Los
Angeles Mission College
13356
Eldridge Avenue • Sylmar, CA 91342 • 818.364.7600
NEWS
RELEASE
May 24, 2004
Eagles
improve to become playoff team
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SYLMAR
– A tense 2-1 loss in the Southern California Community College Baseball
Playoffs ended the Mission College Eagles’ dreams of a state championship.
The game against El Camino College in the second round of the playoffs
was so thrilling, so close, that many felt it was a shame either team
had to lose.
"It was a real tough loss," said athletics director John Klitsner,
"but overall we did have a great season."
The Eagles finished 22-14, improving over the previous year, getting to
the playoffs, and winning a first round game against Cuesta College. Ten
Eagles were honored with selection to All Conference teams. Eddie Baeza,
voted the conference Player of the Year and named an All American, Marco
Durazo, and Erick Melara were named to the first team. Jose Carrillo,
Tom Hamilton, Luis Parra, Miguel Gomez, Raul Campos, Larry Anguino, and
Miguel Gonzalez were named to the second team.
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Sadly, Mission College
is losing head coach Dave Mallas. Next year, he will take the helm at
rival Valley College. Assistant Coach Kent Cote will manage the Eagles
next year. Mallas said he has enjoyed bringing baseball back to prominence
after a five-year hiatus in the athletics program.
"I was excited about the challenge and about being a head coach for
the first time," he said. "I feel we put Mission College baseball
back on the map, and I think Coach Cote will continue the tradition."
Klitsner said Mission College owes Mallas a debt of thanks: "He did
a great job, in effect starting from scratch two years ago and taking
us to the playoffs."