Oaks Christian baseball squad headed in right direction after slow start

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers HE KICKS AND DEALS-Oaks Christian senior pitcher Tim Johnston delivers a strike during the Lions' 9-3 win over Nordhoff last Friday at home. After suffering several blowout losses to upper-division competition in the Easton Southern California Showdown to start the season, OCHS has won its first two Frontier League games, including a 10-0 shutout vs. Malibu Tuesday afternoon. Baseball is a marathon, not a sprint, and that's good news for the Oaks Christian Lions.

After losing its first four games of the season in the Easton Southern California Showdown by a combined score of 46-10, OCHS was able to rebound in its Frontier League opener vs. Nordhoff last Friday with a convincing 9-3 victory at home.

Following the win over Nordhoff, OCHS lost to Burroughs, 7-5, and then shut out league rival Malibu, 10-0, Tuesday. Oaks' record now stands at 2-5 overall, 2-0 in league.

As the Lions prepare to enter the teeth of their league schedule, second-year head coach Mike Maio said the team's first goal is to capture a Frontier League championship.

"That's our goal," Maio said. "It's not a life-or-death goal. The playoffs are the big thing."

Last year OCHS struggled to a 12-18 overall record and thirdplace finish in league, barely earning a postseason berth. But the Lions got hot at just the right time, and advanced to the CIFSS Division V semifinals before losing to St. Paul.

This season the players said they expect an improved regularseason record, with even better postseason results.

"We just have to stay fired up and ready to take every team the same way, play each team like it's the hardest team possible," senior pitcher/outfielder Tim Johnston said.

"We have to be together as a team and willing as individuals to make the plays for the team," Johnston said. "Whatever it takes, you know."

In 2006, the left-handed Johnston led the Lions' pitching staff in innings (79.1), strikeouts (46), starts (13) and wins (seven). He was also second on the team with a .362 batting average and ranked third with 22 RBI.

Johnston will serve as the ace of a pitching staff that also includes Jason Brooks, Kyle Leonard, Ryan Rummelhoff, Tadd Ekstrand, Tommy Grillo, Nick Kimball and Matt Moore.

"We work really hard, try to hit our spots as much as possible and keep the ball down," Johnston said.

"Nobody on the team is a power thrower, so we try to keep guys off balance," he said. "That's how you win games."

Brooks, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior who also plays first and third base, said he envisions himself taking over the team's closer role. Kimball's also being considered for the closer's job, said Maio.

"It's an important role," Brooks said. "You've got to have the mentality where you can go out and shut (the opposition) down. It's kind of like a football mentality where you want to punish the other guy, but instead of punishing them, you want to get them out and get the game over with."

In addition to Brooks at first base, the remainder of the Lion infield features Taylor Cox at second, Jimmy Dunn playing shortstop, Grillo at third and Ryan Haddock catching.

Dunn led OCHS with eight stolen bases last year. Cox and Haddock are solid defensively. Grillo's a newcomer on the varsity squad.

Currently patrolling left field is Andru Stewart, a transfer from Bakersfield High School. Stewart's nursing a wrist injury, but is expected to provide some pop in the bottom half of the Lion lineup.

"Personally, I'm still getting used to it," said Stewart of playing with his new team. "But my teammates are helping me get adjusted. I'll have a decent season."

Starting center fielder Brent Keys is the only freshman on the OCHS roster. Keys made headlines in January when he won the Pepsi NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition in the 14/15 age division.

"I'm excited to be up here playing with this team and helping the school out," said Keys, who had his first multi-hit game of the season against Nordhoff and currently leads the Lions with eight steals.

Junior Joseph Lee has earned the starting nod in right field. Lee can hit for power, as evidenced by a pair of early-season home runs.

Mark Gose, Colby Keslar, Casey Lee, Matt Ramirez, Louis Vozzo and Matt Singelyn will all compete for playing time, and each still has an opportunity to land a starting job, said Maio.

One player who'll be noticeably absent from the Lion lineup is senior Joe Dembesky, a hardhitting first baseman/designated hitter who's earned a football scholarship to play at Stanford. Dembesky said he opted against playing baseball so he could bulk up for football season.

"It's tough to watch the games because I really want to be out there," Dembesky said. "I really miss it. I've got friends out there.

"It's been a rough start, but they'll be alright," Dembesky said. "They'll get it together. They always get it together."