2016 Baseball Capsule Previews
ADELSON SCHOOL
Head coach: Dan Kelly, third season
2015 record: 2-7
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (five)
Top players: P/1B Ethan Finkelstein (Sr.), P/1B Brandon Pappas (Jr.), SS Mordechai Shirit (Fr.), C Aaron Schwartz (Sr.)
Outlook: The Lions continue their building process. In the program’s third year, the team remains an independent with hopes to improve and soon compete in league play.
“The team is better than the past two years, but there is still plenty of room for growth,” Kelly said. “We look forward to having competitive games as we build the Adelson baseball program.”
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AGASSI PREP
Head coach: Christopher Jensen, second season
2015 record: 9-9 (5-7 III Southern, sixth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (six)
Outlook: The Stars showed great improvement in Jensen’s first season and are hoping for more of the same this year.
“The core group of starters return with several players who were ineligible last year expected to make the team this year,” Jensen said. “Agassi Prep will be playing three Division I-A schools, a first for us. We are looking forward to challenging ourselves against some of the best baseball schools in Southern Nevada.”
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ARBOR VIEW
Head coach: Gary White, first season
2015 record: 27-12 (5-3 Northwest, third)
Returning starters: Four
Top players: SS Nick Quintana (Sr.), 1B Ryan McHale (Sr.), OF/P Jayce Gardner (Sr.)
Outlook: White, who coached the Aggies from 2006 to 2008, returns for another stint and returns to guide a team that will be led by one of the most talented players in Southern Nevada in Quintana.
The shortstop hit .433 with eight homers and 49 RBIs last year and was selected to play in the All-American Classic last August.
McHale (.371, 16 HR, 49 RBIs) and Gardner (.347, 17 RBIs) also return to boost the offense.
Pitching may be a question mark for the Aggies, who lost staff ace Sam Pastrone (7-3, 2.49 ERA, 56.1 innings, 82 strikeouts), Ben Cutting (5-3, 3.75) and Ryan Brown (3-1, 3.29) to graduation.
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BASIC
Head coach: Scott Baker, fifth season
2015 record: 27-6 (9-1 Southeast, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eleven (six)
Top players: 1B/P Jack Wold (Jr.), SS/P Ryne Nelson (Sr.), C Roger Riley (Jr.), 2B/SS David Hudleson (Sr.), P Trever Berg (Sr.)
Outlook: The Wolves bring back 11 lettermen from a team that won the Southeast League title last year.
Nelson (6-1, 2.03 ERA, 38 innings, 41 strikeouts; .412, 4 home runs, 22 RBIs) and Berg (5-1, 1.96 ERA, 39 IP, 28 K) are back to lead the pitching staff.
Riley (.433, 20 RBIs), Wold (.414, 14 doubles, 28 RBIs) and Hudleson (.362, 11 RBIs) should be among the leaders on offense.
“Pitching and defense will be relied on heavily,” Baker said.
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BEAVER DAM
Head coach: Travis Delaney, first season
2015 record: 8-12 (1-5 IV Southern, third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (seven)
Top players: P/CF Luiz Gonzales (Sr.), P/SS Uriel Perez (Jr.)
Outlook: Seven lettermen return for the Diamondbacks, who have only three seniors on a 20-player roster.
“We will be competitive,” Delaney said. “We have 12 freshmen, 10 of whom have never played baseball before.”
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BONANZA
Head coach: Mike O’Rourke, third season
2015 record: 15-15 (2-6 Northwest, fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eleven (five)
Top players: RF Chris Dunn (Sr.), C Micah Higa (Sr.), IF Eric Schultz (Sr.), 3B Jay DeSoto (Jr.)
Outlook: In any other Division I league last season, the Bengals likely would have been a playoff team, but trapped in a league with four teams that all finished 10 or more games above .500, Bonanza missed out.
Eleven lettermen return to try to get the Bengals back into the postseason.
O’Rourke expects Dunn (.395, 3 home runs, 19 RBIs) to be among the team’s offensive leaders along with Higa (.347, 16 RBIs), DeSoto (.362, 1 RBIs) and Schultz (.303, 18 RBIs).
“Senior Kyle Ming and juniors Luis Lares and Danny Ruiz, among others, look to contribute to the pitching staff that has to replace the 47 innings thrown by Spencer Faught, who graduated,” O’Rourke said.
