PREP BASKETBALL 1993 / EMPIRE LEAGUE

ESPERANZA

1992 RECORDS OVERALL: 10-14 LEAGUE: 7-8

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL Mike Curran: 219-89-4

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Jason Goettsche Sr. P-OF R-R George Hart Sr. P L-L Sal Hernandez Sr. OF R-L Marcus Jones Sr. P-INF R-R Jason Murrietta Jr. C R-R Bill O’Connor Sr. 3B R-R Bobby Ponce Sr. 2B R-R Poncho Ruiz Sr. SS R-R

OTHER TOP RETURNERS: None

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Jeff Campau Sr. OF R-R Jason Webb So. 1B-3B R-R

OUTLOOK

The Aztecs are coming off an uncharacteristically poor season, and Curran isn’t quite sure how they’ll bounce back in 1993. Losing seasons are rare at Esperanza, and last year’s sub .500 record isn’t cause for great optimism in the Aztec ranks. The good news is that no fewer than eight starters are back from ’92. What’s more, Ruiz is back to 100% after missing all but two games at shortstop because of a shoulder injury. He did find a temporary niche at designated hitter, but he said he “didn’t really feel like a part of the team.” Nevertheless, he managed to hit a team-leading .409 with 10 doubles and four triples. Jones also was hurt last season, but judging by his performance on the Aztec basketball team is back to full strength. He’ll be counted on to provide some sorely needed pitching depth. So where does this all leave the Aztecs? Probably in better shape than Curran is admitting. No team has more to prove. Besides, most league coaches call the Aztecs one of the league favorites.