Tell Lakewood coach Walter “Spud” O’Neil that his Lancers are odds-on favorites to take the Moore League title for the second-straight year, and he’ll sigh “Oh, darn.”

“I say this every year,” says O’Neil.  “It’s a five team race and it’s all pretty equal.  We’re good, but it’s just high school baseball… anybody can beat anybody.”

The Lancers enjoyed a lot of success this summer, and that’s got everyone looking Lakewood’s way this spring, but it might all be decided early.  As O’Neil says, “in the old days” there were six teams in the Moore League.  That led to a 15-game schedule where teams could get lucky and play a lesser team three times.  Fifteen games also allowed for two or three losses to be a league best.  “You have to be hot right from the get-go,” says O’Neil, whose team will open the season on Tuesday night against Wilson.  Everyone’s got the Lancers on top in their forecasts—we’ll find out in that opener against the Bruins if they can live up to the expectations.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Matt Duffy, SS/P – The 2008 All-CIF shortstop will be the senior leader on this talented squad.  Duffy used his effective compact swing to knock 13 RBI in the Lancers’ first 5 games.  Also, as the number one starter, Duffy has two complete games already.

Jeff Yamaguchi, 3B/P – The senior played second base last year and showcased his fast hands in the field, while doing damage and making contact near the top of the lineup.  Yamaguchi has already gone 3-for-3 twice this season.

David Peters, C/OF – The senior has some big shoes to fill behind the plate catcher.  Last season, Lancer catcher Johnathan Keener was CIF-SS All-CIF and the Moore League Co-Player of the Year.  But according to O’Neil, Peters is, “coming into his own.”

QUOTEABLE QUOTES

“You don’t win unless you have the pitching.  I don’t care how you hit.  We’ve had teams hit .370 and get to final game, but that’s not normal.” – Coach O’Neil on what it takes to win league.