Baseball
Kiser Named New PC Baseball Coach
Porterville College has announced the hiring of Jake Kiser as its new head baseball coach. Kiser, a former assistant coach at College of the Sequoias and head coach at Golden West High School in Visalia, will also become a part-time adjunct instructor for PC’s physical education division.
“I’m very excited about joining the Porterville College athletic department,” Kiser said. “I appreciate the opportunity from the administration, and I’m looking forward to working hard and preparing for next season. Our goals will be to recruit quality talent from the Valley, field a team that is highly competitive, and prepare our students to be successful in life.”
Kiser coached Golden West High School to West Yosemite League championship titles in 2005 and 2006. His 2006 team advanced to the Valley semifinals, the same season he was voted WYL and Tulare County Coach of the Year.
Following the 2006 season, Kiser accepted a position on the COS staff under head coach Jody Allen. As a Giants’ assistant coach and adjunct faculty member, Kiser was responsible for recruiting, fundraising, summer camps, off-season conditioning – in addition to his on-field duties. During his four-year stint at COS, the Giants recorded three 20-win seasons, including a third-place finish in the Central Valley Conference in 2009 (27-16 overall).
“We had a lot of qualified candidates from across the state interested in the position, and to his credit, Jake was able to surface to the top,” said PC athletic director Eric Mendoza. “Jake has experience directing his own baseball program, and being a leader at COS has also prepared him for this level. Jake has demonstrated a commitment to helping student-athletes succeed, and his character as a person makes him a great role model for our program.”
Kiser is a Paso Robles native who played at Allan Hancock College before transferring to Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa. He earned a bachelor’s in kinesiology and a secondary teaching credential in physical education in 2002. As a senior, Kiser ranked second in the nation in stolen bases, and was team captain, most valuable player, and Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference Player of the Year. Kiser later earned a master’s in health and human performance from Fort Hays State in 2009.
At age 30, Kiser joins PC basketball coach T.J. Jennings (29) as the two youngest men’s head coaches in the CVC in their respective sports. Kiser and his wife, Jae, reside in Visalia with their two children.
2010 ALL-CENTRAL VALLEY CONFERENCE
Second Team
Joey Duran, RHP, So
Manny Sanchez, OF, So
Ross Hebert, 1B/3B, So
Honorable Mention
Jeremy Acevedo, 2B, Fr
Steven Jones, OF, So
2009 ALL-CENTRAL VALLEY CONFERENCE
First Team
Steven Jones, OF, Fr
Second Team
Tyler Durand, C, So
Ross Hebert, UT, Fr
David Palacios, OF, Fr
Gold Glove Team
Andres Borromeo, 3B, So
David Palacios, OF, Fr
Coach Marine Featured in Recorder
Aug. 7, 2008 - Story link here
Baseball Team Pitches In
PC head baseball coach Del Marine and a few stars from his team were guest instructors at the Porterville Parks & Leisure 2008 Junior Giants Baseball Clinic on Saturday, June 14. The Pirates helped to coordinate baseball drills for 200 kids, ranging in ages from 5 to 18, at the Porterville Sports Complex.
All of the participants withstood the 100 degree temperature during the five hour camp.
“This was a great experience for the children and our team as well,” Coach Marine said. “I’m not sure who had more fun. We were able to teach the fundamentals of baseball and interact with a great program in our community. We look forward to making this an annual event.”
Porterville Parks & Leisure Services Superintendent Donnie Moore was pleased by the turnout and the new partnership with the PC Athletic Department.
“We appreciate Coach Marine and his players for volunteering their time and expertise,” Moore said. “They did an outstanding job and the event was a huge success.”
All-CVC Selections
Porterville College Athletic Director, Eric Mendoza, has announced that three members of the PC Pirate baseball team have been named to the All-Central Valley Conference First Team.
First baseman, Mike Bakula, freshman from Clovis, was the most feared hitter in the conference with his production of 13 homeruns, .336 batting average, and 41 RBIs. He was also a good defensive player on the infield. He plans to return to PC for his sophomore year.
Shortstop Raul Cepeda, sophomore from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, had an outstanding season. He won the Gold Glove award as best fielding shortstop in the league with only 5 errors for the season. He was the catalyst for the offense as the leadoff hitter with a .411 batting average and a league-leading 33 stolen bases. He has committed to play next year at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, an NAIA baseball power.
Centerfielder Nicolas Figueroa, a sophomore from Ferrer Cidra, Puerto Rico, was the number three hitter all season for the Pirates and was the team leader in encouragement. He hit .350 and was a Gold Glove winner for outfielders. He also has signed with Missouri Baptist University to play there next season.
Relief pitcher, Truett Hardin, was named to the second team while Raul Febus and Lance Escalera made the honorable mention team.
The Pirates finished the season in third place in the CVC, quite an improvement over last year’s last place team. Co-head coaches, Steve Cox and Del Marine, felt very encouraged about their team and have already signed a large number of local area players to come to PC next year.