A strong finish to last season, a solid returning nucleus and quality overall depth at several positions are just a few reasons for optimism as the University of La Verne baseball team begins its 2010 season.
The Leopards finished 23-16 overall and rallied from a 0-6 start in league play to finish 12-9 in a competitive SCIAC campaign.
Head coach Scott Winterburn boasts of an experienced group that looks to continue momentum from last year's strong finish. Additionally he feels that the 2010 edition of the Leopard baseball squad enjoys tremendous balance. "We've got a good collection of speed, power and pitching depth. I think we're capable of finding different ways to win games."
"We have a majority of our players returning from a year ago," said Winterburn, who enters his 10th season at the helm of the Leopard program. "We started to learn how to win towards the end of last season and we'll look to our veterans on this year's team to provide solid leadership."
The Leos return three 2009 All-SCIAC players in seniors Jon-Michael Hattabaugh, Victor Peinado and Mike Surina. That trio serves as the foundation of the Leopard offensive attack heading into 2010. Last season Hattabaugh hit .368 on the season and led the squad in homers (9) runs batted in (51) and doubles (14) while tying for the team lead in hits with 60. Peinado compiled a team-high .420 average while recording 60 hits to tie for team-high honors while also hitting 7 home runs. He also recorded a .664 slugging percentage. As the starting catcher, Surina posted a .396 batting average with six homers and 40 RBI a year ago in his first season with the Leopards.
La Verne also returns outfielder Donovan Petta, who hit .333 in 2009 to go along with four homers and 35 RBI. Other returnees include infielders Aaron Coopman, Sergio Munoz and Matt Proulx in addition to outfielders Zach Canfield and Jason Munoz. Newcomer Joe Buckley provides versatility at multiple positions and adds to the Leopards' overall depth.
On the mound, the Leopards lost a pair of All-Conference hurlers in Jesse Sweet and Grant Wheatley. Winterburn will look to a combination of arms to compensate for the losses. One returnee is starter Tim Jolly, an All-SCIAC performer from two years ago who hopes to anchor the Leopard starting rotation in his senior season. Last year he led the team in strikeouts (69) while posting four victories. Jolly will be joined by Peinado, transfer Matt Baudino, Willie Patti and Mark Larini. In addition, returning pitchers Anthony Cerafice, David Contreras, Dane Delfs will have multiple roles as both starters and relievers.
The Leopards will have early-season tests against NAIA power Biola along with games in the Arizona Desert Classic (Feb. 11-14) against four Northwest Conference schools heading into SCIAC action.
The conference race should be competitive with the likes of defending champ Pomona-Pitzer along with Cal Lutheran, Redlands and La Verne viewed as strong challengers for the 2010 league crown.
A significant change within the SCIAC is the schedule, as teams will play a 28-game schedule (from 21 games) with seven games added at the end of the regular season. "I think the conference will be a dogfight," said Winterburn. "The longer schedule means that more teams will be in contention towards the end of the season. It should be a very exciting finish."
La Verne's home opener is Saturday, February 20 against the University of Redlands.
