The annual Cal State East Bay Baseball Summer Camps will be held on July 20-23 for players 7 to 12 years of age and July 27-30 for players 13 to 15 years of age. All instruction will be provided by the Cal St East Bay coaching staff using the fundamentals and drills utilized by the college team.
Get more information on 2009 Summer Baseball Camps
MARK MARELICH SELECTED TO ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT VIII TEAM/BRIAN LLOYD NAMED TO RAWLINGS NCAA III WEST REGION GOLD GLOVE TEAM
Senior third baseman Mark Marelich has been named to the 2009 ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII College Division Baseball Team as voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on May 8. Marelich compiled a 3.90 grade point average, made the Dean's List five times and earned Magna Cum Laude. He will graduate from CSUEB in June with a Business degree in Finance and Corporate Management. Shortstop Brian Lloyd was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings Gold Glove NCAA Division III All-West Region Team.
PIONEER BASEBALL PLAYERS HONORED AT THE SEASON-ENDING BANQUET
The Pioneer baseball team held their banquet on May 31st. Brian Lloyd was selected as the "Player of the Year". Mark Marelich was named "Top Hitter" and "Academic Player of the Year". Matt McCormick received the "Top Pitcher" award while John Volk was the recipient of the "Pioneer Award". The "Gold Glove Award" went to catcher Jake Walter. Devin Grigg was the "Newcomer of the Year".
PIONEERS WELL REPRESENTED ON ASSOCIATION OF DIVISION III INDEPENDENTS ALL-INDEPENDENT BASEBALL TEAMS
The Pioneers landed seven players on the Association of Division III Independents All-Independent Baseball Teams. Four players earned first team honors including pitcher Matt McCormick, shortstop Brian Lloyd and outfielders Devin Grigg and Stephen Gatehouse. McCormick started 12 games for the Pioneers compiling a 4-4 record with a 3.77 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 71.2 innings. He allowed no earned runs with three strikeouts in a 5-2 win over Chapman and blanked U. of LaVerne for seven innings on four hits and six strikeouts in a 1-0 victory. Lloyd hit .320 and had a team-best 14 doubles. He hit safely in 33 games and had 13 mulit-hit games. Grigg was the Pioneers second leading hitter with a .327 batting average. He posted team-highs of 53 hits, four home runs, 35 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. Grigg hit safely in 30 games with 14 multi-hit contests. Gatehouse led the Pioneers with 37 runs scored and had a .410 on base percentage. He hit safely in 29 games and had a 21-game hitting streak. Third baseman Mark Marelich was a second team selection. Marelich led the Pioneers in hitting (.333), triples (3), and slugging percentage (.486). He recorded 15 multi-hit contests and hit safely in 28 games. Catcher Jake Walter and relief pitcher John Volk received honorable mention recognition. Walter caught in 341 of 349 innings for the Pioneers. He compiled an impressive .996 fielding percentage from his catching position. At the plate, Walter hit for a .268 batting average. Volk appeared in 17 games with a 3-2 record and a 2.88 ERA. He had 11 scoreless outings and three holds.
PIONEERS CONCLUDE REGULAR SEASON ON THREE-GAME WINNING STREAK
The Pioneer baseball team concluded the regular season with a record of 16-24. Cal State East Bay concluded the regular season with a three-game winning streak. As a team, the Pioneers outscored their opponents 236-230 and hit .276. Cal State East Bay had a .968 fielding percentage (12th-NCAA III). The pitching staff compiled a 4.90 earned run average. Cal State East Bay had 66 stolen bases compared to 39 for the opposition. Mark Marelich was the Pioneers top hitter with a .333 batting average and .486 slugging percentage. Devin Grigg hit .327 with 34 runs scored, four home runs and a team-high 35 RBI. Grigg also had a team-best 21 stolen bases. Brian Lloyd had a .320 batting average and a team-high 14 doubles. James McShane had a .313 batting average while Tyler Shook hit .304 with two home runs and 18 RBI. Stephen Gatehouse hit .284 with a team-high 37 runs scored. Gatehouse was second on the Pioneers with 11 doubles. John Howard had a .277 batting average while Jake Walter hit .268 for the season. Walter has an excellent .996 fielding percentage from his catching position. Starting pitcher Matt McCormick was 4-4 with a 3.77 earned run average and 42 strikeouts. Aaron Hannigan had a staff-best 48 strikeouts. Ken Cedillo was 3-5 with 38 strikeouts. Reliever John Volk was 3-2 with a 2.88 earned run average. Volk had a 31-12 strikeout to walk ratio. Cody Hazen, with five saves, is the all-time career save leader with 16. Senior Roberto Rodriguez compiled a 2-0 record with a 3.54 earned run average.
ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ TOSSES 1-HIT SHUTOUT OVER SONOMA STATE
Getting his first start of the season, senior Roberto Rodriguez tossed a 1-hit shutout as the Pioneers ended the 2009 season on April 28 with a 1-0 victory over Sonoma State. Rodriguez (2-0) didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning and retired 15 of the last 17 Sonoma State hitters. He recorded five strikeouts. "My slider was going good today, Rodriguez said. "I challenged the hitters and kept in the zone." To throw a one-hit shutout in my last game as a Pioneer is a great feeling." The Pioneers scored their lone run in the fourth inning. Devin Grigg was safe on a fielders choice and proceeded to steal second and third. John Howard followed with a single to score Grigg. Howard was 3-for-3 at the plate. Tyler Shook doubled twice to end his playing career with the Pioneers.
PIONEERS POST 2-1 RECORD AT CHAPMAN INVITATIONAL
The Pioneers posted a 2-1 record at the Chapman Invitational on April 24-26. Cal State East Bay opened tournament play on April 24 with a 4-1 defeat to Chapman. Pioneer pitcher Ken Cedillo went the distance allowing four runs on eight hits and four strikeouts. On April 25, the Pioneers defeated Menlo College 12-7. Pitcher John Volk, starting his first game of the season, allowed two runs with a season-high eight strikeouts in picking up the victory. Joey Luoma had a two-run single in the fifth. The Pioneers scored six runs in the eighth highlighted by a three-run home run by Jake Walter and a two-run single off the bat of James McShane. Walter had three hits and drove in four runs. Brian Lloyd was 4-for-6 at the plate and scored twice while Jeff Croft had a pair of hits and scored three runs. The Pioneers concluded tournament play on April 26 with an 8-1 victory over University of Redlands. Three Pioneer pitchers: Aaron Hannigan, Matt McCormick, and Cody Hazen limited Redlands to no earned runs, six hits, and three strikeouts. Hannigan hurled the first five innings allowing no earned runs on four hits and one strikeout to earn his second victory of the season. Devin Grigg had a two-run double to highlight a four-run, first inning for the Pioneers. John Howard doubled home two runs in the fifth inning. Howard was 2-for-3 at the plate with four RBI. Mark Marelich was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored. Grigg drove in three runs while Tyler Shook had two hits and scored twice. Joey Luoma, Mark Marelich, Devin Grigg, and Tyler Shook were all named to the Chapman Invitaional All-Tournament Team. Brian Lloyd received the Golden Glove Award.
PIONEERS LOSE THREE GAMES TO CLAREMONT-MUDD-SCRIPPS
The Pioneers lost three games to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on April 17-19. On April 17, the Pioneers lost to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 13-5. Mark Marelich homered and drove in a pair of runs. Stephen Gatehouse was 2-for-4 at the plate and scored twice. On April 18, the Pioneers lost a tough 9-8 decision to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. The Pioneers overcame a 6-2 deficit by scoring three runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh inning to take an 8-6 lead. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps won the game with two runs in the eighth and one run in the ninth inning. Reliever John Volk hurled 6.2 innings of shutout baseball. He scattered four hits and recorded four strikeouts. Devin Grigg was 4-for-5 at the plate while James McShane had three hits and scored twice in five batting appearances. Brian Lloyd, Trevor Nathanson, and Jake Walter all had two hits. On April 19, the Pioneers lost to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 13-6. Devin Grigg drove in a pair of runs while Stephen Gatehouse, Tyler Shook, and Brian Lloyd all had two hits.
