The local baseball scene has kicked off for three scholastic teams.
At La Jolla Country Day School, head coach John Edman and the Torreys went 17-15 (5-3 Coastal League) last spring.
This year’s squad will look to a number of key players, including Greg Wisenberg (pitcher/infielder), Kyle Reese (pitcher/infielder), Mike McKenna (catcher), John Hansbrough (pitcher/outfielder), Tommy Morris (outfielder), Brandon Belew (infielder), Zack Campbell (pitcher and infielder), Jake Hirsch (outfielder), JT Kelley (infielder) and Derek Hatfield (utility). Top newcomers included Ben Cohn (pitcher), Ben Sweeney (catcher/infielder) and Sam Wisenberg (pitcher).
“While we lost a very talented ballplayer in Zack Kusnir, we return everyone else from our very solid 2007 club,” Edman noted. “We return two of our top three pitchers in Greg Wisenberg and Kyle Reese, who combined for 11 wins in 2007, and we have four talented young men who will vie for the number three and four spots (Campbell, Hirsch, Hansbrough and Wisenberg). Defensively, this should be one of the best Country Day teams ever, led by senior catcher Mike McKenna.”
Edman added that the LJCD bats should rival the defense in talent, as they return players who totaled 19 homers in 2007 and hit for a .310 average.
“All that said, the hallmark of this team is a tremendous attitude and work ethic. They are a great bunch to work with,” Edman added.
At The Bishop’s School, the Knights under head coach Al Gomez went 9-11 (3-5 Coastal League) last season.
Key players in ’08 look to be co-captains Nick Cox (second base) and Tim Costello (center field), Cade Sears (catcher), Raj Dharmapal (pitcher) and Chris Ludwig (shortstop).
“This team will have to execute on offense and defense to win ballgames this season,” Gomez said. “We return only one starting pitcher and will look for some younger players to step up and make some contributions. Coastal South should be competitive and have a strong showing in the Division IV playoffs.”
At La Jolla High, head coach Gary Frank and the Vikings went 21-10 overall last year (8-4 Western League).
Key players this season look to include shortstop Trent Jemmett, first baseman Peter Sefton, pitcher Patrick Christensen, third baseman Jimmy Filter, catcher Zach Tonks and pitcher Wyatt Hoff.
“We should have another strong team this year,” Frank remarked. “We’re returning four starting infielders and two of our top pitchers from last year’s Western League championship team. Trent Jemmett and Zach Tonks are four-year starters and should provide a lot of leadership. Patrick Christensen and Wyatt Hoff will anchor the pitching staff, and Peter Sefton and Jimmy Filter are going to provide some pop in the middle of our lineup.”