Laguna Beach Baseball Preview

February 28, 2013|By Mike Sciacca

(KEVIN CHANG / Coastline…)

Mike Bair expects big things for the 2013 Laguna Beach High baseball team.

A senior-driven unit, one that includes nine returning starters, has the second-year head coach optimistic about the new season which began Thursday against Jurupa Hills at the Newport Elks Tournament. The score from Thursday's game wasn't available at press time. The Breakers continue tournament play on Saturday at Segerstrom.

Below is a capsule look at the Breakers.

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Head coach: Mike Bair (second year)

2012 record: 18-9

League finish: Third place

CIF playoff results: 1-1, reached first round Division 4.

Returning players: Adam Rodner 3B/2B, Sr.; Larry Stewart, P/OF/1B, Sr.; Kurt Rebone, P, Sr.; Preston GrandPre, SS, Jr.; Kristian Rieckhoff, OF, Sr.; Steven Harrison, C/3B, Jr.; Blake Hester, 1B/ C/DH, Sr.; Kaito Lee, LF, Sr.; Jackson Rees, P/RF, Sr.; Robbie McInerny, 2B, Sr.; Grant Wilhelm, P/CF, Jr.; Luke Simon, 1B/C/DH, Sr.

Returning all-league players: Stewart, Rees, Harrison, Wilhelm, GrandPre, McInerny, Hester.

The schedule: In addition to playing in the Newport Elks Tournament, the Breakers also will play at the Anaheim Lions Tournament later this month. They open Orange Coast League play on March 15 against Saddleback.

Coach's outlook: In Bair's first year as head coach last spring, the Breakers took third place in the Orange Coast League and won a CIF Southern Section Division 4 wild-card game to reach the first round of the playoffs. Prior to Thursday's opener against Jurupa Hills, the Breakers played scrimmages last week at a tournament in Honolulu, Hawaii. His current staff includes new coaches Chad Concolino and Brian Manfred. "We have 13 seniors, nine returning starters, and seven returning all-league players, and high expectations for the 2013 season," Bair said.

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The Schedule

Saturday: at Segerstrom, 11 a.m. (Newport Elks Tournament)

Monday-March 8: at Newport Elks Tournament, TBA

March 12: San Juan Hills, 1 p.m. doubleheader

March 15: *Saddleback, 3:15 p.m.

March 19: at *Estancia, 3:15 p.m.

March 22: *Calvary Chapel, 3:15 p.m.

March 26: *Godinez, 3:15 p.m.

March 28: at *Costa Mesa, 3:15 p.m.

March 30-April 3: Lions Tournament, TBA

April 9: *Estancia, 3:15 p.m.