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SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL PREVIEWS : TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE

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Moorpark

COACH: David Rhoades, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 7-12-1; 3rd in league, 6-8-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Five players return from last year’s team, including senior right-hander Chuong Ho, an all-league selection who split time at shortstop. He was 4-4 with a 1.81 earned-run average. Senior Brad Taylor pitched 23 innings last year and had a 3.04 ERA. Rhoades said Ho has an average fastball and a good curve and Taylor’s main pitch is a fastball. “We’re really going to be counting on them to pitch us to victory,” Rhoades said. The outfield is experienced with senior center fielder Greg Burns and junior right fielder Brian Ruiz. Junior catcher Jake Flesher is the other returning player. Junior Doyle Ritchie will be at first base and senior Stephen Turrenpine will be at third. Juniors Sandro Ocampo and Rick Talley will fill the remaining infield positions.

OUTLOOK: Even though Moorpark’s top pitchers return, Rhoades is concerned about his team’s lack of experience. “We’re a young team and probably half our starters don’t have any varsity experience,” he said. Rhoades tabs Oak Park as the favorite for the league title, but “it is a tossup between the rest of us for second and third.”

Oak Park

COACH: Scott Randles, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 8-12-1; 4th in league, 5-9-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Oak Park is among the preseason favorites for the league title. Nine players return for the Eagles, including seven starters. Junior Jason Kane, an all-league center fielder, batted .458 last season. “He’s a real strong player and is going to be looked at by people as a senior,” Randles said. Art Kahn (.404) was an all-league selection at third base as a junior but will be moved to left field to capitalize on his speed. Junior Jesse Spradling will replace Kahn at third. Second baseman Zach Sterling (.350) will bat leadoff and also could catch. Junior Eric Pryor (shortstop) and senior Tom Watson (first base) also will start. Junior pitcher Jeff Gibbons finished 3-4 last season but had a 1.98 ERA.

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OUTLOOK: Oak Park has never won a league title in the school’s history. “Baseball has never been a strong sport at Oak Park and our kids are real committed,” Randles said. Pitching is the team’s strong point, but defense is Randles’ biggest concern.

St. Bonaventure

COACH: Dennis Johnson, 4th season

LAST SEASON: 14-8; tied for 1st in league, 13-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Last season’s record was the best in Johnson’s tenure at St. Bonaventure. Six players return, including four starters: first baseman-catcher John McNamara, junior third baseman Geoff Pableo, shortstop-first baseman Todd Tushla, and shortstop-outfielder Gino Nucci. Senior Mike Callahan and Chris Steiner played sparingly at second base and in the outfield last season. Tushla is the top candidate for the No. 1 pitching position. Pableo, Jeff Wright and Trevor Haba, who had a 5-1 record on the junior varsity last season, also will be used extensively. Jose Payan will catch and “be batting for us somewhere,” Johnson said. Junior John Marshall will alternate between first and third base. Damien Pike, Donnie Gillispie and Mike Gray, a transfer from Buena High, are competing for positions in the outfield.

OUTLOOK: Johnson believes his team and the rest of the league will be chasing Oak Park for the league title. “We’re a young team with a lot of question marks,” he said. “In practice we look good, but that’s not a game.”

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