|
What 2 Watch 4
If the season ended with the current standings, Cal Poly (26-9, 14-1 BW), UC Irvine (25-9, 13-2 BW), Cal State Fullerton (18-18, 9-6 BW), Hawai‘i (25-10, 10-8 BW) and UC Santa Barbara (14-11, 10-8 BW) are the five teams headed to Fullerton for the 2025 Big West Baseball Championship. Luckily for the other six teams, there are five weekends of regular season Big West baseball left to play.
This weekend of conference action is highlighted by league leader Cal Poly visiting fourth-place UC Santa Barbara. The second game of the series on Friday, April 18 will be nationally televised on ESPN U. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. PT. The Mustangs have won all five of their league series, with the only single game loss to Hawai‘i this past weekend. The Gauchos, the preseason favorites, have won two straight conference series, including a sweep of UC Riverside.
Another intriguing matchup is fourth-place Hawai‘i at second-place UC Irvine. The Anteaters have won all five of their league series so far, while the Rainbow Warriors are looking to right the ship after losing two consecutive conference series.
The other series around the conference are Long Beach State (14-19, 8-10BW) at Cal State Fullerton, UC Davis (16-19, 5-10 BW) at Cal State Bakersfield (15-23, 7-8 BW) and UC San Diego (17-18, 7-8 BW) at UC Riverside (12-22, 3-15 BW).
In a marquee non-league series, CSUN welcomes No. 6 Oregon State to Hiegert Field for a three-gamer.
Big West Baseball Schedule
National Attention
Four Big West teams are featured on the national rankings of several publications.
UC Irvine is nationally ranked 13th by D1Baseball, 13th by NCBWA, 14th by Perfect Game, 14th by USA Today Coaches and 16th by Baseball America.
Cal Poly is 25th in Perfect Game, and receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches and NCBWA.
Hawai‘i is receiving votes in the NCBWA and USA Today Coaches polls.
UC Santa Barbara is receiving votes in the NCBWA and USA Today Coaches polls.
• D1Baseball
• NCBWA
• Baseball America
• Perfect Game
• USA Today Coaches
About the Mustangs
Cal Poly is 26-9 overall and 14-1 in conference play. The Mustangs are nationally rated No. 25 in the Perfect Game poll and receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches and NCBWA rankings.
Cal Poly leads The Big West in hits (392) and fielding percentage (.983), is second in batting average (.312) and doubles (82) and third in runs scored (317), triples (9) and RBI (234),
First Baseman Zach Daudet (16 RBI, 27 R) tops the conference in on-base percentage (.546) and is second in batting average (.410) and third in OPS (1.245) and slugging (.699). Catcher Jack Collins (.346 BA) is the league leader in doubles (13) and is third in home runs (10), and is second in RBI (420). Shortstop Nate Castellon (.321 BA, 21 RBI, 22 R) is second in the league, ninth nationally, in sacrifice bunts (9). Second baseman Ryan Fenn (.331 BA, 20 RBI, 29 R, 11 SB) is the toughest hitter in the league to strikeout (17.0). Third baseman Alejandro Garza (.349 BA, 26 RBI, 29 R) is the second toughest hitter in the conference to strikeout.
Starting pitcher Ethan Marmie (4-2, 4.56 ERA) has thrown the most innings in the conference (54.0). Griffin Naess (3-2, 48.0 IP, 3.94 ERA) and Josh Volmerding (4-1, 46.0 IP, 43 K) are the other two Mustang starters. Closer Tanner Sagouspe (3-2, 2.84 ERA, 35 K, 25.2 IP) has five saves.
About the Anteaters
UC Irvine is 25-9 overall with a 13-2 league record. The Anteaters are nationally ranked 13th by D1Baseball, 13th by NCBWA, 14th by Perfect Game, 14th by USA Today Coaches and 16th by Baseball America.
UC Irvine leads the league in batting averge (.316), runs scored (317), triples (16), RBI (298), slugging percentage (.517), hit by pitch (92) and on-base percentage (.429), is second in hits (384), home runs (45) and pitching strikeouts (335), and third in fielding percentage (.974), opponent batting average (.248).
Shortstop Colin Yeaman tops the conference in batting average (.421), slugging (.786), OPS (1.297), hits (61), triples (5), home runs (11), runs scored (43) and and is second in on-base percentage (.516), RBI (45), and doubles (12). Outfielder Jacob McCombs (36 RBI) is second in the conference in slugging (.766), OPS (1.252), second in runs scored (40) and third in bating average (.406).
