Cal Poly Baseball in Review — Josh George and Austin Dondanville

Josh George (Junior, OF)

Josh George was an everyday contributor in 2017. By Owen Main

Season synopsis

In his first two years in San Luis Obispo, George dealt with various injuries. In 2017, George played in all 56 games for the Mustangs, starting 49 of them. George was a contributor to the lineup, hitting .249 with nine doubles, a triple, and 24 RBI’s. He was 7-11 on stolen bases and didn’t make an error in the outfield all season.

George probably didn’t have quite the junior season he thought he’d have, but he contributed to the Mustangs’ 16-8 Big West season. 

Senior Contribution

So one thing I think about in an offseason are big-picture team constructions that can lead to big-time success. Having a big-time upper-class point guard is something that you can traditionally look at in college basketball. Senior quarterbacks who coaches trust in college football are a pretty good bet for good seasons. 

In baseball, having a few seniors who are big contributors and who other younger players can take advice and mentorship from is something that probably matters. Cal Poly’s regional host roster a few years ago included Jordan Ellis, Chris Hoo, and Jimmy Allen. Maybe Josh George can up his game in the offseason before his final season and help shepherd some new guys into the fold at the same time.  

Austin Dondanville (Sophomore, Pitcher)

Season synopsis

Coming into the 2017 season, Dondanville was a pitcher who was one of many with a chance to contribute out of the bullpen. The sophomore from De La Salle High School finished the season with 15 appearances — all out of the bullpen. That number was fourth most on the team out of the ‘pen. 

Dondanville was pretty reliable, going 1-0 on the season with a 3.67 ERA  and a 1.07 WHIP. He struck out 32 and walked just 7 hitters in 29 innings. 

The more the better?

 While Cal Poly had to use a lot of guys throughout the season, Dondanville might be the only pitcher they could have used a little more. Trent Shelton, Michael Clark, and Slater Lee were all very good out of the pen. Dondanville was too, though he was used only about 2/3 as much. 

Stretching out

Dondanville has been starting so far this summer for the San Luis Obispo Blues in the CCL. Perhaps it means the Mustangs will try to use him as a starting pitcher next season. With their top two starters from 2017 gone, having some options for the starting rotation will be important come the fall and spring. His development could provide another shut-down reliever or, more likely, a starting pitcher with a combination of experience and stuff to match the potential role of a weekend starter on a top-3 Big West Conference team in 2018.