SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL PREVIEWS : Pacific League

Crescenta Valley

COACH: Tony Zarrillo, 2nd year

LAST SEASON: 12-13; tied for 3rd at 8-7

PLAYERS TO WATCH: After a sluggish start, the Falcons came on strongly and made the playoffs last season. That momentum could continue if oft-injured Shane Cowsill, who pitches and plays first base, can remain healthy. Despite a spectacular sophomore season in which he drove in 39 runs, Cowsill tailed off and hit .293 last year. Eric Berger, a right-handed senior, also will pitch and play several infield positions. The pitching staff includes Brian McBride and left-hander Henry Fernandez and is coached by ex-minor leaguer Steve Rousey. “He’s done wonders with our kids,” Zarrillo said of Rousey. Defensive specialist Ernie Diaz will play second and Mike Johnson, a rangy senior, will start at shortstop. Fernandez will help out at first. Crescenta Valley’s outfield is green but includes speedy Damon Martin and Scott Anderson, the most valuable junior varsity player last season.

OUTLOOK: Things might be looking up for the Falcons. Said Zarrillo: “We’re deeper than last year and we’re a better hitting team than last year--with only two kids over .300, you don’t have to go too far. . . We’re going to try to steal more, take the extra base.”

Glendale

COACH: Chris Axelgard, 3rd year

LAST SEASON: 10-12-1; 4th in league at 5-10

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Glendale, which boasts 11 seniors, has no shortage of experienced players. A sub-.500 season last year leaves some doubt about the players’ ability to win, however. “Having experience and experience winning are two different things,” Axelgard said. Brent Overfelt, a three-year starter who will play third, center field and pitch, is perhaps the Dynamiters’ most versatile player. Catcher Jon Strauss and right fielder Marco Rivas also have played three seasons of varsity ball. Sophomore John Aguilar, who moved from left field, will play shortstop. “He’s a very hard worker,” Axelgard said. “He doesn’t have a lot of all-out speed, but he reacts to the ball well.” Bill Kirk was promoted from the junior varsity to play first, and Mike Thomas will play second. Lance Evans, a transfer from Burroughs, will play third and pitch. When he is not pitching, Danny Gray will play center field. Gray, the top man in the rotation, throws heat but has also honed his curve during the winter. Curtis Jung, a hard-throwing right-handed senior, will also pitch, but he has been bothered recently by a sore shoulder.

OUTLOOK: Axelgard has a soft spot for this team. “I came in with this class, so it’s an exciting thing,” he said. The Dynamiters are short on power, Axelgard adds, but long on savvy. They will need some know-how to weather March--Glendale begins with eight consecutive away games and will not play at home until March 27.

Hoover

COACH: Bob Cooper, 15th year

LAST SEASON: 13-8; tied for 3rd at 8-7

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Returning for his final season is standout first baseman Mickey Moreno, who has started for the past three seasons and is the class of the league at his position. Moreno batted .476 last season with 22 RBIs, nine doubles and four home runs. Other impact players include shortstop Bryan Day, third baseman Jose Robles and pitcher Kevin Deitch. Day is strong on defense and Robles batted .297--second highest among returning players. Deitch, a right- handed sophomore, relies on a wicked curve to frustrate batters. Fellow sophomore right-hander Young Park joins Deitch on the pitching staff as do Jose Gonzalez, Mike Evans and left-handers Ernie Zavala and Rob Walley. Walley might be a pleasant surprise. “He reminds me of (Philadelphia Phillies pitcher) Wally Ritchie,” said Cooper, who coached Ritchie at Hoover. Cesar Covarrubias moves up from the junior varsity to catch.

OUTLOOK: Hoover has a deep pitching staff but is otherwise green. The Tornadoes might have some power, however. “We’ve got some bigger kids,” Cooper said. “Maybe we’ll eventually catch up with those Arcadia kids. We’re always the smallest team.”