Coaches Will Stick With Bats They Have Until Next Season

While coaches at four-year colleges are going batty trying to conform to new NCAA-regulated bat-size standards, junior college coaches are sticking with a simple solution:

For now at least, anything goes.

Forget the 2 5/8-inch barrel diameter and weight-to-length differential of no more than minus-3.

Most major colleges have contracts with bat manufacturers to muddle the picture. At JCs, the teams usually are stuck with the sticks their players own.

Most of which have minus-5 differentials and barrel diameters of 2 3/4 inches.

“We still will have 15-14 scores . . . and that’s by the third inning,” Coach Bob Lofrano of Pierce said.

“I don’t think any hitter would want to take an advantage away from himself.”

However, most junior college players aspire to four-year programs or the professional ranks.

It’s in their interest to conform to NCAA rules and this probably will be the last season they don’t.

“We’ll stick with what we have through Aug. 1 then go to minus-3 and the different barrel size,” Coach Len Mohney of Canyons said. “The players want that.”

Coaches will welcome the change because they’ll get to do more than wait around for a three-run home run.

“We’ll get back to some little ball,” Coach Don Adams of Ventura said. “There will be more stealing and bunting.”

A look at the eight teams from the region--the first seven of which compete in the Western State Conference:

PIERCE (24-17, 16-10)

All-American pitcher Barry Zito has transferred to USC but the Brahmas, Southern Division co-champions last season, are deep on the mound. Right-hander Merrill Dunn, a sophomore from North Hollywood, and left-hander Wes Crown, a freshman from Kennedy, pitched well in the fall.

Dan O’Haver, a right-handed transfer from Canyons, and Matt Jackson, a freshman from Calabasas, should see plenty of action along with submariner Travis Rutter, a freshman from Reseda.

The closer is Traviss Hodge, a freshman from Highland drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in June. Hodgewill be the designated hitter or play left field when not pitching.

“Depth is always the key at this level,” Coach Bob Lofrano said. “I feel good about the guys we have at the end of the game.”

Pierce is experienced up the middle on defense. Dave Lusk, an excellent catcher and a clutch hitter who batted .366 last season, returns, as do second baseman Brian Menkin and shortstop Josh Harris.

Lofrano said Menkin “is the best defensive second baseman in JC baseball,” and Harris is an acrobatic fielder who batted .320 last season.

Freshmen Ryan West of Quartz Hill and Kris Dominique of Alemany are playing first, and Covelli Crisp of Inglewood and Steve Udell of Westlake are playing third.

Josh Miranda of Kennedy, a redshirt freshman, will plays center field. Freshmen Mike Arellano of Palmdale and Gene Holdgrafer of Oak Park are battling in right field.

Ryan Cope, a freshman who batted over .450 as a junior and senior at Westlake High, will be the designated hitter and can play infield and outfield.

In Lofrano’s eight seasons, Pierce has won five division championships and been to the playoffs seven times.

GLENDALE (24-17, 16-10)

The Vaqueros last season won their first division championship in 18 years, tying Pierce for the title, and strong recruiting has Coach Denny Barrett optimistic again.

Back at starting pitchers are Wes Hutchison, a right-hander who was 7-2 with a conference-leading 2.57 earned-run average, and Gerald De La Pena, a right-hander who was 5-1.

They are joined by newcomers Doug Laten, a 6-5 left-hander from Venice, and Brian Bishop, a hard-throwing transfer who pitched middle relief for Canyons last year. The closer is Nick Browne, a freshman from Palisades.

Freshman catcher Ryan Noll of Glendale is a strong hitter who throws well. Other potent bats belong to sophomores Mike Bench, Matt Hellman, Jason Botts and John Campanella.

Campanella, a sophomore from Crespi, batted .372 with eight home runs and was all-conference last season. Bench will play third after batting .350 as a utility player. Hellman will play center field and bat leadoff or third, and Botts is a 6-6 transfer from Cuesta who has been drafted by the Baltimore Orioles.

Anthony Fabrizio of Burroughs and Andy Lopez of St. Francis are battling at first base. Sophomore Andy Gadt of Harvard-Westlake will play second and freshman Jerrit Redlich of North Hollywood is the shortstop.

