GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

Bolsa Grande

Coach: Doug Euper

1999 record: 8-15

League record: 3-9

The Matadors failed to make the playoffs in Coach Doug Euper’s first two seasons, but things could be different this time around as Bolsa looks to eight returning starters to create some upward mobility in the league standings. Pitcher/outfielder Victor Perales leads a deep pitching corps and hit .450 last season in league games.

Garden Grove

Coach: Jim Rawls

1999 record: 13-13

League record: 8-4

The good news for the Argonauts is they return seven starters and should be strong defensively. The bad news is they lost two pitchers who accounted for 11 of their 13 victories last season. Looks like the bad may outweigh the good. Pitcher Joe Harkey will be charged with leading the revamped rotation.

La Quinta

Coach: Dave Demarest

1999 record: 27-3

League record: 11-1

Coming off seven consecutive league titles and a record of 243-55 in the ‘90s, Aztec Coach Dave Demarest may be facing the toughest challenge in his 27 years at the school: maintaining La Quinta’s dominance with no returning starters in a league otherwise brimming with them. The only returning player on the roster is third baseman Jeff Moscoso, and he hit only .196 last season. Top newcomers Shawn Cochrell and Jim Garvey, an outfielder and pitcher, respectively, must have breakthrough seasons for La Quinta to have any hope of winning an eighth consecutive league title.

Los Amigos

Coach: Dave Austin

1999 record: 17-8

League record: 7-5

Shortstop Jesus Rodarte and center fielder Paul Rodriguez will lead a potent Lobo lineup that returns five starters. Rodarte batted .340 last season with 12 RBIs, and Rodriguez hit .353 with 17 RBIs. Pitchers Raphael Jesus, who was 3-2 with a 2.77 ERA last season, and Bishop Griggs, who was 1-2 with a 2.69 ERA, will lead the rotation.

Pacifica

Coach: Mark Flatten

1999 record: 12-12

League record: 8-4

Mark Flatten, the Mariners’ first-year coach, returns to the team for which he played from 1988-90. He has his work cut out for him. Pacifica, coming off a tie with Garden Grove for second place in the league, isn’t expected to flatten anyone this season. The Mariners return two starters in first baseman Robert Shaw and pitcher Brandon Chapman and will look to newcomer Bryan Kelly, a pitcher/outfielder, to help.

Rancho Alamitos

Coach: Jon Martin

1999 record: 3-21

League record: 1-11

First-year Coach Jon Martin has six starters returning from a team that won only one league game last season. “We have some young talent that we look forward to developing this year,” Martin said. Leading the way for the Vaqueros will be catcher Frank DeLaRosa, who hit .375 last season.

Santiago

Coach: Paul Allen

1999 record: 9-13

League record: 4-8

There’s little doubt multi-talented senior Brian Pilkington will lead the way on the mound and at the plate for the Cavaliers. But Santiago’s success will hinge on whether the team’s four other returning starters and a host of newcomers prove to be a strong supporting cast. Pilkington hit .424 last spring with five home runs and 21 RBIs to go with a 2.14 ERA and 96 strikeouts. Senior Felipe Cervantes, a three-year letterman, hit .411 with four home runs and 19 RBIs, and sophomore Lee Sutherland hit .316.