The 2003 edition of Azusa Pacific baseball will undoubtedly have a different look. More than half of last year’s GSAC championship squad is gone, including each of the Cougars’ 4 All-GSAC selections and the top 4 pitchers, who combined to go 23-9 with a 3.22 ERA. Just 2 starters return (Robbie Lindsey and Shaun Beutner) and only 1 pitcher (Kelly Strickland) who had more than 3 starts. And that’s not the biggest change.

Also gone is head coach Tony Barbone, who resigned at the conclusion of last season after 17 years and more than 500 wins. Taking over is Paul Svagdis, who led NCAA Division III Pomona-Pitzer to 36 wins and its first SCIAC title since 1955, posting an 18-0 mark in league play.

While the program takes a hard left turn this year, this group of players has a nice mix of youth and experience, speed and solid defense, power and consistency, much like the Cougar baseball of old. And although he’s in his first year, Svagdis sees no reason why this team can’t compete for an unprecedented ninth GSAC title.

“We will be fundamentally sound, earning everything we get,” said Svagdis. “We have a great group of guys who love and understand the game, and they know how to adjust to different situations. We are strong defensively. We will take advantage of other team’s mistakes and not give away extra bases. Our kids execute well within that.”

Infield

Svagdis may have pieced together one of the most complete infields that Azusa Pacific has had in quite some time.

Anchoring the middle is junior Robbie Lindsey (.333, 20 RBI, 8 2B) and senior Shaun Beutner (.309, 29 R, 22 RBI).

Lindsey returns as one of the top shortstops in the GSAC both offensively and defensively after a solid sophomore campaign. The versatile Beutner is making a transition from third to second. He is anything but flashy, but his hard-nosed and tough work ethic produces results.

Junior college transfers Ryan Marcos (Orange Coast College) and Traviss Hodge (L.A. Pierce JC) will secure the corner infield spots. Marcos is an excellent athlete, who can field and hit with the best of them, and he is tailored to Svagdis’ aggressive style. Hodge has all the tools to be one of the top offensive threats in the conference. If he can maintain his focus the entire season, then he could make a push for postseason honors.

Freshmen Robert Guiles (Rancho Bernardo HS) and Mark Streelman (Valley Christian HS) both can step in at third and first base, respectively, and the line-up will not miss a beat. Guiles, who comes from one of the top high school programs in the nation, could also see time as the designated hitter as he has the ability to drive the ball out of the park. Streelman, a returning redshirt, is using his baseball smarts and smooth swing to push Hodge for the starting nod at first. Also in the mix is sophomore junior college transfer Billy Gwinn (Long Beach CC), who provides Svagdis with a good stick off the bench.

Outfield

As in the infield, the Cougars are just as strong around the outfield.

Senior Matt Dzama (.387, 47 R, 50 RBI, 9 HR in 2001) returns and switches from left to center after missing all but one game last season with a broken arm suffered in the season opener. One of the Cougars’ top offensive threats, Dzama set NAIA single-game records for home runs (4) and RBIs (13) vs. Biola in 2001.

Fellow senior Alex Valadez (.278, 25 R, 5 SB), a part-time starter last year, gets the nod in left this season. Another fundamental, but not flashy athlete, Valadez makes the most of his opportunities. A sound fielder, Valadez uses his speed to cover a ton of ground, and he also carries a steady stick with occasional pop at the plate.

After a 2-year layoff, Cameron Radonich (.297, 10 R, 12 RBI in 2000) returns in position to take the starting spot in right. Radonich will need to work off the rust from the layoff in the early going, however, his natural athletic abilities at the plate should help speed the process along.

Former walk-on Nick Mercado (.235, 7 R, 5 RBI), who was used primarily as a pinch-hitter and late-inning defensive replacement last year, seems to be the front-runner for the leadoff role as a designated hitter. His knack for getting on base, and his speed on the base paths make him a dependable threat. Speedy freshman Hyman Jack (West Covina HS) will be utilized primarily as a pinch runner in key situations, but he will also see time as the Cougars’ fourth or fifth outfielder.

