A talented array of returning players and newcomers give the Pioneer baseball team hope for a successful 2012 campaign.

The Pioneers will open the 2012 season on Feb. 4 with a home game against Sonoma State. The Seawolves finished with a 37-22 record last year and claimed the NCAA West Region title. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.

Cal State East Bay President Leroy Morishita will throw out the first pitch. Dr. Morishita was the interim president at Cal State East Bay since July 1 and was named to the permanent position by the CSU Trustees on Jan. 25, becoming the fifth president in the institution's 55-year history.

The Pioneers return 13 players including four position starters and three starting pitchers from a 2011 team which placed 10th in the CCAA at 13-27 and 18-32 overall.

Bob Ralston, a graduate of Cal State East Bay, becomes the fourth head coach in the 48-year Pioneer baseball program.

“I'm excited about coming back to Cal State East Bay and coaching the Pioneers,” Ralston said.  “We have a great coaching staff with the addition of professional baseball player Darren Lewis and USF standout Jon Norfolk.”

The Pioneers return three pitchers to the starting rotation. Brandyn Bell led the staff last season with six victories and 44 strikeouts. Bell, a CCAA honorable mention selection, posted a 5-2 record and a 2.96 ERA in conference. Bryce Miller, named the 2010-11 Pioneer Male Athlete of the Year, had a 3.01 ERA with three complete games. Miller excelled in CCAA play with a 2.60 ERA and three complete contests.
AJ Gallardo ended the 2011 campaign with four victories and 40 strikeouts. Zachary Wong, who came into his own during the 2011 season with a 2-1 record, a staff-best 2.93 ERA and six saves, will be used in the starting rotation and relief.

Junior Charlie Sharrer, who played outfield for the Pioneers, will see action on the mound this season. Michael Chaves, who prepped at De La Salle High School, should see action in the starting rotation. The Pioneers have depth in pitching with the return of seniors Nolan Cassidy, Xavier De La Cruz and Bobby Bogensberger. Felipe Carvajal and Nick Goulet, who both pitched for the Pioneers during the 2010 campaign, will bolster the pitching staff. Ryan Devacenzi, a transfer from Ohlone College, will be used in the bullpen. Newcomers Ben O'Bryan and Madison Dang round out the pitching staff.

“We have pitchers with CCAA experience and newcomers who will help us during the season,” Ralston said.  “Several pitchers on this staff can throw strikes. Both Bell and Miller had solid junior campaigns while Wong could either start or relieve. Chaves is a lefty who will probably be in the starting rotation.”

The Pioneers will carry four quality catchers for the 2012 season. Senior Jake Davis started 21 games behind the plate and hit for .238 batting average in 2011. David Castillo, is a good receiver from Diablo Valley College. Jack Daru, from West Valley College, had two hits in a recent Pioneer scrimmage.
Kyle Zozaya, a good all-around player from Mission College, will catch and play in the infield.
   
“All four of our catchers are tough kids,” Ralston said. “Each catcher will help us in different ways this season.”

In the infield, the Pioneers return senior Andrew Woolfe at first base. Woolfe was the team leader for the Pioneers with 25 runs scored and hit safely in nine of his last 11 games during the 2011 campaign.  Jordan Wilder, who prepped at St. Mary's College High School, can play either second or third. Eddie Rettagliata, a transfer from Cal State Monterey Bay, will handle the shortstop duties. Zozaya and Alex Anicich, a .316 hitter from the 2010 Pioneer baseball team, will both see action at third base during the 2012 season. Senior Chris Houston along with junior Brad Rich bring valuable experience in the infield. Houston was the Pioneers' designated hitter in 20 games last year.  Kenny Uyetake, a solid utility player from Long Beach City College, can either play in the infield or outfield.

“We have guys who are steady fielders in the infield,” Ralston said. “Woolfe provides us with great leadership and should produce offensively, while Wilder is very versatile and Rettagliata and Zozaya are solid fielders at their positions.”

The Pioneers have an abundance of quality outfielders for the 2012 season.  Sharrer and Lincoln Clapper are both experience outfielders for the Pioneers. Sharrer was second on the Pioneers during the 2011 season with 24 runs scored and 14 doubles. He led the Pioneers with 10 stolen bases and had an excellent .977 fielding percentage from his centerfield position. Clapper hit .250, was third on the Pioneers with 40 hits and had nine stolen bases. Bryson Nakamura, out of Shoreline College, who made his Pioneer coaches happy with four hits from his leadoff spot in a recent scrimmage, will see plenty of action in the outfield. The Pioneers landed an outstanding defensive outfielder in Brett Hall, from West Valley College. John Schwer (Glendale College), Tanner Laran (U.Arkansas-Monticello) and Uyetake, will all compete for playing time.        

“We're expecting to receive contributions from all seven outfielders both in the field and at the plate,” Ralston said. 

Ralston commented on his expectations of the 2012 Pioneers.

“I expect our kids to play hard and be fundamentally sound,” Ralston said. “Our assistant coach Jon Norfolk put together an intense work program to get these players in shape for the upcoming season.

“Our team is comprised of players who will keep us in a lot of games this season. We have great team chemistry and work very hard as a group. We have a lot of respect for each other. These are a great group of kids. I'm happy to have these players in our program.”