Former Culver City Little League all-stars Michael Netzel, Jacob Weiner, and Garrett Doff are understandably facing stronger pitching and better defenses than games they have played the past few years on the hill at Culver City Park.
They’re becoming better players because of summer high school baseball, where the squad’s place in the standings—the Centaurs are in 12th place at 4-7—pales in value to player experiences.
Seniors Juan Alcala and Nathaniel Matthews, and juniors Darian Sylvester and Daniel Hennessy are hitting well and playing solid defense, according to head coach Rick Prieto.
Matthews, junior Jake Wells, and sophomores Eli Bowie and Louis Ortega are getting the most work on the mound, said Prieto, who noted that pitchers Daniel Hennessy and sophomore Christian De Los Santos also have earned quality innings.
Prieto said sophomore Louis Ortega, shortstop Netzel and catcher Weiner have contributed to recent Centaur victories.
Returning varsity players are Alcala, Matthews, Sylvester and Hennessy. Other seniors in the summer league are Chris Sanchez and Jonathan Im.
Juniors are Wells and Robert Kirk. Underclassmen include Bowie, Ortega, Max Akita, Thomas Graham, David Ko, Price Campbell and De Los Santos. Incoming freshmen are Netzel, Weiner, Doff, Joseph Kim and Hunter Hutchinson.
Coaches are Andrew Connolly and Sterling Roux.