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San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
How St. Mary's baseball marched to second-ever NCAA regional with zero NIL money
St. Mary's baseball, a program whose history dates to 1872 when it was introduced as the school's first sport, has never played under the lights at home. It isn't a figure of speech. There are literally no lights at Louis Guisto Field. Gaels home games begin no later than 2 p.m. — and 3 p.m. after Daylight Saving Time. When winning seasons became the norm during Eric Valenzuela's first stint at the helm from 2014-19, opposing teams would occasionally make full use of their offensive timeouts, to which the St. Mary's dugout relentlessly exclaimed, 'We don't have lights!' Whether it was a tactic to draw the game past sundown or simply coincidental, Athletics starting pitcher and Gaels alumnus Ken Waldichuk remembers well how the team's favorite chirp emerged as the calling card for good baseball in Moraga. 'We embraced it, honestly,' Waldichuk said. 'Not having lights and being in that situation kind of brought guys together.' Valenzuela left for Long Beach State following the 2019 season after having led St. Mary's to four straight 30-win seasons, by far the most in school history, during a stretch that included the program's first NCAA regional appearance in 2016. Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes and MLB All-Star Tony Gonsolin were starting pitchers for that famed group of Gaels, whose legacy was finally matched last weekend. St. Mary's won the West Coast Conference tournament to automatically qualify for the program's second regional appearance, again under the leadership of Valenzuela, who returned as head coach in the summer of 2023 after four seasons in Long Beach. The feat seems more impressive this time around. In 2016, pay-for-play name, image and likeness (NIL) deals and a practically no-holds-barred transfer portal would not be implemented for another half decade. In 2025, success in college athletics is afforded to those with the deepest pockets. More than half of the NCAA tourney's field of 64 is made up of Power 4 teams (34). St. Mary's is one of a select group of mid-major teams included for winning its conference championship. As a result, Valenzuela and company find themselves as a four seed in a Corvallis, Ore., regional that features No. 8 national seed Oregon State, USC (Big Ten) and TCU (Big 12). It's safe to say all three programs have various levels of NIL backing. The NIL money spread across St. Mary's current roster? A whopping total of $0, Valenzuela told the Chronicle. 'There's absolutely no NIL with this current team at all,' Valenzuela said. 'We're not going to have the luxury of a lot of these programs, even in our conference, that have NIL and have a ton of it. … We're not there just yet.' All told, Valenzuela lost six of nine starters from a 2024 lineup that brought the program back above .500 last season at 34-22 (16-8 WCC) after consecutive campaigns with records of 25-26, 25-30 and 23-28 in his absence. Roster turnover heading into this season was inevitable from what was a senior-heavy team. But the Gaels also failed to retain catcher Bear Harrison (Texas A&M), who started 42 games with a .322 batting average and eight home runs as a freshman, outfielder Dalton Mashore (South Carolina), an All-WCC second-team selection, and 6-foot-11 pitcher Jason Reitz (Oregon), whom Valenzuela said would've likely been a weekend starter. Valenzuela cited internal conversations about potentially establishing an NIL budget and funding more baseball scholarships when the allowable number by the NCAA expectedly increases from 11.7 to 34 as part of the House v. NCAA settlement. What steps may be taken, while valuable, are also unlikely to make St. Mary's baseball competitive in the NIL marketplace overnight. Valenzuela knows any high school, junior college or transfer recruits who land with the Gaels won't be the ones chasing money. 'The times have totally changed,' Valenzuela said. 'You never know what a Tony Gonsolin or a Ken Waldichuk or a Corbin Burnes would have done if they were in this era.' For what it's worth, Waldichuk said he thinks he would've stayed. The development he received in three years at St. Mary's after joining as a preferred walk-on in 2017 was well worth it once the New York Yankees spent a 2019 fifth-round pick on him following his junior season. He said his cost of tuition was almost entirely covered once he was put on a partial athletic scholarship after posting a 2.00 ERA as a true freshman reliever. In his final two years, Waldichuk said he had to pay about $1,000 per semester. Every St. Mary's baseball player pays some portion of tuition, according to Valenzuela, who acknowledged maybe one or two are close to attending the school for free but that 'a lot of them are paying the majority.' Meanwhile, some starters at Power 4 programs, especially in the SEC, not only have their tuition covered — they regularly net money off of NIL deals. The independent variable in Valenzuela's success has been his staff. Associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Daniel Costanza has coached alongside Valenzuela for 12 years. And under hitting coach Jack Meggs, who was retained from the program's previous staff, the Gaels boast a top-50 batting average in the country (.301). Fueling that are All-WCC first-team first baseman Eddie Madrigal, whose average is a team-best .372 with 21 home runs and 77 RBIs, and outfielder Aiden Taurek, who is batting .336 with 10 homers and 45 RBIs in his first year as a starter. 