PREP BASEBALL ‘94: EMPIRE LEAGUE

Cypress

1993 RECORDS:

OVERALL: 14-12

LEAGUE: 8-7

COACH: Mark Steinert

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 0-0

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Bobby Brito So. OF/P R-R Brian Flanagan Jr. 1B/P R-R Tim Larsen Sr. P L-R Dave Martin Sr. SS R-R David Ojeda Sr. 3B R-R

TOP RETURNER YR. POS. B-T Joe Meza Sr. 2B/OF L-R

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Jake Bratcher Jr. C R-R Bryan Huskey Jr. OF L-L Tom O’Malley Sr. 2B R-R Jeremy Ray Sr. Inf R-R Ray Rios Sr. P/1B L-L

OUTLOOK

The opportunity for Cypress to win a league championship might never be better. Esperanza, El Dorado and Katella--the dominant teams in recent years--are a bit down and the Centurions have plenty of talent. After back-to-back third-place finishes, this could be their year. They have an anchor in Brito, who was a Times Orange County selection as a freshman. He hit .542, which was second in the county, and had four home runs and 33 runs batted in. He’s bigger and stronger this season, but the Centurions won’t depend on one player. Also back is Flanagan, who was 7-1 during the regular season, and Larsen, who was 3-2, but beat El Dorado in the finale to clinch a playoff spot. Both were all-league selections. Martin moves from catcher to shortstop this season. He also is a solid No. 2 hitter. Bratcher will take Martin’s spot behind the plate. Rios gives them more depth on the mound. There are holes to fill, for sure. But the time could be right for the Centurions to step up in class.