SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL / LEAGUE PREVIEWS

DELPHIC

Campbell Hall

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 1-19 0-10

COACH YEAR Joe Sciuto 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Andreas Fehrle Sr. C John Pollak Sr. SS Erik Rasmussen Jr. P Mike Appel Jr. CF Brian Kriegler So. P/OF Thomas Rainey Sr. LF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Helemanu Wallace Jr. 3B Chris Poole So. OF

OUTLOOK

With six seniors, the Vikings have their most-experienced team in years. They also have their best turnout in recent memory: 30 players, enough to field a junior varsity team for the second year in a row. But they still have to shuffle players. Fehrle must move from shortstop to catcher. Rasmussen could be one of the league’s best pitchers and batted .440 last season in league play.

Faith Baptist

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 10-11 5-5

COACH YEAR Greg Weiss 6th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Judd Granzow Sr. P/OF Colby Carpenter Sr. P/OF Rani Zahr Sr. C Robert Escalante Sr. OF Jay Carpenter Jr. P/SS

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Steven Plise Fr. OF Tim Greer Fr. 2B Robert McIntyre Sr. 3B Rudy Mendoza Fr. UT

OUTLOOK

The Contenders believe they can live up to their name this season after fielding an American Legion team for the first time last summer. Faith Baptist finished 12-9, including a victory over district champion Chatworth. The pitching shows promise, as does the defense. But run production is a concern. Granzow, who hit three home runs in a game last year, can’t do it alone.

FOOTHILL

Burbank

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 10-14 4-8

COACH YEAR Chad Nammack 2nd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Jason Jonas Sr. P Ramiro Alvarez Sr. P/3B Freddy Sanchez Jr. SS Kevin Kimmer Sr. P Courtney Ranshaw Sr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Jason Kusher Jr. CF Jeff Atkinson Jr. LF

OUTLOOK

The Bulldogs appear to lack depth, which usually means trouble in the Foothill League. Coach Nammack says the talent is “very average.” Burbank is counting on Jonas, who hit nearly .500 last eason, and Alvarez to have blockbuster seasons. Much-injured Sanchez also is a key. If he can stay healthy, Nammack said Sanchez has Division I potential. Burbank would love to benefit from some of it.

Burroughs

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 12-12-1 5-7

COACH YEAR Jose Valle 2nd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Devin Grace Jr. SS Anthony Fabrizio So. 1B/P

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Dustin Wride Jr. P Tommy Perez Fr. UT Eli Albertson Jr. 3B Mike Lizarraga So. 2B Leonard Silva So. P Brian Nichols Jr. P

OUTLOOK

With only two seniors, nine juniors, four sophomores and a freshman, the Indians are probably a year away from perhaps contending for a league title. But Valle thinks they can make inroads this year, especially if Burroughs can develop some run-scoring ability to complement good pitching and defense. The Indians could challenge for third place.

Canyon

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 7-14-1 3-9

COACH YEAR Scott Willis 4th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Rick Engbrecht Sr. P Mike Bench Sr. IF Wayne Mahaffey Sr. 1B Rob Phelan Sr. 2B Eric Schmidt Sr. OF Rob Varnon Sr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Dan Freeman Sr. IF Rick Thomas So. P

OUTLOOK

The biggest improvement at Canyon this year might be the look of its ballpark, which got an overhaul in the off-season. The team remains questionable, particularly its pitching. The Cowboys have 13 seniors but only three started last season. With a reliable defense, which features speed and good arms in the outfield, Canyon hopes it can make low-scoring games a trademark. The team lost its best hitter last fall when Mike Bland transferred to Hart.

Hart

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 21-6 11-1

COACH YEAR Bud Murray 9th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Luis Sanchez Sr. P/1B Jeremy Seipel Sr. CF Brian Baron Sr. OF Chad Ott Sr. SS Brian Wallace Sr. OF Josh Weitzman Sr. 1B/OF Mike Haynes Sr. OF Bobby Graves So. P Chris Baker Sr. P Mike Espy Sr. DH

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Mike Bland Jr. 3B Ron Jones Sr. P Eric Horvat So. 2B Eric Ballew So. C

OUTLOOK

With several returners and at least five solid players transferring in via open enrollment, the Indians will be loaded. Even with the loss of Graves, one of the league’s top pitchers, the Indians have Sanchez, whose three-year varsity record is 20-3, and strong arms in Baker, Jones and Brandon Hosaka. The only chink in the armor for the defending league champions could be a shaky defense in the early going, caused by a shake-up in the infield.

