LONG BEACH STATE BASEBALL PREVIEW : Potential for Greatness Not Another Snow Job

This edition of the Long Beach State baseball team is unlike any in Coach Dave Snow’s tenure and he can’t do a thing about it.

Not that Snow would if he could, mind you.

The 1995 49ers haven’t played a game, but Snow already sees many qualities he likes and, moreover, didn’t expect.

“They have the best attitude of any club I’ve had here,” said Snow, in his seventh season. “The more taxing and demanding (the coaches) are on them, the more they’ve responded positively to it. It’s like they can’t get enough.”

That’s good for Snow, one of the most demanding--and successful--coaches around. If the 49ers maintain their preseason work ethic and unity, they might give Snow his fourth consecutive Big West Conference championship.

“We’ve got a lot of potential,” Snow said. “I think there’s enough there (for a championship season) if we have certain people step up.”

Snow will settle for repeat performances from pitchers Gabe Gonzalez and Scott Rivette, both All-Americans last season.

Gonzalez, a senior, is a hard-throwing left-handed closer. He was selected a third-team All-American after finishing 4-2 with 12 saves, a 1.24 earned-run average and 50 strikeouts in 50 innings. Gonzalez is the 49ers’ all-time leader in saves with 26.

Rivette, a junior right-hander, is the 49ers’ No. 1 starter and one of the nation’s best. He was outstanding last season, finishing 14-1 with a 2.50 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 111 innings. He was a first-team All-American selection.

Gonzalez and Rivette formed the foundation of a pitching staff that helped Long Beach finish 41-19 and tie Cal State Fullerton and Nevada for first in the Big West at 16-5. The 49ers were ranked No. 18 in the final Baseball America poll, and Snow is confident his veteran pitchers are prepared for similar success.

“Therein lies our experience,” Snow said.

And inexperience.

Snow needs a solid season from sophomore right-hander Marcus Jones, a former standout at Esperanza High who struggled as a freshman. An occasional starter, Jones was 2-3 with a 6.12 ERA and 29 walks in 42 innings.

Jones is being given every chance to earn a spot in the starting rotation. Snow is encouraged by his progress.

“Maybe the expectations were too high,” Snow said of The Times’ 1993 all-county selection. “I think he has a much better presence and a much better approach to things now.”

Freshmen Rocky Biddle and Luke Fitzpatrick also are vying for prominent roles on the pitching staff.

“When they’ve been on they’ve been extremely good,” Snow said. “We have to be patient.”

The same can be said about the position players.

Long Beach lost the middle of its defense to graduation. Snow will start Jose Montenegro at shortstop. Montenegro should become one of the conference’s best fielders, but he’s only a freshman.

Senior Tim Falsken moves from third base to second. Snow hopes Falsken will be a steadying influence on Montenegro.

“Tim’s a big key to solidifying our infield,” Snow said. “He’s been around the block, and we feel that will prove very meaningful.”

The only thing settled in the outfield is that junior Jeff Liefer starts in right field.

Liefer, who hit .282 with five home runs, led Long Beach in runs batted in last season with 50. However, Liefer’s statistics dropped markedly from his freshman season when he hit .356 with 12 homers, 54 RBIs and made a freshman All-American team.

“He was still a threat every time he walked to the plate,” Snow said, “but for his standards and where he’s trying to go in the game, it was a bit of a setback.”

Snow said Liefer is ready to revert to top form.

“I notice a much different attitude with him this year,” Snow said. “I think he’s paying attention to deal with things on a day-to-day basis.”

There is intense competition at first, designated hitter and left field. Expect lots of platooning at least through the first third of the season while Snow allows players to win jobs.

Catching is not a concern. Senior Kirk Pierce started last season and sophomore Casey Snow, the coach’s son, will catch and play third.

“I don’t think there are two better catchers in any one program in the country,” Snow said. “And I’m not just saying that from bias. I know from talking to professional scouts and coaches.”