Western State Coaches Settle into Familiar Routine

Hey, what’s going on here?

Or, better yet, what’s not going on?

For the second consecutive year, Western State Conference baseball coaches have chosen to leave well enough alone and not tinker with everything from the schedule to conference alignment.

“We’ve been kind of quiet,” said Bob Lofrano, Pierce College’s coach. “It was getting wild, wasn’t it?”

In past years, it seemed the WSC regularly changed playing formats, sometimes out of necessity because of new teams entering the conference, but other times to maneuver for better seedings in the playoffs.

The only significant change this season is the coaching switch at Glendale, where Denny Barrett has taken over the program. The other teams in the region are under their same leaders.

And all of them are looking for ways to get the most mileage out of their players, starting with season openers today and Saturday.

Here’s a rundown of the teams in the region:

ANTELOPE VALLEY

COACH: Joe Watts, fifth season

LAST SEASON: 6-29; fourth in Foothill Conference Northern Division at 6-21

Only three players return: first baseman John Keltner, outfielder Tim Guzman and first baseman-third baseman David Nichols. Keltner led the Marauders with a .408 batting average and Nichols (.316) with 23 runs batted in. Guzman (.207) had nine stolen bases. The newcomers include first baseman Charlie Cooke, who batted .410 with five home runs and 33 RBIs at Antelope Valley High last year and catcher Eric Torrez, who batted .406 with 28 RBIs at Highland High.

CANYONS

COACH: Len Mohney, 11th season

LAST SEASON: 25-19; first in WSC Southern Division at 20-6

Two All-WSC players, third baseman Kasey Canale and center fielder Jeremy Seipel, anchor a strong hitting lineup. Canale batted .376 with 15 doubles and 22 RBIs in conference action, and Seipel batted .351 with four home runs and 20 RBIs. Shortstop Luis Sanchez, who had six home runs last year, provides power. Infielder David Soto from Kennedy High (.400, 28 RBIs) should contribute. However, the Cougars need someone to pick up the slack for last year’s ace, right-hander Chris Baker, who is academically ineligible.

GLENDALE

COACH: Denny Barrett, first season

LAST SEASON: 14-24; fifth in WSC Southern Division at 9-17

The Vaqueros are coming off their fifth consecutive losing season, a streak Barrett would like to end. First baseman Brett Niles, shortstop Rafael Lomeli and outfielders Sheldon Philip-Guide and Karl Castro are key returning regulars who should be complemented by freshman third baseman Freddy Sanchez (.425, 29 RBIs at Burbank High) and freshman second baseman Jesse Mitchell (.417 at Crescenta Valley High). Left-hander Jared Sandler was 2-1 with a 3.03 earned-run average in WSC games.

MISSION

COACH: Randy Cooper, second season

LAST SEASON: 13-25; sixth in WSC Southern Division at 6-20

Mission has floundered since joining the WSC two years ago after much success in the disbanded Southern California Athletic Conference. But the Free Spirit could regain some of the old form if young pitchers produce. The top guns at Sylmar High last season--right-hander Ralph Velazco (8-1, 2.33), right-hander Javier Ruelas (4-0, 0.97) and left-hander Albert Palma (4-5, 2.05)--are on the staff. The offense is led by All-WSC outfielder Amador Solis (.356, six home runs) and outfielder Jaime Cerna (.336). Right-hander Danny Arguello was the workhorse last year with 76 1/3 innings pitched.

MOORPARK

COACH: Ken Wagner, eighth season

LAST SEASON: 14-23; fourth in WSC Northern Division at 11-15

Two outstanding outfielders, Andy Huisenga and Steve Klein, form the backbone of this year’s team. Klein (.322, three home runs, 17 RBIs) was an All-WSC Northern Division pick and Huisenga batted .386 with 17 RBIs. Sophomore second baseman Tim Nykoluk brings experience to an infield that includes freshman shortstop Jarrod Penwarden, who last season batted .354 at Granada Hills High. Right-handers Kary Kozlowski (3-1, 4.24) and Casey Vermette (0-1, 3.24) and left-hander Mike Vasquez (3-1, 2.16) lead the pitching staff.

OXNARD

COACH: Pat Woods, second season

LAST SEASON: 31-10; first in WSC Northern Division at 22-4

All-WSC Northern Division catcher Mike Muller and center fielder Matt Buttell are the only returning regulars. Muller batted .338 in conference play and Buttell batted .325 with 19 RBIs. Right-hander Adam Springston, who was 2-1 with two saves and a 1.32 ERA as a reliever in WSC games, moves into the starting rotation along with left-hander Mike Corral, who was 7-3 with a 1.73 ERA at Camarillo High. The Condors are coming off their first WSC title, divisional or otherwise, since 1988, but they appear hard-pressed to follow suit with the loss of right-hander Josh Towers to the pros and right-hander Ray Clinton and left-hander Brian Downing to graduation. Towers was the Northern Division player of the year.

PIERCE

COACH: Bob Lofrano, seventh season

LAST SEASON: 28-14; second in WSC Southern Division at 18-8

Hard-throwing right-hander Harry Kenoi (seven saves, 2.12 ERA), last year’s closer and an All-WSC Southern Division pick, moves into a rotation that also features left-handers Josh Morgan (3-0, 2.91 in WSC games) and Josh Goldberg. They get to work with Kirk Mayer (.333), who moves to catcher from second base. The outfield has been strengthened with the return of center fielder Jeff Astgen, sidelined last season because of knee surgery, and the addition of Seth Barkley, who batted .550 with four home runs and 40 RBIs at L.A. Baptist High.

VALLEY

COACH: Chris Johnson, 10th season

LAST SEASON: 14-27; fourth in WSC Southern Division at 10-16

Although only 5 feet 10, sophomore right-hander Taiki Yamaoka anchors a vastly inexperienced staff. In fact, freshmen comprise nearly the entire roster. Catcher Mike Wertz, second baseman Jaime Dorado--the latest of four brothers to play for the Monarchs in the past three seasons--and right-hander Pedro Cuervo are the other returning players, but all were reserves. The top freshmen include outfielder Steve Guerrero from Poly High (.479), catcher Casey Roth from Cleveland High (.447, 27 RBIs) and outfielder Ed Jung from L.A. Baptist (.552, 40 RBIs).

VENTURA

COACH: Don Adams, third season

LAST SEASON: 20-20; third in WSC Northern Division at 13-13

Like many of the other WSC teams, the Pirates have undergone a big turnover in key personnel. Only three players who last year made a significant impact return: second baseman Tim Stallings (.345), catcher Monty Moritz and right-hander Jeremy Pierce. Newcomers who should see plenty of action include shortstop Jason Watkins from Ventura High (.366), outfielder Brian Riley from Buena High (.383) and outfielder Rocky Frutos from Santa Paula High (seven home runs, 22 RBIs).