Six Teams to Watch : Fountain Valley
Coach: Ron LaRuffa (seventh year).
1994: 27-3 overall, 10-3-1 in the Sunset League. Beat Lakewood, 3-2, to win Division I title.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. March 8, 1995 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday March 8, 1995 Orange County Edition Sports Part C Page 10 Sports Desk 1 inches; 22 words Type of Material: Correction
Prep baseball--Fountain Valley’s Chris Ponchak, while being recruited by UC Santa Barbara, has not signed, and neither has teammate Dan Keller with USC.
Key returners: Kevin Burford, OF, Jr.; Greg Hanoian, OF, Sr.; Jeff Hoppie, 1B, Sr.; Luke Hudson, P, Sr.; Dan Keller, SS, Sr.; Vic Ortega, OF, Sr.; Chris Ponchak, P, Sr.; Craig Ritter, 2B, Sr.; Matt Roman, OF, Sr.; Joe Rozek, OF, Sr.
Key newcomers: Matt Fox, 3B, Jr; Roger Pechuls, C/P, Jr.; Steve Schenewerk, P, Jr.
Outlook: Fountain Valley became the first top-seeded team to win the Division I title since Lakewood in 1970. The Barons have a good shot at repeating. Ponchak was 8-2 and Hudson 8-1 last season. Keller can also pitch, but is more valuable at shortstop. Ponchak has signed with UC Santa Barbara, Hudson with Tennessee and Keller USC. Schenewerk was 9-0 with a 2.08 ERA on the junior varsity. Ritter is a slick fielder and didn’t make an error. Hoppie (.375), Ortega (.471) and Rozek (.375) would have been starters for most teams last season. The Barons also pick up Hanoian (.427), a transfer from Edison.
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