JetHawks set to Blaze ahead in 2000 season

By ED HARBOUR
Valley Press Staff Writer

The team opens up the year tonight against the Bakersfield Blaze on the road at 7 p.m.

Taking the mound for Lancaster will be right-hander Jeff Heaverlo.

"I think he has a long future ahead of him," JetHawks manager Mark Parent said of Heaverlo. "I want to get him up there right away. He's kind of a hyper kid and I don't want him chomping on the bit."

Heaverlo was the Mariners' second first-round selection in 1999, the 33rd overall pick.

At the University of Washington last year, Heaverlo also was the opening day pitcher. He is familiar with the stress that comes with the job.

"It's a little bit different because it's the opener and you want to get the season started off on the right foot," Heaverlo said. "You want to be successful and come back home with a win in the series.

"As a pitcher if you have a good offense, you don't let a solo homer or a couple of runs affect you. You just go back out and throw good pitches."

As the manager, Parent is confident in his young pitcher to bounce back from tough situations. Heaverlo succeeded in the hardhitting Pac-10 last year despite an ERA of 4.74 to finish with a record of 10-4.

"He's able to refocus when things go bad," Parent said. "He can calm himself with the adrenaline going and learn how to adjust.

"This is the kind of experience that will help him grow."

As for the rest of the lineup, Parent has set the rotations for the position players.

The middle infield will predominantly be Antonio Perez at shortstop and Willie Bloomquist at second base with Vaughn Schill filling in for both and Bo Robinson at third.

Peanut Williams looks to be the first baseman for the season but will open up the year as the designated hitter with Craig Kuzmic at first.

The outfield will have powerhitting Juan Silvestre in left, and a rotation of Harvey Hargrove, P.J. Williams and Mike Abate in center and right. In that trio, Hargrove will receive the bulk of playing time.

Offensively, the JetHawks are looking to post big numbers with the 3-4-5 combination of Robinson, Silvestre and Williams.

"I'm anxious to see what they do," Parent said. "I've gotten to know them and pull for them and I can't wait to see what they do.

"They've been serious about taking batting practice and ground balls. They're young. They could have played games the first day of spring training."

After a four-day layoff from game play, the squad could be a bit rusty on opening day but should be in fine form by the time the team arrives for the home opener next Wednesday.

"The pitchers haven't seen live hitting and the hitters haven't seen live pitching," Parent said. "It's all a wash. We just have to go out there and pitch, catch and hit it better than the other team."

For the JetHawks, the season begins on the road with three games in Bakersfield and another three in Modesto. The team comes back for an eight-game homestand that will begin with the Mudville Nine of Stockton.

"I'm just excited to turn these guys loose," Parent said. "I'm anxious for these guys to do good. Not for what it does for me or the Lancaster JetHawks, but for what it does for them.

"If we have a good start hopefully it will carry over into a good season."

Uploaded April 6, 2000