The Cal Poly baseball team returns older and wiser this season. In 2007, the Mustangs fielded an almost entirely new team, including four freshman position players and one freshman pitcher.
But this year is different.
“We’re quite a bit more experienced now,” Cal Poly head coach Larry Lee said.
The Mustangs lost just four players from last season in outfielder Grant Desme, designated hitter Bryan Kepner, starting pitcher Thomas Eager and closer Evan Reed.
Seven position players and five starting pitchers are back this year.
Lee hopes their experience will translate into a strong start. Though the team ended the year with a record of 34-24, a slow beginning stretch in which it went 13-16 kept it out of the postseason.
“Last year we kind of got off to a slow start,” he said. “The game moves pretty fast when you don’t have experience with college baseball. The experience the team has should pay dividends this year.
“A number of players that performed well last year are back and improved,” he added.
Lee cites centerfielder Logan Schafer, third baseman Brent Morel and starting pitcher Eric Massingham as leaders.
Among Cal Poly’s strengths are starting pitching and defense, while lack of depth in the bullpen is a concern, Lee said.
Another concern is an injury to first baseman Adam Buschini, who hit .294 and had a .978 fielding percentage in 2007. He’s currently recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Sophomore starting pitcher Matt Leonard is also out with an injury. Both players are expected to miss the season.
“It’s tough since they’re good players, but we’ll just have to carry on without them,” Massingham said.
Massingham (3-1, 4.17 ERA in 2007) is expected to anchor the starting pitching staff as the Friday starter.
Because of Leonard’s injury, junior Derrick Saito is expected to pitch Saturdays, with sophomore Steven Fischback pitching Sundays.
Returning position players include Schafer and catcher/first baseman Wes Dorrell (.303 batting average in 2007), both All-Big West Conference Second Team selections in 2007.
Other veterans expected to make an impact include senior second baseman Pat Pezet (.279 and 30 RBI), sophomore shortstop Kyle Smith (.279, 33 RBI) and Morel (.333 and 17 doubles).
The 2008 Preseason Big West Coaches Poll picked Cal Poly to earn third place in the Big West, behind Long Beach State and Cal State Fullerton.
Though Lee thinks Cal Poly could take the title, he cites the schedule as a significant obstacle.
“We had the sixth-toughest schedule last year, and this year it’s even harder,” he said.
Regarding the Mustangs’ postseason prospects, he said, “Obviously it’s our goal. But until you play outside competition it’s hard to say.”
Having practiced for about a half-year, though, they won’t be unprepared.
“We’ve been at it since September,” Schafer said. “We worked hard all fall, practicing hitting and pitching and playing scrimmages.”
Morel says the practice and experience will help in realizing a Big West title.
“I think that this is the best team we’ve had since I’ve been here at Cal Poly,” he said.
The Mustangs begin their hunt for the Big West crown at 4:30 p.m. at Alabama.
Their first home game will be at 6 p.m. March 11 against UC Santa Barbara.