'If I'm a coach at a Power (4) school, I'm looking at schools like ours who found ways to be successful with limited resources — I'm going to try to hire those guys,' Valenzuela said. The deeper the Gaels go this postseason as the Bay Area's only chance at a College World Series berth in Omaha, Neb., the farther they'll be from home. But their future on the grounds of Louis Guisto Field at Brother Ronald Gallagher Stadium will only brighten in the years to come. The town of Moraga recently approved outdoor light fixtures to be installed at the ballpark. Gone are the days of an afternoon first pitch thrown against the backdrop of bleachers marked by the handful of parents who could get off of work early. Valenzuela said he always has believed night games could increase exposure for the program across the broader Lamorinda area, ripe with young baseball talent. To enlighten those who have been in the dark: Since 1967, St. Mary's baseball has fielded 12 teams that won at least 30 games, including the past six coached by Valenzuela. 'If you compare Coach V to probably any other coach in the country, he gets more out of what he has than just about anybody,' St. Mary's president Roger Thompson said.
San Francisco Chronicle
26-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
St. Mary's baseball making itself known again with NCAA regional berth
For every autograph signed Monday by a member of the NCAA regional-bound St. Mary's baseball team at University Credit Union Pavilion, a kid who probably already had one or two from, say, star first baseman Ed Madrigal or outfielder Aiden Taurek eagerly asked for another. Neither Madrigal nor Taurek are mainstream names. But they're the closest thing to celebrities in Moraga, a practically stranger-less town where a chance encounter with someone you know is more like a certainty. 'You know everyone around here, everyone knows you,' Taurek told the Chronicle. And because of Eric Valenzuela, everyone knows St. Mary's baseball. In his second stint as head coach of the Gaels, Valenzuela needed only two years to put them back in the NCAA Tournament for only the second time in program history, dating back to its inclusion as the school's first sport in 1872. The college baseball selection show Monday morning slotted St. Mary's in the Corvallis regional as a four-seed, meaning they'll face No. 8 overall seed Oregon State — a longtime baseball powerhouse — in Friday's first round of a double-elimination format. Valenzuela acknowledged to the small group that gathered at UCU Pavilion the rigors of the road ahead, along with the incredible journey they've already trekked. An at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament was out of the question. As a three-seed, St. Mary's needed to win the West Coast Conference tournament to automatically qualify for a regional. The only other time the Gaels were crowned conference champions was in 2016, but with Valenzuela at the helm. He built St. Mary's into a perennial winning program from 2014-19, left for Long Beach State from 2020-23, and in 2024 circled back to Moraga. After an intense stretch of conference tournament games in Las Vegas last week, including a Saturday that began with a 14-inning defeat to San Diego and ended with St. Mary's WCC championship-clinching 9-8 win in a same-day rematch, Valenzuela has the Gaels back to where they were before he left. St. Mary's fell below .500 in every season during his brief absence, save the COVID-abbreviated 2020 campaign, before Valenzuela posted a 34-22 record by the end of his first season back in 2024. A senior-heavy roster subsequently disbanded, in addition to transfer portal losses that included catcher Bear Harrison (Texas A&M), outfielder Dalton Mashore (South Carolina) and 6-foot-11 pitcher Jason Reitz (Oregon), who was set to step into a weekend role for the Gaels if he stayed. Despite the turnover, St. Mary's held a top-50 batting average nationally (.301) with a lineup led by Madrigal (.372) and Taurek (.336), a first-year starter. 'I'm proud of this group because six of our nine guys in our lineup from a very (good) offensive team last year are gone,' Valenzuela said. 'To be able to have a better year offensively and overall was huge.' Madrigal was stripped of his opportunity to shine as a third-year sophomore in 2024 following a season-ending knee injury just several games in. His breakthrough this year, marked by a .372 batting average, 21 home runs and 77 RBI (tied for ninth-most in the country), earned him a microphone moment Monday. He was the only player allowed to address the pavilion, though his words stretched no further than a sentence or two. The All-WCC first-team selection need not overstate what has transpired: St. Mary's College of California, a basketball school, is good in baseball again.
