Expectations High for Titans Baseball and Softball

Expectations are generally high for the San Marino baseball and softball teams.

The Titan baseball teams won five CIF-Southern Section titles under longtime coach Mickey McNamee, who retired four years ago after 44 years in charge of the program.

The softball team went the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS playoffs last season and has many players back from that squad.

Baseball 

San Marino alum Mack Paciorek, who played under McNamee, returns for his fourth season to run the program he took over from his old coach, for whom the school’s stadium is named after.

The Titans enjoyed lots of success under McNamee, but have not won a Rio Hondo League title since 1996.

Paciorek, whose father and two uncles played in the Major Leagues, is hoping to change that.

“Every team in league is going to be a battle and hopefully we can be in a position for one those (playoff) spots,” Paciorek said.

Leading the way for the Titans (11-13, 6-9 in the RHL last season) is senior all-league first baseman Doug Mayberry, who will hit cleanup. Senior catcher Mark Chen, who missed last season due to injury, figures to bat third and give the Titans another big bat.

On the mound, the Titans have a number of arms they can count on, including juniors Alex Eaves and Garret Glazier and senior Everett Phillips.

The Titans’ bullpen includes seniors Alan Felix and Kody Gerrick, who Paciorek is planning on using as his closer.

“The heart of our lineup is strong as is our pitching depth,” Paciorek said.

The Titans begin their season Friday against Glendora in a non-league tournament.

Softball

The Titans (18-7 in 2010) are clearly set for the next three seasons with 6-foot-3 sophomore pitcher Michelle Floyd. Floyd is considered one of the best in the nation at her position, and she has already orally committed to play at the University of Arizona.

“Having Michelle is a plus,” San Marino coach Hilda Valencia said. “We want to play good defense behind her and run the bases real well.”

Another plus is that Valencia already has a rapport with the Titans incoming catcher,  freshman Raquel Edmonds, who was Floyd’s catcher from her youth days.

The Titans also has a solid supporting cast around the battery.

Junior infielder Alexis Watanabe is a returning all-league player. Junior third baseman Jackie Martinez also earned all-league honors a year ago. Junior center fielder Courtney Johnson is another top player.

Freshman Allison Lee is a newcomer that could play a number of positions, and sophomore Emily Stenwall can pitch or play in the outfield.

Valencia said her team has just one senior, giving her hope for a strong future. She also would like to build upon the success the team enjoyed last season.

“We want to be in the same spot as last year,” Valencia said. “They definitely want to be back (in the playoffs) and go further.

The Titans open their season March 8 at California (Whittier).