PIONEERS TAKE TWO OUT OF THREE GAMES FROM VISITING U. OF LAVERNE ON APRIL 10-11
The Pioneers took two out of three games from visiting U. of LaVerne on April 10-11. Cal State East Bay opened the three game series on April 10 with a 1-0 victory over U. of LaVerne. Pitcher Matt McCormick evened his record at 4-4 limiting U. of LaVerne to four hits with six strikeouts in seven innings. John Volk pitched a scoreless eighth while Cody Hazen faced four batters without allowing a run to pick up the save. The Pioneers scored their lone run in the third inning. James McShane reached on a fielders choice and later scored on a single off the bat of Tyler Shook. On April 11, the two teams split a doubleheader with U. of LaVerne winning the first game 4-2 while the Pioneers took the second contest 8-6. In the opener, pitcher Aaron Hannigan allowed no earned runs with six strikeouts in seven innings. Reliever Greg Fisher retired six straight LaVerne hitters. James McShane and Jake Walter each drove in a run. Steven Gatehouse had a pair of hits. The Pioneers overcame a 5-4 deficit with four runs in the bottom of the seventh in the second game to take the series. Mark Marelich hit a two-run single in the first inning to give the Pioneers a 2-1 advantage. Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth, the Pioneers scored two runs on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Brian Lloyd. In the seventh, the Pioneers pushed across four runs on one hit, an RBI single by Tyler Shook and scored on a double steal. Marelich and Lloyd each drove in a pair of runs. Devin Grigg was 2-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored. Pitcher Ken Cedillo picked up his third win of the season. John Volk recorded his second hold of the series with a scoreless eighth inning. Cody Hazen picked up his fifth save with a scoreless ninth.
SOLID PITCHING, CLUTCH HITTING ENABLES PIONEERS TO TAKE TWO OUT OF THREE GAMES FROM CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
The Pioneers used good pitching and timely hitting to win two out of three games from Chapman University on April 3-5. On April 3, the Pioneers scored four runs in the first inning en route to a 5-2 victory over Chapman. Devin Grigg hit a two-run home run while Brian Lloyd had a run-scoring double in the first inning. Lloyd was 3-for-4 at the plate while Mark Marelich had a pair of hits with an RBI. Starting pitcher Matt McCormick hurled an outstanding game limiting the Panthers to four hits and no earned runs in seven innings. On April 4, the Pioneers lost 2-1 to Chapman University. Starting pitcher Aaron Hannigan had a solid outing as he allowed two runs on five hits and six strikeouts in seven innings.The Pioneers scored their lone run in the third inning as James McShane opened the inning with a single and later scored on a base hit off the bat of Stephen Gatehouse. McShane was 2-for-3 at the plate. Cal State East Bay took the three-game series from Chapman University on April 5 with a 5-4, 10 inning victory. Cal State East Bay tied the game 2-2 on a two-run home run off the bat of Brian Lloyd in the sixth inning. The Pioneers took a 3-2 lead in the seventh on Devin Grigg's run scoring single which scored Stephen Gatehouse who doubled in the inning. Trailing 4-3, the Pioneers tied the game in the ninth inning. With two outs, Grigg was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a stolen base. Mark Marelich followed with an RBI single to score Grigg. With two outs in the bottom of the 10th, Jake Walter singled and scored on a double by Gatehouse. Besides driving in the winning run, Gatehouse had four hits. Marelich, Lloyd, and McShane all had two hits. Starting pitcher Ken Cedillo allowed three earned runs with three strikeouts in 7.1 innings. Reliever Cody Hazen held Chapman scoreless in the ninth and 10th innings to pick up his first win of the season.