Saugus

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 17-9 7-5

COACH YEAR Doug Worley 20th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Darren Hoevel Sr. P/OF Jarrod Brunsman Sr. 3B David Wilson Sr. OF Jesse Alvarado Sr. 2B Nate Wright Jr. SS

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Brad Fogel Jr. P Derek Lyons Jr. P/C Jeremy Mushinski Jr. C Kyle Jolly Jr. IF John Karr Fr. OF Ron Nichols Jr. P

OUTLOOK

If any team can give Hart a run, it’s Saugus. But the Centurions will have to do it without their Division I prospect, Brandon Hernandez. Hernandez, who batted better than .300 last year and would have been the team’s top returning pitcher, has been declared academically ineligible. Worley will have to promote some young pitchers and rush them along. But the defense is strong and Wright, Hoevel, Brunsman and Wilson all have the potential to hit .300.

GOLDEN

Antelope Valley

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 14-10 11-4

COACH YEAR Ed t’Sas 5th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Kevin Barlow So. SS Jeremy Holiday So. P David Nichols Sr. 1B

TOP NEWCOMERS: None

OUTLOOK

T’Sas has several talented young players, including Barlow and Holiday, but after losing several starters from last season, he hasn’t been pleased with the progress in practice. “About the only thing I can promise is we’ll show up for all the games on time,” t’Sas said. Barlow (.411) was an All-Golden League selection as a freshman and Holiday was 9-1 with a 2.31 ERA.

Highland

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 2-21 0-15

COACH YEAR Mike Van Cheri 5th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Joe Chavez Jr. SS Robert Reezes Sr. OF Jesse Herrera Sr. P Carlos Chavez So. P Kevin Wright Sr. 3B

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Eric Torrez Jr. C Ryan Mercier Jr. P Kevin Holeman Jr. 2B Marcus Prezost So. OF Dan O’Haver So. P/OF Jody Barnett Jr. 1B/P Corey King So. C/OF

OUTLOOK

Van Cheri is optimistic because the junior varsity team won the league championship in 1994 and finished second in 1993. The Bulldogs are counting on several multiple-sport athletes, including Wright, who won the Southern Section Division IV wrestling championship at 171 pounds, and was all-league as a linebacker. Herrera and Chavez should provide strong pitching.

Littlerock

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 11-13 7-8

COACH YEAR Bernie Kyman 2nd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Bob Roberts Sr. 2B/P James Jefferson Sr. CF John Stock Jr. SS Ricardo Lopez Jr. 3B Chris Doster Sr. C Aaron Green Sr. 1B

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Mike Aiken Jr. OF Keijuan Douglas Jr. P/OF

OUTLOOK

Four starters return for Kyman’s second season, which promises to be the most competitive in school history--the schedule includes games against Simi Valley and Chatsworth. The most intriguing of the newcomers might be Douglas, who was the starting quarterback for Poly in 1993 and San Fernando in ’94 before moving last month. He has never played organized baseball, but might be the best athlete on the team.

Palmdale

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 19-7 11-4

COACH YEAR Randy Lintemoot 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Chris Paxton Sr. C Shad Martin Sr. SS Tim Guzman Sr. RF Justice Jones Sr. LF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Ben Mia Jr. P/CF Tony Haven Sr. P Denver Martinez Sr. 2B

OUTLOOK

Lintemoot replaces Kent Bothwell, who left to become assistant athletic director and assistant baseball coach at South Dakota State. The Falcons’ first priority is to replace David Glick, who had 139 strikeouts in 76 innings. Paxton is a solid start to the offense--he has 36 doubles and 83 runs batted in in his career. Lintemoot is excited about transfers Mia (Highland), Haven (Quartz Hill) and Martinez (Highland).

Quartz Hill

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 11-13 6-9

COACH YEAR Mike Nielson 4th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Kyle Goss Sr. 3B Aaron Brown Sr. OF Jonathan Smith Sr. C Darrell Hussman Sr. 1B/P Matt Wilson Sr. OF Aaron St. George Sr. OF David Fischnich Sr. INF Jeremy Davm Sr. P

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Mark Madsen So. P Joseph Lyles So. C/3B

OUTLOOK

Although the Rebels finished fourth in the league, Quartz Hill is the preseason favorite of most coaches because of eight returning starters. Goss (.525, six home runs, 27 runs scored) and Brown (.394) were first-team all-league picks and Hussman (.391) may be the best long-term prospect. Pitching might be the only concern. Quartz Hill must replace Roger Worley (91 strikeouts in 58 innings), who signed with the Orioles.