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BOULDER CITY
Head coach: Bobby Reese, fourth season
2015 record: 24-13 (14-0 Sunrise, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (seven)
Top players: RF Nolan DeSantis (Sr.), LF/P Peyton Koopman (Sr.), SS/P Steve Wagner (Sr.), OF/P Zach Murphy (Sr.), 3B Austin Wishard (Sr.), 1B Preston Van Diest (Jr.), 2B Mike Morelli (Sr.), SS/P Jacob Hubel (Jr.)
Outlook: The Eagles return seven starters from a team that won the Sunrise League and advanced to the Division I-A state tournament.
DeSantis (.516), Van Diest (.483, 27 RBIs), Koopman (.372, 5 home runs, 33 RBIs; 5-1 record), Murphy (.357, 17 RBIs), Wishard (.352, 25 RBIs), Morelli (.295) and Wagner (5-2, 2.10 ERA) all should be among the team’s leaders.
“It’s a very exciting team with eight seniors and seven returning starters,” Reese said. “We have two new players to our school as well as four juniors who will be new to varsity and looking to fill some holes left by last year’s seniors.”
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CALVARY CHAPEL
Head coach: Steven Abbott, second season
2015 record: 1-17 (1-11 III Southern, ninth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Ten (eight)
Top players: IF/P Alec Neider (Jr.), OF/P/IF Christian O’Kelley (Jr.), C/P Gage Terry (So.), IF/P Isaiah Jimmerson (Jr.)
Outlook: The Lions took their lumps last season, but bring back eight starters who are a year more experienced.
Neider (.500 average) and O’Kelley (.375) should be among the leaders.
“We are going to have a solid team,” Abbott said. “I feel that this year, we will be competitive and will win some ball games. I believe that all the hard work over the past few years is going to pay off for us this season.”
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CANYON SPRINGS
Head coach: Jeff Gardner, first season
2015 record: 10-21 (2-6 Northeast, fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Five (five)
Top players: OF Edgar Barbarin (Sr.), P/1B Zackrey Gardner (Sr.), P/1B Johnny Flores (Sr.), OF Nick Zink (Sr.), OF Giovani Benuto (Jr.), SS Trevor Berkemeyer (So.), 2B Ryan Loy (So.), C Isaiah Brown (Jr.)
Outlook: Jeff Gardner takes over a team that returns five starters after qualifying for the postseason last year.
The Pioneers are hoping to again make a trip to the playoffs.
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CENTENNIAL
Head coach: Charles Cerrone, 17th season
2015 record: 24-13 (2-6 Northwest, fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eight (two)
Top players: C Hayden Grant (Sr.), IF Frank Sessa (Sr.), IF/OF Bryce Rheault (Sr.), C/OF Jarod Grimm (Sr.), P/IF Kyle Horton (Jr.), P/IF Jake Rogers (Jr.), P/IF Hayden Rosenkrantz (Jr.), P/IF Garrett Holden (So.), P/OF Austin Kryszczuk (Fr.)
Outlook: Centennial returns just two starters, but still has plenty of talent.
“Our team graduated six starters and most of our pitching innings,” Cerrone said. “Also, we lost two starters to season-ending injuries. We are young and inexperienced.
“Hopefully as the season progresses, we will get that experience and qualify for the playoffs. We have a good group of young men that are hard working, and we think that will help.”
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CHAPARRAL
Head coach: Dave Soto, fifth season
2015 record: 20-10 (9-5 Sunrise, third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Five (three)
Top players: P/OF Mark O’Connor (Sr.), 1B/C Connor Jarvis (Jr.), SS Erick Villarreal (Jr.), C Robert O’Connor (So.)
Outlook: The Cowboys bring back only five lettermen and are young with half the roster either freshmen or sophomores.
Mark O’Connor (.389, 15 RBIs; 6-3, 1.29 ERA, 49 innings, 99 strikeouts) and Jarvis (.368, 25 RBIs) will be among the team’s leaders, and Soto also hopes for big contributions from Villarreal.
“The team will lack the pitching depth and the offense from the 2015 team, but expects to overcome this by playing smart, aggressive and hard-nosed baseball,” Soto said. “The team expects to battle for a playoff spot.”
