Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
BASE | Gaels Launch National Search to Replace Valenzuela
6/9/2019 12:57:00 PM | Baseball
Saint Mary’s Thanks Coach For Six Great Years
MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's College Director of Athletics Mike Matoso announced today the national search for a new head baseball coach will begin immediately, following the departure of Eric Valenzuela, who accepted the head position at Long Beach State.
"I want to first thank Eric for all of his efforts at Saint Mary's, for elevating the program to an all-time high," Matoso said. "I have had the pleasure of working with Eric for close to 10 years and he is a first-class coach and person. I wish Eric, Betty and their family nothing but the best at Long Beach State."
"Our immediate goal now is to hire a new head coach to continue the success that Eric has established."
Saint Mary's turned the baseball program around under Valenzuela's leadership. The Gaels have recorded four consecutive 30-win seasons, have totaled 136 wins during that stretch, won their first ever West Coast Conference title and made the program's first NCAA Regional appearance in 2016.
"Words can't describe what Saint Mary's means to me and my family. I will always have a special place in my heart for the SMC community. I want to thank President Jim Donahue, Director of Athletics Mike Matoso and all of the administration for their support and friendship through our six years in Moraga," Valenzuela said. "This is such a great place and community and I can't wait to see it to continue to grow. Go Gaels forever!"
This past season, the Gaels came up just one game short, falling in the WCC Tournament championship game and finishing just outside of at-large consideration for an NCAA Regional berth. Saint Mary's had three players taken in the first 15 rounds of the MLB draft this past season and have had four total players selected in the Top 5 rounds of the draft in the past four years, including Corbin Burnes who made his debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018.
"I want to first thank Eric for all of his efforts at Saint Mary's, for elevating the program to an all-time high," Matoso said. "I have had the pleasure of working with Eric for close to 10 years and he is a first-class coach and person. I wish Eric, Betty and their family nothing but the best at Long Beach State."
"Our immediate goal now is to hire a new head coach to continue the success that Eric has established."
Saint Mary's turned the baseball program around under Valenzuela's leadership. The Gaels have recorded four consecutive 30-win seasons, have totaled 136 wins during that stretch, won their first ever West Coast Conference title and made the program's first NCAA Regional appearance in 2016.
"Words can't describe what Saint Mary's means to me and my family. I will always have a special place in my heart for the SMC community. I want to thank President Jim Donahue, Director of Athletics Mike Matoso and all of the administration for their support and friendship through our six years in Moraga," Valenzuela said. "This is such a great place and community and I can't wait to see it to continue to grow. Go Gaels forever!"
This past season, the Gaels came up just one game short, falling in the WCC Tournament championship game and finishing just outside of at-large consideration for an NCAA Regional berth. Saint Mary's had three players taken in the first 15 rounds of the MLB draft this past season and have had four total players selected in the Top 5 rounds of the draft in the past four years, including Corbin Burnes who made his debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018.
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