HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL / LEAGUE PREVIEWS : City Section : NORTH VALLEY

Cleveland

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 3-20 2-15

COACH YEAR Steve Landress 4th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Casey Roth Jr. C James Brignac Jr. SS Kelvin Delgado Sr. C Nathan Lee Jr. 1B Mike Schultz So. P Chris Vasquez So. OF/IF Greg Walter Jr. OF/DH

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Jared Mills So. P Brandon Williams Jr. P Max Santillian Fr. 3B Alfonso Hernandez Jr. OF/C Marc Kropfl Jr. OF

OUTLOOK

Seven starters return from a team that struggled in 1994. The Cavaliers’ strength is up the middle, with Brignac--who stars in football, basketball and baseball--and Roth. Mills, a transfer from Crespi, is expected to bolster the pitching staff. Santillian will start at third.

Granada Hills

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 16-8 11-6

COACH YEAR Darryl Stroh 26th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Jimmy Landress Sr. CF Josh Goldberg Sr. P Jarrett Gold Sr. C Jarrod Penwarden Jr. C Adrian Torres Jr. OF John Bolyard Jr. P Nick Pikor Sr. 3B

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Brian MacLean Sr. P/OF Fernando Pattison Sr. OF

OUTLOOK

The Highlanders may go as far as Landress and Goldberg can take them, possibly to the conference championship and deep into the playoffs. Landress, who gave up football after last season to concentrate on baseball, hit .443 with four home runs and 26 RBIs. Goldberg (8-5, 2.49 ERA) and Bolyard (5-2, 1.82) are experienced starters.

Kennedy

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 17-11 10-7

COACH YEAR Manny Alvarado 7th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS George Kassis Sr. P/1B Kevin Serr Sr. C David Sato Jr. P/SS Terrmel Sledge Sr. CF Aldo Pinto Jr. 3B Andy Montes Sr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Jon Garland So. 1B/P Lino Gonzalez Sr. INF Nick Intenzo Jr. OF Gary Medrano Jr. OF Derek Morse Jr. P Mike Ramirez Jr. 2B

OUTLOOK

The Golden Cougars may be one of the most-improved teams and could challenge for a league title. Serr (.427, four home runs, 41 RBIs), Sledge (.342) and Kassis are all established players. Serr was the only junior named to The Times’ All-Valley first team. Kassis pitched only 15 1/3 innings, but is ready to be the ace of the staff. Several players from the junior varsity will help fill any holes.

San Fernando

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 6-20 5-12

COACH YEAR Dan Heim 2nd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Javier Barragan Sr. SS/P Carlos Jimenez Sr. C Angel Hernandez Sr. CF Danny Rodriguez Sr. 1B

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Julio Sandoval Jr. P Fernando Martin Sr. 2B Javier Navarro Jr. OF/DH Julian Puentes Sr. P

OUTLOOK

The Tigers have the offense to keep up with the rest of the conference teams but their lack of pitching depth may prove fatal. Sandoval was 6-1 for the junior varsity and Barragan may be used as a closer. Puentes, a transfer from Quartz Hill, may help. Several players will switch positions. Jimenez started at first base last season and Rodriguez was a designated hitter.

WEST VALLEY

Birmingham

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 15-14 10-7

COACH YEAR Rick Weber 2nd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Pedro Rodriguez Sr. OF/P Jimmy Uline Sr. C Lionel Villareal Sr. SS Jason Barbanell Sr. 1B Hector Garcia Jr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Alberto Flores So. P/1B Facundo Barrera So. 3B Ronny Reynosa So. 2B Henry Salas So. OF Fernando Centeno Jr. P/OF Andres Ycaza Jr. P/UT

OUTLOOK

The Braves will be inexperienced, not a preferred way to begin their first season in the Northwest Valley Conference, even if they were Mid-Valley League champions. Rodriguez stole 18 bases and was an All-City selection. The pitching staff will be bolstered by the arrival of Centeno and Ycaza, exchange students from Ecuador. Flores, Barrera, Reynosa and Salas all excelled for the junior varsity.

