LANCASTER PLAYS CATCH-UP; BASEBALL TEAM THINKS IT WILL SURPRISE SOME PEOPLE.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer Seniorless Lancaster High, a third-year school that has ambitiously dived into the Golden League varsity sports circuit this season, has certainly taken its lumps. The football team was winless in league, and the boys' basketball squad beat only Littlerock this year. Both finished in last place. But things are going to be different for the baseball team, promises coach Doug Martin Doug Martin (born May 22, 1957 in Fairfield, California), is a former American professional football player who was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1st round (9th overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 258 lbs. . ``I really think we're going to surprise everybody,'' Martin said. ``What happened with the football and basketball teams was very humbling. I'll admit that, but this baseball team, I think, is going to finish no worse than third.'' If Martin's forecast is correct, all-underclassman Lancaster will make the playoffs in its first-ever varsity campaign. Martin banks his optimism on a surplus of young talent that led the Eagles to a 16-5 junior varsity junior varsity n. Abbr. JV A high-school or college team that competes in interschool sports on the level below varsity. Noun 1. record last year. Perhaps Martin's enthusiasm is not so misguided. Lancaster buried Mojave 10-0 and 18-0 in a season-opening doubleheader. The Eagles outhit Mojave 26-5 overall. ``We stomped all over them,'' Martin said. Eric Sundberg and Frankie Rosado appear to be the key hitters. Sundberg, a junior first baseman, had three hits, including a triple, and two RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in in the second win over Mojave. Rosado, a versatile athletic talent, is a five-tool prospect, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. his coach. Sundberg batted .340 on the junior varsity. ``He's a No. 2-style hitter, good at getting on base,'' Martin said, ``but now he's starting to show some power, too.'' Sundberg shares his coach's confidence. ``I definitely think we can play with these Golden League teams,'' Sundberg said. ``A lot of the players on this team play year-round, and we saw varsity pitching in American Legion American Legion, national association of male and female war veterans, founded (1919) in Paris. Membership is open to veterans of World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. .'' Rosado smashed a 400-foot home run - and also tripled - against Mojave in the first game, then came in as a relief pitcher relief pitcher n. Baseball A pitcher who replaces another during a game. Noun 1. relief pitcher - a pitcher who does not start the game fireman, reliever - and added a double - in the second game. He figures in Lancaster's plans as a left fielder, right fielder right fielder n. Baseball The player who defends right field. Noun 1. right fielder - the person who plays right field outfielder - (baseball) a person who plays in the outfield , pitcher and designated hitter designated hitter n. Baseball Abbr. DH A player designated at the start of a game to bat instead of the pitcher in the lineup. Noun 1. . Pitching could be a strength, particularly starters Steve Payte and Alan Squyres. Payte is a control specialist with four pitches, including a sneaky fastball. He was 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA on the junior varsity. Squyres went four innings INNINGS, estates. Lands gained from the sea by draining. Cunn. L. Dict. h. t.; Law of Sewers, 31. in the opener against Mojave to notch the win. Martin likes Squyres' toughness. ``Mentally, Squyres does what he has to do,'' Martin said. ``Last year he was kind of our go-to guy.'' Squyres is also a gifted hitter who finished last season with a 14-game hitting streak In baseball, a hitting streak refers to the consecutive number of official games in which a player gets at least one base hit. Games in which a player does not have any official at bats due to walks, or sacrifice bunts, or being hit by a pitch, are ignored (neither break the streak and team-high .420 average. He bats cleanup. Shortstop Mike Brown and catcher Paul Moffat are also expected to make contributions. Brown is a nifty fielder who makes good contact. Moffat, solid defensively and offensively, has ``a bulldog bulldog, breed of thick-set nonsporting dog developed in the British Isles many centuries ago. It stands from 13 to 15 in. (33–38.1 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 40 to 50 lb (18.1–22.7 kg). mentality'' according to his coach. Both homered against Mojave. Lancaster's biggest problem is finding opponents. Two nonleague matchups fell through, and the team is scrambling to fit Bishop High for a Friday game that may or may not happen. Otherwise, the Eagles' next game will be against Golden League favorite Palmdale on March 20. ``The kids are really nervous about playing Palmdale in the opener,'' Martin conceded. ``But like I said, they want to surprise some people.'' The coach figures an advantage will be other teams' decision not to throw their ace pitcher against the Eagles. PROGNOSIS LANCASTER BASEBALL Coach: Doug Martin Last year: 16-5 junior varsity Hitting prospects: Jr. Eric Sundberg, So. Frankie Rosado, Jr. Mike Brown, Jr. Paul Moffet Pitching prospects: Jr. Stephen Payte and So. Joshua Elizondo All-purpose: Alan Squyres Quick note: Seniorless Lancaster opens Golden League play against Palmdale on March 20. CAPTION(S): Box |
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