HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PREVIEWS : GOLDEN LEAGUE : Saugas Aces Hold Key to Success

Doug Worley’s pitching staff at Saugus brings back memories. Pleasant ones.

It is not just junior Roger Salkeld who pleases the Saugus coach. Although Salkeld probably could please the coach single-handedly.

Last season, Salkeld was 9-4 with a 2.09 earned-run average. This season, Salkeld (6-4 1/2, 200) has grown an inch, gained 15 pounds and revved up his fastball to nearly 90 miles per hour.

“He really brings it,” Worley said. “He’s going to be outstanding.”

But the pitcher who has really brought a smile to the coach’s face is senior Jeff Bodeau. For the first time in seven years, Worley has two exceptional pitchers on his staff.

“That’s the key to our team,” Worley said.

Salkeld and Bodeau, both right-handers, are the best pair of starters Saugus has had since 1981, when Worley’s one-two punch consisted of Shawn Barton and Ted Higgins.

Higgins, now playing at the Class-A level in the Yankees’ organization, was 12-2 with a 1.90 ERA. Barton, now with the Phillies’ Double-A organization, was 5-2 and still holds the Centurions’ single-season ERA record at 1.30.

The 1981 team won its first 15 games before a late-season slump dropped the Centurions to a second-place finish.

This season, Worley expects his new dynamic duo to carry the team to a third consecutive league championship--at least. And he lets them know it.

“Every once in a while, he’ll bring those two up in practice,” Salkeld said. “Just as an example.”

Worley has good reason to make comparisons. Salkeld resembles Barton, a tall right-hander who relied on his fastball. Bodeau, like Higgins, is short and relies on off-speed pitches.

“It’s the same kind of situation,” Worley said. “These two this year are very comparable. Barton used to throw really hard. Higgins had a kind of herky-jerky movement on his pitches.”

While Salkeld throws smoke, Bodeau prefers to shuffle his pitches.

“He throws a lot of sliders and curves,” Saugus assistant Bill Bolde said.

Said Salkeld: “He’s got a good curve. It’s going to help us.”

Bodeau might have helped more last year after transferring from Hart at midseason. But he spent much of the remainder of the season on the bench with his eligibility in question. Consequently, he pitched only 13 innings.

This season, Bodeau, who throws between 80 and 85 m.p.h., may rival Salkeld in the win column. He defeated Sylmar’s Olonzo Woodfin in a nine-inning American Legion game last summer. Bodeau tossed a 4-hitter in the Centurions’ opener against West Torrance, but lost, 2-1.

In his second outing, Bodeau pitched a 1-hitter against Palos Verdes in the El Segundo tournament for his first Saugus win.

“We feel we’re going to be awfully tough on the mound,” Worley said.

Saugus

COACH: Doug Worley, 13th season

LAST SEASON: 1st in league at 13-2;

18-6 overall

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Only four starters return, but three were key contributors. Junior right-hander Roger Salkeld was 9-4 with a 2.09 earned-run average and 86 strikeouts. Salkeld also will play first base. Catcher Jared Snyder, who batted .343 with 2 home runs and 20 runs batted in, also returns. Snyder suffered a broken ankle in a first-round playoff loss to El Rancho last season, but appears healthy. Senior third baseman Tom Dodson batted .369 with 5 home runs, 7 doubles and 22 RBIs. With Saugus’ center-field fence only 360 feet away, Dodson should belt several home runs. Senior right-hander Jeff Bodeau, who played sparingly last season, is the second half of what should be a strong pitching rotation. Junior shortstop Tom Burges will replace Rob Davis, who transferred to Hart. Second baseman Mike Osment had only 5 at-bats last season. Transfer center fielder Darrell Davis batted .410 for Hart’s junior varsity last season.

OUTLOOK: With the departure of Don Pedersen, Davis and Steve Risinger, Saugus will lose some offensive punch. The Centurions managed only 9 hits in their first 2 games. But Saugus’ pitching is capable of carrying the team. “We feel we’re going to be really tough,” Worley said. Saugus also has been a strong finisher in the past. Last season, the team won 10 in a row to close the regular season. In 1986, Saugus won 10 of 11 before losing the 2-A title game.

Canyon

COACH: Rich Montanio, 1st season

LAST SEASON: 3rd in league at 10-5; 14-11 overall

PLAYERS TO WATCH: New players appear at nearly every position, especially on the mound where the departure of pitchers Travis Regnolds and Ken Sollom left a void. “It will be the inexperienced position on the field, that’s for sure,” Montanio said. Senior right-hander Rob Combs, who pitched sparingly last season, has the best control and will be the No. 1 starter. Left-hander Jeff Stark and right-hander Sean Nichols are newcomers. Canyon’s offense will be led by Gary Morgan, Erik Martinez, Dave Tyson and Jason Stanley, the only returning starters. Morgan, who batted .370 with 23 RBIs last season, stole 22 bases and had 10 extra-base hits, including 4 home runs. He moves from shortstop to left field. Martinez, who will play third base, batted .350 with 15 RBIs and 4 doubles. Tyson moves from the outfield to first base and Stanley is the new shortstop.

OUTLOOK: Pitching is Canyon’s major area of concern. The few experienced players will have to do a lot to carry the team or the Cowboys may find themselves home on the range at playoff time.