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Baseball: Chaminade is about to make a move

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The summer is over for baseball teams, but that means it’s time to look ahead to the spring of 2011, and one school that should be taken seriously as one of the best is West Hills Chaminade.

The Eagles have asked to play in the National Classic, and for good reason. They’re going to have lots of pitching. Dalton Brown, who’s being recruited by Stanford, and Mathew Troupe, an Oregon State commit, will lead the way. Troupe, who also plays catcher, made the most improvement, with his fastball hitting the low 90s.

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Chaminade was in the three-way competition with Mission Hills Alemany and Encino Crespi for the Mission League title last season. There are lots of players coming back, and if the Eagles can get their hitters to perform, beware.

Of course, everything will start with Huntington Beach Edison. The Chargers were ranked No. 1 last season in preseason but couldn’t get their hitting attack in gear to support standout pitcher Henry Owens. They should be No. 1 again to start.

Other teams to watch are Placentia El Dorado, San Juan Capistrano JSerra, Corona Santiago, Long Beach Wilson, Alemany, La Puente Bishop Amat, Palm Desert and Moorpark.

In the City Section, there’s lots of top returning pitchers, which should make for a great season. It still comes down to a team having to beat pitcher Jose Cardona from Woodland Hills El Camino Real, but Chatsworth, Wilmington Banning, San Fernando, Granada Hills Kennedy and Arleta all have the pitching to make a title run. And add Taft to the list as well, with pitchers Jerry Barajas, Zach Friedman and Art Chavez all three-year varsity players.

-- Eric Sondheimer

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