Locals get ready for College World Series

Three local players will be competing on teams in the College Baseball World Series which starts Saturday at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb..

Leading the way is junior first baseman Matt Clark, a graduate of Etiwanda High School and Riverside Community College who stars for Louisiana State (48-17). He hit .347 with 55 runs, 17 doubles, 26 home runs and 61 RBI. That home run total ties him for first
nationally. He also has a .781 slugging percentage and a .996 fielding percentage with just two errors in 472 chances.

He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 12th round but has to wait until after his college career is through to sign.

Junior Erik Wetzel, out of Don Lugo High school, headlines the effort of the Fresno State Bulldogs (42-29), who upset Arizona State in Super Regional play. He is batting .361 with 90 runs, 18 doubles, six home runs and 36 RBI and has a .496 slugging percentage and a .996 fielding percentage.

He too was drafted - by the Colorado Rockies in the 13th round.

Norco High alum Toby Gerhart has seen more limited action at Stanford. He is hitting .234, having played in 52 games, 25 as a starter. He has 24 runs scored, 19 RBI and six home runs.

Opening round games on will pit Miami against Georgia, LSU
against North Carolina, Stanford against Florida State and Fresno
State against Rice.

Stay tuned!