PREP BASEBALL 1992: SUNSET LEAGUE

Fountain Valley

1991 RECORDS: OVERALL: 24-6 LEAGUE: 10-2

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL Ron LaRuffa: 54-24

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Jeff Estes Sr. SS R-R Rich Montgomery Jr. 1B R-R Brian Ponchak Jr. 1B-P R-R

OTHER TOP RETURNERS YR. POS. B-T Kyle Ritter Sr. RF L-L Brian Spiridonoff Sr. C R-R Paul Zazula Sr. 2B R-R

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Brian Gail Jr. 3B R-R Mark Gardner Jr. P L-L Joe Hudson Jr. 2B S-R Ara Petrosian Jr. P R-R Mike Whetstone Sr. CF R-R

OUTLOOK

Derek Fahs, the best pitcher in the county last season, is now at Cal State Fullerton, leaving LaRuffa with big shoes to fill. Fahs was 13-2 with an 0.90 earned-run average and was named the league’s co-MVP with Ocean View’s Randy Karliner. Ponchak, who was 4-1 with a 2.74 ERA, becomes the team’s top pitcher. “We have a very good junior class and won the league on the junior varsity and freshman levels, so we think we’ll be improved this season,” LaRuffa said. Fountain Valley’s biggest improvement should be its offense. Ponchak and Montgomery, who batted over .300 as sophomores, are bigger and stronger. LaRuffa rates Estes as one of the best defensive infielders in the league. Hudson, a transfer from Mater Dei, will lead off, followed by Whetstone, Ponchak, Ritter and Montgomery. “Offensively and defensively, we’re as good as you need to be,” LaRuffa said. “The question mark is on the mound.” Gardner was the best pitcher on last year’s junior varsity. The freshman team will be bolstered by a national championship Pony League team.