PREP BASEBALL ‘95: PREVIEW : Sunset League

Coaches: Tom Duggan, Edison; Mike Curran, Esperanza; Ron La Ruffa, Fountain Valley; Mike Dodd, Huntington Beach; Jim Bryant, Los Alamitos; Paul Renfro, Marina.

Facts and Figures: Defending Southern Section champion Fountain Valley loses four players, including league MVP Dan Hoppie, but has an excellent chance of being the first county team to win consecutive Division I titles. The pitching staff has two eight-game winners in Chris Panchak and Luke Hudson. . . . Marina, led by catcher Craig Wilson who tied for the county lead in runs batted in (36), will challenge. . . . Esperanza is led by outfielder Bryan Bingham, who batted .524 despite injuries. . . . Huntington Beach could make a move in the second half. . . . Los Alamitos and Edison are loaded with question marks.

1994 In Review

League Overall School W L W L Fountain Valley 10 3 27 3 Servite 9 5 13 7 Huntington Beach 8 6 16 11 Marina 7 7 17 10 Westminster 7 7 14 11 Edison 6 7 15 8 Ocean View 6 8 13 12 Santa Ana 2 12 6 19

Highlights: Fountain Valley won the league and went on to its first Division I title since 1985, defeating Lakewood, 3-2. The Barons were also the first top-seeded team to win the tournament since 1970. . . . Palos Verdes Peninsula defeated Huntington Beach, 8-4, and Servite fell to Katella, 2-0, in first-round games. Westminster’s Kent Montgomery was league pitcher of the year.