PREP BASEBALL 1992: GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE : La Quinta

OUTLOOK

As one of the most successful high school baseball coaches ever in the county, Demarest has proven he can put a competitive team on the field regardless of the material he has to work with. But this season could be one of his most difficult tests. The Aztecs return only two starters in Granger and Leckie, though both are quality players. Granger batted .311 with 28 hits and 15 runs batted in, and Leckie batted .308 with 24 hits and 22 RBIs. Demarest also hopes Parkin (.453) and Ruiz (.396), who played junior varsity last year, can duplicate their offensive output on the varsity this season. “You never know what the new kids are going to do,” Demarest said. “It’s going to come down to how the inexperienced players perform.” La Quinta didn’t have that problem in 1991, particularly with a guy such as Walter Dawkins (.453, eight homers, 27 RBIs) in the lineup. But Dawkins is at USC, and Demarest is racking his brain looking for ways to keep the Aztecs in contention. “I’ve got to figure out what we can do best,” Demarest said. “We’ll try to be as aggressive offensively as we can without being stupid . . . Hopefully, by league play, we will have improved enough to make an impact.”

1991 RECORDS OVERALL LEAGUE 21-7 10-4

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL

Dave Demarest: 328-131

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Ken Granger Jr. C R-R Chad Leckie Sr. 3B R-R

OTHER TOP RETURNERS YR. POS. B-T Mike Berg Sr. OF L-L Steve Lemmons Sr. 2B-P R-R Jim Livernois So. P-OF R-R Amador Martinez Sr. OF-SS R-R

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Zane Parkin Jr. 1B-OF L-L Bobby Ruiz Jr. U R-R