San Francisco Chronicle
13-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Last year's heartbreak fueled Santa Clara softball's historic NCAA run this season
There wasn't much suspense in the room when the Santa Clara softball team learned its NCAA Tournament fate. The Broncos had already secured their place in the field the day before, capturing the program's first-ever West Coast Conference title with a dominant 15-4 win over Oregon State. But while Sunday's announcement might have lacked drama, the moment carried deep significance for sixth-year head coach Gina Carbonatto and her team. Last year, a loss on the final day of the regular season dashed Santa Clara's postseason hopes. Now the Broncos are tournament-bound for the first time in the program's 46-year history as a No. 4 seed. 'We had a bad taste in our mouths all offseason,' Carbonatto said. 'We were so close last year, and that season really propelled us to where we are now. We're just more prepared this time.' big opportunity at the 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒏 𝑫𝒊𝒓𝒕 #StampedeTogether — Santa Clara Softball (@SCUSoftball) May 12, 2025 The Broncos will open the Tucson Regional against host and No. 13 national seed Arizona (43-10) on Friday. It's a tall task — the Wildcats are 10th in the nation in hits and 19th in home runs — but Santa Clara enters with momentum and belief backed by Carbonatto's NCAA Tournament experience. She was an assistant on Washington's 2009 national championship team and also reached the tourney with Pacific. 'We haven't talked much about what it's like being in the tournament, but more about how it didn't occur last year,' Carbonatto said. 'We had to find the why behind that, and I think we did. My philosophy is to play the game, not work the game, and that's what we've been about.' Offensively, Santa Clara has found success playing small-ball. The Broncos led the WCC with 303 runs, despite hitting a league-low 16 home runs. Their scoring came from speed, plate discipline and timely hitting. Sophomore second baseman Cairah Curran was the sparkplug. She led the conference with 26 stolen bases (in 32 attempts), broke the WCC single-season hits record with 78 and scored a league-best 49 runs. Many of her hits came via bunts and slap hits that set the table for the heart of the lineup. 'She's one of the fastest kids in the nation, but her real growth has been her offensive approach,' Carbonatto said. 'Speed never slumps and our offense is much more explosive (than last season). We have confidence in the hitters behind her.' Among them is senior third baseman Hope Alley, who transferred from Cal and led the conference with 41 RBIs. On the mound, freshman Cari Ferguson posted a WCC-best 1.92 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 98.2 innings. She complements fifth-year ace Hannah Edwards, the staff's emotional leader, and two-way standout Hazyl Gray. 'Hannah's still our bulldog, but Cari is such a different pitcher and that makes us dangerous,' Carbonatto said. 'We can take Hannah out and then (hitters) have to face (more offspeed pitches) from Cari. It's hard to make that adjustment.' Gray, the 2024 WCC Player of the Year, had a slightly quieter season at the plate (.844 OPS this season, .925 last year), but elevated her game in the circle. She threw a career-high 73 innings with a 3.74 ERA and remains the rotation's only lefty. 'We've had so much more offense around her that she hasn't also had to hit at the same pace,' Carbonatto said. 'We still win games when she doesn't hit two home runs. But she's the best in the circle she's ever been, and that's a big reason we're here.' When not pitching, Gray plays left and bats fifth behind sophomore catcher Taryn Clements, who matched Gray's .844 OPS and led the conference in caught-stealing percentage (.613). Santa Clara finished the season leading the WCC in runs scored, ERA, most defensive putouts and assists. But the road ahead in Tucson won't be easy. After facing No. 13 Arizona, the Broncos will deal with another tough team. Ole Miss (35-16) enters with SEC-tested depth, while Grand Canyon (43-6) is making its fourth straight NCAA appearance after dominating the WAC. 'We're happy about our seed, the location and our opponents,' Carbonatto said. 