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The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser.
Jordan’s baseball team has its best player in more than a decade and its best team in years, which has program alum and head coach Philip Berman feeling optimistic about his squad.
“I think we have a chance to be a good Division 7 team,” he said. “We have a good pitching staff, we play good defense, and if our offense can come around we have a chance. The million dollar question is how do we stack up when we get to the Moore League and it’s D1, D2, D3 opponents.”
It’s been several years since Jordan upset one of the “big four” schools of Millikan, Poly, Wilson and Lakewood–Berman missed playing on the team that beat Lakewood by one season. That’s a challenge because the league only gets four guaranteed playoff spots–that’s why Berman has put together a nonleague schedule he hopes will give his team a shot at an at-large playoff bid even if they don’t finish in the top four.
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“Our goal is to be in a position to qualify,” he said. “For us, getting to that next level of success is being in a position where we can cement that bid and get in this year.”
The Panthers are led by their shortstop, junior two-sport standout JJ Nielsen. Also the school’s quarterback, Nielsen is arguably better on the diamond and carries scholarship offers from Arizona, San Jose State and Hawaii, among others. Berman says he’s probably the Panthers’ best shortstop since Alfredo Lopez, a 2000s star who was drafted by the Marlins in 2010.
Nielsen showcased a smooth glove and a power bat last year for the Panthers, and says he’s feeling confident about 2024.
“I spent a lot of time just really working on my craft, going back to the basics and not thinking too much,” he said. “We’ve all had a full year under coach Berman, and I feel like everybody improved, including me. I think we’ll be better this year.”
Nielsen echoed his coaches’ sentiment that a playoff berth is both realistic and a major goal of the season. He also said his recruitment has been picking up and that he’s hoping to not have to choose between his two sports just yet.
“In college I’m going to do both, so whatever college will let me do both sports is big,” he said.
What separates this year’s Jordan team is its depth, as Berman likes his squad.
“We have nine guys who can really play and how we line it up depends on who’s on the mound,” he said. The pitching staff is led by junior Oswaldo Martinez, who has a sharp curveball and a slider in his arsenal, as well as Kenny Roman, and first-team All-Moore League honoree Ricardo Valencia, who Berman says is a “bulldog on the mound.”
Second-team all-league honoree Cris Aleman is back at third, and Cha’san Haynes is a talented glove at first base. Damian Mariscal at second, Nielsen at short, and freshman catcher Andrew Medina round out the infield; Medina is a recent Heartwell PONY All-Star who wanted to stay local in North Long Beach.
“He’ll hit second for us to start the year, I’m excited to have him for the next four years,” said Berman.
The outfielders will be Kenny and Angel Roman and then Sam Dixon, a speedy sophomore, in center.
“He can flat out fly, he takes so many hits away with his speed and getting to balls he shouldn’t,” said Berman.
Last year’s Panthers went through adversity, with 10 losses in a row. Berman said that stretch of games was critical, not because of the team’s record, but because of how they practiced.
“It revealed the character of kids that we had, with just one senior,” he said. “Everyone showed up to practice every day, no one quit. We won four of our last six games.”
The result is a senior-laden team with high character and talent this season–one that Berman and the Panthers are hoping can end the season in the playoffs.
Jordan Starting Lineup
P- Oswaldo Martinez, Jr. / Kenny Roman, Sr. / Ricardo Valencia, Sr.
C- Andrew Medina, Fr.
1B- Cha’san Haynes, Sr.
2B- Damian Mariscal, Sr.
3B- Cris Aleman, Jr.
SS- JJ Nielsen, Jr.
LF- Angel Roman, Sr.
CF- Sam Dixon, So.
RF- Kenny Roman, Sr.
