Introduction
The first day of February has become one of the most anticipated days at PLNU because that date marks the opening of baseball season for the Sea Lions. After working out throughout the Fall and the Winter, head coach Joe Schaefer will finally be able to lead his Sea Lions onto the field to take on fellow NCAA opponents. PLNU will start their 2014 season by taking on Cal Poly Pomona in a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 1, with the first pitch scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

2013 Recap
Point Loma went 26-24 during the 2013 season, including placing fourth in the Pacific West Conference standings with a 22-14 record. This was their first year playing a complete NCAA Division II schedule and in the PacWest Conference. The Sea Lions advanced to postseason play and competed in the NCCAA West Regional in Riverside, Calif.

The Returners
The Sea Lions have been back on the field since January 14th and it has been their strong core of veteran student-athletes that have taken the leadership role for the Sea Lions.  Coach Schaefer returns 19 letterwinners from the 2013 team. Nearly the entire infield is back for the Sea Lions, including 2013 team MVP Tyler Nordgren and three-year starting shortstop Clinton Harwick. PLNU will be relying on their veterans, especially on offense, this season. Their top two hitters are back in Nordgren (.358) and Trey Hunt (.318), as well as Mike Marcoux who finished third behind Hunt (28) in runs scored with 27.

"I'm excited for this group," Schaefer said. "Most have been in the program for three or four years now. It has marked a shift in the way we recruited. A lot of those guys got time in their freshman year, now they are going into their junior and senior years stronger and more experienced. Many have also developed as our leaders and captains. We are excited for their leadership and playing ability, and think these guys can take us to that next level." 

Newcomers
Coach Joe Schaefer continued with his recruiting pattern of bringing in another talented freshmen class along with a few impact transfers. Kevin Lillicrop, Cody Bergkamp and Kellen Sheppard all joined the team as freshmen pitchers, while Matt Jervis, Preston Sands and Ryan Garcia will all be wearing the Green & Gold for the first time this season in the field. Coach Schaefer was also able to land Anthony Torres from the University of Iowa and San Diego City College's Male Athlete of the Year, Cole Chandler.
"We were very, very lucky to get Anthony Torres," said Schaefer. "He is a local kid, who transferred from the University of Iowa, he played a lot, but kind of didn't get what he was looking for- so we were lucky to have him get back home to San Diego."

Coach Schaefer is very excited for the addition of the transfers but is just as excited for his 2014 recruiting class.

"We have quite a few younger guys who all have tremendous ability and I expect all of them to play in some capacity," Schaefer explained. "We have a freshman first baseman- Ryan Garcia, a freshman middle infielder in Matt Jervis, a freshman outfielder Preston Sands. We also have a couple really good freshmen pitchers in Kevin Lillicrop and Kellen Sheppard. Sheppard is also going to spend quite a bit of time as our DH. 

"There's a lot of talent in the freshman class that will all be kind of thrown into different roles," continued Schaefer, "but I anticipate them all playing at some capacity by the time they're sophomores, juniors and seniors. They are the future of the program."

Catchers
The Sea Lions will enter the season with three catchers on their roster; sophomores Michael Randel and AJ Derr, and junior Anthony Torres. Derr and Randel both saw game action last year as freshmen for the Sea Lions. Derr started 19 games behind the plate, while Randel started 14.
"I think we have tremendous depth at the catching position," said Schaefer. "We have probably three of the best defensive catchers in the whole conference, in my opinion. Anthony Torres, AJ Derr and Michael Randall, all three of those guys I think can play at the next level defensively.  They're just outstanding on the defensive side of the baseball." 

AJ Derr, 5-10, 175, So., Turlock, Calif. (Pitman)
Derr hit .218 for the Sea Lions as a freshman. He scored six runs, drove in six runs and had six stolen bases.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "AJ Derr has made tremendous strides offensively from his freshman year to this year. He's significantly stronger, he's still fast, still the fastest guy on the team, still an outstanding base runner, and he's also extremely athletic. We could put him in the outfield if we had to, just to get him in the lineup. There are going to be plenty of days where we opt to catch AJ and DH Torres."

Michael Randel, 6-0, 190, So., Alpine, Calif. (Steele Canyon)
Randel saw action in 25 games as a freshman. He scored four runs, had three doubles and knocked in three runs.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "He's coming around offensively. Michael has made some progress over break from fall to spring. He's a big strong kid and he's going to get better and better each year. Like I said, he's still one of the best defensive catchers in the conference. He's a luxury to have as our third guy, and will be a great option for us later in a game if we have to run for a catcher or make a random substitution or something."

Anthony Torres, 6-0, 180, Jr., Lakeside, Calif. (La Jolla County)
Torres started 20 games last season at catcher for the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was second on the team with a .312 batting average and a .391 on-base percentage.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "He's not just a great catcher and a very, very accomplished hitter, but he's just got a tremendous work ethic and he's got unbelievable leadership abilities.  He's been a great addition to our returning crew."

