Friday, February 19
Riverside, Calif.
6 PM
California Baptist University
vs
Pepperdine
Photo by: Nicholas Litwin
BASE PREVIEW: CBU Prepares for Season Opener, Home-And-Home With Pepperdine
2/15/2021 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
RIVERSIDE – California Baptist University baseball will open the 2021 season with an exciting Southern California showdown with Pepperdine this weekend.
It is one of several intriguing first-time meetings with several prominent California foes that highlight the Lancers' 2021 schedule. CBU will host the series opener and finale at Totman Stadium on Friday and Sunday at 6 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively, while the Waves will host the middle game on Saturday.
Pepperdine has a rich baseball history, as it has won 18 West Coast Conference titles, most recently in 2018 and are the favorites to win the WCC again in 2021. The Waves have made 28 NCAA Tournament appearances. Pepperdine is coming off an impressive 12-3 showing last year, which led to them being ranked as high as No. 14 in the NCAA.
CBU has amassed a 42-28 record in its first two NCAA Division I seasons, including the shortened 2020 campaign.
The Lancers made an incredible debut in D-I and the WAC. They won a share of the conference title with a win in the final game of the regular season. They ended 2019 with a record of 35-20 overall and 19-8 in conference, which created a three-way tie with NM State and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley for the regular-season title. CBU's 35 wins are the third most by a first-year Division I team.
Offense figures to be a strength for the Lancers in 2021. CBU hit .291 as a team last year and return all but two position players who made starts last year and bring in a ton of depth at several positions.
The Lancers return seven regular players who hit above .260 last year. Chad Castillo (.350), Ulisess Caballero (.340) and Nick Plaia (.321) lead that group after each were above .320 in 2020. Harrison Spohn (.283), Damon Keith (.273), Jeff Bruyntjens (.265) and John Glenn (.262) round out that group.
For the second year in a row, Bryan Pope and Chris Burica will headline CBU's starting pitching. Pope led the Lancers and the WAC three wins last year, with a 2.84 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 23 strikeouts and just two walks over four starts and 25.1 innings. Burica led CBU in starts (five) and innings pitched (27.2) with a 3.90 ERA in 2020.
PRESEASON ALL-WAC
Castillo and Caballero were both named to the Preseason All-Western Athletic Conference Team for CBU last week. It's the second honor for Castillo and the first for Caballero. The outfielders are each coming off seasons where they hit .340 and slugged .500 or better. The Lancers were picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches poll.
Like most baseball teams across the country, the Lancers are loaded with returning talent after everyone received an extra year of eligibility when the 2020 season was cut short, and after MLB reduced its draft from 40 rounds to five in 2020.
There are 16 familiar names that have been with CBU and Adcock over the last three to four years. That group, which is spread out all over the diamond, will be looked to help lead this 40-man roster that includes 28 under classmen, including 11 true freshmen, through a challenging season.
THE ROAD AHEAD
CBU will test itself with a daunting non-conference slate that includes series against California baseball giants Pepperdine, Saint Mary's, Cal and Cal State Fullerton. All four will be first-time opponents for the Lancers.
There is some home cooking for CBU this February, with seven of its first eight games being played at Totman Stadium. The Lancers will next host a strong University of San Diego squad (Feb. 23) and a four-game set with Saint Mary's (Feb. 26-28).
A first-time meeting with UC Davis (March 5-7) will serve as CBU's first road trip and final non-conference series before Western Athletic Conference play begins.
Opponent: Pepperdine
Dates/Times: Friday, Feb. 19 (6 p.m.); Saturday, Feb. 20 (1 p.m.); Sunday, Feb. 21 (1 p.m.)
