(On playing split series)“We view playing home on two of the dates as an advantage.  However, a double header on the road is always a challenge.  It is an early departure for an early first game on the road.  We try not to put any emphasis on travel or anything outside of our control.  We try to create an advantage by being as prepared as possible and we look forward to the challenges the CCAA schedule presents." 

“Tommy (George), Victor (Rasor-Thompson), Brian (Haggett), and Mark (Hurley) are all great players and we have high expectations for them as well as all of our players. These guys in particular hit in the middle of our order and have provided some consistency in the early part of our season.  When they are on the top of their game, it makes for a potent offense.”   

“Being recognized in the regional rankings and by other teams is a testament to our start, but right now it really doesn't mean anything.  We are focused on trying to be the best team we can be.  We haven't played our best baseball yet, so we will keep preparing and we will keep striving to be better.  Becoming great is a process and our focus is solely on that process.  The results at the end will take care of themselves as long as we continue with our approach." 

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LEADING OFF: The Otters take part in their second of three series at two different locations this weekend, matching up against the Gators of San Francisco State (3-8, 0-4 CCAA). In 2012, the Otters pulled off a 3-1 series victory over the Gators after sweeping them in a doubleheader in Seaside (6-5; 11-1) and then spliting the twinbill in San Francisco (7-13; 8-2) the following day. Then junior Jesse Olson (Citrus Heights, Calif./Sierra College) was named CCAA Player of the Week after batting .692 with seven runs scored, three doubles, a triple and three RBIs in the SF State series. 

SCOUTING SAN FRANCISCO STATE: Cal State L.A. swept the Gators in their CCAA series opener in Los Angeles last weekend.  The Gators were outscored 34-14 in the four-game series. Players to Watch: JR 2B/OF Grady Espinosa (.356 BA, 16 H, 5 2Bs), JR OF Carter Loud (.341 BA, 14 H), SO C Mark Lindsay (.300 BA, 12 H, 9 RBIs); JR RHP Ryan DeJesus (0-0, 1.26 ERA, 14.1 IP, 15 K), JR RHP Zack Malik (1-1, 2.95 ERA, 18.1 IP, 13 K). 

LAST TIME OUT: The Otters clinched a 3-1 series victory over Cal State East Bay on Sunday with a 5-3 win behind the pitching of starter Josh Eagle (Antioch, Calif./Sierra College) and closer A.J. Quintero (Vacaville, Calif./Sacramento CC).  Local Hollister natives senior Ronnie Fhurong (San Benito HS) and junior Mark Hurley (College of San Mateo) hit an impressive .417 and .357 respectively in the series.  Senior Victor Rasor-Thompson (San Diego, Calif./Univ. of San Diego) continued to stay consistent at the plate for the Otters, batting .364 with two runs and an RBI. 

GARCIA EARNS WEEKLY HONORS: Game-winning, ninth-inning grand slam – check. A 4-for-4 performance on Saturday with a double and a solo home run – check.  Rawlings/CCAA Baseball Player of the Week – check.  This checklist can be found on Cal State Monterey Bay senior third baseman's David Garcia (Gilroy, Calif./Mission College) locker for the week of Jan. 28-Feb. 3. In the season opener on Feb. 1, the game was tied 3-3 in the top of the ninth inning and Garcia came up big with game-winning grand slam. Garcia led the Otters in Saturday's nightcap, going 4-for-4 with a solo home run and a double to clinch the program's first series sweep. 

HISTORIC SERIES SWEEP:  The Otters achieved their first ever series sweep at Point Loma Nazarene to open the 2013 season (Feb. 1-2).  Senior third baseman David Garcia broke open a 3-3 tie in the ninth inning on a grand slam leading to a 7-3 CSUMB victory.  Never trailing in the entire series, CSUMB added two more victories on Saturday with final scores of 6-1 and 8-5. 

2012 ACADEMIC HONORS:  First baseman Brian Haggett (Hollister, Calif./West Valley College) and former outfielder/third baseman Danny Nelson (Morgan Hill, Calif./San Jose CC) were named to the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District VIII team, a first in the program history. Haggett had a 3.67 GPA in the fall of 2011 as a kinesiology major. On the field, he tallied a .333 batting average with a team-best 63 hits that included 10 doubles, three home runs and a triple.  Haggett was CCAA Player of the Week (Apr. 2-8) after going 10-for-17 with eight runs scored, two doubles, a home run, seven RBIs and five walks in a five-game week. 
 
2012 ALL-CCAA HONORS:  A program record-high four Otters were selected to the All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) teams in 2012. Second baseman David Garcia  and right-hander Jeff Owen (Clovis, Calif./Clovis East) were named to the second team while shortstop Jason Merjano (San Ramon, Calif./Sierra College) and right-fielder Tommy George (Elk Grove HS) earned honorable mention nods.
 
POST SEASON HONORS:  Three Otters earned All-West Region teams in 2012, another first in program history.  Senior second baseman David Garcia and sophomore right-handed pitcher Jeff Owen  were selected to the Daktronics All-West Region second team.  Owen joined senior shortstop Jason Merjano  on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) honorable mention team. Garcia also got selected to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) first team.  

WEST REGION ROOKIE HONORS:  Starting right-handed pitcher Jeff Owen  was named the 2012 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) West Region Freshman Pitcher of the Year after finishing his rookie campaign with a 2.18 ERA. He allowed just 15 earned runs in his 62 innings.  On March 10, Owen tossed the program's second shutout complete game as he held the Tritons of UC San Diego to only one hit while striking out seven and walking none.

GOLDEN GLOVE:  First baseman Brian Haggett  earned the program's first-ever American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings All-West Region Gold Glove award for his near spotless play in the field. Haggett started 48 games at first base for the Otters, recording 471 putouts and 18 assists. He committed just one error for a fielding percentage of .998.

BY THE NUMBERS:  The 2012 squad under the direction of then second-year coach Walt White achieved new heights in its second consecutive record-breaking season:

• Most Wins - 26 (21, 2011)
• Most Conference Wins - 19 (18, 2011)
• Most Triples - 17 (11, 2010/2007/2006)
• Lowest Opponent Batting Average - .267 (.269, 2011)
• Lowest ERA - 4.01 (4.68, 2011)
• Fewest Earned Runs Allowed - 189 (216, 2011)
• Fewest Runs Allowed - 244 (273, 2011)
• Fewest Doubles Allowed - 69 (92, 2011)
• Highest Fielding Percentage - .964 (.962, 2011)
• Most Caught Stealing - 36 (29, 2009)
• Fewest Stolen Bases Allowed - 52 (71, 2008)
• Most Strikeouts/9 inning games - 6.18 (5.76, 2007)

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