PIONEERS LOSE THREE-GAME SERIES TO LINFIELD COLLEGE (20-3)
The Pioneers were swept in a three-game series by Linfield College (20-3) on March 27-29. On March 27, Cal State East Bay lost a single game 6-5. The Pioneers led 5-4 after six innings. Linfield scored twice in the bottom of the eighth inning to secure the victory. Starting pitcher Matt McCormick allowed four runs with two strikeouts in six innings. James McShane hit a solo home run while Jake Walter was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Tyler Shook, Devin Grigg, and Jeff Croft each drove in a run. On March 29, the Pioneers were swept in a doubleheader 9-0 and 7-3. In the opener, reliever Greg Fisher hurled 4.2 innings of scoreless baseball. Fisher recorded two strikeouts. Joey Luoma had a pair of hits. In the second game, Mark Marelich had two hits including a triple and drove in a run. Brian Lloyd had an RBI double.
PIONEERS PLAY THREE CLOSE GAMES WITH GEORGE FOX (15-4)
In a series that went down to the last inning in all three games, the Pioneers won one out of three games against George Fox (15-4) on March 21-22. On March 21, the two teams split a doubleheader with George Fox winning the first game 9-8 while Cal State East Bay won the second contest 8-6. In the first game, the Pioneers trailed 9-1 after seven innings. Cal State East Bay rallied for seven runs in the eighth inning highlighted by a three-run home run by Tyler Shook. James McShane opened the ninth with a double, but was doubled off second base to end the game. Besides Shook, Devin Grigg and Mark Marelich also homered. Grigg had two hits. The Pioneers scored four runs in the seventh inning en route to an 8-6 victory in the second game. Devin Grigg hit a three-run home run followed by a solo shot off the bat of Brian Lloyd in the seventh inning. Grigg drove in five runs while Stephen Gatehouse, Tyler Shook, and Lloyd all scored twice and had two hits. Reliever John Volk held George Fox scoreless for 2.1 innings with three strikeouts to pick up his second win of the season. Cody Hazen retired the side in order in the ninth inning to record his third save. On March 22, the Pioneers had a 9-4 lead only to see George Fox comeback with five runs in the eighth and two in the ninth to defeat the Pioneers 11-10. Mark Marelich had three hits including two doubles and drove in a pair of runs with a single in the first inning. Stephen Gatehouse scored three runs while Jeff Croft had an RBI single in the ninth inning to give the Pioneers a 10-9 lead.
PIONEERS SWEPT IN THREE-GAME SERIES BY CAL LUTHERAN
The Pioneers were swept in a three-game series by visiting Cal Lutheran University on March 13-14. On March 13, Cal State lost to Cal Lutheran 9-2. Reliever Tyler King hurled 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball allowing no hits with one strikeout. Stephen Gatehouse was 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored. Mark Marelich and Jake Walter each drove in a run. A pair a late inning rallies fell short as the Pioneers lost a doubleheader 5-4 in 10 innings and 6-5. Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the 10th inning, the Pioneers rallied for two runs on a two-run single by John Howard. Cal State left the tying run at first base. Starting pitcher Aaron Hannigan allowed no earned runs with five strikeouts in six innings. Reliever John Volk got a big out in the seventh inning and allowed one run in 2.1 innings. Mark Marelich and Howard each drove in a pair of runs. Jimmy Ly scored twice and had a stolen base while Joey Luoma banged out two hits. In the second game, the Pioneers trailed 5-0 after six innings. Tyler Shook hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning. Trailing 6-2, the Pioneers rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth highlighted by a pair of run scoring singles off the bats of Mark Marelich and Brian Lloyd. Marelich scored the third run on a wild pitch. The Pioneers left the bases loaded with one out as the game was called due to darkness after the eighth inning. Devin Grigg was 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored. Brian Lloyd had two hits and drove in a run.
CAL STATE EAST BAY MAKES ITS THREE STRAIGHT WITH 12-2 VICTORY OVER CSU-MONTEREY BAY
The Pioneers made it three straight victories with a 12-2 win over visiting CSU-Monterey Bay on March 10. Cal State East Bay received a solid outing from pitcher Bobby Rodenbach who allowed one run on five hits and three strikeouts in six innings. Devin Grigg drove in four runs while Jake Walter was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored. Jimmy Ly and Joey Luoma each had two hits and scored twice.
