Last year after a tough first-round playoff loss to Edison, longtime Lancers coach Spud O’Neil told us he was pleased with the group he had coming back, cautioning, “Don’t cry for Lakewood.”  Nobody’s crying for them this season, as the Lancers are off to a 10-0 start—their first undefeated recording going into league since 1990—and have shown an incredible depth through their order, with five players who’ve hit homeruns, and a pitching staff that’s thrown four shutouts.  “We don’t have too many weaknesses,” says O’Neil.  “We’re playing as good baseball as I’ve seen any of my teams play.”  That’s a high compliment from the league’s longest-tenured baseball coach.

The play has somewhat surprised the team’s coach.  “We didn’t have a good summer, we were pretty mediocre in the winter,” he said.  “But it was a conscious decision to play everybody, and as a result I think we have ten guys who are as good as anybody.  We’ve got four shortstops in the infield.”  They’re also working hard; the Lancers have drawn 35 walks and 18 HBP, averaging just over five batters a game who reach base without a hit.

What’s most impressive looking through O’Neil’s statbook is the depth—they have nine players hitting over .300 through the nonleague schedule, with three hitting over .400, and 37 extra-base hits.  Their pitching staff is deep, and just as talented, with four quality starters.  They’re also loose as a goose—O’Neil says the MaxPreps national number one ranking they got hasn’t made anyone nervous at all.  “The kids are loose and having fun,” he says.  “It’s how high school sports is meant to be.”

The Team

J.P. Crawford, freshman shortstop; an unbelievable talent, Crawford is hitting .378 at the leadoff spot.  A combination of speed and strength, an unbelievable fielder, and a smart player at the plate—get used to hearing Crawford’s name, because you aren’t going to get a break from it for the next four seasons.

Tyler Schultz, junior catcher; Schultz will quarterback Lakewood’s football team next year, but O’Neil is very happy with him behind the plate so far this year, as well as hitting in the two spot.

Hunter Jones, senior 3B; one of four multi-homerun batters in the Lancers’ lineup, Jones is hitting .414 so far this year, in addition to being a rangy third-baseman with a cannon for an arm.

Jeff Yamaguchi, senior 1B; Yamaguchi is hands down the league’s best hitter.  He’s gone over .350 every year of his prep career, and this year he’s hitting .486, going 17-35 with 21 RBI, seven triples, and a pair of homeruns. Best cleanup hitter you could ever ask for, according to O’Neil (as well as the statbook).  He’s also Lakewood’s ace, and O’Neil says he’ll pitch this Wednesday against Millikan (sophomore RHP Shane Watson will pitch Friday night against Wilson).

Anthony Razo, senior RF; a co-captain with Yamaguchi, Razo anchors the center of the lineup for the Lancers.  He’s second on the team in hitting, going .444 with 12 RBI.  He’s also drawn five walks and has an OBP of .500, a luxury in the heart of the lineup.

Tyler Leidholdt, junior CF; O’Neil gives Leidholdt the most-improved player award.  “He’s really a tremendous center fielder,” he says.

Zach Alofaituli, junior 1B, Jacob Worrell, sophomore 1B; nothing better illustrates the fun O’Neil is having coaching this team than this scenario.  At the DH spot, seventh in the order, O’Neil sends Alofaituli to the plate against a right-handed pitcher, and Worrell up against a lefty.  Both players are hitting over .300, have combined for 21 RBI, and they both have two homeruns this season.  O’Neil likes them both at first base as well.

Jimmy Gosano, junior 2B; O’Neil loves Gosano’s fielding ability, though he’s not their strongest hitter.

Joseph Bernal, senior LF; “He’s like a second leadoff hitter,” says O’Neil of Bernal, who’s also a very capable fielder.

Click here to see where Lakewood stands in the 2010 Moore League Coaches’ Poll, and click here for the full 2010 Moore League schedule.