Alhambra baseball stacked with pitching; poised to make run

The old adage in baseball is that pitching and defense wins championships. Well, for the Alhambra Bulldogs in 2009, the defense will be there game-after-game, but the pitching will absolutely dominate.

It all begins with the top-two starters (actually both real, true No. 1 starters), Elliott Waterman and Alex Ward. Dubbed “Thunder” and “Lightning” last season, the pair accounted for 14 of Alhambra’s 16 wins and struck out almost 180 batters between them.

Waterman, a senior, was absolutely dominant most every time he took to the mound. In all, he was 8-3 with 91 whiffs. His earned run average was a microscopic 0.92. Opponents batted just .152 against him for the season. The big lefty also registered seven complete games in his 14 starts.

Against Skyline in the Alhambra Tournament, Waterman threw the first no-hitter of his career. He earned Most Valuable Player honors for the event by going 4-for-9 with two runs scored, three walks and four RBIs along with his pitching performance.

Waterman also plays first base. He batted .320 with one home run and 14 RBIs, tied for moist on the team with Dylan Bezayiff.

Ward, a junior, is an absolute flame-thrower. He fanned 91 batters in 77-innings of work. Although is record was an even 6-6, his ERA was a stellar 2.18. When not pitching, Ward plays right field. He hit .275 with one home run and 10 RBIs for 2008.

As if they weren’t enough, another top-tier pitcher, Ryan Casella, returns, as well. He provided a good change-of-pace for the Bulldogs in relief, when the big two were out of the game. After a rough relief outing in the DFAL opener at Miramonte, Casella went on to allow just one earned-run in his next 11-innings over six appearances, many in pressure situations. Opponents batted just .216 against him. The senior has worked all summer on his curve ball and will surprise opposing batters.

Dylan Bezayiff led the DFAL in home runs with three and returns as the starting catcher. He is the rare four-year varsity player and starter. After starting the season in a 1-for-14 slump (.071), Bezayiff was then on a 26-for-63 tear (.413) to finish the season with a .351 average.

Bezayiff has an excellent arm and quick release. Opponents know his reputation and rarely even attempt to steal on the experienced senior. He also works well with his pitchers and is always a favorite of hurlers because of the way he calls a game.

Scott Heeb returns for his third year of varsity play and looks to remain at third base. In 2008, Heeb’s defense was much improved and proved to be an above-average at the hot corner, committing just five errors.

At the plate, Heeb started strong with an eight-game hitting-streak where he was 11-for-24 (.458). He also struck-out just two times in his first 40 plate appearances. This was a continuation of how he ended the 2007 campaign, as he strung together a period where he had hit in 12-of-15 games. In that span, Heeb was 15-for-47 (.319); had four multi-hit games in 2008.

Ryan Bays saw action last season, primarily at first base and will vie for more playing time this year. Bays provides strong bench support and has been used in pinch-hit situation. Has good fundamentals and always seems to make contact while at the plate.

Manny Goodall will also see time at first base, coming-up from the JV team in 2008.

Kevin Wheat started several games in left field for the Bulldogs in 2008. The senior returns to leverage that experience and earn an everyday starting spot for the team this season.

Rafael Aguilar saw little time on the field last year, but has emerged in great physical shape and should find a spot and break into the line-up for the Bulldogs, probably second base.

Other newcomers include senior Andrew Lauro, Billy Krummen and Tyler Rumbaugh.
 
Sophomore Robert Stephenson got his feet wet last year in varsity action. The young pitcher throws even harder and will play on the junior varsity, but may see some innings at the varsity level.

Overall, the DFAL race looks open, with an edge to Alhambra and Miramonte. Both schools have solid pitching and experience at key positions. The difference between winning the title or not will be the ability to play consistently good defense and get timely hitting in key situations. That’s baseball.

Dog Pound Notes:

•  Jay Heeb begins his first full season at the helm of the Alhambra Varsity Baseball. This is his second stint. Heeb coached the Bulldogs back in the late-1980s and early-1990s. The program was quite successful, making several runs in the North Coast Section Tournament

•  Leo Costa and Alan Hern return as assistant coaches. Steve Ward, former head baseball coach and Athletic Director at Diablo Valley College joins the staff as pitching coach. Frank Buccellato returns after a two-year absence as the hitting and infield coach.

•  The Bulldogs play many of their old DFAL rivals in non-league games to start the season. This includes College Park, Northgate, Concord and Mt. Diablo.
Alhambra will also face traditional NCS powers El Cerrito, Encinal and St. Mary’s of Berkeley.

• Dougherty Valley joins the DFAL for their first season playing at the varsity level.

•  The Alhambra Easter Tournament will be conducted from April 11-16. This year’s field has a tough draw from top-to-bottom with Albany, Arroyo, College Park, El Cerrito, Las Lomas, Pittsburg and St. Mary’s of Berkeley.

Photo by Tod Fierner
Alhambra aces Alex Ward (left) and Elliottwaterman form the foundation
for a solid staff and team which promises to contend for the DFAL
crown and beyond. Ward is a right-handed junior and Waterman a
left-handed throwing senior. The two combined to fan over170 batters
in 2008.