Veteran baseball team looks to improve

By Fernando Alcantara
Western Sun sports editor

If you are a baseball fan and can’t wait for the upcoming baseball season, wait no more. February begins the regular season for our Golden West baseball team and an exciting season awaits GWC baseball fans as much as it does the players.

Boasting a starting a line-up which consists of mainly sophomores that have carried over from last season, experience plays a huge factor into the upcoming success for the 2010 Golden West Baseball team.

Last season’s disappointing record of 14-26-2 is on the forefront of every returning sophomore player’s mind, Coach Bert Villarreal ensures. “They feel embarrassed about last year,” Villarreal reveals. “They want this year to be better and they’re ready.”

Experience is definitely the key to securing a successful season as 9 sophomores take up starting positions. Among them is returning sophomore, AJ Bayus who made the 2009 All-Orange Empire Conference Second Team with 10 homeruns; the most on the team for 2009.

Mark Trentacosta, pitcher and another 2009 All-OEC Second teamer is back with the team as well. Trentacosta finished 2009 with a 3.13 ERA, a win-loss record of 4-4, 13 games saved and a .275 batting average.

Playing baseball for Golden West College is not for the lighthearted as GWC employs a strong recruiting process for its players. All in-coming freshmen must realize that professionalism and a dedication to strong work ethic is required.

Playing in the Orange Empire Conference doesn’t make matters any better considering that the OEC is one of the toughest Conferences in the nation. The OEC has schools that play at Division 1 levels and is no surprise that many players from GWC eventually get signed to 4-year schools and then the pros.

On August 31, 2009 GWC Alumnus James McDonald was called up to the Major Leagues by The Los Angeles Dodgers. This only proves that GWC Baseball produces Major League talent. Only time will tell if a future Major Leaguer is currently on GWC’s baseball team.

“It’s either sink or swim,” Coach Villarreal says. “These guys have to be ready to work and play at a high level. It’s hard for a walk-on to make the team.”

A majority of games played in February are away games which may be difficult for the casual fan to attend. A home game will not be played until Feb. 10 (today) when they host Cerritos College. Feb. 19 and Feb. 20 will bring Los Angeles Harbor and Los Angeles Valley colleges, respectively.

Call a friend, grab your popcorn and Cracker Jacks and be sure to support your team this season. Be one of few that are able to say, “You know (insert baseball player’s name here)?” you’ll say. “I saw him play at Golden West!”