THE MASTER'S NOTEBOOK: OFF TO GOOD START NEWCOMERS BOOST MASTER'S OPTIMISM.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

NEWHALL- Mistakes are expected from a young baseball team. The Master's College looked the part in the earliest moments of its first game Tuesday.

The Mustangs committed two errors, allowing Cal State Los Angeles to take a quick 3-0 lead before the first half inning was over.

But the shaky defense was rectified, three pitchers were sharp and the offense was efficient in a 16-7 win. But playing well in those areas of the game isn't exactly the requirements coach Monte Brooks demands from his Mustangs.

``Our whole motivation is twofold. That's to honor the Lord through effort, through attitude and through character,'' said Brooks, whose sixth-year overall record is now 154-90-1 at The Master's. ``Secondly, is to play unselfishly. If we can do those two things, and you have to have talent in order to be successful, the rest will fall into place.''

Two years ago, the Brooks philosophy was cashed into the school's first-ever trip to the NAIA World Series. The Mustangs regressed a little last season, slipping to 23-24 in their final year as an independent. This is basically a new team making the jump to the Golden State Athletic Conference.

Roughly 75 percent of the roster is new to the program, mainly in the form of junior college transfers. Tuesday's performance showed Brooks has recruited well.

Antelope Valley College transfers Kenny Durost (Highland High) and Chad Spencer (Quartz Hill) combined for five solid relief innings following senior starter Brad Hackworth (four innings, four hits, one earned run). Durost threw particularly well with four shutout innings on just one hit.

Second baseman Tyler Hergenrader and first baseman Kevin James, both from Fresno City College, went a combined 3 of 7 with five runs score and four RBI. Freshman shortstop Craig Troxell also had a big debut with three hits, two RBI and a run.

The Mustangs also figure to get plenty of contributions from transfers like catcher Matt Wagner and outfielder Josh Miranda.

What impressed Brooks in the opener was the hitters' patience at the plate. He preaches working deep into the count and showing disciplined pitch selection.

``I want to be aggressive when it's our pitches (to hit). But we're going to be patient until we get our pitch,'' Brooks said. ``We drew some walks, had some nice bunts and put some pressure on them defensively.''

With so many newcomers, much is expected from the Mustangs' three returning seniors, Hackworth, third baseman Adam Thompson and first baseman Brandon Tisher. Hackworth went 5-9 with a 4.07 earned-run average last season, Tisher hit .379 with five homers and 25 RBI, and Thompson batted .337 with four triples.

``Those seniors play a role in establishing an example. They know a little bit about what the coaches expect,'' Brooks said.

Brooks, as always, is optimistic. The Mustangs will play a tough GSAC schedule of Tuesday-afternoon games and Saturday doubleheaders once conference play begins. Finding quality starters after Hackworth (Spencer, Durost and Derek Smith are the leading candidates) is among the early priorities.

``I love our club. I love our players. If we can do the two things I believe that motivate teams, then we're going to have an exciting year,'' Brooks said.

--Taking the weekend off: The basketball teams' bye maybe came at the wrong time. The Mustangs won't play again until Tuesday's road showdowns at Azusa Pacific. Both teams played some of their best basketball in recent weeks to beat Point Loma International on Tuesday.

The women's team stayed in GSAC championship contention by beating the Crusaders 69-67. At 8-5, The Master's is tied for fourth but just two games behind conference-leading Fresno Pacific.

The Mustangs men are in just eighth place in the GSAC. But they're all but guaranteed a spot in the conference tournament and have a chance to move up as high as fifth with a strong finish. Though it was at the expense of last-place Point Loma, coach Bill Oates was pleased with Tuesday's 97-65 win.

AT A GLANCE

Head coach: Monte Brooks, sixth year (154-90-1)

2001 record: 23-24 overall as an independent (joins Golden State Athletic Conference this season).

Top veterans: Senior 1B Brandon Tisher (.379, five homers, 25 RBI); Senior P Brad Hackworth (4-8, 4.04 ERA); Senior 3B Adam Thompson (.337); Sophomore P Phillip Gausepohl (2-1, one save); Sophomore PDerek Smith (3-1, 4.98 ERA).

Top newcomers: Junior OF Josh Miranda (Bellevue University); Sophomore P Ken Durost (Antelope Valley College); Freshman SS Craig Troxell (Fort Collins, Colo.); Junior P Chad Spencer (Antelope Valley College); Junior 1B Kevin James (Fresno City College); P/OH Jerry Owens (Hart High/UCLA); 2B Tyler Hergenrader (Fresno City College).

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AT A GLANCE (see text)