Bay League Notebook: Solid Contenders

Palos Verdes High’s baseball program has built up a strong reputation throughout the years, so it’s understandable that eight-year coach Evan Fujinaga is demanding.

The Sea Kings have won six games in a row and are 6-2 after defeating South Torrance on Thursday, but Fujinaga isn’t entirely pleased with the way they’ve compiled that record.

“We’re looking for consistency,” Fujinaga said. “In four of our first seven games, we didn’t give up an earned run. We’ve gotten great performances from several of our pitchers, and haven’t given up an earned run in four games, but in our other three games we gave up 12 runs to Gahr, nine to San San Pedro and 12 against Narbonne.

“We’re just looking for consistency. We’re seeing both sides.”

The Sea Kings’ play in the field has been spotty at times as well.

“Our defense has been inconsistent,” Fujinaga said. “We’re looking for something closer to the middle (between great and bad).”

And yet Fujinaga is not disappointed in his players. He just wants the best for them, so he’s going to keep pushing. He can see excellence out of PV down the road.

“Our staff and our school is proud of what we’ve accomplished” Fujinaga said. “We can’t rest on our laurels. We have to act as if we have something to prove. Nothing is being handed to us just because we’ve had some success in the past.

“I think we’ll come around. We’re not off to a bad start. And we can play better.”     

On offense and defense, PV has quality athletes who should come together to produce a team that will challenge favorite Peninsula for Bay League honors.       

Senior Bobby Stahel, capable of playing several positions, is off to a great start at the plate. Through seven games, he was hitting .440 with four doubles, a homer and four RBIs.

Outfielder Chris Markulis is a returning all-league player hitting .348 in the early going. Junior infielder Jeremy Barth was hitting .346 with a double and triple. Six-foot junior Sam Carmack, who can pitch or play first base, was hitting .389 with eight runs scored through. Senior Andrew Messori was hitting .333 through seven games.

Outfielder Chad Mensinger, a junior, has been PV’s most consistent performer so far, Fujinaga said. Through seven games he was hitting .364 with two doubles and a team-high seven RBIs.

The pitching staff has great potential. MacKenzie Menthen, a 6-3 junior, struck out 14 batters in his first 12 innings while turning in two promising performances. Matt Smith, a 6-2 junior, has pitched one gem in two starts. Charlie McBee also has thrown one special game so far this season.

Through seven games, senior Wyatt Caldwell, sophomore J.D. Scharffenberger and senior Matt Ostrom had combined to pitch 13 innings without giving up an earned run.

PV, always mentioned prominently by other Bay League coaches when they summarize this year’s season, will be a solid contender again. Despite whatever inconsistencies there have been, they are just one out against San Pedro away from a 7-1 start.

“Peninsula has the makings of a special team,” Fujinaga said. “They’ve got great pitching and they’re a veteran team. That can make for an exciting season.            

“Mira Costa also looks pretty good. They’re poised to make a run at it. I’d like to think we’ll be in there somewhere, too. We will challenge for a playoff spot, at the least, and see where we go from there.”

LACROSSE SHOWDOWN—Mira Costa’s boys lacrosse team earned an impressive 14-2 victory over Loyola Monday night at home. But it took the Mustangs just a few minutes before they were ready to look ahead.

Friday night’s showdown with arch-rival Palos Verdes was already on their minds.  

“We played a good game tonight,” senior Marcus Egeck said, “but we’re going to have to play even better against Palos Verdes on Friday.”

So tonight’s Bay League game is big, but it’s just one of many they hope to play this season. The Mustangs got a taste of big-time success last year when they finished second to PV in league play, but stepped up in the playoffs to take the L.A. County title before losing to Foothill for a CIF championship.

“The tradition here is very strong,” said first-year coach Chris Jewett, who replaces David Vinci, who started the Mira Costa lacrosse program seven years ago. “It’s nice to be a part of this. I know there’s a lot of pride on this team and these guys are working hard.”

The Mustangs started the season on a low note, losing a non-league game to Foothill, 15-5. Since losing to San Clemente, however, they have come on strong.

They defeated Downey, 29-4, on Wednesday to improve to 6-2.

“We’re getting better,” said Egeck, who had four goals against Loyola. “We’ve been together a long time this year, from September on, and there’s a bond that’s forming.”

Tom Farrell, a 6-foot-4 senior who also started on the basketball team and is head to LeHigh in the Fall, leads the Mustangs’ offense. He has 14 goals and is the team leader in assists.

But he’s far from the only threat. Besides Egeck, Chris O’Brien has 19 goals and Ryan Silver is a strong threat as well. Austin Hafdell had five goals against Downey. Ryan Kole had four goals against Downey. He’s also proved to be adept at the face-offs that follow every goal, winning far more than 50 percent of those challenges and giving Mira Costa repeated possessions.

Other Mira Costa standouts include senior defender Cody Smith, Tajee Mobley, Travis Meersand, Julian Trivers and goalie Jon Mayfield. Dakota Randall, another strong leader, is currently out with a serious back injury but hopes to return for the playoffs.

“We can go all the way if we just keep getting better,” Kole said. “I think we’re getting better every week now.”

