Cougar Athletics
30 NAIA National Championships
95 GSAC Championships
...and counting

THIS YEAR: Senior Grant Beyer returns to as a key part of what was a successful second-base platoon a year ago with fellow senior Galen Komo … Is capable of hitting for a high average but can also move runners at a high level of execution as offensive situations dictate … Is a smooth defensive second baseman.

2007: Overcame a slow start to his 2007 junior campaign to rank third on the team in batting average (.390) and on-base percentage (.476) … Appeared in 48 games, starting 39 times … Laid down a team-high 15 sacrifice bunts that also led the GSAC … Burst into an offensive presence beginning with a 5-for-6 effort with 3 doubles, a triple and 5 RBIs in a doubleheader sweep at Concordia … Raised his average from .200 to .379 during a mid-season 10-game hitting streak … Reached base safely in 26 consecutive games, including the final 22 games of the regular season … Was Azusa Pacific’s offensive leader at NAIA World Series, going 7-for-11 (.636) and starting all 3 games at second base for the Cougars … Had 14 multiple-hit games, including all 3 of Azusa Pacific’s NAIA World Series contests.

SAN JOAQUIN DELTA CC: Played 2 seasons at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif., for head coach Jim Yanko … Earned All-Big 7 Conference honors after a 2006 sophomore campaign in which he batted .302 and had an on-base percentage of .401 … Was Delta’s only representative on the all-conference first team … Raised his batting average nearly 100 points from his 2005 freshman year (.204) to his breakout sophomore season (.302).

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 2 varsity seasons for head coach Vic Alkire at Tracy (Calif.) High … Was a high school teammate of Cougar reliever Ian Kelly … Was 2-time team defensive MVP for the Bulldogs … Batted .375 as a 2004 senior to lead Bulldogs to third-place Valley Oak League finish.

PERSONAL: Born May 11, 1986, to Lee and Dana Beyer in Walnut Creek, Calif. … Has 2 brothers (Marshall and Cole) … Received principal honors throughout high school for maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA … Majoring in business administration … Would like to coach or own a business after college.

THIS YEAR: Junior southpaw Jonny Bravo returns to lead Azusa Pacific’s pitching staff in 2008 after helping lead the Cougars to their first NAIA World Series appearance in 23 years … Should take over the role as the No. 1 starter after posting an unbeaten campaign as a 2007 sophomore … Whips the ball in with good velocity from the left side and is difficult to hit when able to change speeds effectively.

2007: Was among the NAIA’s wins leaders, registering a perfect 12-0 mark with 1 complete game, 70 strikeouts and a 3.75 ERA in 81.2 innings … Was 1 of 5 Cougars to earn All-GSAC recognition, winning 7 of his 9 starts against conference foes with 2 no-decisions … Picked up the win in Azusa Pacific’s only victory in its 3-game NAIA World Series appearance, scattering 3 runs on 8 hits with a season-high 10 strikeouts in 8.1 innings of a 7-4 win over Lee (Tenn.) University … In 3 starts against Point Loma Nazarene, was 3-0 with 2.11 ERA, striking out 17 while surrendering just 2 walks and 18 hits, including a 14-2 7-inning complete-game win that eliminated the Sea Lions from the NAIA Region II Playoffs … Picked up the save in the Cougars’ regional playoff opener, a 6-5 win over Patten, when he induced a game-ending double-play grounder with the bases loaded in the ninth inning.

MT. SAN ANTONIO CC: Played 1 season for head coach Stacy Parker at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. … Earned All-South Coast Conference second team honors as a utility player … Pitched and played in the outfield for the fourth-place Mounties, who posted a 14-8 league mark … Recorded 2.54 ERA, third-lowest among South Coast League freshmen and seventh overall in the league … Finished 4-6 with team-highs of 2 complete games and 51 strikeouts … Started 12 times in 13 appearances, tallying 71 innings of work … Batted .327 with just 6 strikeouts in 101 at-bats … Ranked 14th in batting average among South Coast League freshmen … Played on the East L.A. Dodgers with Cougar senior Scott Hodsdon, leading the club to the 2006 U.S. Amateur Baseball Federation Open World Series Championship.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 3 varsity seasons at Chino (Calif.) High for head coach Bob Sheehan … As a 2004 senior, named to All-Sierra League First Team after posting a 1.90 ERA with 106 strikeouts to go with a .304 average … Also earned second team All-CIF honors … Batted .325 as a 2003 junior … Named to All-Baseline League second team after hitting .390 as a 2002 sophomore.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 23, 1986, in Whittier, Calif., to Bob & Rebecca Bravo in Whittier, Calif. … Has 3 younger siblings, brother Matt and sisters Vanessa and Brianna … Majoring in exercise & sport science.

