Pitching, defense key in National Classic

The best tournament in Southern California, the 16-team Diamond Sports National Classic, begins on Monday, and the key to emerging as the champion on Thursday at Cal State Fullerton is pitching depth and defense, especially this season, because wood bats will be used.

La Puente Bishop Amat (11-1) and Encino Crespi (11-3) would appear to have the edge. Bishop Amat, however, has to decide when to use ace Paul Paez. Will he throw in the first round against Arizona's Notre Dame Prep?

Crespi won't have its ace, Ryon Healy, available for pitching duties because he has just begun rehab from a strained muscle tendon in his forearm. But Ryan Brockett (3-0, 1.61 ERA) and John Kearns (4-0, 2.97) are ready to go, and closer Josh Mason could end up starting.

Many of the teams are expected to promote junior varsity pitchers this week in case they are needed playing four games in four days, and the player to watch for Crespi could be sophomore JV pitcher Christian Johnson, who might be put on the mound and asked to come through.

Huntington Beach Edison is expected to use its ace, Henry Owens, in Monday's 10 a.m. opener against Palm Desert at El Dorado. But what do the Chargers do in a possible second-round matchup against Bishop Amat? That's the dilemma every coach in this tournament will be facing. When do you use your big gun and who is the first pitcher off the bench?