Cerro Coso finds early-season success
By Nathan Ahle, The Daily Independent, from the 2004
Spring Sports Guide
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The Coyotes are proving to be resilient, and are
battling for first in the Foothill. |
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Last season, the Cerro Coso Coyotes baseball team battled injuries,
pitching woes and defensive miscues, but finished third in the tough
Foothill Conference with a record of 20-20. So far this season, timely
hitting, clutch pitching and solid defense has helped the Coyotes turn
it around, as the team has jumped out to an 11-5 early-season record.
The Coyote's major strength this year will be pitching, as the team's
rotation and bullpen appear to be solid so far.
"It always comes down to pitching," said Coyotes Head Coach Adams.
The starting staff will be led by Penn, an 11-game winner in 2003. The
6-foot, 170-pound sophomore from Oregon has been named a Preseason
All-American by Collegiate Baseball magazine, and recently signed a
Letter of Intent to play next year for the Fresno State Bulldogs.
According to Adams, pro scouts have also had their eye on the righthander.
Caleb Gallagher, a freshman from California City who played at Mojave
High School in 2003 and participated in the Desert Dawg program in
Ridgecrest during the summer, has also emerged as a starter. Penn and
Gallagher are potent weapons with the bat, and have caused problems for
opposing pitchers in the middle of the CCCC lineup.
Ryan Hayden, a sophomore transfer from Linn-Benton Community College,
has also developed into another solid starter.
In the infield, the key is defense.
"We had infielders that were more offensively-minded last year," Adams
said.
At first base, Nick Gitthens and Beau Walker return after platooning
last year. Gitthens, a 5'10", 220-pound left-handed hitter, had five
pinch-hits last year, including a game-winning home run in
non-conference play. Matt Smith, the newest member of the team, has
jumped out to a great start and has taken over the first-base job.
Walker, a Reno native, has improved his defense according to Adams, and
should provide needed experience in the infield.
Up the middle,
Rodney Black was a redshirt player last season, but will see time in the
double-play combination.
"Rodney has very quick hands," Adams said. "He knows the game as well -
he's a team leader on defense."
Norm Love, a new Canadian player, has played well in early-season games
and has quickly become a starter.
Adam Auer and Tony Teixeira have served as the team's catchers, with
each player also seeing time in the infield.
In the outfield,
Kip Keith, a Canadian player who impressed last season, has become the
team's everyday right-fielder and leadoff hitter.
Nick Wagner also played solid baseball in 2003, and will bat second and
start in center field. Wagner had the most at-bats of any Coso player
last year.
Antoine McLeod, who saw duty as a spot starter last year, has been
batting in the ninth spot in the batting order and is providing a spark.
The Coyotes are proving to be resilient, and are battling for first in
the Foothill.
March 14, 2004
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© 2004
The Daily Independent. Used by permission.
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