MISSION

Alemany

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 20-6 11-3

COACH YEAR Tim Browne 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Rudy Pantoja Sr. P Robbie Glenn Sr. C Robbie Rehfeld Sr. OF Bill Scott So. OF Kris Yeaman Sr. 3B Doug Segraves Sr. 2B Monie Jensen Sr. DH Gus Lira Sr. SS Todd Hoover Sr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Chris Weems Jr. P Rex Supa Sr. 1B Mike Pacheco Jr. P

OUTLOOK

The Indians figure to bust some fences. Several players were members of last summer’s Mission Hills American Legion team that averaged 10 1/2 runs a game and batted .405. As a pitcher, Pantoja last season was 6-0 in the league. “Our main strength is that we are a good team ,” said Browne, a long-time Alemany assistant. “There are no individual stars.”

Chaminade

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 17-10 8-6

COACH YEAR Denny Barrett 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Kevin Lohman Sr. SS Brandon Gray Sr. C Tony Castleberry Sr. 2B Gabe Crecion Jr. P/1B Jason Giovannettone Jr. OF Scott Shubeck Jr. 3B/P

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Vince Kolbe Jr. 1B Ryan Hamill So. OF Scot Davis Jr. OF Justin Stewart Fr. OF Matt Sagoian So. P

OUTLOOK

Crecion, among the area’s hardest throwers, might be the league’s best pitcher and Shubeck, who moves to the mound after starting a season at third base, is a formidable second starter, Barrett said. Giovannettone, the offensive catalyst, led the league with 24 stolen bases but is recovering from a fractured leg. Gray last season had 15 RBIs in 13 league games.

Crespi

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 16-10 8-6

COACH YEAR Scott Muckey 9th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Brad Farlow Sr. OF Chris Crawley Jr. 2B Barry Matthews Jr. 2B Jesse Slade Sr. C Jon Cuccias Jr. P Tony Gonzalez Sr. C John Campenella Jr. OF Ray Munoz Sr. UTL Matt Long Sr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Brian Luderer Jr. SS

OUTLOOK

Without a dominant pitcher, Muckey might go to pitching by committee. “We’re looking at no one pitching more than three or four innings,” Muckey said. There’s good speed and more than enough hitting, though. Farlow batted .463 with 31 RBIs last season and was an all-Southern Section selection. Crawley batted .368.

Harvard-Westlake

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 13-14 4-10

COACH YEAR Jim Brink 15th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Derek Lemkin Sr. C Andy Gadt Sr. INF/P Ari Isaacson Sr. P David Tuizer Sr. SS Spencer Hudnut Sr. 3B Mike Young Sr. 1B

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Jordan Krall So. INF Jeff Kendig Jr. P Peter Richards Jr. OF/C Ryan Smiley So. INF

OUTLOOK

Harvard-Westlake appears solid everywhere except where it may matter most: pitching. Isaacson, who pitched sparingly last season, is the only pitcher with varsity experience. Lemkin, who moves from first base to catcher, batted .305 with 35 RBIs. The Wolverines might need that kind of offensive production from several players if they are to contend.

Notre Dame

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 21-6 11-1

COACH YEAR Tom Dill 3rd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Andy Lutz Sr. P Chris Crowley Sr. 1B Robbie Brewster Sr. UTL Mike Acosta Jr. 3B Wes Klain Sr. INF Edgar Nava Jr. 1B Matt Egan Sr. P

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Chris Cross Jr. P Marc Jannone Jr. UTL Steve Maitland Jr. INF Shawn Smith So. p/OF

OUTLOOK

In each of the past two seasons, Notre Dame has had an 11-game winner and advanced to the section semifinals. Lutz is capable of such a season if he recovers from arm soreness. “If Lutz is strong, we’re strong,” Dill said. The pervasive winning attitude Dill has instilled won’t likely disappear. “Last year, we just had a group of guys who didn’t like to lose,” Dill said. “Hopefully, we’ll have the same group.”

St. Francis

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 13-11 6-6

COACH YEAR Bob Evans 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Paul Diaz Jr. P Joe Baldino Sr. P Mike Henderson Sr. P Danny Fernandez Sr. P Raul Lepe Sr. P Steve Morotta Sr. C Ray Corrales Sr. SS Danny Phillips Sr. 2B Ryan Ventrella Sr. 3B Frankie Martin Sr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Dan Sereno Jr. OF Mike Velazquez Jr. 1B

OUTLOOK

St.Francis moves from the Del Rey League under the tutelage of Evans, a former assistant at St. Francis. The Golden Knights have plenty of experienced pitchers. Good thing, because pitching and defense may have to carry St. Francis. The defense is solid, particularly the infield. Hitting might be a weakness.