Reliever Ricky Ojeda (6-0, 44K, 30.0 IP) is the conference leader in wins (7) and third in ERA (2.12) amongst qualified pitchers. Closer Max Martin (2.57 ERA, .90 WHIP, 20K, 21.0 IP) is the league leader in saves (7). Starter Riley Kelly (4-0, 38.1 IP, 31 K) is second in ERA (2.11). Starter Trevor Hansen (5-0, 53 K), alongside Ojeda and Kelly, all have undefeated pitching records.
About the Titans
Cal State Fullerton is 18-18 overall and 9-6 in conference competition. The Titans have the conference lead in triples (16), are second in runs scored (275), RBI (252), and third in batting average (.316), hits (377), home runs (42), slugging percentage (.482) and pitching strikeouts (313).
First baseman Andrew Kirchner (.297 BA, 23 R) tops the conference in RBI (50) and is second in hits (52) . Reliever Andrew Wright (1.07 ERA, 5 SV, 31 K, 25.1 IP) is one of the top bullpen arms in the league.
About the Rainbow Warriors
Hawai‘i is 25-10 overall and 10-8 in league action. The Rainbow Warriors are receiving votes in the NCBWA and USA Today Coaches polls.
Hawai‘i is the league leader in drawn walks (180) and stolen bases (56), is second in on-base percentage (.396), ERA (3.94) and opponent batting average (.233).
Outfielder Matthew Miura (.318 BA, 17 RBI, 30 R) tops the conference in drawn walks (29) and is second in stolen bases (13). Outfielder Ben Ziegler-Namoa (.338 BA, 32 RBI, 30 R), infielder Draven Nushida (.337 BA, 24 RBI, 15 R) and infielder Shunsuke Sakaino (.326 BA, 24 RBI, 36 R) are the other top hitters for the ‘Bows.
Starting pitcher Liam O’Biren (3.06 ERA, 35K, 35.1 IP) is first in the league in opposing batting average (.117). Reliever Isaiah Magdaleno (3-0, 37 K, 35.1 IP) is first in WHIP (.78) and third in opposing batting average (.182).
About the Gauchos
UC Santa Barbara is 24-11 overall with a 10-8 conference mark. The Gauchos are receiving votes in the NCBWA and USA Today Coaches polls.
UC Santa Barbara leads the league in ERA (3.54), opponent batting average (.223) and pitching strikeouts (376), and is third in doubles (78) and stolen bases (38)
Outfielder LeTrey McCollum (.360 BA, 25 RBI, 26 R) is second in the conference stolen bases (13).Starter Calvin Proskey (.94 WHIP) is the league leader in ERA (2.08), is second in strikeouts (56) and third in innings pitched (52.0). Starter Tyler Bremner (47.0 IP) has the most strikeouts in the league. are tied for second in strikeouts (47).Relievers Donovan Jackson (4-0, 1.62 ERA, 35 K, 33.1 IP) and Nathan Aceves (3-1, 1.78 ERA, 31 K, 25.1 IP) provide stability in the bullpen.
About the Tritons
UC San Diego is 17-18 overall and in 7-8 league competition. The Tritons have the league lead in doubles (86) and home runs (56), are second in slugging percentage (.489), drawn walks (174), and third in hit by pitch (77), on-base percentage (.393)
Outfielder Michael Crossland (.329 BA, 28 RBI, 32 R) is the conference home run leader (11). Infielder/outfielder Gabe Camacho (.320 BA, 24 RBI, 28 R) is third in the league in hit by pitch (16). Starter Matthew Dalquist (3.88 ERA, 51.0 IP) leads the UCSD pitching staff.
About the Roadrunners
Cal State Bakersfield is 15-23 overall with a 7-8 conference record. The Roadrunners are second in the league in drawn walks (167), hit by pitch (85) and stolen bases (54) .
Outfielder Nick Mascaro (.329 BA, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 27 R) is the Roadrunners’ top hitter. First baseman Evan Cloyd (27 RBI, 27 R) is the league leader in hit by pitch (22).
About the Dirtbags
Long Beach State is 14-19 overall and 8-10 in conference action.
Starter Kellan Montgomery (4.82 ERA, 46.2 IP) has the second most pitching wins (6) in the conference. Closer Albert Roblez (3 SV, 3.12 ERA, 34.2 IP) has the third most strikeouts (54) in the league.
Outfielder Kyle Ashworth (.328 BA, 26 RBI, 27 R) and shorstop Armando Briseno (.315 BA, 27 RBI, 23 R) are the top hitters for the Dirtbags.
About the Aggies
UC Davis is 15-19 overall with a 5-10 conference record. The Aggies have the second best fielding percentage (.981) in the conference and third best ERA (4.42).
Two-way player Braydon Wooldridge has a .333 batting average with 19 RBI and a 3.27 ERA in 11.0 innings of relief. Starters Bryan Green (2.42 ERA, 44 K, 48.1 IP) and Noel Valdez (4-3, 3.91 ERA, 53.0 IP) stabilize the UC Davis rotation.
