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Fresh off a 20-win season and a CIF quarterfinal appearance, the St. Anthony Saints are looking to build off recent success for a memorable 2024 season.
Saints head coach Kris Jondle will need to replace some key departures from last year’s team, but believes there’s a strong core of returners that can keep the Saints near the top of the Camino Real League with hope for another playoff run in Division 5.
“We lost a lot from last year. Not necessarily in numbers, but a lot of key guys,” Jondle explained. “I don’t think we’re going to be as offensive as we were last year, we had some strong bats that graduated. And our pitching lost a couple key arms but I think we’re going to be a little deeper this year. And I think it will probably be my best defensive team I’ve had at St. Anthony.”
Any good defense starts up the middle, and the Saints have both middle infielders back in the fold, including senior shortstop Robby Shepherd. Jondle believes he’s the best bat returning to the Saints order, and as the reigning Camino Real League MVP, he’s expected to set the table from the top of the St. Anthony lineup in 2024. Shepherd was a .387 hitter last season, leading the team with 31 runs scored and finishing second with 36 hits, 24 RBIs and eight doubles.
Due to a shoulder injury, Shepherd wasn’t a factor on the mound as a junior, but he could see some late-game action to come in and close games, especially if he has his way. Shepherd wants to contribute in any way he can, but he also believes the Saints have a lot of depth this season with guys ready to take on bigger roles.
“I think we have like five good guys on the bench who will be good next year, but also the guys in front of them are a lot better too,” Shepherd said. “And we have a good pitching rotation–if they let me pitch–we’ll see. And also, we have the whole same starting from last year so that’s gonna be lockdown.”
Junior John Arnold will man second base, and Jondle praised his athleticism and defensive prowess.
“Having been at bigger schools, he’s a guy that could play with those guys. He could play second base in the Trinity League right now,” Jondle said. “Defensively, he’s very good, he’s got great hands, great feet, and a strong arm.”
Extending into the outfield, the Saints also have experience back in center field with senior Matthew Gath. He’s a strong defender, and a left-handed hitter who should slot in the No. 2 spot for the Saints.
St. Anthony should have at least three left-handed hitters in their lineup consistently throughout the year. That includes senior first baseman Jesus Chavarria, who is a good defender with a lot of power at the plate. He was a second team All-League selection as a junior and should hit in the middle of the St. Anthony batting order.
The Saints should also have big power from the DH spot, where junior Anthony Fletes is ready to step in. The junior transferred in from Downey last January and played well on JV, and is expected to add some right-handed pop on varsity this season.
Senior Ryan Vega will start behind the plate for St. Anthony, a spot he held down as a freshman and sophomore. Jondle praised his defensive ability behind the plate and said that Vega “is a big piece of what’s going to happen if we’re going to do well this year.”
Junior Benny Lane will lead the pitching staff, while also playing third base and batting cleanup for the Saints. He’ll have the support of a deep pitching staff both on varsity and in the lower levels. Lane started nine games last season, posting a 7-2 record and a 2.73 ERA as a sophomore.
Senior Tyler Cazares also brings varsity experience with 14 appearances and five starts a season ago, posting a solid 2.16 ERA with solid command. He should get plenty of innings behind Lane, along with junior Emilio Salazar who is a good athlete with a good arm on the mound.
With upperclassmen all over the diamond and a good amount of depth, the Saints are hoping to make another run in the Division 5 playoffs this spring.
“We’ll compete for a playoff spot for sure, I feel good about that,” Jondle said. “And there’s gotta be some guys that step up on the mound and offensively … Our top four in the lineup is pretty solid. We can count on those guys to produce for sure to produce consistently, and then we’re gonna need the other five guys to step up.”
Projected Starting Lineup
C – Ryan Vega (Sr.)
1B – Jesus Chavarria (Sr.)
2B – John Arnold (Jr.) / Erik Metz (Sr.)
SS – Robby Shepherd (Sr.)
3B – Benny Lane (Jr.) / Erik Metz (Sr.) / AJ Ortiz (Jr.)
LF – Stevie Mendoza (Sr.)
CF – Matthew Gath (Sr.)
RF – Kyle Shisbey (Jr.) / Emilio Salazar (Jr.)
DH – Anthony Fletes (Jr.)
P – Benny Lane (Jr.) / Tyler Cazares (Sr.) / Emilio Salazar (Jr.) / Lucas Fredette (Jr.)
