Six Teams to Watch : Mater Dei

Coach: Bob Ickes (21st year).

1994: 18-9-1, 11-4 in the South Coast League. Lost to eventual finalist Lakewood, 8-5, in the Division I quarterfinals.

Key returners: Kevin Bice, P, Jr.; Scott Daeley, OF, Sr.; John Flynn, 2B, Sr.; Mike Hesseman, P/Inf., Jr.; Ed Marquez, OF, Sr.; Clay McKnight, 1B, Sr.; Dave Sanchez, OF, Sr.; Brad Ticehurst, SS, Sr.; Josh Townsend, C, Sr.; Mike Waugh, 3B, Sr.

Key newcomers: Mike Kolbach, P, So.; Jeff Parker, P, Sr.; Jason Sanchez, P, Sr.; Todd Woody, P/OF, Sr.

Outlook: Even by Mater Dei standards, this team is loaded. Daeley, Marquez, Sanchez, Ticehurst and Waugh are returning starters. Ticehurst, who hit .427, and Townsend, who hit .308 as a reserve, have signed with USC. But Ticehurst will not be available for at least six weeks after undergoing back surgery in February. A rotation of Hesseman, Waugh and Daeley will be used at shortstop. Townsend has a tough job, as he must replace Matt Treanor, who was drafted by the Kansas City Royals. Waugh hit .417 and Sanchez hit .397. Hesseman (8-3, 1.15 ERA) is among the county’s best pitchers.