PIONEERS SWEEP VISITING TRINITY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY IN A DOUBLEHEADER ON MARCH 6
The Pioneers took a doubleheader from visiting Trinity University 22-1 and 19-9 on March 6. In the first game, Mark Marelich was 4-for-4 at the plate with six RBIs, a pair of doubles and a home run. Devin Grigg was 3-for-5 at the plate with four runs scored and two RBIs. James McShane drove in three runs while Stephen Gatehouse and Brian Lloyd each had two RBIs. Starting pitcher Matt McCormick allowed one run and recorded three strikeouts in five innings to pick up the win. Relievers Tim Rodriquez, Tyler King, and Aaron Hannigan allowed only one hit in four innings. In the second game, John Howard drove in five runs while Brian Lloyd had four RBIs. Devin Grigg was 4-for-5 at the plate with four runs scored.
PIONEERS WIN ONE OUT OF THREE GAMES FROM REDLANDS UNIVERSITY
The Pioneers lost two of three games to Redlands University on February 27-28. On February 27, Cal State East Bay lost to Redlands University 12-6. Mark Marelich was 2-for-4 at the plate with a run batted in. Brian Lloyd drove in a pair of runs. Joey Luoma had a pair of hits with an RBI. Reliever Greg Fisher hurled 1.2 innings of scoreless baseball. On February 28, the Pioneers won the first game of a doubleheader 4-3. Starting pitcher Matt McCormick hurled seven solid innings to pick up the victory. McCormick allowed two runs on four hits with six strikeouts. Reliever Cody Hazen hurled the final two innings to record his second save of the season. Stephen Gatehouse hit a solo home run while Jake Walter drove in a pair of runs. Chad Masters was 2-for-3 at the plate. Cal State East Bay lost 7-4 in the rubber game of the series. Devin Grigg drove in a pair of runs while Jake Walter and Joey Luoma each had two hits.
CAL STATE EAST BAY TAKES ONE OUT OF THREE GAMES FROM WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY
The Pioneers won one of three games from visiting Willamette University on February 20-21. Cal State East Bay lost the opening game 12-4 on February 20. Chris Romo was 2-for-4 at the plate with a home run and two RBIs. On February 21 the two teams split a doubleheader with Willamette University winning the first game 6-5 in 12 innings while Cal State East Bay took the second contest 8-3. In the opener, Devin Grigg had four hits and drove in a run. Joey Luoma drove in a pair of runs while Jimmy Ly and Chad Masters each scored twice and had two hits. Ly had two stolen bases. The Pioneers received a solid outing from reliever Cody Hazen who allowed one run with seven strikeouts in four innings. In the second game, the Pioneers scored three runs in the first and four more runs in the fifth to secure the victory. Jimmy Ly was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two stolen bases. In the doubleheader, Ly was 5-for-9 at the plate with four runs scored and four stolen bases. Brian Lloyd and Chad Masters each drove in a pair of runs. Mark Marelich was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Pitcher Aaron Hannigan allowed two earned runs with five strikeouts in seven innings.
PIONEERS WIN ONE OUT OF THREE GAMES FROM TEXAS LUTHERAN
Pitcher Ken Cedillo improved to 2-0 as the Pioneers defeated Texas Lutheran 9-1 on February 13. Cedillo allowed no earned runs with three strikeouts in 7.1 innings. Reliever Tim Rodriquez hurled 1.2 innings a scoreless baseball. Mark Marelich, John Howard, and Tyler Shook each drove in two runs. Jake Walter and Joey Luma had two hits each. The Pioneers lost to Texas Lutheran 6-2 on February 14. Devin Grigg had two hits including a home run. Stephen Gatehouse and Brian Lloyd each had two hits. Cal State East Bay lost the rubber-match to Texas Lutheran 7-5 on February 15. The Pioneers led 3-0 after two innings only to see Texas Lutheran score five unanswered runs. Cal State East Bay scored twice in the seventh to tie the game. Texas Lutheran scored twice in the eighth inning. Devin Grigg and Chad Masters each drove in a pair of runs.
