USD Baseball 1999

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1999 Torero Baseball Preview Rich Hill Era Ushers in New Millenium of USD Baseball.... After posting a record year offensively in 1998, the

1999 edition of the University of San Diego Torero baseball will have a decidedly different look. The most noticeable change probably occurs in the dugout where Rich Hill becomes just the third coach in USD's baseball history. Hill replaces John Cunningham who retired last season after directing the Toreros for 35 years. Hill comes to Alcala Park after spending the last five seasons at West Coast Conference rival, University of San Francisco, where he guided the Dons from a 22-33 mark in 1994 - his first season on the Hilltop, to a school-best record of 34-24 record and a third place WCC finish in 1998. Hill inherits a San Diego squad which boasted the most prolific offensive team the Toreros have ever fielded, with nine team records set, including team batting average (.338), RBI (367), hits (721) and total bases (1,028). USD led the WCC in both overall batting (.338) for just the second time in school history and also in conference only batting (.366). The confer– ence batting average was the highest posted since the 1990 campaign. 1999 promises more offensive fireworks as a solid nucleus of run producers returns, highlighted by West Coast Conference Second Team performers, Kevin Reese (San Diego, CA) who became the first Torero to lead the West Coast Confer– ence in hits (88), Tony Betancourt (San Diego, CA), who drove in 44 RBI and batted .364 in WCC action, and David Wright (Medford, OR) who batted .371 during 1998. Of USD's All-WCC selections, three ranked in the top ten in conference batting: Reese (.379, #7), Wright (.371, #9) and Hayes (.371, # I0). Hill is understandably enthusiastic about the Toreros' prospects for the upcoming season. 'This team's attitude has been phenomenal. We will play hard and stay in the moment," said Hill who has already instilled his philosophy in his players. "I want the following to be trademarks of this team. We will play with a lot of heart and a lot of pride. Each individual will be held responsible and accountable. This will set us apart from the pack," Hill said. Offensively, Hill has reason for confidence as seven Toreros who batted .300 or better return, and three posted averages above .350. Hill is also encouraged by the team defense, which posted the best fielding percentage in school history in 1998 (.965). _ "Our first seven hitters are capable of good numbers m average, RBI and on base percentage. Our offensive run produc– tion will be a strength," Hill said. "Defensively, we're multidimensional. We have the number one catcher in the WCC (Betancourt) and we are strong in the middle of the diamond with Dominic Repetti, (Cupertino, CA), Sean Skinner (Phoenix, AZ ) and Juan Garcia (Barcelona, Spain). _ Although the Toreros appear loaded offensively and possess a solid defense Hill identified areas of concern, which included questions on pitching depth, what Hill considers

Torero Seniors: Back Row: (l-r) Kevin Gray, Dan Giese, Juan Garcia, Dominic Repetti, Eli Cecil; Front Row: (l-r) Chris Humpert, Mark Vallecorsa, Geoff Babbitt, Chris Kahl, Tony Betancourt average team speed and the effects on his offense of playing in a pitcher's park. PITCHING "It starts and ends with pitching," according to Hill, repeating the mantra of every known baseball coach - save Bobby Cox. The Toreros returning pitchers accounted for 15 of the Toreros 29 wins in 1998, but only Mark Vallecorsa (7-4; 4.18 ERA) posted more than three wins. Vallecorsa proved durable as the San Dimas, CA native pitched six complete games. "Not many of these guys have a lot of innings," Hill admits, so he will rely on his upperclassmen for leadership to stabilize a young rotation and bullpen. "Mark Vallecorsa (1998 All-WCC Second Team) is the ace of the staff and he has earned the distinction as a senior. He's a great competitor and a pitcher in every sense of the word," Hill said. Others tabbed for potential starting roles include Mike Amundson (Newbury Park, CA), Kevin Gray (Yorba Linda, CA) and Brian Bealer (Medford, OR). While the Torero pitching staff set a new school record with 312 strikeouts in 1998, the team ERA did not threaten the 2.31 ERA posted in 1971. Hill is encouraged with the significant progress Dan Giese, (San Clemente, CA), Geoff Babbitt (Englewood, CO) and Erik Jorgensen (San Diego, CA) have made in their fall season workouts under the direction of USD pitching coach Sean Kenny. One of the biggest new additions for the staff may be Ryan Hamilton (San Rafael, CA) a transfer from College of Marin who looks set to take over relief chores. ' Overall, Hill believes his staff capable, but not without remembering the basics. "They must change speeds, get ahead of hitters and not give up a lot of walks. We are never going to be out of a game with our offense. Our pitchers must give us a chance."