BASEBALL PREVIEW ’10: Numbers add up for Kentridge

The numbers are in.

And for the Kentridge High baseball team, those numbers are looking pretty good this spring. In a league loaded with talent from top to bottom, no team returns as many all-league players as the Chargers.

As such, reason for excitement – and a reason to believe a return to the postseason is imminent – remains legitimate.

“We talked (in the offseason) about what we need to do to finish the deal off,” explained Kentridge coach John Flanigan. “What we need to do is to be focused to play every pitch of every game. We need to come out and make sure that everybody here is on the same page and has the same goals. It’s not so much of a baseball skill set of a thing, but a mental approach.”

If a mental approach is what Kentridge needs, the pieces are certainly in place this spring. The Chargers, which squeaked into the SPSL playoffs a year ago with an 8-8 league record, graduated just one position player from last season’s team (outfielder Ben Mora).

The players dotting the roster this season is essentially a who’s who of all-league players, including Shayne Mathews (pitcher), Stetson Olson (shortstop), Craig Rasmussen (outfield), Andrew Martin (DH) to go along with honorable mention selections Matt Jackson (pitcher), Ian Anderson (first base), Cory Hamada (second base), Jason Didis (outfield) and Hayden Njos (outfield/pitcher).

Jackson, a righthander, was among the league leaders last year in fewest hits allowed per seven innings (6.48) while Olson, who will play next season at Washington State, delivered a sweltering .462 batting average. Meanwhile, Didis was among the league leaders in runs scored (20) and Mathews ranked fifth in the league in ERA (2.94).

Needless to say, optimism is in abundance for the Chargers.

“Our goal is to be in the playoffs, but I don’t think it’s out of the question that we win the league,” Flanigan said.

The Chargers haven’t won a North Division title since 2003, which also was the last time they qualified for state. With this year’s talent – and numbers – expectations remain high.

“We’re very excited,” Flanigan said. “It’s tough with the league we’re in, but we could make some noise.”

CHARGERS AT A GLANCE

• COACH: John Flanigan, 10th year (105-82 overall record).

• LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 8-8 in league (fifth), 8-10 overall.

• LAST STATE APPEARANCE: 2003.

• TOP RETURNERS: Stetson Olson, senior, shortstop; Hayden Njos, senior, outfielder/pitcher; Cory Hamada, senior, second base; Craig Rasmussen, senior, outfielder; Ian Anderson, senior, first base; Jason Didis, senior, outfield; Jordan Miguel, senior, infielder; Mario Sposare, senior, catcher; Matt Jackson, senior, pitcher; Shayne Mathews, senior, pitcher.

• TOP NEWCOMERS: Ian Buckles, junior, pitcher; Axl Snure, junior, outfielder.

• OUTLOOK: The Chargers return a loaded bunch and have all the reason in the world to be optimistic heading into the season. Kentridge graduated just one starting position player and has enough firepower and depth on the mound to contend for the SPSL North crown. The North, possibly more so than in past years, is loaded top to bottom. That said, Kentridge should challenge for one of the top three spots in league and has as good as shot as most at winning the title.

• STAT OF NOTE: Kentridge hit .384 as a team last year, third in the North.

• KR PLAYERS WHO’VE BEEN DRAFTED (YEAR/ROUND/ORGANIZATION): David Patton, 2004, 12th, Colorado; Shane Cronin, 1996, 32nd, San Diego; Ian Harrington, 2007, 23rd, Arizona; Dan Hubbs, 1993, 16th, L.A. Dodgers; Mason Tobin, 2007, 16th, L.A. Angels; Keith Matheny, 1970, 45th, New York Yankees.

KENTRIDGE IN LEAGUE 2002-2009

2009: 8-8 (fifth)

2008: 4-9 (sixth)

2007: 10-4 (second)

2006: 11-7 (four-way tie for third)

2005: 7-9 (t-sixth)

2004: 9-7 (five-way tie for second)

2003: 12-4 (first)

2002: 10-6 (third)