Steady progress the goal

Barry Faulkner

Like a major league team waiting to move into a brand spanking

state-of-the-art ballpark, Newport Harbor High and second-year coach

Joel Desguin are selling the future this spring.

With five sophomores up from last year’s solid freshman team and

so many candidates for this year’s freshman team, Desguin and his

lower-level staff cut eight aspirants, things may be improving for a

program that has not made the CIF Southern Section Playoffs the last

12 seasons.

But with a returning cast that hit a collective .196 in 2002, with

more strikeouts (73) than hits (51). And, with the prospect of

competing in an even more rugged Sea View League, bolstered by the

addition of Foothill, an immediate upswing is difficult to predict.

Newport Harbor finished 4-20, 0-16 in league last year, but wasted

little time beginning their preparation for 2003, Desguin said.

“The first day after the season ended last year, we had guys in

the weight room,” said Desguin, who cites a notable improvement in

strength as a tangible sign of the program’s progress.

“We’re definitely stronger and it’s obvious when we hit the ball,”

he said. “We’re hitting one- and two-hoppers instead of lazy three-

and four-hoppers and, instead of lazy fly balls, we’re driving more

balls into the gap.”

Desguin believes offense is the major point of concern, but a

better crop of athletes, whom, he said, are much more versatile than

last year’s squad, should at least give him alternatives, should

certain players struggle at the plate.

“I have four or five guys who can play any of the infield

positions and five or six guys who can play anywhere in the

outfield,” Desguin said. “So (filling out a lineup) is going to come

down to who is swinging the bat; whose making contact and putting the

ball in play. That kind of competition creates work ethic with

everyone.”

It also makes forecasting the lineup difficult.

“I have a lot of choices,” said Desguin, who was reluctant to

provide many specifics without evaluating his players under game

conditions.

Jeff Sanchez, who saw limited varsity time, Matt Erickson, Greg

Miner, Patrick Keehan and Taylor Young all represent the Class of

2005 on this year’s roster.

Seniors Ryan Torrey and Ryan Heenan have the most experience of

the 16 players on the roster.

Heenan, who played second base last spring, but could shift to

third or first this year, shared the team lead with 18 hits last

season. He also drove in four runs. He could land in the leadoff

spot.

Torrey, whose 1-9 pitching record does not reflect the quality

innings he offered on the mound, Desguin said, could, once again,

anchor the staff. He’ll play center field when he’s not pitching.

Junior Mike McLean could see time in the infield or outfield,

while junior Andre Pinesett is expected to help the cause as soon as

he recovers from a sprained knee suffered in basketball. Desguin said

Pinesett could be out another two or three weeks.

Senior Dave Erickson, who sat out the football season with a back

problem, could provide offensive punch and will likely play on the

left side of the infield, Desguin said.

Senior R.J. Muller and junior Karo Makserjian are newcomers with

potential, while Ryan Rowe is a junior who saw his varsity season cut

short last year by injury.

Rowe, junior Joe Cantarella, Heenan, Matt Erickson, Keehan and

Young are additional pitching prospects.

Sanchez and Cantarella are expected to handle catching chores,

while Keehan could take over second, freeing up Heenan to move to a

corner.

Young, whose basketball season was extended one week when he was

called up to the varsity from the junior varsity for the playoffs, is

a candidate at first base.

Senior Nick Sacco is also in the mix.

Assistant coach Evan Chalmers returns to help Desguin with the

varsity, while Matt Burns, like Chalmers a member of Coach Jeff

Brinkley’s varsity football staff, will head up the freshman program,

with help from assistant and former Sailor baseball standout Joe

Urban.

Bill Brown, another longtime football coach, is also helping out,

while Arturo Belmonte and Damian Cheoido will guide the junior

varsity.

The Sailors open their varsity season today, hosting Century in

the first round of the Newport Elks Tournament, at 3 p.m. They then

will look to add instant seasoning with a Saturday doubleheader

against visiting Pacifica.