Jan. 15, 2004
SPOKANE, Wash. -
Gonzaga University placed two baseball players on the pre-season All-West Coast Conference team as conducted by Baseball America. Juniors Jeff Culpepper and Eric Dworkis were named to the pre-season list as Gonzaga was tabbed to finish third in the WCC Coast Division by the publication. Pepperdine (ranked 34th in the pre-season) and San Diego were chosen as the divisional favorites, that vote falling inline with the WCC Coaches poll released earlier.
Dworkis, a junior right-hander from Bellevue, Wash., was selected as one of three All-WCC pitchers after posting a 8-5 record with a 2.88 ERA last season. Dworkis was the publication's selection for the WCC Pitcher of the Year and was also named the Top Prospect in the WCC. Dworkis earned second team All-WCC honors in 2003 and was an honorable mention Freshman All-American in 2002.
Culpepper, a redshirt junior outfielder from Woodinville, Wash., was selected as one of three All-WCC outfielders after hitting .330 with one homerun and 40 RBI last season. Culpepper was drafted in the 39th round by the Boston Red Sox but decided to return for his junior season. Culpepper was named the sixth best prospect in the WCC, while also being named the leagues Best Pure Hitter. Culpepper was an honorable mention All-WCC selection in 2003 after earning first-team Freshman All-America honors in 2002.
Gonzaga opens the 2004 season under first-year head coach Mark Machtolf on February 13 when the Bulldogs compete in the Coca-Cola Classic in Surprise, Ariz. Gonzaga will face the University of Oklahoma, Oregon State University, the University of Utah and Arizona State University during the opening weekend. Gonzaga's first home game of 2004 will be March 22 when the Zags host the University of Washington at Avista Stadium.
HOW THEY'LL FINISH
WEST
1. Pepperdine (34)
2. Santa Clara
3. San Francisco
4. Portland
COAST
1. +San Diego
2. Loyola Marymount
3. Gonzaga
4. St. Mary's
Projected NCAA Teams (2): Pepperdine, San Diego.
Conference Schedule: 30 games. Schedule begins March 5.
Conference Tournament: Best-of-three series between division champions, May 28-30.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
C--Jon Higashi, Sr., Loyola Marymount (.349-0-40).
1B--Will Thompson, Jr., Santa Clara (.335-11-31).
2B--David Uribes, So., Pepperdine (.330-2-28).
3B--Bryan Byrne, So., St. Mary's (.358-5-46).
SS--Billy Lockin, Sr., Loyola Marymount (.333-2-31).
OF-- Jeff Culpepper, Jr., Gonzaga (.330-1-40); Joe Frazee, Jr., Loyola Marymount (.330-1-30);
Joey Prast, Sr., San Diego (.346-12-*57).
DH--Brent Lewis, Sr., Pepperdine (.309-3-18 at Mississippi State).
P--Jacob Barrack, Sr., Pepperdine (*9-3, 3.44); Brandon Boesch, Sr., Pepperdine (6-5, 5.10);
Eric Dworkis, Jr., Gonzaga (8-5, 2.88; 91 IP/81 SO).
RP--Pat Overholt, So., Santa Clara (4-4, 3.00, 10 SV; 48 IP/47 SO).
Player of the Year: Joey Prast, of, San Diego.
Pitcher of the Year: Eric Dworkis, rhp, Gonzaga.
Freshman of the Year: Jared Hughes, rhp, Santa Clara (16th round/Devil Rays, 2003 draft).
TOP PROSPECTS
1. Eric Dworkis, rhp, Gonzaga.
2. Scott Shapiro, rhp/dh, Santa Clara (.255-3-18; 1-1, 5.74).
3. #Steve Kahn, rhp, Loyola Marymount (5-4, 4.98; 47 IP/55 SO).
4. #Jared Hughes, rhp, Santa Clara.
5. Kyle Huddy, rhp, Loyola Marymount (5-6, 3.81; 90 IP/84 SO).
6. Jeff Culpepper, of, Gonzaga.
7. Kea Kometani, rhp, Pepperdine (3-1, 4.57, 9 SV).
8. #Pat Overholt, rhp, Santa Clara.
9. #Andrew Slorp, rhp, Santa Clara (0-1, 7.01).
10. #David Uribes, 2b/ss, Pepperdine.
TOP NEWCOMERS
1. Jared Hughes, rhp, Santa Clara.
2. Brent Lewis, 1b, Pepperdine.
3. Keoni Ruth, 2b, San Diego (Fr., 17th round/Royals, 2003 draft).
4. Nathan Faulkner, of, Santa Clara (Fr., undrafted in 2003).
5. Joe Wickman, of, San Diego (.271-0-14 at UNLV).
BEST TOOLS
Best Pure Hitter--Jeff Culpepper, Santa Clara.
Best Raw Power--Joey Prast, San Diego.
Fastest Runner--Robert Perry, Santa Clara.
Best Baserunner--Billy Lockin, Loyola Marymount.
Best Defensive Catcher--Jon Higashi, Loyola Marymount.
Catcher/Best Arm--Jon Higashi, Loyola Marymount.
Best Defensive First Baseman--Travis Vetter, Portland.
Best Defensive Second Baseman--Nick Kliebert, Pepperdine.
Best Defensive Third Baseman--Patrick Rooney, Pepperdine.
Best Defensive Shortstop--Jose Ortega, San Diego.
Infielder/Best Arm--Jose Ortega, San Diego.
Best Defensive Outfielder--Jason Matteucci, Santa Clara.
Outfielder/Best Arm--Joey Prast, San Diego.
Best Fastball--Steve Kahn, Loyola Marymount; Scott Shapiro, Santa Clara.
Best Breaking Ball--Tom Caple, San Diego.
Best Control--Brandon Boesch, Pepperdine.
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