Location: Riverside (Totman Stadium) on Friday, Feb. 19 and Sunday, Feb. 21; Malibu (Eddy D. Field Stadium) on Saturday, Feb. 20
Video Game 1 (Friday, Feb. 19): WAC Digital Network
Video Game 2 (Friday, Feb. 20): WCC Network
Video Game 3 (Friday, Feb. 21): WAC Digital Network
Live Stats Game 1 (Friday, Feb. 19): StatBroadcast
Live Stats Game 2 (Saturday, Feb. 20): StatBroadcast
Live Stats Game 3 (Friday, Feb. 21): StatBroadcast
Radio: CBULancers.com/radio (Saturday, Feb. 20 only)
PEPPERDINE AT A GLANCE
The Waves, who lost just one player from last year's squad, were picked to win the West Coast Conference this season in the league's preseason poll. Pepperdine tallied 78 points in the annual coaches' poll and received six of 10 first-place votes.
Last season, the Waves finished the year ranked No. 16 by Baseball America, No. 20 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 21 by D1Baseball. They enter 2021 ranked No. 33 by Collegiate Baseball and receiving votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
The Waves returns 31 players from last year and brings in 12 freshmen to this year's roster. They bring back all of their top-five offensive threats: senior infielder Aharon Modlin, senior utility Billy Cook, senior outfielder Reese Alexiades, senior infielder Justin Lutes and junior infielder Wyatt Young. Pepperdine also returns three of four starting pitchers: Cooper Chandler, Gunnar Groen and Trevor Kinskern. Four of them: Alexiades, Cook, Modlin and Chandler were named to the 2021 Preseason All-WCC Team, as well.
JAMES W. TOTMAN STADIUM ATTENDANCE POLICY
Following guidelines from state and local public health officials, California Baptist University athletics has announced a series of safety protocols that will be in place for the 2021 baseball season at Totman Stadium. The 2021 season will begin without spectators in attendance. Furthermore, the baseball program will adhere to NCAA guidelines and Western Athletic Conference policies and procedures, including COVID-19 testing protocols, while also operating in alignment with state and local public health officials. Totman Stadium will operate with limited access only to include essential staff and personnel, including participating teams. Capacity restrictions will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and adjusted as allowed as public health conditions improve.
It is one of several intriguing first-time meetings with several prominent California foes that highlight the Lancers' 2021 schedule. CBU will host the series opener and finale at Totman Stadium on Friday and Sunday at 6 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively, while the Waves will host the middle game on Saturday.
Pepperdine has a rich baseball history, as it has won 18 West Coast Conference titles, most recently in 2018 and are the favorites to win the WCC again in 2021. The Waves have made 28 NCAA Tournament appearances. Pepperdine is coming off an impressive 12-3 showing last year, which led to them being ranked as high as No. 14 in the NCAA.
CBU has amassed a 42-28 record in its first two NCAA Division I seasons, including the shortened 2020 campaign.
The Lancers made an incredible debut in D-I and the WAC. They won a share of the conference title with a win in the final game of the regular season. They ended 2019 with a record of 35-20 overall and 19-8 in conference, which created a three-way tie with NM State and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley for the regular-season title. CBU's 35 wins are the third most by a first-year Division I team.
A LOOK AT THE LANCERShttps://t.co/3sqihoWon3 pic.twitter.com/bZCpZmKEsV
— CBU Baseball (@CBUbaseball) February 13, 2021
Offense figures to be a strength for the Lancers in 2021. CBU hit .291 as a team last year and return all but two position players who made starts last year and bring in a ton of depth at several positions.
The Lancers return seven regular players who hit above .260 last year. Chad Castillo (.350), Ulisess Caballero (.340) and Nick Plaia (.321) lead that group after each were above .320 in 2020. Harrison Spohn (.283), Damon Keith (.273), Jeff Bruyntjens (.265) and John Glenn (.262) round out that group.
For the second year in a row, Bryan Pope and Chris Burica will headline CBU's starting pitching. Pope led the Lancers and the WAC three wins last year, with a 2.84 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 23 strikeouts and just two walks over four starts and 25.1 innings. Burica led CBU in starts (five) and innings pitched (27.2) with a 3.90 ERA in 2020.
PRESEASON ALL-WAC
Castillo and Caballero were both named to the Preseason All-Western Athletic Conference Team for CBU last week. It's the second honor for Castillo and the first for Caballero. The outfielders are each coming off seasons where they hit .340 and slugged .500 or better. The Lancers were picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches poll.
