SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL PREVIEWS : Del Rey League

Alemany

COACH: Jim Ozella, 7th year

LAST SEASON: 15-13; 1st in league at 9-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: In a somewhat uncharacteristic move, Ozella promoted four sophomores to the varsity: catcher Dave Castillo, first baseman Gabe Villasenor, and pitchers Kevin Tate and Richard Dice. “I’m a little nervous, I guess,” Ozella said. “I think the younger guys have some talent, otherwise I wouldn’t bring them up.” Tate and Dice will have a good role model in Joey Rosselli, a left-handed senior who has signed a national letter of intent to play football and baseball at Arizona State. Rosselli, who throws about 85 miles per hour, was plagued by injuries and illness last season but still managed a 5-2 record and a .360 batting average. Dan Ozuna, a left-handed junior, also will pitch. Senior Greg Thompson, a right-handed shortstop who practiced switch-hitting last summer, might see some time on the mound. On offense, Thompson batted .315, including five doubles, and had a team-high seven stolen bases. Other offensive threats include Leo Tejada, who moved from first to third, second baseman Scott Goldsmith, who missed last season because of an ankle injury, and junior Kirk Fellows. Tejada hit .363 and Fellows batted .300.

OUTLOOK: Inexperience will be a large factor in how successful the Indians are in their league title defense. “I’m hoping that the young kids can come around a little bit,” Ozella said. “Last year’s kids had been through the wars and that can get pretty ugly. We’ve got a lot to see yet.”

Crespi

COACH: Scott Muckey, 4th year

LAST SEASON: 9-17; 6th in league at 1-10-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Celts could have the personnel to rebound from last season’s dismal showing. Shortstop Mark Maurizi, who has orally committed to play at Notre Dame, hit .375 last season and had 10 stolen bases. Maurizi is probably the team’s best player and one of the best infielders in the Valley area. Pat Bennett, a right-handed submarine-type pitcher, was 4-8 with a save last year but had a sparkling 1.34 earned-run average. Mark Venturine, who batted .333, provides much-needed speed in the outfield. Right-hander Rick Marino should be the No. 2 pitcher and freshman Jeff Suppan should see time on the mound. Kevin Walsh will catch, and Scott Barton and Brodie VanWagenen return at first and second base. Sophomore Victor Seper, who had a string of nine consecutive hits in American Legion play last summer, will play third and bat cleanup. Marino, Venturine, Tim Weir, Lewis Delucia, Mike Peters and Bill Kanalez will vie for positions in the outfield.

OUTLOOK: Crespi, which is thin on pitching and power, does have some fleet players. “We’re going to have to utilize our speed the best we can, because it’s going to be real tough to score runs in our league,” Muckey said. “We may start off a little slow, but once we learn our game plan, we’re going to be a little tough to handle.”

St. Francis

COACH: Tom Moran, 2nd year

LAST SEASON: 12-8-1; 2nd in league at 7-5

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Two major components to St. Francis’ success last year--Gregg Zaun and Mark Lorretta--are gone. Both batted better than .400 and they accounted for 42 runs batted in. Stepping in as team leaders will be Matt Jones and J.P. Roberge, both second team all-league picks. Jones, a three-year starter in center field, hit .367 with 16 RBIs and three home runs. Roberge, a utility infielder, hit .339 with 16 RBIs and four home runs. Left-hander Manny Fernandez, who was 4-1 and struck out 36 in 38 innings, will pitch and play first. The rest of the starting infield remains unclear because many players are still involved in soccer. Those vying for a position in the infield include Mike Randon, Mitch Bowen, Paul Gomez, Chris Muir and Albert Ojeda. Bowen also will be the No. 2 pitcher, but, according to Moran, “After that, it’s a crapshoot.” Catching will be John Willis. Jason Sinner, Mike Paulicano, Scott Jackson and Shawn Haney will compete for places in the outfield.

OUTLOOK: The Golden Knights will have to overcome an immediate obstacle: Their field at Brookside Park is being renovated and will not be ready until the season is well under way. St. Francis will not play a home game for three weeks. “We can use it as an excuse,” Moran said, “but we want to make it a challenge.”