SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL PREVIEWS : Tri-Valley League

Moorpark

COACH: David Rhoades, 1st year

LAST SEASON: 15-7; 2nd in league at 10-5

PLAYERS TO WATCH: If nothing else, the Musketeers should be a harmonious bunch. Rhoades, Moorpark’s junior varsity coach the past three seasons, is in his fourth season with several players. Senior right-hander and three-sport athlete Robert Hernandez (6-3, 190), who was 7-4 with a 3.38 earned-run average and three saves in ‘89, and junior right-hander Brad Taylor (5-11, 175), who was 6-1 for the junior varsity, form a solid rotation. Hard-throwing senior Jake Sepulveda (6-4, 270), a right-handed reliever, “will be my Goose Gossage,” Rhoades said. Senior left fielder Andy Richter (5-11, 175, .328, four triples) and senior second baseman Mike Zamrock (5-9, 155), a “get-on-base type guy,” Rhoades said, are both returning all-league selections. So are senior shortstop Frank Fernandez (.507) and senior third baseman Tom Uphoff (.397). Both, however, are academically ineligible and will not return until at least the season’s seventh week. Juniors Chuong Ho and Jim Loosbrock, who batted .400 to lead the junior varsity, are their replacements. Senior first baseman Mike Granderson (6-3, 180) is a returning starter. Senior Chris Boyer (5-9, 155), who platooned at second base last year, will be a utility player. Senior left-hander Rey Gonzalez, who sat on the bench last year, will see relief duty. Junior center fielder Greg Burns (5-9, 150) has good speed.

OUTLOOK: “A lot of our success will depend on our juniors if they can make adjustments to the varsity,” Rhoades said. Moorpark’s strength is its pitching staff, which is better and deeper than others throughout the league.

Oak Park

COACH: Scott Randles, 1st year

LAST SEASON: 8-12; 5th in league at 5-10

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The fact that Randles considers juniors Jason Kane, a power-hitting second-team all-league center fielder, and shortstop Zach Sterling, a returning starter, his “team leaders” gives indication of the Eagles’ inexperience. Senior right-hander Ben Feick (6-foot-5) will play first base and enter as the No. 1 reliever. Left fielder Erik Cass, a returning starter, is the only other senior. Sophomore right-hander Jeff Gibbons, who joined the varsity near season’s end last year, is the best of an untested staff, Randles said. Junior third base man Art Kahn, another power threat, and sophomore second baseman Eric Pryor, a versatile fielder, round out the infield. Speedy junior Chris Ruhle, a wide receiver on the football team, will play right field. Junior catcher Tom Watson (5-10, 180), another JV graduate, is the starting catcher.

OUTLOOK: “We’ll probably get off to a slow start, but I think it will be a positive experience,” Randles said. A third-place finish would rate a successful season.