Eagles aiming higher in 2004

Barry Faulkner

Now that the Estancia High baseball players know what to expect from

second-year coach Jon Green, Green is asking them to expect more from

themselves.

“Last year was a get-acquainted year, where I got a chance to show

the kids who I am and for them to show me who they were,” Green said

of 2003 campaign, in which the Eagles finished 3-20, 1-11 in their

inaugural year in the Golden West League.

“I wanted to establish some consistency, so the kids know what was

expected of them during practice and during the summer. This year,

I’m kind of raising the bar and challenging them a little bit.”

Clearing the bar would mean a trip to the CIF Southern Section

playoffs, where Estancia has not been since 1994. And Green believes

such an accomplishment is within this team’s reach.

“We have eight returning players and a very senior-heavy group,”

he said. “We have the kids who threw 80 or 90% of our innings and the

heart of the order is back. Our plan is to outwork and outclass

everyone we play.”

A 14-player roster, big by recent program standards, includes

eight seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen.

Among the returners is senior Jeremy Hauser, who is slated to hit

leadoff, play shortstop and join senior Brad Young, junior Ryan

Gleason and sophomore Mike McDaniels as the primary pitchers.

“Jeremy is going to be asked to be a catalyst for us,” Green said.

“He’s switch-hitter and he’ll be the backbone of our defense at

short.”

Hauser had 10 RBIs and five stolen bases last season, the latter a

team best.

Young, the football team’s quarterback last fall, could be the ace

of the staff, Green said. He was 0-6 last spring, but Green said his

ERA was around 3.50 and he often pitched in tough luck.

“He had a 52-pitch game against Westminster that we lost, 1-0,”

Green said. “He throws hard and locates his fastball well.”

Young also leads all returners with 12 RBIs in 2003 and is slated

to bat cleanup. He had the team’s only two home runs last year.

Senior catcher Cullen Crom, whose .313 batting average last season

leads all returners, had 21 hits and seven RBIs last season. He is

projected to bat in the No. 2 spot.

Senior Eric Schaefer has displayed defensive consistency at second

base. Entering his third varsity season, he may have the team’s

highest baseball IQ.

Green likes the speed, strength and athleticism of senior center

fielder Matt Ronquillo and Green believes Gleason has developed a

great deal as a pitcher over the offseason.

“Gleason’s fastball has unbelievable movement, so he’s just hard

to hit,” Green said. “I’ve never seen a team just rip into him.”

McDaniels started a half-dozen games on the bump last year and

started for the basketball team as a sophomore, so he won’t be

intimidated by varsity competition. The left-hander should pitch and

play first base.

Senior Jose Jauregui is scheduled to start at first base when the

Eagles open their season Friday at 3 p.m. against host Garden Grove

in the first round of the Newport Elks tournament.

Sophomore Evan Van Geem, who got some varsity seasoning a year

ago, is penciled in at third base, while junior Jesse Hart is

battling for time in the outfield.

Senior Cliff Chambers is another outfield candidate, while senior

Brad Schefflette adds depth at first base.

Freshman Taylor McClanahan could also help out in the outfield and

freshman Trevor McDonald provides another option at shortstop.

Green believes Westminster, which shared the league title with

Ocean View last season, is the clear Golden West frontrunner. He said

Ocean View should also contend for a playoff berth, but an

opportunity exists for the remaining five teams to crack the top

three.

“We were 1-11 last year [in league], but there’s no reason why we

can’t got the playoffs this year,” Green said.