Despite losing three key players to graduation, the Scotts Valley High baseball team is hopeful to repeat the success of 2014, when it was part of a three-way tie for the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League crown.
“We’ve got a fairly balanced squad in terms of talent,” said Head Coach Rick Erlin. “We have a good, solid defense, we’ve got solid starting pitching, and we’ll hit the ball pretty well.”
Bereft of last year’s stars Joe Gillette, Riley Hilton and Bubba Rogers, Erlin said that this year’s team will need to focus on good fundamentals and team cohesion.
“The guys returning are going to have to step up,” he said. “They’re going to have to play like a team.”
And, with the SCCAL season set to begin next Friday against Soquel, the team is already playing to the tune of a 4-1 record in preseason play.
“We’ve got five pitchers, and we’ve got guys who consistently throw strikes,” Erlin said. “One through nine, all of our guys will be pretty productive.”
The key, Erlin said, will be for the team to display solid offense, solid pitching and solid defense.
“For us, we’re going to have to do all three well,” he said. “If you don’t play solid defense, you’re giving away outs.”
Erlin said he is looking forward to seeing junior lefty Jack Palmer build upon last year’s 10-1 record, as well as the continued development of junior righty Greg Neiger, who already boasts a 3-0 record in preseason play in his first year on the varsity squad.
Offensively, he said he believes the Falcon bats will be solid up and down the order.
He predicted strong offensive showings from sophomore third baseman/catcher Ryan Gallegos, junior catcher Nick Carli, senior first baseman Nick Raines, senior shortshop/closer David Snider, senior outfielder Paul Erickson and senior utilityman Justin Bergmann.
“We’re pretty athletic, I think” Erlin said. “For a pretty small school we have good balance … I like our chances.”
