BATTER UP! HANCOCK BASEBALL HOSTS L.A. PIERCE IN FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON

The Allan Hancock College baseball team opens the 2019 season against L.A. Pierce College, Jan. 25^th at 2 p.m. and the 26^th at 1 p.m. at John Osborne Field. 

Head Coach Chris Stevens begins his 18th season as head coach of the Hancock baseball team and was named the 2018 Victory Coach of the Year by the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association (CCCBCA). Stevens has 320 career wins with the Bulldogs. He ranks No. 2 in program history in career wins, behind CCCBCA Hall of Fame inductee John Osborne. He was named the Western State Conference's Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2009.

The Bulldogs are expecting sophomore pitcher Jake Shusterich, who finished his freshman season with a .384 batting average, seven home runs, 39 RBI and 11 doubles, to have another stellar season. The Arroyo Grande High School graduate led the Bulldogs and ranked among the top-three in the conference in all four categories. He scored 26 runs and led the team with 48 hits. He compiled two or more hits in 13 games, including a five-hit performance in a win against Ventura. Shusterich also went 1-0 with one save and a 4.76 ERA on the mound. He threw 17 innings over 10 appearances on the mound.

The Bulldogs finished tied for third in the conference standings and 21-19 overall. The Bulldogs reached the 20-win mark for the first time since 2014.