Every year around this time the Culver City varsity baseball team under the direction of longtime coach Rick Prieto travels all over Southern California to play in Spring/Easter tournaments. This year the Centaurs even played a game in Reno, Nev. All of the tournament games get them ready to face the tough competition in the Ocean League.
With the Ocean League being very balanced this year preseason games are really important because that’s when you learn from your mistakes. “These games are stepping stones,” said Prieto after their 5-3 loss to Los Angeles Windward last Saturday at Windward, which is located in Mar Vista. Culver City is currently 4-8 overall and 1-0 in league play.
“Today was a real good learning day for us because we had several players who played their first varsity game,” said Prieto after their loss to Windward. “My message to the team today was that we made to many mental errors. There were plays where we did not tag out the runners we needed to. Our players need to come prepared every game and know what to do in different situations before the ball is hit to them.”
Over the years Prieto has developed a very competitive baseball program which means teams are excited to play the Centaurs. “Teams get highly motivated when they play Culver City so all of our veteran players need to be ready to play every game,’ said Prieto.
Playing a tough preseason schedule should get the Centaurs ready to defend their Ocean League title. This year the league appears to be wide open. Santa Monica. Beverly Hills, Hawthorne, Lawndale and El Segundo are all good teams but there is no dominant team. “It’s the most balanced league based on what I have seen and heard in a long time.”
Their next home games are on April 6, against Lawndale, April 7, they face Torrance and April 11, they battle El Segundo. All three games will start at 3:15 p.m.
The varsity boys volleyball team is currently 6-6 overall and 3-1 in the Ocean League. Their next game is against Beverly Hills on the road on April 13, at 3:15 p.m. The Centaurs are in second place in league play behind 12-1 and 5-0 Santa Monica.
The boys lacrosse team is currently 4-5 overall and 2-2 in league play. Their next home game is against Palisades on April 2, at 1 p.m.
Girls’ lacrosse is currently 8-3 and 3-1 and their next game is April 12 against El Segundo at 4 p.m. at home.
Girls’ softball is currently 5-5 and their next home game is against El Segundo on April 11 at 3:15 p.m.