Cal Lutheran Wants to Replay Last Frame

Cal Lutheran has replenished its roster as well as any Division III baseball team in the nation. A year after qualifying for the regionals for the fifth season in a row and advancing to the national final, the Kingsmen appear just as formidable.

But if their goal of a national championship is to be achieved, they will have to be a tad more formidable.

“We’ll win some ballgames and continue with that winning tradition,” said Cal Lutheran Coach Marty Slimak, who is 117-47 in four seasons. “We have a lot of guys back who played in a World Series. Experience-wise, we’ll be fine.”

Cal Lutheran ended a 34-14 season that included the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship on a down note, blowing a four-run lead in the eighth inning of the final against William Paterson, N.J.

So, although the Kingsmen’s laurels were many, they are nothing to rest on.

“We’re past the disappointment,” Slimak said. “I don’t think you ever forget about it, but you go on. It’s a new season with new challenges.”

Pitching is the team’s strength, with two of last season’s starters back. Senior left-hander Richard Bell was 11-3 and sophomore Eric Kiszczak was 9-3 with two saves, striking out 97 in 104 2/3 innings.

Transfers Scott Poletto and Marco Marquez fill out the rotation, and three senior right-handers anchor the bullpen: Rudy Lesko, Craig Arnold and Steve Fjeldseth.

Six starting position players also return, including senior outfielder Rich Holmes, who batted .320 last season.

Improvement is expected from sophomore outfielder Eric Buben, who hit .269 with four home runs and 25 runs batted in, and junior outfielder Adam Rauch, who batted .295 with a team-high 14 stolen bases.

Catcher Tom McGee, second baseman Frank Maldonado and third baseman Mike Young are all seniors. McGee, who bats leadoff, is among the SCIAC’s best players, Slimak said.

Donny Churchman, a junior outfielder who was eight for 12 with four doubles and a triple last weekend, has been a pleasant surprise.

“Last year we didn’t have a lot of depth and we addressed that in our recruiting,” Slimak said. “Now we have options. We can play percentages and go with guys who are hot.”

Newcomers include designated hitter David Ballon, a sophomore transfer from Loyola Marymount, first basemen Brad Smith and Anthony Olden, second baseman Joseph Jauregui, and third baseman Marc Scorza.

Conference play begins today with a 2:30 p.m. game against Redlands.