PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Calvary Chapel

Coach: Mike Williams

2000 record: 20-8

League record: 12-3

Starting pitcher Kyle Christensen (15-2, 1.30 ERA, 130 strikeouts), a Times’ Orange County first-team selection, will miss his junior season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Christensen suffered the injury, a devastating blow to the Eagles, in October. Eight starters return, though, giving Coach Mike Williams a deep and experienced squad in his first season. Pitchers Joe Carrier, Jared Merino, Terry Mermer and Patrick Spurgeon must pick up the slack. Catcher Ben Linn (.463, 28 RBIs) carries a big bat, while third baseman David McDougall, shortstop Tyler Schaffer, outfielders Blake West and Joey Patierno and infielder Richard Maxson should give the Eagles a potent lineup. Pitcher/utilityman Brian Stanley, a transfer from Ocean View, and Tim Carrier are the newcomers.

Capistrano Valley Chr.

Coach: Terry Gaunt

2000 record: 14-9

League record: 9-1

Only two players return, but one is first-team all-league catcher Jason Ward, who hit .379 last season. Outfielder James Pierce is the other returning starter. The Eagles must rely on newcomers, including pitcher Josh Stickel and outfielder Garret Day, a transfer from Dana Hills. Freshman pitcher/infielder Chris Mitchell is expected to see considerable playing time. The Eagles also need contributions from several of last year’s junior varsity players.

Eastside Christian

Coach: Mike Blankenship

2000 record: 3-13

League record: 3-9

All-league pitcher Chris Love (3-7), who also hit .511 with 11 RBIs and 15 stolen bases, and outfielder Bryant Lopez are the team’s only returning starters. Freshman pitcher/catcher/shortstop Matt Silvernale and utilityman Bryan King will see plenty of playing time. The Eagles’ depth will be bolstered by nine transfers from Southern California Christian, which closed last year: outfielders Michael Crandall, Eric Roberts, Joey Sommers and Matt McMillen, first baseman John Crandall, second baseman Daniel Allen, third baseman Josh Zumkehr, pitcher/catcher Mike Snavely and pitcher/shortstop Alan Mendez. Coach Mike Blankenship said the influx of players should give the Eagles more depth at each position.

Fairmont

Coach: Mark Alves

2000 record: 6-10

League record: 1-9

Seven starters return to a team that will use speed to manufacture runs. First-team all-league pitcher/infielder Chris Hebein hit .543 with 17 RBIs last season, and infielder Phil Waites hit .412 with 16 RBIs. Infielder Jason Park stole 13 bases, pitcher/outfielder Ben English stole 10, pitcher/outfielder Bryan Kim (.378) stole nine and outfielder Shawn Malik stole four. Infielders Nur Malhis and Spencer Ko and outfielder Saffon Ahmed provide depth and experience. Top newcomers include catcher Devon Rucker, an Esperanza transfer, catcher/first baseman Arizona Smith and pitcher/infielder Matt Etheridge. Coach Mark Alves said the Huskies should benefit from tremendous speed at the top and bottom of their lineup.

Liberty Christian

Coach: Don Harbert

2000 record: 6-11

League record: 5-7

The Minutemen return seven starters, including first-team all-league selections Nick Harbert (.295), a pitcher/shortstop, and Mike Spagnola (.509, 3 HRs, 18 RBIs), a pitcher/center fielder. Third baseman Brandon Burch (.340), second baseman Cory Pickering (.310) and shortstop Paul Bond give the team an experienced infield. Right fielder David Huie and left fielder Chris Houser (.292) are the other returning starters.

Mater Dei

Coach: Burt Call

2000 record: 17-11

League record: 7-5

Shortstop Sergio Santos (.440, 8 HRs, 29 RBIs), a Times’ Orange County second-team selection, will lead a Monarch team intent on supplanting Bellflower St. John Bosco as Serra League champion. Catcher Richard Mercado (.400, 32 RBIs) and second baseman/outfielder Mike Harris (.366, 8 HRs, 19 RBIs) are Mater Dei’s other top returning starters. Third baseman Andy Castillo (13 RBIs) and outfielder C.J. Cook (4 HRs, 17 RBIs) are also back. Several others with varsity experience return, including second baseman Garrett Gipe, first baseman Keith Greer, pitcher/first baseman Josh Gagne, outfielder Jason Murray and pitchers Warren Cheiner, Anthony Slama and Matt Navarrette. Newcomers J.P. Maciel and Ryan Kelly will compete for spots on an inexperienced pitching staff. Other newcomers include outfielder Daniel Perales, first baseman/third baseman Tim Stewart and catcher J.J. Owen.

