Bits and Pieces

Scouts and baseball fans won't find a better weekend competition than Saturday at San Juan Capistrano JSerra. At 9 a.m., the host Lions will take on Mission Viejo, a candidate to be No. 1 in Southern California. At noon, Mission Viejo will face La Puente Bishop Amat, led by junior Rio Ruiz. And at 3 p.m., JSerra will play Bishop Amat.

Jason D'Andrea, a senior catcher at West Hills Chaminade, has committed to UCLA, Coach Frank Mutz said. D'Andrea was a late pickup for the Bruins and will sign during the next letter of intent period.

He's one of seven Chaminade players who have signed or committed. The others are pitchers Dalton Brown (Duke) and Mathew Troupe (Arizona), outfielder Michael Dingilian (Cal Poly), infielders Tanner Reibenspies (San Diego State) and Dylan Delaney (Michigan) and outfielder Bradon Rapoport (Washington).

The high school baseball season for the City Section officially begins on Feb. 25 with the Poly tournament, and there's an outstanding opening game matchup that should feature top pitchers in City player of the year Jose Cardona of Woodland Hills El Camino Real taking on Ryan Cruz of Granada Hills Kennedy.

Coaches for both teams are expected to throw their aces in that opener at El Camino Real. Cruz defeated Chatsworth last season and didn't get to pitch in playoffs after Kennedy was upset early on.