By Wes McCurtis
CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College baseball program has seen over 300 student-athletes move on to play at four-year universities in its storied history. After making a Super Regional appearance under first year head coach Anthony Hutting, the Chargers are continuing the tradition of moving players on to the next level.
15 members of the 2017 Cypress College baseball team will wear uniforms at four-year schools next season, eight of which will play for NCAA Division 1 schools.
Andrew Quezada, Cal State Fullerton
Sophomore pitcher Andrew Quezada extended the Chargers' MLB Draft streak to 12 consecutive years after being selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 20th round (589th Overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft. Quezada was a 2016 All-OEC Second Team reliever his freshman season before becoming the 2017 OEC Pitcher of the Year during his sophomore campaign. He finished his career at Cypress ranked 2nd all-time in wins (19) and 1st all-time in complete games (9). He holds the single season record with a 1.17 ERA and is the only Charger on record to pitch a no-hitter in Cypress College history.
Garrett Calvert, University of San Diego
Sophomore infielder Garrett Calvert is headed to the University of San Diego to join the Toreros in the West Coast Conference next season. After playing a limited role during his freshman season, Calvert appeared in 40 games as a sophomore. Calvert made his presence felt in the heart of the Cypress lineup, finishing his career with a .264 AVG, 2 HR, 46 hits, and 30 RBI.
Evan Flohr, Michigan State
Sophomore pitcher Evan Flohr will return to his home state and play for the Michigan State Spartans in the Big 10 Conference next season. The lefty appeared in 25 games on the mound, including 7 starts, for the Chargers over the past two seasons. Flohr finished his career with a 0-4 record and 2 saves.
Brandon Alamo, Stony Brook University
Sophomore infielder Brandon Alamo is headed to New York to play for the Stony Brook University Seawolves in the American East Conference. After struggling in limited action at the plate his freshman season, Alamo bounced back with a huge sophomore season for the Chargers. He was the First Team All-OEC designated hitter selection with a .315 AVG, 45 hits, and 22 RBI.
Logan Swofford, University of Texas- San Antonio
Sophomore infielder Logan Swofford will return to his home state and play for the UTSA Roadrunners in Conference USA next season. After redshirting the 2015 season, Swofford batted .250 in 40 at bats as a freshman in 2016 before upping his average to .292 last season. He also received the prestigious Orange Empire Conference Character Champion Award. The award is given to the student athlete who displays sportsmanship, respect, caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity and responsibility shown through a specific action, ideally directed toward an opponent during competition.
Paul Gomez, University of Missouri
Sophomore shortstop Paul Gomez will suit up for the University of Missouri Tigers in the SEC next season. Gomez appeared in 86 games during his two seasons with the Chargers, including all 44 games his sophomore season. He touted a .958 fielding percentage with just 9 errors at shortstop, while hitting .268 with 42 hits and 19 RBI his sophomore season. Gomez was also second on the team with 3 home runs last season, including a walk-off bomb against OEC rival Golden West.
Chase Sebby, Ball State
Freshman catcher Chase Sebby will forgo his sophomore season at Cypress to play for the Ball State University Cardinals in the Mid-American Conference next season. The St. Johns University transfer appeared in 40 games behind the plate for the Chargers last year. Sebby finished the season batting .280 with 26 hits and 13 RBI.
Matt Schmidt, University of Michigan
Freshman third baseman Matt Schmidt will forgo his sophomore season at Cypress to play for the University of Michigan Wolverines in the Big 10 next season. The University of Texas transfer was the Chargers' top power hitter in 2017. Schmidt led the team with 5 home runs and a .533 slugging percentage, while batting .267 last season.
Henry Martinez, Oklahoma Wesleyan
Sophomore right hander Henry Martinez is headed to play for the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles in the NAIA Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. Martinez finished his career with a 10-8 record and 1 save on the mound. He notched 126 strikeouts with a 3.16 ERA in 151 innings.
Spencer Hereford, Cal State Dominguez Hills
Sophomore right handed pitcher Spencer Hereford will suit up for the Cal State University Dominguez Hills Toros in the CCAA next season. After just 6 innings pitched his freshman year, Hereford went 3-1 with a 1.88 ERA in 13 appearances on the mound last season.
Angel Ortiz, Cal Poly Pomona
Sophomore third baseman Angel Ortiz will play for the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos in the CCAA next season. Ortiz was a 2017 First Team All-OEC selection with a .259 AVG, 37 hits, and 13 RBI. He started 43-of-44 games at third base for the Chargers and boasted a .929 fielding percentage.
Kaleb Sorensen, Colorado Christian University
Sophomore catcher Kaleb Sorensen will play for the Colorado Christian University Cougars in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference next season. Sorensen finished his two-year career at Cypress with a .250 AVG, 5 hits, and 4 RBI.
Tripp Aversa, Azusa Pacific University
Sophomore right handed pitcher Tripp Aversa will take the mound for the Azusa Pacific University Cougars in the PacWest Conference next season. Aversa went 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in 15 appearances his freshman year before making just 3 appearances last season due to injury.
Tyler Smith, Sonoma State University
Sophomore infielder Tyler Smith will suit up for the Sonoma State University Seawolves in the PacWest Conference next season. The Pepperdine University transfer batted .172 with 15 hits and 5 RBI for the Chargers last season.
Joey Leavitt, Biola University
Sophomore right hander Joey Leavitt will take the mound for the Biola University Eagles in the PacWest Conference next season. Leavitt had a 1.50 ERA in 7 appearances for the Chargers in 2016.
Stay connected with the Chargers through social media. Follow Cypress College Athletics on Twitter @CypressChargers. Check in with the Chargers on Facebook/CypressChargers and on Instagram @CypressChargers.