CSUDH Baseball Weekly Release
January 31, 2002

THIS WEEK IN TOROS BASEBALL
Feb. 2 CSUDH @ Biola University BU Field, 12:00 pm

WHAT'S ON TAP: The Toros kick-off their 2002 season at NAIA power Biola University. The Eagles are ranked No. 8 in the NAIA preseason polls after finishing last year with a 46-13 overall record and a berth into the NAIA World Series.

TOROS LOOK TO BUILD ON STRONG 2001 SEASON: The 2002 CSUDH baseball squad will look to build off a solid 2001 season last year. The Toros finished two games out from earning a berth to the CCAA playoffs after dropping three of four games at San Francisco State to close out the season. But the return of 13 letterwinner's from last year and four starters adds experience to a strong recruiting class.

On the mound, junior RHP Chris Ingstad returns after proving himself an effective starter. In 2001, Ingstad recorded a 6-4 record and a 4.39 ERA in 15 starts on the mound. The Toros also return one of the top closer's in the country in Brian Cortes. The junior RHP was third in the country in '01 with 16 saves and is now the all-time CSUDH saves leader with 23 saves. Six new hurlers, including top recruits RHP Rick Moore (Victor Valley JC) and LHP Brad Allen (Mt. SAC), will help solidify an already strong rotation.

CSUDH had to replace the entire left side of the infield with the graduation of 3B Steve Hindman and SS Joe Francisco. Coach Wing got an unexpected surprise with the transfer of 3B Damien Lopez from San Francisco State where he was one of two players to start and play in all 53 games. Sophomore Eric Pringle will move over from second the shortstop and is making the adjustment look easy. He enjoyed a strong winter season and has shown quick hands and a strong arm. Sophomore 2B Jesus Hernandez will fill Pringle's shoes at second. Hernandez redshirted last year after hitting .231 as a frosh in 2000. Look for him to have a breakthrough season on the right side of the field. Returning to the first base bag is senior Danny Jacobs who was productive with 5 HR and 24 RBI last year. He also notched a solid .994 fielding percentage with only 3 errors on the season. The infield will get depth from three newcomers headlined by junior Nate Hadaway. The junior second baseman is solid defensively and will provide a spark off the bench with a good bat and speed. 2002 could be the first year the Toros have a bona fide designated hitter in the lineup since Alex Figueroa in 1997. Junior Frank Perez transfers to CSUDH from LA Harbor JC where he was an All-American putting up back-to-back 50 RBI seasons. Perez has a run-producing mentality and should provide the offense that left with Steve Hindman's bat.

The outfield appears set with All-CCAA returner Joe Gevas moving over to right field. Last year, Gevas hit .327 with 5 HR and 38 RBI despite missing some of the year with minor injuries. This year the junior is healthy from the start and ready to prove he is one of the top hitters in the league. Newcomer Jason Pruitt will get the nod in center. Pruitt is a senior transfer from Armstrong Atlantic State where he hit .353 and knocked in 32 RBI in 48 games. Pruitt is a "blue collar" type player with a great work ethic that will fit in nicely with the squad. In left field will be Mt. SAC junior transfer Mike Milstead. He has a great bat with excellent speed. Milstead could prove to be one of the top defensive outfielders on the team. Four others will be vying for playing time including junior Damon Felder. A junior transfer from College of Marin, Felder has a good glove and strong arm with exceptional speed and is able to hit the ball to all fields. Look for newcomers Mike Roux, Michael Gray and Marlon Vasquez to battle for playing time in the outfield.

NEW LOOK: The 2002 Toros will sport a new look to begin the season with five of the starting nine new to the program. 1B Danny Jacobs, C Edgar Esqueda, SS Eric Pringle and RF Joe Gevas are returning players that will get the nod on opening day on Saturday against Biola.

I'LL HAVE A DOUBLE: Junior RF Joe Gevas returns after leading the Toros in doubles last year with 18. Gevas came just two doubles away from breaking the CSUDH all-time mark of 20 set by Darrell Conner (1990). Gevas is on pace to break the all-time career mark of 45 set by Fred Hanker (1984-87) with 25 doubles in his first two seasons.

CORTES SPELLS RELIEF: Junior reliever Brian Cortes broke the CSUDH all-time career and season saves record last year. Cortes ranked third in the nation with 16 saves breaking the previous Toros mark of 12 set by Jamin Kear (1997). He also has 23 career saves which broke Kear's record of 19 set from 1996-97.

CATCH OF THE DAY: Senior catcher Edgar Esqueda established himself as one of the top defensive catchers in the league last year. Esqueda threw out an amazing 47% of potential base stealers (23-49).

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