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SACRAMENTO STATE HORNETS
It's All Good!

The 2009 Sacramento State Hornets will be without six position starters from a season ago, but will blend an experienced, albeit youthful, pitching staff with returnees taking on new roles throughout the diamond.

Gone from last year's squad are all-conference performers Ryan Blair, David Flores, Gabe Jacobo and Wes Oberlin, all of whom hit above .330 last season.

The cornerstone of this year's lineup is first team all-Western Athletic Conference performer Tim Wheeler, who hit .330 with three home runs and 43 RBI as a sophomore, while stealing 10 bases and collecting eight outfield assists. Senior Hunter Martinez and senior Blake Crosby are the other two returning starters.

On the mound, the Hornets return three of their four starters from a season ago, and also welcome the majority of their bullpen back. Junior right-hander Trevor York will miss the beginning of the season, but senior left-handers Brian Smith and Jose Ramirez return to the rotation.

The 12 newcomers, including six true freshmen, as well as the younger returnees will gain experience from a tough nonconference schedule that includes four Pac-10 schools.

Outfield

Wheeler will be the Hornets' opening-day starter in center field for the third straight season. Junior transfer Dan McCarthy is the likely starter in right field. Senior Jeff Roth will expand on his utility role from a season ago, entering the team's starting lineup as the opening-day left fielder. Roth is also a key member of the Hornets pitching staff.

Freshman Aaron Crouch, a left-handed hitter, will also see time in left field. Two other players who figure to see time in the outfield are junior Justin Mezzaneras and redshirt freshman Ivan Otsuka.

Infield

Crosby is the Hornets most experienced infielder, but will begin his third season in the Green and Gold at a new position, third base. Martinez will be the opening-day starter at first base. With Crosby moving to third base, the shortstop position opens up for sophomore Derrick Chung, who made six starts at the position as a true freshman, is known for his arm and range, but also contributed at the plate, hitting .276 last season.

Junior Josh Powers will be the starter at second base. Powers and Roth will be primary backups at all four infield positions, with junior Joe España set to back Martinez up at first base.

Catcher

Sacramento State has four catchers on this year's roster, one returnee and three newcomers. Sophomore Brent Hottman will start at catcher. Hottman made 13 starts behind the plate last season, hitting .286 with one home run and 12 RBIs. Freshman Justin Lamb will back up Hottman. Powers will be the third catcher, with junior transfer Jon Taylor also pushing for time behind the plate.

Pitching Staff

Starting pitching will once again be pivotal in Western Athletic Conference play because for the second straight year, teams will play four-game weekend series.

Smith, a native of Sacramento, shined in conference play last season, with four wins in the WAC. Ramirez started the 2008 season strong, earning WAC Pitcher of the Week honors following a win against BYU. A pair of sophomore right-handers, Brandon Sandoval and Chris Baek, will contend to fill out the rotation. Freshman right-hander Jesse Darrah will also be in the picture.

In the bullpen, the Hornets return several key arms. Roth, the team's closer a season ago, will be relied upon out of the bullpen again this year. Senior Eric Fregosi will see his role expand in the bullpen after a strong fall season. Elrod joined the team late last season, but made an impact both out of the pen and as a starter. Nick Buchta returns for his senior campaign. Freshmen Brent Harrison and Alex Taku, along with junior Brian Filice, are the newcomers to the Hornet bullpen.