Sept. 2, 2005
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SAN DIEGO, CA - Averaging 34-plus wins per season since 2000 under head coach Rich Hill, the University of San Diego baseball program has brought in its most accomplished recruiting class in school history. Fourth-round MLB draft pick LHP Brian Matusz (Cave Creek, AZ) and LHP/OF Josh Romanski (Corona, CA), the top prep draft choice by the San Diego Padres, have both turned down professional contracts to attend USD and play for the two-time WCC Champion Toreros in 2006. Matusz will become the highest high school MLB draft pick to ever wear a Torero uniform.
Along with Matusz and Romanski, the Toreros have also added All-America closer RHP Anthony Slama (Santa Ana College), All-CIF RHP Scott Denault (San Clemente, CA) and CIF Player of the Year LHP Ricardo Pecina (San Diego, CA). The USD pitching staff posted a 3.81 ERA a year ago under the guidance of Eric Valenzuela, San Diego's pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. Valenzuela has amassed an outstanding collection of young arms that already includes USA National Team invitee LHP Nate Boman (San Diego, CA), All-WCC RHP Matt Couch (Sacramento, CA) and 6-5 RHP Josh Butler (Danville, CA).
"Our staff, Eric (Valenzuela) in particular, has done an unbelievable job of recruiting some of the top athletes on the west coast," says eighth-year Toreros head coach Rich Hill. "We expect significant contributions from these guys early. I think this class will really blend well with the strong group of returning players as we hope to make a run at the 2006 WCC title."
The Toreros will welcome back all but one everyday starter in the field. Returning offensive catalysts include All-WCC selection's All-America C Jordan Abruzzo (El Cajon ,CA), OF Shane Buschini (San Ramon, CA), INF Keoni Ruth (Aiea, Hawaii) and OF Justin Snyder (El Cajon, CA).
Hill expects switch-hitting freshman OF David Harris (Glendora, CA) and transfer 1B Daniel Magness (Dallas Baptist) to be impact players in the spring. A total of 18 newcomers will be competing for a spot on USD's 2006 roster. San Diego has lost All-WCC 1B Randy Curtis to graduation while pitchers LH Justin Blaine and RH Matt Falk were both drafted and signed by MLB clubs in June.
Complete list of San Diego baseball newcomers (pictured above):
Position Player (HT/WT/T/B) Year/Hometown/Last School
INF Dylan Cohen (5-11/190/R/R) FR/Venice, CA/Palisades Charter HS
P Scott Denault (6-3/186/R/R) FR/San Clemente, CA/Mater Dei HS
INF Michael Edwards (5-10/170/R/R) FR/Arlington, TX/James Martin HS
UT Mitchell Folks (6-2/175/R/R) FR/Newport Beach, CA/Corona del Mar HS
OF Ryan Hagan (6-0/200/R/L) FR/San Diego, CA/University City HS
OF David Harris (6-0/170/R/S) FR/Glendora, CA/Glendora HS
OF/INF John Hurford (6-1/205/R/R) JR/Oak Park, CA/U. of San Francisco
P Serrin Jarvi (6-0/180/R/R) FR/Anaheim, CA/Lutheran HS
OF Eric Jauch (6-0/185/R/R) FR/San Jose, CA/Bellarmine College Prep
INF Michael Lugo (5-10/172/R/L) FR/Glendora, CA/Bishop Amat HS
P Kyle Madison (6-2/185/R/R) FR/Alturas, CA/Modoc HS
1B Daniel Magness (6-3/220/L/L) JR/San Diego, CA/Dallas Baptist U.
P Brian Matusz (6-4/170/L/L) FR/Cave Creek, AZ/St. Mary's HS
C Nicholas McCoy (5-9/180/R/R) FR/San Diego, CA/Westview HS
P Ricardo Pecina (5-11/200/L/L) FR/San Diego, CA/James Madison HS
P Matthew Petrucci (6-0/195/L/S) JR/Centennial, CO/San Diego City
INF/OF Brent Planck (5-11/190/R/R) FR/San Diego, CA/Madison HS
INF James Platt (6-1/190/R/R) Freshman/Albuquerque, NM/Sandia HS
P Josh Romanski (6-0/170/L/L) FR/Corona, CA/Norco HS
C Matthew Sexton (6-3/200/R/R) FR/Las Vegas, NV/Foothill HS
P Anthony Slama (6-4/205/R/R) JR/Orange, CA/Santa Ana College
INF/OF Martin Wernick (6-3/190/R/R) FR/Tiburon, CA/Brewster Academy
