A slew of new players has infused Series’ top seed with depth and helped bolster Cougars’ dynamic duo of Vogt, Hodsdon
By Josh Wright
The grueling road trip, in Paul Svagdis’ mind, would be an ideal way to spend spring break. Pack 30 guys into a fleet of SUVs, drive 1,100 miles to scenic north central Idaho and compete against the NAIA’s elite team.
It was supposed be a win-win all around for a .500 ballclub.
But that was before Lewis-Clark State drilled Azusa Pacific in a four-game series last April. “Talk about a long drive (home),” said Svagdis, APU’s coach.
While immediate results couldn’t be found after the trek to Lewiston, the Cougars did get a glimpse of what it would take to seize their long-dreamed-about goal.
“I told my coaches, ‘The next time we’re going up here is for the World Series,’ ” Svagdis recalled. “I just didn’t expect it to be that soon.”
The Cougars’ sudden ascent to a 50-8 record and the Series’ top seed is indeed one of the most surprising stories of the season. This is a program, after all, that last made the national tournament during the Reagan administration.
What’s brought about the Southern California school’s newfound success?
For starters, 14 new players injected badly needed life (and depth) into the program. In previous years, when standouts Stephen Vogt and Scott Hodsdon had off nights, the Cougars’ lineup suffered.
Now leadoff hitter Matt Venegas, a transfer from Mt. San Antonio Community College, freshman Brice Cutspec, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Grant Beyer and others have made APU’s batting order more diversified and potent.
With competent hitters surrounding them, Hodsdon (25 home runs, 98 RBI) and Vogt (.488 batting average, 14 homers) have become one of the most feared middle-of-the-order duos in the nation. (They were named the co-Golden State Athletic Association Players of the Year.)
Hodsdon, in particular, has put together a spectacular season. Besides his numbers at the plate, the 6-foot-1 senior has developed into a bona fide ace in his first full year as a starting pitcher. He’s 11-1 with a 2.73 ERA and almost 6-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
And here’s another remarkable fact about the Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native: He leads the club with seven saves.
“He’s always been a very good player for us,” Svagdis said. “We felt like he had this in him.”
This is also Hodsdon’s first year at third base. The coaches opted to move him to the corner from shortstop to lessen his defensive load.
The decision clearly has paid off. He’s almost tripled his home run production from last year and more than doubled his RBI total. He’s also shaved off almost a point from his ERA.
Backing him in the rotation are newcomers Jonny Bravo (11-0, 3.80 ERA) and Ryan Zaft (5-0, 3.77).
Zach Pettikas (7-1, 3.39) is the Cougars’ go-to guy in the bullpen and a reliable spot starter.
While APU is stocked with solid pitching, its calling card is a versatile lineup. During the West Coast Super Regional against top-ranked L-C, the Cougars cranked out 38 runs on 51 hits.
Is that a sign of things to come this week?
Perhaps, but APU is a Series newcomer. And Svagdis doesn’t shy away from anointing L-C the favorite.
“L-C State really is the No. 1 seed, right?” he said. “We know that. We don’t have enough experience to know if the bye on the first day is good or not. It’s nice being the No. 1 seed, but we know every team is going to be tough.”
