Last season the California Lutheran University baseball squad made the postseason for the first time this millennium and finished with 32 wins, its highest victory total since 1999.

Entering the 2010 campaign, the Kingsmen have garnered a No. 20 national ranking in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Division III preseason poll.

CLU is returning five of its nine starting position players from last year’s squad.

“In order to succeed this season we need our returners to step up,” manager Marty Slimak said.

“We will rely on their experience to bring the newcomers along and play at a high level.”

Pitchers

The Kingsmen return twothirds of their starting rotation from a year ago. Seniors Greg Gelber and Chase Tigert both posted 9-2 records last season.

Gelber, an Agoura High grad, led CLU to its first playoff victory in nine years, tossing a complete game with nine strikeouts while limiting the nation’s topranked offense, George Fox University, during a 2-1 win.

Tigert was named to the AllSouthern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first team and ranked third in the conference with 67 strikeouts.

CLU lost starting pitcher Mike Roe to graduation and hopes to find a replacement for his 7-1 record from a season ago.

Senior Robbie Selden will get a shot to replace Roe after pitching in relief as the co-closer in 2009. Selden made 21 relief appearances, finishing the season with five saves and a 3.47 ERA.

“We expect starting pitching to be our strength because of their experience and the fact they have been battle tested,” Slimak said.

“If we’re going to have a successful year, it all starts with the pitchers, and the rest will fall into place.”

Senior Josh Larson and juniors Byron Minnich and Ian Durham will be key returners out of the bullpen. Minnich is a Thousand Oaks High product.

Durham is the early favorite to fill the closer role after he struck out 16 batters in 11.1 innings over seven relief appearances last season. Larson and Minnich were second and third on the team in appearances a year ago with 18 and 17, respectively.

There will be a pair of lefty relievers in the bullpen in the form of Jordan Cox and Ethan Aukee.

“I think we’ve strengthened the bullpen with the development of our younger players that are a year older and have gained a year experience,” Slimak said.

Catchers

A pair of junior college transfers, Tyler Durand and Seth Dolar, should both see time behind the plate. Junior Colin Gray returns to the club after appearing in 27 games and making 10 starts at catcher last season.

“All three of the catchers have a shot to get playing time throughout the year,” Slimak said. “It is too early to know who will fill the primary catcher role.”

Richard Michelin was the primary catcher last season but will move over to third base to fill the void left by Nick Dingman, who graduated after leading the team in batting average.

Infield The aforementioned Michelin, a junior, is taking over at third base after hitting .337 with four home runs last season.

CLU must fill vacancies at shortstop, with David Iden graduating, and at second base, with Matt Martin moving to center field.

The shortstop position will be up in the air between sophomore Louis Coppo, and freshmen Garrett Smith and Trevor Koons.

“If there is a position we are going to be young at, it will be shortstop, where we have two freshmen and a sophomore vying for playing time,” Slimak said.

Senior Landon Smith and junior Travis Dadigian appear to be leading the battle for the second base spot. Smith appeared in 28 games, made eight starts and hit .314 in 2009, while Dadigian played in 16 games, making three starts and hitting .273.

Senior Paul Hartmann will provide a familiar face in the infield at first base. He was the only Kingsmen player to start all 43 games last season and was named to the All-SCIAC second team after hitting .385 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI.

Incoming freshman Nick Boggan begins his collegiate career and will have an opportunity to earn playing time at first base and designated hitter.

Tim Johnston, a Simi Valley native who attended Oaks Christian, and Thousand Oaks High alum Tom Hocutt are also vying for infield roles.

Outfield

Senior Jordan Ott started 40 games last season, spending most of the time as the primary designated hitter, but also getting action in left field, where he will open the season this year.

Ott, a Westlake High grad, hit .361 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI, and was named to the All-SCIAC second team.

Martin, a senior, moved to center field to replace the graduated Nick Pinneri. Last year Martin batted .331, with a school-record 10 triples while playing second base.

Senior Chris Hertz returns to play right field after appearing in all 43 games last year, including 39 starts in the outfield. Hertz finished with a .286 average, five home runs and 30 RBI.

“The outfield will be strong with all returners picking up where they left off,” Slimak said.

Sophomore Brandyn Delgado and junior K.C. Judge will both be in the mix in the Kingsmen outfield, as will Moorpark High grads Nate Simpson and Elon Goldman.

Coaching staff

Slimak is back for his 17th season at the helm of the CLU baseball program. He has posted a 439-225-7 record and made nine NCAA postseason appearances since taking over in 1994.

Back on Slimak’s staff is pitching coach Erik Scherer, who enters his 11th season at CLU. Roy Riley and Adam Leavitt also return as assistant coaches, with the addition of Nick Reitz.

A former CLU outfielder, Reitz is sticking around as an assistant coach and will head the junior varsity program.

Schedule

CLU is slated to open its season Jan. 31 at home when it hosts La Sierra in a doubleheader. First pitch in Game 1 is set for 11 a.m.

The program will have its alumni game Sat., Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. at Cal Lutheran.

From Feb. 11 to 14, the Kingsmen will play in the Arizona Desert Classic in Anthem, Ariz., facing four schools from the Northwest Conference.

“The Arizona Classic will be the biggest tournament to open up the season in NCAA Division III,” Slimak said. “Four of the eight teams are ranked, and it will be a true test to see where the bar is set early in the season.”

Once the Kingsmen return home, conference play will begin with a three-game series against Occidental on Feb. 19 and 20.

Article courtesy of Cal Lutheran Athletics.