Season Outlook: Pitching = Winning

College of the Sequoias baseball coach Jody Allen is ready for his team to have a bounce back year.

The skipper is optimistic about the 2017 campaign after going 13-23 last season. Allen will look to lean on his pitching staff to produce early wins in the pre-season.

"In baseball, pitching is very important," Allen said. "Without good pitching you won't do a whole lot. I like our arms, and when we look up and down the staff, we are better than last season."

Atop the rotation is Sophomore Alex 'Chilli' Garcia. Garcia posted a 3.51 ERA last season in 59 innings of work. He had a record of 2-3. Allen is looking at Garcia to carry the team in terms of innings pitched.

"He anchors the staff," Allen said. "He is a guy we can count on to give us some quality innings."

In Major League Baseball teams usually go with a five-man rotation due to the amount of games. In junior-college, teams have a three-man rotation due to games on Tuesday's, Thursday's, and Saturday's.

After Freshman Saguin Gainey in the two slot, the final third spot is up for grabs according to the skipper.

"In the third spot we will look at guys performances from the preseason," Allen said. "That's the good thing about the preseason is you can see how these guys adjust and perform. We will look at Alex Ferias, who redshirted last year out of Exeter. Andrew Whitten, and Troy Stainbrook, who is a big lefty."

Stainbrook is a Sophomore who signed to play for the University of Hawaii straight out of Golden West High School. He ended up at Fresno City last season and posted a 3-1 record with a 4.74 ERA in 10 appearances.

Allen wants to see the 6'7" lefty return to his high school form of 11 wins and a 2.85 ERA, this season.

On the batting and fielding side, Gabe Corona and Oscar Reyes look to build on their successful 2016 season. The duo was selected First-Team All-Conference last year.

Allen's face lit up when he started talking about Reyes. He had high praise for his first baseman and looks forward to see him improve.

"I wish we could start nine Oscar Reyes's on offense," Allen said. "He is a great first baseman, great on offense, and he basically just needs to keep doing what he's doing."

Here is the projected defensive lineup according to Allen:

C: Gabe Corona

1B: Oscar Reyes

2B: Tucker Mendonca

SS: Wyatt Tilley

3B: Max Coyt

LF: Rudy Vasquez

CF: Emilio Navarro

RF: Zac Hernandez

This season the Giants have gone 6-3, and you can catch their next game on Feb. 21 at home against Cuesta.