Northwood coach likes early season approach

Northwood High baseball coach Rob Stuart wasn't sure what to expect from his young team. But after two games, Stuart believes the Timberwolves will do just fine in their first varsity season, despite the fact they lost the games.

Northwood lost its first varsity game, falling to Mountain View, 9-8, last week in the Glendora Tournament. The Timberwolves fell, 11-0, to Glendora in the tournament on Monday in a game cut short because of the mercy rule.

"I think our guys were pretty tight in the first game,'' said Stuart, the former Irvine High assistant coach. "Almost everyone had an error, but we came out swinging the bat and were aggressive at the plate.''

Among the top hitters in the first game were freshman Jameson Kuykendall, a 6-3 outfielder who was 2-for-3 with a three-run home run, the first in Northwood's varsity program. Infielder Ryan Miller had the first hit.

Stuart said he wasn't nervous until the seventh inning, and he wasn't disappointed in the play of his squad, which had 10 errors.

"I've been looking forward to this for a long time,'' Stuart said of the opening game.

Northwood then lost on Monday to Glendora.

"It was a great game for the first four innings, then Glendora's bats went wild,'' said Stuart. "Tom Gray was very impressive, giving up two hits and striking out four (in three innings).''

Stuart would like to see Northwood win its share of game in its inaugural varsity season. But he is looking at the long-range prospects, too.

"We're trying to develop guys,'' said Stuart. "We're working toward league, but our goal is (to prepare) for next year.''

Northwood does not have a senior on its roster. All the players are juniors, except for Kuykendall, a freshman, and Andrew Morrison, a sophomore.

Stuart may be downplaying his team's chances this year, but he has been impressed with the players.

"We've got a great bunch of kids,'' said Stuart. "Our kids are really hustling and I'm very proud of where we are now. I would say our outlook is pretty good. We can throw pretty well and we have four guys who can throw strikes.''

Among the pitchers are Gray, who is expected to be the team's No. 1 starter. Stuart will also look to Morrison, Kuykendall and juniors Neil Buckley and Stephen Lucas.

The infield will include Morrison at first base, junior Dustin Landeis at second base, junior Ryan Miller at shortstop and junior Lee Watanabe at third base.

The outfield will include Lucas, Kuykendall, junior Benjamin Dworkin and Buckley.

Junior Brandon Gragnano will handle the catching duties.