STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific baseball team is primed to open its 2020 campaign under interim head coach
Chris Rodriguez, starting with a four-game slate at Klein Family Field this weekend, Feb. 14-17, against California Baptist.
Despite finishing in eighth place with a record of 23-26 and 10-16 in WCC play last year, the Tigers are looking for their first winning season since 2010, when Pacific finished with an overall record of 31-23.
SERIES SCHEDULE
Friday, February 14
California Baptist vs. Pacific | 5:00 p.m.
Klein Family Field | Stockton, Calif.
Probable Pitchers: Chris Burcia, LHP (CBU) vs.
Lucas Sweany, LHP (PAC)
Live Stream | Live Stats
Saturday, February 15
California Baptist vs. Pacific | 1:00 p.m.
Klein Family Field | Stockton, Calif.
Probable Pitchers: Bryan Pope, RHP (CBU) vs.
Elijah Birdsong, RHP (PAC)
Live Stream | Live Stats
Sunday, February 16
California Baptist vs. Pacific | 1:00 p.m.
Klein Family Field | Stockton, Calif.
Probable Pitchers: Christian Culpepper, RHP (CBU) vs.
Hayden Pearce, RHP (PAC)
Live Stream | Live Stats
Monday, February 17
California Baptist vs. Pacific | 12:00 p.m.
Klein Family Field | Stockton, Calif.
Probable Pitchers: Mason McGarvey, LHP (CBU) vs.
Hunter Schilperoort, LHP (PAC)
Live Stream | Live Stats
SOPHOMORE SENSATION:
- Impressing in his first season in Stockton, James Arakawa returns to the Tigers after being selected to the 2019 All-WCC Freshman Team. The Walnut, Calif. native finished his first year in the Orange & Black with a .304 batting average, 13 RBI's, 48 total bases and a .731 OPS in 40 games played, which included 33 starts.
MIGHTY FRESHMEN:
WELCOME TO THE VALLEY:
- In addition to the four freshmen, the Tigers welcome eight transfers who come to Stockton from the junior college and Division I level across the country: Charles Middleton (Sierra College), James McClenaghan (Delta College), Luke Price (Oklahoma), Joe Fitzhugh (San Diego State), Landon Curtis (Modesto JC), Cameron Michael (Solano CC), Hunter Schilperoort (Mission College) and Steven Langley (American River College).
- Pacific also has added Stephen Malcolm to their staff as a volunteer assistant coach. Malcolm will be responsible for coaching the infielders and third base while handling baserunning as well for the Tigers. He comes to UOP after spending the previous five seasons as an assistant coach at Delta College.
FAMILIAR FACES IN NEW PLACES:
- Following the departure of former head coach Ryan Garko, who accepted a position on the Major League staff of the Los Angeles Angels in January, Chris Rodriguez has been tabbed interim head coach for the 2020 season.
- With 15 years of experience in college coaching, including a head coaching stint at Modesto Junior College, Rodriguez brings a seasoned perspective to the Tigers. Rodriguez played two years as a catcher at Modesto Junior College before being drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 52nd round of the 1995 Major League Baseball draft. After signing with the Rockies prior to the draft in 1996, Rodriguez would go on to win a Northwest League Championship with the Class-A Portland Rockies in 1997.
- During his time as a coach, Rodriguez has seen 63 of his athletes go on to play Division I baseball, with 24 of these players reaching the professional level.
2019 SEASON IN REVIEW:
- The Tigers finished the 2019 season with an overall record of 23-26, including a 10-16 mark in conference play. These results would place the Tigers in eighth place in the final WCC standings.
- Although Pacific did not achieve their ultimate goal of reaching postseason play, four athletes were honored by the conference for their accomplishments on the field: James Free II (First Team All-WCC), Ryan Shreve (Second Team All-WCC), Kevin Sandri (WCC Honorable Mention) and James Arakawa (All-WCC Freshman Team).
- Earning his fourth overall postseason honor from the conference, Free hit .335 with eight home runs, 39 RBIs and 37 runs scored in 49 games played last season. Furthermore, his batting average was tied for the seventh highest in the WCC at the end of the season. In WCC play, Free also posted the fifth highest on-base percentage in the league at .431 and was top-10 in hits, RBI's, slugging percentage, doubles, total bases and home runs.
- Putting together his best season in his final year on campus, Shreve emerged as the ace for Pacific after finishing the season with a 3.08 ERA and career-bests in strikeouts (56) and innings pitched (79.0). Overall, the right-hander walked only 11 batters in 12 total appearances, which included a no-hitter against Santa Clara on Apr. 14, 2019. Shreve would also toss three complete games, which led the WCC and was ninth in Division I. Additionally, his final WHIP (0.86) and walks per nine innings also qualified for ninth place in the nation.
- Moving into the summer months, three Tigers would be taken in the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft: Shreve (16th round / Minnesota Twins), Samson Abernathy (27th round / Pittsburgh Pirates) and Tyler Ryan (38th round / Los Angeles Dodgers). Shortly thereafter, Free would also sign a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the fourth Tiger to sign a professional contract following the 2019 season.
SERIES HISTORY
- The Tigers and Lancers are meeting on the diamond for the fifth time in series history and first time in Stockton with all four previous contests coming last season in a four-game series in Riverside. Pacific went 3-1 in that series, with the Tigers' pitching staff combining for a season-high 16 strikeouts last year against CBU on March 8.
TRACK THE ACTION
- Live stats for all four contests will be available on pacifictigers.com. The entirety of the series will also be streamed live on the WCC Network.
FOLLOW US
- For the latest on Pacific Baseball including updates and schedule information, please follow us on Twitter (@PacificBaseball), Instagram (@PacificBaseball) and Facebook (@PacificBaseball).
