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.
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.
PIONEER BASEBALL TEAM OPENS NCAA DIVISION III WEST REGION POST-SEASON TOURNAMENT PLAY WITH 14-7 VICTORY OVER MCMURRY UNIVERSITY
The Pioneer baseball team opened up to an early 11-0 lead and defeated McMurry University 14-7 in the first round of the NCAA Division III West Region Post-Season Tournament. Mark Marelich hit a grand slam while Jesus Muela had five hits and three RBIs. Joey Luoma was 3-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored while Lamonte Toney, Michael Thomasson, and Patrick Whelly each had two hits. Marco Cartagena homered and drove in a pair of runs while Marc Tuttle scored twice. Pitcher Matt Vieira won his 10th game of the season allowing four runs with eight strikeouts in six innings. For the fourth time in the past eight years, the Cal State East Bay baseball team competed in the NCAA Division III West Region Baseball Championship Tournament. The tournament took place on May 14-17 at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. The six-team field included #1 Chapman University (35-3), #2 George Fox (28-12), #3 McMurry University (29-17), #4 Cal State East Bay (26-14), #5 Trinity-Texas (32-13), and #6 La Verne (25-14-1). The Pioneers have competed in the NCAA III post-season tournament in 2001, 2004, and 2006.
PIONEERS GO 4-0 ON ST. LOUIS TRIP TO CONCLUDE REGULAR SEASON
The Pioneer baseball team concluded the regular season on a positive note by winning four games in St. Louis on May 1-3. Cal State East Bay defeated Marysville University. Lamonte Toney, Jacob Haberman, Jesus Muela, and Mark Marelich all homered for the Pioneers. Muela drove in three runs while Haberman and Joey Luoma each had two RBIs. Starting pitcher Todd Whiteaker (3-0), allowed three earned runs with six strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Cal State East Bay took a doubleheader from U. of Washington (St.Louis) 5-4 and 9-6 on May 2. In the first game, Marc Tuttle hit his fourth home run of the season while Jesus Muela drove in a pair of runs. Starting pitcher Matt Vieira improved to 9-2 as he allowed four runs and seven hits in 6.1 innings. He recorded five strikeouts. Reliever Cody Hazen retired the final two batters to record his school record 10th save of the season. The Pioneers overcame a 3-1 deficit by scoring eight runs in the last five innings to complete the doubleheader sweep. Mark Marelich was 3-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Michael Thomasson and Jesus Muela each homered and drove in a pair of runs. Jacob Haberman contributed to the Pioneer victory by going 2-for-5 at the plate with a run scored and a run driven in. Cody Hazen, the third of three Pioneer hurlers, allowed no runs in 2.1 innings to pick up the victory. Cal State East Bay completed the four-game road trip with a 17-4 win over Greenville College on May 3. Pitcher Steven Roll hurled five innings of shutout ball with four strikeouts to win his second victory of the season. Patrick Whelly hit a three run home run and drove in four runs. Michael Thomasson drove in three runs while Jesus Muela scored twice and had two RBIs.
PIONEERS LOSE TO CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
The Pioneers were shutout by visiting Chapman University 17-0 on April 26. Michael Thomasson had a pair of hits while Jacob Haberman hit a double.
FOUR-RUN INNING IGNITES PIONEERS PAST MENLO COLLEGE
Cal State East Bay scored four runs in the second inning and received solid pitching in defeating Menlo College 5-2 on April 25. Marc Tuttle and Michael Thomasson each drove in a pair of runs in the second inning. Jesus Muela had two hits and scored twice. Starting pitcher Matt Vieira improved to 8-2 for the season as he allowed two runs and scattered seven hits in seven innings. Relievers Roberto Rodriguez, Todd Whiteaker, and Cody Hazen held Menlo College scoreless the last two innings. Hazen recorded his ninth save of the season.
PIONEERS HIT FOUR HOME RUNS IN ROAD VICTORY OVER MENLO COLLEGE
The Pioneers hit four home runs and banged out 19 hits en route to a 15-2 victory over Menlo College on April 22. Lamonte Toney hit a pair of home runs and drove in five runs. Mark Tuttle hit a home run and had three RBIs. Kyle Dunn hit a three-run home run while Robert Romero was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored. Kevin Simmons, the second of three Pioneer pitchers, picked up the victory.
