Redondo Nine Shooting for Grand Slam in League Titles : All-American Pitcher Scott Davison Leads Sea Hawks in Search of 4th Pioneer Crown in a Row

Scott Davison must seem like a nightmare to opponents. He just keeps coming back.

The All-American pitcher for Redondo High begins his fourth varsity season at 7 tonight when the Sea Hawks play host to Channel Islands in the first round of the Westside Baseball Tournament.

Coach Harry Jenkins’ team has won three consecutive league championships with Davison playing a key role. Last year he posted a 12-2 mark and set a CIF record with 58 RBI in a 26-4 season.

“Anytime you have a player like that back, it’s a good nucleus,” Jenkins said. “I’m excited about this team.”

Redondo’s nucleus includes six other returning starters, making the Sea Hawks a clear-cut choice as the No. 1 prep baseball team in the South Bay, based on a poll of area coaches.

“Redondo has to be No. 1, probably by a large margin,” said El Segundo Coach John Stevenson, whose team finished second to the Sea Hawks in the Pioneer League last year.

Others expected to have big seasons include El Segundo, St. Bernard, San Pedro and North Torrance.

North got a look at Davison last Saturday in a scrimmage at Redondo. In front of a large crowd that included several pro scouts, the 5-11 right-hander pitched five shutout innings, striking out 10 and walking none.

“He overpowered us,” said North Coach Mike Neily, whose team is favored to win the Bay League. “He’s going to do that against a lot of teams.”

Since his freshman season, when he was 7-0 and earned all-league honors, Davison has improved each year, earning the CIF 3-A co-player of the year award last season even though Redondo was upset in the first round of the playoffs.

Collegiate Baseball, a publication of the American Baseball Coaches Assn., has named Davison one of the top 50 prep seniors in the nation.

His career marks include a 30-5 pitching record with a 1.38 ERA and 293 strikeouts. He has a .451 batting average (98 for 217) with 14 home runs and 97 RBI.

Jenkins’ main concern is how Redondo will fare when Davison doesn’t pitch. He plays shortstop between starts.

“Secondary pitching is a question mark,” Jenkins said. “If we get that, we’ll be OK.”

Right-handers Henry Schelb, Scott Taylor and Mike Houck are candidates for the No. 2 spot. Schelb and Taylor will also play outfield, and Houck will play shortstop when Davison pitches.

Davison, who will bat in the No. 3 spot, is surrounded by talented hitters. All-CIF first baseman Tom Doyle, a left-hander with a smooth swing, returns to bat cleanup after hitting .429 a year ago.

Also back are outfielders Jason Shoitsugu (.380) and Dane McKay, third baseman Nate Perry and catcher Robbie Zeller, a strong-armed junior who has improved his defensive skills.

Sophomore Brian Davison, Scott’s brother, will play second base and lead off for the Sea Hawks.

A look at the rest of the South Bay top 10:

2 El Segundo--The Eagles are off to a slow start because of the success of other sports at the school. Pitcher-first baseman Heath Jones, the team’s star, is one of three regulars who came out late from basketball. All-Pioneer League shortstop Jeremy Varner played his last game with the soccer team on Tuesday in a semifinal loss.

“We could be a good team down the line,” Coach Stevenson said. “I don’t think we’ll be good for a while.”

El Segundo also might pay the price for a winning football team. All-league catcher Jose Sanchez suffered a dislocated shoulder in the last football game, a semifinal loss to Burroughs of Burbank, and could be restricted to a role as designated hitter.

However, there is enough talent to indicate El Segundo will enjoy another banner season. The Eagles were 22-8 and reached the 3-A quarterfinals a year ago.

Jones’ return is one reason for optimism. The 6-5, 210-pound senior was an All-CIF pick last season, excelling as a pitcher (11-3) and a hitter (.448, 48 RBI). His brother is Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tracy Jones, a former standout at Lawndale High and Loyola Marymount.

Other key players include returning outfielders Chad Stevens and Erik Evans, second baseman Steve Sutherland, catcher Joe Montanez and pitcher-first baseman Dave Lubs. Stevenson also looks for big things from junior Robbie White, a 6-2, 195-pounder.

3 St. Bernard--Pitcher Tim Williams, last year’s CIF 1-A player of the year, has moved on to Loyola Marymount, but the Vikings should remain competitive with the return of seven starters from their runner-up squad.

Leading the way is senior shortstop Royce Clayton, rated one of the top pro prospects in Southern California. Clayton batted .448 last year with five home runs, 25 RBI and 15 stolen bases as a leadoff hitter. He was named Camino Real League most outstanding player and earned a spot on the All-CIF first team.

Pitcher-first baseman Dan Melendez, a junior, earned all-league honors last season by batting .430 with five home runs and 24 RBI to go with a 4-0 pitching record and 1.50 ERA. The left-hander struck out 15 against Bishop Montgomery.

Also back are outfielders Placido Estevez (.348) and Eric Douglas (.310, 19 stolen bases), second baseman Eric Strand (.325) and two-year starting catcher Ben Sigwart.

Right-handers Pat Ahearne and Tom Fulkerson, 6-3 seniors, join Melendez in the starting rotation.

Coach Bob Yarnall, whose team has won two straight Camino Real League titles and 16 consecutive league games, feels this is the strongest St. Bernard has been under his tenure.