Catchers

Without a doubt the most inexperienced position on the field, the catchers will have to adjust quickly for the Cougars to succeed this year. Three talented freshmen are competing for the duties. Local product Jake Haaker (South Hills HS) seems to have cemented the starting spot at the outset. What he lacks in experience, Haaker more than makes up for in his work ethic and natural ability. From a strong high school program, he takes pride in his defensive effort and can receive and block the ball with ease. Offensively, the learning curve is steeper, but as he gets comfortable, he will contribute on a regular basis.

Jerod Huber (Denair HS) and Joe Billheimer (Walnut HS) are currently slated as the back-ups, although each could fill in nicely. Huber is coming off a 2-year layoff, however, he is hoping to build on a solid high school career. He will vie for quality innings, especially on doubleheader days, and he has a good bat with some pop. Billheimer’s time may be limited at the outset, but he could be used off the bench as he develops throughout the season.

Pitchers

Perhaps the biggest question mark for the Cougars lies in its pitching staff. After losing the top 4 pitchers from a year ago, the Cougar staff is retooled and a bit inexperienced, and its success will depend solely on how quickly it develops.

“We have a ton of guys that are not necessarily overpowering, but they throw strikes,” said Svagdis. “They may lack experience, but I’m confident they will get better and better as the season wears on.”

Svagdis will employ a 3-man rotation throughout the season with a fourth starter working non-GSAC contests. Five arms are currently vying for those spots.

The most experienced is junior Kelly Strickland (1-3, 7.90 ERA, 18 K), who is back at full strength after returning last year from a 2-year layoff following surgery. He came on strong last year and is set to make a huge impact this year. Strickland throws hard and has a good slider, and he keeps the ball down.

Senior Andy Alstot (1-2, 7.85 ERA, 23 K) is also back after making great strides near the end of last season. He possesses a confident demeanor and has a good fastball and an excellent curve to keep hitters off-balance. Junior Brad McKinney (1-1, 4.98 ERA, 15 K) was the surprise of the 2002 season, making 17 quality appearances out of the pen. This year, McKinney looks to forge his way into the rotation but will also see plenty of relief innings. Sophomore Mike Medlock (11 App., 3 starts, 11 K) looks to improve upon a rookie campaign in which he spent time as a reliever and as a spot-starter. Medlock has enormous potential and this could be his breakout year.

Newcomer and local product Chad Clark, a senior transfer from USC, is the fifth arm vying for a starting spot. Clark has big-time experience having been on 2 Pac-10 championship teams with a pair of College World Series appearances with the Trojans. A hard thrower, Clark brings great experience to a relatively inexperienced staff, and he could be a key arm in the rotation.

Six arms comprise the Cougar bullpen, each of whom is ready, willing and able to produce at any given time. Returnees Joe Bitonti, Derek Wright and Rory Carrillo will work with junior college transfers Billy Johnson (El Camino CC) and Derek Wohlers (Spokane Falls CC) and freshman Peter Dusan (Bend, Ore. HS).

Bitonti is the most experienced, making 27 appearances the past 3 seasons. A crafty veteran with a good mental make-up, Bitonti is not overpowering but effective, because he knows his limits and works well within them.

A former back-up catcher, Wright will try to work into the closer’s roll. He consistently throws strikes and keeps the ball down, but his success will depend upon how well he recovers from an early-season arm injury. Just a sophomore, Carrillo continues to develop into a collegiate pitcher, working the middle innings.

Both Johnson and Wohlers are making great strides heading into the season. Both are big and strong athletes and hard-throwers with decent breaking balls. Johnson was slated to throw for NCAA Division II-power Chico State, but opted instead to transfer to Azusa Pacific. Wohlers enjoyed a successful junior college career at Spokane (Wash.) Falls CC and is looking to parlay that into success at Azusa Pacific. Dusan is the lone lefty on the staff. His innings may be limited, but as he develops, he could see quality time with his ability to keep hitters off-balance.

The Cougars begin action Jan. 29 when they host Bethany College at 6 p.m. Other non-GSAC opponents include NCAA Division II Cal Poly Pomona, CS San Bernardino, CS Dominguez Hills, CS Los Angeles and UC San Diego as well as NCAA Division III Chapman, La Verne, Pomona-Pitzer, Claremont-Mudd, Bridgewater (Va.) and Massachusetts-Dartmouth.

“We want to be playing our best ball come April,” said Svagdis. “We will take this season one month at a time and develop throughout the year. Hopefully, we will be at our best at the end.”