'The big difference for us this year is us having almost been there and tasted it and then kind of creating new expectations for this year's team, and then we were able to accomplish that.' Stanford, Cal also tournament-bound After making consecutive WCWS appearances, Stanford will begin this postseason on the road in the Eugene Regional. The Cardinal (40-11) will first deal with America East winners Binghamton (36-12) on Friday in a bracket that includes Oregon (47-7) and Weber State (28-30). The Cardinal posted a third-straight 40-win campaign behind a historic offensive attack with single-season records for runs (413) and home runs (94). Cal (35-19) is in one of the toughest brackets, opening in the Norman Regional against Omaha (39-11) before a potential second game against No. 2 Oklahoma (45-7). In their opener, the Sooners play Patriot League champion Boston University (39-17). This is the Bears' 36th NCAA Tournament appearance. They are looking to advance to their first Super Regional since 2012.
Forbes
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
A Look At The Lefty's 2025 Masters Odds Including Mickelson, MacIntyre, Harman And Highsmith
The Masters is 'A tradition unlike any other', and the 89th Masters Tournament will set a record with eight left-handed golfers playing in the 2025 event. That includes Masters champions Phil Mickelson (3), Bubba Watson (2) and Mike Weir (1), who have won a combined six green jackets between them from 2003-2014. Another major champion, 2023 Open Championship big longshot winner Brian Harman, is playing in his seventh Masters with a best finish of T21 in 2021. Harman won the 2025 Valero Texas Open last week, and he'll try to improve his 2025 Masters odds after missing the cut each of the past three years. The favorite to be the top left-handed player with the best finish in the 2025 Masters is Robert MacIntyre, who is playing in his third Masters with a best finish of T12 on debut in 2021. The 28-year-old Scottish pro is slightly favored over 23-year-old Akshay Bhatia, who finished T35 in his Masters debut last year with no rounds under par. Two former West Coast Conference college golfers and PGA Korn Ferry Tour graduates make their Masters debut this week. Matt McCarty played at Santa Clara and started 2024 on the Korn Ferry Tour. The 27-year-old won the inaugural Black Desert Championship in October in his third PGA Tour start to earn an invitation to the 2025 Masters Tournament. Lefty Joe Highsmith won the 2025 Cognizant Classic on March 2, and the 24-year-old Washington native and former Pepperdine golfer will join one of his mentors Fred Couples along with Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay for a practice round over the back 9 at Augusta National on Wed., April 9. Highsmith's press conference Tuesday shared some of the emotions of making it to Augusta to play in The Masters, and the atmosphere with so many fans even for the practice rounds. 'This is the tournament that every golfer wants to play in since they pick up the game,' Highsmith said. 'To be here and kind of just see the atmosphere and be inside the ropes this time is pretty special.' Masters odds are taking more action at the leading online sportsbooks, and the top golfers are drawing more watch and wager interest as they prepare for the speed and slopes at Augusta National. That includes the 12 top golfers who are the leading win contenders in the 2025 Masters Tournament. The eight left-handed golfers odds to win the Masters are all at least +5000, or 50/1 or greater. But top online sportsbook BetOnline offers Masters Props and specials with group betting options on golfers by country, former Masters champions, top LIV Golfer along with top left-handed golfer, with odds below along with (odds) to win the Masters. Golf odds from BetOnline and leading online sportsbooks refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on futures, props and live betting. As hundreds of thousands of people placed bets on the Super Bowl, including on popular player props, analysts say Georgia missed out on millions they could get from legalizing and taxing sports betting. With no regulated sports betting in Georgia, fans in the Peach state and other visitors to Augusta for the Masters will be unable to place bets at top U.S. sportsbooks. The cybersecurity group