Oct. 7, 2010
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State baseball squad, which opened its fall practice schedule this past Monday, will conduct its first intrasquad scrimmages at the end of the week. Those games, which will be six innings in length, will be played on Friday and Saturday and will feature six pitchers tossing two innings apiece in each contest.
A total of 38 athletes are on SDSU's preseason roster, a number that includes 16 returnees and 22 newcomers. Among the veterans are all-conference outfielder Brandon Meredith (.383, 7 HR, 54 RBI) along with infielder Blair Moore (.324, 37 RRBI) and first baseman Jomel Torres (.316, 42 RBI). Also back is senior outfielder Pat Colwell, who missed last season due to injury after hitting .300 during the 2009 campaign.
Eight pitchers return for the Aztecs led by starter Bryan Crabb (3.89 ERA) and closer John Pecoraro (six saves). Also back is senior Steven Moranda (3-1) along with sophomore Corey Black (two saves).
This season's group of new faces includes three local pitchers who were drafted by Major League clubs last June: Philip Walby (Scripps Ranch HS, San Diego), Mike Hachadorian (San Diego Mesa JC) and Evan Thomas (Poway HS, Poway, Calif.).
In addition, the threesome of catcher Brad Haynal (Ranch Bernardo HS, San Diego) plus pitchers TJ Kendzora (El Toro HS, Trabuco Canyon, Calif.) and Mitch Bluman (El Camino Real HS, Woodland Hills, Calif.) each earned all-state honors during their high school careers.
The Aztec's daily fall workout sessions, which will run until Nov. 6 at Tony Gwynn Stadium, are scheduled for afternoons from 3:00 -5:00 p.m. with Wednesdays being an off day. Weekend practices usually get underway at 11:00 a.m.
The pitching schedule for this week's intrasquad contests is as follows:
Friday - Oct. 83:30 p.m. - Pre-game batting practice4:45 p.m. - Infield-Outfield5:00 p.m. - 6-Inning GameRed BlackRyan Wynveen - 2 inn. TJ Kendzora - 2 inn.Philip Walby - 2 inn. John Pecoraro - 2 inn.Steven Moranda - 2 inn. Craig Rasmussen - 2 inn.
Saturday - Oct. 99:30 a.m. - Pre-game batting practice10: 30 a.m. - Infield-Outfield11:00 a.m. - 6-Inning GameRed BlackAustin Haynal - 2 inn. Cole Swanson - 2 inn.Kyle Hayes - 2 inn. Justin Hepner - 2 inn.Matthew McDaniel - 2 inn. Mitch Bluman - 2 inn.