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CHEYENNE
Head coach: Andy Concepcion, first season
2015 record: 9-15 (3-11 Sunset, seventh)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (six)
Top players: SS/P Angelo Hallenback (Sr.), CF/P A.J. McConnico (Sr.), 1B/P David Rose (Sr.), 1B/P George Carmona (Sr.), OF/P Antonio Chavez (Sr.), 2B/P Titus Quintanilla (Jr.), C/P Zach Childress (So.), 3B/P Chris Rose (Fr.)
Outlook: Concepcion inherits a squad that returns six starters and is hungry for success.
“We have quite a few seniors that we would like to go out as winners,” said Concepcion, who added that Hallenback “has the talent to play Division I baseball.”
Still, with Faith Lutheran, Spring Valley and Sierra Vista all in the same league, the road to an improved record won’t be an easy one.
“We’re looking to develop this program into a baseball powerhouse and bring back the Desert Shields’ pride,” Concepcion said. “Lots of work ahead.”
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CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
Head coach: Mike Hubel, 14th season
2015 record: 25-8 (5-3 Northwest, second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eight (one)
Top players: SS/P Derek Decolati (So.), CF Trevor Doyle (So.), LF Alexander Marco (Sr.), P/1B Luis Flores (Sr.), P/1B Noah Parker (Jr.), P/UTL Richie Coughlin (Sr.), UTL/P Jake Godman (So.), UTL/P Jaret Godman (So.), C Lasith Narasinghe (So.)
Outlook: The Spartans lost 10 seniors to graduation last spring and return just one starter.
“We are a talented young team,” Hubel said. “We will be young at most positions and will continue to get better as the year progresses. A couple of seniors in the mix will help lead the way.”
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CLARK
Head coach: Brian Gregorich, second season
2015 record: 5-12 (4-10 Sunset, sixth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Twelve (seven)
Top players: 2B Miguel Carrillo (Sr.), C Stefan McLin (Sr.), OF/P Matthew Thompson (Jr.), P/1B Matthias Blodgett (Jr.)
Outlook: The Chargers return 12 lettermen from a team that started a building process last season under Gregorich.
McLin (.375), Carrillo (.320) and Thompson (.310) probably will be among the leaders on offense, and Blodgett (2 wins, 4.25 ERA) returns to help the Chargers on the mound.
“There was a lot of learning on the job at the varsity level last season,” Gregorich said. “The key this year is to put that experience to good use and play clean baseball. Learning how to win and come together as a team will determine our level of success this season.”
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DEL SOL
Head coach: Jorge Romero, third season
2015 record: 11-13 (6-8 Sunrise, fifth)
Returning starters: Eight
Top players: 3B/1B Cordell Bowie (Sr.), DH/1B Zach Trujillo (Sr.)
Outlook: The Dragons return eight starters and should be primed for a good season.
Bowie hit .403 with 11 RBIs last season. Trujillo hit .377 with 13 RBIs.
“Our team will be very experienced,” Romero said. “This team has been together for three years, and every player is focused on having a successful year individually and as a team. We expect to be competitive and to be the first Del Sol baseball team to make a playoff run.”
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DESERT OASIS
Head coach: Paul Buboltz, fourth season
2015 record: 26-9 (6-2 Northwest, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (five)
Top players: IF Bryson Stott (Sr.), IF Brett Brocoff (Jr.), OF Kyle Fuentes (Jr.)
Outlook: Coming off their best season in the program’s history, the Diamondbacks have some work to do with the bulk of the team’s pitching from last year not returning.
Stott (.336), Fuentes (.333) and Brocoff (.217) should be among the leaders on offense.
“We are just trying to compete and have a shot to make the playoffs,” Buboltz said.
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DESERT PINES
Head coach: Ricky Earp, second season
2015 record: 6-22 (3-11 Sunrise, sixth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (six)
Top players: SS/C/P Juan Castaneda (So.), UTL Tony Fields (Jr.), 2B/SS/P Silverio Milian (Sr.), UTL Raymond Minero (Fr.)
Outlook: The Jaguars hope to continue a building process in Earp’s second season.
Six starters return, including Castaneda (.443, 13 RBIs) and Fields (.328).
“We will be looking to get contributions on the mound from Silverio Milian, who struggled with arm issues last season, and newcomer Raymond Minero,” Earp said. “We are hoping to build on some of the improvement from last season and are seeking to finish in the top half of the league and compete for a spot in the playoffs.”