PIONEERS TAKE TWO OUT OF THREE GAMES FROM MENLO COLLEGE
Cal State East Bay took two out of three games from Menlo College on February 7-8. The Pioneers defeated Menlo College 8-1 on February 7. Pitcher Ken Cedillo hurled a complete game allowing no earned runs on five hits and three strikeouts. Mark Marelich was 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs. Jake Walter was also 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored while Joey Luoma drove in a pair of runs. Menlo College and Cal State East Bay split a doubleheader with the Oaks winning the first game 3-2 while the Pioneers took the second contest 4-3. In the first game, starting pitcher Matt McCormick allowed three runs with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Reliever Nick Gorman hurled three shutout innings. Joey Luoma drove in a run. The Pioneers pushed across three runs in the bottom of the eighth to defeat Menlo College 4-3 in the second game. Joey Luoma, with three hits in the game, drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the eighth inning. Reliever John Volk hurled two scoreless innings to pick up the victory while Cody Hazen pitched a scoreless ninth to record his first save of the year.
PIONEERS SUFFER TOUGH 2-1 DEFEAT TO CSU-MONTEREY BAY
The Pioneers suffered a tough 2-1 defeat to CSU-Monterey Bay on February 2. Cal State East Bay tied the game at 1-1 in the seventh inning. Stephen Gatehouse reached on an error and scored on Brian Lloyd's double. CSU-Monterey Bay pushed across an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth to win the game. The Pioneers received a solid pitching performance from starter Matt McCormick who allowed one run on three hits with four strikeouts in six innings.
PIONEERS OPEN 2009 SEASON WITH A PAIR OF DEFEATS TO BETHANY UNIVERSITY
Cal State East Bay opened the 2009 season with a pair of defeats to Bethany University on January 30-31. On January 30, the Pioneers were defeated by Bethany University 7-4. The Pioneers led 4-3 after six innings. Bethany University scored twice in the seventh inning to take the lead 5-4 and added two insurance runs in the eighth. Joey Luoma was 3-for-4 at the plate including a home run and three RBIs. Stephen Gatehouse, Devin Grigg, and Trevor Nathanson each had two hits. Cal State East Bay lost to Bethany University 12-9 on January 31. The Pioneers led 9-4 only to see Bethany University score five runs in the seventh innings and three in the eighth inning. Brian Lloyd homered and drove in three runs. Reliever John Volk hurled two scoreless innings.
2009 CAL STATE EAST BAY BASEBALL PREVIEW
The Pioneer baseball team will display a new look for the 2009 season. Eight players return from the 2008 CSUEB team which finished with a 28-16 record and competed in NCAA Division III post-season play for the fourth time in the past eight years.
"We'll be a solid ball club this season," said Pioneer coach Dirk Morrison. "We have a good group of guys who work hard and can win in a variety of ways."
The starting pitching rotation will consist of Ken Castillo (Cal State Stanislaus), Aaron Hannigan (Los Medanos College) and Matt McCormick (St. Mary's College). "Cedillo, Hannigan, and McCormick are quality pitchers who attack the strike zone," Morrison said. Senior Roberto Rodriguez (0-0, 4.58 e.r.a.),sophomore John Volk (1-0, 3.18 e.r.a), Nick Gorman (Skyline College), Greg Fisher (Cal State Monterey Bay), Tim Rodriquez (Mount Mercy College) and freshman Tyler King (California High School), will be used in the bullpen. The Pioneers return sophomore closer Cody Hazen who set a CSUEB school record with 11 saves. Hazen compiled a 3-1 record with a staff-best 2.73 e.r.a."Hazen is a hard worker,"Morrison said. "We hope he comes after hitters like last season." Bobby Rodenbach (Grand Canyon College) and Joe Schiller (Northwest Nazarene University) will see action on the mound.
Jake Walter, a good receiver and hitter from Laney College, will handle the catching duties. Chris Romo, a legitimate power hitter from Cal State Sacramento along with Chad Masters, from Contra Costa College, will be used at catcher. Romo will also be used as a designated hitter.