PIONEERS FINISH 1-2 IN EAST BAY INVITATIONAL
The Pioneers finished 1-2 in the East Bay Baseball Invitational on April 17-20. Cal State East Bay opened tournament play with a 16-4 defeat to Bethany University. Michael Thomasson homered and scored three runs while Jacob Haberman was 3-for-4 at the plate with a run driven in. Jesus Muela had a pair of RBIs. Pitcher Matt Vieira hurled eight strong innings while reliever Cody Hazen picked up his school record eighth save of the season as the Pioneers defeated Menlo College 3-2. Vieira allowed one run on five hits and four strikeouts. Hazen recorded a pair of strikeouts in the ninth. Marco Cartagena drove in a pair of runs including a solo homerun. The Pioneers concluded tournament play with a 14-12 setback to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. The Pioneers led 9-2 after five innings. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps scored 12 runs in the last four innings to win the game. Michael Thomasson was 4-for-6 at the plate including three doubles and two RBIs. Domingo Rodriguez has three hits and two runs scored while Marco Cartagena and Joey Luoma each drove in a pair of runs. Thomasson and Vieira were both named to the all-tournament team. Vieira was selected as the top pitcher in the tournament.
PIONEERS SWEEP CAL LUTHERAN 5-2 AND 13-5
The Pioneers improved to 19-11 with a doubleheader sweep over Cal Lutheran 5-2 and 13-5 on April 12. In the first game, pitcher Matt Vieira improved to 6-2 as he allowed one earned run with six strikeouts in eight innings. Reliever Cody Hazen pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his seventh save of the season. Marco Cartagena had a pair of doubles and drove in two runs while Domingo Rodriguez was 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and a run batted in. Lamonte Toney, Jesus Muela, and Joey Luoma all had two hits. The Pioneers trailed 5-3 after seven innings in the second game, but rallied to complete the doubleheader sweep with three runs in the eighth and seven runs in the ninth inning. Marco Cartagena and Lamonte Toney each had four hits. Michael Thomasson had three hits including his fifth home run of the season. Mark Marelich drove in three runs while Domingo Rodriguez had three hits and scored three runs. Starting pitcher Kyle Dunn allowed two runs on two hits in six innings. Cody Hazen, the fourth of five Pioneer hurlers, picked up the win.
PIONEERS GET SWEPT BY #1 CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
The Pioneers dropped a three-game series to #1 ranked Chapman University on April 4-6. Cal State East Bay lost the opener 9-4 on April 4. Lamonte Toney had a pair of hits while Marc Tuttle drove in two runs. Joey Luoma was 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in a run. On April 5 the Pioneers lost 9-4. Cal State East Bay jumped out to a 2-0 lead only to see Chapman scored nine unanswered runs. Jacob Haberman was 3-for-5 at the plate with a run scored and run drive in. Patrick Whelly had a pair of hits while Michael Thomasson and Joey Luoma each drove in a run. Reliever Eric Greene allowed no earned runs in 2.1 innings. The Pioneers concluded the three-game series on April 6 with an 11-2 defeat to Chapman. Jesus Muela had two hits including a double and drove in a run. Marco Cartagena and Marc Tuttle also had two hits each.
PIONEERS TAKE TWO OUT OF THREE FROM NWC LEADER LINFIELD COLLEGE
Late inning heriocs enabled the Pioneers to take two out of three games from Northwest Conference Leader Linfield College on March 28-30. Linfield College took the first game of the series 9-4. Jesus Muela was 3 for 4 at the plate with two runs scored. Jacob Haberman drove in a pair of runs while Michael Thomasson and Joey Luoma each had two hits. Lamonte Toney drove in the game winner with a bases loaded single in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Pioneers past Linfield College 4-3 on March 29. The Pioneers scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the third to take a 2-0 lead. Linfield tied the game at 3-3 in the seventh before Toney's game winning hit in the ninth. Toney, along with Marco Cartegena, Patrick Whelly, and Joey Luoma each had two hits. Jesus Muela drove in a pair of runs. Starting pitcher Steven Roll allowed two runs on two hits in 6.1 innings while reliever John Volk held Linfield scoreless in the last 2.2 innings to pick up the win. The Pioneers took the rubber game of the series 3-2 in 12 innings. Cal State East Bay tied the game in the bottom of the ninth on Marc Tuttle's pinch hit which scored Jacob Haberman. With one out in the bottom of the 12th, Tuttle doubled followed by a pair of walks to Marco Cartegena and Patrick Whelly. Lamonte Toney followed with a single to score Tuttle with the winning run. The Pioneers received a solid outing from starting pitcher Kyle Dunn, who allowed one run on three hits with four strikeouts in eight innings. Cody Hazen hurled the final four innings of four-hit ball to pick up his first victory of the season.
