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SANTA CLARA BRONCOS
Broncos Ready to Rumble in 2009

By Sabrina Polidoro

After one of the more successful seasons in Santa Clara baseball history, the 2009 Broncos return to the diamond this year with two clear goals in mind: win the West Coast Conference Championship and move on to postseason play.

"We built a good foundation in the fall with some key returning players," said Bronco head coach Mark O'Brien. "We are battle-tested. It's nice to have guys who have been there before in your lineup and to have pitchers who have gone through the battles on the mound." Despite the experience — the Broncos return six starting position players, six pitchers and 23 letter-winners — O'Brien insists there is still room to grow and get better.

"We want to build on last year's success," said junior pitcher Nate Garcia. "We have a lot of returning guys on the pitching staff and in the infield. Our goal is to win the WCC and get to a regional and I think we are truly capable of doing that."

Garcia is one of six All-WCC honorees returning to Santa Clara's roster. He is joined by seniors Brady Fuerst and Matt Long, juniors Tommy Medica and Jon Karcich, and the 2008 WCC Freshman of the Year and freshman All-American Thain Simon.

The 2009 schedule boasts seven teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament: North Carolina State, Stanford, UC Davis, Pepperdine, Long Beach State, California and San Diego, and four teams ranked in preseason polls: Stanford, San Diego, Pepperdine and California.

"The schedule is a tough one," said O'Brien. "It was a top-20 schedule last year and it will probably be a top-20 schedule again this season. We like to play good teams and it's always good to play teams from very strong conferences around the country."

Along with one of the toughest schedules in the nation, one of the major battles Santa Clara will face this season is replacing its corner infielders, recent graduates Ryan Conan and Gabe Alcantar. O'Brien will look toward sophomore Curtis Wagner and junior Geoff Klein for help at first base.

"It will be very difficult to replace Ryan's leadership," said O'Brien. "But Curtis had a very good season for us last year and he can play first base for us."

"Geoff started really hot for us last year and faded a bit in the end. He can have a huge impact on the team this year. He had a really good fall and he's been working really hard to get back in the lineup," Medica said, echoing O'Brien's sentiments.

Third base is still up for grabs as a couple of players are expected to battle to earn the starting role.

"We have a couple of guys battling it out," said O'Brien. "Gabe was a phenomenal defensive player and one of the best third basemen I've ever coached. Brady can also play over there, which means David Abraham can see time at second base. We have options. The decision is going to come down to who is able to play defense, tough defense, every day.

"We have talented players returning and we're expecting them to have a good year. They need to focus on continuing a good work ethic and competing hard when the game comes around. We cannot let our level of competitiveness, preparation and intensity be affected by whether we are playing the top team in the nation or a team that has a record below .500. If we concentrate on that, we will have a successful year."