PREP BASEBALL 1992: SOUTH COAST LEAGUE

IRVINE

1991 RECORDS: OVERALL: 16-11-1 LEAGUE: 7-8-1

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL Bob Flint: 172-115-1

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Jason Minici Sr. C R-R Ryan Jones Jr. 1B R-R Chris Grienke Jr. 2B R-R Aron Garcia Jr. 3B-P R-R Chad Baker Sr. SS R-R Scott Seal Jr. RF R-R

OTHER TOP RETURNERS YR. POS. B-T Ryan O’Toole Sr. P R-R

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Tommy Lovie So. P-UTL R-R Loc Tran Jr. CF R-R

OUTLOOK

Flint is as confused as the next coach about which team should be considered the league favorite. The high number of standouts who graduated after last season leaves many questions to be answered in 1992. Irvine was fourth last season and missed a playoff berth, but Flint figures his team will improve a notch with seven returning players. The team is still young, however. Four of the seven were sophomores last season and the Vaqueros’ top two newcomers are underclassmen. Minici, a strong-armed quarterback, is one of the league’s best catchers. He also is the team’s only returning all-league selection. Seal was a standout running back on the football team. The two should prove to be keys to an improved offense. Pitching depth is a question for Flint, however. How well the pitching staff settles into a consistent groove will determine how far Irvine goes this season. If Garcia’s name is vaguely familiar, it should be. As a 12-year-old, he pitched the Northwood Little League team to the runner-up spot in the 1987 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. He has been a varsity starter at Irvine since he was a freshman.