1985_02 The Daily Collegian February 1985

              Sports
February 1,1985 11
Prospects are bright for FSU baseball team
By D«n Moorny
Sports Writer
Violins maestro.
From all outward appearances, the
985 season doesn't bode well for Bob
Jennett and his Fresno State Uhniversity
laseball contingent.
Hey, isnt this the school that had won
he last six consecutive Northern Califor-
lia Baseball Association titles and smash-
:d all FSU standards by compiling an eye-
>pening 54-12 record just a year ago? Yep.
Jnfortunately for Bennett and company
nost of the stars from the memorable "84
:lub have departed, some for the greener
lastures of pro baseball.
Gone are Ail-Americans John Hoover
ind Scott Buss along with stellare per-
ormers Vince Barger, Bob Jacobsen, Ken
Salloway, Todd Soares, Tony'Contelmo
ind Ed Jacobo.
Ouch!
But before you start singing the swan
long and pronouncing last rites for Bul-
dog baseball take a closer look at the 1985
earn. And listen to veteran mentor
~We have enough veteran players to
hold the team together," Bennett said, as
be prepares to embark on his 17th year at
the Bulldog helm. "Despite'the monumen¬
tal losses to our pitching staff, I.'m excited
about our pitchers. We have a lot of good,
young arms. Well be alright."
Even with the big name exodus and the
imposing task of moving from the NCB A
into the re-formed meat-grinder of the
Pacific Coast Athletic Association, the
experts seem to agree with Bennetts esti¬
mation of his team. Collegiate Baseball
magazine ranked FSU 15th in the nation
in its prc-season rankings. Fellow PCAA
member and defending national cham¬
pion Fullerton St. was ranked third, while
Santa Barbara—who will compete with
FSU in the Northern Division of the
PCAA—held down the number 18
position.
"Moving into the PCAA isn't as big a
jump for us as everyone seems to think,"
Bennett said. "The NCBA was always put
down as an easy conference but that
wasn't the case at all."
"WeVe been playing the Fullertons and
the Santa Barbaras every year," he added.
Bennett. "The most important thing about going to
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TAN
the PCAA is that it gives our program
instant credibility."  .
The "new" Bulldogs will look like this in
"85.
PITCHING—Gone U the King of K's,
Hoover. By the time the flamethrower got
his last out in a FSU uniform, his name
was well embedded in the NCAA record
book. Also gone along with stopper John
is Barger (11-2) and sturdy moundsmen
Jacobsen and Galloway.
What's a coach to do7 Give the ball to
his younsters and hope for the best in
Bennett's case.
Senior right-hander Mark Gardner will
give the 'Dogs diaper pitching staff some
much needed experience. Gardner was 8-1
last year and will be Bennett's ace in the
hole to begin the season.
Throwing behind Gardner will be jun¬
iors Kenny Crew, Eric Solberg, Billy Bar-
tels and Bobby Orr. Hard-throwing fresh¬
men Mike Goff, Gary Canfield and Ron
Monis will also get long looks from
"You can't really replace guts like
Hoover and Barger," Bennett said. "Never¬
theless, I feel confident about the pitching
staff. We've got some nice depth on the
mound."
INFIELD—Mr. Defense. FSU's got
'em and the opposition will have the sticky
problem of trying to hit around, over or
through him.
Shortstop Joe Xavier has won FSU's
Golden Glove award the past three sea-
and has contributed a healthy .312
career batting average.
"It's just a big relief to have him back,"
Bennett limply stated about Xavier's
The rest of the infield was hit bard by
graduation. Junior College transfer Pete
Martinez is slated to start at third base
when the Bulldogs open the season Friday
night at Beiden Field against California.
Second base duties are still being con¬
tested between senior Garret Crough and
Scott Seliner. David Studdert will begin
the campaign at first for the departed Car¬
los Vega.
Steady Jim Davis will hold down the
catching duties again after compiling a
.319 average last year.
OUTFIELD—Could *85 be the Year of
the Fox? Bennett hopes so.
Eric Fox was a terror in 1983 for FSU
when the sophomore centerfielder hit
blistering .363, stole 31 bases and ran
down almost everything in the outfield on
his way to gaining Ail-American honors.
But during the summer of '83 Fox tore
ligaments in his knee while competing for
the United States in the Pan American
Games and consequently was lost for the
entire 84 season. Now hell be bask in the
leadoff spot for the Dogs.
"Eric adds so many dimensions to our
game," Bennett said of his junior speed
merchant. "He makes things happen."
Adding strength to what should be
FSUs deepest area is rightfielder Cal
Cain, a .319 career hitter. JC transfers
Steve Bates and Nate Hill will battle for
the third outfield slot.
Righthander Craig Ainky and lefty
John Meert will split time at the desig¬
nated hitter's spot. '"-v
Sports Briefs
The Fresno State women's basketball team
will take on the University of Pacific
Tigers in a non-conference game tonight
at 7:30 p.m. in the South Gym.
The Bulldogs, 5-1 in the Northern Pacific
Conference, trail only Washington who is
undefeated this year in league play.
Tickets for the game are priced at SI for
students and $3 for general admisssion.
Campus radio station KFSR, 90.7 F.M.,
will broadcast tonights game.
The 1985 edition of the Fresno Sfate
baseball team opens their season tonkht
at Beiden Field. The Bulldogs will opejfup
against the Bears of UC Berkeley at JpO
A schedule change has been made in Jhe
starting time for Saturday's game. The
game will begin at 1:00 p.m. instead of the
listed 7:00 p.m. start.
Campus radio station KFSR. 90.7 F.M.,
will carry segments of Friday nights gaihe,
and will broadcast both weekend contests.
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