SBCC baseball coach Jeff Walker says this year’s squad will be faster, deeper and more talented.
“It’s the most talent we’ve had top-to-bottom in my three years here,” said Walker. “Stealing bases will be a big part of our offense and our overall team speed is significantly better than last year. That’s exciting to see. We also led the conference in hitting (.302) and I think we’re a better offensive team.
“The only thing is the experience factor. We have a lot of guys playing college baseball for the first time.”
The Vaqueros open the season with a three-game home series against Napa Valley, starting with Friday’s 2 p.m. contest. On Saturday, they’ll play a doubleheader at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Pershing Park.
Santa Barbara topped the state in steals per game last season at 2.68 and was second overall with 99. Feather River had 103 steals but played six more games.
Tyler Gilbert returns after earning All-Southern California honors last season.
The Vaqueros went 20-17 in 2013 and made the Southern Cal Regional for the third straight year. The only returning starter from that squad is All-Southern Cal pitcher Tyler Gilbert, who recently got a scholarship to USC.
“There’s talent everywhere on this team,” said Gilbert, a 6-3 left-hander who went 9-2 last year with a 2.43 ERA and was the WSC North co-Pitcher of the Year. “I think we’ll have great piching and hitting. Our goals for this team couldn’t be higher.”
Gilbert added that he’s hoping for another sub-3.00 ERA and wants to be the top pitcher in California.
Twenty-five of the 35 players are freshmen. Seventeen are back from last season when they either played for the Vaqueros or redshirted.
Ryan Massengale, a 6-7 left-handed reliever, returns on the mound, along with Noah Villegas, Cody Van Aken and Gabe Neustadt. Lucas Benenati, a first-team All-WSC pick in 2012, is back after missing last season with an injury. Infielders Brett Sesma and Peyton Milone return for their sophomore years, along with catcher Ryan Crowe.
The Vaqueros have to figure out a way to replace All-American shortstop Steven Reveles, who led the state with 30 stolen bases and is now playing for the University of Nebraska.
Freshman Matt Henderson and Milone are battling for the shortstop position.
There’s a lot of talented newcomers, led by ex-Santa Barbara High standout Trey Barrett, a 6-foot-7 first baseman and designated hitter who missed the last two years with injuries. Redshirts Dallas Bacon and Jimmy Brakka (San Marcos High) will play in the infield. Freshman catcher Pat O’Brien (6-5, 230) is another player to watch.
“We have the best group of catchers in the conference in O’Brien, James Hill and Crowe,” Walked declared.
The outfield will feature Connor McManigal (Santa Barbara High), Chris Player, Brandon Evans, Cameron Jones and Jack Gregson (Bishop Diego).
“This is the most depth we’ve had since I’ve been here and the most athletic group,” Walker added. “There’s a lot of things we can do. I know we’ll be better this year and I also know our entire conference is more talented. It will be a good challenge for us.”
Other potential starting pitchers are Justin Bruce and James Chadband.
The playoff format is a little different this year with the four-team Super Regionals being eliminated. The Regionals will consist of a play-in game for Seeds 15 through 18, followed by three rounds of best-of-3 series between two teams.
“The standard of our program is to make the postseason,” said Walker. “Our goal is to take care of what’s in front of us. Right now, that’s Game 1 vs. Napa.”
