Oregon Institute of Technology Athletics

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Oregon Tech head coach Jacob Garsez will have a new look to his outfield in 2023, as the Hustlin' Owls baseball squad must replace their three starters from last season.
 
All-Cascade Conference right fielder Kaleb Keelean is now an assistant coach, a year removed from a season in which he hit .309 with 12 doubles, a school-record eight triples and 36 RBI. Four-year center fielder Michael Tarakhchyan graduated after recording 33 steals scoring 130 runs at OIT, while left fielder Alex Malcolm played in 165 career games and had 136 hits.
 
"We lost some veteran guys in the outfield that we really liked, but this team is so athletic – we can cover a lot of ground which is important, as Steen Sports Park has a large outfield, as does most of the facilities in the Cascade Conference," Garsez said.
 
Transfers Alonzo Vergara and Riley Cronin look to compete for the job in center. Vergara, a sophomore, hit .264 last season at Mission College, hitting five home runs, while Cronin, a junior 2-way player from the College of Marin, drove in 18 runs during the 2022 season.
 
"Vergara is extremely gifted and will play a lot of center field," Garsez said. "Cronin gets great reads and is instinctive and if we opened up the season today, they both would get starts."
 
Three players look to have an initial edge for the corner outfield spots. Returner Ka'ala Tam played in 42 games as a true freshman, driving in 14 runs and adding eight stolen bases and will have an expanded role in 2023.
 
Transfer Julien Jones and freshman Dane Bradshaw will figure in the mix after outstanding fall camps. Jones, a junior from Umpqua CC, stole 14 bags and added 20 RBI last season, while Bradshaw led Nampa Christian High in Idaho to consecutive state titles, hitting .529 with a state-leading 10 home runs as a senior.
 
"Last year, Tam was our most athletic freshman and we are excited to see what he can do in left," Garsez said. "Jones had a great fall, and we project him to start the season in right, while Bradshaw is one of the more capable freshmen I've ever had and he will see some time in left field."
 
Three returning players and two newcomers add critical depth in the outfield. Both sophomore Kage Southern and junior Matthew Macias saw limited action in 2022 – Southern as a center fielder and Macias in right field and as a designated hitter. James Graser returns after using his redshirt season in 2022, while transfers Justin Francis from Porterville CC and Matthew Lehrbach of Clackamas CC each provide collegiate baseball experience in the outfield.
 
"Each of our outfielders are working extremely hard in practice and have potential to make an impact this season – whether it be in the line-up, as a pinch-hitter or on the bases," Garsez said.
 
OIT opens 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.