Santa Paula Could Be Over Top After Playing Underclassmen

Santa Paula has seven returning starters from team that was 3-16-1 last season, but the only senior is Chad Meteiak, a pitcher-outfielder.

Three are sophomores--left fielder Aaron Segovia, pitcher-first baseman John Reyes and shortstop Jose Arizaga--and three are juniors--center fielder Jacob Macias, catcher Sam Guzman and second baseman Rene Molina.

“Last year I brought up quite a few underclassmen and they battled,” said Coach Gerry Sandoval, who is in his second season with the Cardinals.

“In the second year of the rebuilding process, this should be a positive for our club.”

Danny Torres, a senior third baseman, is one of the most inexperienced players because he didn’t play last season. Another junior, Freddy Lozano, is the Cardinals’ hardest-throwing pitcher.

“Our pitchers are two sophomores and two juniors,” Sandoval said.

“We should be able to put up a lot of runs, but our pitching is still young.”

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Michael Nesbit has come a long way from Williamsport, Pa.

Chaminade’s center fielder was a reserve on the Northridge “Earthquake Kids” national champion Little League team in 1994, unable to crack the starting lineup because he lacked strength.

Nesbit has grown into a 6-foot, 170-pound fleet ballhawk who Coach Scott Drootin would not trade for anyone.

“I challenge you to find a better defensive outfielder,” Drootin said.