Three local scholastic baseball teams have CIF gold on their wish lists this spring.
At La Jolla High School, head coach Gary Frank and the Vikings come off of a 13-13 season and a tie for fourth place in the Western League last season.
Key players this year should include shortstop Trent Jemmett (.309 average last season), pitcher/centerfielder Billy Bright (1.99 ERA), catcher Zach Tonks (.289 average), second baseman Jack Peterson (.415 on-base percentage), rightfielder/pitcher Robert Sprong (.300 average), third baseman/pitcher Wyatt Hoff (.315 average), pitcher Casey Richmond (2-1 record) and pitcher Patrick Christensen.
“We have seven starters back and four of our top pitchers from last season,” Frank commented. “We have the talent and depth to challenge for the Western League title this year. If we can stay healthy and continue to improve and work as a team, we are going to be a force to be reckoned with this year.”
At La Jolla Country Day School, head coach John Edman and the Torreys come off of a 16-12-1 mark a season ago and first place tie in Coastal League South.
“We should make a run at the Division IV title,” Edman noted, with Francis Parker expected to be the toughest competition.
The Torreys will count on pitcher/first baseman Zack Kusnir (.348 average), a first-team All-Coastal player last season, and second-team All Coastal catcher/pitcher Mike McKenna (.420 average), along with pitcher/infielder Greg Wisenberg (25 RBI), and pitcher/infielder Kyle Reese (.312 average). The top newcomers include infielder Brandon Belew and pitcher/infielder John Kennedy.
“Our returning pitchers earned 14 of our 16 wins on the mound in Zack Kusnir and Greg Wisenberg, and Kyle Reese and John Kennedy will add depth to the rotation,” Edman continued. “Our five returning offensive players hit 15 home runs in 2006 and will be a threat to go deep at any time. This may be the hardest working and most dedicated team we have had at La Jolla Country Day, and we are looking forward to a great year.”
At The Bishop’s School, the Knights and head coach Al Gomez went 16-11 last spring, finishing as co-Coastal League champs and reaching the third round of CIF’s.
Key players this year look to be first-team Coastal South shortstop Colin Walsh, first-team Coastal South pitcher Patrick Swan, pitcher/third baseman Tommy Wornham and second baseman Nick Cox.
“We lost six seniors that all made contributions last year,” Gomez noted. “We have four returning starters. We have a young team but high expectations have been made by the coaches and captains for this season. Newcomers Cade Sears, Raj Dharmapal and Chris Ludwig should make significant contributions as well. The keys to a successful season will be pitching, defense and offensive execution.”