In the short history of freshman baseball in the Moore League (since 1990) the Poly Jackrabbits had never won the title, or even gotten close for that matter. That was until last season, when the youngsters went 12-0 in league play. Now, those players are filling the ranks of a very young varsity squad, with little big-game experience but a very high ceiling for potential.
“This is such a deep class,” says coach Toby Hess. “It’s the most talented class I’ve seen here at Poly, but we’re going to take our lumps. This experience will help them later.”
The one place they Rabbits do have experience is on the mound, when senior Mario Gordon takes the bump. The 6’0” righty can keep Poly competitive, and according to Hess, he’s “going to be one of the better pitchers in the league. We;ve got four sophomores who are starting on a daily basis, so it’s going to be tough, we’re going to have to be real patient with the kids as they come along. But we do have the pitcher to keep us in the games. We know on the day he pitches, we’ll be in the game with just about everybody.”
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mario Gordon, P/INF – Hess isn’t just blowing smoke about being in the game with just about everyone. Last year in the first round of the CIF-SS playoff, Gordon and Poly took on Los Alamitos and one of the best left handed pitchers in California, Beau Wright. Gordon was up to the challenge, but two unearned runs was the Rabbits undoing, losing 2-1. A few other league coaches say they think Gordon’s the best player the Moore League has this year.
Kevin Nanbara, P/OF – After a great summer, the senior has emerged as the team’s premier leadoff hitter and base stealer. He hit over .340 last year in center and will come out of the bullpen. Hess also says that he will spend some time in the cleanup spot. Does he have the pop in his bat, you ask? He hit one over the left field fence at Tony Gwynn Field.
Henry Severson, 2B – The diminutive sophomore (5’7”, 185) is the best young hitter of that talented class. He hit second last season and with just 24 at bats hit over .300. Hess says the coaching staff thinks he has the, “best pound-for-pound swing in the program.”
WILD CARD
Tommy Walker, 3B – The sophomore was one of the best players on last year’s Long Beach PONY World Championship team, and according to Tommy, he’s running for President in twenty years. Better get to know him now.
QUOTEABLE QUOTES
“Well, I guess it’s a race to one. The first to score wins.” – Coach Toby Hess to Millikan coach Scott Glasser about the matchups between their two squads, both of whom have struggled to score early in the season.