Pointers put grueling non-league, tournament schedules behind for now

Like any work in progress, the Point Loma High School (PLHS) baseball team’s coaches and players expect to see continuing improvement in every game. But when inevitable stumbles occur, teams are reminded how sports imitates life, the wisest learning from the experience and moving forward. That’s a summary of the first half of the Pointers season as a tough non-league and tournament schedule fades in the rearview mirror with Western League competition now under way. Consider the Pointers’ first two league matches: Exhibit A: In the April 11 Western League opener at Mission Bay, sophomore pitcher James Klueber — who was recalled from the Pointer JV squad — scattered four Buccaneer hits while the fumbling hosts’ six errors handed the Pointers a 4-1 victory. Exhibit B: Back home at David Wells Field for Friday’s rematch, mental errors and a fly ball lost in the sun’s glare by Pointer fielders added a gift-wrap feeling to a 5-3 Mission Bay victory. It marked the first win by a Buccaneer squad after four years of futility against the Pointers. The Bucs made three more errors than the Pointers, but also pounded 11 hits, several of which were lasers down the left-field line. Five of those went for extra bases, including four doubles and a triple. Because Western League scheduling dictates teams play each other twice consecutively in a home-and-home format, the Pointers will finish 1-1 against the Bucs. New head coach Jesse Nunez has been working with his players in an on-campus conditioning program all year during a physical education period. Now, Nunez and his staff are working hard with their players to raise batting and fielding averages while minimizing both physical and mental errors. The mood in the Pointer dugout seems positive and upbeat as Nunez and assistants David Wells, Joe Nunez, Mike Delgado, Riley Lillibridge and John Quann banter with players about technique and strategies. The recently expanded varsity roster includes five seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores and a freshman who starts at first base (Jayson Pappas, 6’2″, 200 lbs). Pointer statistical leaders Batting average: Jackson Leslie, .341 Total hits: Leslie and Justin Baker, 15 each Runs scored: Ryan Ament, 12 Runs batted in: Pappas, 11 Doubles: Ament, four Triples: Ament and Brandon Keenan, 1 each Home runs: Leslie and Pappas, one each Stolen bases: Leslie and Tre Howard, one each As a team, the Pointers are batting .255, while opponents are hitting at a .306 clip. Remaining Western League schedule April 20: Pointers at Cathedral April 23: Cathedral at Pointers April 25: Madison at Pointers April 27: Pointers at Madison May 9: University City at Pointers May 11: Pointers at University City May 14: Coronado at Pointers May 16: Pointers at Coronado Home games are at 3 p.m. at David Wells Field, Dana Middle School, 1775 Chatsworth Blvd. EXTRA BASES • Injuries and other issues prompted Nunez to bring several players up from the junior varsity level, increasing the varsity roster to 18. • PLHS alum and former major league All-Star Wells has the undivided attention of the team’s pitchers when he offers instruction, tips and advice on pitching. From his many years with National League teams (where pitchers bat) he also shares hitting wisdom. Wells uses a very positive approach, handing out praise generously to players. • Baseball boosters have big plans for David Wells Field, including installation of some stadium seating, constructing an outfield fence, re-locating the scoreboard and more. Estimates for the projects puts the total cost in the $350,000 range. • The Pointer JV team, under head coach Kyle Harvey, is off to a 9-2 start while the freshman AAU team is currently 3-6 “and improving with each game,” said head coach Jeff Solis.