Columnist Spencer Patterson: CCSN baseball squad nabs area players

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Jan. 20, 2000 | 10:16 a.m.

Spencer Patterson's prep sports column appears Thursday. Reach him at 259-4085 or spencer@vegas.com

Opening day is still two weeks away for the Community College of Southern Nevada's first-year baseball team, but already the Coyotes have cause for celebration.

This week, head coach Tim Chambers and his staff signed eight high school seniors -- three from Southern Nevada and five from out of state. And if Chambers' reaction to his early signees is any indication, CCSN could be a junior college power sooner than later.

"We had a banner early-signing period," Chambers said. "When I took the job, I thought we'd be at a certain point in three to four years as far as the interest from in-town and out-of-state kids. But it's happened immediately.

"We're way ahead of our planned schedule."

Local prep baseball fans should be familiar with the trio of area players committing to the Coyotes: Chaparral catcher John Caruso (6-1, 190), Eldorado middle infielder/right-handed pitcher Chris Hansen (5-10, 170) and Bishop Gorman right-handed pitcher Pat McBride (6-1, 185).

Caruso and Hansen were second-team selections on last spring's all-conference squad, while McBride held down a spot in the Gaels' starting rotation, going 4-1 with 3.50 ERA.

The Coyotes looked to Utah for four of their out-of-state signees: third baseman/right-handed pitcher Chris Mower (6-1, 210) and right-handed pitcher Matt Shephard (6-1, 180) from state power Taylorsville High, outfielder Landon Minear (5-10, 185) from Davis High and catcher Beau Stoker (6-1, 180) from Bingham High.

CCSN also signed right-handed pitcher Justin Marabaes (5-10, 170) from Mission Bay High in San Diego.

"Those five were our priority out-of-state guys," Chambers said. "All of those kids had offers from big-time JCs and some from Division I schools."

The Coyotes are still pursuing a pair of local players -- Green Valley infielder Billy Schmitt and Cimarron-Memorial left-handed pitcher Geno Gonzalez -- along with two players from Reno High, infielder Mike Cruz and right-handed pitcher Adam Colton.

"Other than those four guys, we're basically done with our early signing," Chambers said. "I'm really excited about the kids we got. They're not only good baseball players, but they're good academic kids and good people also."

The Coyotes open their 56-game spring schedule on Feb. 1 when they host Arizona's Scottsdale Community College in a doubleheader.

* KLINE A GAEL: Junior Jennifer Kline, a member of the Sun's 1998-99 all-state basketball first team, has transferred from Basic to Bishop Gorman.

Kline, who averaged 21 points and eight rebounds while leading the Wolves to the 4A state tournament last season, played in only a handful of games this year before leaving the team during winter break due to what coach Jan Van Tuyl termed "philosophical differences."

Barring a successful appeal to the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, Kline must sit out 180 days from the date of her transfer. That would make her eligible to play only the Gaels' second semester contests next season.

Kline has already begun practicing with Gorman, and Gaels coach Sheryl Krmpotich said the newcomer is already having a positive influence on the squad.

"She's a great player and a great person who can only help our team concept," Krmpotich said. "I'm excited to have her here."

* AROUND THE HORN: According to Baseball America, this year's Major League Baseball amateur draft could have a decidedly Las Vegas flavor to it, particularly early on.

The magazine has two of Southern Nevada's prep stars ranked among the nation's top 15 high school prospects: Green Valley outfielder David Krynzel (No. 4) and Las Vegas High right-handed pitcher Anthony Pluta (No. 12).

Though Krynzel (Louisiana State) and Pluta (Long Beach State) have both signed with Division I schools, both may find themselves selected in the first round of June's draft -- leading to some tough choices for the two players.

Not ranked on Baseball America's top 50 list, but also with a chance to be drafted early is Silverado catcher Tommy Rojas, a Pepperdine signee who passed on his senior football season to concentrate on his baseball future.

Other top local prospects include Silverado first baseman Jeremy West, Silverado shortstop Ryan Ruiz, Durango first baseman Chris Kelly, Bishop Gorman pitcher Brandon Boesch, Silverado pitcher Robbie Van and Las Vegas pitcher John Dischavo.

* TIDBITS: Cimarron-Memorial's wrestling team placed second at last weekend's Pine View Invitational meet in Utah, finishing behind only Arizona's Mountain View High. Spartans Chris Harris (135) and Rayes Gonzales (145) won their respective weight classes, with Harris earning an Outstanding Wrestler award. ...

One week into the bowling season, six teams feature undefeated records: the Durango girls, Centennial boys, Chaparral boys, Green Valley boys, Vo-Tech boys and Chaparral girls. Green Valley's Chris Strader (278) boasts the highest boys score, while fellow Gator and Brady Morano (256) has rolled the top girls score. ...

Cox Channel 48 will broadcast Friday's Green Valley at Silverado boys basketball game next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. ...

On the Internet, website nevadapreps.rivals.com will air Friday's Valley at Las Vegas boys game, as well as Tuesday's Laughlin at Meadows boys contest.