Seniors Mark Marelich (.294 batting average, 3 home runs, 23 RBIs) and Joey Luoma (.314, 1 home run, 23 RBIs), return as infielders. Marelich will play third base while Luoma returns at second base. "Marelich is a good all-around player," Morrison said. "He does a lot of things with the bat,". "Luoma comes to play every day." Brian Lloyd, a transfer from the University of Nevada-Reno, will play shortstop. "Lloyd is a talented player who will contribute in the infield." The Pioneers have two good looking newcomers at first base: freshman Trevor Nathanson, Calabasas High School and junior John Howard, Garrett College, West Virginia. The Pioneers have depth in the infield led by junior James McShane and newcomers Jeff Croft, Laney College, Labran Idakoji, Ohlone College, and Pete Vestal, Los Medanos College.
The Pioneers have a talented outfield led by newcomers Devin Grigg, Chabot College, in center field, Stephen Gatehouse, Chabot College in right field, and Jimmy Ly, City College of San Francisco, in left field. Blake Brintz, a freshman from Murrieta High School, wii see action in the outfield. Senior Tyler Shook, along with sophomore Gary Christo, are expected to contribute in the outfield during the 2009 season.
FORMER PIONEER GREAT ARCHIE GILBERT NAMED MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF THE CALIFORNIA LEAGUE SINGLE-A CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
ARCHIE GILBERT, who enjoyed an illustrious four-year playing career while a member of the Cal State East baseball team, was selected the Most Valuable Player of the California League Single-A Championship sereies on September 14. Gilbert led the Stockton Ports to a 3-1 series victory over Lancaster in the Califorina League Single-A Championships. During the post-season, Gilbert batted .600 and drove in eight runs in the four game series against Lancaster. He drove in six runs in the series opener and was 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in the series clincher. During the season, Gilbert hit .278 for the Stockton Ports, a Single-A affiliate of the Oakland A's.
While at Cal State East Bay from 2002-05, Gilbert had a career .358 batting average. He is currently the all-time CSUEB career leader with 169 runs scored, 243 hits, 148 RBIs, 53 doubles, and 15 triples and second in home runs with 26. Gilbert set a school record with a 36-game hitting streak. During his senior campaign, Gilbert was selected as the Cal State East Bay Male Athlete of the Year. He earned All-American honors during his junior campaign.
MATT VIEIRA SIGNS WITH FLORIDA MARLINS
Pioneer hurler Matt Vieira signed with the Florida Marlins organization on June 23. Vieira will leave on June 29 to join the Jamestown Jammers for the short season Class A New York-Penn league season. A four-year hurler for the Pioneers, Vieira posted a 10-2 record with a staff-best 59 strikeouts during the 2008 season. The 10 victories tied a school record for most wins in a year. Vieira becomes the fourth Cal State East Bay baseball player in the past five years to sign with a major league baseball team.
JACOB HABERMAN NAMED TO ABCA/RAWLINGS NCAA DIVISION III NATIONAL GOLD GLOVE TEAM
Cal State East Bay third baseman Jacob Haberman was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings NCAA Division III National Gold Glove Team. Starting in all 44 games at third base for the Pioneers, Haberman compiled a .960 fielding percentage with 93 assists and 27 putouts. Haberman hit .285 with 34 runs scored and 30 RBIs. He hit safely in 31 games and had 12 multi-hit games. Haberman was selected to the Association of Division III Independents All Independent Third Team and named co-winner of the "Pioneer Baseball Award".