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ELDORADO
Head coach: Jesse Medellin, 19th season
2015 record: 9-20 (0-10 Southeast, sixth)
Returning starters: Six
Top players: P/3B/1B Jordan Eldred (Jr.), P/1B Isaac Villanueva (Jr.), C/P Joseph Torres (Sr.), SS Trevor Swain (Sr.), 2B Ian Reber (Sr.), CF Jason DeMaria (Sr.)
Outlook: The Sundevils return six starters from last season and are hoping for more positive results this season.
“This year’s team has worked hard this offseason to improve on last year’s record,” Medellin said. “We have a couple of strong arms and look for a junior-laden pitching staff to keep us in games. We have six returning players that have played on the varsity team for at least two years, and we hope the experience will pay off with a playoff berth this year.”
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FAITH LUTHERAN
Head coach: David Anderson, first season
2015 record: 31-8 (13-1 Sunset, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (five)
Top players: P/1B Zack Trageton (Sr.), SS Josh Harmonay (Sr.), C Jake Koentopp (Sr.), CF Brandon Davis (Sr.), 3B Blake Giuliani (Jr.)
Outlook: Anderson takes over a team that has advanced to the Division I-A state championship game each of the last three years.
Trageton (.467 average, 25 RBIs; 6-3, 2.35 ERA, 62.2 innings, 88 strikeouts), Harmonay (.459, 20 doubles, 3 home runs, 33 RBIs), Koentopp (.417, 16 RBIs), Davis (.370, 39 RBIs) and Giuliani (.330, 23 RBIs) should be among the team’s leaders.
“This is a big year for the program,” Anderson said. “We have a good mix of seniors who have been seasoned and tested throughout their high school career. We also have a large group of underclassmen that will gain invaluable experience.”
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FOOTHILL
Head coach: Matt Iglitz, 10th season
2015 record: 9-21 (4-6 Southeast, fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Ten (three)
Top players: IF Shay Landers (Sr.), P Andrew Hauck (So.)
Outlook: The Falcons return just three starters from a team that narrowly missed out on the postseason, falling in a play-in game.
Landers (.325, 14 RBIs) and Hauck (3.78 ERA, 46.1 innings, 29 strikeouts) should be among leaders on a young squad.
“We could potentially start as many as four or five freshmen and sophomores, but we also have a nice little mix of juniors and seniors to complement and hopefully lead,” Iglitz said. “We’ve already shown steady improvement over the last few weeks of practice, and we should only get better with more experience.
“This is an enjoyable group of kids that is willing to be coached and eager to compete. We hope to compete for a playoff berth in the Sunrise Region.”
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GREEN VALLEY
Head coach: Corey Gehlken, fifth season
2015 record: 30-8 (7-3 Southeast, second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Thirteen (six)
Top players: 2B Jimmy Montiel (Sr.), RF Gavin Morley (Sr.), SS A.J. Amelburu (Jr.), 1B Drake Maningo (Jr.), P Spencer Cofer (Sr.), P Frankie Fitzgerald (Jr.)
Outlook: The defending Sunrise Region champions bring back 13 lettermen from a team that advanced to the Division I state title game last year.
Montiel (.351, 17 RBIs), Maningo (.348, 27 RBIs), Morley (.333, 3 home runs, 24 RBIs) and Amelburu (.360, 14 RBIs) return to lead the offense, and Cofer (4-0, 2.97 ERA) and Fitzgerald (2-2, 3.00 ERA) should be among the leaders on the mound.
“The expectation for this year’s team is to play at a high level, hard-nosed, aggressive, never-give-up brand of baseball,” Gehlken said. “We expect to be very competitive in every aspect of the game.”
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LAKE MEAD
Head coach: Christopher Stevers, first season
2015 record: 7-14 (2-10 III Southern, eighth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (six)
Top players: SS/P Brock Ramsay (Sr.), CF Mitch Dolinar (So.), 2B/P Mark Costolo (So.), C Joey Johnson (Fr.)
Outlook: Stevers takes over a team that is hoping to improve in the Division III Southern League.
Ramsay (.276, 17 RBIs, 3 wins, 4.30 ERA) returns and is among the leaders on a young team that also welcomes back Dolinar (.333, 15 RBIs) and Costolo (.290, 5 stolen bases).
