HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL / SOUTHERN SECTION PREVIEWS : FOOTHILL LEAGUE

Burbank

COACH: Dave Johnson, 3rd season

LAST SEASON: 18-6; 1st in league, 12-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Last season’s turnaround--Burbank went from fifth place to its first league title since 1972--is forgotten, Johnson said. The emphasis now is on maintaining success. That will be difficult with the departure of 11 players to graduation and a pitching staff as green as outfield grass. Three sophomores will pitch. Right-hander Shawn Montgomery (6-foot-2, 230 pounds) is the hardest thrower and right-hander John Bocanegra was 10-1 on a freshman team that was 15-4 last season. Left-hander Brian Sindle (4-0 as a freshman) throws breaking pitches that “relievers are made of,” Johnson said. Senior Marc Sauri, who bats left-handed, and sophomore Eric Beardsley, who bats right-handed, will platoon at catcher. Junior third baseman Brandon Mora batted .395 for the junior varsity last season and is the team’s best power hitter. Returnees include senior first baseman-reliever George Gonzalez, who batted .350 as a part-time designated hitter, and senior Willie Areu (13 stolen bases), who moves from right to center field. Junior Gino Archuleta, a transfer from Florida, is the probable starting shortstop. Senior Matt Hernandez will play second base and serve as a utility player. OUTLOOK: Pitching will make or break the Bulldogs. “This is a club that’s going to start slow,” Johnson said. “If we’re going to be good, it’ll be four to six weeks into the season. If there is anything you can say about this ballclub, it’s that the talent exists, but it hasn’t been tested.”

Burroughs

COACH: Terry Scott, 3rd season

LAST SEASON: 4-17; 6th in league, 3-12

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Starting pitcher Mike Rossiter’s departure to the Oakland Athletics’ organization has left a void, to say the least, in Burroughs’ pitching staff. The load will be shared by several pitchers. Seniors Dave Cantella, a left-hander, and Steve Acosta, a right-hander, are the top starting candidates. Cantella, who batted .333 and stole 19 bases in 19 attempts last season, will bat leadoff and play outfield. Acosta, 1-1 last season, will split duty in left field. Senior left-hander Ryan Cates, who plays first base, and junior shortstop Jerry Ruiz, also will pitch in spots. Junior Holland Cowger, who will pitch and play third base, could be a sleeper, Scott said. The lineup will include at least four left-handed batters, which should be to the Indians’ advantage at home. It is only 275 feet down the line to the right-field fence. Cantella, senior third baseman Jay Martinson, senior right fielder Hector Perez and junior left fielder Karl Castro, “one of the best left-handed hitters ever to come out of Burroughs,” Scott said, all hit from the left side. Junior Troy Wilson, last year’s starting shortstop, will play third and shortstop. Speedy senior second baseman Art Kruprasert moves into a starting role.

OUTLOOK: Last season, the Indians lost eight games in the opponents’ final at-bat. They needed a reliever then, and they need one now. “The main thing that hurts us is the lack of another pitcher,” Scott said. Offensively, Burroughs will be aggressive on the basepaths.

Hart

COACH: Bud Murray, 6th season

LAST SEASON: 16-7, 2nd in league, 11-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: This might be the youngest team in Murray’s tenure. While pitching traditionally has been a strength at Hart, the Indians’ staff is largely inexperienced. Senior right-hander Doug Distaso throws a good curve, Murray said but has not pitched in organized play. Junior right-hander Gary Stephenson, who was 1-0 as a varsity reserve last season, is the other starter. The bullpen is equally green with sophomore Eric Spindt, the probable top reliever, and freshman Luis Sanchez, making their varsity debuts. The infield is experienced. Senior John Aguilar (.303 last season) and sophomore Aron Miyata (.267) return at shortstop and second base. Senior third baseman Ted Kiester moves into a starting role. All three will help form a solid infield, Murray said. Senior first baseman Mike Welch, up from the junior varsity, is learning fast. Murray is optimistic about sophomore catcher Mike Adachi. In the outfield, senior Alan Ray, a three-year varsity member who batted .394 last season, and Distaso, who batted .395, will start. Strong-armed sophomore Soren Halladay and junior Casey Niccum also are vying for starting jobs. Junior Frank Sanchez, Luis’ brother, will serve as the designated hitter and play utility.

OUTLOOK: Hart’s uniforms are red, white and black, but color Murray’s corps green. “Our kids are young, but we’re going to have some fun,” he said. “If we have an Achilles’ heel, it’s pitching right now.”