USD Baseball 1988

1988 UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO BASEBALL OUTLOOK John Cunningham's 25th season as the University of San Diego head coach has the ingredients for a very special season. Last season saw the Toreros finish 31-23-1 , marking the sixth time a Cunningham squad had finished with 30 or more victories. USD's only key loss from the '87 squad was Robbie Rogers, a Third Team Academic All-America selection, who played four years at USD and paced last year's team with a .373 batting average. The overall strength of this year's team should be its ability to put runs on the scoreboard. It could be one of USD's better hitting teams in recent memory. Six players return that batted above .300 and the heart of the lineup returns three proven hitters in Mark Trafton, Sean Baron and Dave Rolls. Trafton and Baron are both 1988 All-America candidates for USO who put together some impressive numbers in 1987. Trafton, USO's left- fielder, set a WCAC and USD single season record with 59 runs scored while batting .321 and 51 RBl's. First baseman Sean Baron, with 16 HR's in '87, is an excellent power hitter who is a threat to hit it long everytime up. Baron batted .345 last season while leading the Toreros in homeruns and RBl 's (56). Dave Rolls, who will move to catcher in his senior campaign , slipped to .302 and 5 HR's in '87 after belting 13 dingers and knocking in 48 runs in his sophomore season. Juniors Chuck Graham (.352 B.A.), Andy Roberts (.326 B.A.) and Chris Bwy (.368 B.A.) can also swing the bat. The Torero infield, without 4-year player Robbie Rogers, will have a new look in 1988. Junior Chris Bwy will move from second base to shortstop and junior Andy Roberts from third to second. Third base is up for grabs, with junior returner Chris Stout and newcomers Rick Doane (Clairemont H.S.) and Steve Skamnes (Judge Memorial H.S.) battling for the starting spot. Senior Sean Baron returns at first base and could be one of the best in the west. Senior Mark Trafton again is the key man in the outfield, but will be helped by speedster Scott Kawall , a junior transfer from Waubonsee C.C. in Naperville, Illinois. Junior Chuck Graham will also see con- siderable action in leftfield. The strong arm of Dave Rolls behind the plate should stymie many would-be base stealers. Chuck Graham, along with strong-armed newcomer Steve Stumpfl (Hudson H.S. in Ohio), will also see action behind the plate. Sophomore lefthander Louis Skertich (6-3 in '87) will anchor the pitching staff which should be much improved with the addition of transfer Mike Newby (Mt. San Jacinto C.C.) and freshmen James Ferguson (9-1-1 at Servile H.S.) and Jeff Murphy (5-0 at Sahuaro H.S. in Tucson, AZ). Senior Mark Manor (2-0, 2.63 ERA) will be joining the staff full time this year since his basketball days are over. Sophomore Pat Fitzsimons (4-3 in '87) should be more consistent and junior Jim Westlund (6-2 with 35 appearances) is ready for another good year. The 1988 Toreros are facing their toughest schedule in the school's history. Fortunately, USO appears equipped to do battle with the best. All-America candidate Sean Baron could be one of the premier hitters in the west. The infield is solid and the pitching staff is deeper than in years past. It may take a few games for people to adjust to new posi- tions but the talent and experience is there to compete with anyone. The team's improved pitching should complement the team's strength - the ability to score runs! The 1988 Toreros could be ready to make a serious run at the West Coast Athletic Conference leaders.

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