Williams. If the pitching comes around, senior infielder Kevin Farlow, senior catcher Robert Trujillo and senior outfielders Dane Turner and Jeff Burton should supply the needed offense. The key to the whole team may be the play of Farlow, who batted .451 as a sophomore but dropped to .250 last season. Farlow has moved from shortstop to third this season. Pat Deboer, a sophomore, starts the season at short.

Birmingham

Coach: Wayne Sink, 10th year

Last Season: 8-7 in league, third place

Birmingham has nine players back from last season’s team and that should help the Braves get back into the playoffs if the pitching comes around. The Braves are strong up the middle. Toby Lopez, who batted .375 last season has moved from first base to catcher. All-City shortstop Ernie Perez (.463) will team with second baseman Damon Buford (.313), the son of former major leaguer Don Buford. Senior Kevin Zietz moves from third base to center field. Birmingham’s top three pitchers lack experience, but Sink said he has a trio that can get the job done. Junior right-hander Alan Sedacca pitched in eight games last season so he opens the season as the ace. Senior left-hander Mike Sulprizio pitched for the junior varsity last season and senior right-hander Dan Meehan is a transfer from Delaware.

Monroe

Coach: Kevin Campbell, 2nd year

Last Season: 5-10 in league, fifth place

“You always go in expecting you can play with anybody,” Campbell said. “I think we have a shot at moving up a bit this year.” Monroe figures to be a better overall team than last season, but much rides on an untested pitching staff. Junior center fielder Ronald Robart (.340) has been forced to the mound to help out 10th-graders Tim Costic and Henry Valdez. Senior right-hander Jeff Frith-Smith may be the best pitcher on the team but is academically ineligible. Junior shortstop Brian Eldridge (.380) anchors an infield that also features junior third baseman Joe Marquis, senior second baseman Harold Ciccone, Costic at first base when he’s not pitching and senior catcher Kevin Shaw.

Van Nuys

Coach: Kenji Mochizuki, 3rd year

Last Season: 2-13 in league, sixth place

Just about every game Van Nuys played last year featured at least one defensive breakdown by the Wolves. Mochizuki says his team has improved defensively and if the pitching and hitting come around Van Nuys might make things interesting for the rest of the league. All-League first baseman Matt Clancy (.340) has moved to catcher and will be counted on to drive in runs. Clancy should get some help from senior first baseman Jeff Engler and Keith Quigley, a sophomore who makes good contact, according to Mochizuki. Senior right-hander Ian Howard and junior right-hander James Purse are the team’s top pitchers.

EAST VALLEY LEAGUE

Poly

Coach: Jerry Cord, 12th year

Last Season: 13-5 in league, third place

Poly has all the tools to make a legitimate bid for the league title. Back from last year’s team--which finished two games behind Grant--are junior outfielder Luis Porres, an All-City selection who hit .456 as a sophomore; center fielder Joey Speakes, a senior who quarterbacked the Poly football team, and senior Danny Gil, an all-league shortstop. The Parrots lost three players from last year but have added pitching. Junior left-hander Greg Nealon pitched a no-hitter in a scrimmage last week. Poly’s other starters are right-handers Nick Lymberopoulos, Miguel Delgado and Mario Gomez. “We’re a good-hitting ballclub,” Cord said, “And I think the pitching will hold up. It’s nice to have four real pitchers. We don’t have to bring in our third baseman if somebody gets hit hard.” Other offensive threats include Rodrigo Fuentes, a junior who will handle the catching chores, and left fielder Billy Chavez.

Sylmar

Coach: John Klitsner, 5th year

Last Season: 11-7 in league, fourth place

Sylmar finished fourth in the East Valley race last year, but Klitsner said that this year’s team could put the heat on any front-runners. The main heat source: Junior fastballer Olonzo Woodfin, a 6-4 left-hander who struck out 15 while tossing a one-hitter last week in his first start of the season. In 17 innings, he has 41 strikeouts. Expected to help the Spartans offensively are center fielder Shawn Fontenot, who also quarterbacked the football team for two games this season, infielder Don Kelley, and catcher Tom Shelburne. Senior outfielder/designated hitter Tony Taisacan (.400, all-league) also returns. Shortstop Martin Valencia is a defensive standout up the middle. “Except for Woodfin, we have no superstars,” Klitsner said. “We’re a team that is very solid defensively and that does a variety of things on offense. With Olonzo, we should be right there at the end of the season.”

Grant

Coach: Tom Lucero, 13th year

Last Season: 15-3 in league, first place

Grant won the City Section 4-A championship last season behind the right arm of Rodney Beck, now with the Oakland A’s organization. Beck won eight league games last year, and the Lancers will be hard-pressed to replace him. In fact, Lucero would be happy if any two guys together can duplicate Beck’s success. Grant lost seven starters and has just two players back from last year’s team, none of whom is a pitcher. On this year’s 13-man roster, Lucero has only five seniors. “Youth. Inexperience. That’s basically what I’m dealing with,” he said. The two returning players are second baseman David Waco (.297 last year) and outfielder Juan Guerrero (.317, all-league). To make matters worse, both are recovering from preseason injuries. The pitching corps consists of untested juniors Glen Rothstein, Juan Doroteo and David Jelmeland.

