Beard Begins Staff Rebuild, Announcing Audie Afenir

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Cal State Bakersfield Baseball Head Coach Jeremy Beard has announced the hiring of Austin "Audie" Afenir as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator of the Roadrunners.

Beard commented on his excitement of Afenir's hiring, "We landed an excellent up-and-coming coach in Audie. His skillset is top tier as a recruiting coordinator and catching coach. He will also work with our hitters." The Head Coach continued with discussing Afenir's merit in the decision to bring him on, "As a recruiter, Coach Afenir has made an immediate impact and is packaged with a high-level playing career. This is a huge addition to the staff and a great day to be a `Runner!"

Afenir joins Bakersfield after spending the last two seasons at NAIA powerhouse Hope International. Joining the Royals in Fall 2021, he helped his team to its second straight GSAC league title and tournament wins, as well as its third straight NAIA National Tournament appearance. In his first season with HIU, Afenir assisted the team in attaining a spectacular 43-15 record enroute to one of those national tournament appearances.

"First of all, I am very excited to be a part of the `Runner community, and I genuinely believe in the program that Coach Beard is implementing. He brings a ton of energy and passion to this time, and I can't wait to help bring success on and off the field," Afenir said about his appointment. He then continued with discussing the clubhouse culture, "The family environment here is something special. We have a great group of guys in the clubhouse between the players and coaches. I believe we have a good thing going."

Prior to his stint at Hope International, Afenir worked at Palomar Community College where he coached from 2019-2020. Afenir was also Head Coach of the San Diego League Hooks in 2020 and led the team to a championship. He also served as Assistant Coach for the North Woods League Kokomo Jackrabbits in 2021.

Afenir discussed his success as a recruiter at his previous programs and how he will bring that to CSUB, "I work very hard to be knowledgeable of the players that are available, as there is a lot of talent across the country, good players that get overlooked, and I want to make sure that we are not missing out on athletes that have the grit needed to win in this program."

During his college playing career, Afenir first competed at Palomar Community College under head coach Buck Taylor (2011-12) before moving to the next level to play for Oral Roberts University (2013, 2015). Audie was drafted in 2015 by the New York Yankees in the 25th round and played in the minor for three seasons before playing independent baseball from 2017-2019.

With his semi-pro and professional experience across his baseball career, Afenir knows what it takes to rise from a mid-major school to the pro game. "Developing these men is very exciting as a coach. We have an opportunity to help them in their life and not just as an athlete, being here and helping them develop into successful college players and eventual professional players living out their dream day-to-day."

~GoRunners.com~

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Beard Begins Staff Rebuild, Announcing Audie Afenir