West Valley High School Baseball Season Preview

The West Valley High School baseball team is gearing up for an exciting and promising season. Head Coach Brian Surritt sat down with us to give a preview of what fans and supporters can expect from the team this year. Coach Surritt’s primary goal for the team this season is to continue to improve throughout the season and make a run for a CIF playoff berth. In order to achieve this goal, he stresses the importance of staying healthy with their pitchers and getting their young players to believe in themselves. The key to their success this year will be the team staying focused, determined, and united. The team’s top returning players from last season include third year starter Junior Caden Bridwell, who is their number one pitcher, shortstop, and third hitter. Additionally, there is Travis Favorite, the team’s cleanup hitter and first baseman, and sophomore Nate Navarrete, who will play centerfield and lead off. These players bring a wealth of experience and talent to the team, making them a threat on the field. Coach Surritt also shared that there are two new players who will make an immediate impact on the team. Junior Jacob Roman, who transfers in from Santa Ana, will play middle infield and pitch. Sophomore Maximus Vega, new to the team from Moreno Valley, will play third base and also pitch. These new additions will bring depth and diversity to the team, adding to their overall strength. When it comes to selecting team captains, Coach Surritt looks for players who have a genuine love for their teammates and who lead out of a desire to better the team, rather than personal agendas. The team captains for this year will be Juniors Vince Figueroa and Travis Favorite. Team chemistry and camaraderie are crucial for success in any team sport, and Coach Surritt emphasized that his team has already built a strong bond. Starting in the fall, the Varsity and JV teams practice and lift weights together, and they also participate in team trips and functions to get to know each other better. Motivation and pushing oneself to their full potential is important for the success of any team. Coach Surritt motivates his players by reminding them of the possibilities and opportunities that come from playing baseball. He also invites alumni, such as Andre Granville who currently plays AAA for the St. Louis Cardinals, to speak to the team and share their experiences and insights. However, the team has faced some challenges in preparing for this season.