USD Baseball 1983

1983 USD PROSPECTUS

Last season saw the Toreros finish under the .500 mark in the Southern California Baseball Association for the first time since their inception in 1979 with a 13-15 record and 29-24-1 overall record. The Toreros are anxiously awaiting the 1983 season, however, they will have to overcome the loss of several key personnel. Gone are All-League pitcher Glenn Godwin (14-4, drafted by the Oakland A's), Andy Asaro (.303 B.A., 5 HR's and 44 RBl 's) and six other pitchers that accounted for 12 more victories. Senior Chris Ciampa is the only experienced pitcher returning with a 3-2 record from '82. Top returners for Coach Cunningham include senior catcher Steve Sciacca (.298 B.A., 4 HR's and 44 RBl 's) and senior leftfielder Andre Jacas (.280 B.A., 41 runs scored and 35 stolen bases). At the corners, sophomore Laci Nagypal returns at 38 (.316 B.A., 10 doubles) while sophomore Eric Bennett looks to be the starter at 18. Up the middle, senior second baseman Bruce Tomlinson (.984 fielding percentage) and sophomore shortstop Paul Van Stone (.362 B.A.) are back to turn the double play and clog up the middle defensively. 5th year man John Mullen will be back in rightfield after batting .301 and a team leading 7 triples. In centerfield, freshman David Jacas has earned the starting position after a fine winter perfor- mance. David was drafted in the 13th round by the New York Mets. Success this season will depend heavily on how well the new pitching crew comes around. Besides returnee Chris Ciampa, Coach Cunningham is counting on Junior College transfers Mike Fazekas (9-3 and MVP at San Diego Mesa) and Russ Applegate (9-3, 1.59 ERA and 97 K's at Palomar College) to step in and help out immediately. Other returners are senior Kevin Cammall and sophomore Bob Cannady while newcomers to the staff include juniors Eric Sweet and Ken May, sophomore Mark Hawblitzel and freshmen Casey Morales and Ed Dauer. "Our biggest obstacle will be overcoming the loss of our starting rotation and left handed power hitting. We'll be strong defensively and better in the base running department. We'll have to play sound fundamentals and fight and scratch for everything. As always, we will be competitive in the Southern California Baseball Association," stated Coach John Cunningham.

John Mullen returns for his fourth season as a USO Torero. John led the SCBA in triples last season with 7 and batted .301.

4