SAN MARCOS — A year after finishing just above .500 at 25-23, Cal State San Marcos baseball is surging to a 17-6 start, fueled in large part by two senior transfers: outfielder Zech Samayoa from Long Beach State, who leads the team with eight home runs, and right-hander PJ Wendler from Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, who remains perfect at 5-0.
“They’ve done some great things,” said CSUSM head coach Jose Garcia. “Zech has a proven track record, and we’re giving him the opportunity to be that guy again. He’s contributing at a high level. And PJ comes in on Fridays, gives us five to seven strong innings, attacks hitters, sets the tone, and shows great leadership. He’s been huge for the team.”
Garcia pointed to a leadership void on last year’s squad. This season’s overhauled roster leans heavily on upperclassmen.
“It’s a drastically different team this year,” Garcia said. “We brought in a lot of new guys. The main thing we focused on was getting players with strong leadership qualities. These guys are fired up every day. Our older group comes from many backgrounds, which helps steady the ship. Chemistry and accountability are at an all-time high, and we’re seeing their abilities shine through.”
Samayoa, the team’s No. 3 hitter, launched his eighth home run — an 11th-inning, two-run shot — to seal a 2-0 win over Chico State at Nettleton Stadium on March 22 in the Cougars’ most recent victory, and described the team as character-driven.
“We play the game we love the right way,” he said. “We don’t stray from our character or personality as people. That’s definitely one of the biggest reasons I wanted to be here.”
Wendler, who went a season-high 7 2/3 innings while allowing one earned run against Chico State on March 20 and lowering his ERA to 2.43, said his decision to transfer was also about opportunity and leadership.
“I wanted to go somewhere I knew I’d play, in an awesome location like San Diego, where I could be a leader and influence younger guys — or even some older guys,” Wendler said. “I just try to be someone they can look up to and be the best person I can every day.”
Over the season, Samayoa and Wendler have squared off in a few practice at-bats, with both calling the matchups even.
“We’re competing,” Samayoa said. “It’s never an easy at-bat for either side. He’s got me a couple of times, I’ve got the goods on him a couple of times, and he’s made me look silly. I hit one ball far, so we’re about even.”
“Thankfully I don’t have to face him,” Wendler added.
Freshman outfielder Canon King, one of the few underclassmen on the team, has also been a major contributor at the plate, hitting .328 with six home runs. Wendler praised Samayoa’s influence on King.
“Watching Zech — how he goes about his business, first in and last out, working hard in the weight room — has been great for the team,” Wendler said. “Canon asks him for tips. He popped out and is like, ‘What did I do wrong?’ And Zech responds, ‘Dude, you just hit a home run — just keep doing you.’”
Samayoa described King as his “thought partner.”
“We talk every day, and it’s been really cool to provide guidance to a freshman,” Samayoa said. “I remember being in that situation myself, so just letting him be comfortable and not letting the pressure of college get to him has been important. Seeing him have success at such a young age is really awesome.”
“He’s been exceptional so far,” Garcia said of King. “Coming in, in big moments, leading off the game, hitting in the middle of the order.”
Behind Wendler, Dylan Escobar (1.80 ERA), Isaac Cota (2.92), Zach Romero (3.00) and Trevor Morgan (3.27) have provided depth and stability to the pitching staff.
“Both sides have had our successes on the field, honestly,” Samayoa said about how the offense and pitching complement each other. “It’s not one thing without the other. That’s the beauty of baseball — you can’t just have one side winning the game.”
Upcoming CSUSM baseball games
vs. Stanislaus State — San Marcos, Dennis A. Pugh Baseball Field
• March 27 — 3 p.m.
• March 28 — noon (DH)
• March 28 — 3 p.m. (DH)
• March 29 — 11 a.m.
at Cal State Dominguez Hills — Carson, Toro Field
• April 2 — 3 p.m.
• April 3 — noon (DH)
• April 3 — 3 p.m. (DH)
• April 4 — noon
vs. Cal State Monterey Bay — San Marcos, Dennis A. Pugh Baseball Field
• April 10 — 3 p.m.
• April 11 — noon (DH)
• April 11 — 3 p.m. (DH)
• April 12 — 11 a.m.
