STOCKTON, Calif.- The Pacific baseball and softball programs recently hosted their annual alumni weekend from Oct. 11-13.
The weekend kicked off on Friday, Oct. 11 with the Pacific baseball golf scramble at Elkhorn Golf Course.
Later that evening, Pacific softball welcomed its former student-athletes to join head coach Brian Kolze and his staff at Valley Brew in Stockton for drinks and appetizers.
Saturday’s activities began at 10:00 a.m. as the 2020 softball team played an intrasquad scrimmage at Bill Simoni Field. Less than two hours later, baseball hosted their alumni game at Klein Family Field.
Following the conclusion of both of these events, each team and their respective alumni were invited for a barbecue lunch at the Duraflame Hot Spot, located down the right field line at Klein Family Field.
“The alumni baseball game was a unique twist to the festivities, and the players loved playing with and against their old teammates,” said David Rowse, a 2010 graduate of Pacific and former left-handed pitcher for the Tigers. “The combination of softball and baseball for the barbecue and slow-pitch game was a great way to bring together life-long friends.”
Once lunch had wrapped up, both programs made their way to Bill Simoni Field for an alumni versus alumni slow-pitch softball game. The night concluded with the ASUOP concert at 8:00 pm, which featured student performer Jelani and artist Kiana Lede.
Moving into Sunday, the 2020 Pacific baseball team faced off in another intrasquad scrimmage at 11:00 am.
“This year’s alumni events were really special,” said current baseball head coach Ryan Garko. “It is year three for us now, and each year the attendance at our golf tournament and alumni game has grown. There was so much energy and enthusiasm in our returning alumni, and watching these guys return to their alma mater and rekindle such strong relationships is what college athletics is all about.”
Overall, the weekend was extremely successful for both teams. Baseball welcomed back over thirty former players, including the program’s all-time hits leader, Chip Sell. Additionally, the golf tournament was sold out by tee-time.
Furthermore, Pacific softball welcomed back a dozen former athletes, including many from their 2011 Big West championship team. One notable alumni who made their way back to campus was Nikki Armagost-Sylvester, a former All-American and 2011 Big West Player of the Year under head coach Brian Kolze.
“I feel like it was a fun day for everyone,” said Kolze. “Along with baseball, we made it a family atmosphere with a bounce house for kids and food for all. It was great to see the alums, especially now as they are bringing their young kids back to their old stomping grounds.”
Be sure to check out both teams in action this spring. Pacific baseball will open their 2020 regular season at home against Cal Baptist from Feb. 14-17 while softball will begin their home campaign on Feb. 14 when they host Seattle University and Cal-State Northridge in its annual Libby Matson tournament.
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