The Cerritos College baseball team has yet to play their first game, but they are already making news.
Four sophomores have signed letters of intent with four-year universities, with three of them playing for the Falcons last season.
Ryan Andrews, a 1st Team All-South Coast Conference selection as a utility player, and Aurio O’Neill, a 1st Team outfielder, have each signed a letter of intent with Texas Tech University.
Jimmy Shull, who was the team’s starting third baseman last year and will move to the mound this season, has signed with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Andy Castillo, who will start the season as the second baseman, is a transfer from Santa Ana College and has signed with the University of Hawaii.
Andrews, who played left field and was the team’s closer last season, batted .310 last season with 11 doubles, five triple, three home runs and was second on the team with 36 RBI. He was also second on the team with 21 stolen bases and recorded a .948 fielding percentage. On the mound, he was 2-3 with eight saves and a 2.89 ERA. He struck out 14 batters in 18 2/3 innings.
As for O’Neill, he led team with a .358 batting average with 11 doubles, 25 RBI and 11 stolen bases. He was the team’s best outfielders, and used his speed to cover a lot of ground in the spacious Kincaid Field outfield.
Last season, the Red Raiders posted a 42-20 record and advanced to the College World Series. When the two join Texas Tech after this season, they will join former Falcon teammate T.J. Bruce, who signed with them prior to last season.
Shull, who started 43 of the team’s 45 games last season, batted .294 with a team-high 12 doubles and added 33 RBI and a team-high 25 walks. This season Shull will me moved to shortstop and will also be one of the team’s starting pitchers.
He has been clocked in the 90’s on the mound this fall and is expected to be one of the team’s top players this year. Castillo, a utility player at Santa Ana last season, batted .289 with six doubles, two home runs and 20 RBI in 97 at-bats.
Cal Poly SLO, which went 30-29-1 last season, will graduate two shortstops and five pitchers after this season. Shull is expected to play both positions for the Mustangs. The University of Hawaii had their recruiting class ranked in the Top 50 in the country and will welcome the versatile Castillo after this season.
Last year, the Warriors went 16-40 last season and will have former Falcon pitcher Ivan Rodriguez on their roster this year.
