FULL NOTEBOOK WITH STATS AND CCAA STANDINGS

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SEASIDE, Calif. – After a 10-day break from games, No. 29 CSUMB (12-6, 5-3 CCAA) is ready to get back on the diamond this weekend. The Otters will embark on its longest road trip this season, traveling to UC San Diego for a four-game series. Playing under the lights, the Otters open the series with a 6 p.m. game on Friday, March 9 followed by a Saturday doubleheader beginning at noon.  The series finale is schedule for 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 11.
 
SCOUTING UC SAN DIEGO: The Tritons (8-12, 6-6 CCAA) have split all three of their CCAA four-game series thus far, capped by a trip to Cal State East Bay this past weekend.  The first three games of the series were determined by one run with the Saturday doubleheader going to the Pioneers before the Tritons conclude the weekend with a 4-1 decision to earn the split. Top Performers: center fielder Danny Susdorf (.302 BA, 3 3B, 15 R); shortstop Garrett Tuck (.319 BA, 23 H, 11 RBIs) and designated hitter Nick LaFace (15 H, 15 RBI, 8 2B).
 
LAST SERIES RECAP:  CSUMB won 3-of-4 to take the series against Cal State San Bernardino on Feb. 24-26 at the Otter Sports Complex.  The Otters opened the series with a 5-3 win that included an insurance home run by senior Danny Nelson. On Saturday, CSUMB split with the Coyotes after taking the first game 2-0 behind the arm of senior Aaron Appino before falling 11-4 in the nightcap.  In the series finale, the Otters battled for a 7-6, 16-inning win to clinch their first CCAA series win.
 
NCAA STATISTICS: In the first week of NCAA national statistics, the Otters are ranked No. 1 in triples (10) thanks in large part to junior Tommy George's five triples which puts him as the national leader.  CSUMB is also ranked 11th in doubles with 39 with junior Jason Merjano leading the Otters with nine, putting him sixth in the nation. On the mound, starter Aaron Appino ranks 16th with a .035 earned run average while closer Harold Zosel is seventh in saves with four on the year.
 
CCAA WEEKLY HONORS: Senior right-hander Aaron Appino was named CCAA Pitcher of the Week for the week of Feb. 13-19.  He had a solid outing in his lone start against Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday. In eight innings, he allowed two hits, walked two and struck out three while not allowing a run during a 5-1 win over the Broncos. Junior shortstop Jason Merjano was selected CCAA Baseball Player of the Week for Feb. 6-12 after helping the Otters to a 4-2 record in six games against Fresno Pacific and Central Washington.
 
OTTERS SIXTH IN REGIONAL RANKING: The Otters move down one spot to No. 6 in the the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) West Region after making the program's debut on Feb. 13.  The Broncos (13-6) remiain on top, followed by 2. Chico State (13-5), 3. Cal Baptist (16-4), 4. Western Oregon (11-6) and No. 5 Sonoma State (12-6).  Rounding out the top 10 is No. 7 Dixie State (10-4), No. 8 Hawaii Pacific (12-3), No. 9 Cal State L.A. (11-7) and No. 10 Northwest Nazarene (10-4). 
 
RUN TOMMY RUN:  Junior outfielder Tommy George (Elk Grove, Calif./Elk Grove) is the new stolen base record holder, passing former leader Matt DeJesus' 26 (2008-09).  George picked up his 27th and 28th stolen bases on Feb. 24th's 5-3 series opener victory over Cal State San Bernardino.  Last season, he led the Otters with 16 stolen bases in 18 attempts.
 
PRESEASON HONORS:  Senior Jared DeCastro (Torrance, Calif./LA Harbor) raised the bar by being CSUMB's first National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Preseason All-American. DeCastro was also named to the NCBWA Preseason All-West Region first team along with senior Danny Nelson (Morgan Hill, Calif./San Jose CC).
 