4 San Pedro--Coach Jerry Lovarov starts his 28th season at San Pedro with what appears to be one of his best teams.

The defending Marine League champions return four starters, led by league most valuable player Rodney Garcia. The versatile senior earned All-City honors last season after hitting .400 and establishing himself as one of the Pirates’ top pitchers. He also plays outfield, and could see duty at catcher.

The outfield is set with all-leaguers Art Castaneda and Jamey Stellino. Lovarov worries about an inexperienced infield, but he’s encouraged by the team’s depth.

“We’ve got about two players at each position,” he said, “so they’ve been working hard.”

Others expected to contribute are right-handed pitcher Joey Miller, up from last year’s league champion junior varsity team; sophomore catcher Roger Johnson and first baseman Grant Beachley.

5 North Torrance--The Saxons figure to be tough when Greg Davis is pitching. The senior right-hander was 9-2 last season, with an 8-0 record and 1.00 ERA in Bay League play. He was the league’s co-most valuable player.

“He’s throwing pretty hard,” Coach Neily said. “He’s been timed about 85 and has movement on the ball. When you have a big, strong pitcher who throws strikes, you’re going to be in the game.”

Center fielder Jim Henderson returns after leading the Bay League with 18 RBI in 15 games. North also will be counting on shortstop Anthony Anetema, second baseman Brian Marzorini and sophomore outfielder Tony Pruett, whom Neily calls “the best young hitter I’ve ever coached.”

6 Rolling Hills--Coach Garry Poe, starting his 18th season at Rolling Hills, was disappointed with the Titans’ fifth-place finish in the Bay League last season. He feels the team is ready for a turnaround.

All-league third baseman Craig Plumley is counted on to improve the offense. First baseman Steve Archibald, a 6-1, 195-pound sophomore, hits with power.

Senior right-hander David Breneman, an all-leaguer as a sophomore, suffered through a poor junior season, but Poe feels his ace will return to form. The coach also expects big things from sophomore shortstop Mark Lewis.

“It’s been a long drought,” says Poe, whose team last won a league title in 1978. “But we’re turning the clock back.”

7 Torrance--After guiding the Tartars to an Ocean League championship in his rookie season, Coach Steve Kling watched as they slipped to fourth place in the Bay League last year. Now for the comeback.

Torrance figures to challenge for the Bay title with a team that returns six starters, led by all-league first baseman J. J. Williamson. The senior was one of the top hitters in the South Bay last year with a .505 batting average and a school-record 48 hits.

Also returning are all-league pitcher Mick Estrada, a senior right-hander; catcher-outfielder Mark Nicholas and the middle infield of junior second baseman Rickey Lawler and sophomore shortstop Bryan Mullings. One of the newcomers is sophomore DH Mike Kendall, son of former major leaguer Fred Kendall.

8 Gardena--The Mohicans have what it takes to win: experienced pitchers. All-Marine League left-hander Clem Melendez returns, as does right-hander Yong Kim.

Working behind the plate will be senior catcher Darin Woolwin, an all-league choice last season. Other notable players include shortstop Rex Carroll, third baseman Dennis Kalthoff and outfielders Aman Hicks and Pat Avina.

Gardena has had trouble breaking into the upper echelon of the league, the Mohicans were a disappointing fifth last season, but this could be the year.

9 Palos Verdes--The Sea Kings return only two starters from last year’s Bay League championship team, but they should receive help from the junior varsity and frosh-soph teams. Both won league titles.

Southpaw pitchers, Ian McDonald, a senior, and Jason Goldberg, a sophomore, will replace all-league left-handers Gregg Jahelka and Mike Calvert.

Second baseman Lance Haworth and catcher Todd Clark are returning starters, and outfielder Regan Scott has varsity experience. Veteran Coach Gil Eberhard says senior outfielder Mike Paolucci is a promising newcomer.

10 Leuzinger--Ex-Dodger Derrel Thomas takes over for the late Dennis Bowman, who died of a heart attack last May after coaching the Olympians to nine successful seasons. Thomas thinks the success will continue.

Thomas is banking on shortstop Wayne Johnson, a converted outfielder, and outfielder Chuck Foster, nephew of ex-major league slugger George Foster.

El Segundo Tournament

First-Round Games

Today, 3 p.m.

UPPER BRACKET--Westminster at Lynwood, Long Beach Wilson at Hawthorne, Torrance at Artesia, Arcadia at Alhambra, Rolling Hills at Mayfair, Gahr at South Torrance; Crespi at Westlake, North Torrance at Hart.

LOWER BRACKET--Millikan at West Torrance, El Segundo at Saugus, Palos Verdes at Long Beach Jordan, Leuzinger at Simi Valley, Banning at Culver City, Miraleste at Long Beach Poly, Brea at Edison, Esperanza at Cerritos.

Westside Tournament

First Round (Pool Play)

Today, 3 p.m. Unless Noted

RED DIVISION--Pool 1: Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) at Venice, Santa Monica at Kennedy (Granada Hills). Pool 2: Serra at Chatsworth, Alemany at Ventura. Pool 3: Palisades at Hueneme, Monroe at Loyola. Pool 4: Channel Islands at Redondo, 7 p.m.; St. Bernard at Westchester.

BLUE DIVISION--Pool 1: Royal at Hamilton, Murphy at Huntington Park. Pool 2: Oxnard at Franklin, Montclair Prep at University (L.A.). Pool 3: Bell-Jeff at Crossroads, Rio Mesa at San Pedro. Pool 4: Chaminade at Beverly Hills, Marshall at Camarillo.