Chatsworth

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 28-5 16-1

COACH YEAR Tom Muesborn 6th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Rod Daryabigi Sr. 2B Ray Daryabigi Sr. CF/P Harry Kenoi Sr. P Oscar Bocanegra Sr. P Tony Ardito Sr. C Danny Phillips Jr. 3B Kirby Faciane Jr. RF Fred Farzaneh Sr. P/DH

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Jon Tucker Sr. 1B Joe Tillmon Jr. SS

OUTLOOK

The Chancellors return three starters from a team that pushed El Camino Real to nine innings in the 4-A championship game. The returnees will be bolstered by the addition of Tucker (.370), a transfer from Alemany. Kenoi did not pitch last season after suffering an arm injury but he’s fully recovered and should be the strongest pitcher. If Kenoi falters, Bocanegra, who pitched five scoreless innings in relief in the championship game, is more than capable.

El Camino Real

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 23-7 11-6

COACH YEAR Mike Maio 13th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Gavin Bible Jr. 3B Roee Meisels Jr. 3B/SS Marvin Jones Sr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Steve Nelsojvn Sr. SS/2B Byron Carnes Jr. 2B Matt Cowie Jr. 1B Allan Takagi Sr. P Nick Lombard Jr. OF Shaun Fishman So. P Raymond LeDuck So. C David Rusch Jr. C

OUTLOOK

Life after Randy Wolf, and two consecutive 4-A championships, begins with only three returning varsity players and one starter (Bible). But the Conquistadores had only three returning players last season, although one was Wolf (12-3, 1.19). Maio will shuffle the lineup in nonleague games to find the right mix. He has several talented sophomores to choose from, including Fishman, the quarterback for the football team.

Taft

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 16-16 9-8

COACH YEAR Rich McKeon 8th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Dusty Cook Sr. P Justin Collins Sr. P Rusty Jenkins Sr. P Mike Rolbin Sr. CF Greg Venger Sr. SS Mike Ross Jr. 2B

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Ryan Long So. OF Shawn Villalovos Sr. 3B Mitch Spector Fr. C

OUTLOOK

The Toreadors hope to build on last season’s playoff run, when they reached the 4-A semifinals before losing to Chatsworth. McKeon can start with one of the deepest pitching staffs in the area. Cook (9-5, 3.05) and Collins (7-5, 2.84) pitched extensively last season. Rolbin missed the fall season with a back injury but appears to be sufficently recovered. Long will provide speed in the outfield.

EAST VALLEY

Grant

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 11-13 8-9

COACH YEAR Jeremy Lawrence 2nd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Dylan Forman Sr. SS Walter Rios Sr. P/OF Adam Frank Sr. CF Greg Levine Sr. 2B

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Carlos Martinez Jr. 3B Daniel Rothman Sr. OF Brian Levine Fr. C Danny Larios Sr. 1B

OUTLOOK

The Lancers should have four solid hitters at the top of the order in Forman, Rios and the Levines. But the pitching is young and lacks depth behind Rios, who was 3-1 with a 1.75 ERA last season. Forman, a three-year varsity player, anchors a defense that is strong up the middle but has question marks. Brian Levine, a freshman, is pressed into a starting assignment at catcher and first baseman Larios is out four to eight weeks after breaking his left ankle while sliding in practice.

North Hollywood

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 7-16 1-16

COACH YEAR George Vranau 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Danny Curtin Jr. OF/P Rafael Chaidez Jr. P Luis Gutierrez Jr. 3B Michael Ueyama Jr. 2B Hector Menchaca Jr. OF Otoniel Flores Jr. C

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Victor Zamora Sr. C Jesse Jurado Sr. P Jerrit Redlich Fr. SS Daniel Eisenberg Fr. 1B Dennis Bent Jr. P Merrill Dunn So. P/IF Cesar Soto So. P/OF

OUTLOOK

The Huskies have only one senior in the starting lineup, yet have experience--thanks to the return of six juniors who played as sophomores. Gutierrez will step into a leadership role in a non-senior infield that includes a freshman shortstop. Curtin and Chaidez are seasoned starters but Vranau has no stoppers and will use a committee of relief pitchers. Senior Mike Delano, a 6-6 left-hander with an 80-plus m.p.h. fastball, is academically ineligible. Hitting and defense are question marks.

