1999 Anne Arundel baseball previews

Annapolis Panthers

1998 record: 7-10

Coach: Larry Brogden

Top players: Phil Wilson, Sr., RHP; John Fontanella, Sr., RHP; Joe Feldmann, Jr., OF-RHP; Mike Stanley, Jr., C-DH; Scott Robinson, Jr., C; Marvin Charles, Jr., CF

Outlook: Brogden enters his 26th season as the Panthers coach encouraged by what he has seen of his pitching. "We just might have a little bit of pitching depth this season," said Brogden. The Panthers return two senior pitchers who combined for five of the team's seven wins in Wilson (3-3) and Fontanella (2-3, one save). Junior right-hander Feldmann got only 10 innings of work last season, but will be in the rotation this spring and JV grad Matt Sanchez, a left-handed pitcher, is expected to help. Fontanella also plays the outfield and hit .263 with three doubles and 10 runs scored last season. Robinson and Stanley are vying for the catching position, but the one who doesn't win the starting spot will likely play somewhere else. "If we ever get a chance to spend some time outside, we can find out who can play other positions," said Brogden, frustrated by the usual bad late winter weather.

Annapolis Area Christian Eagles

Coach: Greg Whitley

Top players: Greg Wheeler, Jr., RHP; Thomas Wear, Jr., SS; Ryan Bedell, Sr., 2B; Adam Bedell, Soph., 3B-RHP; Andrew Whitley, Soph., OF-2B; Jon Rossetti, Soph., OF

Outlook: Whitley is hoping his decision to go with all underclassmen in the team's inaugural season in the MIAA B Conference, will pay off. The Eagles return a seasoned, but still young nucleus with only two seniors.

Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers

1998 record: 8-12

Coach: Dave Lanham

Top players: Ryan Collins, Sr., RHP; Sam Creveling, Sr., OF; Zeeshan Marfani, Jr., 2B; Ron Pusloskie, Jr., C; Mike Shires, Jr., 1B-3B; Jason Funk, Soph., 2B-SS

Outlook: Lanham starts his second season at Spalding and in the MIAA A Conference, and hopes to sneak up on the traditional powers Calvert Hall, Mount St. Joseph and McDonogh. "If we get the pitching from Collins and Jesse Scott, we might surprise some people this year," said Lanham, who was an infielder at Glen Burnie High and Pfeiffer (N.C.) College. Pusloskie gives the Cavaliers a solid catcher and center fielder Creveling returns to anchor the outfield. Lanham expects his Cavaliers to score some runs and put a very competitive starting lineup on the field. His concern is going to the bench, where the Cavs are thin on experience.

Arundel Wildcats

1998 record: 22-4

Coach: Bernie Walter

Top players: Andy Kostic, Sr., RHP: John McCurdy, Sr., SS; Norris Roy, Sr., 3B-2B; Ryan Erhard, Sr., LF; Dave Stallings, Sr., RHP; Chip Ziegler, Soph., RHP-2B; Star Kriger, Sr., LHP

Outlook: All-Metro pitcher Kostic, all-county middle infielder McCurdy and two-time, second-team all-county 3B Roy lead a strong nucleus hoping to repeat as 4A state champs. "On paper, we've got a pretty good ball club again," says Walter beginning his 26th season in Gambrills as the county's all-time winningest coach (427-117, .785). Kostic (10-1, 1.90 ERA) became the ace at mid-season and won the last three games in the state playoffs. The Maryland-bound McCurdy (.302, 32 RBIs, 22 runs) moves over from 2B to SS with the graduation of All-Metro SS Hector Guadalupe. McCurdy had a terrific fall season and appears ready for a big season along with Roy (.415, 41 runs, 27 RBIs), who has started since his sophomore year. Erhard hit .382 last year and will play in left while another senior, Mike Fox, will likely be the DH after hitting .382 on 34 at-bats with nine RBIs on 13 hits. Stallings came on as a reliever down the stretch, notching a win, and Kriger could be the sleeper. Ziegler, an Old Mill transfer, gives Arundel depth on the mound and in the infield. Walter says Ziegler is "a fierce competitor." Sophomore Brian Puglise, who backed up all-county C Tom Ogilvie last year as a freshman, is vying for that position with junior DeMatha transfer Chris Fernandez and JV newcomer Jon Hanczyark. The Wildcats will be the team to beat once again.

Broadneck Bruins

1998 record: 9-11

Coach: Mark Stover

Top players: Brett Steele, Sr., SS; Dave Lazzari, Sr., RHP-OF; Scott Loschiavo, Sr., OF; Dan Burke, Sr., C-DH; Matt Stover, Jr., 3B-RHP; Ron Taylor, Sr., IF

Outlook: After a rebuilding season, the Bruins hope to make their move in the county and ultimately in the 3A East playoffs. Broadneck was 3A state champion in 1995 under Stover (165-117, 14 seasons). Lazzari (3-2, 3.43 ERA) and the coach's son, Matt Stover should provide solid pitching with Steele anchoring the infield. Junior right-handers Ryan Bellerby and Don Diamond add pitching depth. "So far I've been pleased with our pitching and hitting," said the coach. Steele hit .400 in his first six games last year before being sidelined for the season with an injury. Burke, who hit .340, has a broken right hand, but Stover expects him back in a couple weeks. "We've got some depth, too, and could be pretty good," said Stover.

Chesapeake Cougars

1998 record: 11-8

Coach: Jim Simms