“With Brock Ramsay’s leadership, the Eagles are young and hungry,” Stevers said. “Joey Johnson is the young gun that will stuff the stat sheets in 2016.”
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LAS VEGAS
Head coach: Sam Thomas, 18th season
2015 record: 15-16 (4-4 Northeast, third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eleven (six)
Top players: P/OF Trey Chauncey (Jr.), P/OF Austin Strong (Sr.), IF Hector Perez (Sr.), C Noah Ponce (Sr.), C/OF Ryan Freimuth (Sr.), P/OF Diego Delgado (Jr.)
Outlook: The Wildcats bring back 11 lettermen, including six starters, from last year’s squad.
The team hopes to compete for one of the top spots in the Sunrise League.
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LAUGHLIN
Head coach: Tony Petrik, 21st season
2015 record: 6-14-1 (4-8 III Southern, seventh)
Returning starters: Four
Top players: SS/P Coda Abbati (Jr.), 3B/P Andrew Estes (Sr.)
Outlook: The building process continues for the Cougars, who are hoping to speed-learn their way to success.
“Twenty-six young and inexperienced players have reported for baseball at Laughlin,” Petrik said. “Our kids are going to have to learn quick over the Cougar Classic (season opening) weekend as we open league play the second week of the season.
“It will be a fun year watching this group learn the game and grow as players.”
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LEGACY
Head coach: Tommy Krier, third season
2015 record: 6-23 (1-7 Southwest, fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eight (five)
Top players: SS/P Hayden LeCates (Sr.), C Alex Tadd (Sr.), 1B/P Austin Michals (Sr.), CF/P Donta Williams (Jr.)
Outlook: The Longhorns are hoping the lessons they’ve learned the past couple of seasons will pay off this year.
LeCates (.400, 15 RBIs), Michals (.338, 20 RBIs), Williams (.325, 15 RBIs) and Tadd (.303, 14 RBIs) are among eight returning lettermen.
“The roster is filled with all upperclassmen except for one sophomore,” Krier said. “We’re hoping this experienced team will start turning the corner for the program. The team is excited to go out and compete this year.”
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LIBERTY
Head coach: Wilfredo Rivera, first season
2015 record: 21-11 (8-0 Northeast, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Thirteen (six)
Top players: 1B/P Justin Lutes (Sr.), P Ed O’Bannon (Sr.), LF/P Jacob Klein (Sr.), 2B Omar Ortiz (Sr.), P/IF Zachary Reed (Sr.), OF Jayzen Ramirez (Sr.), OF August Reich (Sr.), P/IF Michael Wong (Jr.), P/3B Jordan Moreno (Jr.), SS Jacob Rogers (Jr.)
Outlook: The Patriots lost their three most productive offensive weapons to graduation in Preston Pavlica (.526, 4 home runs, 36 RBIs), Nick Rush (.489, 6 HR, 25 RBIs) and Jonny Gilleres (.411, 3 HR, 20 RBIs).
But the return of 13 lettermen, including five who pitched last season, will soften that blow.
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LINCOLN COUNTY
Head coach: Raymond Wadsworth, fourth season
2015 record: 20-8 (11-1 III Southern, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eight (four)
Top players: SS/P McClain O’Connor (Sr.), 1B/P Mike Wood (Sr.), C/P Nick Vincent (Sr.), OF/P Paul Boag (Sr.), IF/P Kevin Mathews (Jr.), OF Cody Thornock (Jr.)
Outlook: The defending Southern League champions bring back eight lettermen.
“The team is very young and inexperienced, but they have a lot of talent,” Wadsworth said. “I expect each game to be competitive and for us to win more than we lose.
“I hope to be jelling as the season gets closer to the playoffs and get a berth into the state tournament.”
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THE MEADOWS
Head coach: Frank DeSantis, 18th season
2015 record: 17-8 (10-2 III Southern, second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eight (six)
Top players: P/IF Alex Agrawal (Sr.), IF/OF Adam Martinez (Jr.), OF/P Christian Rimoldi (Sr.), IF/P Nabeel Afzal (Sr.)
Outlook: The Mustangs came up just short of earning a state tournament berth last year and bring back eight lettermen this season.
“We need to find some depth in pitching and play better defense,” DeSantis said. “Our senior leadership will determine how far we can go. The team is how far we will go, not the individuals.”
