Sonoma State Star

Issue date: 3/18/08 Section: Sports

Mark Pestorich has led the Seawolves explosive offense all season. Pestorich leads the conference with a .467 batting average and a .543 on-base-percentage. The Seawolves are currently ranked 5th in the nation. [Click to enlarge]

The Seawolves are off to their best start in team history going 22-1 and have been unbeaten in 15 straight games. This type of success is nothing new to most of the players on this team after reeling off a school record 22 consecutive victories last season.

Despite all their success, the coaching staff has helped maintain a level of humility and determination necessary to keep the team playing hard.

"We're hot right now and we have everybody on the same page," said Goelz, "But we're not impressed. We still have to get better."

It's difficult to imagine how this team could get any better, but it's the always-hungry attitude that keeps this team focused on winning. The offensive production has been a cut above the rest this year.

The Seawolves are batting .343 as team, with a .513 team slugging percentage, and have an on base percentage of .439. Unlike most teams, the offensive production isn't limited to just a few players in the heart of the order being that there are seven players with over 15 RBI. This type of depth and efficiency is part of the reason why the Seawolves have been burying teams this year.

"It would be nice to have an undefeated season right now, but that one loss kept us grounded," said catcher/first baseman Ian Bridges. "This team is solid in all aspects and the hitting has been unbelievable."

The early season loss to Stanislaus, a one-run game that Stanislaus won on a squeeze bunt in the 12th inning, is the only game between the Seawolves and a perfect season so far. That lone loss, however, seems to have motivated the team, perhaps being a guiding force to the Seawolves bats and the punishment they've been doling out on opposing pitching.

"Sure, we lost some All-Americans coming into this season, but there are a bunch of hard working players that have been waiting for their time to come." said Goelz, "It just shows how deep we are."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools