USF BASEBALL prepares for the new Millennium with sights set on achieving an elusive goal: reaching post season competition for the first time in program history. The Dons who began the last decade mired in mediocrity have risen from the ashes to contend in the West Coast Conference and establish themselves as a force on the West Coast.

Despite a rugged 1999 season in which USF was ravaged by injuries on not just the pitching staff but also key position players, the Dons showed remarkable focus and tenacity during the adversity. The starting rotation resembled a MASH unit with three pitchers undergoing surgery at some point during the campaign. Last season USF fielded a healthy complement of starting position players and pitching staff for less than a third of the season.

USF figures to rebound once again with the addition of excellent depth - especially on the pitching staff and the infield. Depth means versatility and increased options for head coach Nino Giarratano both in short supply last season.

"I think we've taken some major steps forward (in the off-season) as far as the depth of the team is concerned," said Giarratano. "Last year we went into the season with nine pitchers, we lost four, so we were down to five quality pitchers. This year, we have eleven or twelve quality pitchers who can perform at the NCAA Division I level. Also, I think we've gone out and brought in players who will work well in our system and make this thing work," Giarratano added.

Offensively the Dons enjoyed another productive year. Junior First Team All-American, Tag Bozied led the nation in homeruns (30) and slugging percentage (.936). Senior Pat Walsh pounded 16 extra base hits and stole 16 bases. Senior Tony Hurtado scored 47 runs in 1999.

Unfortunately for USF, aside from Bozied and the solid seasons from Walsh and Hurtado, the Dons struggled at the plate and posted the lowest team batting average (.299) in three years. This year Giarratano is confident he has the custom made offensive tools to take full advantage of the unique conditions at Benedetti Diamond.

"Last year, I was pleased with our consistency, although we didn't do well in some offensive categories," he remarked. "We had one home run hitter, and that was it. I think this year we have four or five guys who can provide power. We have better speed this year, which will help us improve on base stealing".

USF is much improved on the mound this season with transfers and newcomers promising to complement a solid core of returners. The Dons are excited about the influx of proven veterans and exciting young arms and their potential for silencing the bats of the opposition in the coming season.

Junior Chris Thogersen (4-4) and Chad Soares (4-6) and Peter Dunkle (6-4) return to the hill for the Dons in 2000. While they will be relied upon to provide quality innings and starts, they won't be the only options for the USF coaching staff due to the increased depth. Last year the trio accounted for 14 of USF's 21 victories.

The West Coast Conference
For the Dons to take the next step, they must climb into contention in an ever-improving West Coast Conference. Last season, Pepperdine spent the entire season in the Top-20 and Loyola Marymount beat them in the first WCC Championship Series. Both teams advanced to the NCAA Regionals. While the Waves and Lions have been perennial diamond powers, the league as a whole improved with Gonzaga and Portland posting huge turnarounds from the season before. Santa Clara and Saint Mary's both look to be improved from a year ago. San Diego also has the looks of a legitimate contender in the rugged league race, so Giarratano realizes the challenges ahead.

"During conference play we cannot be swept. We have to win two out of three each weekend to stay up there in the standings. I don't think we can worry about what Loyola and Pepperdine are doing. We just have to concern ourselves with what San Francisco is going to do each time out," Giarratano stated. "This conference is really starting to come on as a baseball conference. I think we're really going to show that this year," Giarratano said. As for what it will take for USF to advance to post season play, the USF head coach had this to say.

"I think recently, if you look at the season previews and the expectations for USF baseball, I think this is USF's best opportunity that it has ever had to compete for a championship and go to post season play for the first time in history," Giarratano concluded.