THIS YEAR: Sophomore first baseman Brice Cutspec looks to build on his impressive All-GSAC freshman campaign … Hits for power and average and has worked in the offseason to improve his patience at the plate … Used offseason to improve defensive footwork and should continue to start the majority of games at first base … Will likely bat in the middle of the order.

2007: Earned All-GSAC honors after batting .363 (78-for-215) with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs … Ranked second in home runs for a power-packed Azusa Pacific lineup that ranked second in the NAIA in home runs with 97 … Ranked third in the GSAC and ninth in the NAIA in home runs … Had 2 or more RBIs in 19 of the 58 games he played, driving in a season-high 4 runs 4 times … Batted .500 (23-for-46) through the Cougars’ first 13 conference games and reached base safely in 31 straight GSAC games to finish the regular season … Hit 4 home runs in a doubleheader sweep over Point Loma Nazarene that clinched the conference title and the program’s single-season wins record with 4 games left in the regular season … Went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Azusa Pacific’s 7-4 NAIA World Series win over Lee (Tenn.) University … Helped keep Azusa Pacific’s season alive with a pair of home runs in a 5-0 win over Biola in a regional elimination game.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 3 varsity seasons for head coach Mike Kelly at Westminster (Calif.) High … Named All-Golden West League at catcher all 3 years of high school … Was a 2005 Southern California Coaches Association All-Star and a 2-time Puma National High School All-American … Batted .347 (35-for-101) with 4 home runs and 23 RBIs as a 2006 senior … As a pitcher, fired 6 complete games, including 3 shutouts, en route to a 5-3 record with a 2.29 ERA … Struck out 36 batters in 58 innings of work … Led the Lions to a season-opening 1-0 win over Arlington, scoring the game’s only run in the seventh inning while tossing the complete-game shutout … Threw complete-game victories to hand Ocean View its only 2 Golden West League defeats, including a 3-0 shutout … Led the Lions to a share of the Golden West League title … As a 2005 junior, batted .382 (34-for-89) with 3 home runs and 25 RBIs.

PERSONAL: Born Dec. 7, 1987, to Tim and Wendy Cutspec … Has not declared a major.

THIS YEAR: After 2 years primarily working out of the Azusa Pacific bullpen, junior Christian Gagné is set to make the jump into the Cougar rotation … Has a good presence on the mound and keeps his poise well … Gets a lot of ground balls … Has a sidearm delivery that makes his pitches tough to pick up … Has a dynamic slider.

2007: Registered a 4.42 ERA in 36. 2 innings of work … Struck out 29 while issuing just 10 walks … Was Azusa Pacific’s only pitcher with more than 11 innings who did not give up a home run … Started in 4 of his 12 appearances … Struck out 4 batters 5 different times, including his complete-game non-conference win over College of the Ozarks (Mo.) … Also struck out 4 in 4 innings of relief work in a 15-11 defeat to eventual NAIA champion Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) in Game 3 of the NAIA West Coast Super Regional.

2006: Appeared in 19 games, striking out 22 batters in 24 innings of relief work … Compiled a 2-0 record with a 6.00 ERA … Tossed an inning relief in each game of a doubleheader sweep against Fresno Pacific, picking up his first collegiate save in the Cougars’ 8-5 win in the opener … Struck out 3 batters in 2 near-perfect innings of relief to wrap up the Cougars’ 11-1 non-conference victory over Fisher (Mass.) … Got a base-hit in his only plate appearance of the year.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 3 varsity seasons for head coach Burt Call at national-power Mater Dei High … Led the Monarchs to a 76-11 record during his 3 varsity years … As a senior earned a bevy of awards including Serra League Pitcher of the Year after posting an 8-1 record and 1.80 ERA in the regular season … Finished the season 11-1 … Was named All-CIF and All-Serra League … Led the Monarchs to the CIF Division I championship … Earned the victory in the title game throwing 5.2 innings allowing 3 runs in Mater Dei’s 9-3 win over top-seeded Riverside Poly at Angel Stadium … Was named Mater Dei’s pitcher of the year after leading his team to a 25-1 record in his first varsity campaign as a 2003 sophomore.

