TEAM USA REUNITES LOCALS WEAVER, NICKEAS KEY AS U.S. AIMS FOR PAN AM GAMES GOLD.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

Maybe by the end of the summer they'll get his name right.

Jered Weaver's mastery on the mound earned him first-team All-America honors this spring as a sophomore on the Long Beach State baseball team. It also earned him a spot on this summer's U.S. national team. Establishing an identity other than that of the younger brother of New York Yankees pitcher Jeff Weaver required a little more work, though, as Team USA's coach admits he frequently catches himself calling Jered by his brother's name.

Although most in the program knew Weaver best for his bloodlines, there was one member who knew far more before the team held its first workout. Mike Nickeas grew up playing in youth leagues with Weaver and was a league rival in high school. The former Marmonte League foes were reunited as battery mates and key contributors for the national team, which began competition in the Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic on Saturday by defeating Guatemala 10-0 in six innings for its 23rd consecutive victory.

``It seems like I've known him forever,'' said Nickeas, a Westlake High graduate.

The way Weaver and Nickeas are playing, others throughout baseball also are getting to know them well.

Weaver, a Simi Valley High graduate, went 14-4 with a 1.96 ERA and tied the Long Beach State record with 144 strikeouts during the spring. When his season ended with a postseason loss to Stanford, Weaver told his catcher he would not allow another run. Weaver has kept his word as he has yet to allow a run in 32 1/3 innings with the national team. In five starts, the right-hander is 3-0 with 25 strikeouts and only 12 hits allowed.

Nickeas ranked second on the 20-member team with a .347 average as Team USA went undefeated during a 22-game exhibition schedule. He led Georgia Tech in batting (.333) and was second in RBI (44) this spring as a sophomore.

``Both of those guys are players you're going to hear about in next year's draft,'' Team USA coach Ray Tanner said.

``Jered Weaver is one of the top sophomore pitchers in the country. He's done an outstanding job for us.

``I coached his brother when he was on the national team. They look so much alike, I've been calling him Jeff sometimes. But it's not just his looks, he can pitch like his brother, too. ... He can flat-out pitch. He's blessed.

``And Nickeas, he's a leader on the field. He's a future captain. He's a guy that takes charge on the field. He can do some things with his bat, but it's his leadership and defense that really make him special.''

Nickeas is only the second player to compete for all three amateur levels of the national program, having played for the 16-under Youth team in 1998 and the 18-under Junior team in 2001. He led all players with a .577 average during the 2001 Junior Pan Am Games in Cuba, where the United States placed second.

``It's still just as awesome,'' Nickeas said of being a program veteran. ``It gets better actually. You can enjoy it more because you aren't as nervous, you've been through the whole process before. It's definitely exciting. When I was invited, I was real excited about it.''

Nickeas is one of four Georgia Tech players on the national roster. The only players Weaver recognized were those from Stanford. Having Cardinal ace Mark Romanczuk - who defeated Weaver for a trip to the College World Series - as a roommate provides constant incentive to excel, but having Nickeas around is an equally valuable source of comfort.

``It's kind of weird having someone you've known for that long on a team like this,'' Weaver said. ``It's cool. It's nice having someone from your hometown you can talk about things with.''

They are hoping they'll soon have a gold medal to talk about, too.

Team USA dominated opponents during an exhibition schedule that included series against Japan and Mexico. The Pan Am Games present the added challenge of facing lineups loaded with significantly older players.

The Americans believe they are ready.

``I think we've just got to go about it the same way,'' Weaver said. ``I'm just going to stick with my game plan.

``They might have a little bit more power and be a little bit more accurate, but I don't think they have any more talent. We've got a lot of talent on this team.

``This is something I've wanted for a long time, so I'm giving it everything I've got. It's not every day a player gets to wear USA across their chest. It's something I really wanted to do. Now that I made the team, it's even more exciting.

``When they sat us down, each player in the hotel room, I was nervous. I didn't know what to expect. When they said I made the team, a big smile came to my face. When they said I'd be a starter, I was even happier. A gold medal will make me even happier.''

Heather Gripp, [phone]

heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com

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In five starts with the national team, Simi Valley High graduate Jered Weaver is 3-0 with 25 strikeouts and no runs allowed.