For now, though, there’s that little matter of Palos Verdes. The Sea Kings have ambitions of their own and plenty of talent to go with it. PV’s first-year coach, Jimmy Borell, is at least as excited by the first of two league showdowns as the players are.

“The intensity and tenacity that you see in the game is just awesome to watch,” he said. “It brings out the best in both teams. The last six games have been split right down the middle and usually by no more than one or two goals.”

The defending Bay League champion Sea Kings could have one of their best teams this year. Junior Zack Fixen is a versatile offensive player, while junior captain Zack Henkhaus has already committed to Bucknell.

PV’s list of top players also includes Graham Francis, Cole Bender, and cousins John and Tyler Gonzalez. Juniors Dean Dillenberg, Graham Francisc, Deano Furkioti and Dean Ahern solidify the midfield area.

“It’s a very intense rivalry,” Borell said. “I don’t see it dying down anytime soon. I am really looking forward to our game Friday.”

One thing is for sure. No matter who emerges as the Bay League’s best teams, the two schools have helped put lacrosse on the map. The sport is here to stay in the South Bay, with Redondo and others setting their sights on eventually challenging the league’s one-two punch.

REDONDO STEPS OUT—It’s not easy laboring in the shadow of a powerful rival, especially one as consistently strong as Mira Costa’s boys volleyball team.

Redondo volleyball coach Duncan Avery and his Sea Hawks know all about that.     

But this year is different. No matter what happens in the Bay League race that starts next week, the Sea Hawks shouldn’t labor in anyone’s shadow this season. They are a force in their own right. Shine the spotlight on them and enjoy the show.

“This is a special team, a special season for us,” Avery said Thursday. “This is my fourth year here and some of these guys have been with us from the start.           

“We have so much experience. There’s over 30 years of varsity experience on this team. In prep sports, experience means a lot.

“This year we’ve really preached the need to appreciate this experience we’re having. Make sure you stay focused. Go 100 percent every day. Because we can do something this year.”

While Mira Costa has gotten off to an unbeaten start and is ranked No. 1 in CIF Division I, Redondo is ranked No. 5 after starting the season 15-3. The Sea Hawks won their own Redondo tournament to start the season and finished ninth in the Best in the West tournament after a disappointing loss to La Costa.

The Sea Hawks also lost to Loyola, which is ranked No. 3, in that tournament. Redondo faces Loyola again Friday at home in their last non-league match.            

“It’s pretty exciting it worked out this way,” Avery said. “Do we belong in the top five in CIF? Do we belong on the court with the big dogs? We’ll find out.”           

Avery is convinced the Sea Hawks have a chance to beat Mira Costa in league.         

“They don’t rebuild, they reload,” he said. “They’re so deep on every level. I still feel like we have a chance to beat them.

“When you lose four years in a row to a team, you’re not going to be favored. But if we play our best volleyball, and it has to be our best, we’ve got a chance.”

The Sea Hawks aren’t just experienced. There’s plenty of talent in the program Avery has been building steadily for four years.

Senior outside hitter Ryan Olson is a four-year varsity player. The other four-year varsity player, senior Austin Moore, is battling back and knee injuries that ruined his basketball season, but if he can come back he would give the Sea Hawks another quality athlete.

Senior outside hitter Riley Theunissen is 6-3 and a varsity player since his sophomore year. Senior middle blocker Greg Evans also has been on the varsity for three years.

Senior setter Andy Price has great experience. Senior outside hitter Trevor Butler transferred from Mira Costa last year. Junior libero Kevin Fender comes from Bishop Montgomery and adds quality depth. Senior Brandon Hiehle adds depth as well.

Despite their experience, the Sea Hawks still have benefited from two players who have come out of nowhere, so to speak.

Senior middle blocker Ryan Mather, a disappointment as an outside hitter last year, has been fabulous at his new position. The 6-foot-6 Mather was named the Redondo MVP and has made a big difference from day one.

“Him being able to concentrate more on blocking and hitting has made a difference,” Avery said. “He’s playing so well. His size and athletic ability make us a better team.”

In addition, 6-3 freshman Lewis Richard has lived up to his reputation as one of the top freshmen in the country.

“Most years there’s no question he would start for us,” Avery said. “But we’re so deep he comes off the bench. But I’m telling you there are days in practice when he looks like he should start. He’s really pushing our starters.”

TRACK TRADITION—Mira Costa will host its 17th annual Mustang Relays Saturday starting at 9:30 a.m. Not sure if Coach Bob Fish planned it, but there will be 17 schools competing in the 17th annual meet, including Mira Costa, Redondo, West Torrance and Torrance.

The emphasis will be on relay events, but there will be open competition in the 100, 1,600, 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles. Mira Costa will be strongly represented by sprinter Joe McMahon, weight man J.R. Tavai (headed to USC on a football scholarship), and distance runners Aryn Foland and Jenna Tong.

SATURDAY STUFF—Palos Verdes faces LB Wilson Saturday morning in the Redondo invitational baseball tournament. Peninsula faces San Pedro in a very interesting Redondo tournament game. Mira Costa’s baseball team is at Carson High Saturday night. Mira Costa’s softball team is in the Katella Tournament on Saturday, which should give the Mustangs a good idea of where they stand going into the Bay League.