Infielders
One of the strengths coming into the season for PLNU is their infield. The Sea Lions return experience at third base, shortstop and second base. Tyler Nordgren and Clinton Harwick are expected to anchor the left side of the infield. On the ride side, the Sea Lions have four players competing at second base and freshman Ryan Garcia and sophomore Jack Spohn are locked in a battle for the starting first base job. 

"We have a ton of depth in the infield, which is a great thing," said Schaefer.  "We have an army of guys that can all play second, third or short."

Tyler Nordgren, 3B, 5-10, 185, Sr., San Diego, Calif. (Madison)
Nordgren paced PLNU last season with a .358 batting average en route to earning team MVP honors.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Tyler Nordgren will be the everyday third baseman. He's a fifth year senior and our leader. He was our MVP last year, and we anticipate him anchoring third base all year long and hitting the middle of the lineup every day."

Clinton Harwick, SS, 6-2, 215, Sr., Glendora, Calif. (Glendora)
Harwick's 2013 season was cut short by injury. He was hitting at the top of the lineup and led PLNU in runs scored at the time of the injury. He had 17 runs scored and nine steals last year.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Harwick is going to get the start at shortstop. He is a senior and has been playing pretty much every day the last three years. He's one of the most athletic guys in the conference, and I think he has an awesome outlook on life this year after what he went through last year.  We're excited for him and I think he has the potential to have an amazing senior year."

Tanner Handa, 2B, 5-10, 170, So., Vista, Calif. (Rancho Buena Vista)
Handa started 26 games as a freshman middle infielder. He hit .286 with six doubles and 13 RBI. He also walked 13 times and struck out just 11 times.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Handa filled in at shortstop last year after Clint got hurt. He's a very solid defensive player and he's probably got the most potential offensively out of all of our infielders."

Matt Jervis, 2B, 5-10, 175, Fr., Poway, Calif. (Rancho Bernardo)
Jervis joins PLNU out of Rancho Bernardo High School where he was a three-year letterwinner and an All-CIF selection as a senior.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Matt Jervis is just an unbelievable defensive infielder, he adapted well to second base, and he's also an even better offensive player than we anticipated at this point in his career."

Kyle Desimone, 2B, 6-0, 190, Sr., Bakersfield, Calif. (Stockdale)
Desimone saw action as both an infielder and outfielder in 2013. He started 31 games while scoring 12 runs and knocking in 15. He was also a perfect 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Kyle Desimone played quite a bit last year, both at second base and in the outfield. He's a very athletic, strong guy and a solid defensive second baseman."

Marcus Heisner, 2B, 5-7, 165, Jr., Encinitas, Calif. (San Dieguito Academy)
Heisner posted a .385 on-base percentage last season while starting 15 games. He added six RBI and two stolen bases.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Marcus might be listed as our fourth second baseman, but two years ago he was our everyday guy and the all-conference Gold Glove selection. He's accomplished and has the ability. There are a couple guys in front of him right now but he has a tremendous heart and tremendous spirit. He could battle his way into the lineup at some point."

Ryan Garcia, 1B, 6-1, 195, Fr., Oceanside, Calif. (El Camino)
Garcia joined PLNU as a freshman out of El Camino High School where he was a second team all-state selection as a senior. During his senior season he hit .360 with eight home runs.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Ryan is a very smart baseball player with a very polished left handed swing. He plays great defense and should make an impact in our lineup this year."

Jack Spohn, 1B, 6-2, 200, So., Claremont, Calif. (Damien)
Spohn started 12 games as a freshman. He scored five runs to go along with two doubles and a five RBI.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Jack made some pretty big strides over the course of this Fall. We match up lefty versus righty, righty versus lefty- until one of them (Spohn or Garcia) is proven to win the everyday job over there at first base."

Outfield
Another very experience group for the Sea Lions will be the outfielders. Trey Hunt is back for his third season in center field. He will be flanked on one side by senior Mike Marcoux and the other side is still up for grabs.

"We have a really solid outfield with lots of experience returning out there," said Schaefer.  

Trey Hunt, OF, 6-1, 190, Jr., San Diego (Lincoln)
Hunt was the only Sea Lion to start all 50 games last year. He led the team with 57 hits, and was second on the squad in both runs (28) and total bases (63).
Coach Schaefer's quote: "He's progressed and developed every single year he's been here. He's going into his junior year a little bit bigger, a little stronger and a little faster. He is starting to learn the position a bit better.  He came to us a raw player, and now he's a little bit more savvy."

