Scorpion sluggers come out swinging

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers WE HAVE LIFTOFF—Camarillo High junior first baseman Marco Gutierrez takes his hacks during Wednesday's batting practice. A certain word isn't uttered around Camarillo High's baseball diamond.

ACHS is carrying three freshmen and two sophomores on its 15man roster this season. Thomas Reilly is the lone senior. But don't even think about calling the Scorpions "young."

"The word 'young' has sort of been banned from here," head coach Richard Jaquez said. "I felt our team was saying it a little too much. All our opponents don't care how young we are. I'm not a coach that likes to make excuses, and by avoiding that word we aren't giving ourselves one."

No matter how inexperienced the Scorpions (1-2) are, history says they'll be in the thick of the Pacific View League race.

Camarillo has won seven league titles in the last 10 years. ACHS made the CIF-Southern Section Division II title game against Vista Murrieta at Dodger Stadium in 2007.

In the past, Camarillo's offense has been explosive. Reilly believes the Scorpions won't have any problems lighting up the scoreboard this year, either.

"We're going to be just fine offensively," Reilly said. "We don't have as many power hitters as we usually do, but we've done a good job of moving runners over and getting done what needs to be done."

One of Camarillo's top sluggers is Andy Yingling, who serves as the team's designated hitter when he's not pitching. Yingling hit three home runs last year. Junior first baseman Marco Gutierrez is another power hitter.

Camarillo's middle infield consists of two juniors—second baseman Kevin Minjares and shortstop Steven Catalano. Minjares will bat leadoff and has provided leadership, while Catalano always brings stellar defense to the field.

"Minjares is pretty much another coach on the field," Jaquez said. "He's usually a step ahead of calling out 'You got it' or 'I'll take it' when there is a pop-up. He's also a very good on-base percentage guy.

"Catalano has played very good defense. He's only made about two or three errors total since winter ball started," the coach said.

Sophomore Taylor Hansen patrols third base, while sophomore Parker Hindle is the catcher. Hansen and Hindle have gotten off to hot starts at the plate.

Two freshmen, Hunter Virant and Michael Martinez, roam the outfield. Virant is in center while Martinez plays left. Jaquez envisions a bright future for both.

"Virant is a fantastic fielding center fielder, and it's a position I'm hoping will be filled by him for the next four years," Jaquez said. "We didn't have a bunch of center fielders this year, and he kind of won the job because of that. He's played very well in our winter league games, and his hitting will come around in time.

"Martinez has swung a big bat so far. He had two big hits against Dos Pueblos, and he's learning a lot each day."

Helping out the two freshmen in the outfield is Reilly, who's emerged as the team's most productive hitter through Camarillo's first three games.

Jaquez said Reilly isn't very vocal, but his on-field presence makes him a natural leader.

"It's definitely been different for me this year by being the only senior and trying to set an example for everyone," Reilly said.

"In the past, we usually only had about one or two underclassmen. Now they basically take up half our team. I think we'll be just fine with them, though. They play the game the way it's supposed to be played, and there's a reason they made the varsity squad."

Yingling also offers the freshmen advice on a daily basis.

"I tell them to relax," Yingling said. "I tell them to play the game right and just have fun; don't play nervous."

While the offense is full of newcomers, the pitching staff features a trio of returnees in Mike Erb, Yingling and Reilly.

"There's not really an ace on this team," Reilly said. "We're all on par with each other. With the defense we have playing behind us, we're all very confident."

Junior Nick Richardson is still a few weeks away from joining the rotation after tearing a tendon in his throwing elbow. Hansen's pitched well in Richardson's absence.

"Hansen has had some of our best outings for us," Jaquez said. "His location is really good, and he seems to hit that outside black of the plate very well. His location is just tremendous."

Camarillo opens PVL play Tuesday at home against Oxnard.