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BSB: PREVIEW – Golden Opportunities Await as Bruins Take Aim at 5th Straight Playoffs
NEWBERG, Ore. - With the loss of six All-Northwest Conference hitters, two of them All-Americans, from one of the most powerful lineups in George Fox University baseball history, there will be a new look to the 2010 Bruins as they go for what they hope will be a fifth straight NCAA Division III post-season appearance.
"We lost some talented bats, no question, but that's nothing new at the college level" admits Marty Hunter, who has led the Bruins to a 64-25 record in two seasons as head coach after six years as an assistant under Pat Bailey. "What we tell this year's team is that they now have an opportunity and it is their turn to show what they can do. We have some guys who have been with program for a while waiting for their chance, and they are stepping up. I'm excited about the way they are responding to the challenge."
The Bruins are coming off a 36-11 season and a conference co-championship which they shared with Pacific Lutheran University, both at 27-5 in the league. The Bruins defeated the Lutes in a one-game playoff for the NWC's automatic berth in the national tournament, then finished second to Chapman University in the West Regional. George Fox was ranked 12th in the final D3baseball.com poll and 20th in the final Collegiate Baseball poll, which was taken before the post-season began.
Led by First Team All-America left fielder Matt Wyckoff, the NWC Player of the Year, and Second Team All-America second baseman Bo Thunell, the Bruins posted a .367 team batting average (the second-highest in GFU history and third-best in the nation) and a .545 slugging percentage (eighth-highest nationally). Both graduated, along with Second Team All-NWC center fielder Kyle Kuenzi, and two All-NWC honorable mentions, third baseman Pat Bailey and designated hitter Todd Siler. First Team All-NWC shortstop Taylor Hunter, the coach's son, transferred to Oregon State University to try his hand at the D-I level as a junior.
"We have the pieces of the puzzle in terms of quality athletes to fill our open spots," says Hunter. "Now it is just a matter of juggling the pieces until we can find the proper place for each."
Pitching
Bruin hurlers finished 46th nationally in earned run average (4.46) last season, and Hunter expects this year's staff to perform equally well despite the loss of two starters from their rotation: Nick Bratney, a Second Team All-NWC selection, and Shane Dalgleish, who was All-NWC honorable mention.
"We have one of the deepest staffs we have ever had," notes Hunter, "with 10 or 11 guys I would be comfortable with on the mound. Our task before conference play starts will be finding out exactly where each one fits and what role each is best at."
Anchoring the returning staff are Third Team All-West Region and First Team All-NWC closer Chad Jones (Sr., McMinnville,Ore. / McMinnville HS / Chemeketa CC), Second Team All-NWC starter Mark Putney (Sr., Kodiak, Alaska / Kodiak HS), and honorable mention All-NWC middle reliever Travis Schroeder (Sr., Kelowna, B.C. / Kelowna HS).
Jones recorded a rare double-double by leading the team in both wins (8) and saves (7), the latter a new season record, while posting team bests of 42 strikeouts with a 2.17 ERA in 49.2 innings. Putney, who missed the early portion of the season while recovering from a sore arm, earned all-league honors for the second year in a row by going 4-1 with a 3.60 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and only 12 walks in 55 innings once he returned. Schroeder was 6-2 with a 5.18 ERA overall and 31 K's in 41.2 innings, but impressed with a 5-0 record and 2.88 ERA in conference play.
"Chad was our stopper and, if we can keep him in that role again, it means the rest of the staff will be doing its job," says Hunter. "Mark will probably be our ace, going against everyone else's No. 1, and we know he can handle it; you can expect a lot of low-scoring games when he's on. Travis has picked up where he left last year and will be a key to our middle relief."
The Bruins hope the return of right-hander Josh Burch (Sr., Redding, Calif. / Shasta HS), who missed all of 2009 after undergoing Tommy John surgery midway through the 2008 season, will bolster the starting staff. Says Hunter, "If Josh is fully healthy, he will be a big boost to our rotation. If for some reason he can't go, we'll have to move people up."
Right-hander Jeremy Cheney (So., Medford, Ore. / Cascade Christian HS) is the leading candidate for the third starting slot after going 1-0 with several no-decisions and a 3.16 ERA as a rookie. Another possibility is Brian Davis (So., Renton, Wash. / Eastside Catholic HS), who was 1-1 with a 5.52 ERA before his season was cut short by an arm injury that resulted in his receiving a medical hardship season from the NCAA.
