Outlook Is Solid for Local Baseball, Softball Teams

If there is one thing that is certain, all six local baseball and softball teams will be competitive once again in 2011.

In softball, La Cañada returns much of its squad that went to the CIF-Southern Section Division 5 semifinals last spring. Flintridge Sacred Heart is solid again even though it plays in the ever-tough Mission League. Flintridge Prep is also hoping to return to the postseason.

In baseball, La Cañada, St. Francis and Flintridge Prep have a number of promising players.

Baseball

St. Francis is hoping to improve on its 3-9 Mission League record from last season. The Golden Knights are led by catcher David Hubinger who hit .415 a year ago and has signed with Pepperdine. Seniors Chris Longo, Joey Malham, Eddie Brewer and Brett Nelson as well as juniors Tei Vanderford and David Brody figure to compete for innings on the mound.

Senior infielders J.P. Nolan and Brandon Van Horn and senior outfielder Brady Markel also return. St. Francis will be without junior shortstop David Olmedo-Barrera, who was lost for the season because of a broken wrist.

La Cañada went 13-12 a year ago, but lost a number of players to graduation. Returning for coach Dennis Ballard’s side is senior pitcher Brendon Shoemake. Junior outfielder Mitchell Russell and sophomore catcher Anthony Mizrahi are other top returners. Utility player Scott Stetson was an All-Rio Hondo League selection a year ago.

“We could have three sophomores and a freshman starting in the infield,” Ballard said.

Sophomore shortstop Clayton Herrmann is one of the top young prospects on the team.

Flintridge Prep went 12-12 a year ago and lost seven seniors to graduation, but it returns junior All-CIF pitcher Royce Park.

Senior Kyle MacDonald will play shortstop and also pitch. Sophomore Karlsen Termini is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds and has a lot of potential according to coach Buzz Cook. Junior Alex Sierra is another player who will play in the infield and also contribute on the mound.

“(Pasadena) Poly should be very strong, but we should finish second,” Cook said of his team’s chances in the Prep League. “We’ve got a very encouraging freshman class.

Softball

La Cañada is clearly the team with the most talent returning. The Spartans have eight of nine starters back from a side that went 25-5 and went to the semifinals of Div. 5 playoffs.

The Spartans have an excellent pitching duo with senior Lauren O’Leary and junior Lauren Cox. O’Leary has signed with Georgetown. She went 19-4 with a 0.61 ERA last year and had 165 strikeouts to just seven walks in 114 innings. Cox went 5-1 (0.35 ERA) and had 161 strikeouts and 16 walks in 80 innings.

“They’re both outstanding pitchers,” La Cañada coach K.C. Mathews said. “They do their job very well.”

Shortstop Anna Edwards has signed with Northwestern. She is the returning Co-Rio Hondo League MVP. She hit .580 last season.

Junior catcher Catherine Horner and senior second baseman Megan Siepler are two other top returners. Also back are senior outfielders Shirley Drange and Kayla McCue as well as sophomores Jessica Ogden, Aubri Thompson, Kelsey Drange and Selina Mohr.

Flintridge Sacred Heart has six starters back from a team that went 10-11 a year ago. Starting pitcher Mackenzie Lyng headlines coach Kirk Nishiyama’s returners from last year’s squad. Senior third baseman Alanna Pires, junior middle infielder Lauren Torres and sophomore outfielders Kelly Jacobs and Sumner Hanula are other top key players back in 2011.

Senior twin sisters Alyssa and Paige Conti will also be part of the team. Nishiyama said she is also impressed with freshman catcher Stasia McGregor.

“Our goal is to come in third in the league and make the playoffs,” Nishiyama said of playing in the tough Mission League. “We’re trying to get (great) athletes out, which is why we have some soccer players.”

Like FSHA, Flintridge Prep also went 10-11 a year ago. The Rebels are young this season, though they do return senior pitcher Denise VanderGoot. Seniors Abbey Deckop (third base), Kelly Wang (shortstop) and Ali Preiss (catcher) are top returners.

“We’re looking to get back to the playoffs,” Rebels coach Julie Jaime said. “The girls are showing a lot of promise.”