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MOAPA VALLEY
Head coach: Gary Weiss, third season
2015 record: 11-11 (9-5 Sunrise, fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (five)
Top players: SS Anthony Cornwall (Jr.), C Bo Redd (Sr.), P Koby Frei (Sr.)
Outlook: Seven lettermen return for the Pirates, who are hoping to contend for the Sunrise title.
Cornwall (.397, 10 doubles, 17 RBIs) and Redd (.321, 6 doubles, 8 RBIs) should be among the leaders on offense, and Frei (2-1, 2.50 ERA, 34.1 innings, 32 strikeouts) returns on the mound.
“The Pirates will rely heavily on returning lettermen this season,” Weiss said. “The underclassmen had a couple of successful junior varsity seasons and will be looked at to contribute as well.
“Moapa Valley expects to compete within the league for a top seed heading into the playoffs.”
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MOJAVE
Head coach: Mike Hunter, first season
2015 record: 14-16 (6-8 Sunset, fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (six)
Top players: 3B/P Andrew Foley (Jr.), C/P Elijah Glaze (Jr.), CF/P Otto Hernandez (Sr.), IF/P Rease McClain (Jr.), SS/P Scott Wilson (Jr.)
Outlook: Hunter takes over a team that brings back seven lettermen.
“With eight pitchers and three catchers, I’ve never had this kind of depth with any team I’ve coached,” Hunter said. “These guys expect to win right away, and I see no reason to doubt them.
“Our goals remain the same every year: to win our league and to make some noise in the playoffs once we get there.”
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MOUNTAIN VIEW
Head coach: Cary Stanton, first season
2015 record: 14-15 (7-5 III Southern, fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Two (two)
Top players: C/P/OF Joshua Stanton (Sr.), P/2B/SS Braedon Carmack (So.)
Outlook: The Saints have only two lettermen back from a team that advanced to the Southern League playoffs last year.
Joshua Stanton (.677, 22 RBIs, 7 doubles, 7 triples) and Carmack (.333, 14 RBIs) will be relied on heavily for leadership, offense and pitching.
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NEEDLES
Head coach: Ken Parker, eighth season
2015 record: 16-17 (8-4 III Southern, third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Ten (six)
Top players: C/P Dylan Hetrick (Jr.), SS/P Trenton Poe-Evans (Sr.), 2B/P Reid Shaver (Jr.), UTL Jayden Yeager (So.)
Outlook: The Mustangs bring back 10 lettermen, but still are young with only three seniors returning.
“We expect to return to the playoffs for another title chance,” Parker said.
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PAHRANAGAT VALLEY
Head coach: Brad Loveday, 23rd season
2015 record: 21-4 (6-0 IV Southern, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Ten (five)
Top players: C Shawn Wadsworth (Sr.), OF/P Brandon Burris (Sr.), P/SS Tabor Maxwell (Jr.), P/3B Christian Higbee (Jr.), OF/P Ike Taylor (Jr.), OF Tyson Jorgenson (Jr.)
Outlook: Among the 10 lettermen returning for the Panthers are four pitchers, making a seventh consecutive trip to the state tournament very possible.
“We will be very strong on the mound this year, with very good defense,” Loveday said. “We will work hard and have fun doing it.”
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PAHRUMP VALLEY
Head coach: Brian Hayes, fourth season
2015 record: 21-13-1 (8-6 Sunset, fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (four)
Top players: SS/2B/P Drew Walker (Jr.), RF/P Kyle Kral (Sr.), 1B/P Parker Hart (Jr.), 1B/DH Shelton Cajudoy (Sr.)
Outlook: The Trojans have been one of the stronger programs in the Sunset League and hope to remain in that discussion this year.
Walker, a second-team all-league selection last year, hit .333 with 27 runs and went 4-0 with a 2.59 ERA in 27 innings last year. Kral was 6-4 and threw 49 innings last year. Hart hit .256 with 13 RBIs.
They lead a list of six returnees.
“We are young but experienced with the majority of our team gaining that experience in summer ball,” Hayes said. “We expect to have a strong pitching staff with Kral, Walker, Hart, junior Josh Ferrer and sophomores Garret Lucas and Brada Costa all having potential to be our ace.”
Hayes said his team is two-deep at nearly every defensive position.
“Offensively, we need some guys to step up and make up for the loss of Dylan Ault, Josh Mortensen and Tyler Greene,” Hayes said. “We expect to compete for a playoff spot and make some noise in the playoffs.”