PIONEERS RECEIVE POST-SEASON HONORS
The Pioneer baseball team landed six athletes on the Association of Division III Independents All-Independent Teams. Lamonte Toney, named Cal State East Bay Male Athlete of the Year and Pioneers top hitter with a .409 batting average, was named to the first team. Also selected to the first team was pitcher Matt Vieira who compiled a 10-2 record with a staff-best 59 strikeouts and outfielder Michael Thomasson who batted .367 for the season. Vieira was also named third team NCAA Division III All-West Region. Freshman closer Cody Hazen, who set a school record with 11 saves, was named to the second team. Catcher Marc Tuttle (.333 batting average) and infielder Jacob Haberman (.285 batting average-30 RBIs) were third team picks. Haberman was also selected to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings NCAA Division III National Gold Glove Team. The Pioneer baseball team held their banquet on June 1. Lamonte Toney was selected as the "Player of the Year" and "Top Hitter". Matt Vieira was named "Top Pitcher" and "Academic Player of the Year". Jesus Muela received the "Gold Glove" and the "Money Ball" awards. Muela earned the "Money Ball" award by being selected to the NCAA Division III West Region All-Tournament team. Jacob Haberman and Marc Tuttle were co-winners of the "Pioneer Award". Cody Hazen was the "Newcomer of the Year".
PIONEERS CONCLUDE SUCCESSFUL 2008 CAMPAIGN
Cal State East Bay completed the 2008 season with a record of 28-16. The Pioneers were 22-12 against Division III competition and finished 14-5 at home. Cal State East Bay won eight of its last 11 games. As a team the Pioneers hit .325 and scored 7.2 runs a game. Six position players including the designated hitter batted .300 or better for the season. Cal State East Bay had a .954 fielding percentage and 79 stolen bases. Lamonte Toney was the Pioneers top hitter with a .409 batting average. Toney also led the Pioneers with 42 runs scored, eight doubles, 10 home runs, and 40 RBIs. Michael Thomasson had a .367 batting average with seven home runs and 35 RBIs. Domingo Rodriguez hit .385 in 65 plate appearances. Jesus Muela, named to the NCAA Division III West Region All-Tournament team, hit .360 with 36 runs scored, 10 doubles, and 40 RBIs. Marc Tuttle batted .333 with 36 runs scored runs scored, a team-best 11 doubles and 23 RBIs. Joey Luoma, who drove in 23 runs, hit .314 for the season. Patrick Whelly had a .309 batting average with one home run and 15 RBIS. Marco Cartagena hit .303 for the season with 35 runs scored, 27 RBIs and a team-best 16 stolen bases. Mark Marelich hit .294 for the season with 27 runs scored, eight doubles, three home runs and 23 RBIs. Jacob Haberman had a .285 batting average with 34 runs scored, five home runs and 30 RBIs. Pitcher Matt Vieira compiled an 10-2 with a staff best 59 strikeouts. Michael Reed was 4-1 while Todd Whiteaker had a 3-0 record. Kevin Simmons was 3-1 for the season, while Steven Roll had a victory in the NCAA Division III West Regionals and finished 3-3. Freshman reliever John Volk had 12 scoreless appearances. Freshman closer Cody Hazen was 3-1 and had 11 saves-4th NCAA Div. III, a new school record.
PIONEERS DEFEAT U. OF LAVERNE, LOSE TO TRINITY TO END NCAA DIVISION III WEST REGION POST-SEASON TOURNAMENT PLAY
Cal State East Bay baseball team completed NCAA Division III West Region Post-Season Tournament play on May 16 by defeating U. of LaVerne 6-4 and losing to Trinity University 9-5. Pitcher Steven Roll hurled a solid eight innings as he allowed two earned runs with three strikeouts. Closer Cody Hazen picked up his 11th save of the season by pitching a scoreless ninth inning. Domingo Rodriguez was 3-for-3 at the plate while Mark Marelich drove in a pair of runs. A successful season came to an end as the Pioneers lost to Trinity University 9-5. The Pioneers trailed 9-2 before scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Cal State East Bay had the bases loaded with no outs in the ninth, but was unable to score. Jesue Muela had three hits and scored a run while Patrick Whelly was 2-for-4 at the plate with a run driven in. Cody Hazen allowed no earned runs in four innings of work. Jesus Muela and Steven Roll were named to the All-Tournament Team. The Pioneers lost to Trinity University 8-3 in a second round game. Jesus Muela had a pair of hits while Joey Luoma had a home run and drove in a pair of runs.
California State University, East Bay, 25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard, Hayward, CA 94542, (510) 885-3000
