SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL PREVIEWS : MISSION LEAGUE

Notre Dame

COACH: Bob Mandeville, 5th season

LAST SEASON: 18-11-1; 1st in San Fernando Valley League, 9-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: A bevy of experienced talent returns for Mandeville as Notre Dame competes for a title in the newly formed Mission League. Senior second baseman Vinnie Orlando batted .363 with four home runs and 25 runs batted in as a junior and is part of a tough offense. That offense includes senior catcher Louie Tapia (.302, three home runs, 21 RBIs) and first baseman-designated-hit ter Steve Colella (.342, three home runs, 18 RBIs), the football team’s quarterback and basketball team’s center. “He’ll be a key for us,” Mandeville said of Colella. The pitching is solid and experi enced. Senior right-hander Cary Wichmann (7-3, 2.70 earned-run average) struck out 74 in 72 innings last year and is 20-5 in his varsity career. Senior right-hander Eric Vellozzi (6-3, 3.57 ERA) has a bit more velocity. Montclair Prep transfer Chris Garza and 6-foot-2 left-hand er Chris Leveque are sophomore pitchers and are “every bit as good as the senior right-handers,” according to Mandeville. More sopho mores with an impact figure to be infielder Ryan Stromsborg, outfielder Cesar Martinez and first baseman Glenn Carson.

OUTLOOK: In a strong league, Notre Dame would appear to be able to play with the best of them. “On the mound, we’re really good,” Mandeville said. “But it’s a tough league and we’re going to have to be up for every game. In the San Fernando Valley League, we didn’t always have to play our best. But on paper, we have some really good players.”

Chaminade

COACH: George Vranau, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 16-9-1; 2nd in San Fernando Valley League, 8-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The talk is that this team might be the best in school history. It certainly is one of the most experienced. Chaminade has seven returning starters and 13 returnees overall. Of those 13, six are pitchers. Six of those pitchers combined for 15 wins last year. “We have as tough a three starters as there are in the league,” Vranau said. Junior left-hander Ted Corcoran (7-4) struck out 72 in 64 innings last year. Senior left-hander Greg Galloway led the team with a 2.13 ERA and was 4-1. The third starter is sophomore right-hander Keith Evans (3-2, 2.99 ERA). Out of the bullpen is submariner Brent Lubig, a senior right-hander. “We’re looking to him as a stopper,” Vranau said. When the other is pitching, Gallo way and Corcoran (.380, four home runs, 20 RBIs) will play first base. The rest of the infield is made up of returning starters: Kent Cote at second base, Jeff Meyer is at shortstop and second-team all-league selection Aaron Weiss (.329, 22 RBIs) is at third base. Billy Blair (.333, 10 RBIs) and Joe Costa return in the outfield and former designated-hitter Mike Andry (.285) will move to catcher.

OUTLOOK: It is safe to say that this could be the best team in school history, Vranau said. “The caution here is that the school, up until the last couple of years, has been small-school scale in baseball,” he said. “Here, we’re making the jump to the 5-A Division.” But this seems to be the year to make a splash, in terms of talent. “The kids, to a man, believe that not only will we make the playoffs,” Vranau said, “but we will contend seriously for a league title.”

Alemany

COACH: Jim Ozella, 8th season

LAST SEASON: 14-15; 3rd in Del Rey League, 5-7

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ozella has little returning in the way of experience. Senior first baseman Kirk Fellows hit .363 with eight doubles and two home runs. Senior outfielder Bob Ordona is an “on-base guy,” according to Ozella. “Other than that,” he said, “I don’t have any returners.” Right-handed junior pitcher Kevin Tate was 3-3 before he became academically ineligible. Sophomore right-hander Rob Nary pitched a for the varsity at the end of last year. The other starter is 6-2 freshman Bill Scheffels. Also bidding for pitching time are juniors Steve Wroe, a right-hander, and submariner Vince Miramontes, a right-hander. “Everybody’s pretty much underclass on the mound,” Ozella said. “Heck, we’re pretty much underclass the whole way.” More sophomores dot the lineup. Third baseman Andy Dominique, brought up late last year for the playoffs, shortstop Rene Rodriguez and second baseman-designated-hitter Brian Shaw are examples. Senior Tom Anderson is the elder statesman at second base. Center fielder Eddie Bushey (12 RBIs) would have helped, but he is academically ineligible until at least midseason. Last year’s starting catcher Dave Castillo, a junior, is recovering from back surgery.

OUTLOOK: Alemany is a young team. “I don’t want to say we’re young as an excuse,” Ozella said. “We’re going to get our cuts and if we make mistakes, we make mistakes. These youngsters are talented enough to compete.”

Crespi

COACH: Scott Muckey, 5th season

LAST SEASON: 18-10-1; 2nd in Del Rey League, 9-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The season begins with worry as senior pitcher-outfielder Rick Marino (.386, 20 RBIs) nurses a sore arm. Marino was an all-league selection last season with a 3-5 record and 3.09 ERA. “We’re waiting for the doctor’s OK,” Muckey said. “He will be in the lineup as a DH if nothing else.” All-league second baseman Brodie VanWagenen is in his third year and batted .267 last year. Also returning is all-league third baseman Victor Seper, who batted .389 in Del Rey League play. Sophomore right-hander Jeff Suppan (4-2, 2.14 ERA), after a fine freshman season, is back. Suppan pitched a no-hitter against Torrance and a one-hitter against Lynwood. In Marino’s absence, Suppan will be the No. 1 starter. Sophomore pitcher Jorvic Salazar will be pushed into more duty if Marino is unable to throw. Designated-hitter Mike Peters, a senior, batted .411 last year. Senior Chris Maurizi will catch and senior Ryan Staley will play first base. Both are returnees but did not start last year. Up from the junior varsity is sophomore Casey Snow, the son of Long Beach State Coach Dave Snow. In the outfield, junior Joe Ruggiero, Jim Horacek, Kyle Carden and Jon Peck will battle for positions. Carden also will push Maurizi at catcher.

OUTLOOK: In a competitive league, Crespi should be in the thick of things. The injury to Marino dampens the Celts’ prospects somewhat, but Crespi has experience and pitching. Muckey worries about having two sophomore pitchers, but also thinks that Crespi at least has what it takes to bid for at a playoff berth. “If Marino were healthy, we’d be fairly tough,” he said. “But we’ll have our share of good games.”