Rams seek to end Wildcats’ stranglehold

Las Vegas High has won every Northeast League baseball title since the 2000 season.

Rancho might have a say in whether the Wildcats win a 10th straight league title.

“One of the things we always talk about is closing the gap,” fourth-year Rancho coach Tom Pletsch said. “When I took over the program, there was a huge disparity between Rancho and the rest of the quality programs. And we’ve closed that gap every year.

“Right now we feel like we can come out and compete against Vegas. I’m not saying we’re going to go out and win the Northeast, but we’re definitely going to give them a run for their money.”

Pletsch has reason to be optimistic. Four-year starters Justin Neubauer and James Cammack return to offer leadership to a roster full of talented young players.

Pletsch said he’ll start six sophomores and a freshman this season, with a seventh sophomore getting considerable time at designated hitter.

Neubauer was a second-team all-state pick last season after posting a 2.37 ERA with 97 strikeouts. Cammack is one of the area’s top all-around athletes, having been an all-state quarterback and the starting point guard in basketball. He’s a career .325 hitter.

“Having (Neubauer’s and Cammack’s) experience is awesome,” Pletsch said. “It really gives some senior leadership to our young kids.”

Cammack said he is confident the Rams’ younger players are ready to help.

“We’ve only got three seniors, but I think we’ve got by far some of the best group of young men to help the seniors have a great season,” he said.

Much will be asked of sophomores Eric Holdren, Zak Qualls, Brandon Pletsch and Kevin Kline, all of whom started last year. Holdren (.347), Qualls (.381) Pletsch (.344) and Kline (.344) came through at the plate, and Holdren, Qualls and Kline pitched quality innings.

“Along with Neubauer, we’ve got four (pitchers) who are pretty good,” coach Pletsch said. “It all starts with pitching. As long as we throw strikes and keep the ball over the plate, we’ve got a solid defense behind them. And really, the key is going to be how quickly our young bats mature.”

Freshman catcher Gabe Chavira, who will bat third, is one of those players.

“He’s going to be an impact player,” Pletsch said. “He’s got people around him, so he’s got a supporting cast, where last year those freshmen were just thrown to the wolves and they had to produce.”

Neubauer said the four players who started as freshmen last season have shown marked improvement.

“It’s a big difference, because playing little league and high school is totally different,” he said. “That one year of experience in high school has made a big difference.”

So has the idea that the Rams could contend for a league championship.

“It’s a lot better feeling,” Neubauer said. “I remember those last couple years just kind of going through the motions. This year we’ve really closed the gap by working hard during the offseason.”