THE PROVENHART: The defending Southern Section Division...

THE PROVEN

HART: The defending Southern Section Division II champion Indians have a new coach, Jim Ozella, but return six starters, including Louisiana State-bound pitcher Jamie Shields and two other players who have signed with Division I schools. Injuries might slow Hart early.

THOUSAND OAKS: Strong pitching and defense up the middle give the defending Marmonte League champions Bill Sizemore’s best team in five years as coach. Seniors pitcher-first baseman Chris Cordeiro, pitcher-first baseman Tracy Goebel, shortstop Billy Lockin and second baseman Adam Leavitt are three-year starters.

WESTLAKE: The Warriors were represented by a record six players at the Area Code Games, including tall right-handed pitchers Jesse Kozlowski and Tyler Adamczyk. Westlake broke the Southern Section record with 51 home runs last season and should again hit with power.

CRESPI: The versatile Brian Horwitz leads an experienced group of Celts that includes the entire infield and catcher Matt Wilson. Right-hander Marshall Plouffe gives Crespi a top No. 1 starter and Clint Kofmehl is improved.

HIGHLAND: Jason Kubel, who might convert from outfield to shortstop, is among the nation’s top players. Other returners include power-hitting infielder John Santor. The addition of pitcher Matt Parris, a transfer from Paraclete who has committed to UC Santa Barbara, makes Highland even more formidable.

CHAMINADE: The Eagles should bounce back from a 6-6 league record behind Loyola Marymount-bound catcher Jon Higashi and pitchers Jason Urquidez, Ryan Soroka and Erik Johnson. Mike Nesbit might be the region’s top defensive center fielder.

PALMDALE: Right-handed pitcher Matt Harrington is projected as a first-round draft pick in June. Drew Kennedy, a transfer from Highland, is a seasoned pitcher and outfielder. Matt Plante returns at third base.

CAMARILLO: John Gonzalez and Mike Lopez give the Scorpions a pair of quality senior pitchers and Jimmy Alstot is a promising junior. Spencer Wyman is among the area’s best catchers. Freshman outfielder Delmon Young played in the Area Code Games.

NOTRE DAME: The Knights lack a proven pitcher, but return four players with Area Code Games experience. Catcher Matt Cunningham and middle infielders Jonathon Brewster and Brendan Ryan give Notre Dame excellent defense up the middle.

CRESCENTA VALLEY: Four-year starter Mike McCauley is among the best of an excellent group of second basemen in the region. Defense is the Falcons’ strength and lack of mound experience is their weakness.

THE PROMISING

BURROUGHS: Six starters return, including sophomore third baseman Tim Murphy, who was all-league last season. Shortstop Jesse Perez is a four-year letterman and senior Jesus Dominguez leads a solid pitching staff.

CALABASAS: Tony Sulser, who will attend Arizona, was 9-2 last season and made headlines by beating Westlake in the playoffs. First baseman Randy Curtis is a top-notch hitter.

OAK PARK: The Eagles, who have won five of the last six Tri-Valley League titles under four different coaches, return five starters, including shortstop Ryan Duffy and catcher Blake Nelson.

OXNARD: Pitching should be a strength under first-year Coach Phil White. Matt Merricks stood out at the Area Code Games and might be the top left-hander in the region.

RIO MESA: First-year Coach David Soliz inherits six returning starters, including outfielder Nicholas Barroso and shortstop Frank Tinoco, who combined for 15 home runs last year.

ROYAL: The Highlanders return only four starters and have no experienced pitching. However, Brian Lipman and Casey O’Quinn are among the region’s top hitters, Buzz Byer is a four-year starter at catcher and Russ O’Brien pitched well in the fall.

VALENCIA: Richie Martin, who hit 13 home runs as a sophomore last season, leads a group of seven returning starters. Catcher Chris Rippe is a leader and pitcher Jeff Green signed with San Francisco.

VENTURA: Senior Jon Bierly is perhaps the Channel League’s best pitcher. Five starters are back on a team that finished third in the league last year.

City Section

THE PROVEN

EL CAMINO REAL: The Conquistadores have enough pitching to go with their potent hitting. If Juan Guerrero of Poly had not hit a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning last season to beat the Conquistadores, 4-3, in the playoffs, right-hander Josh Deneau would have been a hero. He pitched wonderfully except for that one pitch. Deneau and sophomore Greg Acheatel will lead the staff. Conor Jackson, Sean McElroy, Jason Kort and Mike Leduc lead the attack.

GRANT: The Lancers are favored to win the Sunset Six League. Returning from a team that upset Granada Hills in last year’s playoffs are pitchers Michael Marble and Jose Munoz and shortstop Felipe Tetelboin.

SYLMAR: The Spartans have the pitching, but they must develop consistent hitting. Center fielder Larry Anguino batted .383 last season and could be an effective leadoff hitter.

KENNEDY: Senior shortstop Juan Sepulveda’s hitting and fielding will be crucial to the Golden Cougars’ hopes. They were a surprise semifinalist last season with a young team.

THE PROMISING

SAN FERNANDO: The Tigers were 5-23 a year ago, but they have been boosted by transfers. Manny Flores, a transfer from Poly, will add hitting and pitching. Infielder Jesus Alvarez, a transfer from North Hollywood, also will help. Pitcher Jose Montes could be outstanding.

CHATSWORTH: The defending City champion has a cast of unknowns. It’s the least-experienced team in Coach Tom Meusborn’s 11 seasons. He has three left-handed pitchers and must build the offense around returning shortstop Matt Fisher.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD: The good news for the Huskies is that eight starters return. The bad news is they were 8-23 last season. Shortstop Jake Rand committed 40 errors but has made lots of improvement.

POLY: The Parrots lost to Chatsworth in last season’s City final. Losing Flores hurts, but the Parrots have high expectations for junior left-hander Joe Hampel, who threw two no-hitters on junior varsity.

BIRMINGHAM: The Patriots return eight starters. Catcher Jose Carrillo and shortstop Raul Campos batted .430 and .341, respectively, as freshmen.

GRANADA HILLS: The Highlanders need pitching, but catcher John Voita, a transfer from El Camino Real, and infielders Ryan Braun and Erik Hagstrom are solid.