Back-to-back league titles, a school-record 24 wins in 2013 and a trip to the CIF quarterfinals in 2014, the farthest a Malibu team has ever advanced. What’s in store for this year’s squad of Shark hardballers?
“We have our work cut out for us. We are not in the Frontier League anymore. We are in the Tri-Valley, which is a good place for us,” said Malibu coach Ari Jacobs, who has led the Sharks to 41 wins over the last two seasons. “Our guys can play anybody, anywhere, at any time. We absolutely have it in us to win a third straight championship. These guys know how to win games.”
Optimism is high and excitement is palpable on the diamond, high above the not-too-distant Pacific Ocean. After two very triumphant years in the Frontier League, the CIF Southern Section recently moved Malibu into the more prestigious Tri-Valley League, which includes St. Bonaventure, Santa Clara, Grace Brethren, Carpinteria, Bishop Diego and Nordhoff.
Recent graduates Chase Lambert and Noah Simon have taken their talents to Pepperdine and Dixie State, respectively. Seniors Bronson Bard, Andre Simoneau, Hunter McMillin and Austin George will now lead MHS in hopes of a third consecutive league title and another successful playoff run.
“All of our seniors are top-notch with a couple to be really good. We have a very good nine in our lineup,” said Bard, a second-team All-League selection last year, who will play third base and be the team’s closer this season. “Our pitchers are amazing. We have a deep rotation. I want to win league and get as deep in the playoffs as we can.”
The southpaw Simoneau earned first-team All-League honors a year ago and will be the ace on the hill in 2015. Right-handed sophomore Declan Sheridan has a very bright future and forms a tough one-two punch alongside Simoneau. Dylan Cohen, a junior transfer from Washington, D.C., and sophomore Justin Truschke will be called upon to pitch quality innings as well.
The Sharks’ infield has a mix of veteran experience along with youth. George returns from a knee injury that sidelined him in 2014 and will split time at first base with McMillin and spell Bard at third on occasion.
Junior utility infield/outfield specialist Ezra Allen will focus early on as the team’s designated hitter while recovering from an offseason shoulder surgery.
“We are deep in the lineup with a lot of guys who can really hit,” Allen said. “Defensively, we have a lot of arms that will carry us through.”
Junior Dylan Ross, a second-team All-League recipient last year, returns at shortstop and will play alongside several sophomores, vying for time at second base. Brendan Morrison, Ben Cohen and Dylan Kretschmar are promising prospects who played on a JV team that went 13-5 and won a league title.
The outfield will consist of juniors Tim Thomas, Biggie Murray and Jordin Taylor and speedy sophomore Cade McMillin.
Sophomore Trevor Simonian earned the starting catching position after strong and productive summer and winter performances. Simonian is also a gifted hitter with power to the alleys.
“From an on-field standpoint, our pitching and defense will be our strengths. Each game, our offense will get its timing and hopefully we will be strong in all three phases of the game,” Jacobs said. “We have a lot of guys who can play. We don’t have a set nine. There are 13 guys in the mix. Everyone has bought into the team mentality.”
Malibu bolted to a 4-1 record in the Southern California Invitational, having defeated Santa Paula (10-5), San Marino (6-5), Los Angeles CES (16-0) and Leuzinger (12-0) after suffering a 2-1 loss to Cathedral on opening day. The Sharks are now an astonishing 19-1 in their last 20 SCI games.
Simoneau has pitched well in two starts, giving up two earned in eight innings. Sheridan is 2-0 with 11 innings pitched, zero earned runs allowed, three hits and eight strikeouts.
The Sharks’ potent lineup has scored 45 runs in five games and 44 in the last four.
“One of the things we are trying to teach is that life and baseball will knock you off the horse time and time again and the successful people get right back on. One of the markers of Malibu baseball is a never-say-die attitude and this year’s team has already been tested and has come back fighting,” said Jacobs.
The Sharks host San Marcos on Friday at 3 p.m.
