Today we focus on the two hitters with the highest batting average for the 2017 Mustangs — a sophomore and senior.

Alex McKenna (Sophomore, Outfielder)

Alex McKenna was unquestionably the team’s offensive leader in 2017 and figures to be in that role once again as a junior in 2018. By Owen Main

McKenna was Cal Poly’s offensive leader in every way. The sophomore showcased his talent early in his freshman year, but injuries derailed him down the stretch. In his sophomore campaign, McKenna led the team by a wide margin in average, hits, runs, home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and stolen bases — all while not making a single error in center field, while starting all 56 games.

The Cape Crusader

McKenna spent his 2017 summer in Massachusetts, in the Cape Cod league. With the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, he hit .298 with 37 hits in 31 games. He was also named to the league’s All-Star Team.  

When you’re on The Cape, you get to have spray charts like this easily accessible for people like you and me. It also means that lots of scouts get to see you play on a daily basis. If his past success in San Luis Obispo is any indication about his future, McKenna is likely to be drafted highly after his junior year, which would likely mean 2018 would be his last in a Cal Poly uniform. 

One thing I really liked about McKenna’s play in 2017 was his consistent approach. While he did lead the Mustangs in strikeouts, he definitely improved from his freshman year in terms of recognizing breaking balls and not swinging at bad pitches — especially with two strikes. He could still improve some there, but he took a huge step forward in his 2017 collegiate season. 

Michael Sanderson (Senior, Infielder)

Michael Sanderson had his finest season at Cal Poly as a senior. By Owen Main

Going out with a bang

Sometimes, guys go out on their shield. Sanderson, who was a junior college transfer at Cal Poly, finished his two year career at Baggett Stadium by going out on his shield. In the first inning of his final game, the first baseman made a diving catch in foul territory, breaking a bone and finishing his season. For a team that was unlikely to make the postseason at that point, it was kind of a legendary way to go out. 

Sanderson’s right arm had already betrayed him earlier in the season, forcing the move from third base to first. But he continued to mash. Sanderson finished second in batting average, third in hits, and had the second highest slugging percentage on the roster. 

His three home runs on the season, the only three of his Mustang career, were all hit in the final month of the 2017 season.

A Chico native, whose grandfather was the Cal Poly football coach in the early 1980’s, Sanderson finished his two-year Cal Poly career with a .309 average in 108 games — mostly at third base. 

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.