About the Matadors
CSUN is 8-24 overall, going 4-14 in conference play. Outfielders Andrew Becker (.327 BA, 20 RBI, 21 R) and Roberto Gonzalez (.309 BA, 16 RBI, 21 R) are the top CSUN hitters.
About the Highlanders
UC Riverside is 12-22 overall with a 3-15 league mark. Outfielder Robert Pitts (.324 BA, 16 RBI, 14 R) is the conference leader in stolen bases (18).
Preseason Poll & Team
UC Santa Barbara has been picked to win The Big West, according to a poll of the conference’s 11 head coaches. It is the third year in a row that the Gauchos have been selected as the favorites in February.
UC Santa Barbara earned nine of the 11 first-place votes to total 99 points. The Gauchos, winners of three of the last five Big West titles (2019, 2022, 2024) under 14th-year head coach Andrew Checketts, finished 2024 with a 44-14 overall record and won the conference crown with a 26-4 league mark to earn the right to host the regional round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time on campus. UC Santa Barbara is expected to compete nationally this season, appearing on several media outlets’ preseason NCAA rankings (22nd by D1Baseball, 22nd by USA Today, 22nd by NCBWA, 23rd by Baseball America, 24th by Perfect Game).
The Big West coaches also voted on an 11-player preseason team and the Gauchos had three representatives in junior right-handed pitcher Tyler Bremner, sophomore right-handed pitcher Jackson Flora and sophomore right-handed pitcher Cole Tryba.
Bremner was an All-Big West First Team and an All-American according to three outlets (ABCA, NCBWA, Perfect Game). The San Diego, Calif. product went 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA, striking out 104 batters in 88.2 innings pitched. With expectations for a repeat performance, Bremner’s name is also featured on numerous outlets’ preseason All-America teams including D1Baseball (First Team), Perfect Game (First Team) and Baseball America (First Team).
Tryba was an All-Big West Honorable Mention selection in 2024 with three saves, a 3.64 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 47.0 innings on the mound. Tryba is anticipated to produce on a national level and was named a Preseason All-American by D1Baseball.
Flora was an All-Big West Honorable Mention selection last season with a 3.83 ERA, 40 strikeouts and five saves in 47.0 innings of work on the hill.
Outside of the trio that made the preseason team, UC Santa Barbara’s pitching is reinforced by the return of junior left-handed pitcher Hudson Barrett who was an All-America Third Team, Freshman All-America First Team, All-Big West First Team and Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year selection in 2023 with a 1.92 ERA and 82 strikeouts on 61.0 innings pitched. LeTrey McCollum is the top returning hitter for the Gauchos, after slashing .320/.383/.400 with 33 runs, 14 RBI and 10 stolen bases last season.
UC Irvine is second in the poll with 89 points and received the remaining two first-place votes. Last year, the Anteaters went 45-14 for all games, placed second in the conference with a 22-8 league mark and earned a trip to the regional round of the NCAA Tournament. UC Irvine joins the Gauchos in the preseason national polls, being rated No. 24 by Baseball America and receiving votes by USA Today and NCBWA. UC Irvine head coach Ben Orloff begins a seventh season in charge at the alma mater.
The Anteaters took two spots on the Big West preseason team with junior first baseman Anthony Martinez and sophomore left-handed pitcher Ricky Ojeda.
Martinez was an All-Big West First Team member slashing .316/.422/.492 with 18 doubles, nine home runs, 54 runs and a UCI single-season record 74 RBI. The Anteater first baseman is a Third Team Preseason All-American according to D1Baseball, Baseball America and Perfect Game.
Ojeda was an All-Big West First Team honoree and Freshman All-American by NCBWA and D1Baseball last season. The lefty made 25 relief appearances for 52.0 innings and recorded a 6-1 record, one save, a 3.46 ERA and 74 strikeouts.
Excluding the two on the preseason team, the Anteaters also bring back Will Bermudez, an All-Big West Second Team member a year ago after recording a slash line of .301/.420/.447 with 43 runs, 12 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 48 RBI.
Cal Poly was picked third with 79 points. The Mustangs were tied for third in last year's standings with a 20-10 conference record, 35-22 overall.
Two Mustangs were placed on the preseason team in sophomore infielder Alejandro Garza and sophomore right-handed pitcher Griffin Naess. The second-year pair were last season’s Big West Freshman Field Player of the Year and Freshman Pitcher of the Year, respectively. Garza appeared in 56 games with 52 starts as a rookie and batted .346 with 28 RBI and 27 runs. Naess had an undefeated pitching record on the mound (7-0) in 15 appearances, 12 starts, with a 3.58 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. The Mustang freshman hurler compiled 62 strikeouts in 73.0 innings of work.
