The Cal State Stanislaus baseball season starts today when the Warriors host NAIA #9 Fresno Pacific at Warrior Baseball Field. First pitch is at 2 p.m.

SEASON PREVIEW
The 2009 baseball squad surpassed 30 wins and marked the second consecutive 30-win season — and the third time in four years — for the Warriors baseball program. But for a team that had hoped to achieved more, it felt short of its goal of reaching the postseason, much like the 2008 team.

Despite falling short of their ultimate team goals, the Warriors did accumulate some impressive numbers and garner some team and individual attention on the national level. 

For the first time in program history, three players were drafted in one Major League amateur draft last June.  The San Diego Padres selected senior outfielder Kyle Loretelli in the 38th round.  Senior pitcher Eric Federico was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 39th round.  Pitcher Dakota Watts, was picked by the Minnesota Twins in the 16th round. 

Three players also were All-CCAA selections.  Loretelli was selected on the first team, Watts was selected to the second team and Spencer Snodgrass received honorable mention.  Loretelli was also named to the Daktronics All-West Region first team and ABCA All-West Region second team.

As a team, the 2009 Warriors, were ranked in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper top 30 eight times.  For two consecutive weeks they were ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time at the Division II level and also spent two weeks at No..  The Warriors also recorded an impressive home record of 24-7, which ranks as the second best winning percentage in school history.

The 2010 team will look to build on recent successes as the team is filled with many new faces.  The Warriors are only returning 13 players from the 2009 squad that lost 13 players to graduation.  Just five position players and three pitchers that saw significant action last season return this spring. 

The program has brought in a mix of freshman and junior college transfers to compete the roster.  The fresh faces that have infiltrated the program should provide excitement, but also create some uncertainty. 

The new-look Warriors will have to adjust quickly to the CCAA as they open the conference season on February 19 at Cal State L.A.  The first conference home game will be February 26 when the Warriors welcome new conference member Cal State East Bay.  The preseason schedule includes a single game against NAIA opponent Fresno Pacific University and a four game road trip to Florida Southern, which opens the season as the No. 2 ranked team according to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

PITCHERS
The pitching staff lost key pitchers to the draft, but returns junior Andrew Stueve and senior Eric Cendejas, two frontline guys from last year's staff.  Stueve has gone 9-6 as a two-year starter and last season carried a 2.98 ERA.  Cendejas led the Warriors with a 1.80 earned run average as both a starter and closer for the Warriors.  He had a 4-1 record and collected five saves. 

Last year's Bay Valley Conference pitcher of the year, Vinny Pacchetti, joins the Warrior staff from College of Marin and will look to make an impact as a starter. 

Other junior college transfers, Kory Wallace, Leonard Giammanco and Chris Anklam will play major roles either as starters or come out of the bullpen.  Freshman Tyler Harris, a local product from Pitman High in Turlock, will also be in the mix along with returners, sophomore Derek Goblirsch, sophomore Phil Quade, senior Derek Eaton and sophomore Mike Hudelson.  Shortstop Kory Vitato might also see some time on the mound.

CATCHERS
Senior Seth Hudson will see the majority of time behind the plate for the Warriors.  Hudson hit .309 a year ago with 24 starts.  Freshmen Nick Carracillo and Andrew Graves will also mix in as the Warrior's backstop.

INFIELDERS
The Warriors will have a vastly different infield to fill five departed seniors from last season.

Transfer Vince Hungerford will see the majority of time at third base, with Michael Johnson filling in at times after redshirting last season. Vitato, an All-Northern California junior college selection from Merced, will see a significant amount of time as the team's shortstop.  Thomas Shull will see time at various infield positions.  Senior Alex Zanini is the lone returning infielder that saw significant action last season.  He will have a lot of action at second base after making 35 starts a year ago.  Freshman Colton Beatty will look to contend for time at second base as well as battling for time as a designated hitter.  Redshirt freshman Ross Gonzalves will provide flexibility as he can play second base and shortstop.  At first base the Warriors will likely use three players — Joey Blakely, Boomer Donnell and Casey Filkins — battling for playing time.  Filkins, who will also see time in the outfield, hit .296 in 25 games last season.

OUTFIELDERS
Zack Cadet and David Contreras return to anchor the Warriors outfield.  Cadet batted .288 in 40 games last season and Contreras has started 96 games in two previous season. Doug Porras moves to the outfield this season and could also see some time as a designated hitter. 

Corey Conflenti, a junior college All-American from Diablo Valley College, will see the majority of time in right field.  Merced College transfer John Canepa, Filkins and freshman Cisco Green could also see time in the outfield.