The word is out. For players looking for somewhere to play quality hardball for an energetic, intelligent baseball man the place to be is Azusa Pacific.

To that end, a third straight solid recruiting class is looking to boost the Cougars to the top of the Golden State Athletic Conference for the first time since 2002. The class includes 4 transfers and 10 freshmen that will knit together with 17 returnees to form this year’s team - a group intent on getting Azusa Pacific back to the top.

With a successful offseason now in the books, Azusa Pacific head coach Paul Svagdis enters his fourth season at the helm of the Cougar baseball program. After a .500 finish last season, this year’s squad is poised for a breakout campaign thanks to another infusion of young talent, the maturation process of the pitching staff, a new closer named Gagne and the 2005 GSAC Player of the Year, catcher Stephen Vogt.

Those elements combined with the establishment of Svagdis’ philosophies very well could propel the Cougars back into the playoffs after a one-year hiatus.

The team’s youth is evident by the fact that there are only 3 seniors on the roster and, while that may also show things bode well beyond 2006, the youngsters will be part of this year’s core.

Svagdis has to fill some openings after the departure of several starters including staff ace Jason Ray who is gone after being chosen in the eighth round by the Oakland A’s in the 2005 draft. However, there are players ready to step up and immediately assume big roles.

Pitchers

The pitching staff proved to be solid last season posting a 3.90 team earned run average the third lowest in the GSAC. The staff has been bolstered by a pair of transfers, who will be slotted into the starting rotation, a new closer and, just as importantly, welcomes back a healthy Brandon Sisk.

Now a junior, Sisk led Cougar starters with a miniscule 1.84 ERA. He finished third on the team with 49 innings and second with 45 strikeouts. He combines with fellow returnee Zach Pettikas to give Azusa Pacific the option of starting two lefties during the conference weekend. Pettikas earned rave reviews as a freshman, finishing second on the team with 58.2 innings pitched while fashioning a 3.68 ERA. A poised southpaw with a good change-up, he led the team with 6 victories. Both hurlers are candidates for postseason honors.

The southpaws are joined by a pair of veteran hurlers who have had success before coming to Azusa Pacific.

Senior right hander Guy McDowell transfers from the University of Hawaii where he was a mainstay in the Warrior bullpen. He is being converted into a starter this season and placed into the rotation. Last year at Hawaii, McDowell made 14 appearances and posted a 2-3 mark with a 4.43 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 22.1 innings of work. Very competitive by nature, he features an explosive fastball and a quality slider. Now a starter, the development of McDowell’s change-up will be a key to his success.

Another solid candidate for the rotation is senior transfer Andrew Abell. A strike throwing machine, Abell played for Svagdis this past summer with the Fort Collins Foxes. He will give the Cougars innings in large part because he induces batters into hitting groundballs at his infielders thereby keeping his pitch count low.

The bullpen figures to be strong as it returns a slew of arms. Daniel Sloan, Jason Madsen, Buddy McNeill, Brad Boekestein, Peter Dunn and Jake Boyle all gained valuable experience out of the pen last year.

Boekestein figures to be the set up man after a good freshman season during which he posted a 1.74 ERA in 10.1 innings of work before he was sidelined with an injury. He will work ahead of freshman closer Christian Gagne who comes to Azusa Pacific after a stand out career at Mater Dei High.

Of all the freshmen pitchers, Gagne immediately steps into the most prominent role. A tall, lanky right hander, Gagne does not utilize velocity as much as a funky sidearm delivery and a deadly slide piece. In the regular season, he posted an 8-1 record and a 1.80 ERA for the Monarchs in leading them to the Serra League championship.

Sloan made 11 appearances last season, including 4 starts, and is poised for a breakout year with the further development of a quality curveball. Madsen is a hard worker who is looking to bounce back from an injury that cut short his 2005 season. He was an important arm in the bullpen and will be counted on to be an impact reliever.

McNeill did some good things last year and can make an impact if he can consistently keep the ball down. He finished 1-1 in 8 games in 2005. Meanwhile, Boyle was thrown into the fire as a freshman and went through the predictable ups and downs of a first year player. His consistency during fall ball has raised his profile and he could be one of the first relievers out of the pen.

The staff also welcomes 3 freshmen arms that will contribute to the program over the course of the next 4 years. Garrett Lebsock (Fort Collins HS), Barrett Kanyer (O’Dea HS) and redshirt freshman Ben Jones (Rio Mesa HS) are quality arms to keep an eye on.

