1996 Baseball Preview : Pacific Coast League

Aliso Niguel: 13-10-1, 8-7 in 1995. Coach: Mike Chapman (second year, 13-10). Prospects: Look for Aliso Niguel to run any chance it gets. “We have little power, so we’ll have to manufacture runs,” Chapman said. Eddie Stevenson (0.84 earned-run average), an all-league pitcher, is gone, so the pitching staff, which lacks a left-hander, may be suspect. Scott Fuller will pitch and play third base. He batted .305 last season. Others returning include pitcher-third baseman Ryan Denine, outfielder Evan Katz, utility player Tim Rios, shortstop Skip Schumaker and catcher Jerry Smith.

Costa Mesa: 13-12, 9-6 in 1995. Coach: Doug Deats (third year). Prospects: Three pitchers are among seven returning players who are expected to put the Mustangs in the hunt for the league title behind Laguna Hills. Mike Adelmund, a pitcher-outfielder, Matt Broesamle, a pitcher-infielder, and Jeremy Starns, a pitcher-outfielder, all batted above .300 last season. Starns won six games in 11 decisions. Catcher Julius Vasquez, who batted .338, will handle the staff. Outfielder Ben Felter and infielder Ray Ohrel also return.

Estancia: 12-12, 7-8 in 1995. Coach: Paul Troxel (sixth year, 73-55). Prospects: Catcher Joe Herman (.284) is back, but he’ll be handling a pitching staff with no varsity experience. Also returning is shortstop Abel Flores, a .354 hitter, first baseman Steve Baker, a .291 hitter, and third baseman Juan Ortiz, who hit .246. Outfielders Jeremy Osso and Joe Flores, both seniors, add depth. Eight newcomers from the lower-level teams will battle for starting jobs. “We have better leadership on this team,” Troxel said, “and we should be a better hitting team than last year’s.”

Laguna Beach: 2-18, 1-14 in 1995. Coach: Greg Marshall (second year, 2-18). After a rocky first year, Marshall was pleased with the team’s progress in summer league. Still, the Artists are at least a year away. “With a little luck, we could finish midway [in the league race],” Marshall said. “We just want to be respectable.” All-league shortstop-center fielder Justin Berti, a junior, returns, along with five teammates who saw action last season. Marshall likes his team’s defense, and feels the pitching staff is ready to go, but “our hitters are a year away.” First baseman-pitcher Kreigher O’Keefe and catcher Ted Moore return.

Laguna Hills: 15-12, 9-6 in 1995. Coach: Pete Tereschuk (eighth year, 100-63). If the Hawk offense gets going, Laguna Hills will be the team to beat, according to the league’s coaches. “We’re trying to win the league,” Tereschuk said. “If we come around offensively, we could do something in the playoffs.” Left-handed senior Tony Milo and right-hander Justin Stanfield give the Hawks a strong one-two punch on the mound. Milo struck out 90 and posted a 2.10 ERA and an 8-6 record. Stanfield was 4-1 with a 3.27 ERA. All-leaguer Nick Harvey, who can play at first or third, batted .340. Newcomers Kevin McCaffrey (second base) and Ryan O’Donnell (first base) add defensive strength.

University: 16-11, 11-4 in 1995. Coach: Chris Conlin (eighth year, 86-82). Prospects: The defending champions return their 2-3-4 hitters, figure to capitalize on team speed and should play good defense. Shortstop Brett Lockwood batted .320, outfielder Garrett Atkins batted .440 and catcher Robert Dorchak batted .418. They’ll have to produce. Conlin is concerned because not one experienced pitcher returns. “The league opponents will be much better this year, so we’ll need some new senior leadership,” Conlin said. Others back include Jeremy Stenson, Randy Lukasiewicz, Mike Gamble, Rory Osbrink and Adam Fuller.