CALABASAS BASEBALL TEAM PREPARES TO DEFEND TITLE.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Special to the Daily News

They put together the best record in school history last year and easily won the Frontier League championship with a lineup that boasted a handful of players that were named to the All-Ventura County team.

But that was last year. And considering six of those All-County players have graduated, you would expect the Calabasas baseball team to have some concerns about the 1996 season. Right?

Some, but not many.

The biggest worry for coach Scott Drootin is a pitching staff that was robbed of two outstanding players. Gone are Brandon Cohen and Jared Sandler, both of whom moved on to bigger and better things. Cohen is at the University of Wyoming and Sandler is at Glendale College.

"Any time you lose two quality pitchers like that obviously it causes some concern," Drootin said. "But I think we've got some kids that can step up and do the job."

Drootin's distress over losing Sandler and Cohen is eased considerably by the return of Tanner Trosper, one of the top players in the area.

A pitcher/outfielder, Trosper put up some impressive numbers as a junior, compiling a 5-0 record and a 0.84 ERA from the mound while batting .326 with 22 RBI, one home run and 24 stolen bases.

"Tanner can be one of the most dominant pitchers in the Valley as long as he throws strikes," Drootin said.

Trosper worked this summer on adding a third pitch - change-up - to go along with his fastball and curve. As long as he keeps the ball around the plate, he should add to his outstanding numbers from a year ago.

"The whole key for Tanner will be control," said Drootin, who watched Trosper struggle to throw strikes last week against Kennedy.

After the game, Trosper and the coaching staff watched film of the game to figure out the reason.

"We found a problem in his delivery," Drootin said. "I think we've got it ironed out and hopefully it will make him an even better pitcher."

Said Trosper:

"I just didn't feel right in that game. My delivery was off a little bit and that gave me problems. But after watching the tape of the game, I think I'll be able to correct it."

Trosper says he feels a little pressure being the team's only returning pitcher, although he doesn't expect it to last long.

"I think it will go away as the season goes on," he said. "And I think our other two pitchers will contribute as well."

Trosper threw mostly fastballs and curves against Kennedy, but says the change-up will be more prominent as the year progresses.

"I'm not totally comfortable with it right now," he said.

In terms of Trosper's play in the field and offensive abilities, Drootin is just as impressed.

"Tanner is one of the best athletes in the area," he said. "We expect a number of good things from him batting leadoff."

The Coyotes other returning players include Josh Harris (shortstop), Darin Reisman (infielder), Adam Davey (infielder), Josh Goldfield (catcher) and Brian Fatur (center field).

Harris batted .306 last year with 29 hits and 27 runs. Reisman put together a solid year by hitting .321 with 29 hits, three home runs and 23 RBI. Davey hit .355 with one home run and Goldfield, a switch hitter, batted .304. Fatur hit .500.

Reisman, Harris and Goldfield should provide Calabasas with outstanding defense as well as solid bats.

"We'll be strong up the middle with those guys." Drootin said.

That should help the young pitching staff, which will include Eric Eisner - coming off an impressive year on the junior-varsity team - and Matt Jackson, a sophomore transfer from Canyon High School who has shown early signs of talent.

"Both Matt and Eric have shown a lot of promise," Drootin said. "We haven't played much so it's tough to really know. But given time, I expect them both to develop into quality pitchers."

Other newcomers who should provide help include Vince Kolbe (first base/pitcher), Marc Wilson (infielder/outfielder), Zak Levenson (outfielder), and Ryan Coleman (infielder/outfielder).

Drootin also likes Justin Erickson, a relief pitcher a year ago who showed considerable progress over the winter.

"I really like this team's toughness," Drootin said. "They don't seem like the type of guys that are going to back down. We've already shown a lot of heart."

And in terms of stepping in for the talented players that departed via graduation, Drootin senses no hesitation from the newcomers.

"Losing six players is a deep loss, but the guys replacing them feel they can be just as good as the guys that left," Drootin said. "They're not going to back down from the challenge."

Calabasas' main competition for the Frontier League championship will be Santa Paula and Moorpark, according to Drootin.

"I think we'll have a strong team," Trosper said. "We've got a lot of athletes on this team which increases our speed. We didn't really have that last year."

CAPTION(S):

Photo This season Calabasas is depending on, from left, Josh Goldfield, Tanner Trosper, Josh Harris and Darin Reisman in its quest to defend its Frontier League baseball championship. John Lazar/Special to the Daily News