SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Junior utility player Angelo Peraza and sophomore infielder Jack Gurevitch were selected to the 2024 WCC Baseball Preseason Team, the West Coast Conference announced on Thursday morning.

With 54 points and three first-place votes, San Diego was picked to finish second in the 2024 WCC Baseball Coaches Preseason poll, just four points and two first-place votes behind preseason favorite Santa Clara (58 points, five first-place votes).

Peraza, a native of nearby Chula Vista, California (Saint Augustine High School), earns his first career WCC Preseason honor after a dynamic 2023 campaign that saw him bat .330 (61-for-185) with 55 runs scored, 11 doubles, three triples, seven home runs, 33 RBIs, 33 walks, 12 hit by pitches, and 10 stolen bases across all 50 of USD's games before being named to the All-WCC First Team and All-WCC Academic Team. Last season he recorded 18 multi-hit games, including 14 with two hits and four with three hits, notched a nine-game hit streak before finishing the season on a 30-game reached-base streak, and ultimately led the Toreros in 10 offensive categories (batting average, at-bats, hits, runs scored, doubles, triples, total bases, walks, hit by pitches, and on-base percentage). On defense, Peraza posted a .992 fielding percentage and committed just one error in 130 chances alongside a team-high 11 outfield assists. 

Gurevitch, a Pacific Palisades, California native, shined in his college debut a year ago, appearing in 49 of San Diego's 50 games while starting 34 at first base and 10 as the Toreros' designated hitter before being named to the All-WCC Freshman Team. He batted .265 (43-for-162) with 22 runs scored, seven doubles, three triples, six home runs, 28 RBIs, 26 walks, and three stolen bases, and had 12 multi-hit games and nine multi-RBI games, which were the second-most on the USD roster. On defense, Gurevitch posted a .992 fielding percentage, committing just two errors in 229 chances. This year's selection is his first career preseason conference honor.

The Toreros will begin their 2024 season on February 16 at Texas. San Diego's 2024 home opener at Fowler Park is set for Friday, February 23 against Arizona. Single-game and season tickets for USD's 2024 season are on sale now.

2024 WCC BASEBALL COACHES PRESEASON POLL
1. Santa Clara - 58 points (5)
2. San Diego - 54 points (3)
    Portland – 54 points (1)
4. LMU – 38 points
    Saint Mary's – 38 points
6. Gonzaga – 37 points
7. Pepperdine – 19 points
8. San Francisco – 16 points
9. Pacific – 10 points

2024 WCC BASEBALL PRESEASON TEAM (POSITION PLAYERS)
Christian Almanza    Saint Mary's
Jonjon Berring           Santa Clara
Coleman Brigman     Santa Clara
Khadim Diaw             LMU
Jack Gurevitch          San Diego
Jake Holcroft             Portland
Efrain Manzo              Santa Clara
Angelo Peraza           San Diego
Evan Scavotto           Portland
Coleman Schmidt     Santa Clara
Zach Toglia                Portland
 
2024 WCC BASEBALL PRESEASON TEAM (PITCHERS)
Nick Brink                  Portland
Brandon Gomez        Santa Clara
Blake Hammond       Santa Clara
Cole Kitchen             Santa Clara
Connor Linchey         Saint Mary's