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.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.