VETERAN LEADERSHIP⭐ PRESEASON ALL-WAC ⭐
— CBU Baseball (@CBUbaseball) February 10, 2021
Outfielders Chad Castillo and Ulises Caballero were both named to the @WACsports All-Preseason Team. Both hit .340 or better last season.#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/EKSJ6yP9eO
Like most baseball teams across the country, the Lancers are loaded with returning talent after everyone received an extra year of eligibility when the 2020 season was cut short, and after MLB reduced its draft from 40 rounds to five in 2020.
There are 16 familiar names that have been with CBU and Adcock over the last three to four years. That group, which is spread out all over the diamond, will be looked to help lead this 40-man roster that includes 28 under classmen, including 11 true freshmen, through a challenging season.
THE ROAD AHEAD
CBU will test itself with a daunting non-conference slate that includes series against California baseball giants Pepperdine, Saint Mary's, Cal and Cal State Fullerton. All four will be first-time opponents for the Lancers.
There is some home cooking for CBU this February, with seven of its first eight games being played at Totman Stadium. The Lancers will next host a strong University of San Diego squad (Feb. 23) and a four-game set with Saint Mary's (Feb. 26-28).
A first-time meeting with UC Davis (March 5-7) will serve as CBU's first road trip and final non-conference series before Western Athletic Conference play begins.
SERIES INFORMATIONCoach Gary Adcock shares his thoughts heading into the 2021 season.#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/uJzLeCIy65
— CBU Baseball (@CBUbaseball) January 21, 2021
Opponent: Pepperdine
Dates/Times: Friday, Feb. 19 (6 p.m.); Saturday, Feb. 20 (1 p.m.); Sunday, Feb. 21 (1 p.m.)
Location: Riverside (Totman Stadium) on Friday, Feb. 19 and Sunday, Feb. 21; Malibu (Eddy D. Field Stadium) on Saturday, Feb. 20
Video Game 1 (Friday, Feb. 19): WAC Digital Network
Video Game 2 (Friday, Feb. 20): WCC Network
Video Game 3 (Friday, Feb. 21): WAC Digital Network
Live Stats Game 1 (Friday, Feb. 19): StatBroadcast
Live Stats Game 2 (Saturday, Feb. 20): StatBroadcast
Live Stats Game 3 (Friday, Feb. 21): StatBroadcast
Radio: CBULancers.com/radio (Saturday, Feb. 20 only)
PEPPERDINE AT A GLANCE
The Waves, who lost just one player from last year's squad, were picked to win the West Coast Conference this season in the league's preseason poll. Pepperdine tallied 78 points in the annual coaches' poll and received six of 10 first-place votes.
Last season, the Waves finished the year ranked No. 16 by Baseball America, No. 20 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 21 by D1Baseball. They enter 2021 ranked No. 33 by Collegiate Baseball and receiving votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
The Waves returns 31 players from last year and brings in 12 freshmen to this year's roster. They bring back all of their top-five offensive threats: senior infielder Aharon Modlin, senior utility Billy Cook, senior outfielder Reese Alexiades, senior infielder Justin Lutes and junior infielder Wyatt Young. Pepperdine also returns three of four starting pitchers: Cooper Chandler, Gunnar Groen and Trevor Kinskern. Four of them: Alexiades, Cook, Modlin and Chandler were named to the 2021 Preseason All-WCC Team, as well.
JAMES W. TOTMAN STADIUM ATTENDANCE POLICY
Following guidelines from state and local public health officials, California Baptist University athletics has announced a series of safety protocols that will be in place for the 2021 baseball season at Totman Stadium. The 2021 season will begin without spectators in attendance. Furthermore, the baseball program will adhere to NCAA guidelines and Western Athletic Conference policies and procedures, including COVID-19 testing protocols, while also operating in alignment with state and local public health officials. Totman Stadium will operate with limited access only to include essential staff and personnel, including participating teams. Capacity restrictions will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and adjusted as allowed as public health conditions improve.
🏡 HOME 🏡#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/VMRuX720mr
— CBU Baseball (@CBUbaseball) December 14, 2020
Players Mentioned
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INF
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