Baseball season ends in disappointment

 The Gonzaga baseball team entered the 2010 season as reigning WCC champions amid high expectations following the school's first NCAA tournament victory since 1980. The Bulldogs were selected to finish fourth in the WCC pre-season baseball poll, but finished  tied for fifth place with a 20-36 overall record and an 8-13 record in conference play to end the season. 

"It's never easy to defend a title" said senior infielder/catcher Cam Edman, "but I think our lack of experience did us in for the most part." 

The Zags lost six starting position players as well as the core of their starting pitching rotation entering last season. And while the players didn't consider it a rebuilding season, the departures certainly played a large role in the season's disappointment.

"We came in excited about the season and felt confident about what we could do, but we just were never able to put it all together at the same time," said junior outfielder Chris Sturdivant.

"If we would have had even one of those seniors on this past year's team it may have been a different season, simply because of their leadership, toughness and competitiveness. They were the core of our team and had built the program into a powerhouse in their time at Gonzaga," Edman said.

But the Zags improved as the conference play went on, re-energized by the return of lefty pitcher Ryan Carpenter in early May from an injury, at one point winning five straight at the back end of the season. The team hopes to use that momentum to propel itself into next season.

"The next season was a year away but we all wanted to end the season on a high note and go into the fall season with our heads held high," Edman said.

The Bulldogs lost outfielder Drew Heid to the MLB Amateur Draft, where he was selected in the ninth round by the Minnesota Twins, as well as outfielder Mark Castellito to graduation. The pair were catalysts in each of the past two seasons, leading the team in batting average, runs scored, and home runs this past season. But, there seems to be an air of confidence among the words of the returning players, as they'll return the rest of their starting lineup along with all three of last year's weekend starting pitchers.

"I can say that I am more excited about this season than I have been for my four previous years of college," Edman said. "There's nothing like having a resurgent year after a down season and showing everyone how Gonzaga plays ball. That's what our goal is going to be this year." 

The offseason will be instrumental in attaining the goals set for the squad. It will come down to effort, as players will attempt to go the extra mile even outside of the mandatory summer league baseball.

"I have been trying to get stronger and faster. I've been working out hard to get into the best shape that I can," Sturdivant said. "This summer I have felt extremely comfortable at the plate and I have had a significant amount of bases stolen and bunt base hits."

This past season's inexperience led to inconsistent play, which according to Edman stemmed from lack of mental toughness, something that this year's squad will be working on throughout fall and winter workouts. 

"I just need to play my game and not worry about anyone else. Last year I was trying to play up to someone else's standards or mimic someone's style of play," Edman said.

The team will be a year older and stronger and, according to Sturdivant, that year may make all the difference.

"If we're able to improve on our hitting, pitching and fielding, we should be able to return to our WCC champs form from two years ago."