July 24, 2007

Shortstop leaves Tigers for school in Arizona

By Jason Anderson
Record Staff Writer

Former St. Mary's High standout Alex Zanini has left the Pacific baseball program and plans to enroll at a community college in Arizona.

Zanini, a shortstop, appeared in six games and started three before missing the rest of his sophomore season with a dislocated shoulder. He was hitless in 12 at-bats.

Zanini appeared in 30 games as a freshman in 2006, starting 26. He hit .256 with five doubles, two triples and an inside-the-park grand slam in an 11-9 victory over Louisiana Tech.

Zanini could not be reached for comment Monday, but Pacific coach Ed Sprague and St. Mary's coach Pete Pijl confirmed Zanini's intentions.

"It's a good move," Pijl said. "He still wants to play, and he's healthy now for the first time in awhile.

"He could probably be the starting shortstop at Pacific, but he just wants to get out of here."

Pijl said Anthony Carruesco, another St. Mary's product who attended Pacific, is transferring to San Diego Mesa College. Carruesco signed with Pacific in November 2004. He did not appear in a game in 2006 and was not on the team in 2007.
Petersson bags award

Former Pacific golfer Thomas Petersson recently was named a Cleveland Golf All-American Scholar for the second consecutive year. To be eligible for the award, Petersson had to have a minimum 3.2 GPA and maximum 76-stroke average over the past season.

Petersson, a 2007 Pacific graduate now playing professionally on the Canadian Tour, led the Tigers in stroke average in 2006-07, placing in the top 10 five times. He was named first-team All-Big West Conference and qualified for the NCAA Regionals in Tucson, Ariz.
Aggies arrive

UC Davis became an official member of the Big West on July 1, marking the end of a four-year reclassification to Division I.

The Aggies will compete in all 17 conference-sponsored sports.

UC Davis is the ninth member of the Big West, joining Pacific, Cal Poly, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Long Beach State, UC Irvine, UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara.