The Ventura College baseball program finished the 2016 season with an overall record of 18-18. Their success extended beyond the field of play with a team GPA of over 3.0 for the third time in four seasons. Additionally, nine Pirate athletes earned Western State Conference honors for their individual efforts. With the Pirates beginning preparation for their 2017 campaign the program and coaching staff is proud to announce the destinations for their 11 transfers to four-year college baseball programs.
Brison Cronenbold SS: University of Nebraska Lincoln NCAA D1
Cronenbold was a second team All-WSC performer and consistent threat for the Pirates at the top of the lineup. He is headed to Nebraska where he is expected to start at shortstop.
Ray Lambert RHP: San Diego State University NCAA D1
Lambert assumed the ace role for the Pirates and was a stabilizing force for the Pirates pitching staff after transferring in from CSU-Northridge. He earned first team All-WSC accolades. He will compete for a starting spot at San Diego State in their weekend rotation
Nate Green LHP: Southeast Missouri State University NCAA D1
Green gave the Pirates a durable number two starter who finished with the team high in innings pitched and was a second team All-WSC honoree. He will compete for a weekend starter slot at Southeast Missouri.
Colton Follet LHP: Central Michigan University NCAA D1
Follet pitched for the Pirates in 2014-15 as a reliever and a starter. He brings a high upside with an electric array of pitches. After redshirting in 2016 he signed with Central Michigan this past June.
Tony Fonzo 3B: Western Oregon University NCAA D2
Fonzo leaves VC as one of the most decorated players in program history. He earned several program honors and was twice named an All-WSC honoree while winning a gold glove in 2016. He provided a consistent offensive threat in the Pirates third spot in the order for two seasons. He is expected to stabilize the middle of the D2 power Western Oregon's lineup.
Erick Allegro IF: Western Oregon University NCAA D2
Allegro moved to first base in 2016 and earned a gold glove and honorable mention All-WSC. He put up a solid offensive season from the Pirates five hole. He will potentially move back to third base at Western Oregon or slide over to second or remain at first.
Adisson Pelupessy RHP/IF: Central Washington University NCAA D2
Pelupessy provided the Pirates with a second team All-WSC honor as a pitcher and infielder. He lead the team and conference in saves for the 2016 season, filled in as the Pirates number three starter at times, and manned second base for the Pirates when not on the mound. He is expected to continue his two-way career at Central Washington.
Carlos Soto RHP: Cal State Monterey Bay NCAA D2
Soto was a redhsirt sophomore in 2016 and saw his first significant action in 2016, having developed extensively over his three years in the program. He became the first man up for the Pirates bullpen whenever a pressure situation arose and is expected to compete for innings in the middle relief role for the Otters.
Zachary Martirano RHP: Nyack University NCAA D2
Martirano saw action as a starter in the number three spot early in the year, and stabilized the bullpen later in the season, providing long relief for the Pirates. He heads to Nyack where he is recruited to move into the rotation, providing experience and performance to a conference championship contender.
Tyler Esquivel RHP/OF: Willamette University NCAA D3
Esquivel was a highly decorated two-way high school recruit who primarily pitched for the Pirates the past two seasons. He continued to work on his game as an outfielder at VC and earned the opportunity to join the Willamette program and compete for a two-way role for the D3 program.
Evyn Yamaguchi C/OF: Mayville State University NAIA
Yamaguchi saw time in the outfield and at DH early in the season, but stood out best late in the season when he took over the primary catcher role for the Pirates. His bat provided an offensive spark for the in a season ending victory over rival Oxnard College. He is headed to Mayville as the No. 1 catcher for a program coming of an NAIA super regional berth.
This transfer class marks the fourth straight season the Pirate baseball program has sent 10 or more athletes to the four-year collegiate level. Over the past five seasons, the Pirates have sent a total of 56 players to the four-year level to continue their baseball careers.
Additionally, the Pirate program had seven sophomore athletes in 2016 who completed their eligibility and elected to turn down opportunities to play at four-year colleges to attend other universities to complete their college education. These athletes are bound for schools such as Northern Arizona University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona, San Francisco State University, California State University- Channel Islands amongst others. The program is proud to honor their achievements as they look to earn their college degrees.