For Azusa Pacific head coach Paul Svagdis, the 2004 season could have been a perfect episode of Unsolved Mysteries.

The Cougars nearly reached the 30-win plateau finishing 29-19, and they were the GSAC’s best in 2 of the 3 necessary components it takes to be successful. It could hit, and it could field. The Cougars led the NAIA in runs per game (9.14) and led the GSAC in batting (.341) and fielding (.961). And for the most part, their pitching was decent as they were fifth in the GSAC with a 5.43 ERA.

Nonetheless, while they enjoyed one of their best statistical seasons as a team in program history, they still found a way to miss the playoffs for the first time since 1980.

The reason? It could be attributed to the fact that Azusa Pacific was 10-10 in games decided by 2 runs or less. Or it could even be that in the sixth and seventh innings, where most games were decided, the Cougars’ ERA shot up to 8.33. Whatever the reason, it still remains a mystery that Svagdis and the Cougars hope they can solve in 2005.

Svagdis has re-tooled a line-up that lost 14 players, including a trio of All-GSAC performers. Despite that, the core of the team is intact as 16 players return. Toss in 4 impact transfers and quite possibly the best freshmen class in Svagdis’ 3 years, and there’s reason for excitement.

“One of the things I’m excited about is the quality of our depth,” said Svagdis, who is 55-43 in 2 seasons. “We are at-least 2-deep at every position and everyone is pushing each other for playing time, and most of that has to do with our last 2 recruiting classes.”

Infield

Three-and-a-half starters are gone from last year’s record-setting infield, including All-GSAC honorees Glenn Hedgpeth and Robbie Lindsey. Only All-GSAC Stephen Vogt returns at first base.

Vogt had rookie season like none other, finishing second in the GSAC hitting .431 with 20 doubles. Amazingly, he reached base safely in all 44 games he played, and he needs hits in his first 4 games this year to break Azusa Pacific’s 33-year-old hitting streak record of 34 straight games.

Both Johnny Soberal and Scott Hodsdon are sophomores that are making a transition from middle reliever to middle infield. Soberal will likely start at second, and the athletic Hodsdon will take over the reigns at shortstop. He replaces Lindsey, who graduated last year as one of the greatest players in program history. They are big shoes to fill, but Hodsdon is up to the task. He has great range and a solid arm, both of which enable him to reach balls in the gap.

After missing nearly one-and-a-half years, a healthy Robert Guiles returns to fold at third. In the best shape of his career, Guiles is poised for an excellent campaign. He hit .393 in 31 games as a freshman in 2003.

Junior Nate Leiser returns ready to step in as needed. A solid fielder, Leiser will likely platoon with Soberal at second. In spot duty last season, he hit .320 in 23 games, mostly in a reserve, defensive replacement role.

Junior college transfer Nick Pursell (Poway CC) will back up Guiles at third. A solid defender and an above-average hitter, Pursell will get his fair share of innings.

Three freshmen—Jonathan Dravecky, James O’Neill and Titus Lester—are all set to make their debuts.

Dravecky, son of former major league pitcher Dave Dravecky, must overcome a preseason injury but will spell Vogt at first when he gets healthy. A strong athlete, he is an excellent hitter and will be a force off the bench. O’Neill red-shirted the 2004 season at NCAA Division I CS Northridge. He can play both middle infield spots but will likely get his innings at short. Lester is a hard-working middle-infielder who will develop with exposure to the college level.

Junior Jake Haaker (.314, 21 RBI) gets the nod behind the plate. A talented defender with a strong arm, Haaker has become a very good signal caller. He will be spelled by Vogt.

Junior Joe Billheimer will again serve as the Cougars’ No. 3 catcher.

“Our infield is going to be tough to replace, especially up the middle,” said Svagdis. “But this year we have more defensive speed and hopefully that along with our athleticism will make up for what we lack in experience.”

Outfield

As strong as the infield was last year, this Cougar outfield could be even better.

Junior 2-sport standout Coba Canales (.313, 5 3B) will start in center and hit leadoff. He played in 43 games backing up All-GSAC Cameron Radonich but also started 23, most of them in left field. That experience, and his superior athletic ability, makes Canales a candidate for postseason honors.

