SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL PREVIEWS : Frontier League

Agoura

COACH: Gary Gray, 1st year.

LAST SEASON: 14-8; 1st place in league at 9-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Gray developed Calabasas High into a Frontier League power during a 10-year coaching stint that ended in 1986, and now he succeeds John Crow, who was hired as Agoura’s athletic director. Gray inherits the defending league champion, which lost, 6-4, in eight innings to eventual champion St. Bernard in the second round of the 2-A Division playoffs. “I know we have a real seasoned crew,” Gray said. “We have a couple guys who are exceptional.” Those two are Brian Smith and Bob Kazmirski. Smith is a first-team all-league third baseman who hit .449 last year and drove in 27 runs. Kazmirski was 7-2 last year with a 1.82 earned-run average. Catcher Josh Smaler is a three-year starter who hit .343 last year with nine doubles. “We’re laden with a lot of kids who have some experience at the varsity level,” Crow said. Agoura has a strong outfield with center fielder Joey Madaglia, who also will pitch, and left fielder Chase Ludwig. Dan Freedman, who hit .444 last season, is a returning starter at first base.

OUTLOOK: The Chargers are strong defensively and steady at the plate, but their pitching ends with Kazmirski. “The strength of this team relies on our pitching depth,” Gray said. “We’ll produce runs, but it’s a question of whether our pitching holds up.” Agoura’s pitching needs to keep traditional powers Santa Clara and Calabasas on their heels. “I’m assuming the league race is going to be just as tough as ever, but I like our chances,” Gray said.

Calabasas

COACH: Bob Wade, 3rd year

LAST SEASON: 11-8; 3rd in league at 6-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Calabasas’ defense should be strong with all-league junior shortstop Geordie Wimmer (.343) and second baseman Bret Resnick (.354) returning. Leading hitter Tom Hoover (.392) returns to center field. Tom Lynch (.295) has moved from first base to third and will see some duty on the mound. Either junior Paul Schaffer or senior Eric Rothman will play first base. Cary Brous (.250) is a strong defensive player in right field and junior Tom Hoke will play left field. Alex Armacost, a transfer from Tehachapi, and Mark Viane, will see action in the outfield. Calabasas’ pitching is suspect. Yet the Coyotes expect strong performances from junior Paul Johnson, who threw two no-hitters at the JV level last season, and Rothman. “Johnson has some good velocity and is always around the plate,” Wade said. Sophomore switch-hitting catcher Sam Voita will complete the battery and Keith Slethledahl is a talented utility player. Junior left-hander Mark Siegel is the short reliever.

OUTLOOK: Calabasas must overcome the loss of last year’s battery, pitcher Dan Glassman (5-4, 2.05 ERA) and catcher Dave Kahlman (.368). The Coyotes will attempt to do so with as many as six pitchers throwing a few innings at a time. “We don’t have that one dominating pitcher, but we have six kids who throw the ball well,” Wade said. “So we’re going to make it a committee affair.” Calabasas expects to contend with league powers Agoura and Santa Clara.