In Larry Lee’s stay as the head coach of the Mustangs, he has seen his share of success and failure, accumulating a 223-175-2 record in seven seasons. None of those years, however, have been as painful as this one.
“I think it’s the most challenging (year),” Lee said at Monday’s press conference. “But you have to continue to work at it and try to get some players some valuable experience. On the other end of it, it will make them better.”
This year, the Mustangs (10-26, 3-9 Big West) are likely out of any bid for postseason play. They will have a chance to turn their season around, but the upcoming schedule won’t make it easy. The Mustangs will return home to take on Long Beach State (19-18, 6-6) this weekend, followed by UC Irvine next weekend. Both are teams that still have a chance for making a run for the top of the conference standings.
On the other hand, the Mustangs are on the outside looking in. They would need a near miracle to dethrone Cal State Fullerton from No. 1 in the Big West.
“It’s tough,” Lee said. “We have tried a lot of things (to turn the season around), but I think it just comes down to working hard in practice … Hopefully they can see some of the progress in game competition.”
At this point, it’s more about learning about the team for upcoming seasons than anything else. With guys like Mason Radeke, Steven Fischback, Ross Brayton and Mitch Haniger — all potentially the best at their respective positions — most likely out for the year, there are many gaps on the field for young players to display their potential as future stars for the Mustangs.
“We’re trying to gain experience for players we think we are going to be able to count on for next year. But at the same time, we are kind of limited in who we think (is) ready to compete at this level,” Lee said.
So, as the season winds down, the search for diamonds in the rough begins. In Lee’s eyes, he has found few.
While there has been a lot of controversy over the lack of pitching depth for the Mustangs, there have been a few impressive arms who have filled in for injured stars.
“Matt Leonard has done a real good job on Fridays,” Lee said. “He’s kept us in a lot of ball games. Jeff Johnson out of the bullpen has been really solid. By looking at his numbers you can’t tell, but he has had some real good outings. Eugene Wright has gone from the bullpen to a Sunday starter, has developed a couple of extra pitches and has been competitive on Sundays.”
Off the mound, catcher Jordan Hadlock has caught Lee’s attention. After being asked to fill in for Brayton, a transfer who hit .393 just a season ago, Hadlock grasped his opportunity. He has started 11 games, played in 24 total and is hitting .333 — an average tied for first on the team with the injured Haniger.
“He started No. 3 on the depth chart, and Ross Brayton went down with a bad knee,” Lee said. “Jordan got his chance and made the most of it. Right now he’s done really well. So, we’re looking for more of those types of scenarios and we’ve given some guys limited opportunities, but we’ll continue to try and win each game.”
But the Mustangs will have to prove themselves against tough competition.
“Long Beach (State) is one of the programs out here on the West Coast,” Lee said. “They enjoy playing at our place … When they get up here, offensively they seem to do really well. (The series) will still boil down to who can pitch and who can play defense.”
Long Beach State won two of three against UC Santa Barbara last weekend, earning 12-1 and 8-4 victories, before dropping the finale, 4-1. They returned seven position starters and five pitchers this season, off a team that went 25-29 a year ago.
This year, they have six hitters hitting above .300 with one hitting above .400 — Devin Lohman (.411, 16 doubles, 23 RBI). Long Beach State is hitting .308 as a team.
On the mound, expected starters are sophomore Andrew Gagnon (4-4, 2.98 ERA), sophomore Branden Pinder (3-5, 3.52 ERA) and junior Jake Thompson (5-1, 4.66 ERA), all right-handers.
First pitch for Friday’s game will be at 6 p.m. in Baggett Stadium.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Lee said.