Poly

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 22-4 14-3

COACH YEAR Chuck Schwal 3rd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Jaime Cerna Sr. OF Paul Cespedes Sr. 1B Ray Montenegro Sr. 2B Jose Soto Sr. SS Hugo DeLaTorre Sr. P Paco Hernandez Sr. OF Jaime Corona Sr. LF Frank Ozaeta Sr. P/OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Jose Sandoval Sr. OF Steve Guerrero Jr. 3B Tony Iovino Sr. P Jerry Heredia Jr. P Travis McGivern Jr. C Christian Hernandez Sr. C

OUTLOOK

“I’ve never had a team with 20 good athletes like this, guys who can get the job done,” said Schwal, to the envy of many colleagues who are looking desperately for a few reliable hands. In fact, the Parrots might be better than 22-4 this season. The defense is improved. Montenegro (.400 last season) and Guerrero (.420 in American Legion) will anchor the offense. Poly pitching (DeLaTorre was 8-0) is usually strong.

Sylmar

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 25-6 15-2

COACH YEAR Gary Donatella 7th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Hiram Damwijk Sr. SS Jose Palacios Sr. C Chris Ruley Jr. 3B Steve Zamora Sr. P/OF Rafael Valazco Jr. P/OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Javier Ruelas Jr. P/OF Rene Zavala Jr. 1B Mike Cervantes Sr. OF Ruben Monreal Sr. 2B Mario Rodriguez Jr. 2B

OUTLOOK

The Spartans might have the athletes to compete with Poly. The keys are defense and pitching. The outfield and the right side of the infield are new. Aside from Zamora, who was 4-0 last year, the pitching staff is stocked with competitive but inexperienced players. Sylmar might not win 20 games in a row as it did last year, but the Spartans should outscore many opponents with a lineup that could produce six .300 hitters. Ruley hit six home runs in American Legion.

MID-VALLEY

Canoga Park

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 8-13 3-5

COACH YEAR Jim Smith 7th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Jeremiah Johnson Sr. 3B Ryan Sylva Sr. 1B David Vargas Jr. C/OF Kevin Fishman Sr. OF Hector Hernandez Sr. IF Emy Gallegos Sr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Emy Soriano Sr. C Steve Ramos Jr. IF Walter Weiss Jr. C Raymar Adams Jr. OF

OUTLOOK

Returning all-league player Johnson batted over .400 last season and should be strong at the plate again along with Vargas and Fishman. Run production might not be a problem, but stopping the bats of opponents could be. The bulk of mound duties will be shared by Johnson, Sylva and Soriano, none of whom pitched much last year.

Monroe

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 9-14 8-9

COACH YEAR Kevin Campbell 10th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS David Lusk So. C Wayne Nix Sr. P Mike Perez Sr. P Alfredo Aleman Sr. CF Ricardo Loredo Sr. 2B Evan Lovett Sr. RF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Sigi Arroyo Jr. SS Josh Miranda So. OF John Ennis Fr. P/3B

OUTLOOK

The Vikings have the personnel to get to the playoffs, yet Campbell has concerns about his middle defense, depth at pitching and run production. The offense was “pathetic” last year because several players didn’t live up to promise. But Monroe has three first-team all-league players in Lusk (.375), Nix and Aleman. Campbell thinks Nix could be as good on the mound as 1994 ace Joel Zamudio and provide power at the plate. Arroyo batted over .400 and Miranda stole 48 bases for the junior varsity.

Reseda

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 5-12 6-14

COACH YEAR Mike Stone 17th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Brian Menkin Jr. P/C Alonso Arreola Sr. 3B Jorge Macias Sr. 1B Matt Rutter Sr. OF Michael Oxx Sr. CF Bobby Carrera Jr. OF Sean Hernandez Sr. P

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Isaac Lopez Jr. 2B

OUTLOOK

The Regents could be competitive, but how much so will depend on whether they can find a shortstop and a pair of magic hands to heal the ailing shoulder of Macias, the team’s top pitcher. Stone said the family of Macias, currently playing first base, has chosen massage therapy as the remedy. Meanwhile, Menkin and Hernandez must carry the load.