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PALO VERDE
Head coach: Joe Hallead, first season
2015 record: 12-20 (2-6 Southwest, fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Twelve (five)
Top players: OF Blake Porter (Sr.), 3B J.D. Brooks (Jr.), 1B Sam Powers (Sr.), 2B Mitchell Rathbun (Sr.), SS Ryan Merino (Jr.), OF Cobi Fiechtner (Sr.), P/OF Dylan Orlando (Jr.)
Outlook: Hallead, who had a 182-138 record in 15 seasons at Camas (Washington) High and served as an assistant at Sierra Vista last year, takes over a team that brings back 12 lettermen but has gone through its share of coaching changes in recent years.
“New coach from out of state, new look, new focus at Palo,” Hallead said. “The players have bought into the new system since last May. They have worked extremely hard, and now it is time to put the product on the field. We are very excited.”
Brooks (.424 average, 4 home runs, 29 RBIs), Powers (.391, 13 RBIs) and Fiechtner (.373, 14 RBIs) should be among the leaders on offense.
“There is a lot of experience back this year with every starter getting quality varsity (repetitions) last year,” Hallead said. “The pitching staff, led by Dylan Orlando, is deep with talent and will be a key factor to the team’s success. Defensively, this team is solid.”
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RANCHO
Head coach: Tom Pletsch, 11th season
2015 record: 10-24 (4-6 Southeast, fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (three)
Top players: C Zach Barnhart (Sr.)
Outlook: Barnhart, a UNLV signee who hit .437 with 33 RBIs last season is one of only three starters back for the Rams, who could start as many as six sophomores.
Pletsch said he expects Anthony Becerra, a senior, to be a leader on the pitching staff.
“We will be better at the end than we are at the beginning of the season,” Pletsch said.
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SHADOW RIDGE
Head coach: Frank Tousa, eighth season
2015 record: 18-14 (5-3 Southwest, second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Twelve (eight)
Top players: UTL Eric Jordan (Sr.), SS/P Chris Opolka (Sr.), OF/IF/P Trevin Reynolds (Sr.), P Nick Parr (Sr.), 3B Quinn Ayers (Sr.), 1B/P Jake Wilson (Sr.)
Outlook: The Mustangs bring back eight starters, including the bulk of the team’s pitching staff.
Opolka (5-3), Parr (4-3) and Jordan (2 saves; .409 average) are among the returning pitchers, with Ayers (.462 average), Reynolds (.333) and Wilson (.314) expected to be among the leaders on offense.
“We are looking to improve on last year’s record and improve every day,” Tousa said. “We hope to do better in situational hitting. We expect to get contributions at the plate and on the mound from our returners and for the new kids to get experience quickly.”
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SIERRA VISTA
Head coach: Justin Sherman, second season
2015 record: 15-18 (10-4 Sunset, third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Ten (six)
Top players: C Dylan White (Sr.), P Jhared Gonzalez, 3B/DH Kaven Alferez (Sr.), 1B/P Blake Kaplan (Jr.)
Outlook: The Mountain Lions return 10 lettermen from last year’s squad as they hope to compete for a Sunset League title.
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SILVERADO
Head coach: Brian Whitaker, 22nd season
2015 record: 21-10 (6-2 Northeast, second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Fourteen (six)
Top players: C Michael Camburn (Sr.); P/IF Alex Grafiada (Sr.); UTIL Chase Cortez (Sr.); P/IF James Skelly (Sr.); P/UTIL Kevin Pindel (Jr.); OF Payton Ballard (Jr.); IF Dax Fellows (So.)
Outlook: The Skyhawks lost some key players to graduation, but return a veteran group with six starters.
Skelly (5-1, 2.35 ERA) and Pindel (6-0, 2.33 ERA) should anchor the pitching staff this season. Grafiada (.376, 23 RBIs), Ballard (.370, 20 RBIs), Camburn (.343, 21 RBIs) and Cortez (.333, 15 RBIs) all are coming off productive offensive seasons.
“There is a really good vibe with this group,” Whitaker said. “I love my team. We are ready to compete.”
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SPRING VALLEY
Head coach: Paul Bassett, ninth season
2015 record: 19-14 (12-2 Sunset, second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Fourteen (seven)
Top players: OF/P Nick Rupp (Jr.), OF/C Jake Sellinger (Sr.), IF Jaxson Otis (Jr.), IF/P Bryce Bullock (Jr.)
