Moorpark

Musketeers Head Coach: Scott Fullerton (11th season) Last year: 18-10, 10-4 in league (Marmonte League co-champ, lost in first round of playoffs to Righetti, 8-1)

Biggest loss: Jason Breckley, P (1.65 ERA, .426 BA, 17 runs scored)

Notable returnees: Cody Dee, catcher; Ryne Intlekofer, CF (.329 BA, 6 doubles); Nick Dingman (.322 BA, 8 doubles, 20 RBI); John Bostwick, P (7-1, 2.37 ERA); Justin Bogoyevac, SS (.307 BA, 14 RBI)

Key Newcomer: Brett Hunter, senior, P

Pitching Ace: John Bostwick

Big bat: Nick Dingman

Overview: Head coach Scott Fullerton couldn’t say enough about the leadership he’s getting out of his four returning starters—Dee, Bogoyevac, Intlekofer and Dingman—and as this group goes so should the Musketeers. The four accounted for 30 RBI in league play last year and helped lead Moorpark to five straight must-have victories at the end of the season, a streak that earned the team a spot in the playoffs and a piece of the Marmonte crown.

The blow of graduating All-Marmonte League pitcher Breckley will be softened by the return of two solid starters and one new face, Pepperdine-bound Hunter. The senior, along with returning pitchers Bostwick and Drew Dowl, will make up the make the meat of the Muskeeter rotation, has seen his stock rise dramatically since moving from catcher to pitcher after his sophomore season. Freshman hurler Adam Berry is the diamond in the rough on a staff that should hold its own in a pitching-friendly league.

Keep an eye on senior Chris Tucker, who took over second-base responsibilities after Intlekofer’s all-league glove was moved to centerfield.

Tucker has performed well early and might add a boost to a lineup without a great deal of proven power.

In a nutshell: With likely the league’s third best pitching staff behind Agoura and Royal, the Musketeers will once again contend for a league title. The X-factor will be whether or not Moorpark hitters can produce when runners are in scoring position, a must this year and every year.