Lucas DiCiccio, OF, 6-0, 195, Jr., Fresno, Calif. (San Joaquin Memorial)
DiCiccio started 31 games last year splitting time between the right side of the infield and the outfield. He had two home runs and 14 RBI.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Lucas is a tremendous defensive outfielder, one of the better arms in the conference from right field, and also a big strong kid and gives us a solid left-handed option when we want to have a left-handed heavy lineup."

Mike Marcoux, OF, 5-11, 185, Sr., Westminster, Calif. (Servite)
Marcoux was the leadoff hitter and right fielder the majority of last season. He hit .275 with 27 runs scored, 11 doubles and 16 RBI.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Mike is a speedy guy, that's going to be a base-stealing threat hitting near the top of the lineup for us pretty regularly."

Joseph Keller, OF, 6-1, 200, So., Chino Hills, Calif. (Chino Hills)
As a freshman, Keller started 28 games and saw action in five others. He hit .258 with four doubles, two home runs and 15 runs batted in.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Keller is going to spend more time in the outfield than the infield this year even though he's the future third baseman. We thought so highly of him as a hitter, we just had to find a way to get him in the lineup regularly so we put him in left field this Fall. He adjusted really well, showed a lot of promise out there; he can make all the routine plays. He has good arm strength and can make all the throws. He's going to get the nod out there in left field the majority of the time"

Tyler Hanzawa, OF, 5-10, 175, Sr., Wahiawa, Hawaii (Punahou)
Hanzawa was limited to 17 games his junior year but still achieved a .350 on-base percentage.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Tyler is going into his third year with us now and this is the best he's ever looked. He could find his way into the starting lineup as well. He's a scrappy left-handed hitter who's now come into his own a little bit with some pop."

Preston Sands, OF, 5-8, 150, Fr., San Diego, Calif. (Rancho Bernardo) 
Sands was a three-time all-league selection as an outfielder at Rancho Bernardo High School prior to joining the Sea Lions.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Preston does all the little things really well.  He can bunt, he can hit-and-run. He stays on a line with every swing, and he's a tremendous base stealing threat. Preston is going to find his way into almost every single game this year, whether he's starting or coming into pinch run or play defense. As his career goes on, he'll be an everyday guy and potential all-conference guy in the future."

Starting Pitchers
Point Loma will have a whole news starting staff this season. PLNU graduated second team All-PacWest selection Tyler Garkow and fellow senior Justin Lawrence, and shifted two other starters into the bullpen. Coach Schaefer moved 2013 PacWest first team closer, Garret Levsen, into the role of starting pitcher. He will be joined by sophomore Garrett Gooding and freshmen Kellen Sheppard and Kevin Lillicrop.

"I like our four starters," said Schaefer.  I think we have one of the deeper starting staffs that we've had in a long time. It's been a while since we've were able to run four different guys out there and know exactly what we were going to get out of each one of them."

Garrett Gooding, LHP, 6-0, 170, So., Newhall, Calif. (Hart)
Gooding redshirted last season after he paced PLNU as a freshman out of the bullpen with a 3.08 ERA. He struck out 25 batters in 26.1 innings and opponents hit just .213 off him.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "As a freshman two years ago, Gooding threw in a late inning role for us and was darn near unhittable.  Opponents hit like .180 against him as a freshman, so know he's got tremendous ability.  He has worked his tail off and he proved better control to us.  I mean, he knew what he had to get better at and he did it. He had the stuff all along, but now he's got the efficiency to go along with it. He's going to be a pretty darn tough left-handed pitcher to face this year in conference play."

Garret Levsen, RHP, 6-4, 220, Sr., Whittier, Calif. (Sonora)
Levsen tied for the PacWest lead with 10 saves last season to go along with a 2.39 ERA. Opponents hit just .186 off him and he had a 23-to-9 strikeout to walk ratio.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Garrett Levsen was the all-conference closer last year and he was tremendous in that role but he really wanted to make the effort to come back as a starting pitcher for his senior year. In all reality we were hesitant about it because he was so good in the closing role and we didn't want to take him out of that role. But he worked so hard over the summer and he proved it to us all fall and about 35 innings worth of starting pitching this fall that he's ready for it."

Kevin Lillicrop, RHP, 5-11, 170, Fr., Cypress, Calif. (Cypress)
Lillicrop was a second team all-state selection as a pitcher at Cypress High School. He also earned first team all-league honors as a shortstop.

Kellen Sheppard, LHP, 6-1, 195, Fr., Vista, Calif. (Rancho Buena Vista)
Sheppard joins PLNU after a successful career at Rancho Buena Vista High School where he was a two-time all-league selection.
Coach Schaefer's quote on his two freshmen pitchers: "Those guys are just so far advanced for their age it's unbelievable.  I mean, we got lightning in a bottle being able to get both those guys in the same class, so they're special arms, very special minds- they understand the game, they understand how to pitch, they're strong, they're durable, and they're very, very talented."