GeoComply estimates Georgia could be getting nearly $120 million annually from legalizing sports betting. But fans still have other options as they watch and wager on The Masters and understand the golf rules when betting on match-ups, futures and favorite players while also following the adjusted golf odds and placing live bets during the tournament. Panama-based BetOnline has been a market leader in providing more betting options for fans, and especially those political and sports-crazed fans in Georgia and the three most populated states that currently don't offer betting at U.S. online sportsbooks - California, Texas and Florida. So fans can get in the game and enjoy watch and wager entertainment with BetOnline for The Masters, and also next week's RBC Heritage Signature Event in South Carolina, where there is also no regulated U.S. sports betting. Scottie Scheffler won the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town last year one week after capturing his second green jacket and winning The Masters. As fans follow their favorite golfers and left-handers including Phil Mickelson, check out their tee times Thursday off hole No. 1 along with playing partners. All times Eastern. Follow The Masters and golfers betting odds with tips and trends as the left-handers try to make history again at Augusta. You can bet on it.
Miami Herald
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Georgetown, Washington State face off in College Basketball Crown
Georgetown and Washington State will meet in the first round of the inaugural College Basketball Crown postseason tournament on Monday at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It will be the first ever meeting between the programs. Georgetown (17-15), which has clinched its first winning record since the 2018-19 season, will look a bit different in its first postseason action since the 2021 NCAA Tournament. "We're not going out there with a full deck, but we're going out there with some guys who are eager," said Hoyas coach Ed Cooley on Friday. "We're excited. Any time you can play in the postseason and this being the first ever Crown opportunity to play against another league. We'll try and represent the Big East the best way we can. We're excited to go, and we'll see where we end up." Since losing in the first round of the Big East tournament to DePaul nearly three weeks ago, the Hoyas have lost starter Drew Fielder to the transfer portal. The 6-foot-11 sophomore, originally a Providence recruit who then followed Cooley to Georgetown, started 31 games this season while averaging 7.1 points and 5.4 rebounds. Big East All-Freshman selection Thomas Sorber, who missed the final few weeks after requiring turf toe surgery, has entered his name in the 2025 NBA Draft with the option of returning to school. Sorber averaged 14.5 points and a team-high 8.5 rebounds in 24 games. Washington State (19-14) reached the postseason in coach David Riley's first season and its the fourth straight overall as a program. Just like the Hoyas, Riley's Cougars will be without two key players as starters Nate Calmese and Isaiah Watts entered the transfer portal since their West Coast Conference tournament loss to San Francisco on March 9. Calmese led Washington State in scoring (15.2 ppg) and assists (4.4 apg) while Watts averaged 11 points and shot 34.8 percent from 3-point range. Riley gave his thoughts on Tuesday about how a team can prepare to play while keeping an eye on the future with the portal. "It's busy," Riley said. "I think it's fun for me as a coach. There's never a month that's the same. Every month is something different and we have to go recruit players in the portal and we have to dive in and get to know all these people as humans over a week which is crazy in it of itself. It's a fun time." Georgetown, which hasn't won a postseason game since defeating Eastern Washington in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, is one of four Big East schools in the Crown while the Cougars are joined by Oregon State of the WCC. Washington State won a game in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, its first since 2008. Monday's winner will advance to play the winner of Nebraska and Arizona State on Wednesday in the quarterfinals. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
