Allan Hancock College baseball is back, and with a core group of returning players and a new crop of talented freshmen, the Bulldogs are looking to build off last season’s playoff appearance.
The team entered the season ranked 17th in the California Coaches Association’s preseason poll and welcomes back 12 sophomores, including first-team Western State Conference first baseman Skyler Ellis. He’s joined by infielder Chris Mallory, who posted a .361 batting average last season and set team records for most hits and most at-bats in a season.
In the bullpen, the Bulldogs will be counting on sophomore Chuck Buchanan, who recorded a 5.91 ERA last season and pitched a complete game two-hitter against Fullerton College.
Local freshmen on the 2010 roster include a handful of former Righetti players: outfielder Chris Rivera, infielder Israel Esparza, catcher Ethan Rae, and pitchers Zac Turbes, Joel Paz, and Sam Halop. Joining the Bulldogs from St. Joseph are pitcher Jordan Sechler and utility player J.P. Maestas. Pioneer Valley pitcher Matt Cortez, Santa Maria outfielder Andrew Clark, and Lompoc’s All-Los Padres League pitcher Cody Berryman and infielder Dalton Rouleau round out the new faces.
Last year’s squad finished ranked ninth in the coaches’ poll and 14th in the state poll after going 15-10 in the conference and 22-22 overall. The year capped off with a trip to the regional playoffs, where they lost to Cypress College.
The Bulldogs begin conference play this season Feb. 19 against Citrus College.
Sports Shorts is compiled by Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Feb 11-18, 2010.