Locals to lead Coyotes in 2003

By Nathan Ahle/The Daily Independent

With winter sports around the valley drawing to a close, local fans can look forward to one thing:

The Dawgs are back.

The Cerro Coso Coyotes baseball team prepares to hit the field for the first time this season with four games this weekend. Head Coach Dick Adams enters his 11th season at the Coyote helm, and finds himself surrounded by a bumper crop of local talent making up the nucleus of this year's team. These players played in the local Jr. Dawgs program, were successful in the program at Burroughs, and are now stars for Cerro Coso. After a 22-17 overall record and a 19-13 Foothill Conference mark, the Dawgs are looking to return to the postseason behind solid pitching and good overall team speed.

We recently sat down with Coach Adams to take a look at the Coyote team and its prospects for the new season.

The Local Connection

Three-fourths of the Coyote starting infield has a Burroughs High School diploma, and that's exciting for Adams, as he tries to cultivate local talent.

Jon Foisy, who recently signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Coastal Carolina University beginning in the fall, will start at shortstop. Adams called Foisy the "best athlete" on the team. The 5'11", 190-pound infielder hit .432 for Cerro Coso last season and is again expected to man the leadoff spot after stealing 19 bases last year. Foisy was also named a Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball magazine.

"I think Jon will play short," Adams said. "I like him in the outfield, but he's our best athlete and can start at shortstop. We look for him to get a bunch of stolen bases."

Casey Groves, a right-handed hitting sophomore who played first base last season and was expected to redshirt this season after a wrist injury, has been medically cleared to play and is penciled in to start at second base and bat in the fifth spot.

"Casey gives us a real boost," said Adams. "We're very fortunate to get Casey back, and he'll swing it. Casey's a gamer with a lot of baseball savvy and he brings a ton of experience to the table for us."

"He's definitely going to be one of our go-to guys," Adams added.

The late addition of Groves to the lineup moves freshman Tyler Kratz to third base. Kratz starred for Burroughs and moves up the hill with a great deal of potential.

"Tyler possesses good foot speed, and he can hit with power," Adams said. "He'll start at third and hit somewhere in the fourth or fifth hole."

Foisy, Groves and Kratz fit in well with Adams' offensive philosophy. Without a prototypical homerun hitter in the middle of the lineup, the Coyotes will concentrate on placing their best hitters near the top of the lineup in an attempt to get men on base and move runners along.

"I'm going to have my best hitters up front," Adams explained. "If you don't have a true power hitter to hit in the fourth spot, why put someone who will strike out a lot and hit .140 in there just so you can get a homerun? I flood the beginning of the lineup with guys who can hit for high batting averages - that way, we can get them on, get them over, and get them in."

Coyote fans will also find local talent on the mound. Matt Freese, a left-hander who redshirted, will be the primary southpaw out of the bullpen in long relief.

"He's at 82-83 mph on the radar gun right now," Adams said. "He's our most-improved pitcher in terms of arm strength, and when Matt gets his breaking ball over he's a very effective pitcher, because he has good life on his fastball."

Another local product who is familiar with the program is Vince Tamez. The 5'11" right-hander enters his sophomore season and will be the opening-day starter for Cerro Coso on Friday against LA City College. With a solid fastball that reaches 88 mph, and an effective slider, Adams will look to Tamez to provide leadership and solid innings.

"Vince is a seasoned pitcher," Adams said. "He redshirted last year, but the year before that he was our number-one pitcher. He brings a very competitive nature to the mound. When Vince's slider is on, he's really untouchable. Consistency is the key for Vince."

Darren Green, a 5'9" freshman from Boron, will be one of the closers for Cerro Coso. Assistant Coach John Bradley worked with Green in Cerro Coso's summer program last year.

"He is very capable of punching guys out," Adams said. "Darren will battle for us."

A Presence From The North

In addition to a strong group of local athletes, Adams and his staff have recruited eight players from Canada. Some of these players made an impact last year, and six return as sophomores in 2003.

"These guys are smart, and they're physical, and we think they have a lot of experience," Adams said.

Chad McKellar will start behind the plate and provide power from the left side of the plate., and can also play first base in doubleheaders to keep his bat in the lineup.

"Chad had pro scouts around him after his freshman year," said Adams. "A left-handed catcher with power who's 6'3 has a lot of people looking at him. Chad will have a nice scholarship next year."

In addition to McKellar, four Canadian pitchers will play a role this year. Mike Fleming, a 6'5" righty, led Cerro Coso in appearances last year with 19 and will be counted on for quality relief work as a right-handed closer. Aaron Russell, a 40th-round draft pick of the Cleveland Indians in the 2001 draft, will be used in a left-handed setup role as he recovers from an elbow injury.

"Mike Fleming can slam some doors for us," Adams said. "And if he's healthy, Aaron Russell will be a huge plus."

Dustin Lowthian returns after a 4-3 season in 2002. The team's Most Valuable Pitcher last season, Lowthian relies on a good fastball, and a very effective curveball and changeup to get men out. Lowthian will work long relief in 2003, and may see an occasional start.

"Dustin knows how to pitch," Adams said. "He's going to be a guy that we can use a bunch, and he'll give us quality innings."

Stefan Prostran also returns this year. The 2002 Academic Athlete of the Year for Cerro Coso hopes to improve on his breaking pitch this year.

"He's impressed me this January as a kid who's on track," said Adams.

Hugh "Junior" Dawkins, Kip Keith and Marc Walton also hail from Canada. Adams feels that Keith has a chance to start in center field, and that Dawkins and Walton can also play roles this season.

Ones To Watch

Adams has several options in the outfield this year. Sophomore Justin Shiverdecker returns this year as one of Coso's go-to guys. Shiverdecker will start in right field and bat in the second spot in the lineup. Hitting .375 last year, Shiverdecker will provide solid hitting to the gaps for an offensive spark at the top of the lineup.

"Justin can flat-out run and flat-out play," Adams said. "He's outstanding, has good baseball savvy, and he battles."

Ryan Penn is another key piece to the Coyote puzzle. Penn was listed in Collegiate Baseball as "One To Watch" for 2003, and has the potential to play almost anywhere. From the mound, Penn can hit 90 mph on the radar gun and will face sixth-ranked Citrus this weekend.

"Ryan needs to be in the lineup," explained Adams. "He'll pitch, play some first base, and some outfield. He's very quick, very athletic, and is also a very good student. I think Penn will pitch in the Pac-10 someday - he has that potential."

Corey Stone, a left-hander who will start this weekend, is described as a "very mature two-way guy" who possesses a good change-up, a fastball in the mid-80s, and can play at first base when not on the mound.

Antoine McLeod, new to the program from Alaska this year, and Nick Wagner, younger brother of former Coyote Matt Wagner, can also contribute in the outfield.

"They're both very quick players who are competitive," Adams said.

Jason Jones, Tim Wollenberg, Beau Walker, Rodney Black, T.J. Rogers, and Nick Gitthens round out the roster.

"These players will challenge for starting roles if they can get hot," said Adams.

The Season

Cerro Coso will start the season this weekend with a tournament, but faces a tougher challenge later in the year in a wide-open Foothill Conference. Perennial powers Chaffey, San Bernardino and College of the Desert return with veteran teams, and Adams feels that Rio Hondo is much improved.

"It's a wide-open race," Adams said. "We've got Chaffey here for the last three games of the year, so it's set up for an exciting finish."

"Our pitching depth is our strength. We also have excellent foot speed, and I really think we will challenge for the conference title."

Copyright © 2003 The Daily Independent.
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Last updated 02/05/2007