Coyote sophomores spell bright future for Coyotes, Nathanson

Acorn Sports Writer


WAYNE HARRISON/The Acorn  TOPS IN 10TH GRADE--The future looks bright for Calabasas. Top row, left to right: John Henry Jacobs, Ilie Kramer and Kevin Cohn. Bottom: Michael Benford, Aaron Lowenstein and Brett Waxler.

WAYNE HARRISON/The Acorn TOPS IN 10TH GRADE–The future looks bright for Calabasas. Top row, left to right: John Henry Jacobs, Ilie Kramer and Kevin Cohn. Bottom: Michael Benford, Aaron Lowenstein and Brett Waxler.

Calabasas baseball has been successful so far this year, in large part due to a contingent of six sophomores, all contributing for Coach Rick Nathanson and the Coyotes.


John Henry Jacobs, Kevin Cohn, Aaron Lowenstein, Michael Benford, Ilie Kramer and Brett Waxler have all played a role in helping Calabasas go through its first round of Frontier League games undefeated (4-0) and to an impressive 9-4 (prior to action this week).


John Henry Jacobs played varsity last year as a freshman. He can start, pitch in long relief or close games. He also leads the team in hitting with a .375 average (all stats prior to this week of play). "He’s an up and comer as a pitcher and a great contact hitter," said Nathanson.


Batting fifth in the Coyote lineup, Jacobs said he knew his fellow sophomores had what it takes to play varsity-caliber baseball. "They all have talent and I thought they were all capable of playing at this level."


Kevin Cohn starred on the JV last year. He saw his first action as a pitcher vs. Moorpark recently, throwing three solid innings. "Both guys will get better and better with more innings," Nathanson said of Cohn and Jacobs as pitchers.


As a hitter, the Calabasas coach said, "He carries thunder in his bat." Cohn has four extra base hits including two home runs.


"I thought some of us would still be playing JV," said Cohn. "But all of us playing varsity is awesome. We’ve known each other since we were little and I love it."


Michael Benford is, said Nathanson, "One of the most fundamentally-sound players on our team." Benford plays shortstop when ace Justin Segal pitches.


"He’s going to be a factor for us offensively," said Nathanson. "He’s just a real baseball player."


Benford said he expects the Coyotes to bring home a Frontier League title this year. "It’s very important to hang that banner again," he said.


Brett Waxler is up from the JV as a freshman last year. He plays second base. "He has good bat-control and hit over .400 on JV last year," Nathanson said. "He’s just got such a zest and enthusiasm for the game. He loves to be out there," the Coyote coach added. "He’s a magician with the glove."


Nathanson said Waxler is the best fielding second baseman he’s had in five years.


Waxler also isn’t surprised by the Calabasas sophomores’ success this year. "We all worked hard for our positions. I wasn’t really surprised that we all made varsity. I think we can go really far in CIF, even this year."


Ilie Kramer is a transfer from Campbell Hall High. "He has come aboard and given us tremendous defense," Nathanson said.


At bat, "He’s a classic line-drive hitter, with power, and he uses all fields," said the Coyote coach.


About making the grade at the varsity level as a sophomore, Kramer said, "You still have to work hard because there are juniors and seniors competing for the same positions."


Kramer added, "We should win league this year and hopefully do well in playoffs and be contending for CIF the next two years."


Aaron Lowenstein, is a second-year starting catcher. "He’s a gifted, gifted defensive catcher," said Nathanson. "He’s very knowledgeable about the game and is not afraid of anything. He enjoys taking balls off the chest. He’s a real battler who works really well with pitchers."


Lowenstein is hitting.385 (5-13) in league games so far this year. "Last year was the hardest, starting on varsity as a freshman," Lowenstein said. "But this year, I’ve come into my own."


Of his postseason aspirations, Lowenstein said, "I want to play Westlake. I know a lot of players on their team and I’m looking forward to playing in the Marmonte League." Calabasas moves to the Marmonte League from the Frontier League in the 2001-2002 school year.


"These guys are baseball players," Nathanson said of his six sophomores playing varsity ball this year. "I don’t have to tell these guys how to do their job, how to get the work time in. These guys like baseball. They play the game seriously. They believe we can win.


"They want to stay together and build something good, and it just makes it really easy for a coach. Their goal is a championship and not the individual numbers or honors."




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