Dec. 4, 2001
Moraga, CA - Saint Mary's head baseball coach John Baptista announced the signing of five players to the roster for the 2002-03 school year. Included in the early signing are Bryan Byrne (Concord, CA), Gilbert Gil (Chula Vista, CA), David Pierson (La Puente, CA), Alex Swartz (Pebble Beach, CA) and Preston Young (Danville, CA).
"We're extremely excited about the incoming class for the 2002-03 season. They will be able to fill some vital roles for the program early in their careers," commented Baptista. "The coaching staff is looking forward to this freshmen class coming in and contributing to the future of Saint Mary's baseball immediately."
Bryan Byrne is a 6'2", 170-pound third baseman from De La Salle High School. In his junior year, Bryne hit an impressive .486 and led his team with a perfect fielding mark that included 70 chances at third base. He is a left-handed hitter with excellent power to all fields and reminds the SMC coaching staff of a young Mark Teahen, the current third baseman for the Gaels.
Gilbert Gil a 5'10", 160-pound shortstop is an outstanding defensive player that possesses great range and outstanding hands. Gil posted a .381 batting average his junior year at Castle Park High School.
David Pierson will come to Saint Mary's from Bishop Amat High School where he helped lead his team to a 2001 High School National Championship and a #1 national ranking to open the 2002 season. During his junior season, the left-hand hitting second baseman posted a .394 batting average while possessing tremendous power to the gaps.
Alex Swartz is an excellent athlete for a catcher and possesses a very strong arm. Not only is Swartz great behind the plate, but he can hit for average as evident by is junior season when he recorded a .350 batting average. The 5'10", 165-pound catcher from Robert Lewis Stevenson High School will compete in the Goodwill Games this year as a member of one of the American All-Star teams.
Preston Young is another local recruit from San Ramon Valley High School. The 6'2", 175-pound outfielder posted a .425 batting average his junior season. Following his junior campaign, Young continued to terrorize pitchers in the summer of 2001 when he had a .356 batting average and 10 home runs en route to an American Legion World Series appearance.
