Central Washington Baseball Opens Season in California
Story Ties ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington Baseball team begins their season this Friday in California where they take on the University of Redlands for a solo game at 1 p.m. They conclude their weekend by facing Cal State San Bernardino in a three-game weekend series that begins with a doubleheader on Saturday, February 4 at noon and 3 p.m. before concluding with a game at 11 p.m. :00 Sunday, February 5.
HEAD COACH DESI STOREY’S QUOTE
“We are excited for the season to begin next week. The boys have worked hard all year to improve in all areas and be consistent both offensively and defensively. We understand the challenge of competing in GNAC and we look forward to the opportunity to fight. for a chance to get back to the playoffs.”
SCOUTING UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS
In 2022, the Bulldogs who are a member of NCAA Division Three went 22-16-1 overall and 12-11-1 in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.
Jared Anderson leads Redlands on offense. Last season he boasted a .387 average, 13 doubles and 3 homers. Anderson drove in 38 runs while having a .518 SLG% and a .440 on-base percentage.
The Bulldogs will look to righty Tyler Reiter to duplicate his solid 2022 performance on the mound. Reiter went 4-4 in 16 appearances over 46 innings. He finished the season with a 4.11 ERA and recorded 46 strikeouts.
Other notable weapons the ‘Cats could face include Omar Barraza (5.40 ERA,) Nathan Buchan (6.00 ERA,) and Jakob Russell (6.18 ERA.)
SCOUTING CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO
Cal State San Bernardino finished their 2022 campaign with a 27-27 overall record and went 21-19 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play.
Coming into the season, the ‘Yotes were picked fifth in the CCAA preseason coaches’ poll.
Offensively, Giovani Del Negro and Deshawn Johnson led CSUSB last season. Del Negro finished with a .344 batting average and a .961 on-base percentage (OPS.) He had 66 hits, 13 doubles, seven home runs and drove in 43 runs. Johnson posted a .343 average and a .990 OBS. Johnson also produced 62 hits, 12 doubles and eight home runs.
Austyn Coleman returns to the mound for the Coyotes, where in 2022, he posted a .416 ERA in 66 innings. Coleman recorded 53 strikeouts on his way to a 6-5 record.
Other notable arms include Oscar Rauda (3.28 ERA and 8 saves), Andres Quinones (6.46 ERA,) and Andrick Jones (3.86 ERA.)
cat
The Wildcats return a load of talent on the 2023 roster. First Team All-GNAC shortstop Austin Ohland returns to CWU where he will look to pick up where he left off last season after posting a .289 batting average, 51 RBI and a . 553 SLG%. Senior infielder Charlie Larson earned Second Team All-GNAC Honors in 2022 while posting a .291 batting average, 23 RBI and a .383 SLG%.
Ryan Arredondo returns to the mound for Central Washington. He earned an All-GNAC Honorable Mention last season after posting a 5.52 ERA through 62 innings of work. Arredondo struck out 32 batters and finished the season with a 4-1 record.
Nolan Milliman returns to the bullpen, where he led the ‘Cats in offense last season by striking out 42 in 37.1 innings. He finished the season with a 2-4 record and a 6.03 ERA.
Closer Brayde Hirai is back after posting three saves and 18 strikeouts in 28 innings of work last season.
The Cats welcome five freshmen and seven transfers. The coaches are optimistic about Carter Olsen, Colton Anardi, Nate Nadeau, Garrett Bova and Jake Felton.
Central Washington worked on the transfer portal and acquired two outfielders and two catchers in Sam Lauderdale, Kevin “Baba” Varner, Brady Hinkle and Travis Helm
The Wildcats added three transfers to their rotation: Alex Brady, Daniel Charron and Aaron Robertson. Left Hander Alex Brady transfers from Division I Louisiana State University (LSU).
In 2021 at LSU, Brady recorded one win, made 12 relief appearances, had a 9.00 ERA, 8 IP, 12 GP, allowed 8 hits and recorded 8 strikeouts.
Righty Daniel Charron pitched 20.1 innings in 2021 at Spokane Falls Community College. He started one game, won two games, allowed 13 hits, had a 4.87 ERA and recorded 21 strikeouts.
In 2022, Lefty Aaron Robertson worked 47.2 innings for Lower Columbia College. He posted a 2.27 ERA, finished 2-0, had two saves and recorded 58 strikeouts.
NEXT
The Wildcats stay in California next week, taking on Cal State East Bay in a four-game series beginning Saturday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m.
