Culver City has always produced good competitive baseball programs but this year they hope to step into the elite category. They have one of the best pitchers in the nation, solid defense and this year their bats have come alive.
The Centaurs hope to continue to click on all cylinders this Friday when they battle South Bay power Mira Costa at 3:15 p.m. on the Culver City high school campus. The Centaurs are 5-2 and the Mustangs are 6-1. Culver City beat North Torrance 14-1 last Tuesday and they have scored 29 runs in their last three games while allowing only three runs. They are also undefeated at home with a record of 4-0.
Although the Centaurs are playing well head coach Rick Prieto knows there is always room for improvement. “We need to be consistent,” said Prieto last week. “We have good practices and we are constantly going over game situations in practice and if we can execute against good teams we can come out ahead.”
In the past few years scoring runs has been a problem for the Centaurs. Not this year. “We are going in a positive direction with our hitting,” said Prieto. “We have three brand new batting cages and that really helps us. We are working really hard in the batting cages and the coaches are taking a more hands on approach to hitting and it looks like everyone is buying into our philosophy.”
The coaching staff is also excited about their pitching staff and defense. Nolan Martinez, who is throwing in the mid 90’s and is a top pro prospect, leads a well-rounded pitching staff. Max Sterner and Eli Saucedo are the other starting pitchers and Michael Netzel, Hunter Hutchinson and Daniel Aceves are the middle relievers and closers.
On defense the Centaurs have a solid infield with Martinez, Saucedo and Sterner trading off at first base. Aveves plays second and third base, Kelvin Murillo holds down the shortstop position and Ryan Weiner is doing the job at second base. In the outfield Michael Netzel and Mason Mulvihill are playing well. “A ball that should be caught will never hit the ground with Mason out there,” said Prieto.
One of the most important positions in baseball is the back catcher. He basically controls the game and he is like a coach on the field. Culver City has a good one in Jacob Weiner. The 6’2 225 pound catcher is happy to be a Centaur this year. “This is the best team I have ever played on,” said Weiner last week. “We are ready for the Ocean league and CIF.”
Weiner is also excited about catching one of the fastest pitchers in the nation in Martinez. “It’s interesting,” said Weiner. “I have never caught anyone who throws in the 90’s. He has a good curve ball and his changeup is pretty good too. It’s exciting to have him around. It brings out a lot of opportunities for all of us.”
Overall coach Prieto is happy with the balance of nine seniors and nine juniors on the varsity roster. It’s going to be tough to beat us because of our pitching, defense and hitting,” said Prieto. “This team can go through the Ocean league with an attitude and a little swagger.”
