JUNIOR COLLEGE BASEBALL PREVIEW : Teams Buckle Down to Work as ’91 Season Gets Under Way : Outlook: They’re starting out even, but for some, the subject matter will be a little too difficult. Even powerhouse Canyons is doing its homework.

In an effort to combine academics and athletics, here is a thumbnail course guide on Valley-area junior college baseball teams for the upcoming season.

It is not exactly a paper chase, but there is a course of particular importance for each team in its title chase. They all will be put to their first test today.

ANTELOPE VALLEY

Meteorology: Coach Frank Blua has eschewed early season tournaments, many of which are held in warm climates, and instead scheduled several home-and-home series with northern opponents. Of course, visitors to Antelope Valley (11-26, 6-15, last in the Foothill Conference) have to play in the cold, blustery conditions that make spring baseball seem a misnomer.

“We call it Marauder weather,” Blua said. “Obviously when we have to practice in it, we adjust to it.”

Blua has attempted to shore up a porous infield and believes he has good team speed and defense. Kendial Armstrong, an All-Valley third baseman from Quartz Hill, has beaten out Chris Grant (.323 batting average, 21 runs scored) at third.

Heath Fine, a freshman shortstop from Boron, has impressed Blua, and Joe Harris, who sat out last season because of a broken foot, is at first.

Hard-luck right-hander Tim Johnson had a 3.66 earned-run average last season but a 3-7 record and is the only returning starting pitcher.

CANYONS

History: Canyons (25-13, 15-5, three-way tie for first in WSC play) has won or shared 10 consecutive conference championships and took three state titles in the 1980s, and its tradition makes it the reigning power in local junior college baseball.

However, Coach Len Mohney reports that he is having difficulty just making out a lineup.

“I’ve never been in this position before; I usually know who my guys are,” Mohney said. “Offense is a very major concern.”

Pitching is Canyons’ strength. Roland De La Maza, a sophomore right-hander who was 7-1 with a 3.76 ERA last season, is possibly the best pitcher in the area, and sophomore right-hander Chad Phillips, a transfer from Orange Coast College, should be the No. 2 starter.

Right-hander Mitch Bowen (St. Francis), right-hander Kevin Foderaro (Hart), and left-hander Sean Henson (Monroe) are prime freshmen pitching prospects.

Mike Kerber (.316, 24 runs batted in), second-team All-Western State Conference at first base, has been slowed in his move to catcher by an injured left knee, but should be ready by next weekend. Third baseman Jon Beauchemin (11 doubles) and right-fielder Billy Horvat (.317, second-team All-WSC) also return.

Freshman Robbie Davis, a first-team All-Valley selection from Hart, has impressed Mohney with his baseball savvy and has earned a start at second base.

GLENDALE

Aerodynamics: Last season, the infield around Glendale (12-26, 6-14, tied for last in the WSC) was about as airtight as a tennis racket. This season, when Coach Steve Coots searched for guys who could hoover up ground balls, he looked, quite appropriately, to Hoover High alums.

Three of the four starters in the revamped Glendale infield are from Hoover. Freshman first baseman Mickey Moreno, redshirt freshman second baseman Mike Regan and freshman third baseman Jose Robles have turned the infield into Hooverville. Shortstop Jim Aiwasian, a transfer from Citrus College, rounds out the group.

Sophomore center fielder Victor Ramirez (six steals) is not yet at full strength after an attack of appendicitis, and sophomore Swain Wukelich (seven doubles) has been moved from shortstop to right field.

Right-handers Dave Berkey and Gary Vlcek are two of Glendale’s most experienced pitchers.

MISSION

Geography: A team without a home diamond, Mission should issue its players Thomas Guides just to find their home field.

Nonetheless, Mission (24-14-1, 14-6 and second in the Southern California Athletic Conference), under the guidance of Coach John Klitsner, reached the state tournament for the first time last season. San Bernardino Valley knocked the Free Spirit out in the first round.

Sophomore right-hander Nino Romo (6-5) has impressed four-year opponents in fall scrimmages and is the ace of the staff. Sophomore left-hander Tom Ball buttresses a thin but relatively strong pitching corps.