PIONEERS LOSE TO #2 RANKED SONOMA STATE
The Pioneers lost to #2 ranked Division II Sonoma State (27-1) 5-1 on March 25. Cal State East Bay only trailed 2-0 after seven innings. Sonoma State scored three insurance runs in the eighth innings. The Pioneers received a solid outing from starting pitcher Adam Halper who scattered seven hits and allowed two runs in 5.1 innings. James McShane was 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in the Pioneers lone run.
PIONEERS IMPROVE TO 15-6 AFTER WINNING TWO OUT OF THREE GAMES OVER GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY
The Pioneers stand at 15-6 after taking two of three games from visiting George Fox University on March 21-22. The two teams split a doubleheader on March 21 with Cal State East Bay winning the opener 10-8 while George Fox took the second game 8-5. Michael Thomasson hit a three-run home run while Marc Tuttle drove in a pair of runs. Dominigo Rodriguez was 3-for-5 at the plate while Mark Marelich, Jesus Muela, and Patrick Whelly each had two hits. Pitcher Matt Vieira picked up his fifth victory of the season while reliever Cody Hazen retired the final two batters to record his fifth save. George Fox scored five unearned runs in the seventh to take the second game. Starting pitcher Kevin Simmons allowed one earned run on one hit and two strikeouts in 4.1 innings. Reliever John Volk hurled two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Cal State East Bay snapped a 2-2 tie with four runs in the fifth to defeat George Fox University 9-5. Jesus Muela had two hits and drove in a pair of runs. Jacob Haberman hit a solo home run and a double. The Pioneers received a solid outing from winning pitcher Kyle Dunn who allowed three earned runs on five hits and two strikeouts in seven innings. Cody Hazen recorded the final two outs to earn his sixth save of the season.
PIONEERS SWEEP BETHANY UNIVERSITY IN DOUBLEHEADER
Cal State East Bay improved to 13-5 for the season with a doubleheader sweep over visiting Bethany University on March 15. The scores were 10-0 and 10-7. Three Pioneer pitchers combined to toss a seven-hit shutout in the opener. Matt Vieira improved to 4-0 as he allowed three hits and seven strikeouts in five innings. Lamonte Toney hit a solo home run and scored three runs. Domingo Rodriguez and Jesus Muela each drove in a pair of runs. In the second game, the Pioneers trailed 6-4, but scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth and added two insurance runs in the seventh to secure the victory. Reliever Steven Roll picked up his first win of the season while Cody Hazen retired the final two batters in the ninth to earn his fourth save. Marc Tuttle and Jacob Haberman each had two hits and drove in a run while Steven Shinkwin had a pair of RBIs.
PIONEERS TAKE TWO OUT OF THREE GAMES FROM WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY
The Pioneers won two out of three games from Willamette University on March 8-9. The Pioneers swept Willamette University in a doubleheader 10-7 and 11-6 on March 8. Lamonte Toney homered and drove in three runs while Steven Shinkwin had a pair of RBIs in the first game. Jacob Haberman also hit a home run in the victory. Pitcher Michael Reed allowed one run in three innings to pick up the win while Cody Hazen recorded his third save of the season. In the second game, the Pioneers scored 11 runs on 11 hits. Mark Marelich hit his first home run of the season and drove in three runs. Lamonte Toney hit his team leading sixth home run of the season. Joey Luoma, Jesus Muela, and Patrick Desmond each had a pair of hits in the win. Luoma drove in a pair of runs. Pitcher Todd Whiteaker allowed three earned runs with six strikeouts in five innings to pick up his second victory of the season. The Pioneers lost a single game to Willamette 6-5 on March 9. Marco Cartegena drove in a pair of runs while Lamonte Toney, Michael Thomasson, and Joey Luoma each had two hits.
PIONEERS SCORE 10 RUNS IN FIRST INNING IN VICTORY OVER MENLO COLLEGE
The Pioneers scored 10 runs in the first inning in defeating Menlo College 19-7 on March 3. Cal State East Bay banged out 19 hits led by Lamonte Toney who went 4-for-7 at the plate with three runs scored and six RBIs. Jacob Haberman drove in five runs including a three-run home run in the third inning. Mark Marelich, Marco Cartagena and Jesus Muela each had three hits. Pitcher Matt Vieira improved to 3-0 as he allowed three runs and recorded three strikeouts in five innings of work.
