By Gregory Gammill |Staff Writer|
The Coyote baseball team is approaching the start of their season with their sights set on winning the conference.
Jordan Simon is one of three starting outfielders for the team.
“Our goals this year are to have a winning season, make the conference tournament and for us to win a championship,” said Simon.
Before he came to CSUSB, Simon grew up in Malibu, Ca. where he attended Malibu High.
In high school, he earned the spot of team captain during his junior and senior seasons while capturing a league MVP in 2012.
After high school, he attended Ventura College where he would go on to play two seasons with them from 2014-15 at second base and shortstop.
His style of playing is what the coaches seek to bring in, with that kind of attitude and determination needed for the Coyote team.
Simon joined the Coyotes in 2016 and appeared in 27 games with 22 starts for the team.
He would show off his offensive skills by batting .247 with nine runs scored and driving in seven runs with 26 strikeouts.
“I want to have more competitive at-bats this season and to continue to play the game like I’ve been taught and try not to be bigger than the game,” said Simon.
His defensive skills were out in full effect in his first season by committing just one error and finishing the season with .982 fielding percentage.
“I really want to continue to keep working hard by helping my team in any way possible, offensively or defensively with all I’ve got,” said Simon.
There are a few things Simon is looking forward to this year.
“I love playing with a new group of guys, building chemistry, competing at a high level and helping win a championship this season,” said Simon.
The team has the proper mindset needed to accomplish their goals but needs their fellow students for one of those to be complete.
“The team would appreciate the students coming out to support the baseball team, it’s hard that the field is off campus, but come and support the team, you won’t regret it,” said Simon
Simon is graduating in 2017 with his degree in communication, but he would like to leave some words of advice for all future Coyote players.
“This is a great program with great coaches who will help anyone along the way to get the team where they should want to be by working hard every day and things will pay off during the season,” said Simon.
The team will begin their season on Feb. 3 at Fiscalini field.
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