1996 Baseball Preview : Garden Grove League

Bolsa Grande: 8-16, 4-8 in 1995. Coach: Vern Nelson (20th year, 196-230-5). Prospects: Bolsa Grande hasn’t won a league title or contended for one in 12 years, but that might change this season, probably Nelson’s last, he says. The Matadors return eight position players and have six above-average arms. Junior center fielder Adam Corona (first team all-league) has a chance to be among the county’s best. Another first-team all-leaguer is Alex Navarro at third.

Garden Grove: 16-10, 9-3 in 1995. Coach: Jim Rawls (13th year, 176-129). Prospects: The Argonauts lost six starters off a team that reached the Division III quarterfinals, but return two of the league’s better players in senior third baseman Gabriel Maldonado (.429, 41 runs batted in and Times’ all-county second-team pick) and senior catcher Greg Pines (.315, 17 RBIs, four-year starter). Garden Grove’s pitching is led by senior Joey Maselli (4-2, 3.80 ERA) and senior Jason Laricchia.

La Quinta: 28-3-1, 12-0 in 1995. Coach: Dave Demarest (23rd year, 426-153). Prospects: La Quinta has won consecutive Southern Section titles and 27 consecutive league games, but both streaks could end. Demarest lost all nine starters and even he might not be able to rebuild this quickly. “I never remember replacing an entire team,” Demarest said, “but I still look forward to these guys being successful.” The success might start with designated hitter Jhamal Dawkins, who might be the Aztecs’ best player. “He has as good of tools as his brother Walter [who played at USC],” Demarest said. Pitcher Joe Garcia, who is 15-1 over two seasons, is the ace of the staff, and Tom Clark (2-2, 3.74) is the second starter. Senior third baseman Michael Daniels is one of Demarest’s most promising newcomers.

Los Amigos: 5-19, 2-10 in 1995. Coach: Dave Austin (first year). Prospects: The Lobos have won only six games over the past two seasons and haven’t made the playoffs since 1984. Good luck, Dave Austin. “What we’re emphasizing is hard work and never giving up no matter who we’re playing,” Austin said. “I can’t give the number of wins but it’ll be more than three.” Austin returns four starters--second baseman Cesar Garcia, catcher Miguel Dorado, third baseman Mike Garcia and shortstop-pitcher Dave Madrid.

Pacifica: 14-11, 8-4 in 1995. Coach: Mike Willey (first year). Prospects: Willey has already lost three starters to injuries--center fielder Jimmy Barndollar (broken leg), right fielder Chris Cruz (tendinitis) and second baseman Jeff Davidson (broken finger on throwing hand). But the pitching is strong enough that the Mariners might still contend for the league title. The big two of senior right-hander Adam Peters (5-2, 1.98 ERA) and senior left-hander Chris Reidel (6-2, 1.98 ERA) are followed by senior John Ames.

Rancho Alamitos: 6-16, 2-10 in 1995. Coach: Mike Gogan (first year). Prospects: Gogan returns seven starters, but only one pitcher, junior Taylor Yandell. The other two starting pitchers were supposed to be seniors Aaron Trigg and Ivan Camarena but both are ineligible. That leaves Gogan with three sophomores: Tony Serna, Adriel Gomez and Ryan Goldenstein, who have no varsity experience.

Santiago: 8-14, 5-7 in 1995. Coach: Ralph Draeger (12th year, 122-109-3). Prospects: Draeger has one of his best hitting teams in years, led by infielders Ricky Heredia (.417) and Juan Ramirez (.290). If two starting pitchers can step forth, the Cavaliers might sneak into the playoffs.