Orange Lutheran

Coach: Mark Langston

2000 record: 6-19

League record: 5-10

The big news for the Lancers is that Mark Langston has taken over as coach. Yes, that Mark Langston. The former major league pitcher should help improve a pitching staff that is expected to be one of the team’s weaknesses. Jacob Radomski is the only returning pitcher with varsity experience, but he wasn’t a starter last season. The returning starters are outfielder Brent Concolino, catcher Ryan Cecil, second baseman Scott Wooldridge and shortstop Jon Talmage. Wooldridge set a school record last season when he converted all 104 of his fielding opportunities. The top newcomers are first baseman Matt Morris, second baseman/shortstop Ruben Sanchez and pitcher Joel Kott. Langston said speed, hitting and infield play should be the team’s strengths.

Saddleback Valley Chr.

Coach: Andrew Kelley

2000 record: 0-0

League record: 0-0

The Warriors are fielding a varsity team for the first time in school history and will play a freelance schedule. Coach Andrew Kelley is still preparing his roster and has yet to release a starting lineup. Saddleback Valley Christian will likely be an underdog in every game it plays.

Santa Margarita

Coach: Tip Lefebvre

2000 record: 11-10

League record: 5-7

Pitcher/third baseman Matt Wilkerson, a Times’ Orange County first-team selection, hit .508 with nine home runs and 27 RBIs last season. He returns with all-league shortstop Chris Malec and first baseman Micheal Beattie. The Eagles are deep, with pitchers Anthony Bernal, Eric Brock and David Lagrew, catcher Matt Wooley and left fielder Mike Foley returning to start again. Others with varsity experience include pitchers Jared Hughes and John Read, outfielders Kyle Massey and Brendan Judge and second baseman/outfielder John Roth. With that core group, Santa Margarita should improve on last year’s third-place Serra League finish.

Servite

Coach: Todd Cook

2000 record: 9-16

League record: 4-8

The Friars can swing the bat well but need their pitchers to step up. Catcher/first baseman Pete Eastman (.447, 5 HRs, 23 RBIs) leads the offensive corps, which includes first baseman/catcher Jeff Brown (.417, 11 RBIs), shortstop Doug Middleton (.364, 12 RBIs) and pitcher/second baseman Steve Kahn (.370, 12 RBIs), who was 2-2 with a 5.50 ERA. Other pitchers include Dan Strough (1-2, 2.53 ERA), Mike Ahern (2-3), Chris Foscone (1-2), Billy Gibbons and David Pastorello. Top newcomers include third baseman Evan Hudson and outfielders David Perez and A.J. LaMonda.

St. Margaret’s

Coach: Ryan Garrity

2000 record: 12-8

League record: 6-4

The Tartans should benefit from an experienced pitching staff and veteran leadership. Seniors Ryan Birtcher, Brian Harris and Chris Manyer should shoulder the load on the mound. Other returning starters include infielders Andrew Ferris, Pat Tokayama and Colter Flemming, who is returning after a bout with epilepsy. Others with varsity experience include Mike Boyle, John Elwis, Anthony Arreola and Jared Kettler.

Whittier Christian

Coach: Brett Thorsteinson

2000 record: 15-10

League record: 10-5

The Heralds, who return six starters, expect to battle for the Olympic League’s final guaranteed playoff spot. First-team all-league selections Anthony Villa (7-4, 2.44 ERA), a pitcher/outfielder, and Joey Conrad (3.11 ERA), a pitcher/first baseman, should lead the way. Second-team all-league selection Anthony Ruiz (.402), a center fielder, catcher/pitcher Anthony Esquer (.360), second baseman Robert Alexander and shortstop Matt Ramirez also are back. The top newcomers are infielder Jason Witt, outfielder Erik Hughes, infielder Bobby Liu and outfielder Kyle Underwood.