PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Brethren Christian
Coach: Ken Diebold
1999 record: 2-17
League record: 0-12
The Warriors can’t go anywhere but up in the Olympic League after last season’s last-place finish. The question is: How far up? Ten returning players, led by catcher Josh England, center fielder Josh Harmon and shortstop Duane Harrington, will provide the answer. England recorded a .380 batting average, while Harmon hit .318 and Harrington .390. Pitchers Robert Fort and Caley Strong must come on strong for Brethren Christian to avoid a repeat of last year’s fiasco.
Calvary Chapel
Coach: Joe Walters
1999 record: 28-1-1
League record: 11-0-1
Coach Joe Walters has perhaps the county’s biggest rebuilding task with one returning starter from last year’s Olympic League and Division V champions. Pitcher Kyle Christensen, who recorded the final two outs of the Eagles’ 12-0 romp over Los Angeles Baptist in the title game, is back, along with pitcher/outfielder Joe Carrier and outfielder Tyler Ohanian. After that, there’s little depth. Walters expects six freshmen to make the varsity roster, which includes only one senior, Ohanian. Pitching should be a strength, but will it be enough to make up for the lack of experience?
Capistrano Valley Christian
Coach: Terry Gaunt
1999 record: 17-5
League record: 10-0
Coach Terry Gaunt returns his entire squad from last season, when the Eagles won the Academy League with ease only to disappoint with an early playoff exit. Gaunt hopes the experience left his players hungry for more this season. With the return of seniors Thomas Grove, a pitcher/infielder who was league MVP in ‘99, and Josh Emery, a infielder/pitcher who was league MVP in ‘98, Capistrano Valley Christian has the firepower to make a run at a Southern Section title. Emery and Grove went a combined 10-4 on the mound last season and were equally dangerous at the plate, where Emery batted .557 with 31 RBIs and Grove .451 with 25 RBIs.
Fairmont
Coach: Mark Alves
1999 record: 1-12-1
League record: 0-10
The similarities between Academy League rivals Fairmont and Capistrano Valley Christian are striking. So are the differences. Like the Eagles, the Huskies return every starter. But unlike Capistrano Valley Christian, which is coming off a first-place league finish, Fairmont is looking for respect after finishing league play without a victory. Shortstop/pitcher Brian Kim, who batted .406, and pitcher Mike Mount, who recorded 75 strikeouts, should lead the way.
Heritage Christian
Coach: Mike Blankenship
1999 record: 12-12
League record: 4-4
Pitcher Matt Williams, one of four returning starters, is being counted on to lead the Patriots back to the playoffs. Williams could surpass his 11 victories from a year ago. Center fielder Eric Taurman is expected to be an all-league player, and newcomer Chris Love, a left fielder, should give the Patriots speed in the outfield. First-year Coach Mike Blankenship has a difficult task as he attempts to blend limited returning talent with a host of newcomers.
Liberty Christian
Coach: Ray Clifton
1999 record: 6-14
League record: 2-6
Six returning starters and two promising transfers should put the Minutemen in position to improve on their fourth-place Express League standing from a year ago. Center fielder Mike Spagnola, who batted .339, and first baseman Adam Bruno, who hit .292, lead a lineup with some promise. Pitchers Nick Harbert, a Heritage Christian transfer, and Bryan Beckert, a freshman, must mature quickly if a turnaround is expected.
Mater Dei
Coach: Burt Call
1999 record: 21-7
League record: 13-2
It’s hard to know what to expect from the Monarchs this season except more wins; Mater Dei is playing in a new league with a new coach. Count on Burt Call to have his Monarchs ready as they begin play in the Serra League with a plethora of key returners. Senior catcher Josh Hansen, a Times Orange County first-team selection as a junior, should lead the way after hitting .438 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs last season. Second baseman Mike Harris hit .384 with four homers and 15 RBIs, and pitcher Brandon Espinosa recorded a 3.67 ERA. Call is also big on newcomer Sergio Santos, a sophomore shortstop. Mater Dei will feature strong hitting and defense and should compete with strong Servite and Santa Margarita teams for the league title.
Orange Lutheran
Coach: John Malmquist
1999 record: 8-15
League record: 4-8
The Lancers are stocked with eight returning starters, but Coach John Malmquist questions his team’s pitching. Can left-hander Manny Lahlouh and right-handers Adam Dahlgren and Mike Paino get the job done? Orange Lutheran will rely on third baseman Shane Williams and outfielder Galen Davis to provide run support for the pitching staff. Malmquist seems to make the best out of every situation; his Lancer teams have made it to the playoffs in 13 of his 14 seasons.
Santa Margarita
Coach: Tip Lefebvre
1999 record: 13-12
League record: 6-9
Throw out last year’s record. Coach Tip Lefebvre expects his Eagles to be in the thick of the Serra League race, and with three all-league players among six returning starters, why not? Third baseman Chris Malec, pitcher/first baseman Matt Wickerson and second baseman Ryan Campeau bring the all-league credentials, and newcomer Chris Rix should make an immediate impact in the outfield. Wickerson went 6-1 with a 2.80 ERA last season. Santa Margarita will be young, but, Lefebvre says, could be “real good young.”
Servite
Coach: Todd Cook
1999 record: 23-3
League record: 15-0
No longer members of the Golden West League, where they are coming off four consecutive titles, the Friars will have a tougher go of it in the Serra League. Servite has only two returning starters and 15 non-seniors on its roster, yet there is talent aplenty. Center fielder Pat Breen and first baseman Justin Dunleavy swing a mean bat, and third baseman Kevin Linskey and Brian Goldsmith shined in limited playing time last year.
Southern California Christian
Coach: Andy Newman
1999 record: 4-16
League record: 3-7
The Flames have recently completed their basketball season, and Coach Andy Newman isn’t sure who will be in his lineup. Southern California Christian finished fifth in the six-team Academy League last season and will need to improve significantly if it hopes to challenge the league’s top teams.
St. Margaret’s
Coach: Ryan Garrity
1999 record: 10-8
League record: 7-3
Superb pitcher/infielder T.C. Geach is indicative of the type of player first-year Coach Ryan Garrity hopes to build around. With six returning starters, though, the Tartans can set their sights on at least capturing third place in the Academy League, which is where they finished last season. Infielder Mike Narlinger and outfielder Ryan Birtcher give Garrity a solid core.
St. Michael’s Prep
Coach: Jon Barber
1999 record: 6-8
League record: 3-7
Coach Jon Barber said his team will need to manufacture runs to be successful, but that shouldn’t be a problem since St. Michael’s Prep led the Academy League in stolen bases last season. Barber will have six returning starters to work with as the Pioneers attempt to make the playoffs for the first time in school history.
Whittier Christian
Coach: Brett Thorsteinson
1999 record: 13-12
League record: 7-5
Coach Brett Thorsteinson’s Heralds will need more than another standout effort from highly touted catcher/pitcher Peter Eberhardt to make some noise in the Olympic League. Last season Eberhardt, who is headed to Arkansas as a catcher, hit .500 with six home runs, 29 RBIs and a 2.20 ERA on the mound.