Served as both a middle reliever and starter in his first season at San Diego State in 2008 after being utilized in both roles during his two-year junior college career ... Began collegiate career at UC Irvine in the fall of 2005 before moving to Palomar JC ... Played during summer of 2007 for the San Diego Blackjacks in the Western Baseball Association wood bat league.
SAN DIEGO STATE 2008
Was SDSU[apos]s primary long reliever and also started four times in his first year at SDSU ... His three wins all came in relief and he also recorded a pair of saves ... His first start occurred at UC Riverside (March 4) when he gave up one run on six hits with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings ... He was not involved in the decision in that contest ... In a start at Air Force on May 3, went 7.1 innings and allowed four runs (two earned) with one walk and six strikeouts, but again was not involved in the decision ... Longest starting stint was 8.2 innings vs. UNLV at the MWC tournament on May 20 ... Had a string seven relief appearances (Mar 13-April 9) during which he did not allow a run over 18.1 innings ... Longest relief outing of the year came on March 17 against Southern Utah when he tossed six innings during which he scattered three hits while striking out seven and walking none ... The seven strikeouts in that contest were his career high as an Aztec ... Had a run of seven relief appearances covering 18.1 innings (March 13 to April 9) during which he did not allow a run ... Recorded first save of the season with four innings of relief work vs. Oklahoma State 20th-ranked on March 9 ... On April 22 at USC, pitched the ninth inning, allowing no hits and striking out one with two hit batters for second save of the year.
JUNIOR COLLEGE
Played two seasons at Palomar College under head coach Buck Taylor ... Transferred from UC Irvine, where he redshirted in fall 2005, at the semester break ... As a sophomore in 2007, received all-Pacific Coast Conference honorable mention selection after going 7-3 with a 3.59 ERA. ... Led the team in wins ... Struck out 50 batters in 82 2/3 innings ... Of his 16 appearances, 14 came in a starting role ... Was 5-1 with a 3.91 ERA in Pacific Coast Conference games, striking out 33 batters in 48 1/3 innings ... Recorded his first win of the season on Jan. 30, beating Santa Ana 4-3 on the road, giving up one run on four hits in 7 1/3 innings ... As a freshman in 2006, saw duty as a reliever for the Comets (eight appearances) and compiled a 4.26 ERA for 6 1/3 innings through the regular season ... Pitched three innings in the Pacific Coast Conference without giving up a hit or a run.
HIGH SCHOOL
Won a pair of varsity letters as a baseball player at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego ... Played there for head coach Jason Shanahan ... In addition to pitching, also played first base and right field ... As a senior, went 3-6 with a 4.82 earned run average, striking out 42 in 49.1 innings pitched ... At the plate, batted .287 with seven doubles and three home runs.
PERSONAL
James McKenzie McLaughlin was born May 11, 1987, in La Jolla, Calif. ... Son of Jim and Matilda McLaughlin ... Majoring in kinesiology with career plans as a physical therapist.