Men’s baseball: 2001: The scrappy Bucs

Steve Virgen

The nightmare is over for Orange Coast College baseball Coach John

Altobelli. He can now open his eyes to a new day, a new team that

actually wants to get better ... together.

With young, hungry players, strong pitching and a scrappy tag, the

2001 Pirates will make most forget of last year’s underachieving team.

“I was very disappointed in the way we played,’ Altobelli said of last

year. ‘Last year’s team was an older, more powerful team that I thought

was going to go a long way. But, we had a lot of ‘I’ guys on the team.

This year’s team is very young and has gelled very well, but just has no

experience. This is a team I’m really rooting for because they are a good

group of guys.”

Altobelli, in his ninth season with the Bucs, also stressed his

players have been working hard in the offseason. The results will show

more in the pitching. OCC will have problems with depth at the other

positions because Altobelli said “we are thin.”

Freshman Scott Beerer, a Newport Harbor High product, will be Coast’s

ace. He led the Bucs to a 19-5 victory in their opener against Mt. San

Jacinto Friday. Beerer, a 6-foot pitcher and all-around athlete, has

brought much hope for Altobelli and the Bucs.

“(Beerer) is, by far, my best all-around athlete I’ve had in my nine

years here,” Altobelli said. “A lot of (universities) like him, a lot of

scouts like him and we just love him because of his work ethic and his

durability. We’re hoping he stays healthy and has a big year for us.”

Aside from his pitching duties, Beerer will play right field and in

the second game of doubleheaders, he will move to catcher.

Matt Clanton, Justin Azze and Brent Erickson, three freshmen from

Fountain Valley, will also bring strength to the mound. When Clanton is

on his game, Altobelli said, he can throw between 90-94 miles per hour.

Clanton and Azze will serve as starters and Erickson throws in relief.

Freshmen pitchers from Woodbridge, Eric Flagel and Andy Erickson, also

have strong credentials. Erickson nearly made the squad at UCLA, but

because of the Bruins’ pitching depth and an injury to Erickson, OCC will

take advantage of his skills.

Brett Elliston, who was a redshirt last year and is from Corona del

Mar, will be featured as the Bucs’ closer. Elliston’s strength is his

fastball and slider and has improved as of late.

“Our pitching is going to be where it’s at,” Altobelli said. “A couple

of years ago, I had three guys hit double digits in home runs. But, as a

team, we’ll maybe hit double digits in home runs this year. We definitely

have to manufacture runs each inning.”

The Bucs will rely on their defense as John Smith and Glen Hedgpeth

will solidify the infield. Smith, a redshirt last year from Calvary

Chapel, will be at first base and brings hope to the offense with his

power at the plate. He smacked a ball that made a hole in OCC’s

scoreboard in deep center field during practice last week.

Hedgpeth is a freshman short stop from Edison who will also be on the

mound as a closer.

“He’s probably the best short stop I’ve ever had,’ Altobelli said.

Freshmen Jake Garcia (Barstow) and Troy Bokosky (Mater Dei) will share

second base duties. And, freshman Ryan Marcos (Chino) will handle third

base duties.

Greg Trimble (Riverside) and Chris Sinner (Irvine) complete a solid

outfield with Beerer. Also, Sinner will bat leadoff and Trimble will take

his stick most likely in the middle of the lineup.

Altobelli’s new assistants will help bring more excitement to this

year’s team. Tim McDonald, who was at Cal State Fullerton last year, will

work with the infield and hitters. He also possesses recruiting savvy.

Pitching coach Dave Bowman, who take a year off from stints at Cypress

and Santa Ana, brings championship experience. He has three state

championship rings.

Joe Ronquillo is the only returning assistant.

“I get excited with the people I’m surrounded by this year,” Altobelli

said. “When I see guys who want to work and don’t have to ask to work,

that fires me up because it makes my job easier. They keep asking for

more all the time.”

Coast will play a doubleheader on Saturday at 10 a.m. against Irvine

Valley and then a matchup with Moorpark at 2 p.m.

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE BASEBALL 2001

1 Rob Williams Fr. P

2 Alec Gaynor Fr. INF

3 Brian Murphy So. C

4 Ryan Marcos Fr. INF

5 Scott Beerer Fr. P/OF

6 Shaun Shuck Fr. C/OF

7 Jake Garcia Fr. INF

8 Glen Hedgpeth Fr. INF

9 Eric Foxman Fr. P

10 Troy Bokosky Fr. INF

11 Eric Flagel Fr. P

12 Greg Trimble Fr. C

13 Cliff Cotton Fr. P

15 DJ Masumoto Fr. P

16 Tommy Kochinas So. OF

17 Eric Estrada Fr. P/OF

18 John Smith Fr. OF/1B

19 Matt Clanton Fr. P

20 Rich Navarro Fr. P

22 Mark Courvoisier Fr. P

23 Mike Bessolo Fr. C

25 Billy Conrad So. OF

26 Brent Erickson Fr. P

28 Josh McCanne So. INF

29 Justin Azze Fr. P

30 John Tucker Fr. P

31 Chris Sinner Fr. OF

32 Brett Elliston Fr. P

34 Luke Branch So. P

35 Al Lambert So. P

44 Andy Erickson Fr. P

Coach: John Altobelli (ninth year)

*P: pitcher; C: catcher; INF: infield; OF: outfield; 1B: first base.