Friends Find a Home With Toros : Bergeron, Gajewski Are Welcome Additions for Dominguez Hills

Greg Bergeron and Ken Gajewski are not related, but they share a bond similar to that of twins. As childhood friends, the Cal State Dominguez Hills sophomores used to joke that if either was offered a baseball scholarship, they would accept only if the other was included.

The agreement was negotiable, but it was a serious one that has benefited the Toros this season. Bergeron, the starting third baseman, and Gajewski, a pitcher, are considered to be two of the team’s top newcomers.

The Cerritos College transfers have played a role in Dominguez Hills’ success this season. The Toros (12-11-1) are ranked 11th in the latest NCAA Division II poll and they are in second place in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. with a 5-3 record.

“I’d put them right up there with our top newcomers like Tom Ball and Erik Russell,” Dominguez Hills Coach George Wing said. “Those guys have been very productive. They’re both doing as much as we had hoped and expected and more.

“Both have shown they can produce big numbers at this level. They both have good leadership qualities and a strong background in baseball.”

Bergeron, 21, is one of the Toros’ best hitters with a .330 average. He leads the team with 31 hits and 18 runs and is tied for second in runs batted in with 13.

“He’s doing all things, offensively and defensively, we would like him to do,” Wing said. “He’s the kind of player the opposition hates because he makes every play. He’ll find a way to beat you.”

Wing said the only thing the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Bergeron needs is more time in the weight room.

“He has to develop body strength,” Wing said. “He plays so hard and puts his body through so much that he needs to improve on that.”

Gajewski, 20, recently earned a spot in the starting rotation. It was a difficult task considering the Toros have one of the best staffs in school history.

The 6-1, 185-pound Gajewski has a 2-1 record, one shutout and a 2.22 earned-run average. He is the third starter behind 1991 All-American Mark Tranberg and former community college standout Tom Ball.

“They’re two of the best pitchers around and it’s a challenge for me to go out there and try to challenge them,” Gajewski said. “I really don’t feel much pressure. The pressure is on Mark and Tom. They’re the big boys. They get all the publicity.”

Gajewski is known as a finesse pitcher, but is not afraid to throw a fastball to a batter in a tough situation.

“It’s been a real shot in the arm to go into that third game with him,” Wing said.

Wing, in his fourth season at Dominguez Hills, recruited Bergeron and Gajewski while they coached his son’s Pony League baseball team in Los Alamitos last year.

“I’d pick my son up from practice and we’d talk,” Wing said. “We had a common bond right away.”

Bergeron and Gajewski played Little League baseball and youth soccer together in Los Alamitos. They played baseball at different high schools--Bergeron for his dad, Tom, at Gahr and Gajewski at Los Alamitos--but competed in the same summer leagues and practiced together during the off-season.

Bergeron was an All-San Gabriel League second baseman at Gahr. Gajewski, an All-Empire League selection, led Los Alamitos to the Southern Section playoffs three consecutive seasons.

Both athletes red-shirted at Cerritos College in 1990 and left after their freshman year. Bergeron sat out because of a sore arm, and Gajewski did not play because the Falcons had enough talented pitchers to keep him out of the starting rotation.

“Our redshirt year was one of the best years practice-wise for us,” Bergeron said. “We pushed each other every day. We really worked hard.”

And it paid off for Bergeron and Gajewski, who earned All-South Coast Conference honors as redshirt freshman at Cerritos in 1991. Bergeron batted .281 with 29 RBI, six doubles and three stolen bases. He struck out only 12 times in 135 at-bats

“He was a complete hitter,” Cerritos Coach Ken Gaylord said. “He also did a good job at third. At the start we didn’t know if he had the arm to play third because he played second in high school. But we were very pleased.”

Gajewski’s strong pitching also helped the Falcons win the SCC title and advance to the state playoffs that year. He went 5-1, had a 2.06 ERA and two saves. He struck out 20 batters in 48 innings and walked only seven.

“He was outstanding for us,” Cerritos pitching coach Dave Serrano said. “He had great command of all pitches, but I think the slider was his best. He had various roles on this team. He pitched lots of games for us.”

Bergeron and Gajewski left Cerritos because they had fulfilled the academic requirements needed to transfer to a four-year college.

“If I’m having a terrible game, Kenny will come up to me and pump me up,” Bergeron said. “The same with me for him. Against (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo) the fans were on me and I wasn’t doing very well. Ken said, ‘Hold your head up. Don’t let them get to you.’ It really helped.”

Gajewski said Bergeron has served as a motivator since the two were kids.

“He’s always there to help me out if I’m struggling,” Gajewski said. “He’s the guy I always go to for encouragement. We’re not afraid to get in each other’s face.”

Wing said Gajewski and Bergeron’s closeness is an advantage for him as well.

“I can go to either one to get insight on the other,” he said. “It’s a neat combo. They’re very supportive of one another.”