Deats begins second era at Costa Mesa

Barry Faulkner

With former players Matt Broesamle and Chris DeSandro among his

assistant coaches, there is a familiar ring to the second tour of

duty as Costa Mesa High baseball coach for Mustangs’ alumnus Doug

Deats.

But enough time has elapsed between his previous stint at the helm

(1994-97) and this spring, that Deats will be forced to reintroduce

his coaching philosophies to the current crop of players.

“I’m feeling them out and they’re feeling me out,” said Deats, who

takes over for Kirk Bauermeister, who resigned after a five-season

term to become an assistant principal at the school.

Deats, who coached crosstown rival Estancia for two-plus seasons,

is happy to be back in Mesa green and is confident the Mustangs can

compete for a CIF Southern Section postseason berth as they enter

their inaugural season in the Golden West League.

But with only one decorated returner -- senior catcher Nate Hunter

was an All-Newport-Mesa Dream Team performer last season -- a serious

lack of offensive power and a corps of returning pitchers who went

3-8 for last year’s 13-13 team that missed the playoffs, it remains

to be seen if that confidence is justified.

Hunter, who hit .313 (25 for 80) last season with 16 RBIs and nine stolen bases, en route to first-team All-Pacific Coast League

accolades, will anchor the defense behind the plate and hit in either

third or cleanup.

“He’s our top senior guy and he’s very solid defensively,” Deats

said. “When he gets between the lines, he competes very well.”

Adam Jorgenson, a junior, is another returner of note. A shortstop

who also pitched last spring, Deats said he could be relegated to

designated hitter duties, due to a sore throwing arm incurred in

offseason competition.

“I think he’ll be our best hitter,” Deats said of Jorgenson, who

hit .295 (18 for 61) with seven RBIs as a sophomore. Jorgenson was

also 2-2 with two saves, compiling a 2.19 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 22

1/3 innings on the mound, but Deats expects his arm trouble to rule

out pitching this season.

Daniel Cooper, a junior who pitched 38 1/3 innings last season,

figures to be the No. 1 starter in a rotation that should also

include senior returner George Vargas. Vargas, 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA in

28 2/3 innings last season, is penciled in as the No. 3 starter,

behind junior Justin Peterson.

Deats said Hunter and junior Gary Gonzalez could also see time on

the bump and Deats believes all Mesa pitchers will benefit from the

tutelage of Broesamle, a former Newport-Mesa Player of the Year, who

went on to star at Concordia University.

Senior Dan Bitler, who committed only one error in 148 chances

last season, is slated to start at first base. The left-hander had

six RBIs, six stolen bases and seven hits last season.

Senior Robert Rodriguez, who had two RBIs in just four at-bats as

a junior, is the front-runner at third base, while Alex Pisarski, a

sophomore, figures to assume the shortstop duties from Jorgenson.

Deats said sophomore Dylan Hunter, Nate’s younger brother, is the

projected starter at second base.

Senior Adam Beltran, whose .302 batting average (16 for 53) tops

all returners, is slated to open in center field. He had eight RBIs

and three steals a year ago.

Senior Derek Garcia (.227 with one RBI and one steal in 22 at-bats

last spring) and Gonzalez are battling for the job in left field,

while Peterson and senior Steve Doerr (three varsity hits last

season) are doing battle for the starting nod in right.

Tyler Waldron, who joined the team last week after spending the

winter with the soccer team, could also provide depth in the

outfield.

Senior Charlie Edman is a backup third baseman.

The Mustangs open the Newport Elks Tournament Friday against Los

Amigos.