"Jeremy has looked good and should do well as our No. 3," predicts Hunter. "As for Davis, if his arm is not quite strong enough for starting, he has good stuff and will make an outstanding setup man before Jones."
Hunter expects lots of innings out of newcomer Clay Gartner (Fr., Clovis, Calif. / Clovis East HS) and returnee Brian Ranta (So., Clackamas, Ore. / Rex Putnam, HS), who posted a 2.45 ERA in 3.2 innings last season. "Both have thrown well in practice and are candidates to start if any of the others falter," says Hunter, "but either way, they will both get lots of work. Gartner has good stuff and Ranta is very much like Putney, consistently on the corners with few walks."
Returnees the Bruins will count include Adam Weber (Sr., Omak, Wash. / Omak HS), and Andrew Snyder (Jr., Oceanside, Calif. / Rancho Buena Vista HS), who saw limited action in '09 with no decisions. Tyler Richwine (So., Beaver, Ore. / Nestucca HS) is moving up from the junior varsity program to give the Bruins a southpaw who should see significant time on the mound this spring.
"Adam and Andrew should give us some good innings in middle relief," Hunter forecasts. "Richwine gives us a good situational pitcher who will be called upon to get out left-handed hitter in key situations."
Lane Gillman (So., Eatonville, Wash. / Tacoma, Baptist HS) and Daniel Kephart (Fr., Tucson, Ariz. / University HS) are other left-handers the Bruins could call on. Right-handed prospects for the future include Kevin Hedglin (Fr., Tacoma, Wash. / Curtis HS), Tyeler Yamaguchi (Fr., Vancouver, Wash. / Skyview HS), Spencer Eager (Fr., Bainbridge Island, Wash. / Bainbridge HS), and Brad Gregory (Fr. Springfield, Ore. / Springfield HS).
Catching
The Bruins catching corps will be one of the best in the conference. Incumbent Brent Trask (Sr., Albany, Ore. /Lebanon HS / Linn-Benton CC) was Second Team All-NWC after recovering from an 0-11 start to hit .280-1-13. Seth Monson (Sr., Lacey, Wash. / Olympia HS) is a veteran who hit .167-0-1 in limited duty. Josh Rapacz (Fr., West Richland, Wash. / Richland HS) is a talented prospect who has received high marks from area scouts.
"Brent recovered nicely from a slow start last season and should again give us solid play behind the plate," says Hunter. "Josh is going to be a good one and will see plenty of playing time as a freshman, spelling Trask and giving us some productive at bats as a designated hitter when he's not playing defense. Seth is a knowledgeable backstop and excellent handler of pitchers."
Daniel Casarez (Fr., Fall Creek, Ore. / Lowell HS) and Ryan Matheny (Fr., Oregon City, Ore. / Central Catholic HS) will provide additional backstop depth.
Infield
Three-fourths of the Bruin infield will be new, with only Seth Anderson (Sr., Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS / Wenatchee Valley CC) returning at first base. Anderson posted impressive numbers of .383-3-36 along with 14 doubles and six stolen bases, but was over-shadowed for conference honors by a wealth of powerful first sackers around the league. John Mountz (So., Prineville, Ore. / Crook County HS) will back him up after playing junior varsity ball last year, as will Jay Kirchhofer (Jr., Oregon City, Ore. / Oregon City HS), who missed all of last season due to an arm injury.
"Seth will probably be our No. 4 hitter and should significantly increase his RBI production in that slot," says Hunter. "He should be one of the top run-producers in the league this fall.
Eric Gantenbein (Jr., Warrenton, Ore. / Warrenton HS), the Bruins' No. 2 catcher last year, has moved to third base to take advantage of his outstanding bat, which produced numbers of .311-1-13 last year. Cody Curtin (Jr., Portland, Ore. / Benson HS) hit .375-0-15 as a utility player last year and is the front-runner for the shortstop position. He could be paired around the keystone with either returnee Colton Thomas (So., Eugene, Ore. / Marist HS), who hit .300-0-1, or newcomer Sam Stahl (Jr., Vista, Calif. / Rancho Buena Vista HS), a transfer from Chemeketa Community College, at second.
