Top Programs Still Producing Top Talent

The Southland is regarded as perhaps the nation’s best annual producer of high school baseball talent, and this year should be no exception.

Several top professional draft picks are expected to come from the powerful programs competing for Southern Section and City Section championships.

Here is a look at some of the teams to watch:

SANTA MARGARITA (1997 record: 19-8): The Eagles have eight players who combined for 34 home runs and 140 runs batted in last season. Pitcher/outfielder Jeff Kuno was 4-1 with a 2.45 earned-run average and hit .536 with nine homers and 40 runs batted in. He is part of a group of seven returning position players plus the designated hitter who combined for a .407 average.

CHATSWORTH (20-8): The Chancellors are favored to win their first City Section title since 1990. Left-hander Mike Kunes is the top pitcher and Tom Morefield is a returning All-City outfielder. Shortstop Matt Fisher made only three errors last season as a freshman starter.

LA PUENTE BISHOP AMAT (25-5): Senior pitcher Paul Mangini (11-0) and junior shortstop Dennis Wyrick (.436), who will be one of the top prospects in the nation next year, return after helping the Lancers to the Division I semifinals last season. Senior pitcher/first baseman Daniel Haren (.440) and senior catcher Chris Cunningham (.426) are other top returning players.

WESTMINSTER LA QUINTA (25-5): The Aztecs are led by catcher Gerald Laird, The Times’ Orange County player of the year last season who batted .505 with 14 homers. Pitchers Jason Garcia and Steve Lee each won 12 games in 1997. La Quinta is bolstered by transfer shortstop Bobby Crosby (Garden Grove Pacifica) and second baseman Ryan Mattern (Mater Dei).

LONG BEACH MILLIKAN (24-7): The Rams are hoping to return to the Division I final, where they lost last season to Anaheim Esperanza. Pitcher Randy Tymchak (10-4) is the ace for a talented and experienced team with senior catcher Eric Slater and senior center fielder Eric Powell.

RIVERSIDE ARLINGTON (22-7): Junior pitcher/shortstop Anthony Lunetta was 10-1 with a 1.82 ERA and batted .396 for the Lions, who also have a potential No. 1 draft pick this year in pitcher/designated hitter Nick Neugebauer (6-2, 2.62). Catcher Ryan Christenson, a three-year starter, is one of nine returning position players.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY (17-10): The Barons were plagued by injuries last season, but are expected to return to the form that has helped them win two Division I championships in the ‘90s. Catcher Brandon Cox and first baseman Nick Stavada are the top position players, Brian Anderson and C.J. Wilson the top pitchers.

SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (20-9): The Knights have one of the Southland’s deepest pitching staffs. Seniors Kevin Jerkens (6-3) and left-hander Ryan Stonerock (6-1) are mainstays and junior Philip Polanco is the team’s hardest thrower. Junior shortstop Jon Puccinelli is the top returning position player for a team that lost in the Division I quarterfinals last year.

ANAHEIM SERVITE (24-4): The Friars have four returning starters from a team that was eliminated in the second round of the Division I playoffs last year. Cather Ryan Garko batted .577 with eight homers and pitcher Brian Wolfe was 8-0 with an 0.96 ERA. Outfielder Jeff Hultner (.320) and designated-hitter Mike Montanio (.400) are also returning starters.

ANAHEIM ESPERANZA (25-5): The defending Division I champion Aztecs lost 17 players from last year, but there is still plenty of talent at one of the Southland’s preeminent programs. Pitcher Matt Colin 5-2, 2.82) and third baseman Josh Shaffer (.333) are returning starters.

Columbus vs. StingRays

Best of five

Long Beach leads series, 2-1

* Sunday: Long Beach 65, Columbus 62

* Monday: Long Beach 71, Columbus 61

* Wednesday: Columbus 70, Long Beach 61

* Friday: at Columbus, 4 p.m.

* Sunday: at Columbus, 4 p.m.*

*--if necessary