Point Loma High’s baseball team is looking forward to the addition of three transfer players who are now eligible to play after sitting out a required 30-day period.
Head coach Jeff Solis, whose Pointers have posted a .500 record in early season and tournament games (7-7-1), expects the threesome to give his team the needed boost it will take to become Western League champions.
The transfers are pitcher Chopper Correia from Mater Dei in Chula Vista, outfielder/pitcher Will Sanford (The Rock Academy), and third baseman/pitcher Frankie Giacalone (St. Augustine).
Solis notes injuries to his 24-player squad have hurt the team’s record.
“We left some wins on the table,” he said. “It’s not exactly where we want to be but we were very banged up for a lot of games. We’re healthy now and I like our chances from here on out. We’re a really good team and we’re going to win some good games.”
The Western League also includes Cathedral Catholic, St. Augustine, and Madison along with new member Patrick Henry. Teams play each other in a three-game series for one week, making pitching depth critical for each school. The Pointer-Patrick Henry series was played earlier this week.
For the Pointers, the top pitcher is Johnny Nuanez who currently sports a 1.94 earned run average, striking out 27 batters while walking only six over 21.2 innings. He has attracted interest from colleges but made no commitment.
“Johnny showed up this year bigger, stronger, and faster,” Solis said. “He’s really worked hard. After him we have Sanford (Oregon commit) and then either Henry Crim or Liam Cannavino plus other position players who can pitch. We have lots of pitching and should be fine.”
Senior Jordan Otjen, batting third, is the foundation of the Pointer offense. An all-league and All-CIF selection last year, he currently leads the team with 13 runs batted in and has clubbed two home runs. Other hot bats in the lineup belong to Sanford, Kian Barker, Drake Cobb, and Giacalone.
Senior leadership is a critical component of successful prep teams and Solis feels that role has not yet been filled.
“We have a lot of really nice seniors,” he noted, “and it would be nice if there was a guy who would take over and be a leader of this team.”
Until then, Solis sees junior Ely Montgomery, the team’s leadoff hitter, as having leadership potential. Currently hitting .333 with an on-base percentage of .440, Solis says, “Eli seems to spark us. When he gets on base it seems to jumpstart this team.”
“We have a really great group of kids who want to compete,” Solis said. “If we play our game, we should win league,” Solis said. “That’s our goal and I’ll be very disappointed if we don’t win it.”
EXTRA BASES
The Pointers are currently ranked 21st among all San Diego CIF section teams.
The Pointer junior varsity team is currently 13-2, going 12-0 before two recent losses.