With a year of experience under his belt, senior Jeff Staniland (.295, 5 HR) will again start in right and likely bat fourth. Another 2-sport star, Staniland could be in store for a big year after a decent 2004 campaign.

The battle for left field is down to 2 seniors—Joe Morrison and transfer John Ray (College of the SW). Morrison was fourth in the GSAC, hitting .380 last year and was a pleasant surprise who got better as the year progressed. Ray was an All-Red River Conference honoree last year after hitting 16 home runs. Either Ray or Morrison will start in left while the other will likely DH.

As is the case in most positions, the Cougars are deep in the outfield. Sophomore Chris Cardinale and freshmen Chase Dunning and Nick Johnson are all competing for key backup spots. Cardinale made big improvements during the offseason and has a year of experience in his corner. Both Dunning and Johnson are talented freshmen who could compete right away if needed.

“Our outfield is extremely deep and talented,” said Svagdis. “Coba has potential to be great for the next 2 years. Jeff is a phenomenal athlete and should have a big year now that he has a year of experience, and both Ray and Morrison are great hitters. Then, we have those guys on the bench who all have promising futures ahead of them.”

Pitchers

While the Cougars should maintain its ability to hit and field, the question mark lies in the pitching staff. Yet, Svagdis has re-worked what was a relatively young squad last year.

The Cougars’ starting group has the potential to be among the best in the conference. Sophomore Brandon Sisk, who enjoyed a decent level of success as a freshman, is the top returnee. He is likely to fill a starting spot during the conference weekend. Last year, Sisk was third on the team in innings (58.1) and second in strikeouts (50).

He will likely be joined in the rotation by junior college transfers Jason Ray (San Diego CC) and Jose Pagan (San Bernardino Valley CC). Ray, who is just in his second season as a pitcher has the potential to be a frontline starter in the GSAC. Pagan could serve as a non-conference starter.

Also returning to the fold after a year-long layoff is senior Kelly Strickland. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2001, Strickland returned for 2 seasons before deciding to hang it up after the 2003 campaign. He returns for one final go and has never been healthier.

Sophomores Daniel Sloan, Josh Breckley and Buddy McNeill as well as junior college transfer Chris Garcia (Citrus JC) give Svagdis options out of the pen. Sloan returns a year older, wiser and stronger and is poised to have a breakout campaign. Breckley is recovering from Tommy John surgery but could be force as he gets healthy. McNeill has made vast improvements since last season and will get innings. Garcia also suffered an injury during the fall, but he brings good experience to the mix. Sloan, Breckley and Garcia are all lefties.

“Last year, we were so inexperienced on the mound,” said Svagdis. “We were putting freshmen on the mound when we needed to win games, and it just didn’t happen. However, now we’re a year older, wiser and stronger, and we have that experience. So when we put guys on the mound, they know what it takes, because they’ve been there before.”

Freshmen Jake Boyle, Brad Boekestein, Jason Madsen and Zack Pettikas are all vying for innings in a relief role. Madsen, who redshirted the 2004 season, has been groomed to serve as the Cougars’ closer. At 6-6, the athletic Madsen can be an imposing figure on the mound. Boyle has been the biggest surprise with his ability to keep the ball down. He will earn his share of innings and has potential to be a go-to reliever. Boekestein and Pettikas are both solid left-handed relievers. Both are raw and will likely need exposure to the collegiate level. However, each of them could have an impact in the right spots.

“Our bullpen will be the key for us again this year,” said Svagdis. “We’ve got some young guys there, but we also have veteran leadership from guys like Strickland, that will be a huge asset that we didn’t enjoy on last year’s staff.”

Again the Cougar schedule is challenging. Aside from the newly realigned (divisional play) and ultra-competitive GSAC slate, the Cougars have 6 demanding NCAA Division II foes as well as NAIA-powers Lewis-Clark St. (Idaho) and Albertson (Idaho).

“Physically, we should match up with everyone we play against this year, and that alone will give us a chance,” said Svagdis. “The athletic ability of this group is unbelievable. We have the ability to be as strong offensively as last year, and our defense will be solid. If we stay healthy, there’s no reason we shouldn’t make a run at getting back to the playoffs.”

And that alone could be a mystery solver.