HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL / SEASON PREVIEW : FOOTHILL LEAGUE

Burbank

‘93 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 9-11 4-8

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COACH YEAR Chad Nammack 1st

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TOP RETURNEES YR POS Eric Beardsley Sr. 2B Romero Alvarez Jr. 3B Brian Sindle Sr. P Shawn Montgomery Sr. 1B

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Frank Garcia Jr. P Freddy Sanchez Sr. SS Jason Jonas Sr. IF

OUTLOOK

The Bulldogs’ one obvious strength can be found in an area where many other teams have concern: pitching. Alvarez, Garcia and Sindle have impressed Nammack. On the flip side, Burbank’s outfield will be manned by inexperienced players and Nammack is going with a sophomore shortstop. The offense will be devoid of power and will rely on team speed.

Burroughs

‘93 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 13-12 7-5

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COACH YEAR Jose Valle 1st

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TOP RETURNEES YR POS Chris Centeno Sr. 2B Juan Fernandez Sr. SS Mike Bassett Sr. P Ryan Balento Sr. P Josh Cartee Sr. P Mike Delgado Sr. C

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Robert Mena Sr. P Erick Ratliff Sr. 1B Steve Barrett Sr. 1B

OUTLOOK

After serving four seasons as an assistant, Valle inherits a team deep in pitching and experience. The defense is strong up the middle with the return of Centeno and Fernandez, two second-team all-leaguers who batted in the low .300s last year. Centeno, Bassett, a power hitter, and Delgado are third-year starters. The pitching staff will be bolstered by Mena, a transfer from Providence who is a three-time All-Southern Section selection.

Canyon

‘93 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 10-15 6-6

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COACH YEAR Scott Willis 3rd

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TOP RETURNEES YR POS Lucas Solomon Sr. P Pat McDermott Sr. P Brent Davidson Sr. P Brian Eggleston Jr. C Rick Harbo Sr. SS

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Ricky Engbrecht Jr. P Josh Stancil Sr. P R.J. Huish Sr. OF Eric Schmidt Jr. OF

OUTLOOK

What the Cowboys might be lacking in punch at the plate, they can counterbalance with low line scores. Some reliable fielders will back up an armed force of six pitchers, much improved and led by 6-foot-6, 210-pound right-hander Solomon. Canyon has a pair of left-handers in McDermott and Engbrecht, a rare commodity. “The team that’s most consistent will win the league,” Willis said. “We’ll make the routine play 99% of the time.”

Hart

‘93 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 19-10 8-4

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COACH YEAR Bud Murray 8th

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TOP RETURNEES YR POS Mike Adachi Sr. C Aaron Dean Sr. 1B Aron Miyata Sr. 2B Mike Espy Jr. OF Luis Sanchez Jr. P Brian Baron So. OF Eric Spindt Sr. P

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Jeremy Seipel Jr. OF Bobby Graves Fr. P Kevin Pitzer Sr. P Kevin Adams Sr. P Josh Weitzman Jr. P

OUTLOOK

The two-time defending league champs have five returning starters and enough new stock to get it done again. Miyata is a four-year starter. Adachi, Dean and Espy hit for power and average. Murray believes the 6-3 Dean and Sanchez are pro prospects. “We got one of the best pitchers (Sanchez) in the whole valley,” Murray said. “If we get a couple other guys to do an adequate job, we’ll be OK.”

Saugus

‘93 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 15-10 5-7

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COACH YEAR Doug Worley 18th

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TOP RETURNEES YR POS Danny Cato Sr. SS Brandon Hernandez Jr. 1B Jeff Brown Sr. C Dennis Gill Sr. 3B John Maggiora Sr. P Roger Carufel Sr. P Steve Rogers Sr. P

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Todd Brethour Sr. OF Darren Hoevel Jr. OF Nick Lawson Sr. OF Nate Wright So. 2B Jarrod Brunsman Jr. 2B

OUTLOOK

Even with the loss of Chad New, who hit .474 last season then moved to Oregon, the Centurions have several returnees whose incentive is to return to the playoffs after missing the cut for the first time in 11 seasons. Cato hit .368 last year. Left-hander Rogers, a 6-4 prospect, and Hernandez had ERAs of 2.15 and 2.23. Maggiora, a sidearm pitcher, was 6-2. The only possible weakness could be confidence. Said Worley: “We were timid last year.”