Infield

The Cougars are happy to return 3 of their infield mainstays from a year ago in addition to Vogt who will play some first base this season. The left side of the infield is back with All-GSAC shortstop Scott Hodsdon leading the way. A slick fielder, Hodsdon batted .325 and was tied for the team lead with 21 extra base hits. He also hasn’t lost his ability to pitch. A full time hurler 2 years ago as a freshman, he compiled a 3.83 ERA in 40 innings last year when he wasn’t playing short.

Sophomore third baseman James O’Neill is a grinder with good hands and a strong arm. If he can limit his strikeouts at the plate he will be a productive hitter in the lower third of the order. O’Neill has some pop as demonstrated by his 7 doubles and 2 homers and should continue to develop into a run producer.

One of the Cougars’ leaders, Johnny Soberal is back as the starting second baseman. He is a quality offensive player who can drive the ball. His glove work is consistent and he teams with Hodsdon to provide Azusa Pacific with a solid double-play combination up the middle. Sophomore Titus Lester also returns and will give the Cougars an experienced player who can play multiple positions and provide quality pinch-hitting at-bats.

The Cougars are looking for freshman Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Denver Christian HS) to step in and assume the duties of playing first base. A left handed hitter with a tall, muscular frame, Nieuwenhuis can hit the long ball, but he also runs well. A poised and hard-working newcomer, he prominently figures into the Cougars’ plans prominently as a position player but he also can be called on to pitch middle relief.

Freshman Shaun Lane (El Dorado HS) had a productive prep career and will push for playing time from the outset. He played third base in high school and could see some action at the hot corner this year. Freshman David Parsons (Irvington HS) is a high energy player who will provide depth at second base.

Behind the plate the Cougars return one of the biggest offensive forces in the country in junior Stephen Vogt. Last season, he was a first team NAIA All-American as well as the GSAC and Region II Player of the Year after leading the nation in hitting with a .453 batting average. Vogt’s ability to hit is unquestioned and he figures to be a huge presence in the heart of the line-up. He will also see time at first base where his good foot work makes him more than adequate in the field.

When Vogt isn’t behind the dish, Svagdis has a pair of reserve catchers that have the talent to be solid. The immediate back-up will be sophomore transfer Nick Beghtol who will start in left field but also can catch. Sophomore Josh Jeleniowski, a transfer from Albertson, will be a reserve but will be called upon to catch. He is a hard worker and continues to get better behind the plate. He also is solid offensively.

Outfield

The outfield returns 2 stalwarts of the program in Coba Canales and Chris Cardinale. Now a senior, Canales patrols center field and is likely to bat second. The speed and athleticism he displayed playing cornerback and returning kicks for the Cougar football team will be showcased on the bases as well as the Cougars are looking to place a greater emphasis on the running game. Canales hit .291 and swiped 5 bases last year but, after a terrific summer playing for Svagdis in Colorado, he is on the brink of a monster campaign.

Meanwhile, Cardinale plays at the corner outfield spots. He will see action mainly in left field where he will split time with Nick Beghtol. Cardinale is a potential lead-off hitter and his offensive game has progressed after hitting .261.

Beghtol is an immediate impact player for the Cougars. A big, strong imposing hitter, he has already been drafted twice because of his ability to hit. Last season at Dixie State, he hit .331 and slugged 3 homers. Now a Cougar, he will protect Vogt offensively and look to form a potent 1-2 punch in the middle of the order.

Incoming freshman Dwight Nixon (Beyer HS) has emerged as the leading candidate to start in right field. Nixon is a strong hitter who can drive the ball. He has good speed which allows him to cover a lot of ground in the outfield. Svagdis will slot him lower in the order to minimize the pressure on the first year player. However, Nixon has the potential to become a force over the course of his collegiate career.

The Cougars have quality depth that should see plenty of action. Sophomores Nick Johnson and Chase Dunning each appeared in 13 games last season and can be key contributors. Also a talented pair of freshmen, Ben Adams (Oaks Christian HS) and Stephen Gillette (San Pasqual HS), could also see time as they continue to develop. Adams is coming off an arm injury that forced him to redshirt last season while Gillette had a standout prep career and will give the Cougars another power bat.

It should come as no surprise that the Cougars’ schedule is once again difficult. Azusa Pacific opens the season against NCAA Division II foe Cal State San Bernardino and several local NCAA Division III opponents in Whittier, Claremont McKenna and Redlands. The Cougars travel to Lewiston, Idaho, to face the strongest NAIA program in the nation, Lewis-Clark State, in a 4-game series in mid-April. That doesn’t even include the GSAC slate which will be challenging again this season.

While it won’t be an easy road, the pieces very well could be in place for a run at the conference crown and a return to the playoffs after missing out last year. While a team relying on youth has to develop, this group has already established a chemistry that makes getting back into the postseason a very real possibility. An energetic, intelligent baseball team that reflects its coach is on the verge of accomplishing big things.