Oregon Institute of Technology Athletics

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Last season, the Oregon Tech baseball team recorded their first 30-win season since 2009 – but were unable to complete a late season push for a Cascade Conference Tournament bid.
 
A year later, the Hustlin' Owls return a quality nucleus from the 30-25 squad, with third-year head coach Jacob Garsez adding a talented recruiting class which will add depth around the diamond and on the mound.
 
On the infield, Tech lost a pair of 2-year starters to graduation, as third-baseman Mitchel Swanson and shortstop Dalton Daily have moved on. Swanson earned CCC Gold Glove honors as a senior, hitting .273 with 27 RBI, while Daily broke the OIT single-season home run record, smashing 16 long balls and led the team with 51 RBI.
 
However, the cupboard is not bare – as the Owls have multiple options at third, second and shortstop.
 
Sophomore Matthew Ortiz played all three positions during the 2022 season and was Tech's most consistent offensive player. Ortiz hit .358 with 15 doubles, 37 RBI and 16 stolen bases, ranking in the Top-5 of the CCC with 81 hits. He hit safely in 19 of the final 20 games of last season.
 
Also back is the tandem of Sean Tobin and Adam Jacques – among the top defensive players on the squad. Tobin was used primarily as a late-game defensive replacement a year removed from earning All-Golden Valley Conference honors at Lassen College, while Jacques saw limited action after a quality junior college career at Tacoma CC.
 
Add transfer Korrey Siracusa into the mix, as the former Cal State Fullerton signee hit .338 during his stay at the College of San Mateo.
 
"We have some stuff to figure out up the middle," Garsez said.  "Matt is one of our best offensive players and he will be on the infield somewhere – at short, at second or at third. I think Siracusa will be one of our best offensive players and I can see him either at second or as a designated hitter. Both Sean and Adam are extremely talented defensively and will get starts up the middle."
 
Behind the plate, Tech returns the 1-2 punch of Brodie Marino and Tyler Horner, as the duo combined to catch all 55 games. Marino hit .282 with 10 doubles and 36 RBI, while Horner hit 3.16 with six home runs, 17 doubles and 40 RBI – with the two players combining to throw out 45-percent of would-be base stealers (32-of-75).
 
In addition, expect Marino to see time at first base, while Horner will be the everyday third baseman for the Owls when he is not catching.
 
"Last year, both Brodie and Tyler were off the charts defensively and hit well and I can see them split the position 50-50 again this year," Garsez said. "We finished third in the NAIA in caught stealing percentage last season and that is a credit to the two of them."
 
Adding depth behind the plate is returning junior, Ryan Mendez, and junior transfer Chad Leonard from Folsom Lake CC.
 
At first base, newcomer Bryce Petrilla and fifth-year senior Ian Peters are battling for the top spot. Petrilla, a junior from Folsom Lake CC, hit .333 with five homers and 21 RBI last season, while Peters hit .336 with 10 doubles and 26 RBI – primarily as a designated hitter.
 
"Bryce and Ian are the two primary guys at first base," Garsez said. "We expect each of them to have good offensive years – who spends the most time there defensively will be determined during our preseason."
 
Adding depth at the corner infield positions include Mendez at first base, along with redshirt freshman Griffin Thissell, while Leonard and sophomore Chase Hedani, will compete for time at third base while Horner is catching.
 
The Owls open up the regular-season on Feb. 3, playing the first of two doubleheaders at William Jessup, with the home opener set for March 11 vs. Bushnell.