2014 Baseball Preview: Looking to Leave No Doubt

Head coach Murphy Su'a with Danny Haley, the Toros' lone fourth-year player

CARSON -- Winning 10 more games both overall and in the California Collegiate Athletic Association was a step in the right direction for the Cal State Dominguez Hills baseball program, but head coach Murphy Su'a knows that a single step does not a program change make, and that this year could be especially tough after four significant contributors from last year's squad were signed by Major League Baseball organizations in the MLB Amateur Draft last June.

After Ivory Thomas and Carlos Avila were selected by the Minnesota Twins and Sean Wardour and Dimitri De La Fuente signed free agent contracts with the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively, the proverbial cupboard nearly was left bare for Su'a and his staff, spurring the influx of 22 newcomers looking to fill those proverbial shoes after the Toros were picked to finish 8th of 11 teams in the annual CCAA preseason coaches poll.

Offensively, those shoes combined for 23% of the team's hits, 26% of runs scored, 25% of doubles and triples, 60% of home runs and 36% of stolen bases, while the pitching duo tallied 46% of the wins, 71% of complete games, 38% of innings pitched, and 46% of the opposing batters fanned.

That quartet led the 2013 squad to a 6th place finish in the CCAA after taking 3-of-4 from perennial power UC San Diego, an improvement of five rungs in one of the toughest leagues in the nation that boasts last year's NCAA West Region finalist in Chico State, one year after the Wildcats made it all the way to the College World Series.

This squad, however, boasts a trio of senior outfielders who earned at least 25 hits and posted at least a .285 batting average, as well as experienced arms whose improvement during the summer and fall ball will need to shine through to replace the dynamic duo of Wardour and De La Fuente.

"Pitching is always the key component to a successful baseball team and program, and I feel we will be solid on the mound as we have depth on both offense and defense," begins Su'a.

"But our biggest focus will be to understand the game, anticipate action, compete with passion and trust their teammates who will be battling side-by-side every day.

"We have many players with tremendous leadership qualities, and have a more mature team in terms of age and experience which lends to more individuals who are self-motivated," Su'a continues.

"Our coaching staff again has done a great job of recognizing, developing and promoting players with tools as we have players with talent and a strong work ethic, and they have gotten along quite well so far and are learning to trust and support each other."

Here's a closer look at this year's squad.

ON THE HILL

Seniors David Haerle and Joseph Perez, along with sophomore Tyler Mark will look to solidify their starting spots in Su'a's four-man rotation after combining for a 7-9 ledger, with Mark's 2-0 and 4.24 ERA leading the trio.

Mark emerged as a go-to out of the pen as a true freshman, posting a 2-0 record in 15 appearances. The Los Angeles native fanned his first batter against Chico State (Feb 15), allowing one earned run in 3.2 innings of work. Mark allowed just 6 extra base hits in 23.1 innings of work and, symbolic of the changes to come in this year's rotation, induced the final out of the season against No. 16 Sonoma State as the Toros took 3-of-4 from the Seawolves.

A workhorse last season, Haerle made 7 starts in 14 appearances, with his 31 Ks good for third-best on the squad and tops amongst returning players. The Green Valley native fanned at least 3 batters in 7 of his appearances and picked up his first win in a relief appearance at perennial power UC San Diego (Feb 23), tossing 2/3 of an inning.

"Haerle and Mark will lead our very capable pitching staff into the 2014 season, which will keep us in the position to compete in every game," says Su'a confidently.

Another senior, Perez emerged as a starter in first year as a Toro, making 4 starts in 16 appearances. Fanning at least 3 batters four times and allowing just 11 extra base hits in 38.2 innings of work, Perez earned first win at perennial power UC San Diego (Feb 23), and his first save against another perennial power in Sonoma State (May 4).

Besides Haerle, Mark and Perez, Danny Nieves and Jeffrey Gogue could see starts early in the season, with third-year player but academic senior Cody Yates "serving in many roles throughout the year from starting to long relief, set-up and closing," he continues.

Add in a plethora of newcomers and position players who will see time on the bump, and Su'a will have a problem any coach would love to have with the number of talented arms at his disposal.

"We also have three converted position players in Bubby Rossman, who "is highly capable of leading the charge for post-season honors," and newcomers Nick Wagner and Josh Flores as one-inning specialists or closers, and are excited about the rest of the staff that includes returners Brennan Bernardino, Kevin Brown, and Brandon Hirschberger, as well as newcomers Winston Lavendier, Jeffrey Schwartz, Albert Flores, Adam Cienfuegos and Bryce Shea."

AROUND THE HORN

There will be a solid mix of returning and new players who will comprise the Toro infield as four seniors look to charge out to their positions on opening day, with Taylor Kahanowitch the likely candidate to start at first base, Jordan Yallen at second, Danny Haley at third and Peter Ives at shortstop.

Versatile junior Brady Conlan, who can play every infield position and has become a "force at the plate," according to Su'a, will definitely see time around the horn, with solid contributions expected from seniors Aaron Gray and Alex Sixtos, as well as from freshmen newcomers in shortstop Adrian Guzman and first baseman Josh Gonzalez.