“We turned some things around last year,” said Barrett, who is in his third season. “We won 24 games and that is my best recruiting tool.”

CANYONS (24-15, 15-11)

Savvy pitching and inexperienced position players characterize the Cougars.

“We should be pretty good by April,” Coach Len Mohney said.

Left-hander Jeremy Shields, 5-0 with a 3.48 ERA last year, heads a sophomore-laden pitching staff. Mike Preski, a left-hander from Poly, and Steve Lane, a right-hander from Saugus, were busy last season.

Jeremy Davis, a sophomore transfer from Bear River, Utah, will be a spot starter, and right-hander Kevin Hyde, the Cougars’ No. 2 starter in 1997, is healthy after missing last season because of a shoulder injury. Left-hander Brad Fogel, a sophomore from Saugus who transferred from Cal State Hayward, and Shaun Fishman, a freshman from El Camino Real who sat out last year because of a back injury, add depth.

The pitching will be necessary because Canyons is green in the infield.

Cory Briggs, a converted second baseman from Palmdale, is the catcher. Chris Coash, a sophomore from Canyon who was a reserve last season, is in a fight at first base with freshman Ryan McKnight of Crescenta Valley.

Freshman Anthony Trejo of Crespi is at second and battling at shortstop are Manny Bernal of Kennedy, Mike Granger of Hart and Dave Kesee of St. Joseph, Fla.

“I realize it’s close to the season to be saying this, but they all bring a different quality,” Mohney said.

Sophomore right fielder Sergio Franco of Alemany and third baseman Tai Pilimai of Sacramento should supply power. Freshman Travis Richardson will play right field and redshirt freshman Steve Lombardi is the front-runner in center. Chad Ott is the designated hitter.

VALLEY (12-25, 9-17)

Chris Johnson begins his 12th year as coach unsure if his team will win but certain he will enjoy the season.

“These kids love to play and are a pleasure to be around,” he said.

Starting pitchers are sophomore right-handers Alberto Flores of Birmingham, who had a strong fall, and Erick Buitrago of Chatsworth, who sat out with elbow problems last year after pitching in 1997.

They are joined by a group of freshmen, including Jeremy Horwitz of Grant, Ismael Marin of Chatsworth, Chuy Lopez of Hoover and Jose Figueroa of North Hollywood. Salvador Trujillo of Poly is the closer.

“We feel OK about our pitching,” Johnson said. “The glaring thing is having no lefties, so getting left-handed hitters out might be a problem.”

The top returning player is second baseman Sigi Arroyo of Monroe, who batted .365 last season and will bat third. The shortstop is Angel Barajas, a freshman from Van Nuys. Ed Jung, a 6-4, 225-pound sophomore left fielder, hits with power.

Nick Lombard, a freshman three years removed from El Camino Real, will bat leadoff and play center field. Paul Ramirez of Venice won the right-field job by hitting well during the fall.

The catchers are redshirt freshmen Gil Pelayo of Poly and Facundo Barrara of Birmingham. Josh Highsmith, who played sparingly last year in the outfield, is the first baseman.

OXNARD (27-13, 18-7)

If Jon Larson has as much success recruiting players as he has assistant coaches, Oxnard will rebuild quickly. Since replacing Pat Woods as coach last summer, Larson, an assistant the past four years, hired Jerry Willard, a former major leaguer, and Roger Frash and Charles Staniland, former minor leaguers.

“They have 30 years of pro experience among them,” said Larson, who played at Hueneme High and Oxnard College.

The coaches have their work cut out because several promising players, including returning second baseman Matt Pesso and right-handed pitcher Mike Frick, left when Woods departed.

The only returning starter is Jesse Sanchez, a former Channel League most valuable player from Hueneme, who will move to shortstop from left field.

Jared Krehbiel, a freshman from Channel Islands, and Bennie Lemos of Royal give the Condors strong catchers.

Power is expected from Robert Avila, a freshman first baseman from Hueneme, and designated hitter Brian Kaylor, a transfer from Cal State Fullerton.

Manuel Romero, a reserve last season, is the center fielder. Right fielder Tony Ortega of Royal is a good hitter. Ruben Delgado of Rio Mesa will play third, Rick Garcia will play left field and Wes Munyon is a solid outfielder with a strong arm and good speed.

