Nov. 6, 2003
San Diego, CA- The reigning back-to-back West Coast Conference Champion USD Baseball program will hold its annual Blue vs. Columbia World Series Intrasquad game at 12 noon on Saturday, November 15th at USD's Cunningham Stadium. An event that is open to the public will feature a Hawaiian Luau and barbeque held near the Stadium entrance immediately following the game. Parents, alumni, friends and fans will be able preview a 2004 Torero club that returns its entire weekend pitching rotation and five everyday position players from its championship team of 2003.
All-West Coast Conference pitcher and outfielder Tom Caple (Rancho Bernardo, CA) is expected to take the mound after sitting out the 2003 season with an injury. For the first time in his 17-year head coaching career, USD head coach Rich Hill has named a team captain. That player is All-WCC outfielder Joey Prast (Poway, CA), the 2003 league leader in hits, RBI, doubles and total bases.
"This is an exciting time for USD baseball," commented 2002 WCC Coach of the Year Rich Hill. "This scrimmage will be a great chance to look at the new recruits and newcomers we are counting on to make an impact this season."
The incoming class of talent is highlighted by freshman pitchers Nate Bowman (San Diego, CA) and Josh Butler (Danville, CA). The young arms should complement proven pitchers such as Caple, Pat Lucy (Fallbrook, CA), Kyle Collins (San Jose, CA), Aaron Wilson (Santee, CA) and Justin Blaine (Westlake Village, CA).
"Our pitching staff seems to be the strength of this team," says Hill. "Caple's arm has never felt better. He is throwing pain free and told me his arm has not felt this good since he has been a little kid. He is scheduled to throw on the November 15th scrimmage. Pat Lucy is another guy that is coming back from and injury and is throwing really well."
The Toreros will hold team practices at 1:45pm Monday/Wednesday/Friday and at 12:45pm on Tuesday/Thursdays. Intrasquad games will take place on Tuesday and Friday when non-draft eligible pitchers are scheduled to throw. Wednesday and Saturday intrasquad games will feature draft eligible pitchers. All practices and games held at USD's Cunningham Stadium.