Infield
USF looks to be much improved in the infield this season with the continued development and added experience of a solid core of returners and exciting newcomers who should make an immediate impact. Jesse Foppert makes a position change from third to first, and should stabilize a position where the Dons struggled to find consistency last season. His tall frame (6-6) provides a big target and coverage. Transfer David Naber also will see time at first after making the transition from left field, while freshman Sergio Corona adds additional power to the lineup. USF has enjoyed outstanding play at second base for the past three seasons, occupied by senior Tony Hurtado and this season should be no exception. Hurtado, who struggled offensively last season continued to display his excellent defense and won USF's Gold Glove award last season. His tenacity and work ethic make him one of the best infielders on the West Coast and is out to prove last season's struggles at the plate were an aberration. Short stop was a position filled by committee last season and should be one of the areas of greatest improvement in 2000. Junior college transfer Jared Carvalho figures to make an immediate difference at a crucial position. Freshmen Ryan Leahy and Greg Kagawa will provide additional depth and allow more options for the USF coaching staff. Bozied is the starter at third base and while there is no doubt as to his prodigious talents at the plate he must continue to improve his defensive technique.

Catchers
USF catchers were an endangered species last season, forcing the Dons to start a freshman for much of the season. Entering 2000, USF figures to be improved from a health standpoint. Senior Rigo Lopez is regarded as one of the best catch and throw catchers in the country and does a masterful job managing the USF pitching staff. He can throw out base-runners and is an excellent receiver. Depth is something of a concern as Lopez is backed up by two freshmen, Nick Guerra and Matt Gjurgevich. Both add more of an offensive dimension to the lineup and are capable of providing some power.

Pitching
"It all begins and ends with pitching," is a cliche for a reason. Last season USF was decimated by injuries on the hill. The Dons lost their starting closer, senior Jeff Bowman during the preseason and USF pitchers recorded only five saves in 1999 and lost five games decided by one-run. Bowman returns for the Dons and should immediately stabilize the bullpen. Arizona State senior transfer Ian Perio brings veteran big game experience to the starting rotation and will be looked to fill a long-standing void as USF's number one starter. Senior transfer John Herbert should step into the rotation and add some quality starts. Junior Chad Soares and sophomore Peter Dunkle provide the core of the returning staff and combined for 10 victories last season. One question mark for the Dons is the recovery of junior Chris Thogersen who underwent Tommy-John surgery last season and has made amazing progress, but it is still unknown when he will be available for action. The Dons look to welcome a healthy Trip Humphery to the staff after he endured an injury-plagued 1999 campaign. USF looks for Humphery to regain his dominating form and provide a lot of innings during his senior season on The Hilltop. Phil Polanco has impressed the USF coaching staff, and may be the only freshman in the starting rotation this season. Freshman Jason Martina should see action in middle relief. One of USF's top pitching recruit, freshman Ryan Ayers, underwent arm surgery following his senior year of high school, but if healthy should improve the Dons in middle relief. Another wild-card for USF is sophomore Chris Gossert who was a freshman All-American and picked up a victory against Cal last season before suffering a season-ending back injury. The Dons hope he recovers the freshman form when he posted nine victories. Top to bottom, the USF pitching staff boasts consistency, versatility and depth throughout with anyone capable of providing a quality performance on any given day. The Dons also have a tremendous amount of experience on the staff with five upperclassmen. If the Dons can stay healthy the starting rotation will be formidable, the middle relief reliable, and the closing consistent.

Outfield
USF's 2000 outfield may be one of the finest units ever assembled together on Benedetti Diamond and certainly one of the best in the WCC. The Dons were improved immediately with the arrival of Arizona State transfer Dustin Delucchi, who will be the starter in centerfield. With the addition of Delucchi, sophomore Jason Howard will shift to right field if he recovers fully from an arm injury. Howard, who was one of the top defensive centerfielders in the WCC as a freshman, should provide excellent range and coverage for the Dons in 2000. Both possess good arms and instincts. Junior Danny Trumble is penciled in as the starter in left field and has the potential to develop into a complete baseball player. Senior Pat Walsh, who made tremendous improvements last season defensively, adds proven production and power at the plate. Junior transfer Tanner Herrick adds additional speed to an outfield unit already boasting good overall speed, range and coverage.

Designated Hitter
With so many offensive weapons, competition for designated hitter duty should be fierce. Pat Walsh, David Naber and Chad Soares figure to see duty from the right side along with Sergio Corona and Matt Gjurgevich. Jason Howard and Tanner Herrick are the leading contenders from the left side of the plate.