Glendale Starting Over After Twice Finishing in First

Chris Zavatsky says there’s a new look to the Glendale College baseball team this season.

He is not kidding.

Starting with Zavatsky, the Vaqueros are setting out to defend consecutive Western State Conference Southern Division championships with almost an entirely new cast.

“We have 21 freshmen, so we are young and untested,” Zavatsky said.

Or, in Zavatsky’s case, a little older but still untested.

Zavatsky takes over at Glendale after several seasons as pitching coach at Canyons. He replaces Denny Barrett, who resigned after last season to become an assistant at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho.

Glendale last year finished 23-23 and won the division title with a 15-9 record. The Vaqueros tied Pierce for first place two seasons ago.

“It’s an exciting challenge,” Zavatsky said. “The familiarity I have with the junior college level . . . allowed me to look at this job seriously.”

Zavatsky needs to draw upon every coaching lesson, every tidbit he has learned, to keep the Vaqueros competitive.

Glendale’s lack of experience is nowhere more glaring, and crucial, than on the mound.

Only right-hander Matt Sagoian returns from a staff that led the WSC with a 3.97 earned-run average. Sagoian was 3-1 with a 4.20 ERA.

“The pitching is progressing, but there’s much to prove,” Zavatsky said.

In that case, the Vaqueros better swing the aluminum and catch the ball.

At least two proven hitters return--All-WSC second baseman Daniel Scott, who batted .381, and first Jason Botts, who batted .341 with 13 doubles and 22 runs batted in.

The top newcomers include center fielder Jon Horwitz from Notre Dame High, third baseman Brandon Bell from Hoover and shortstop John Manuel from Poly.

Zavatsky, who is counting on six sophomores for stability, will get a better idea how the Vaqueros shape up in the team’s opener against Harbor today at 2 in the South Coast tournament.

A look at the rest of the region’s teams:

ANTELOPE VALLEY

COACH: Joe Watts, eighth season

LAST SEASON: 10-31; 9-17, fourth in Foothill Conference Northern Division

OUTLOOK: Having only five sophomores, including one pitcher, could amount to another long year for the Marauders. Catcher Brett Roth (.303, 9 HRs, 36 RBIs), second baseman Manuel Yanas (.344) and shortstop Parker Metheny (.299) are complemented by freshmen infielders Brandon Golphenee (.346, 10 HRs, 42 RBIs at Highland) and John Felkins (.450, 32 RBIs at Palmdale) and outfielder George Grim (.368 at Palmdale).

OPENER: Today vs. Imperial Valley at Victor Valley tournament, 2 p.m.

CANYONS

COACH: Len Mohney, 14th season

LAST SEASON: 17-27; 10-14, fourth in Western State Conference Southern Division

OUTLOOK: Mohney’s best defensive team in years. The infield is anchored by All-WSC second baseman Mike Granger (.327, 19 RBIs) and shortstop Tim Hutting (.526, 37 RBIs at Hart). First baseman-designated hitter Billy McGrath batted .430 at Birmingham. Sophomore right-handers Shaun Fishman, Sean Zortman and Steve Redfern lead the staff.

OPENER: Today at East L.A. in South Coast tournament, 2 p.m.

MOORPARK

COACH: Ken Wagner, 11th season

LAST SEASON: 26-18; 15-10, tie for third in WSC Northern Division

OUTLOOK: Inexperience abounds on the Raiders. All-WSC outfielder Brandon Voorhees (.407, 17 RBIs, 15 stolen bases) is the top returning player. The leading freshmen include outfielder Justin Collins (.387 at Camarillo), infielder Chris Stoddard (.324 at Moorpark) and left-hander Tyler Johnson (6-5, 3.88 ERA at Newbury Park).

OPENER: Today at Saddleback in Orange Coast tournament, 2 p.m.

OXNARD

COACH: Jon Larson, second season

LAST SEASON: 15-25; 8-17, fifth in WSC Northern Division

OUTLOOK: Defense and hitting are strengths, but the pitching staff has only one sophomore. First baseman Robert Avila (.326, 20 RBIs) and center fielder Jason Bowers (.383), a transfer from Glendale, are top sophomore hitters. Sophomore Rigo Garcia provides a solid glove at third, second or shortstop. Second baseman Mike Anderson (.456, 23 RBIs at Ventura High) is among the top freshmen.

OPENER: Today at Mt. San Antonio in Rio Hondo tournament, 2 p.m.

PIERCE

COACH: Bob Lofrano, 10th season

LAST SEASON: 22-16; 12-12, second in WSC Southern Division

OUTLOOK: Brahmas are loaded with pitching. All-WSC pitcher Wes Crown (6-1, 4.60 ERA) shifts from starter to closer. Right-handers Traviss Hodge (3-5, 5.54 ERA) and Jack Cassel, a transfer from Loyola Marymount, are starters with left-hander Doug Slaten, a transfer from Glendale. Hodge (.320) and All-WSC outfielder Josh Miranda (.364) provide punch in the lineup. Top freshmen include outfielder Jeremy Serr (.349, 9 HRs, 41 RBIs at Kennedy) and former Granada Hills teammates Jon Bringuier (.436, 11 HRs, 35 RBIs) at first base and Peter Gunny (.427) in the outfield.

OPENER: Today vs. Canada at Palomar tournament, 1:30 p.m.

VALLEY

COACH: Chris Johnson, 13th season

LAST SEASON: 14-27; 8-16, fifth in WSC Southern Division

OUTLOOK: The Monarchs have speed but the jury is out on their hitting and pitching. The top returners are second baseman Kevin O’Hara (.337, 18 RBIs) and center fielder Nick Lombard (.351, 17 RBIs). Sophomore right-hander Jeremy Horwitz (2-1, 5.21 ERA) is the ace. Valley has several talented freshmen, including first baseman Steve Kracow, who led Chatsworth in batting at .493. Third baseman Charles Kenny batted .448 at Chatsworth.

OPENER: Today vs. Porterville at Porterville tournament, 10 a.m.

VENTURA

COACH: Don Adams, fifth season

LAST SEASON: 25-16; 15-10, tie for third in WSC Northern Division

OUTLOOK: The Pirates have pitching, which gives them a big advantage. Sophomore right-handers Donnie Fuller and Jeff Roberts are the starters along with right-hander Andrew Alstot, a freshman from Camarillo. The Pirates were pitching-rich last season, so Roberts was limited to 21 innings and Fuller to 10. Catcher Kurt Probasco (.295) and outfielder Rick Spelman (.295) return.

OPENER: Thursday vs. Cerro Coso at Sequoias tournament