BASEBALL PREVIEW: SAUGUS HOPES TO REGAIN WINNING WAYS : TEAM PUTS POOR '98 SEASON BEHIND.

Byline: Scott Magoloff Daily News Staff Writer

There have been so many constants throughout the Saugus High baseball program.

In the school's 23 years of existence, one man, Doug Worley, has been the team's head coach. And in those years, he has only led two of his teams to losing seasons.

In short, know what you're going to get when it comes to Centurions baseball.

A major exception came last season, when Worley experienced his worst year. The Centurions finished with a disappointing 9-16 record.

``That was one of the worst feelings I've ever had playing baseball,'' senior starting pitcher Justin Babin said. ``To me, 9-16 is unacceptable. We had a good team last year, but the difference this year is that everybody wants to play together.''

Beside last year the only other losing season at Saugus was in 1979, although Worley recalled a higher win total that year compared to last season.

``Our pitching didn't do it last year. We had very little experience; everything went wrong,'' said Worley, who has accumulated a career record of 363-193 at Saugus. He also was a head coach for Hart's junior varsity and an assistant on its varsity for four years.

After 23 years, such a sour season does nothing to dampen Worley's spirits. The coach who has taken to the Centurions to the hern Section finals in 1986 and 1989, losing both times, says he operates on a season-by-season basis.

And 23 years later, his passion for the game still burns.

``I love the game, obviously,'' he said. ``I work with such great kids, I'd hate to give that up. I do it one year at a time, but I never thought I wouldn't (be here this long). I don't want to go anywhere else.

``This is where I belong. I have the same passion for the game I've had since 1976.''

``It's always been his beliefs and that's helped us,'' Babin said. ``His system has worked over time.''

The biggest changes Worley said he has seen during his career has been in the dedication of the student-athletes. He said players today tend to specialize in one sport and either play it or train for it year-round.

And the same has held true for his program, as many of Saugus' players have excelled during the American Legion season. Worley expects that offseason success to transfer onto the high school diamond.

articularly, the offense is stacked ``through about 11 bats,'' Worley said.

``I'd be surprised if anyone could shut us down.''

The question, as it was last year, will be whether or not the pitching staff can shut other offenses down.

Babin, who is one of three returning starters, will be expected to do the bulk of the work. Junior shortstop Nathan Steele also returns, as do part-time starters Brad Ritter in the outfield and Ryan Josset, a catcher/second baseman.

The respective MVPs of the Saugus junior varsity and freshman teams, third baseman Tommy Nelson and catcher/second baseman Wes Travis, will start on varsity.

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Photo

PHOTO (Color) Saugus High's Rick Pistone looks forward to a better season after last year's disappointing showing, when the Centurions went 9-16.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News