Chapman University
2008 Baseball
Season Preview

Taking just one step into the dugout you’ll notice there are no power trips on the Chapman University baseball team which is ranked in the top-five in Division III for the fifth year in a row. Instead, the No. 4-ranked squad has developed into a team with power that could steal some of the spotlight from the Panthers’ usually dominant pitching and solid defense.

“I think we’ll have more power in the heart of our lineup than we’ve had before,” said Chapman’s head coach Tom Tereschuk. “We have great baserunners also, so we’re looking to be pretty explosive.”

That’s saying a lot since 2007 was the Panthers’ most explosive offensive year in five seasons with 35 homeruns and a .474 slugging percentage – both highs under Tereschuk. It certainly makes for a more comfortable picture knowing that seven starters will return to the lineup in 2008.

Expected to produce once again will be Division III Co-Player of the Year Kurt Yacko, who produced six home runs, 46 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and a .389 average as a junior. Anchoring the heart of the lineup will be Division I transfer Mike Vass who hit .289 with 10 homeruns for U.C. Riverside last season.

Alongside Yacko and Vass will be an additional cast of run producers, including senior Stuart Hyman and juniors Patrick Ohail and Matt Pearson. That trio combined for 11 home runs and 100 RBI in 2007.

Tereschuk’s roster is once again stacked with brilliant pitching and led by a pair of All-Americans in Yacko and junior RHP Wayde Kitchens.

“Our pitching is more experience and deeper with everyone a year older,” said Tereschuk who enters his sixth season at Chapman. “We focus on what makes our team right now. First and foremost we are to be great on the mound.”

Kitchens has a lot to strive for this season as he set Chapman’s single-season strikeout record, with 121 Ks last year, combined with a 12-2 record and 2.35 ERA. When he’s not in the field Yacko will be on the mound improving upon his five wins, 10 saves and team-leading 1.37 ERA. Sophomore RHP Matt Luzar comes off an impressive five-win performance as a rookie along with the addition of senior RHP Ryan Clear, an O.C. native returning from UNC-Greensboro.

With increased experience and added depth the Panthers hope to be very good defensively once again, starting with Rawlings Gold Glove Award recipient Ohail, who was perfect with a 1.000 fielding percentage at first base. Senior IF Kyle Redding returns to shortstop, where he started as a freshman and brings his four-year starter experience to the middle infield. What made Redding even more valuable last season was his unexpected offensive outburst, hitting .341 with 22 RBI, both career-highs.

The team’s aspirations look stronger than ever after their third straight berth at the Division III championships did not produce another title. However, after finishing fifth last season, this team – with 18 returners – has not lost its focus.

“They have to have self-discipline and take care of business,” said Tereschuk. “It’s a good environment for these guys to be in. They want to compete.”