Outside of Garza and Naess, Larry Lee, the league’s longest-tenured head coach with 23 seasons at the reigns, returns two 2024 All-Big West honorees in redshirt senior infielder Ryan Fenn (.325/.362/.461, 43 R, 43 RBI, 10 SB) and redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Tanner Sagouspe (4-2, 9 SV, 3.23 ERA, 47.1 IP, 54 K).
Hawai’i was predicted for fourth with points. The Rainbow Warriors were tied for third in with a 20-10 league mark, 37-16 for the season. Senior Jordan Donahue earned a spot on the preseason team. Last year, the Rainbow Warrior shortstop hit .349 with 30 RBIs to go along with 17 doubles, 43 runs scored and 10 stolen bases en route to an All-Big West Second Team selection.
Two 2024 All-Big West honorees in sophomore third baseman Elijah Ickes (36 R, 28 RBI) and junior outfielder Matthew Miura (.303/.427/.410, 49 R, 41 RBI) also return for fourth-year skipper Rich Hill. The Hawai'i head coach enters a 38th season overall in the NCAA (1998-93 at Cal Lutheran, 1994-98 at San Francisco, 1999-2021 at San Diego).
Entering its inaugural year of being a full-fledged Division I and Big West member, UC San Diego was selected to finish fifth with 63 points. The Tritons were fifth last season with a 17-13 league record, 30-23 overall. Graduate catcher Emiliano Gonzalez earns a spot on the preseason team. The UCSD backstop hit .317 with 10 doubles, 6 home runs, 46 RBI and 30 runs.
Bolstering the Triton lineup for 13th year head coach Eric Newman are sophomore utility Anthony Potestio (.318/.395/.439, 20 R, 20 RBI), sophomore outfielder Michael Crossland (.292/.393/.433, 37 R, 26 RBI) and junior outfielder Patrick Hackworth (2023 All-Big West Honorable Mention).
CSUN (50), UC Davis (25), Cal State Fullerton (36), Long Beach State (36), Cal State Bakersfield (18) and UC Riverside (12) round out the poll.
CSUN finished above .500 in league play last season at 16-14 and were 30-24 overall. Third-year head coach Eddie Cornejo looks to build on the momentum and brings back sophomore outfielder Jarren Sanderson who slashed .312/.385/.435 with 26 runs and 31 RBI last season.
UC Davis senior left-handed pitcher Bryan Green, an All-Big West Honorable Mention selection in 2024 with a 3.86 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 63.0 innings of work, was placed on the preseason team. For fourth-year head coach Tommy Nicholson, senior right-handed pitcher Carter Delaney reinforces the Aggie pitching staff, coming off an All-Big West Honorable Mention season with a 5-3 record, 2.23 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 44.1 innings pitched.
Cal State Fullerton, the hosts for the returning Big West Baseball Championship, and fourth-year skipper Jason Dietrich bring back two of its top hitters in Eli Lopez (.300/.406/.415, 32 R, 19 RBI) and Maddox Latta (29 R, 31 RBI).
Long Beach State junior right-handed pitcher Kellan Montgomery fills out the preseason team. Montgomery had a 3.95 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 86.2 innings pitched last season. The Beach return Kyle Ashworth (45 R, 27 RBI) an All-Big West Honorable Mention selection a year ago.
There will be two new head coaches in the league at the helm of the Cal State Bakersfield and Long Beach State programs. The Roadrunners have hired Jordon Banfield as its new baseball head coach. The Beach have tabbed TJ Bruce as their new skipper. Banfield spent the previous four seasons as the head coach at Oakland. Bruce was the associate head coach at TCU for the previous two seasons.
Big West Baseball Championship
For the first time in 27 years, The Big West will have a conference championship. The league’s top five teams will advance to the Big West Baseball Championship May 21-24 at Cal State Fullerton's Goodwin Field, with the winner earning an automatic berth in the NCAA Championship.
History of Big West at College World Series
The Big West has sent at least one team to the Men’s College World Series in 21 seasons, including a stretch of eight consecutive years from 1988-95 and four in a row from 2014-17. Four current members have represented The Big West at the MCWS - Cal State Fullerton (1975, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2017), Long Beach State (1989, 1991, 1993, 1998), UC Irvine (2007, 2014) and UC Santa Barbara (2016).
In 2007, CSUF and UCI played in the longest game in MCWS history - a five-hour-and-40-minute marathon that lasted 13 innings and ended in a 5-4 Anteater victory. The Big West has won two national titles, both by the Titans, in 1995 and 2004.
|
|