PERSONAL: Born May 5, 1987, in Newport Beach, Calif., to Serge and Deborah Gagné … Has 1 brother, Josh, who pitched for NCAA Div. III Cal Lutheran … Was a 3-year member of the National Honor Society … Majoring in history … Enjoys playing guitar.

THIS YEAR: Junior Stephen Gillette returns as the starting left fielder after a breakout sophomore campaign … A true slugger at heart, has made it a priority in offseason workouts to become a more complete hitter … Drives the ball hard from gap to gap … Brings a great attitude and work ethic to the team and made strides to improve defensively in the outfield.

2007: Emerged as a middle-of-the-order threat, hitting 17 of Azusa Pacific’s program single-season record 97 … Batted .284 (61-for-215) on the season, scoring 51 runs and driving in 50 more … Also drew 25 walks and stole 7 bases … Opened the year batting .559 (19-for-34) with 8 home runs through the season’s first 11 games … Was 6-for-9 with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs in season-opening 3-game sweep over Cal State San Marcos … Went 6-for-7 with a double, a home run, 4 runs and 3 RBIs in a GSAC doubleheader sweep over Fresno Pacific.

2006: Showed flashes of potential as a true freshman … Appeared in 27 games, starting 15 times … Batted .234 (15-for-64) with 4 extra-base hits … Posted 5 multiple-hit games, including a 3-for-3 performance in his second collegiate game, a 9-4 win over Claremont-Mudd … Went 2-for-5 with 4 RBIs, 2 steals and his first collegiate home run to help the Cougars post a 16-5 victory over Westmont.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 3 varsity seasons for head coach Kevin Smith at San Pasqual High in Escondido, Calif. … Prior to senior season was named a 2005 Puma Preseason High School All-American … As a 2005 senior, led the Eagles with 6 home runs … Also led the team in RBIs … Had a good junior year leading the team in home runs and RBIs … Was also the Eagles’ Defensive Player of the Year after going 28 games without an error in the outfield.

PERSONAL: Born July 22, 1987, in Escondido, Calif., to Ed and Jenny Gillette … Has 1 sister (Jessica) … Has not declared a major … Enjoys being involved with his church.

THIS YEAR: Senior Stephen Kohatsu provides an experienced bat as he enters the 2008 campaign in the hunt for Azusa Pacific’s starting catcher spot … Will be featured as a middle-of-the-order run producer … Blocks well and is a good receiver behind the plate … Should remain in the lineup at designated hitter when resting from catching duties.

2007: Appeared in 41 games, starting 30 times, primarily at designated hitter … Batted .327 (37-for-113) and reached base via hit-by-pitch a team-high 18 times … Was the Cougars’ postseason batting leader, going 11-for-20 (.550) while appearing in 11 of the team’s 3 rounds of NAIA playoffs (regional, super regional and World Series) … Hit both of his home runs in back-to-back playoff games, a 9-5 win over Concordia for the NAIA Region II Championship, followed by a 14-11 defeat in the first game of the 3-game West Coast Super Regional … Recorded 4 hits in his first 5 at-bats, scoring 3 runs and driving in 3 more in the first 2 games of the West Coast Super Regional against eventual NAIA champion Lewis-Clark State (Idaho).

CHAFFEY CC: Played his 2006 sophomore campaign for head coach Jeff Harlow at Chaffey College in Ontario, Calif. … Was named All-Foothill Conference second team catcher, batting .312 (48-for-154) with 8 home runs and 31 RBIs for the Foothill Conference champion Panthers … Collected 15 doubles, scored 36 runs, drew 18 walks and was hit by pitch 10 times.

