Lions open today

Vanguard baseball team will attempt to better 13-win seasons it posted in both 2004 and 2005 campaigns.Triskaidekaphobia was not among the maladies that sent Vanguard University baseball players to the trainer last season.

Nonetheless, the Lions, under second-year Coach Scott Mallernee, just might be seeking a remedy for the condition known as the fear of the No. 13.

Vanguard has won 13 games each of the last two seasons, including last year’s 13-32 campaign that ended with eight straight defeats.

The Lions, who saw their 19-man roster depleted by injuries in 2005, lost 15 of their last 16 games and went 4-23 after a 9-9 start.

This season, Mallernee hopes for improvement on the basis of 13 newcomers -- nine freshmen and four transfers -- a few talented returning position players and a veteran crop of starting pitchers.

The Lions open the season today at 11 a.m. with a doubleheader against visiting Bethany University of Santa Cruz.

“Last season was a rough one,” Mallernee said. “It seemed like we had guys hurt all the time. We already had a smaller roster and the injuries forced us to play some guys out of position, including some pitchers.”

There are 10 pitchers on this season’s 24-player roster and Mallernee said pitching is the strength of this year’s squad.

“We’ve got some maturity on the mound,” Mallernee said of a starting rotation that features seniors Mike Guernsey, Daniel Brown and Clay Brown, as well as junior Todd Merz.

The seasoning received by Guernsey, Clay Brown and Merz last season likely left a bitter taste. The trio had a combined record of 4-19.

Daniel Brown, a senior transfer from Arkansas Little Rock, was 0-3 with an 11.07 earned-run average in 10 appearances for the Trojans last season.

But Mallernee said pitching coach Randy Wishmyre has done wonders honing the staff’s mechanics. In some cases, Wishmyre’s wisdom has helped create some significant increases in velocity.

Also aided by Wishmyre’s tutelage have been relievers Andrew Riddle, a senior closer candidate, and senior Matt Franco.

Riddle, who threw in the 83-85 mph range last season, is reaching the low 90s this season, said Mallernee, who added Franco, a reliever and spot starter, has improved from the 85-86 mph range to as high as 92.

The pitching staff should also benefit from experience behind the plate, where senior Travis Westerfeld enters his third season as a starter. Westerfeld hit .255 last season, three points higher than the team average.

Senior center fielder Isaac Salazar is another third-year starter. He hit .278 last season, tops among returners, and led the 2005 Lions with 44 hits.

“[Salazar] is our field general in the outfield and he’s a kid I like having around,” Mallernee said of his projected leadoff man.

Juniors Joe Candelaria and Matt Voorhies are battling for time at second base and right field, respectively, Mallernee said.

Elsewhere, starting jobs should be earned by freshmen or sophomores.

Freshman Erik Komatsu has already asserted himself in left field, Mallernee said. The former Camarillo High standout could open the season hitting third.

“[Komatsu] is a left-handed swinger and he could be our best hitter,” Mallernee said. “He could also pitch some for us.”

Freshman Derek Craddock and sophomore Luke Iverson (.260 last season with 23 RBI) are the candidates at first base.

Mallernee said Craddock, sophomore third baseman Bryan Miller and freshman catcher-designated hitter Randy Smith should occupy the middle of the batting order.

Freshman Zach Leighton is the starting shortstop, while freshmen Sonny Behrends (third base), Stephen Mercier (left field), Ethan Gentry (second base) and Jason Machado (right field) could also earn plenty of playing time.

Sophomore Shea Alderete will also provide depth, said Mallernee.

“I think it’s a talented group, but we’re very young,” Mallernee said. “The guys are working hard and they have shown a great attitude. This seems like a team that is going to have great character.”

THE LIONS

No. Name Position Year

1 Ethan Gentry IF Fr.

2 Travis Westerfeld C Sr.

3 Isaac Salazar OF Sr.

7 Zach Leighton IF Fr.

9 Sonny Behrends IF Fr.

10 Shea Alderete IF So.

11 Matt Franco P Sr.

13 Adam Hastings C Jr.

14 Erik Komatsu OF-P Fr.

15 Daniel Brown P Sr.

16 Clay Brown P Sr.

17 Derek Craddock 1B-P Fr.

18 Bryan Miller IF So.

19 Randy Smith C Fr.

21 Luke Iverson C So.

22 Joe Candelaria IF Jr.

23 Andrew Riddle P So.

24 Sean Davis P So.

25 Jason Machado OF-P Fr.

27 Stephen Mercier OF Fr.

30 Matt Voorhies OF Jr.

31 Mike Guernsey P Sr.

34 Richard Jessup P Fr.

35 Todd Merz P Jr.

Coach: Scott Mallernee

(second year)

SCHEDULE

Feb. 3 -- Bethany (home) DH, 11 a.m.

Feb. 10 -- at Lewis-Clark State, 2 p.m.

Feb. 11 -- at Lewis-Clark State DH, noon

Feb. 15 -- Concordia (home), 2 p.m.

Feb. 16 -- at Concordia, 2 p.m.

Feb. 18 -- Biola (home) DH, 11 a.m.

Feb. 20 -- Patten (home) DH, 11 a.m.

Feb. 25 -- at The Master’s DH, 11 a.m.

March 1 -- at Azusa Pacific, 2:30 p.m.

March 2 -- Azusa Pacific (home), 2:30 p.m.

March 4 -- Fresno Pacific (home) DH, 11 a.m.

March 6 -- Culver-Stockton (home), noon

March 8 -- at Westmont, 2:30 p.m.

March 9 -- Westmont (home), 2:30 p.m.

March 11 -- at Point Loma Nazarene DH, 11 a.m.

March 16 -- Illinois Inst. of Tech. (home), 2:30 p.m.

March 17 -- Simpson (home), noon.

March 18 -- Cal Baptist (home) DH, 11 a.m.

March 22 -- at Concordia, 2:30 p.m.

March 23 -- Concordia (home), 2:30 p.m.

March 29 -- Westmont (home), 2:30 p.m.

March 30 -- at Westmont, 2:30 p.m.

April 1 -- at Biola DH, 11 a.m.

April 8 -- The Master’s (home) DH, noon

April 12 -- Cal Lutheran (home), 3 p.m.

April 13 -- at Cal Lutheran, 3 p.m.

April 19 -- Azusa Pacific (home), 3 p.m.

April 20 -- at Azusa Pacific, 3 p.m.

April 22 -- at Fresno Pacific DH, noon

April 26 -- at Cal Baptist, 3 p.m.

April 27 -- at Cal Baptist, 3 p.m.

April 29 -- Point Loma Nazarene, noon20060203631NJT63No Caption20060203ib5m9jkfMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Vanguard University senior Travis Westerfeld, left, a three-year starter at catcher, tags out a Concordia baserunner. He will help manage what the Lions hope will be an improved pitching staff this season.