Series 13
CSUMB vs. Academy of Art
Tuesday, March 31at 2:30PM

Series 14
CSUMB vs. Cal State L.A.
Friday, April 3 at 3:00 PM
Saturday, April 4 at 12:00 PM (DH)
Sunday, April 5 at 11:00 AM

Game Notes





FIRST PITCH:
The Otters welcome Academy of Art University to the Otter Baseball Field on Tuesday before hosting No. 5 Cal State L.A. in a four-game series this weekend. 

NEXT WEEK:
CSUMB plays only one game the week prior to Easter weekend, taking on NAIA Cal Baptist on Tuesday. 

THREE CCAA TEAMS IN NATIONAL STANDINGS:
In the new Collegiate Baseball Division II rankings that were released on March 24, three CCAA teams are featured.  UC San Diego leads the group with a No. 7 ranking after posting a 15-7 record.  Sonoma State, who is third in the CCAA standings, is ranked 11th this week.  Cal State L.A. moved from 17th to 15th this past weekend after taking 3-of-4 games off Cal State San Bernardino this past weekend.

LAST TIME AGAINST ACADEMY OF ART:
Senior #Steve Mays# went 3-for-4 with three doubles to lead the Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team to a 13-2 victory over Academy of Art University in non-conference play on Friday, March 20. The Otters fell behind in the top of the first, giving up a run off three hits.  CSUMB scored three runs in the bottom of the frame and maintained the lead the rest of the game. After adding one run in the second inning, freshman #Niko Kanakaris# hit his first collegiate home run, a three-run blast over the right center wall. The Otters put up three more runs in the fourth on senior #Matt DeJesus#'s two-run homer and a RBI double by Mays. CSUMB starter #Patrick McClain# was the winner, allowing only a pair of earned runs on six hits and one walk with six strikeouts over the first 6.0 frames.  Senior #Brian Callen# came in for relief for three innings and did not give up a single run on three hits. The Otters scored in all but two innings and outhit the Urban Knights, 10-9.

SPRING BREAK UPDATE:
On March 22, the Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team gave their time to pass on their knowledge to young athletes throughout the community. Members of the team welcomed over 130 players to a free camp sponsored by AT&T which was held at the Otter Baseball Field. The squad worked one-on-one with the young athletes from 7 to 14 years old on different aspects of the game including hitting, pitching, base running and defense.  Head coach Rich Aldrete thought it was a good opportunity in continuing to build on the bond that CSUMB has with the community.  “It was our way to give back to the people who have supported the program,” Aldrete said. Another way the Otters gave back was by hosting a camp on Monday, March 16, for 80 youth players from the Marina Pony Baseball/Softball league. This was the third year CSUMB worked with the local athletes. The Otter baseball program will next be inviting high school players to a Prospect Mini Camp on Sunday, April 5.  Cost for the camp is $150 and campers will be given a camp t-shirt at registration.  For more information about CSUMB baseball camps, go to www.otterbaseballcamps.com.

MAYS SETS NEW OTTER RECORD:
Senior Steve Mays set a new CSUMB record, completing a 14-game hitting streak. Mays broke fellow teammate Andrew Marquardt's 11-game streak set in 2008. Mays leads the team with a .313 average in 80 at bats with 25 hits, four doubles, a triple and three home runs. He has a team-high 16 RBI.

DEJESUS GETTING IT DONE:
Senior first baseman Matt DeJesus has been swinging a hot bat of late, hitting a .562 clip (9-for-16) this past weekend with two home runs.

FRESHMAN HEATING IT UP:
Outfielder Niko Kanakaris has broken into the Otters lineup with a .364 batting average in the his first seven games.  Kanakaris went 8-for-22 with two doubles, a home run and six runs batted in.

HIGH SCHOOL PROSPECT MINI CAMP:
The Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team is having a High School Prospect Mini Camp on April 5, 2009. This camp will provide one afternoon of baseball skills development at CSU-Monterey Bay for pitchers and position players. The camp offers a unique baseball opportunity for high school baseball players interested in playing Division II college baseball. Players will have the opportunity to work with the Otter coaching staff, learn the importance of team play, goal setting, self-discipline and commitment to excellence.
COST: 150.00  AGES: 9-12
For more information, go to www.otterbaseballcamps.com

CCAA LEADERS:
(as of 3/31/09)

CSUMB Batters: 3rd in doubles (67), 6th in hits (285), 5th in stolen bases (32), 5th in hit by pitches (35)

CSUMB Pitching Staff: 3rd in lowest amount of balks (4).

CSUMB Defense: 1st in double plays (34)

#Shea Davis#: 7th in walks (17)

#Brent Sargenti#: 1st in hit by pitches (12)

#Joey Friedman#: sacrfice bunts (5)

#Patrick McClain# - 3rd in strike outs (48)