Van Nuys

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 10-18 6-11

COACH YEAR Jim Friery 2nd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Yuri Cuervo Sr. SS Joe Mendez Sr. 2B Avo Atolikian Sr. C Eddie Lanires Sr. C/P Juan Cortez Sr. 1B Chris Byfield Sr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Carlos Flores Jr. 1B Frank Casaccia Jr. OF

OUTLOOK

With an inexperienced pitching staff and unproven hitting and defense, the Wolves will have to rely on fundamentals and execution. “We’re not going to be a very spectacular club in any phase,” Friery said. “But if we execute them all, we’ll win some games.” Cuervo and Mendez are known more for their defense than their bats. Cuervo had 21 stolen bases in 22 attempts last season.

NORTHEASTERN

Verdugo Hills

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 7-11 1-8

COACH YEAR John Vera 4th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Jeff Martin Jr. C Abe Ortiz Sr. P/SS Rory Roberts Jr. 3B Ethan Slimak So. 2B Danny Craig Sr. 1B

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Mark Lindop Jr. P-1B Nick Lo Sardo So P/UTL Anthony Medal Jr. OF Daryl Ramos Jr. C Cameron Sanchez So. OF Casey Thompson Jr. OF Johnny Thompson Jr. OF Jerry Brehme So. 3B Garrett Heiberger So. UTL

OUTLOOK

Vera believes the infield is solid and he likes the attitude of the players. “It’s a young team that wants to make a showing,” he said. Craig (6-4, 330 pounds) can hit with power.

SOUTHERN SECTION

MARMONTE

Agoura

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 7-18 2-12

COACH YEAR Bryan Maloney 2nd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Tyler Taylor Sr. RHP Matt Gershon Sr. C Corey Fish Sr. 1B John Dalrymple Sr. SS Chris Cicuto Jr. 3B Lanny Wallace Sr. RF Craig Gladstone Sr. CF Pat Costello Sr. DH/OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Mitch Tisher Sr. LF Manny Mosqueda Jr. SS Brent Hebert Fr. 2B

OUTLOOK

The Chargers return five full-time starters from last year’s team and three part-time starters. Add into the mix Mosqueda, a talented transfer from Crespi, and there is reason for optimism around Agoura. But the league might still be too deep for the Chargers to make the playoffs.

Camarillo

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 12-12 7-7

COACH YEAR Scott Cline 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Rodell Desamparo Jr. DH Nathan Kaup Jr. RHP-IF Scott Bolan Sr. LF Matt Buttell Sr. CF Mike Muller Sr. C Nick Moody Sr. SS Ryan Bourget Sr. RHP

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Mike Corrall Jr. LHP Joe Borchard So. OF Andy Kroenberger So. UT Colin Foutz Jr. RHP

OUTLOOK

Kaup, Desamparo, Buttell and Bourget are returning key players. Buttell is a four-year starter. Desamparo hit .400 in league games. Kaup was 3-1 in league games. The Scorpions will be trying to make the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, when Cline was a Camarillo player.

Channel Islands

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 17-11 8-6

COACH YEAR Al Tarazon 3rd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Armando Magallanes Sr. C Kenny Long Sr. RHP Mookie Boyd Jr. SS Charles Merricks So. LHP Carlos Morales Sr. 3B Dennis Brown Sr. LF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Steven Juarez Jr. CF Jared Krehbiel Fr. C

OUTLOOK

The pitching should be sound with the return of Long (7-1, 3.26 ERA), but no returning regular player hit over .300. Tarazon said the team will rely on speed and fundamentals. Channel Islands will travel to tournaments in Palm Springs and Arizona. Tarazon is high on his young battery of Merricks and Krehbiel.

