Pitching a question mark

November 30, 1993
Originally published by The Daily Collegian (Fresno State)

Pitching may not really be 75 percent of baseball, but Fresno State has done a good job over the years convincing people it sure isn’t zero percent.

The Bulldog baseball program has been known as a breeding ground for future pitching stars in recent years. Since 1984, FSU has had 19 pitchers get drafted by big league teams and go to the majors.

Strong pitching has become a tradition at FSU along with its’ winning ways. Bobby Jones of the Mets, Mark Gardner of the Royals, Dick Ruthven of the Cubs and Phillies, Bob Stoddard, Rich Bordi and Warren Brusstar have all made their way to the big show via Beiden Field.

Last June, Steve Soderstrom and Mike Salazar became the next pitchers to carry on the proud Bulldog tradition. Soderstrom, a junior righthander, was taken in the first round of the draft by the San Francisco Giants. Soderstrom went 6-5 with a 3.80 ERA in 1993. He also became the highest FSU draft pick in Bulldog athletic history.

Salazar, who was drafted in 1992 by the Oakland Athletics, was taken in the 15th round of the June free agent draft by the Detroit Tigers. He went 13-3 with a 3.60 ERA for the Bulldogs in ’93 and was named a second-team selection on the All-District-8 team.

Salazar earned first-team All-WAC recognition for the first time with the best year of his career. He led the Bulldogs in wins, starts (19), innings (147.1), and strikeouts (131).

The most impressive statistic about Salazar is that he entered his senior season with a career won-lost record of 9-10. He finished at 22-13.

Another Bulldog who wasn’t drafted but ended his FSU career with great credentials was Mark Cruise. Cruise posted a 7-6 record to go with a 3.82 ERA last season.

Other stalwart Bulldog hurlers such as Jared Fernandez and Tommy Minor return, but the big question for FSU in ’94 will be whether they can shoulder the loss of Soderstrom, Salazar, and Cruise.

Coach Bob Bennett has made a living out of dredging up little-known pitchers and turning them into standouts. He said next year will be no exception.

"We have good enough arms to make for a good pitching staff, but we still have a lot of question marks," Bennett said. "But my hope is optimism. I think these pitchers can rise to the occasion and do a good job."

The Bulldogs have always relied heavily on their mound work, something Bennett feels has been made out of necessity.

The Bulldogs’ attack has not always been the same while making a habit of reaching the NCAA playoffs the last 17 years. Some years, the ’Dogs have been carried by hitting; other years, the pitching has boosted them.

"I’ve always felt that our pitching should hold on until our ballclub came together," he said. "But next year, our regular lineup will be a bit more experienced and they will just have to hold the fort down until we get our pitching in order."

"That’s not to say our pitching is going to be down, it just hasn’t had the opportunity to show itself yet."

FSU’s pitching has mostly been unproven and untried at the Division I level.

Besides Fernandez, the roster that will make up the Bulldog moundmen in ’94 had a 1-3 record between its’ starters.

Among the Bulldogs who will return to the mound are Fernandez, Minor, Scott Warembourg, Raul Gonzalez, Victor Mercado, Tony Enard, and Eric Newman.

Fernandez enjoyed a stellar season in 1993, going 7-3 with a 3.54 ERA. Moving into the rotation late in the season, he proved instrumental in the ’Dogs defeating BYU for the WAC Championship Series title. In the deciding game, Fernandez struck out a career-high nine batters and walked just one.

Tommy Minor, regularly a third baseman, won the Bulldogs’ Gold Glove and posted a 7-1 record with a team-high three saves.