Bullpen
One of the strengths for PLNU last season was the consistency of its bullpen. All the Sea Lions in the pen played important roles, but many of those will be shifting this season with Levsen moving to the starting rotation. Brett Carlile, who served as the set-up man last year, will take over at closer. The Sea Lions will also have experience returning in the pen with Sebastian Santos, Mickey Dunleavy, Sam Sadler and others.

Brett Carlile, RHP, 6-0, 200, Jr., San Diego, Calif. (Poway)
Carlile was the PacWest preseason all-conference selection as a reliever. He posted a 3.48 ERA last season and one save.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Moving into the "the closer role," in place of Garrett Levsen, will be Brett Carlile. Brett threw really well last year in a bullpen role. He was kind of our set up guy for the 8th inning, and occasional 9th inning, when Garrett wasn't available. He just has the perfect mentality for it. You know he's not overpowering, but everything he throws is down in the zone. He uses his movement, exceptional change up well. He's an out machine, which is what you need in the last inning of the game. So Brett will anchor that closing role for us as often as possible- he's durable, he can throw back to back days, and twice in a day sometimes- so he'll be good."

Cody Bergkamp, LHP, 6-3, 185, Fr., Phoenix, Ariz. (Sunnyslope)
Bergkamp was an all-state selection as a pitcher his senior season for Sunnyslope High School.

Cole Chandler, LHP, 6-4, 215, Jr., Fallbrook, Calif. (Fallbrook)
Chandler joins PLNU after playing two seasons at San Diego City College where he was named the Male Athlete of the Year as a senior.
Coach Schaefer's quote on his two lefty relievers: "We have left handed pitching out of the bullpen for the first time in a long time, so freshman Cody Bergkamp, and we have junior college transfer Cole Chandler. Both are big, tall left handers. Both are mid-80s type guys with plus off-speed pitches. We can use them in certain matchups and we can use them in long roles. They're strong guys and create different angles, which is really great, so we're blessed to have two different options there."

Mickey Dunleavy, RHP, 6-3, 205, Jr., Irvine, Calif. (Mater Dei)
Dunleavy made 11 starts for PLNU last season and went 5-6.

Sebastian Santos, RHP, 6-4, 190, Sr., Murrieta, Calif. (Murrieta)
Santos started seven games last year and went 3-2.
Coach Schaefer's quote on Dunleavy and Santos: "Both those guys moved to the bullpen this year just to give us a little bit more depth at the back end of games.  Both those guys had serious motivation over the summer and they both came back and they looked awesome this fall and even into the first few weeks of this spring.  Their fastball velocities are up from last year and their breaking balls are better than they were last year. Their fastball command is also better. They look like they're on a mission and they're going to be tremendous assets late in the game. Mickey will actually be used as an emergency starter if needed- in the event that someone is hurt or can't go, he's going to be the fifth option there."

Sam Sadler, RHP, 6-4, 195, Jr., Fullerton, Calif. (Whittier Christian)
Sadler and Levsen pitched the first combined no-hitter in school history last season. Sadler finished the season 2-2 in six starts.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Sam Sadler battled a little bit of an injury over the summer, and it took him a little while to get going this fall, but he's finally healthy now and we're getting to see him at full strength finally these last two weeks.  He was the guy that had a couple starts last year, and a couple starts the year before. The potential has always been there, it's just been a struggle to try and keep him healthy a full season. But assuming he's healthy this whole year, he's going to be a huge part of our bullpen.  Being a junior, a little bit older and with some experience, I mean he's gone through the conference once. He's going to be able to get a ton of outs for us." 

Noah Huggins, RHP, 6-5, 235, Fr., Encinitas, Calif. (San Dieguito Academy)
Huggins was four-year letterwinner in baseball at San Dieguito Academy. He was also a first team all-league selection.
Coach Schaefer's quote: "Freshman Noah Huggins is just a huge bag of potential. He's 6-5, 240 lbs., and he just has a ton of potential.  He just needs to continue getting bigger and stronger, but he's going to continue to develop into an outstanding arm for us over the next few years. We'll use him out of the bullpen and in kind of longer bullpen roles because he's a strike machine. If he can be down in the zone, and continues to add strength and add velocity to his fastball, then he's going to become a pretty significant threat in our conference."

CONCLUSION
Coach Schaefer has stuck with his recruiting plans over the past four years and the Sea Lions will be putting one of their most talent teams on the field in years this Saturday (Feb. 1) when it faces Cal Poly Pomona in the season opener. But this is baseball, and no matter how much talent a team has it comes down to fundamentals and execution. If Sea Lions can combine their talented bats, skilled arms and the fundamentals of the game PLNU might just be in for a special season.