Cal Baseball Foundation

PRE-SEASON ISSUE January 2016 Volume 3, Issue 2 Baseball Foundation Golden Bear News & Notes Cal Baseball Career and Business Network Initiative Holds Another Successful Event T he Cal Baseball Foundation sponsored its second successful Career and Business Network event on November 11, 2015, in the Field Club Level of Memorial Stadium. The entire 2016 baseball team and coaching staff were in attendance, along with approximately 25 Cal Baseball alumni, including current and former major league baseball players Marcus Semien, John Baker, and Tyler Walker. The student-athletes heard encouraging presentations from Baker and Walker about their personal transitions from baseball to the business world, and then split into small groups to connect with and hear from alumni in specific industries of interest, including real estate, law, technology sales, entrepreneurship/start- ups, finance, public service, and sports management/marketing. Senior outfielder Devon Pearson said, "It was a tremendous experience for our team to learn about the business careers of former Cal players and to create a connection with alumni in our fields of interest. We all know that baseball can't last forever, so to learn from alumni who are successful in various industries was a great opportunity for the team. I know a lot of players took advantage of the event and made connections with alumni." Special thanks to the Foundation's Career and Business Network chairmen Gwyn-Mohr Tully and Gus Panagotacos for planning the event, along with Cal Baseball parents Roslyn Payne, Lori Lawn, and Kriste Buckley. Alumni and supporters who participated in the industry-specific presentations included: Jim Darby, Peter Jackson, Ryan Atkinson, David Nicholson, Mike Harrison, Michael Cooper, Jim Vorhis, James Holder, Robbie Meyer, Adam Gold, Jesse Ingram, Matt Einspahr, Andrew Sproul, Jason Hill, Drew Payne, and current Associate Athletic Director Ashwin Puri. "It's awesome to see all of the Cal Baseball alumni get together and take time out of their busy schedules to help us out. It's nice to have a support system when baseball is over," said Brian Celsi, senior outfielder. The Cal Baseball Foundation intends to host career development events each semester of the school year. Plans for the spring 2016 event are already underway and a mentoring program is also in the development stage. Cal Baseball alumni and supporters are encouraged to join the Cal Baseball Career and Business Network directory through the LinkedIn group at this site: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Cal-Baseball-Career- Business-Network-2974989/about. Please contact Gus Panagotacos at cpanagotacos@dpllp.com if you would like more information or are interested in becoming a mentor. O ur 2016 season opens on the road on Friday, February 19, at Duke in Durham, North Carolina. The Cal Golden Bear Baseball team will be ready to start the season with the intention of reversing the outcome of last year's regional final. Our fall was marked with the focus, determination, and work ethic needed to improve. I have coached many teams that were focused on improving, but never one that has attacked it with such purpose as the 2016 team. The leadership of our returning players is truly inspired and we are all looking forward to the season getting started. There is hard work ahead and we know that there will be challenges to overcome, but our talent, experience, and preparation will provide the solid foundation to reach our goals. The strength of any baseball team is their pitching staff. While we have many familiar faces on this year's staff, one important new face belongs to pitching coach Thomas Eager. Thomas takes 2016 Golden Bears Season Preview David Esquer, Head Coach over for Mike Neu, who is now the head coach at UOP. Our weekend rotation brings great experience as Daulton Jefferies, Ryan Mason, and Matt Ladrech return. In addition to these quality starters, Jeff Bain and freshman Tanner Dodson give us two talented pitchers also capable of starting on a weekend. The bullpen will be anchored by Alex Schick, Erik Martinez, and Keaton Siomkin, along with newcomers Aaron Shortridge and Joey Matulovich. We are also looking for contributions from Jesse Kay and Andrew Buckley. Offensively, we are strong with many returning players and good young players right behind them. We return our starting outfield with Aaron Knapp in center, Brian Celsi in left, and Devin Pearson in right. Our infield includes Mitchell Kranson at third base, Preston Grand Pre returning at shortstop, Robbie Tenerowicz at second base, and a tandem of Nick Halamanderas and Denis Karas at first base. Behind the plate we will be anchored by Brett Cumberland, Mitchell Kranson, and Matt Ruff. This lineup will be pushed by veterans Sean Peters, Brenden Farney, and Grant Diede, and backed up by some exciting freshmen players who are the future of Cal Baseball, including freshmen outfielders Jeffery Mitchell, Jonah Davis, and Lorenzo Cal alumnus and former MLB player John Baker was the guest speaker at the November 11, 2015, Career and Business Network event. Cal Bears 2016 home opener vs. Purdue is Friday, February 26. Hampton, as well as freshman infielder Ripken Reyes and catcher Ty Green, who provide us with youth and talent ready to help when the opportunity presents itself. Assistant coaches Brad Sanfilippo and Thomas Eager and I are very excited about the 2016 season. The lessons and growth that our program experienced by playing the best baseball in the country at the College Station Regional last year bode well for a memorable 2016 season. We are looking forward to the journey beginning in Durham, North Carolina, in February with the home opener vs. Purdue on February 26.

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