SADDLEBACK CC: Played his 2005 freshman season at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif., for head coach Jack Hodges … Played in 16 games, batting .237 (9-for-38) with 6 RBIs.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Bishop Amat High in Covina, Calif., for head coach Ken Kendrena.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 13, 1985 … Has not declared a major.

THIS YEAR: Junior center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Baseball America’s 2008 NAIA Preseason Player of the Year, returns after a standout sophomore season to lead the Azusa Pacific offense … Had a breakout summer campaign in which he earned Alaska Baseball League MVP honors … Will be the centerpiece and hit in the middle of the Cougar lineup … Possesses a dangerous power/speed combination … Will make a run at several program career records.

2007: Batted .399 (87-for-218) in 59 games to help lead Azusa Pacific to its fourth NAIA World Series appearance in program history and its first since 1984 … Was 1 of 5 players with double-digit home runs, with 10 of his 37 extra-base hits clearing the fence … Finished in the GSAC top 5 in batting average (.399), hits (87), runs (66), doubles (22), triples (5), total bases (149) and stolen bases (18) … Hit safely in 11 of the Cougars’ 12 playoff games, including 9 multi-hit games, and batted .479 (23-for-48) with 5 doubles, 4 home runs, 15 RBIs and 13 runs in the postseason … Opened the season with an 8-game hitting streak and hit safely in a career-high 11 straight games … Had 3 4-hit games, including a 4-for-4 performance in a 16-5 win over Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) in the NAIA West Coast Super Regional … Went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run in a 5-1 defeat to Houston Baptist in Azusa Pacific’s NAIA World Series finale … Drove in a career-high 6 runs in a 14-2 win over Point Loma Nazarene in the NAIA Region II Playoffs.

2006: Started 43 games, primarily at first base, in a solid freshman campaign … Finished in the team’s top five in virtually every offensive category … Had team’s fourth-best batting average at .296 (45-for-152) … Added 40 runs, 27 walks and 11 doubles, all good for second on the team … Posted a team-best 1.71 ERA, going 2-2 in 9 appearances totaling 31.2 innings … Registered 29 strikeouts and held opponents to a .233 batting average … Reached base safely in 24 of the Cougars’ final 25 games, generating 5 multi-hit games during the season-ending stretch … Went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, 4 RBIs and a walk to help the Cougars win the first game of a doubleheader sweep over Fisher (Mass.) … Struck out a season-high 7 batters in a 6-inning start and hit a solo home run in a 4-2 loss to California Baptist … Went 3-for-5 with a double and a game-winning 3-run home run to lead the Cougars to a 16-5 victory in the first game of a doubleheader sweep over Westmont.

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped 3 varsity seasons under head coach Bill Postma at Denver Christian High in Highlands Ranch, Colo. … Was a 3-time All-Metro League pick as well as a 2-time all-state selection … Led the Crusaders to a combined 51-14 record and 2 Metro League titles … As a senior, led his team to the regional championship game … Selected by the Colorado Rockies to participate in the Rockies’ Senior Top 40 All Star game at Coors Field, a game that showcases the best 40 high school players in the state … Batted .500 with 2 home runs and 21 RBIs in 21 games as a 2005 senior … Ranked second in the state with a 1.03 ERA, going 5-0 with 46 strikeouts in 34 innings … Also played 3 seasons of varsity football and 1 season of varsity basketball.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 7, 1987, in Santa Maria, Calif., to Bob and Joan Nieuwenhuis … Has 1 sister (Krista) … Majoring in accounting.

THIS YEAR: Versatile southpaw Zach Pettikas is the only 4-year Cougar in Azusa Pacific’s 8-member senior class … Has filled virtually every pitching role at some point in his career for Azusa Pacific … Features a good change-up … Maintains good composure on the mound.

2007: Started in 5 of his 20 appearances, registering a 7-2 record and 3 saves with a 3.93 ERA in 66.1 innings … Struck out 53 and held opposing batters to a .238 average … Was 6-0 in GSAC play, ranking 10th in the conference with a 3.58 ERA in GSAC games … Held opponents to a .208 average and posted a 3.03 ERA in 11 appearances at home … Struck out 6 in his first career complete game, a 16-2 win over Concordia to cap a doubleheader road sweep over the Eagles, the first of 3 victories in 3 straight GSAC starts … Scattered 2 runs on 7 hits with 5 strikeouts in 7 innings in a 9-3 road win over Biola … Did not allow an earned run in 4 innings of relief work on back-to-back days against Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) in the NAIA West Coast Super Regional.

