The 2018 Sierra College baseball season was a magical year. It wasn't only the 35 wins but it was the extremely close-knit team, determination and cohesiveness that made it such a great season. The extra support from parents and fans also made it very special. Each player put the TEAM FIRST and the results followed. Practices and games were a complete joy for the coaches to spend time with these quality, COMPETITIVE young men.
The Wolverines finished the regular season with a Big 8 Conference Championship and ranked #2 in California. Sierra was led by a very potent offense. 3B Dylan Smethurst (Oral Roberts University) was voted Big 8 Conference MVP, hitting close to .400, 6 HR and driving in 41 runs. Isaiah Garcia (1st Team all Big 8) (Cal State Fullerton) batted 3rd, had 6 HR and 53 RBIs. Catcher Logan Wurm (1st Team all Big 8) (University of Louisiana Monroe) hit 9 home runs. Two freshman standouts were 1B Matt Lopez (Unanimous 1st team All Big 8, 1st team All Nor Cal) 10 home runs and 50 RBI and OF Charles Middleton (2nd team All Big 8) 6 HR and 43 RBI. Freshman Leadoff hitter Zach Bushling (Honorable Mention All Big 8) and 2-hole hitter Haruto Nakano (1st team All Big 8) were key factors in setting the table for the big hitters. Shortstop Larry Fonseca (CSU Northridge) (1st team All Big 8) was not the most imposing physical specimen but may be the biggest loss for the 2019 season. Fonseca played amazing defense and batted nearly .350 and had numerous clutch RBI to go along with a couple game-winning hits. Larry was a quiet leader with an amazing work ethic that everyone followed. Outfielder Jordan Wood and 1B Joe Gallagher both contributed with leadership, professionalism and a desire to be great teammates and help the Wolverines win games. Gallagher is now attending Hawaii Pacific University. OF Randy Schab (Georgetown Univ., KY) was a solid player who understood the Sierra System and played very hard. Randy finished the season with an OBP close to .500.
On the pitching side, Tyler Gums (Long Beach State) (1st team All Big 8) finished with a record of 13–0 and was the most dominant pitcher in Northern California. Tyler was also a fierce competitor that made this team thrive and play fearless, hard-nosed baseball. Nate Barry (2nd Team All Big 8) (University of Kansas) left-handed pitcher contributed in a major way with 8 wins and great leadership through his work ethic.
The postseason was a great success as well. Sierra hosted Butte College in the Regional round of the playoffs and won that series 2 games to 1. Eli Garcia 7IP earned the win on the mound and Matt Lopez 2HR and 6 RBI were key figures in the final game to help the Wolverines advance to the Super Regionals.
Sierra hosted Coast Conference Champion Mission College of Santa Clara. In game 1 Sierra hammered out 8 HR in route to a 19-10 victory. The Wolverines completed the sweep by defeating the Saints 8-6 on Saturday and capture the Super Regional Championship. The following week Sierra hosted the Nor-Cal Finals with a trip to the State Final Four on the line. The Wolverines hosted the Panthers from Sacramento City College. Sierra won game 1 by the score of 14-3 behind great pitching from Tyler Gums and a HR and 3 RBI from Charles Middleton. Game 2 went to the Panthers by the score of 4-1. In game 2 the Wolverines lost their 3 hitter Isaiah Garcia who was ejected for a collision at 3B on a close play and thus was suspended for the final game of the series. Isaiah's brother Eli Garcia was outstanding as he pitched 7 strong innings allowing only 2 runs and 2 hits. Unfortunately for Sierra, their hot bats cooled down on this day as they were only able to manufacture one run and lost by the score of 2-1 and end their season one win from their 4th Final Four appearance in school history.
Overall, 2018 was extremely successful due in large part to all the players who totally bought into the TEAM FIRST concept and made it a true pleasure to coach such a close group of student-athletes who all really liked each other on and off the field. Our goal for 2019 is to repeat the togetherness of last season, stay healthy, play solid fundamental baseball, win games and transfer every sophomore on the 2019 roster to a four-year university.