Baseball Starts the Season with High Hopes

Monday, January 27, 2014

Ridgecrest – The early season for the Coyotes was full of opportunity. The fall schedule was complete with several four-year institutions throughout the state of California: St. Katherine University (San Diego), Vanguard University, Biola University, Bethesda University (Orange County), Westmont University (Santa Barbara), and University of Antelope Valley. These games provided important exposure for all of the baseball players in the program to continue pursuing their education and athletic endeavors at the next level. Additionally, an invitation to compete in a Palm Springs Showcase allowed the team to impress recruiters from over 30 4-year institutions and representatives from every Major League Baseball organization.

Bryan Faucher (SO/Las Vegas, NV) is back after receiving all-conference honors last season. Faucher was awarded the team's "Big Stick" award for leading the team in batting with a .362 average. Faucher will see some playing time at first base but will most likely be used as the Designated Hitter (DH), where he received his all-conference nod last year; additionally, he will anchor the bullpen. Also returning is Kevin Maxey (SO/Long Beach, CA), an outfielder who was drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Maxey batted .314 last season and will provide some power and consistency to the middle of the order with Faucher. Both Faucher and Maxey were nominated to play in the Sophomore all-star game at Cerritos College on October 6th, a showcase for Junior College players who excelled on the field their freshman year.

Supporting them will be Cory Verret (SO/Las Vegas, NV), Scott Koenen (SO/Las Vegas, NV), and Thomas Shelly (SO/Boulder City, NV) on the mound, who figure to help out the pitching rotation for their second season back at Cerro Coso. Harrison Greenough (SO/Markham, ONT) will also be a contributor to the Sophomore class, adding another bat to the line-up.

With the strength of the returning class, and the depth of key freshmen additions, Coach Jon Holmes is ready to start the 2014 season. "This will be an exciting season," Holmes said. "We have some great arms in the bullpen, some talented fielders, and a lot of bats to put up runs."

The 2014 season begins this weekend with three games against opposing West Hills. Opening day is Friday, January 31, starting at 6 PM under the lights at the Dawg Yard. Saturday brings the first double header of the season, as the Coyotes are eager to take the home stand and start their season in the win column. Coach Holmes agrees, "We will compete to win a lot of ballgames, but only if we play as a team and leave behind our selfish individualism. A quick start will help these Coyotes gain the confidence they need to continue their winning ways through-out the season."