Youngsters Right in Middle of Things for Master’s : Baseball preview: Freshmen start at shortstop, second base and center field.

The green on The Master’s College baseball field will not be restricted to the infield and outfield grass this season.

The Mustangs--Colts might be more appropriate--will have freshmen at shortstop, second base and in center field.

Although experience at the corners surrounds the youngsters, remember what is commonly said about good baseball teams.

A clue: It is not, “They Are Young Up the Middle.”

“We are showing signs of being a good club by the end of year,” said Coach Chris Harrison, pointing out that freshmen Jeff Terrell (shortstop), David Scott (second baseman) and Garrick Moss (center fielder) need time to develop.

Consider the absence of catcher Dan O’Sullivan, a senior All-American who is out for the season because of a rotator cuff injury, and Harrison’s doubts are understandable.

Master’s has lost its first two games to Cal State Los Angeles and UC Riverside, NCAA Division II schools. Improving on last season’s 28-22 record seems remote, although Harrison is not discounting postseason play.

Reason: Master’s, an independent NAIA District 3 team, must beat only the other independent, Biola, in a season-ending best-of-seven series and have a better district record than the fourth-place team in the Golden State Athletic Conference to gain an invitation to the district tournament.

The remaining six District 3 teams are GSAC members. The top three GSAC finishers automatically qualify for the four-team tournament.

Much of the Mustangs’ chances rest on pitcher Chris Beck, a senior right-hander who is the school’s all-time leader with 22 victories. Last season, he matched the school mark of nine victories he set as a freshman.

“He’s gonna be a better pitcher this year, but whether his record will reflect that, we’ll see,” Harrison said.

Also in the rotation is Ryan Dowhower, a junior right-hander who sat out last year. He posted 10 victories in more than 100 innings for Hancock College in 1992. Freshman Mark Balch, a right-hander from North High in Bakersfield, is the third starter.

Relief pitchers include set-up men Matt Davis and Adam Davis and closer Jason Priske, who had three saves last season.

Providing experience in the field and production at the plate is first baseman Matt Hinsey, a junior who batted .343 last season. Other returning starters are senior left fielder Tony MacCaughtry (.291), sophomore third baseman Jayme Riggio (.279) and junior right fielder Kenya Hunt (.260).

Replacing O’Sullivan is Jeff Tomlinson, who hit .290 as a reserve last season. Sophomore Justin Miller is the designated hitter.