PACIFIC

Crescenta Valley

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 19-6 13-2

COACH YEAR Tony Zarrillo 8th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Kasey Canale Sr. 2B Jesse Mitchell Jr. SS Brian Peterson Sr. 3B Natt Putra Sr. DH/P Jason Griffiths Sr. OF Ty Reed Sr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Jesse Daggett Jr. C Gary Godbold Jr. OF/P Billy Huddleston Jr. P/OF Kevin Enright Jr. P

OUTLOOK

The defending league champions lost exceptional pitchers Jim Parque (UCLA) and Garrett Lee (Glendale College) to graduation. But Putra, Huddleston and Enright show plenty of promise, Zarrillo said. Five all-league selections return to form a solid nucleus. Many returnees are playing new positions.

Glendale

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 13-10 6-9

COACH YEAR Spiro Psaltis 2nd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Mark Martin Sr. C Chris Sheldon Sr. OF/P David Garley Jr. SS Kevin Gallegos Sr. C Andrew Hawkins Sr. P Ben Malen Sr. OF Ron Orozco Sr. OF/C Darrin Wells Sr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Jesus Osuna Jr 3B Tony Cisneros Sr. 2B Mark Hutchinson Jr. 1B Phil Onsaga Jr. P/OF

OUTLOOK

Glendale lost only three starters from last season but all were all-leaguers. Martin, a three-year varsity catcher, and Sheldon are the only two seniors who figure to start on opening day. Inexperienced pitchers will have to shoulder the load if the Dynamiters are to contend.

Hoover

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 13-8 11-4

COACH YEAR Jim Delzell 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Amador Solis Sr. 1B/P Gerald De La Pena Sr. P Eddie Perez Sr. C Robbie Ostray Jr. OF Joey Sepulveda Sr. OF Steve Staub Sr. P

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Javier Ramirez Jr. 2B Frank Diaz Sr. SS

OUTLOOK

Solis, a left-hander, and De La Pena, who sat out last season because of an elbow injury, should form a strong pitching combination. Up the middle, the Tornadoes are solid, but questions remain elsewhere. Delzell succeeds Bob Cooper for a second time, having served as coach in 1991.

SANTA FE

Bell-Jeff

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 9-13-1 5-4-1

COACH YEAR Craig Sherwood 2nd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS David Quintero Sr. C David Matekel Sr. CF/P John Pawlik Sr. SS/P Josh Readman Sr. 2B Jason Plourde Sr. 3B/P Richard Szeptycki Sr. 1B/P

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Will Ruiz Jr. UTL Zack Pearson Jr. OF Mark Dodd Jr. IF/DH

OUTLOOK

With six returning starters, the Guards are looking to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish. All-league catcher Quintero batted .386 with four home runs and 26 RBIs. Matekel batted .391 and is a defensive stalwart in the outfield. Pitching depth is a question mark after Pawlik (5-2, 3.24).

St. Genevieve

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 7-17 0-9

COACH YEAR Mike Wagner 3rd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Randy Iaccino Sr. P Eric Tapia Sr. LF Marcelo Alvarez Sr. CF Vince Okamura Jr. RF Fernando Gutierrez Sr. C

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Nick Reeker So. P

OUTLOOK

The Valiants should benefit from releaguing that combined the lower halves of the Santa Fe and Camino Real leagues. Alvarez had 25 stolen bases last year. Okamura batted .320. “The team that gets out of the blocks early should win the league,” Wagner said.

FREELANCE

Montclair Prep

‘94 RECORD OVERALL 19-7

COACH YEAR Kelly Paris 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Darrell Dent Sr. OF Eli Reichline Sr. OF/1B Andrew Miller Jr. C Josh Persell Jr. 3B Brandon Michaels Sr. SS/2B Joe Cohen Sr. P/1B Brad Warner Jr. P/1B Gustavo Franco Jr. P/OF Scott Stark Jr. IF/OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Mike Wellen Jr. 2B

OUTLOOK

The only newcomer to the Mounties’ program is Paris, taking over for Walt Steele, who won two Southern Section championships in eight years. Dent, who is likely to be a high pick in the 1995 draft, batted .395, with seven home runs and 34 RBIs. Paris expects additional offensive output from Miller, Persell and Reichline. “They’ve done it in the past on the varsity level,” Paris said, “and I’m counting on them to do it again.”