OTTERS HIT IN CLASSROOM:  While preparing for their spring season, the Otters have already proved they can balance the art of practice and performing in the classroom this past fall.  The CSUMB baseball team led all men's programs with a 3.08 grade point average during the fall semester.  Juniors David Garcia (Gilroy, Calif./Mission College) and Brian Haggett (Hollister, Calif./West Valley CC) were among the 11 student-athletes to record a perfect 4.0. 
 
REGIONAL HONORS:  Senior Danny Nelson (Morgan Hill, Calif./San Jose CC), who is making the move from second baseman to outfield this season, picked up three regional honors in 2011.  His accolades were Daktronics All-West Region, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-West Region and ABCA All-West Region.  Senior OF Jared DeCastro (Torrance, Calif./L.A. Harbor) was also named to the Daktronics All-West Region team. Gerry Rommel and Brian Trump are the only other Otters in program history to have been selected to any all-west region team (NCBWA in 2007).
 
NELSON SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS:  This past summer, Danny Nelson (Morgan Hill, Calif./San Jose CC) had a standout season with the Cooperstown Hawkeyes of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL), leading his team in runs (36), doubles (11) and slugging percentage (.503).  Nelson was named to the All-PGCBL team and appeared in the All-Star game in July.
 
NATIONAL STATISTIC RUNNER-UP:  The Otters concluded their 2011 campaign second in the nation in double-plays per game, averaging 1.18 per game.  CSUMB was leading the nation at the end of the regular season only to see Southwestern Oklahoma make it to post season and eventually pass the Otters with an average of 1.2 per game. The Otters also finished third in the nation in total double plays with 58 (Southwestern Oklahoma had 61).
 
LOCALS REPRESENTING:  With the Otter relying heavily on local talent, seven student-athletes from the Monterey and San Benito counties will be donning Otter uniforms this year. First baseman Chris Lopiccolo (Marina, Calif/Monterey HS), shortstop Ronnie Fhurong (Hollister, Calif./San Benito HS) and relief pitcher David Holland (Salinas, Calif./Salinas HS) return for another season. Fresh out of high school, catcher Jesse White (Salinas, Calif./Salinas HS) and utility Ty Morris (Royal Oaks, Calif./North Monterey HS) join junior college transfers David Garcia (Gilroy, Calif./Valley Christian HS) and Brian Haggett (Hollister, Calif./San Benito HS) as the new faces from the area.
 
RECORDS ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN:  The 2011 squad under the direction of first-year coach Walt White made a huge impact the CSUMB record books.
         Lowest Opponent Batting Average - .269 (.332, 2007)
Most Saves - 9 (6, 2008)
Most Complete Games - 8 (6, 2009/06)
Lowest ERA - 4.68 (7.47, 2007)
Fewest Earned Runs Allowed - 216 (312, 2007)
Fewest Hits Allowed - 426 (522, 2007)
Most Wins - 21 (19, 2007)
Most Conference Wins - 18 (11, 2007)
Fewest Home Runs Allowed - 24 (38, 2007)
Highest Fielding Percentage - .962 (.959, 2007)
Most Assists - 607 (521, 2006)
Fewest Passed Balls - 13 (15, 2010)
Most Double Plays Turned - 58 (47, 2009) - 2nd in the nation
 
SUMMER BALL:  This summer, seven Otters will be playing ball all over the United States Ty Morris (Castroville, Calif./North Monterey County HS), Matt Urakami (San Jose, Calif./Branham HS) and Chris Blanton (Burlingame, Calif./Burlingame HS) will be for the Cooperstown, New York for the Hawkeyes of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL). 2B David Garcia (Gilroy, Calif./Mission College) is heading to Minnesota to play for the Alexandria Beetles of the prestigious Northwoods League. OF Tommy George (Elk Grove, Calif./Elk Grove HS), C Garrett Gemgnani (Los Angeles, Calif./Culver City HS) and OF Devin Finn (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley HS) will be playing for the newly formed Myrtle Beach Collegiate Summer Baseball League in South Carolina.