CAL STATE EAST BAY TAKES TWO GAMES FROM VISITING PATTEN UNIVERSITY
The Pioneers took a two-game series from Patten University on February 29-March 1. On February 29, the Pioneers defeated Patten University 14-9. Lamonte Toney hit a pair of home runs and drove in four runs. Marco Cartegena was 3-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs. Patrick Whelly also drove in three runs. Michael Reed, the third of four Pioneer pitchers, hurled three scoreless innings to pick up his third win of the season. The Pioneers completed the two-game sweep with a 7-1 victory over Patten University on March 1. Cal State East Bay received a strong outing from winning pitcher Todd Whiteaker who allowed one run on three hits with three strikeouts in six innings. Michael Thomasson hit a two-run homer while Marco Cartegena was 3 for 4 at the plate with a pair of RBIs. Lamonte Toney was 2 for 4 at the plate with two runs scored.
PIONEERS DEFEATED BY SAN JOSE STATE
Cal State East Bay lost to San Jose State 9-3 on February 26. The Pioneers led 1-0 after three innings and tied with the Spartans 3-3 going to the bottom of the sixth. San Jose State scored six runs in the last three innings to earn the victory. Jesus Muela drove in a pair of runs while Michael Thomasson and Jacob Haberman each had two hits and scored a run. Pitcher Matt Vieira hurled three scoreless innings.
PIONEERS WIN TWO OUT OF THREE GAMES FROM VISITING WHITTIER COLLEGE
Cal State East Bay took two out of three games from Whittier College on February 16-17. The two teams split a doubleheader with Whittier winning the first game 6-2 while Cal State East Bay took the second contest 7-1. In the second game, Pioneer hurler Kevin Simmons improved to 2-1 as he allowed one earned run with six strikeouts in eight innings. Michael Thomasson hit a two-run home run while Jacob Haberman drove in a pair of runs. The Pioneers overcame a four-run deficit to defeat Whittier College 9-8. Marc Tuttle hit a pair of home runs for the Pioneers. Jesus Muela tied the game 8-8 in the eighth inning with a solo home run and had the game winning hit in the ninth. Muela was 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs. Michael Reed, the third of three Pioneer hurlers, pitched a scoreless 1.1 innings to get the win.
CAL STATE EAST BAY WINS TWO OUT OF THREE GAMES OVER HOST UNIVERSITY OF LAVERNE
The Pioneers won two out of three games over the University of LaVerne on February 9 and 10. The two teams split a doubleheader on February 9 with Cal State East Bay winning the opener 9-4 while University of LaVerne took the second game 14-6. The Pioneers had 16 hits in the first game led by Mark Marelich and Lamonte Toney with three each. Marco Cartagena, Michael Thomasson, and Joey Luoma each drove in a pair of runs. Matt Vieira pitched the first six innings allowing two earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts to pick up his second win of the season. Reliever Kyle Dunn hurled the last three innings and allowed one run on two hits. In the second game, Lamonte Toney drove in a pair of runs while Jacob Haberman hit a solo home run. Patrick Whelly had a pair of hits. Reliever Eric Greene hurled two scoreless innings. Cal State East Bay won the rubber game of the series 9-8 on February 10. Marc Tuttle was 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and three RBIs. Lamonte Toney had two RBIs including a solo home run. Mark Marelich drove in a pair of runs. Michael Reed, the second of four Pioneer pitchers, picked up the win. Cody Hazen hurled 1.1 innings of scoreless ball to record his second save.
PIONEERS TAKE TWO OUT OF THREE FROM SAN FRANCISCO STATE
Cal State East Bay opened the 2008 campaign by sweeping San Francisco State in a doubleheader 13-12 and 2-0 (5) on February 2. Lamonte Toney hit a two-run homer while Joey Luoma had two hits and three RBIs. Jacob Haberman was 2-for-5 at the plate with a pair of RBIs. Matt Vieira allowed three earned runs in five innings to pick up the victory. Reliever Cody Hazen hurled the final 1.2 innings of shutout ball with two strikeouts to record the save. Pitcher Kevin Simmons hurled five innings of two-hit baseball to get the win in the second game.Jesus Muela drove in both runs. San Francisco State won the final game of the series 3-1 on February 5.
