The Acorn's 2007 Marmonte Baseball Preview
Westlake Warriors

Head coach: Mike Lee (2nd season)
Last season's results: 17-11, 6-8 in league (tied for fourth in Marmonte)
Biggest losses: Jeff Rapoport, OF; Stephen Notaro, C; Randy Harmala,
OF; Jake Fiss, P; Nick Slezak, P
Notable returnees: Cutter Dykstra, SS; Jason Barmasse, 3B; Steven
Soucy, LF/2B; Alex Gillingham, P; Jeremy Hardman, P/C
Impact newcomer: Christian Yelich, freshman, 1B/OF
Pitching ace: Alex Gillingham
Biggest bats: Cutter Dykstra, Jeremy Hardman

Overview: Westlake lost its final three league games last season and was shut out of the playoffs. Getting back to the postseason remains a focal point for Mike Lee's bunch in 2007.

After swiping a league-best 95 bases last season, the Warriors will once again look to run. Cutter Dykstra, the team's leadoff hitter and starting shortstop, can create headaches for opposing coaches once he gets on. Dykstra stole 18 bases in 20 attempts a year ago.

Second baseman Derek Ring is an excellent contact hitter, while third baseman Jason Barmasse adds pop and poise to the middle of the Warrior lineup.

First baseman Shane Kroker is one of the fastest rising prospects in the area. Ben Conlin and Jeremy Hardman will both see time behind the plate. Hardman probably has the most powerful bat in the WHS lineup. Casey Rhoades will work as a utility infielder.

Brad Nutter gets the call in right field and will hit seventh or eighth. Senior Tyler Malinger moves from second base to center field. Malinger can cover a lot of ground in the outfield gaps. Josh Gray, Steven Soucy and Christian Yelich are all competing for the starting job in left field.

Alex Gillingham posted a 1.65 ERA in 25.1 innings of relief work in '06. He'll serve as the No. 1 starter this year. Jordan Mannisto, an AllCounty place kicker, will also start, as will Graham Johnson. Ryan De Jesus, Jake Hartz and Ben Cochran will probably work out of the bullpen.

Head coach Mike Lee says: "Our strength is that we don't even know how good we are. We've got very good baseball players, very smart baseball players and guys that want to win."