Baseball Preview: Breakers back for more

A year after turning in a season that was awash in record-setting performances, the Laguna Beach High baseball team is ready for first pitch in a new campaign.

The Breakers of 2013 won 25 of 28 games in Mike Bair’s second season as head coach. Along the way, they set numerous personal and team records, which included a 15-0 march through the Orange Coast League, which led to an undisputed championship.

Laguna, which has several members from that team back for 2014, scrimmages a doubleheader Saturday at JSerra. The season officially begins for the Breakers at 3 p.m. on Thursday, when they play host to Orange in a opening-round game of the Newport Elks Tournament.

The tournament, one of two in which the Breakers are entered this year, runs through March 14.

Laguna also will compete at the Anaheim Lions Tournament March 29-April 2. The Breakers went undefeated at the tournament last year.

They start their OCL title defense in the first month of the season when they play host to Godinez March 18.

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Head Coach: Mike Bair (third year)

Coaching staff: Chad Chop; Chris Duncan; Chad Concolino,;Eric Peruzzi; Bryce Arroyo.

2013 overall record: 25-3

2013 league record: 15-0 (champion)

2013 CIF-SS playoffs: Reached second round

The roster: Jake Smith (OF/P), Jr.; Will McInerny (C/3B, Soph.); Dante Faicchio (3B/OF, Fr.); Garrett Burk (2B/3B, Sr.); Jack Simon (2B/P, Soph.); Anthony Norelli (P/2B/OF, Jr.); Preston GrandPre (SS/P, Sr.); Callan Cochran (OF, Jr.); Richie Nunis (P/OF/3B, Sr.); Steven Harrison (C/3B, Sr.); Cole Coscino (C, Jr.); Ashton Goddard (2B/SS, Fr.); Zak Kovacic (P/OF/INF, Soph.); Grant Wilhelm (CF/P, Sr.).

Returning with honors: Grant Wilhelm; Preston GrandPre; Richie Nunis; Steven Harrison.

Coach’s outlook: “We have some key returners and solid, young talent,” Bair said. “We are bonding as a team and learning how to compete together. We have high hopes for the 2014 season.”

Season opener: Thursday, 3 p.m., vs. Orange (Newport Elks Tournament).

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The Schedule

Saturday: doubleheader scrimmage at JSerra, 10 a.m.

Thursday-March 14: Newport Elks Tournament

March 18: at *Godinez, 3:15 p.m.

March 21: vs. *Saddleback, 3:15 p.m.

March 25: vs. *Estancia, 3:15 p.m.

March 28: at Calvary Chapel, 3:15 p.m.

March 29-April 2: Anaheim Lions Tournament

April 4: vs. *Costa Mesa, 3:15 p.m.

April 9: vs. Capistrano Valley Christian, 3 p.m.

April 19: at *Saddleback, 10 a.m.

April 22: at *Estancia, 3:15 p.m.

April 25: vs. *Estancia, 3:15 p.m.

April 29: vs. *Calvary Chapel, 3:15 p.m.

May 2: at *Calvary Chapel, 3:15 p.m.

May 6: vs. *Godinez, 3:15 p.m.

May 9: at *Godinez, 3:15 p.m.

May 13: at *Costa Mesa, 3:15 p.m.

May 15: vs. *Costa Mesa, 3:15 p.m.