PREP BASEBALL ‘94: CENTURY LEAGUE

Santa Ana Valley

1993 RECORDS:

OVERALL: 13-13

LEAGUE: 9-6

COACH: Herschel Musick

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 293-255-2

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Rick Crosby Sr. P/1B R-R Jesse Garcia Jr. SS R-R Johnny Garcia Jr. OF R-R Freddy Macias Sr. OF R-R Robert Serrano Jr. P/3B R-R Carlos Valdez Jr. OF R-R

TOP RETURNER YR. POS. B-T Carlos Ayala Jr. Inf R-R

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Rafael Aburto Jr. OF R-R Ricky Chavez So. C R-R Ignacio Lopez Sr. 3B R-R Robert Martin Jr. C R-R Rudy Noriega Jr. Inf R-R Paco Nunez Sr. 2B R-R Ruben Padilla Jr. P/OF R-R Robert Parra Jr. P/1B R-R Edward Solis So. Inf R-R

OUTLOOK

The Falcons, co-champions a year ago, should make a run at the league title. They don’t have quite as much returning talent as Orange, but they’re close. Serrano (5-3, 2.36 ERA) and Crosby (5-6, 3.13) give Santa Ana Valley two quality starters. Serrano was a first-team all-league selection and Crosby was a second-team pick. Nunez (.324) and Macias (.314) are the team’s best returning hitters. Ayala, who was injured last season, will be asked to replace all-league second baseman Martin Ortega (.523), who graduated. The Falcons have good hitters but lack power. The defense is solid in the outfield, where all three starters return. The key will be at catcher, where either Martin and Chavez come through. All in all, the Falcons have plenty of talent and should give Orange a good chase.