PREP BASEBALL 1992: EMPIRE LEAGUE

Loara

1990 RECORDS: OVERALL: 10-15 LEAGUE: 5-10

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL Brian Batesole: 10-15

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Aaron France Sr. 1B-P L-R Kelly Poffenberger Sr. 3B R-R Jason Hoffman So. C R-R Jason Hart Sr. 2B R-R

OTHER TOP RETURNERS: None

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Tito Vasquez Jr. SS R-R Ean Brown So. 1B R-R Bill Milligan Jr. OF R-R

OUTLOOK

The Saxons finished fourth in Batesole’s first season as coach, but seemed to do it with mirrors. A number of experienced players combined with some solid newcomers should only make Loara an improved club this season. Hoffman started as a freshman last season, which is probably hard enough at any position. That he was a catcher made it all the more remarkable. Hoffman showed he was more than just a backstop, batting .285. All in all, it was a noteworthy debut. Among the returning starters, Hart, who hit .368, and Poffenberger (.343) had the top averages last season. Vasquez led the junior varsity with a .465 average and 20 runs batted in. Milligan hit .350 and Brown hit .325, so hitting doesn’t appear to be a problem for the Saxons this season. Defense, too, should not be a concern for Batesole. Pitching will probably be the biggest question mark, but the Saxons aren’t the only team facing that problem. How well they do depends on how well the staff, led by France (4-6, 3.50 earned-run average and 51 strikeouts in 1991), comes along. With the exception of El Dorado, the league favorite in most league coaches’ minds, Batesole rates the rest of the competition about equal. Strong, but equal.