Then came the magnificent conquest. Santa Clara's Washington Park thundered
beneath the resounding crash of the bat and ball of the Green and Gold. Before the western breeze signaled the end of a hot spring afternoon, Basques' bat had rung off four hits and those of Myers, Martini, and Bill Shaughnessy three apiece. The varsity total included 22 runs and 20 hits—all hit for the year. Eight runs had come across in a big fifth inning which nullified any noise the Broncs might have been able to raise.
Excluding the pitching for a moment, varsity starters seem to be set at six of the remain ing eight positions. Barring any unexpected opposition, the infield will lineup with Casazza at second, Charley Myers at shortstop, and Don Martini at third. Bill Arata and Bill Shaughnessy will back them up along with ace pitcher Tony Basques and rightfielder Chuck McGuigan. The outfield trio consists of Bob Braghetta in left, Stan Johnson in center, and McGuigan in right. Of these, Johnson, the former All-City slugger from Galileo High, is new, having transferred from City College last fall. Del Rossi and Bud Tanner complete the outfield roster. The first base job is wide open. Although he will not be in uniform until basketball season ends, basketballer Hal Payne, Bayless's sub last year, has the edge at present. Who will play there until then is still a question to be answered.
Early in February the catching situation seemed well supplied. Since then, however, it has developed that letterman Leo LaRocca, who hit .286 last spring, will have to carry the load practically all by himself. Ken Dito, City College backstop, has changed his mind and decided to remain on Ocean Avenue. Behind LaRocca will be sophomore Ron Crivelli. Double or . . . If baseball is 80% pitching, the rest of the squad will have to double their efforts and raise the remaining 20% this year because the Hilltop mound corps is exceedingly thin. Only two lettermen return—Tony Basques and relief Chuck Falcone — and there seems to be no capable candidates turning out for the position. Despite this outlook Anderson will have in Basques a pitcher who compiled a brilliant 1955 record of six wins, losses, and a fantastic ERA of 0.53 for 51 innings. In addition, he hurled two shutouts and completed five of his six starts. It is no exaggeration to say that the success of the coming season lies mainly in the durability of this amazing sophomore's right arm. Since pitching every game is an impossibility for the former Balboa High star, Anderson is experimenting with three of his infielders, Casazza, Martini, and Shaughnessy, as possible starters. One, possibly two, of these will wind up hurling behind Basques. Centerfielder Stan Johnson who pitched occasionally at Galileo may also have to hurl for the Dons when necessary. Hilltop pitching thus presents a problem which must be solved before long (TheFoghorn).