2006: Appeared in 11 games, starting 7 times … Went 3-5 with a 5.63 ERA, striking out 45 in 54.1 inningsof work … Enjoyed an early-season 16-inning stretch across 3 games without allowing an earned run … Gave up 1 hit and walked 1 while tying his career-high with 8 strikeouts to earn the victory in 5 innings of relief in a 12-4 win over Westmont … Led the Cougars to a 3-1 road victory over Concordia with an 8-inning effort in which he surrendered just 3 hits while striking out 7.

2005: Made 19 appearances, including 7 starts … Was an impact pitcher as a starter after being moved into the rotation for good in early April … Led the Cougars’ pitching staff with 6 victories … Posted an impressive 3.68 ERA allowing 24 earned runs in 58.2 innings … Struck out 46 batters … Made his first start of the season against Vanguard and threw 7 innings of 1-run ball with 5 strikeouts to earn the win … Had a pair of outstanding starts against Westmont … In his first start against the Warriors, picked up the win by pitching a solid 7 innings allowing only 2 runs while striking out 6 … Beat Westmont again in early May tossing 8 innings while allowing 2 runs on 3 hits with 8 strikeouts.

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped 2 varsity seasons for head coach Steve Gulotti at El Dorado High in Placentia, Calif. … Named All-Century League first team and All-Orange County second team after leading the Hawks to the CIF championship game as a 2004 senior … Led the Hawks to the CIF second round and a 22-6 mark as a 2003 junior.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 3, 1986, in Fullerton, Calif., to Leon and Joni Pettikas … Has one sister (Mandi), who also attended Azusa Pacific … His uncle, David Perry, pitched at Azusa Pacific from 1995-97 … Majoring in history.

THIS YEAR: Senior shortstop Matt Venegas returns to set the table for the Azusa Pacific offense for the second straight season … A leader who connects with his teammates as a working-class hero … Has used a tireless work ethic and a positive attitude to turn himself into a productive collegiate player … A patient hitter capable of making consistent contact … Can also drive the ball from gap-to-gap … Anchors one of the GSAC’s top defensive middle infields.

2007: Earned All-GSAC recognition as the spark plug of Azusa Pacific’s record-setting offense as a 2007 junior … Started 52 of Azusa Pacific’s final 54 games, seizing the starting shortstop position at the beginning of GSAC play and missing just 2 games the rest of the season … Batted .364 (80for-220) with 73 runs and 42 RBIs … Was 10th in the NAIA and second in the GSAC in runs scored with 73, 1 behind teammate Scott Hodsdon’s program single-season record 74 runs … Also led the league in scoring in conference games with 51 runs … Ranked second among GSAC shortstops in fielding percentage (.955) and double plays turned (26) … After 20 homerless games to start the season, went deep in 3 straight games and finished with 5 home runs on the season … Had 25 multi-hit games, including a 4-for-4 effort in an 11-4 NAIA Region II Playoff defeat against Concordia and a 5-for-5 performance in an 8-6 win over Dixie State (Utah) … Finished the season on an 8-game hitting streak and logged a season-high 14-game hitting streak midway through the season … Reached base safely in 26 straight games.

MT. SAN ANTONIO CC: Played 2 seasons at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. for head coach Stacy Parker … Earned All-South Coast Conference first team honors as a 2005 freshman, batting .354 (56-for-158) with 35 runs and 34 RBIs … Had 12 extra-base hits, including 4 triples … Finished with a 2-year batting average of .316 after going 39-for-143 (.273) as a 2006 sophomore … Was a teammate on the 2006 squad with current Cougar pitcher Jonny Bravo.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Bonita High in San Dimas, Calif., for head coach Chris Romero … Batted .375 (33-for-88) with 19 runs and 6 steals as a 2004 senior … Over the Bearcats’ final 14 games, batted .468 (22-for-47) with 8 multi-hit games.

PERSONAL: Born April 24, 1986 to Art and Spring Venegas … Majoring in liberal studies.