League Title is Dolphins’ Goal
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
When the season begins, every high school baseball team in the City Section has hopes of playing at Dodger Stadium in June. Palisades did just that last year, beating Granada Hills to win the Invitational championship. The Dolphins hope to return to Chavez Ravine this spring, only they want to play for the City championship, not the consolation title. To have a chance, Pali might need to finish no lower than second place in the Western League and better last year’s 21-9 record. That won’t be easy for a squad that loses 13 players to graduation and returns only four starters. Perhaps the biggest difference, though, will be in the dugout, as co-coaches Tom Seyler and Kelly Loftus take over for Russ Howard. “This is a different team from last year but I’m anticipating a good season and pitching will definitely be one of our strengths,” said Seyler, who was Pali’s pitching coach before being promoted last summer when Howard stepped down after 18 seasons. “It would be great to get back there [to Dodger Stadium], but our first goal is to win our league and I think we can do that.” Senior Geoff Schwartz, who has committed to play football at Oregon next fall, developed into Pali’s best pitcher by the end of last season and will again anchor the Dolphins’ staff. He will be joined by fellow right-hander Alex Thompson, a transfer from Crossroads High, seniors Andrew Strassner and Steve Niremberg, junior closer Turhan Folse and Pali’s lone left-hander Kevin Seto, also one of the top scorers on the PaliHi soccer team. “I think we’ll be just as good if not better than last year,” said Schwartz, who said his has enhanced the break on his curve ball and the velocity on his fastball, which was clocked at 87 miles per hour over the summer. “We earned a lot of respect from other teams the way we ended last season, but that means that now we’re going to get the best from every team we play.” Defensively, Pali’s should be one of the best infields in the City. With David Bromberg at first base, Matt Skolnik at second, Dylan Cohen at short stop and Manny Perez at third, the Dolphins expect to turn a lot of double plays. “We’ve worked harder this off-season,” Skolnik said. “Guys have been coming to the batting cages for extra work and it shows. We played some of the best Valley schools in winter ball and we’ve competed with them so I think we’ll fare well in league.” Skolnik started at second as a freshman last season and made several dazzling plays in the City final. Cohen, still recovering from a stress fracture in his back suffered during football season, led the Dolphins in hitting last year and was voted to the All-City team. Seyler called Bromberg one of the squad’s best hitters and declared Perez the team’s best defensive third baseman. Senior Adam Franks returns to catch and Seyler was impressed by what he saw from his backstopper over the winter. “He keeps getting better and better. We’ve played some fast teams and nobody’s been able to steal on him. He’s even throwing guys out on curve balls in the dirt. Adam is emerging as one of the hidden stars in the City.” Franks said the Dolphins’ roster, though full of new names, might be better than last year’s. “We’ve replaced a lot of the people we lost. David [Nonberg] has taken over for Spencer [Kirksey] at first, we have a lot of juniors who have stepped up and I think our lineup is talented all the way through. Last year we had holes in a few spots but this year, no one’s a sure out.” Venice is the defending league champion and to knock the Gondos off that perch, Pali will have to play at the level it did in last year’s playoffs. “League is always tough,” Seyler said. “Uni has a new coach, so they should be better. Westchester has a lot of athleticism, Hamilton always plays us tough and of course Venice is strong. We play them right around tax day in April and we want to pay them back.” Pali scheduled strong teams in the off-season, playing Birmingham close, tying San Fernando and beating Carson. Four JVs last season will play vital roles on varsity this year, including backup catcher and outfielder Monte Hickok, senior Sam Skolnik (Matt’s older brother), junior outfielder Nick Mansdorf and senior Bryan Leishman, who will bat third and backup Cohen at short stop. “This team is really dedicated and I think we can dominate if we play 100 percent,” Leishman said. “Practices have become very hectic. Coach Seyler and Coach Loftus focus a lot on discipline. We’ve had to run a lot and drill a lot. They are both crazy, but in a good way.” Seniors PJ Squire, Seto and Eric Horn will platoon in the outfield along with Brandon Burrows. Hunter Franks (Adam’s brother) will start in left field and senior Ron Michel, who hit .350 last season, will start in center. “I definitely think we can compete in the upper bracket this year,” said Michel, who will also be called on to pitch. “We’re having a lot of fun ands we’re really focusing on small ball. It’s not about who can hit the ball the farthest, it’s about bunting, stealing, sacrificing and playing as a team. Our coaches are teaching us two lessons here–not just about how to play but also how to be off the field. I can’t wait for the season to start. Palisades’ annual alumni game is Saturday, February 28 and the season opens with a Westside Tournament game March 5 at Newbury Park. The Dolphins’ home opener is March 6 against Santa Monica. Junior Varsity David Kloser, a former relief pitcher at UC Berkeley, takes over for Bob Ryan, who retired after 12 seasons as head coach. Ryan led the Dolphins to 11 league titles and Seyler is confident Kloser can continue Pali’s recent success. “They are really good,” Seyler said of the JVs. “Dave’s been outstanding and he has a great group to work with. They’ll win league for sure.” The JVs will be led by freshman pitcher/first baseman Cole Cook, left-handed pitcher/centerfielder Austin Jones and shortstop/pitcher Andy Megee.
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