HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL / City Section Previews : NORTHERN CONFERENCE : NORTHEASTERN LEAGUE (3-A)

Verdugo Hills

COACH: John Vera, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 8-11; 3rd in league, 7-9

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Four starters return for the Dons, who have made steady progress since finishing 2-15 three seasons ago. Verdugo Hills missed the playoffs by one game in 1992 and a postseason berth is a legitimate goal this season. Senior right-hander Kevin Seitz is the lone returning starting pitcher. Senior Richard Lucero (.316 batting average), a three-year starter, will move from second base to shortstop and also will try his hand at pitching. Pitchers promoted from the junior varsity are junior right-handers James Flores and Dave Bryant, and senior left-hander Eddie Powell, an All-City Section football player and an All-City basketball candidate. Additionally, Bryant, the school’s quarterback, will play either second or third. Senior catcher John Feliz (.426) returns for his third varsity season and senior Ron Battaglia (.366) is back at first base and will bat cleanup. Other infielders expected to play a lot are junior Rick Payne and senior Aaron Romo. Juniors Kevin McCormick and Eric Schmidt are battling for left field. Powell will patrol center when he isn’t pitching, and sophomore Greg Martin and Seitz will split time in right.

OUTLOOK: Vera is striving for team improvement, consistency and a playoff berth. With four returning starters, including two three-year players, the Dons seem poised to attain all three. “If I can reverse (last season’s) record, that would be great; 11-8 instead of 8-11,” Vera said. Eagle Rock, Franklin and Wilson are Verdugo Hills’ league opponents.