Another versatile player in junior newcomer Kamran Young will also see action in both the infield and outfield spots.

TOROS IN THE OUTFIELD

The outfield is stacked with talent and depth, and should provide much excitement and production during the year.

"We have six very capable outfielders highlighted by our returning seniors in Bubby Rossman, Hayden Maurice and David Steininger," begins Su'a, noting how each of the seniors saw significant action throughout the 2013 season.

Additionally, newcomers in Kamran Young, Nick Wagner and Jack Colick will get ample opportunity to show their skills and compete for starting time early and often.

BEHIND THE DISH

"Deep Dish" usually refers to pizza, but in 2014, it will be associated with the Toro catching unit.

"We are deep in the catching department," says Su'a as a matter-of-fact. Front-runners for this position include transfers Josh Flores, Danny Matienzo and returner Rico Pena, who are followed closely by incoming freshman Tyler McLurg.

Additionally, return Alex Sixtos and newcomer Nick Wagner could see some time calling the game in spots throughout the year.

NEWCOMERS

With 22 new players donning the Cardinal and Gold for the first time in 2014, there have been six who have stood out in the early going, including five upperclassmen and one true freshman.

Senior Nick Wagner will provide key contributions in up to four positions on the field, honing his craft in the outfield, at first, behind the dish and on the hill. A transfer from the University of Oregon, Wagner competed under head coach George Horton after ending his Santa Margarita HS career as a three-sport athlete.

An outstanding athlete who transferred from College of the Canyons after leading his squad to the super regional round, Kamran Young will see time in both the outfield and first base after impressing Su'a and the coaching staff with his gap-to-gap hitting prowess as an outstanding left-handed hitter.

Junior Josh Flores has made a name for himself early on and will see action primarily behind the dish, but could also come in as a closer in needed situations. A transfer from Compton College, Flores has "emerged as a solid defensive catcher with hitting power, who can also close games," says Su'a.

Jeffrey Gogue and Winston Lavendier, a pair of junior lefty transfers, have impressed the coaching staff as well, with each southpaw forging his own trail during fall ball.

From San Diego Christian College and Cypress HS -- where he earned three letters -- Gogue enjoyed success at the NAIA level and is "poised with outstanding command and a mound presence."

Lavandier, meanwhile, was a teammate of Young's at College of the Canyons, and has been the "most improved since the fall semester, and is pushing for a great role on the pitching staff."

The lone freshman of the sextet, Guzman led Nogales HS to the league title as a junior en route to 1st-team All-CIF, 1st-team all-league and 2nd-team All-Area honors and earned a total of three 1st-team all-league honors, two 1st-team All-CIF and two 2nd-team All-Area nods.

Guzman is a "slick-fielding middle-infielder with great athleticism and baseball sense," begins Su'a, and "we are excited to see him play for the next four years."

IT'S SO HARD TO SAY GOOD-BYE … TO 15 SENIORS

The "Senior Day" ceremony that will take place prior to the final regular season home double-header against cross-town rival Cal State L.A. on May 3 may take a little moe time than usual as 15 Toros will be playing the final regular season game of their college careers on Toro Field.

And it figures to be extra special for one senior in particular, as team captain and three-year Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President Danny Haley steps foot onto the field for the final time in his regular season career.

"Danny is a remarkable young man and a true leader, as evidenced by serving as SAAC President and being twice voted by his teammates to serve as team captain," begins Su'a, trying to corral the emotions he usually wears on his sleeve.

"He is a keen student of the game and more-so a student of recognizing and modeling appropriate behavior on and off the field, and while we will miss him after the year ends, we are confident that his example to our younger players will help produce another prized leader.

"We have 15 seniors (including Cody Yates who played three years but will graduate as an academic senior), and each has had a positive influence on our program."

FINAL THOUGHTS

With the 2014 schedule set to begin tomorrow with a twinbill hosting Holy Names, Su'a, his coaching staff and players can't wait to begin what could be a memorable campaign, and one that sees CSUDH re-emerge on the national landscape.

Before that happens, however, Su'a knows the road to any type of success will have to go through arguably the toughest D2 conference in the nation.

"Playing in the CCAA is like playing 10 weeks of playoff caliber baseball," he begins. "We sweat the small stuff during the summer, fall and winter to prepare us for the spring, but I look forward to going to battle with our squad and coaching staff."

Beginning the league ledger at home against CS San Bernardino on February 20, Su'a is confident that with the talent this team has, CSUDH's goal of qualifying for the CCAA tournament for the first time since 2010 is within reach, and one that would be a fitting end to an un-Toro-like three-year postseason drought.

"There is no doubt we have the talent to extend play in the postseason, and we expect to compete for a berth in the CCAA Tournament," Su'a says with conviction. "Our conference is loaded with tremendous baseball programs, and we're prepared for the challenge."

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2014 Baseball Preview: Looking to Leave No Doubt