SUNSET LEAGUE
Los Alamitos coach Mark Clabough feels Marina is the team to beat in the Sunset League, but he always likes the Griffins' chances when senior lefty Beau Wright takes the mound.
Wright (10-1) is an all-CIF big-game pitcher who always seems to find his way out of jams and wins even on days when he doesn't have his best stuff.
Senior right-handed pitchers Clay Sanders and Will Olsen will be key if the Griffins are able to win a third consecutive Sunset League title.
Senior first baseman Ken Uyetake (.358, 22 RBI) returns after an all-league season, and Jack DeAngelis, Mickey Lorenzini, Nick Vitter and Nick Vitter are returning position players.
Top newcomers include junior catcher Brad Hartong, junior pitcher Kyle Ferramola and senior outfielder Dillon Randolph.
"Marina has the most talent in the league and Edison has some quality returning players, but if the kids all buy into their roles, we can absolutely win the Sunset League," Clabough said.
TRINITY LEAGUE
St. John Bosco coach Mario Cordero expects a dramatic improvement from a disappointing 6-18 season and for his team to vie for a playoff spot in the Trinity League.
Cornell-bound senior catcher Phil Mullan (.300, 24 hits, 8 RBI) leads a group of returning Braves starters. Senior first baseman George Thomas, senior centerfielder Ian Sakry, sophomore infielders Dante Flores, Joe Grajeda and Taylor Sparks will all play key roles for Bosco.
On the mound, sophomore right-handed pitchers Koby Gauana and David Meza will team with senior all-Trinity League selection Joie Dunyon to eat up most of the Braves' innings.
"This year we are looking to compete with perennial Trinity League powers Mater Dei, JSerra, Servite, Santa Margarita and Orange Lutheran for one of the three playoff spots," Cordero said.
DEL REY LEAUGE
St. Paul junior shortstop Andrew Chico is coming off an amazing sophomore campaign in which he hit .414 with 46 hits and 34 runs scored for a Swordsmen team that is hoping to challenge perennial Del Rey League champion Bishop Amat.
Junior pitcher-outfielder Gabe Encinas (.340, 33 hits and 20 RBI) and junior third baseman-outfielder Evan Sanchez (.303, 23 hits, 13 RBI) will be the core of coach Casey Morales' club. Encinas and junior Chris Wilson were a combined 12-5 on the hill for the second-place Swordsmen.
ALPHA LEAGUE
Downey Calvary Chapel's junior right-handed pitcher Spencer Troutman is 2-0 thus far with 15 strikeouts in 10 innings and is also a big bat for the Grizzlies.
Senior centerfielder Caleb Soto is hitting .530 to start the season and senior catcher Schyler Chandler is off to a quick start with a .500 average for a team expecting to challenge Maranatha and Paraclete for the Alpha League title.
Downey transfer Jonathan Lopez, a pitcher-third baseman, could play a key role for the Grizzlies.
Calvary Chapel coach Steve Jahnkow is back for his second stint with the Grizzlies and likes his team's chances.
"If we cut down on mental mistakes, we're going to be tough to beat," Jahnkow said. "We're pitching and hitting well, but in the two games we've lost, we've shot ourselves in the foot."
SANTA FE LEAGUE
St. Anthony is off to a nice 4-1 start and will battle Salesian and Bell-Jeff for the Santa Fe League title.
Senior pitcher-shortstop Sunny Montoya and junior Jeff Curran will anchor the Saints' pitching staff. Curran, a 6-foot-2 lefty, was the Santa Fe League's MVP last season.
Junior third baseman Robert Yates is the St. Anthony clean-up hitter, and sophomore outfielder Greg Ahle is potentially a big bat for Saints coach Roger Penticoff.
St. Anthony is coming off a league title last season after going 14-1.
"If we can move runners along and do some good situational hitting, we'll be successful," Penticoff said.
OLYMPIC LEAGUE
Valley Christian's Brett Struiksma, a senior third baseman-pitcher, is a four-year starter. He set a school record with 11 home runs and 38 RBI, and led the Olympic League in every offensive category and has three home runs and two doubles to start the season. Texas-Arlington, Northwestern Oklahoma State are among four college's vying for his services.
Senior catcher-shortstop Kyle Cameron is a key defensive player, and will go to Concordia to catch next season. Senior infielder Greg Saarloos is the Crusaders' clean-up hitter and a lot is expected offensively after a .350 junior season.
Junior pitcher Brad Vandergrift is the Crusaders' ace and is expecting a huge season.
Freshman outfielder-pitcher Chase DeJong is coming off a starring role for the Long Beach World Series champion Pony team and is fitting in nicely with the Crusaders. DeJong has started the season as the No. 2 hitter and is batting .500 and will see his share of time on the mound.
Valley Christian will battle Montclair Prep and Campbell Hall for a league title.
-Brian Baiotto
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