BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Three days after the conclusion of the 2010 season, CSUB baseball Head Coach Bill Kernen announced the second wave of signees to commit to the Roadrunner program for the 2011 season.
Chuck Buchanan, Thomas Hoenshell, Gabe Garcia, DC Legg and Andrew Letourneau have all signed National Letters of Intent and, along with five early signees, will fill in the 2011 roster after the graduation of the nine seniors who departed the program this spring.
Buchanan spent the last two seasons at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. The left-handed pitcher went 7-5 with 68 strikeouts and a 5.77 ERA in 2010, helping the Bulldogs to a California Community College Athletic Association Super Regional appearance. Buchanan also earned second team All-Western State Conference honors.
“Chuck is a quality left-handed starting pitcher with good arm strength,” said Kernen “He has major upside potential as he continues to grow and mature.”
Hoenshell is one of three signees to join the Roadrunners from Cypress College. The 6-5 right-handed pitcher had a standout sophomore season for the Chargers, compiling a 10-3 record and 3.07 ERA in 105 innings. He tallied 75 strikeouts to go along with just 23 walks, earning first team All-Orange Empire Conference and All-Southern California honors.
“Thomas has command of three pitches and great poise,” said Kernen. “These qualities made him a 10-game winner this year for Cypress College.”
Garcia also hails from Cypress College where he starred mainly out of the bullpen. The southpaw reliever made 20 appearances, compiling a 4.97 ERA, 3-3 record and one save in 54.1 innings. He also struck out 54 while walking just 14 batters.
“Gabe is a talented, versatile left-handed pitcher with great stuff and street-fighter mentality,” Kernen said.
Legg completes the trio of players transferring from Cypress College. The middle infielder earned first team All-Orange Empire Conference honors after batting .339 with 58 hits, 11 doubles, seven home runs and 31 RBIs in 2010.
“DC fits the definition of 'ballplayer' as we define it at CSUB,” said Kernen. “He will have huge shoes to fill in replacing Brandon Boren and I would never put that on him, but if anybody can come close, it is DC.”
Letourneau makes the short trip across town from Bakersfield College where he earned second team All-Western State Conference honors in 2010. The outfielder had a solid sophomore season for the Renegades, batting .383 with 59 hits, 10 doubles, 38 runs and 21 RBIs. He also successfully stole 19 bases in 20 attempts.
“Andrew helps fill our need for speed and another high quality outfielder to join (Ryan) McIntyre and (Kevin) Younger,” Kernen said. “We expect him to battle for the center field spot and hit in either the leadoff or 2-hole in the hitting order.”
