Despite grey skies and the specter of a prolonged El Nino this spring, the 2016 baseball season is alive and well for Analy and El Molino varsity teams, taking the field with hopes of a winning campaign.
Both teams already have a few games under their belt with the Tigers claiming wins in two of three preseason outings, while the Lions are off to a 2-2 start.
El Molino will have a youthful glow this year coming off one of its best seasons in years, graduating eight seniors from last year’s successful 14-11 squad that went 6-6 in league and landed a spot in the North Coast Section Division-4 playoffs.
The starting line-up will feature a mix of returning veterans and underclassmen, a source for hope and cautious optimism among the coaching ranks.
“We have a lot of good young players, including two promising freshmen that will be very good,” El Mo coach Tony Franceschi said. “But at this point we’ll just have to take it one pitch and one game at a time.”
Returning players for the Lions include seniors Mitchell Fricker, Ryan Fernandez, Rob Adams, Kyle Kaasch, Austin Cassidy, Austin Sani, and juniors Jake Peter and Garret Crane.
First year varsity players looking to make an impact are seniors; Gus Guerne, Ian Siegert, Johny Barber, Nathan Junge, Wesley Albini, sophomores; TJ Schooley, Josh Vanrillear, Justin Schaap, and Wesley Hamner, and freshmen Jordan Hamner, and Sam Wilson.
For the first time in a decade, the Lions could have two players in their starting line-up, with talent trumping experience before all is said and done.
“Our freshmen are really talented,” Franceschi noted. “Both can play a number of positions and have a very high baseball IQ.”
El Molino has split in four pre-league outings, claiming wins over Mission (26-3) and Middletown (6-4) but suffering losses to Santa Rosa (9-1) and St. Helena (14-0).
Weather permitting, the Lions will resume preseason action on March 8 (after press time) at Lower Lake, followed by a home date with Credo on Thursday, March 10(3:30 p.m.). El Mo will visit Kelseyville on Saturday, March 12 (12 p.m.).
Tigers in title
contention
Analy figures to be long on talent and experience this year, graduating just three seniors from last year’s 13-13 squad, finishing 6-6 in league and ending the season in the NCS Division-3 playoffs.
Head coach Jeff Ogston is back to lead a veteran group of 18 returning players, stamping the Tigers as a definite SCL title contender along with league powers Petaluma and Sonoma Valley.
Returning players include seniors; outfielder Carter Merlaud, second baseman David Codoni, shortstop/P Devin Ogston, outfielder/catcher Nolan Alvarez, first baseman/P Gabe Werthimer, third baseman/DH Jacob Beeler, outfielder Johnny Gomes, and utility-man/P Ryan Calderon. Returning juniors are; Mason Snodgrass, outfielder Andy Noonan, utility-man Keaton Bates, catcher Todd Noonan, infielder/P Jack Newman, infielder/P Jordan Parks, outfielder Spencer Vogel, first baseman /P Drew Valez and third baseman/P Evan Peelen.
Varsity newcomers include senior outfielder Taylor Cullen, and junior infielder Kevin Eling.
The Tigers (2-1) opened the season with a 4-1 loss at Drake, but bounced back with successive road wins over Windsor (7-2) and Ukiah (6-3).
At press time Analy was preparing for a March 8 visit to San Marin and will be back in the friendly confines for the home opener this Friday, March 11 against Novato. The Tigers will travel to Miramonte next Tuesday, March 15. All games start at 3:30 p.m.