Outlook: The Grizzlies have plenty of familiar faces returning, including one of the top pitchers in the Division I-A Southern Region in Rupp (7-4, 2.43 ERA, 54.2 innings, 85 strikeouts; .448 average, 15 RBIs)
Bullock (5-3, 3.63 ERA, 54 innings, 43 Ks; .292, 24 RBIs; Sellinger (.370, 25 RBIs) and Otis (.333, 14 RBIs) also should be among the team’s leaders.
“We look to be very competitive in the Southern Region,” Bassett said. “We return all but two starters from last year’s club, so we feel we are an experienced team. Pitching and defense will be the key to our success.”
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SUNRISE MOUNTAIN
Head coach: Antonio Morales, second season
2015 record: 3-19 (2-12 Sunrise, seventh)
Returning lettermen (starters): Five (four)
Top players: P/IF Jace Weaver (Sr.), 2B/SS Sisco Solis (Sr.), 3B/1B Victor Duran (Sr.), C/SS Donavan Hansen (Jr.)
Outlook: For the first time in three years, the Miners have continunity in their coaching staff as Morales hopes to continue a building process he started last year.
“We will look to build on some of the successes we had last year,” Morales said. “We have great leadership coming back, and these young men are working toward closing the gap from where we started at the beginning of last year to our goal of contending for a playoff spot.”
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TECH
Head coach: Bill Stuber, 11th season
2015 record: 19-11-1 (11-3 Sunrise, second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eight (seven)
Top players: 2B Chandler Gehring (Jr.), 3B/P Trevor Kephart (Jr.), SS/P Alexis Acosta (So.) C Jayce Otis (Jr.), OF Jalen Birch (Sr.)
Outlook: Seven starters return for the Roadrunners who are hoping to follow up on last year’s strong campaign.
Acosta (.421, 33 runs, 21 RBIs; 7-1, 2.33 ERA, 58 strikeouts), Kephart (.411, 26 RBIs; 3-3, 2.91 ERA), Gehring (.400, 19 RBIs), Otis (.309, 22 RBIs) and Birch (.288) all return and should be among the top contributors.
“We hope to continue our playoff run and improve on what we did last year,” Stuber said.
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TONOPAH
Head coach: Clark Jewett, 17th season
2015 record: 17-10 (4-2 Central, second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (six)
Top players: P/SS Skyler Bailor (Sr.), IF Michael Richardson (Sr.), OF Dave Ramsey (Sr.), 1B Dallas Wisdom (Sr.), C/IF Koa Elliott (Sr.)
Outlook: The Muckers return nine lettermen from a squad that qualified for the Division IV state playoffs last year, but have only one player (Bailor) with pitching experience.
“This year will be a test for us,” Jewett said.
Elliott returns after not playing because of an injury last year.
“Defensively, we should be OK; we just need our pitchers to throw strikes and have confidence when they take the mound,” Jewett said. “As always, this team will find a way to win.
“Our outlook is the same as it is every year: win the league, win the region and most important a state championship.”
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VALLEY
Head coach: Pedro Atoigue, third season
2015 record: 5-23 (0-8 Northeast, fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Five (five)
Top players: 3B/P Alonso Osorio-Kalawe (Sr.), C/3B/P Geovanni Marrero-Perez-Negron (Sr.), SS/P Jacob Cruz (Jr.), P/1B Bryce Cowin (Jr.), CF/2B/P David Trotta (Jr.)
Outlook: The Vikings struggled last season but are hoping for better results this year.
“The Vikings look to rebuild the program with the help of five returning starters,” Atoigue said. “Although the team may be young, they are determined and relentless to outperform last season’s record. Expect good things to come from these young men.”
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WESTERN
Head coach: Michael Hobson, first season
2015 record: 0-20 (0-14 Sunset, eighth)
Top players: P/LF/SS Armando Marrero (Sr.), P/SS James Carrillo, P/C/IF Jordan Keho (Jr.), P/3B/OF Josh Barnes
Outlook: Hobson takes over a team that has struggled and hopes to show improvement this season.
“This is an excited team that is ready to start building a foundation for this program,” Hobson said. “There is a lot of buzz and enthusiasm for what this team can do this year and in years to come.”