North Hollywood

Coach: Brian York, 3rd year

Last Season: 14-4 in league, second place

North Hollywood also was hurt by graduation. Last year’s team finished a game behind Grant, but only three players return, and two were non-starters. The team has a good nucleus of players, York said, but most are inexperienced at the varsity level. “At some point in the season, we’ll be a pretty good team,” York said. “When that’ll happen I don’t know.” Mark Eubanks, an all-league pick last year, leads the pitching staff. Senior first baseman Pete Salehyar is the team’s best hitter, and junior catcher Tom Freas is expected to add more offensive punch, York said. Danny Spector, Filipe Olmos and Jason Kosola are the starting outfielders, who figure to make up for a lack of power with speed. Infielders Benny Valdez and Sal Munoz start up the middle.

WEST VALLEY LEAGUE

Canoga Park

Coach: Doug MacKenzie, 37th year

Last Season: 10-5 in league, second place

Based on past performances, Canoga Park figures to score runs in bunches, and MacKenzie thinks the Hunters will need every one of them. Pitcher Mike Kerber, a junior coming off a 5-0 season, has tendinitis and is out for two more weeks. Mike Roberts was projected as the second starter but is academically ineligible. Adam Schulhofer thus has become the No. 1 starter by default. Kasey Fink, a senior who saw limited duty last season, also will start. But eight starters return and every position but second base is settled. Leading the way is catcher Mike Urman (.475, 21 RBIs), the league’s most valuable player and an All-City selection last season. Schulhofer (.469), who also plays center field, last season set a school record with 23 hits. The previous mark, 22, was held by Biff Pocoroba, who later played for the Atlanta Braves. First base will be shared by Aaron Marks (.326, 11 RBIs) and Kerber when he returns. Scott Strickland (.327) is the shortstop and Chris Pemberton (.267) plays third base. Marks is the left fielder when Kerber pitches and right field belongs to Mickey Snook, who has been moved to the clean-up spot despite last year’s .179 batting average.

Chatsworth

Coach: Bob Lofrano, 10th year

Last Season: 11-4 in league, first place

Chatsworth has won six consecutive league championships, but this season Lofrano starts six juniors and a sophomore. Third baseman Joe Wolfe (.393), an All-City selection as a sophomore last season, and catcher John Dunn (.385), an all-league selection, both return. Art Lowe, the league’s junior varsity player of the year last season, will play first base. Derek Wallace, a sophomore, is the shortstop, and his brother Donovon, a senior, plays second base. Rex McMackin, Ty Powell and Scott Harris start in the outfield. Eric Niece, a junior, will play at various positions. Shawn Bowen and Pierre Amado, juniors with junior varsity experience, are expected to be the starting pitchers. John Haselbusch, Matt Finley and Jeff Rubenstein also will pitch.

Cleveland

Coach: Ray Todd, 1st year

Last Season: 5-10 in league, fifth place

Ten players return for Cleveland, including eight starters, and Todd expects his team to challenge for the league title. Expected to carry the offensive load is senior shortstop Mike Aranzullo (.432, 18 RBIs). Mike Bergen (.306) plays first base, Jimmy Doushgounian (.282) will play second and the third baseman will be Matt Heading. Mario Valencia (.368), a sophomore who played five positions last season, is the right fielder. David Lerma (.300) plays center field and Chris Johnson (.313 on the junior varsity) will play left. Lance Mandel (.380 on the junior varsity) is the designated hitter. Kirk Surabian and Henry Schelb, both juniors, are the starting pitchers. Ron Conway returns at catcher.

El Camino Real

Coach: Mike Maio, 5th year

Last Season: 9-6 in league, third place

Only three starters return and Maio is understandably concerned about the pitching staff. Maio is still waiting for a No. 1 starter to emerge from the group of Mike Teich, Mark McIntosh, Craig Ruble and Denny Vigo, a transfer from Chaminade. One area Maio isn’t concerned about is center field, where team captain Robert Bumgarner (.397, 17 RBIs), an all-league selection last season, returns. Gene Demyon, a senior who played varsity last season, and Carl McFadden also start in the outfield. Ray Sabado (.333, 21 RBIs), an all-league selection, returns at shortstop. Freshman Ryan McGuire is playing first base and junior Bryce Welch returns at third base. It is undecided who will play second. Jim Wolf, a backup catcher last season, will start behind the plate.

Reseda

Coach: Mike Stone, 3rd year

Last Season: 8-7 in league, fourth place

Reseda has four players who will start for the third year and Stone expects his team to contend for the league title. Steve Brody (5-2, 2.86) and Donnie Grant, both all-league selections last season, are the starting pitchers. Taft transfers Matt Gilmore and Mike Shwartzer, and Carlton Hardy will pitch. J.P. Desanfants starts at catcher for the third year. In the infield, Damon Lantz plays first base, Mike Vanacore (.441) will play second, Grant (.377, 18 RBIs) will play third and Gilmore is the shortstop. The outfield consists of Kevin Ogle (left field), Shwartzer (center) and Kevin Gravning (right).

Taft

Coach: Art Martinez, 5th year

Last Season: 2-13 in league, sixth place

Taft, already thin on experience, has been hurt by the loss of Matt Gilmore and Mike Shwartzer, both of whom transferred to Reseda. Juniors Travis Arsenault and Alan Dorn are the starting pitchers. Fellow juniors Steve Temmel and Deane Hancock are the relievers. Scott Cohen, a senior, returns at catcher. Mark Cisco and Wayne Roberts still are battling for the first base job. Tony Friedman and Cory Angel are splitting time at third. Brad Rindt is the second baseman and Frank Andrisano plays shortstop. Jason Shapiro, a sophomore, will play left field and bat leadoff and Walker Ozar will play center. Right field is being shared by Angel and Doug Siembieda.