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batted balls · 07-21-2006, 05:48 PM

April 5, 2007

San Diego--Change can be a good thing. Just ask San Diego State.

After dropping their season opener, the Aztecs have reeled off three straight wins and are tied for first place in the All-American Baseball League West. Defending West champion Arizona State and Stanford are also 3-1.

"We've been doing the little things to win," said first-year Aztec manager Charlie Smith. "If these guys can remain confident, who knows what may happen."

Two newcomers have made big splashes for San Diego State. Left-handed reliever Royce Ring was handed the closer role after being called up from the minors following Opening Day.

"When Erik Plantenberg had to go on the disabled list, Royce is the first person I wanted," said Smith. "He really impressed me in spring training.

"I wanted to see how the kid (Ring) would respond so I threw him into the fire right away," Smith said.

Ring responded well, saving two straight games in victories over Oklahoma State.

"I just tried to change speeds and keep the hitters off balance," said Ring.

The other newcomer is Graig Nettles (shown below). The left-handed hitting right fielder turned third baseman batted .455 with a home run and three RBIs in his first week as an Aztec starter. A year ago, Nettles hit just .224 in 76 late-season at-bats.

"I'm just trying to stay loose and hit the ball where it's pitched," said Nettles, who hit his first career homer off Oklahoma State pitcher Joe Horlen.

The early success of Ring and Nettles, coupled with Smith's fresh managerial approach, has been just the infusion San Diego State was looking for.

"We lost 118 games last year, but already you can sense things are going to be different this season," said short stop Bobby Meacham.

Diamond Notes: None of San Diego State's three victories went to starting pitchers. Instead, relievers Dave Smith, Jerrod Riggan and Justin Brunette picked up wins . . . Despite no longer being saddled with the player-manager role, Aztec Tony Gwynn is hitless in 13 at-bats on the young season . . . UCLA second baseman Jackie Robinson picked up the West Player of the Week award. Robinson was 7-for-16 (.428) with two homers and three RBIs . . . Arizona State took three of four games from rival Southern California in Los Angeles. Last year's ERA titlist Paul Moskau twirled a two-hit shutout against the Trojans in game three of the series . . . Stanford spent much of last year looking for offense. Outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds supplied plenty Saturday by going 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs in an 11-7 win at UCLA.

West Standings
Team W L PCT GB
Arizona State 3 1 .750 --
San Diego State 3 1 .750 --
Stanford 3 1 .750 --
Arizona 2 2 .500 1.0
Cal State Fullerton 2 2 .500 1.0
Oklahoma State 2 2 .500 1.0
UCLA 2 2 .500 1.0
California 1 3 .250 2.0
Southern California 1 3 .250 2.0
Texas 1 3 .250 2.0

07-21-2006, 05:48 PM	#180 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Surprising San Diego State Tied For AABL West Lead April 5, 2007 San Diego--Change can be a good thing. Just ask San Diego State. After dropping their season opener, the Aztecs have reeled off three straight wins and are tied for first place in the All-American Baseball League West. Defending West champion Arizona State and Stanford are also 3-1. "We've been doing the little things to win," said first-year Aztec manager Charlie Smith. "If these guys can remain confident, who knows what may happen." Two newcomers have made big splashes for San Diego State. Left-handed reliever Royce Ring was handed the closer role after being called up from the minors following Opening Day. "When Erik Plantenberg had to go on the disabled list, Royce is the first person I wanted," said Smith. "He really impressed me in spring training. "I wanted to see how the kid (Ring) would respond so I threw him into the fire right away," Smith said. Ring responded well, saving two straight games in victories over Oklahoma State. "I just tried to change speeds and keep the hitters off balance," said Ring. The other newcomer is Graig Nettles (shown below). The left-handed hitting right fielder turned third baseman batted .455 with a home run and three RBIs in his first week as an Aztec starter. A year ago, Nettles hit just .224 in 76 late-season at-bats. "I'm just trying to stay loose and hit the ball where it's pitched," said Nettles, who hit his first career homer off Oklahoma State pitcher Joe Horlen. The early success of Ring and Nettles, coupled with Smith's fresh managerial approach, has been just the infusion San Diego State was looking for. "We lost 118 games last year, but already you can sense things are going to be different this season," said short stop Bobby Meacham. Diamond Notes: None of San Diego State's three victories went to starting pitchers. Instead, relievers Dave Smith, Jerrod Riggan and Justin Brunette picked up wins . . . Despite no longer being saddled with the player-manager role, Aztec Tony Gwynn is hitless in 13 at-bats on the young season . . . UCLA second baseman Jackie Robinson picked up the West Player of the Week award. Robinson was 7-for-16 (.428) with two homers and three RBIs . . . Arizona State took three of four games from rival Southern California in Los Angeles. Last year's ERA titlist Paul Moskau twirled a two-hit shutout against the Trojans in game three of the series . . . Stanford spent much of last year looking for offense. Outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds supplied plenty Saturday by going 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs in an 11-7 win at UCLA. West Standings Team W L PCT GB Arizona State 3 1 .750 -- San Diego State 3 1 .750 -- Stanford 3 1 .750 -- Arizona 2 2 .500 1.0 Cal State Fullerton 2 2 .500 1.0 Oklahoma State 2 2 .500 1.0 UCLA 2 2 .500 1.0 California 1 3 .250 2.0 Southern California 1 3 .250 2.0 Texas 1 3 .250 2.0 Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 07-21-2006 at 10:45 PM.