Newbury Park Panthers

Head coach: Scott Drootin (3rd season) Last season's results: 11-14, 6-8 in league (tied 5th in Marmonte) Biggest losses: Travis Scott SS/P; Matt Ross, OF Notable returnees: Brett Fick, SS/C; Cody Fierro OF/P; Jordan LaSecla P/3B; Josh Baker OF Impact newcomer: Andrew Lambo, junior, 1B/P Pitching ace: Jordan LaSecla Biggest bats: Cody Fierro, Andrew Lambo Overview: The Panthers are an interesting group. Newbury Park returns four of its top five hitters from a year ago-Brett Fick (.344), Jordan LaSecla (.300), Josh Baker (.286) and Cody Fierro (.273). The arrival of first baseman/pitcher Andrew Lambo, a transfer from Grover Cleveland High in Reseda, adds left-handed pop to the middle of the Panther lineup.

NPHS will be strong at second base for years to come with freshman Jack Marder and sophomore Brad Greve on the roster. Marder's moxie makes him one to watch in '06. Junior Tim Williams will start at shortstop, with Fick at third base and Lambo playing first. Sophomore Joseph Sharrar expects to get the starting nod at catcher. Anthony Montenegro and Jake Schumacher add infield depth.

Jason Anderson likely starts in center field. When he isn't pitching, Fierro will accept the unenviable task of playing left field at Newbury Park, where the early-season sun can be blinding. Kyle Sommer should get the call in right.

Dennis Slivick, Ricky Alvarez, Nick Nardoni and Derek Alviso plan to see plenty of action in the outfield as well.

Coach Drootin believes pitching will be an asset for NPHS. LaSecla posted a 2.56 ERA last year. Fierro, a southpaw, led the team with four wins. Stuart Krock and Cameron Forbes should eat up quality innings. Sommer will serve as the Panther closer.

Outfielder Josh Baker recently had LASIK-eye surgery, said Drootin. Baker isn't expected to miss significant time. Jon De La Torre is recovering from a broken hand and will return in time for league play. Head coach Scott Drootin says: "This team's deeper (than last year's). We've got more hitters, more guys to go to. We've got more pitchers. . . .I think we've got much better athletes."