Culver City athletic teams have always played demanding preseason schedules and this years’ baseball team is continuing the trend. The Centaurs are currently 3-4 after losing a double header last Saturday to a good Capistrano Valley Christian team. On Friday they travel to Palos Verdes for a 3:15 p.m. game and Saturday they host South Torrance at 11 a.m. in the Chatsworth Tournament.
“I believe the more experience I can get the players now the better we will be in league play,” said longtime head coach Rick Prieto. “I am trying to prepare the team for different situations. That’s why we are playing thirty games this season.”
During spring break next week the Centaurs will be playing five games in six days in the prestigious Anaheim Lions Tournament.
With a newly renovated field and one of the best pitchers in Southern California, the 2015 edition of varsity baseball at Culver City should be competitive and entertaining. Jay Sterner will lead a strong pitching staff that hopes to carry the Centaurs into a CIF playoff spot. Sterner pitched a no hitter last week against Venice.
The other Centaur pitchers that Prieto will rely on are Eli Bowie, Louie Ortega, Nolan Martinez, Hunter Hutchinson, Max Sterner, Jay’s brother, Eli Saucedo, Michael Netzel and Daniel Aceves.
“Once again pitching will be are strongest asset this year,” said Prieto.
Good pitchers need solid catchers to help them manage the game and Culver City has two seniors, David Ko and Price Campbell along with junior Jacob Weiner behind the plate.
When Sterner and Martinez are not on the mound they will be playing first base. At second base will be senior Christian De Los Santos and playing third base will be Netzel and Aceves and rounding out the infield is junior shortstop Kevin Murillo.
Playing the outfield this year for the Centaurs will be Netzel, Max Sterner, Mason Mulvihill, Joseph Perez, Tomas Saucedo and Tyler Hendershot.
Once again the Ocean League will be very competitive especially with the edition of El Segundo, which has a strong baseball tradition.
“We always have to look out for Santa Monica,” said Prieto. “They come ready to play every year.”
Prieto is excited about this season and he wants his team to follow the ABC’s of baseball. “I want them to come with a purpose, play baseball to the best of their abilities and play baseball the right way.”
The girls’ softball team is currently 3-1 and they play St. Monica today at Vets Park at 3:15 p.m. The boys’ volleyball team will play their first Ocean League game today on campus inside the Gel Goodyear gym at 3:15 p.m. and the boys and girls track and field teams will travel to Lawndale for a dual meet at 2:45 p.m. today.