The loss of shortstop and leadoff hitter Mike Rogers to a season-ending shoulder injury has removed a spark plug from Mission’s lineup.

Sophomore Brad McGahan moves to center field. Sophomore Eddie Chavez (.311, 10 doubles, 35 RBI) will pitch and play first base. Sophomore Richard Ortiz (.331) plays second.

MOORPARK

Engineering: After scoring nearly eight runs a game in WSC play last season, “We may have to do a lot more bunting, a lot more hit-and-run and do some things to manufacture some runs,” Coach Ken Wagner said.

The architect of the Raider construction crew is freshman Del Marine, the 1989 American Legion player of the year. Marine will play third and bat third. He will carry an extra offensive load with Henry Schelb (.310) academically ineligible.

Rob Teasdale (four saves, first-team All-WSC) is probably the top reliever in the area. Freshman right-hander Mike Jenkins, a former All-Ventura County selection from Simi Valley High, is set as the No. 1 starter after sitting out last year.

Moorpark (22-12, 15-5, tie for first in the WSC) advanced to the state final 16, farther than any other Valley-area team.

OXNARD

Carpentry: First-year Coach Dave Taylor is attempting to fortify a program at Oxnard (14-22, 6-14) that finished tied for last in the WSC last season.

Obviously, he will start in the basement, but there are some vestiges of a foundation.

Right-hander John Brookman (6-8, 5.49) returns as the No. 1 starter and right-hander Kris Hagen (3-3, 3.27) also returns. Taylor likes three freshmen: right-hander Joe Canfield from Portland, Ore., right-hander Tim Salado from Quartz Hill and right-hander Juan Hernandez from Oxnard High.

Sophomore Pat Avila (.387, 54 RBIs) shifts from first base, where he was first-team All-WSC, to third. The double-play combination of shortstop Bryan Lovelace and second baseman Jeremy Herider are transfers from Cal Lutheran, and right fielder Jason Luttges is a transfer from De Anza College.

PIERCE

Political science: It seems appropriate for a team with four left-handed starting pitchers to have red for a school color.

Revolutionary? Perhaps, but co-Coach Bob Lofrano believes his lefties at Pierce (15-19, 7-13, eighth-place tie in the WSC) will make their Marx.

“We’ve got better pitching,” Lofrano said. “We’re not going to need four starters, but if they continue to progress, it could even be a plus for our team.”

Sophomore Kurt Lowry (9-5), second-team All-WSC, is the top returning pitcher. Travis Arsenault, a sophomore transfer from San Francisco State; Denny Sharp, a freshman from Kennedy; and Danny Rodriguez, a freshman from Chatsworth, are the other left-handers.

Pat Huston (.336, 11 doubles, seven home runs), first-team All-WSC and a 27th-round draft selection by the Cubs, will play first. Sophomores Joe Cascione (.318, six doubles, 19 RBIs) and Carl McFadden (.346, five doubles) will play second base and left field.

Taft’s Benji Belfield, an All-Valley selection as a shortstop, has been moved to third, and North Hollywood’s Erik Martinez, second-team All-Valley, is in center field.

VALLEY

Chemistry: In suffering through his first losing season in three years at Valley (15-20-2, 10-10, tie for fourth in the WSC), Coach Chris Johnson struggled with a team that lacked togetherness.

This season, the players get along better but even if they do not hit one another, they might not hit the ball much, either. Valley did not hit a home run during the fall.

Sophomore Chad Ratliff, the only experienced position player, will play second. Kevin Claytor, a transfer from The Master’s, is in center field. Left-handers Steve Trainor (4-3) and Colin Hines (2-2) “start us off pretty good on the mound,” Johnson said.

VENTURA

Rhetoric: Coach Gary Anglin is trying to pump up his team by downplaying individuals.

“Right now, I think it’s important our kids understand they’re a bunch of no-names and they’re going to have to go out and earn the publicity,” said Anglin, who refuses to name any of the players on his team.

Maybe his players should read “Invisible Man.”

Ventura (21-14, 10-10, tie for fourth in the WSC) has three returning starters, Anglin said.

“I think our pitching staff is OK, but I think defensively and offensively we’re not anywhere close to last year’s team or any other Ventura College team,” Anglin said.