"Eric he has good hands and catches anything he gets to," observes Hunter. "We know he's going to hit. Cody proved to be a good hitter when he got his chances last year and will probably hit up in the order this year, maybe second. Colton is a good defensive player who will give us some surprising pop in the latter part of the order. Sam is a versatile athlete who can play three positions and gives us a quality replacement, if not a starter, anywhere on the infield."
Jason Brown (Sr., Battle Ground, Wash. / Prairie HS), who has been both a catcher and a first baseman in his Bruin career, has been working out at second this season; he'll hit wherever he plays, as demonstrated by his .294-3-16 numbers as a part-time designated hitter in ‘09. Gartner could also see some time on the infield at short in his rookie season when he is not pitching. Providing infield depth are third baseman Bryan Martz (Sr., Redding, Calif. / Foothill HS), who hit .500 in limited action in '09, and Wyatt Poland (Fr., Beaverton, Ore. / Sunset HS).
Outfield
Second Team All-NWC choice Dan Winterstein (Jr., Eugene, Ore. / North Eugene HS) returns his line-drive bat and shotgun arm to right field after producing a .418-3-43 season that including 14 doubles and seven steals. "Dan will be counted on as major run-producer in the heart of our order," says Hunter, "probably hitting third in front of Anderson. We'll just need to figure out who is going to hit behind them to protect them."
There are big shoes to fill in center and left with the departure of Wyckoff and Kuenzi, but Hunter likes the way Nate Hickok (Jr., Sherwood, Ore. / Sherwood HS / Corban College) and Perry Knudson (Sr., Port Angeles, Wash. / Port Angeles HS) have stepped up to accept the challenges. Hickok, who had only three at bats last season, and Knudson, who hit .275-0-8, give the Bruins some left-handed pop in the lineup.
"Nate can really go get it and could nail down the job in center as well as hit lead-off," notes Hunter. "Perry has had a good spring at the plate and might be the one to hit behind our 3-4 guys. Either one can handle both center and left."
Veterans whom Hunter can call on for outfield duty include lefty-swinging Michael Woo (Sr., Cedar Mill, Ore. / Sunset HS), who hit .289-1-7 last season despite persistent leg problems, and Derek Aldrich (Jr., North Bend, Wash. / Mt. Si HS), who went .300-1-3 on the season. Woo can also handle first if needed.
"Michael is a fine hitter if we can keep him healthy," Hunter observes. "Derek swings a good stick and can be used just about anywhere."
Also looking to see some time chasing flies this spring are LeVaughn Williams (So., Oceanside, Calif. / Guajome Park Academy), a junior varsity player last year, and newcomers Todd Nagamine (Fr., Kaneohe, Hawai'i / Mid-Pacific Institute), Emmett Ackerlund (Fr., Hillsboro, Ore. / Veritas School),and Carl Mason (Fr., Woodburn, Ore. / North Marion HS).
Summary
Hunter has high expectations of continuing the winning tradition at George Fox this spring - the Bruins have finished on the plus side of the ledger 14 years in a row and in 21 of the past 22 seasons - despite the loss of 20 letterwinners.
"Sure, we had some power last year, but it wasn't something we relied on," Hunter points out. "We will continue to use the short game, playing an up-tempo style, doing whatever is necessary to manufacture runs and put pressure on the defense. We actually have more speed this year up and down the lineup. Last year our speed was pretty much concentrated in two players (Kuenzi with 23 steals and Wyckoff with 20), but we should have more players in the 10-15 steals range this season.
"Our pitching depth should keep us in most ballgames. We have always prided ourselves on defense (the Bruins were fifth nationally with a .969 fielding average last year and have finished in the top six in the nation in six of the last seven years), and while our defense in some areas this year is untested, I believe our kids will make the plays they are supposed to make."
George Fox was picked to finish third in the Northwest Conference this season behind Pacific Lutheran and Linfield College. In the national polls, the Bruins were tabbed 18th in the Collegiate Baseball poll and 19th by D3baseball.com.
The 2010 season gets under way with four games against teams from the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in the Arizona Desert Classic Feb. 11-14 in Anthem, Ariz. The Bruins will face California Lutheran University Thursday at 10:00 a.m., Occidental College Friday at 2:00 p.m., the University of La Verne Saturday at 10:00 a.m., and Whittier College Sunday at 2:00 p.m. The first home game for the Bruins will be Feb. 23 against Corban College, a single game at 2:00 p.m. at Morse Field.
