The La Cañada High School varsity baseball team hits the diamond for the 2024 campaign with a fresh perspective under first-year head coach Eddie Escandon. His goal for the program is to foster a legacy committed to pursuing excellence both on and off the field.
“This year we are aiming and driven to secure a playoff berth by consistently winning crucial games throughout the season,” Escandon said. “One of our big goals this year is to compete for the league title.”
The Spartans had a challenging year last season, falling short of the CIF Southern Section playoffs after finishing fourth in league with a 5-7 record (9-14 overall). La Cañada’s 15-player roster doesn’t include one senior, putting the responsibility on returning sophomore captain Will Park to lead the team by example.
“Throughout the fall, he has demonstrated great composure and calmness at the plate and on defense,” Escandon said. “No situation is too big for him and he really thrives on pressure.”
Escandon expects significant contributions from junior Flynn Lewis and freshman Joe Bell on the mound, stressing their mental toughness. He also holds high expectations for freshman outfielder Austin Laughrin.
“[Lewis and Bell] have the tenacity to battle every pitch and make big pitches in key moments,” Escandon said. “The great thing about Austin is that he is consistently working hard and trying to get better daily and always asking questions on how to grow.”
The Spartans started the season by defeating Burbank 21-1 and securing an 8-6 victory against Muir High of Pasadena. LCHS will host three additional nonleague opponents before kicking off Rio Hondo League action at Monrovia on March 4.
ST. FRANCIS
In his second year at the helm, St. Francis coach Shaun Kort’s top goal for the Golden Knights this year is to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
The Golden Knights finished seventh last year in the competitive Mission League with a 7-14 record (11-17 overall).
“The overall expectation for the Golden Knights this year is to have another progressive season. We want to make the playoffs as our top goal this year,” Kort said. “We have been preparing since September to be physically and mentally ready for this upcoming season. We know there are challenges ahead, but we as a team, have committed to embracing the challenges.”
St. Francis boasts several key returners, including senior catcher Brody Ruyle, senior second baseman Holden Deitch, senior pitchers Aaron Hernandez and Lucas Favretto, senior first baseman Jordan Viramontes, senior outfielder Kalani Quiroz, junior third baseman Dane Shepard, and junior shortstop Jordan Lewallen. Each is expected to play a crucial role in the Golden Knights’ success this season.
“We have the players to achieve our goals. It really comes down to how we handle adversity in tough moments,” Kort said. “We have worked all year to improve our mental toughness by challenging them at practice. We also have a good amount of competitive arms and our infield defense is all returning.”
A crucial aspect of St. Francis’ success will be its offense. Kort highlighted two team goals for the season: to improve at not wasting at-bats and executing timely hitting.
In the competitive Mission League, the Golden Knights face challenging opponents like Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Harvard-Westlake High of Studio City and Loyola High of Los Angeles. Kort emphasized the need for the team to approach every game with equal preparation, as each win is pivotal for securing a playoff spot. Aside from league play, Kort looks forward to SFHS competing in the Spring Break Tournament in Palm Desert during the first week of April.
“Our league is a gauntlet in itself. We are going to prepare for each team equally,” Kort said. “We are really looking forward to our Spring Break Tournament in Palm Desert. It will be an experience these guys have not experienced in High School.”
St. Francis, which opened the season with a 3-1 record in the Easton Tournament, will kick off league play at Alemany High in Mission Hills on Feb. 27.
FLINTRIDGE PREP
The defending Prep League champion Wolves aim to return to the postseason as they hit the diamond. Wolves coach Guillermo Gonzalez guided the team to a 10-2 league record (17-9 overall) but suffered a second-round exit from the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs after a loss to Long Beach Poly in extra innings.
“Our team goal is to try to compete for league and try to make a playoff run,” Gonzalez said. “Expectations are always high for me, but we lost all the leadership and this team is young.”
George Hayes stands as the sole senior on the 15-player roster. The Wolves retained key varsity returners, including junior Rowan Schaeffer and sophomore Will Grable. This trio, along with freshman standouts Nick Aparicio and Christopher Chino, is expected to play a crucial role in the team’s success this season.
Flintridge Prep, which opened the season with a 2-1 record, will kick off league play at Palos Verdes Chadwick on Feb. 27.
First published in the February 22 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
