CLU HAS PROMISING NEWCOMERS; TRADITION ACTS AS LURE.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - They were attracted to the program's success and now they have their chance to try to duplicate it.

Transfers make up the majority of the Cal Lutheran baseball team's starting lineup after the Kingsmen lost 17 players from the team that finished third in Division III last year.

``It's a whole new team,'' CLU coach Marty Slimak said.

Pitchers Adam Springston and Erik Kiszczak, third baseman Jeremy Schlosse, infielder Clint Britt, designated hitter Brad Smith and outfielder Brian Malchow are the most notable departures from 1999's senior-dominated team. In their places are a mixture of newcomers from junior colleges and other four-year schools.

Senior Jim Stout transferred from defending Division II-champion Chico State to earn a starting spot in the outfield along with junior Tom Galante, who spent last season at UC Santa Barbara. Juniors Ryan Dunn and Travis Young of Canyons and Chaffey respectively should also see time in the outfield and add speed to the lineup that doesn't have as many power hitters.

The revamped infield features senior Dan Loyd, a transfer from Murray State at first base, and Mark Torrey, a junior from Colby community college at second base. Jeff Meyers is a candidate to fill the vacant third-base job and fellow freshmen Jason Claros and Ryan Cooney are also expected to make significant contributions.

Amid the numerous additions are veterans like senior right fielder Nick Planchich, senior catcher Eric Medina, who led the conference with a .370 batting average last season, and infielder Ryan Yoshiwara to provide leadership and a link to a past that includes four consecutive Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and a 33-14 record last season.

Yoshiwara moved from second base to shortstop and Slimak said the junior with a strong arm is adusting well.

The pitching staff provides the most stability. The Kingsmen have four returning pitchers, including All-American junior right-hander Tom Canale. Canale went 10-5 with a 1.94 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 125 innings as a sophomore.

Senior right-hander Jim Harrison could join the rotation after transferring from Redlands. Junior college transfers Scott Courneya, Chris Barbettini and Micah Weathers also bring experience to a staff that has high expectations for freshmen Matthew Martinson, Ryan Yurek and Justin Keeling.

``I think we're going to be stronger pitchingwise,'' Slimak said. ``And pitching carries you.''

The Kingsmen are ranked ninth in the nation entering Friday's season- opening doubleheader against Simpson.

SCIAC play begins Feb. 11, when the Kingsmen host Claremont. Four nonconference games against preseason No. 3 Chapman should provide CLU's best preparation for a return to the College World Series. The first matchup with Chapman is Feb. 15 at Chapman.

``On paper it looks OK,'' Slimak said, ``but we haven't played any games.''

--More season openers: The men's tennis team starts its season Friday at the three-day Cal Poly San Luis Opispo tournament. The women's tennis team opens Wednesday at Cal Tech and softball starts Feb. 5.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) MEDINA

(2 -- color) YOSHIWARA