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There is a sleeping giant in the West Coast Conference this year. The giant has proved to be a powerhouse in the past, and now that the baseball season is about to begin it is showing signs of waking up.
After a disappointing loss in the final game of the WCC championships against San Diego last season, Pepperdine baseball is primed and ready to avenge its reputation and dispel any doubt about which team will be this year’s champion.
And Pepperdine fans should feel confident in Head Coach Frank Sanchez to lead the way.
It is easy to see his 28 years of coaching experience as he deals with his players, from the way they act around him to the way he talks about baseball. After awhile it is perfectly clear why Pepperdine baseball has compiled a .721 winning percentage and 10 trips to the WCC championships under his command.
Sanchez doesn’t take all the credit. He is quick to point out that baseball isn’t about one player or coach — it’s a team effort.
“If we are all able to pitch in and play a team-oriented type game we have a chance to be very successful,” Sanchez said. “I would like to point out that for us to be successful, we’re going to need to work together and pitch, play defense and score.”
The general feeling is that this year’s team is more well rounded than last year, primarily because the number of experienced players is greater. Last year the club lost five top recruits to the Major League Baseball draft, and the year before that a record nine players were signed to the MLB, several of which were juniors.
“We have great continuity in the program this year,” Sanchez said. “We have a team that relies on all aspects of the game to be successful.”
Senior shortstop Kevin Estrada agreed.
“I think we’ll be solid,” he said. “Our defense is solid and our offense is really good. I think there will be a lot more stuff going on because we can hit and run. We’ll do much better than last year.”
The combination of experience and skill did not happen magically. Months of hard work and dedication were required to get the team to the point where it is today.
Preparations for the season included early morning practices where players were expected to be on the field and ready by 6:30 a.m., six days a week. They practiced in small four-person groups in compliance with NCAA rules.
“I think there is a great deal of sacrifice to get up that early in the morning,” Sanchez said. “It requires a level of dedication and toughness that good players have.
“We want to get stronger, we want to be in good shape and we want to be confident, both physically and mentally,” Sanchez continued.
Only four starters return to this year’s crew — senior designated hitter and first baseman Ty Harper, junior outfielder Cory Brightwell, sophomore third baseman Patrick Rooney and junior first baseman Chris Kelly.
In addition, Estrada will return to action after spending last season on the sidelines with a hand injury. Estrada is expected to provide direction and charisma to the team.
“I think there is some good leaders on the team,” Sanchez said. “But I also think that the younger guys are good players and leaders themselves. We are a good athletic team with strong experience, and are in a position to have great success.”
The Waves open their 56-game schedule Feb. 7 when they host the “Battle at the Beach” tournament at Eddy D. Field Stadium.
Joining Pepperdine in the four-team contest are Houston, UC Santa Barbara and Washington. Every team will play the other three once during the three-day event.
“We’re going to go out there and play as hard as we can every day,” Assistant Coach Rick Hirten-steiner said. Sanchez echoed a similar sentiment.
“Our strategy will be to try to win one game at a time,” he said. “I hope that we are balanced in everything that we do in a way that allows us to win. I like this team and I feel like we’re on our way to challenging everybody, every game.”
Submitted January 23, 2003
MALIBU, CA
