El Toro Baseball

With school back in session last week, it's time to get the fall baseball season started.

Fall's the time for the coaches to work on rotations, lineups and see where different kids fit in the program. It's not about winning (or even keeping tract of scores), so my focus will be about the program and what's going on.

ET has 9 games scheduled over the next two months. Top Southern California programs such as Orange Lutheran, Edison, Chaminade and Santa Margarita are some of the teams they'll be playing.

They started off the season last night against Santa Margarita. 7 pitchers went for the Chargers although neither their expected #1 or #2 pitcher threw. A new guy each inning. A lot were curious to check out the new transfer from Tustin High School, Dan Cavazos. He's a junior who was one of Tustin's main pitchers last year. As a Sophomore, he started 10 games with a 4.35 era. He throws hard but seems to have some control issues as his walk to strikeout totals last year were about 1/1. Last night he seemed to just be working on his fastball control as he didn't throw many off speed pitches. It'll be interesting to follow to see if he can work his way into El Toro's rotation as they'll mainly go with 4 pitchers through the regular season.

From an offensive standpoint, seniors Matt Chapman (Cal State Fullerton commit) and Ryan Joyce homered in the first to get things started. One of the Chargers strengths this year is expected to be their hitting as they look to be strong up and down the lineup. They lost Chris Manning and Garrett Donohoe from their starting lineup, but with all the young talent coming up through the program and the continued development of the returning players, they look to score more runs this year.

As to the game, it was a back and forth affair that ended 7-7.

Next Wednesday (9/29), El Toro faces the aforementioned Tustin High School. A lot of excitement as Tustin features one of the top high school players in the country in Travis Harrison. Game is scheduled for 7:30 at Windrow Park in Irvine.

Go Chargers,

Bill