Defending champion De La Salle is favored again with San Ramon Valley, Castro Valley and College Park seeking the title as well; Acalanes looks to defend its Division III crown.
Video: Diving catch straight into wall
See an Oregon outfielder sell out in a state title game last season.2017 North Coast Section Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. De La Salle (Concord)
2016 record: 25-3
Head coach: David Jeans
The Spartans had one of the best seasons in school history last year, winning the Division I championship and finishing the season ranked No. 2 in the nation by the MaxPreps Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard. The 2017 season could be another good, one as five starters return. Outfielder
Ryan Cole leads the way after batting .425 and has signed to play at Notre Dame. Other starters include shortstop
Michael Curran (.300), first baseman/pitcher
Gabe Giosso (.366), first baseman
Trace Tammaro (.262) pitcher and
Cullen Kafka (2-1, 1.50 ERA).
See last season's North Coast Section baseball computer rankings
2. Castro Valley
2016 record: 17-10
Head coach: Glen Sears
The Trojans were the surprise team in the North Coast Section, reaching the Division I championship game despite being a No. 14 seed. Although they lost to De La Salle in the title game, the Trojans return four of the team's top six hitters from last season, including
Cole Coffey (.330) and
Matt Mascio (.382, 4 homers). The pitching staff is also loaded with 16 wins returning. Mascio leads the way, going 7-2 with a 1.56 ERA as a junior.
See North Coast Section baseball pro photo galleries3. San Ramon Valley (Danville)
2016 record: 17-9
Head coach: Chris Declerq
Blake Harrison, San Ramon Valley
Photo by Mike Vigil
The Wolves reached the quarterfinals of the Division I playoffs before losing to College Park. San Ramon Valley returns one of its top pitchers from last year in
Blake Harrison, who went 3-3 with a 3.11 ERA. Harrison was also one of the top returning hitters, batting .323 last year. Outfielder
Brett Tressen also returns after hitting .338 with seven doubles.
See last season's North Coast Section baseball playoff brackets4. Acalanes (Lafayette)
2016 record: 26-2
Head coach: Justin Santich-Hughes
Winner of the Division III playoffs, Acalanes is the favorite again in that division after returning six starters and three of its top four pitchers from last year. Among the players to watch include second baseman
Matt Burns (.324), centerfielder
Will Rembac (.355) and outfielder
Daniel Kim (.342).
Josh Candau is one of the top returning pitchers in the state after going 9-1 with a 1.23 ERA and 62 strikeouts last year.
See last season's North Coast Section baseball stat leaders5. College Park (Pleasant Hill)
2016 record: 19-8
Head coach: Andy Tarpley
Two years removed from winning back-to-back section championships, College Park reached the semifinals last year before falling to De La Salle. College Park returns one of the top juniors in the section in
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, an infielder who batted .409 with seven home runs last year. The Falcons return seven of their top nine offensive players from last year. A total of 11 wins also return, including seven by senior
Ian MacIver.
