USD Baseball 1984

1984 USD PROSPECTUS Last season saw the Toreros finish under the .500 mark in the Southern California Baseball Association for the second time since their inception in 1979 with a 10-18-1 record and 17-27-1 overall record. To get back to his winning ways, head coach John Cunningham felt he had to improve his team in three areas. His off- season concerns were with pitching, left-handed hitting, and his catching crew. Now 1/\!,ilh the fall program completed and his first game right around the corner, J.C. feels he has strengthened his pitching squad and indications are that the catchers will be better with playing time. This year's squad however will still have an absence of left-handed power hitting. Coach Cunningham will have to replace a couple of key person- nel this season as he lost last year's M.V.P. in John Mullen. John received SCBA First Team honors after batting .351 for the year. He had a 19 game hitting streak in which he banged out a total of 38 hits, a new Torero record. John ends up among the top career Torero leaders in a number of offensive categories. Gone is second baseman Bruce Tomlinson who over four years proved to be one of the most consistent defensive players USO ever had. The last key loss was at catcher with the graduation of Steve Sciacca. Although Steve was troubled most of the season with injuries, he batted .353 and led the team in home runs with 6. This year's pitching crew will be led by seniors Russ Applegate (5-9, 4.37 ERA) and Mike Fazekas (5-9). Sophomore Casey Morales was a pleasant surprise as he was 3-1 with an ERA of 4.20. JC transfers Tom Seyler (Antelope Valley) and Greg Bertrand (Delta College) should both find a spot in the starting rotation. Tom was drafted in the 3rd round by the Cardinal organization last year after receiving First Team All-State honors. He posted an ERA of 2.30 while striking out 93 batters in 95 innings. At Delta, Greg was 9-2 with a 1.89 ERA and was the team 's M.V.P. and All-League member. Junior Eric Bennett (.280 B.A., 28 RBl 's and 8 doubles) will switch over to catcher this year after playing his first two years at first and third. Back-ups will be junior Eric DeGennaro (led fall pro- gram in HR's and RBl 's) and freshman Dan Echeveste (a walk-on with good bat). Junior Paul Van Stone (.303 B.A.) is the only returning infielder. Paul is starting his third year and should provide the leadership needed in the infield. He is one of the best hitting shortstops in the league and doesn't make a lot of errors in the field. Replacing third baseman Laci Nagypal (.280 B.A./8 doubles) will be freshman Rob- bie Rogers (Crescenta Valley H.S.). Robbie was an excellent high school athlete who will be given every opportunity to play on a regular basis. Taking over at 2B will be junior Bill Ismay (Yavapai College). Bill batted .380 last year and is a steady defensive player who can make the pivot at second. Junior Tom Seyler will start at first base when he isn't pitching. Tom led Antelope Valley in bat- ting (.377) and HR's. Tom should provide some leadership with his bat and pitching talents. His back-up will be walk-on Brian Locher who batted .331 at Monte Vista H.S. last season in Cupertino, CA. Returning in the outfield will be senior Andre Jacas (left field). Andre is a very exciting player who holds the Torero single season stolen base record of 35 thefts. He should have his best season ever if he stays healthy. His younger brother David returns in center field after redshirting his freshman year due to illness. David appeared in 12 games and had 4 doubles, 2 triples and 6 stolen bases. Sophomore John Slaugh! (.264) saw spot duty last season and should see more action due to his speed and sure glove. Newcomers Doug Brooks (North Idaho JC) and Brian Wisniewski (Valhalla H.S.) will battle for playing time as back-ups. " Barring injury, we will be stronger than last year overall. We have more depth in the infield and more and better players in the outfield. To be successful, we'll have to stop other teams from running on us. I definitely think we have more punch in the line-up than we've had in recent seasons," stated Coach John Cunningham.

4