Newbury Park

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 19-8 11-3

COACH YEAR Gary Fabricius 9th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Kes Anderson Sr. 1B Matt Cassaro Jr. 3B Adam Reinwasser Sr. OF-1B Eric Mahanke Sr. OF-DH Mike Amundson Jr. RHP

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Brent Bush Jr. SS Kevin Tortorice Jr. 2B Chris Czernek So. SS Justin Vint Jr. OF Dustin Tubb Sr. RHP Justin Flame Jr. RHP Scott Allen Sr. RHP Chris Thogerson So. RHP Justin Schulz Sr. IF-OF

OUTLOOK

The Panthers are a longshot to repeat as league champs. They lost most of their starters, including three all-county players. The only returning starters are Anderson and Cassaro, who only played in the field. This year’s most-promising pitcher is Tubb, who had a brief but sparkling varsity debut last year.

Royal

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 15-9 8-6

COACH YEAR Dan Maye 6th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Adrian Mendoza Jr. 1B Manny Alvarado Sr. 2B Brent Egan Sr. SS Ben Lemos Sr. C Sean Fossen Sr. RF Kevin Mellinger Jr. CF Matt Pitstick Jr. RHP Sonny Romero Sr. RHP

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Kevin McQuigan Sr. LF Dorian Stitt Jr. LF Zack Gordon Jr. 3B Mike Devan Jr. 3B Tom Manos Sr. LHP Bryant Leppard Jr. RHP Ryan Nielsen So. RHP

OUTLOOK

Because the Highlanders return six starters, they are considered the league favorite. Lemos is one of the area’s top catchers and a professional prospect. He and Fossen will form the heart of the order. Pitstick and Manos, a 6-2 transfer from Simi Valley, will be the top pitchers.

Simi Valley

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 20-7 10-4

COACH YEAR Mike Scyphers 17th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Jeff Michael Sr. 1B Tim Nykoluk Sr. 2B Brian Kavanagh Sr. C Dan Schwartz Sr. SS Robert Gonzalez Jr. LF Aric Porro Jr. CF David Krewson So. RF Casey Vermette Sr. RHP

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Adam Springston Sr. RHP Bill Castonguay Jr. LHP Robert Comeau Jr. 3B

OUTLOOK

The Pioneers, perennial league powers, have a solid corps of returning starters, but their pitching will be the question. With seniors Kary Kozlowski, Bill Scheffels and Nathan Celusta pitching almost all the innings last year, that left little room for Vermette. A top prospect to fill the void might be Springston, who is 6-5.

Thousand Oaks

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 12-12 5-9

COACH YEAR Jim Hansen 21st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Tim Baron Sr. RHP Micah Weathers Jr. LHP Matt Kolkowski Sr. C Eric Soliz Sr. 1B Jeff Mortimer Sr. RHP

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Santos Mummey Jr. RHP Ryan Lane Jr. UT Brent Hirsh Jr. IF Ryan Holmes Jr. LF Mike Lauer Jr. IF Jack Wilson Jr. 2B-SS Ronnie Hanks Sr. 2B Steve Yeager Jr. C Bill Sperry Sr. OF Scott McEwan So. RHP

OUTLOOK

The Lancers are in another rebuilding year, Hansen admits, but they have hope for a good finish because of Baron (5-5, 1.38 last year), one of the league’s top pitchers. Weathers, the Lancers’ top left-handed pitcher, will be out until mid-April with an arm problem. Soliz (.377, 24 RBIs) is the top returning hitter. Mummey was the top pitcher on the junior varsity last season. Hirsh, a transfer from Westlake, can pitch, catch and play shortstop or third base.

Westlake

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 14-13 5-9

COACH YEAR Bob Wade 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Todd Singleton Sr. RHP Aaron Tapking Sr. C Joe Primack Sr. 1B Brian Schuster Sr. 2B Kevin McClure Sr. 2B Josh Eby Sr. DH Corey Kling Sr. OF Eric Devine Sr. RHP Billy Treese Sr. RHP

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Jay Kenney Jr. RHP Mike Davidson Jr. LHP Todd Kostjuk Jr. SS Tim Carr Jr. 3B Mike McHargue Jr. C Matt Riordan Jr. OF Chris Parker So. C

OUTLOOK

Westlake could have the league’s best starting duo, with Singleton and Kenney. Kenney is a question mark, though, because he suffered mild injuries during a minor car accident last month. Like last year, though, Westlake’s hitting could be what holds it back in a tough league.