The only returning pitcher is left-hander Pat Youngren. Lemos and Garcia will double as pitchers.

Brody Reese, a freshman from Righetti, has been impressive and Brett Ermilio, a 23-year-old Larson found pitching on a men’s Sunday team, will get plenty of work.

VENTURA (17-21, 8-17)

Three Pirate pitchers who took their lumps as freshmen are poised for payback.

Dave Turner of Agoura, David Arroyo of Buena and Chris Goodenough of Fillmore give Coach Don Adams an experienced starting rotation.

Freshman Noah Lowry, a left-hander from Nordhoff, is the top newcomer in a group that incudes Donnie Fuller of Ventura and Jeff Roberts of Oak Park.

“Last year, all the young pitchers took their lumps,” Adams said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ll do this year.”

Catcher is another strong point. Rick Helland, a transfer from Cal State Northridge, and freshman Kurt Probasco of Buena hit with power. When one is catching, the other often will be the designated hitter.

Nick Gontmaher, a center fielder from Agoura, will lead off or bat third, and Aaron Dixon, a left-handed hitter from Ventura, batted .327 and led the team with 21 RBIs.

Second baseman Adrian Gascon returns, but there is uncertainty at shortstop where Matt Cresto of Nordhoff, J.R. Bierly of Ventura, Rick Spelman of Oak Park and Nicholas Longpre, who went to high school in Canada, are battling.

Freshmen Paul Ayala of Rio Mesa is the third baseman and Matt Alonzo of Santa Barbara is the first baseman.

Freshman designated hitter John Taylor of Ventura and right fielders Paul Engel and Mario Robledo are expected to provide power.

“Last year we had to claw to score,” Adams said. “Now we have some guys who can give us quick runs.”

MOORPARK (10-27, 7-18)

Despite losing all-conference shortstop Brian Fatur to academic problems, Coach Ken Wagner believes the Raiders will improve because of pitching depth.

Returners Brian Scoles of Antelope Valley, Andrew Corona of St. Bonaventure, Jake Kor of Rio Mesa and Chris Barbettini--all right-handers--are joined by left-handed sophomores Jeremy Holiday of Antelope Valley, a transfer from San Francisco, and Micah Weathers of Thousand Oaks, a transfer from Pepperdine.

Freshman Jared Edrosolan of Newbury Park and left-hander Jared Mills, a redshirt freshman from Cleveland, pitched well in the fall.

The Raider infielders all are 21 or older. Sophomore Zach Gordon, who had eight home runs and 25 RBIs last season, moves from third base to shortstop.

Ed Costellanos, 27, a 1990 Poly graduate, and Joe Tillmon, a converted second baseman, are the first basemen. Rick Collier, 22, from Moorpark High, is the second baseman after bouncing around from Moorpark to Ventura to Cuesta the past few years.

Sophomore Steve Nelson, who batted .348 as a utility player last season, is the third baseman and Josh Goldfield, a transfer from San Francisco with an excellent arm, is the catcher.

Brian Forkin, a freshman from Thousand Oaks who is outstanding defensively, is the center fielder. Mike Bannon, who hit .370 with eight home runs at Occidental last season, will play either left or right.

ANTELOPE VALLEY (7-26, 5-21)

The Marauders are nearly all freshmen. Rob Kostopoulos, a right-hander from Boron High, is the only returning pitcher, and catcher Mario Varela from Rosamond is the only returning position player.

“We want this year to be good for us but a lot of guys need experience,” Coach Joe Watts said.

Freshmen Kevin Berger from Valencia and Kenneth Goodwin from Tehachapi are the other starting pitchers and freshman Chad Spencer, a right-hander from Quartz Hill, is the closer.

The infield will be Saul Spykerman of Paraclete at first base, Ian Allred of Rosamond and Manuel Yanas of Palmdale at second, Parker Metheny of Quartz Hill at shortstop and John Anello of Highland at third.

Kevin Brown, a sophomore from Kingman, Ariz., who was a reserve last season, will play left field and bat leadoff. Jeremy Rosati, a freshman from Palmdale, is in right.

Jason Elizondo, a freshman from Antelope Valley, and Alex Suarez, a freshman from Palmdale, are battling in center, although Watts said both will be in the lineup somewhere.