BASEBALL BEAT : PLAYERS SECOND TO NONE.

Usually, the weakest infielder on a high school baseball team is the second baseman. It's a position coaches use to hide a player who doesn't have a strong arm or productive bat.

This season, however, some of the area's best infielders are second basemen.

Royal's Matt Pesso had 40 straight games without an error and has been one of the Highlanders' top hitters. Westlake's Ryan Cope, until suffering a sprained ankle last week, was the team's best clutch hitter. North Hollywood's Ismael Rangsiyawong has 12 home runs and 45 RBI. Camarillo's Andy Kroneberger is fast and can hit and field. Chaminade's Chris Martinez just keeps hitting and making one defensive play after another.

But the real surprise is Crescenta Valley freshman Mark McCauley, who's hitting .373 with six errors.

``I haven't seen a whole bunch of 12th graders who have done as well as Mark,'' Falcons coach Phil Torres said. ``He's played every inning of every game. I'm not taking him out. He's a special kid.''

McCauley started the season as a shortstop, but Torres quickly changed his strategy.

``In high school, we're finding out he's getting more balls hit to him at second base,'' Torres said. ``Most guys are late and hit to second or they're getting jammed and hitting to third. That's where we put our (top) guys. Mark is too valuable at second. His arm isn't a shortstop arm yet, but he can turn a double play.''

Crescenta Valley, which clinched the Pacific League title last week, has three shortstops playing in the infield. Sophomore Bruce McReynolds is the starter, Ryan McKnight is at third and McCauley at second.

Nothing gets past this guy

Sylmar shortstop Clemente Ortega, a transfer from Montclair Prep, has made 80 plate appearances this season without striking out. He's batting .413 with 23 RBI.

``He's just a good all-around player,'' Spartans coach Gary Donatella said. ``His intensity is incredible. He's brought some added enthusiasm to the club. He's one of those guys you have to be around every day to really appreciate.''

Sylmar (14-9, 12-3) has quietly stayed in the background as North Hollywood (23-6, 12-3) and Poly (16-12, 11-4) battled it out for the East Valley League crown. But now the Spartans can win it all this week. All they have to do is beat North Hollywood today and Poly on Thursday.

Knowing the right priorities

Monroe is battling to win the Mid-Valley League championship, but coach Fred Pudrith has no objections to star pitcher John Ennis and second baseman Damien Ritter missing today's game against Van Nuys because of academic commitments. Both will be taking Advanced Placement tests in chemistry at 1 p.m. Game time is 2:30 p.m.

``It's for their future,'' Pudrith said. ``It's more important than winning the game.''

The test should take four hours, but Ennis plans to race to the game soon after. ``I don't have a helicopter - I have a truck,'' he said.

What Ennis could use is a police escort.

Etc.

Marmonte standout: In a league filled with quality infielders, Newbury Park junior shortstop Danny Greene has earned Marmonte respect by committing just four errors this season.

Future watch: Notre Dame might have the best JV team in the area. The Knights are 17-2-1 and led by sophomores Ryan Cowsill (pitcher), Joel Kirsten (pitcher), John Horwitz (outfield) and Jon Gitlin (third base).

Burroughs' Jon McKenzie is hitting .492 for the Indians' freshman team. He's only 5 feet 3 inches tall.

City watch: San Fernando Valley teams have won 23 of the past 24 City 4-A championships, but beware of Palisades. The Dolphins are 13-1 in conference. They have a top pitcher in 6-5 Jeremiah Herrington, who has a 7-0 record.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: no caption (Mark McCauley)

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

Box: STATISTICS