Versatile Tars plan to make push for CIF

Bryce Alderton

Newport Harbor High coach Joel Desguin isn’t simply suggesting his

players may see time at two positions this season.

It’s more like a guarantee.

“I tell the guys they will make the team as a two-position

player,” said Desguin, who enters his fourth season after leading the

Sailors to the cusp of their first CIF playoff appearance in 14 years

with a 13-12 campaign. “In all likelihood, we will be better from top

to bottom and much more physical.”

Five senior starters return, including Taylor Young, Sean Rowe and

Greg Miner, who finished 1-2-3 in batting average last season,

respectively. The trio also contributed to the Newport football

team’s run to the CIF Southern Section Division VI title game last

fall.

Young tallied 25 hits in 66 at-bats (.379) with six doubles, 10

runs scored and nine RBIs last season. Rowe, limited to 18 games, hit

.323 with three doubles and five runs scored while Miner led the team

with 26 hits in 84 at-bats (.310), including a triple and home run.

Miner, the starting first baseman who can fill in at catcher, tied

Brandon Jasper, now playing for Orange Coast College, for the team

lead in runs scored (17) while adding 14 RBIs.

Rowe, though, broke his collarbone snowboarding in January and

Desguin couldn’t confirm an exact return date.

Senior catcher Jeff Sanchez, Newport’s only three-year varsity

starter, has added 25 pounds to his 6-foot-3 frame and enters the

season at 170.

Senior right-hander Patrick Keehan, a three-year varsity member,

is expected to anchor the pitching staff. Keehan, who will likely

play shortstop when not on the mound, went 3-3 with a 2.09 ERA as the

No. 2 starter behind Joey Cantarella.

Junior right-hander Tyler Parker enters the season as the Sailors’

No. 2 starter behind Keehan. Parker went 2-1 in limited varsity

action last year.

Sanchez should also see time on the mound when he’s not behind the

plate, Desguin said.

Several Sailors can play multiple infield positions, including

juniors Skylar Cozad, Chris Thompson and senior Kyle Kastner.

“I’ve got three middle infielders who are all pitchers,” Desguin

said. “[Thompson] is our next shortstop behind Keehan. Cozad is a

second baseman who can move to the outfield and has a good bat.”

Sophomore P.J. Errington will likely start the season at third,

but can also back up Sanchez and Miner behind the plate, if needed,

Desguin said.

Seniors Tim Bodenhoefer and Harry Makserejian anchor the outfield

while sophomores Jarrett Daniel and Brett Houten provide competition

in the infield and on the mound.

Junior Mike Cantwell, sophomore Nick Frazier, junior Kevin Gowdy,

and sophomore Drew Harris give the Sailors even more depth on the

mound and in the field.

“The only players who are really locked in [to their positions]

are Makserejian and Bodenhoefer,” Desguin said. “If someone is

hitting and they other guy isn’t, [the player hitting] will play

because he is swinging the bat. It is a pleasant problem to have of

switching guys around.”

Juggling a rotation becomes more complicated in the season’s first

few weeks, when tournaments dot the schedule before league play

begins.

“We need arms in those early games,” Desguin said.

Desguin said the goal every year is to make the CIF Division II

playoffs, but is especially excited about the Sailors’ chances this

season.

“I don’t think we are going to sneak up on everybody,” Desguin

said. “I just want us to be able to play consistent baseball and

improve. There are no two or three dominant teams [in the Sea View

League]. From top to bottom, you are battling, every single game.”

Assistant Evan Chalmers has helped several Tars bulk up.

“All of them are strong,” Desguin said. “We can see it in practice

when the ball comes off the bat.”

The Sailors are scheduled to open the season Friday at Rancho

Alamitos in the opening round of the Newport Elks tournament.