Vanguard more lethal in 2008

For the first time in his four seasons as baseball coach at Vanguard University, leg room on bus rides to away games will be an issue. But the presence of about a dozen more players on the Lions’ roster, also figures to make the mood of those commutes considerably better, particularly the return trip after what figure to be more victories.

“Our depth is definitely better than it has been,” said Scott Mallernee, whose team is 4-1 after Wednesday’s nonconference home doubleheader sweep over Bethany. “We have 30 bodies and they’re not just bodies. We’re a couple guys deep at all positions and we have a lot of pitching.”

Limited numbers have helped contribute to a 55-79 record, 38-60 in the Golden State Athletic Conference, during Mallernee’s first three seasons at the helm. But quality, as well as quantity, figure to give the Lions their best chance at a winning season since a 27-26-1 mark in 2003.

“This is the most solid team I’ve had, without a question,” said Mallernee, whose squad posted a 20-25 record, 15-21 in the GSAC last season. The 2007 Lions failed to produce an all-conference player.

There is, however, a strong veteran presence, including senior outfielder Luke Iverson, junior first baseman Derek Craddock, junior right-handed pitcher Dustin Jones, junior shortstop Zach Leighton and junior outfielder Jason Machado.

Iverson, the starter in left field, hit .343 last season with 49 hits, five home runs and 23 RBIs.

Craddock, a lefty power bat, hit .352 with four homers, 23 RBIs and 44 hits in 2007, when Machado hit .324 with nine homers and 29 RBIs.

Jones, went 5-5 with a 3.56 earned-run average in 83 1/3 innings, including four complete games, while Leighton hit .292 with 19 RBIs and nine stolen bases, in addition to providing solid defense at shortstop.

Offensive production and pitching figure to be improved this season, Mallernee said, but defense could be a key.

“We fielded .942 last season and you really need to field .960-plus to be the kind of team we can be,” Mallernee said.

Sophomore Tyson Leighton is the starter in center field after hitting .329 with 51 hits, 27 RBIs and scoring 28 runs last season.

Machado, whom Mallernee considers a middle-of-the-order bat with tools, is in right field, though outfield depth is a luxury Mallernee said he has.

Sophomore Dan Black had 15 steals in 42 at-bats last season and has improved at the plate after hitting just .143.

Freshman Riley Nunez and junior Jeff Dunbar are other potential contributors in the outfield, Mallernee said.

Zach Leighton returns at shortstop, allowing junior Kyle Bondurant, a shortstop at Western Nevada Community College last season, to start at second base.

Craddock starts at first, while sophomore Keegan Freeman, who played out of position at second base last season, is back in his comfort zone at third.

“Bondurant helped Western Nevada reach the JC World Series and he should be a spark plug,” Mallernee said.

Mallernee believes Freeman could also bolster the middle of the order.

Freshman catcher Robert Vasquez, returning to the game three seasons after he played at Santa Ana Valley High, started the first three games this season. He is expected to share time with junior Kenny Dobbs, a transfer from College of the Desert.

Zach Falk, Ethan Gentry, Nick Peterson, Mike Anderson, Andrew Ramirez, and Sonny Behrends provide depth around the infield and behind the plate.

Falk, a junior transfer from Cuesta College, is a candidate at designated hitter, along with Dobbs. Munoz and Machado could also see time in this spot.

Jones, who did not allow an earned run in six innings to win his first start, is a crafty right-hander, who can throw any pitch in any count, Mallernee said.

Junior Chris Carls was also effective in his first start, allowing one earned run in five innings to get his first victory. He was 2-4 with a 5.64 ERA in 44 2/3 innings last season.

Shane Day, a 6-foot-4 junior right-hander out of Long Beach City College, also has an impressive start under his belt. Mallernee said he has a fastball in the low 90s, has a good curveball, he is a strike thrower and a competitor.

Junior Richard Jessup threw 67 2/3 innings last season (3-2 with a 5.85 ERA) and sophomore Jordan Wishmyer, who redshirted last season, is another potential starter, Mallernee said.

Anderson, a sophomore transfer from Cal State Fullerton, freshman Bryce Reid, freshman Justin Layne, the latter two lefties, and possibly Craddock are among those set for bullpen duty.

Mallernee said he does not have a set closer at this point in the season.

Vanguard opens GSAC play Saturday with a doubleheader at The Master’s at 11 a.m.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at barry.faulkner@latimes.com.