NEWCOMERS
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CODY SLADER
INFIELDER, S-R 6-3, 175, FRESHMAN CASTRO VALLEY, CALIF. BISHOP O’DOWD HS Excellent defensive shortstop with good speed … Had a two-year fielding percentage of .965 and was only caught three times in 28 steal attempts as a prep athlete … Could get the nod as the starter at shortstop for SDSU this season … Played in the Connie Mack League during the summers of 2009 and 2010 … Hit a home run in back-to-back games in the 2010 Lions Tournament in San Diego, including a walkoff two run blast against top-seeded McLean High School of Virginia.
team selection … also named to the first team all-East County and allGrossmont Valley League teams … Selected as team captain … Hit safely in 21 of the first 22 games … Batted .450 with five doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 42 runs scored and 19 RBI … Recorded 12 stolen bases … As a junior in 2009, batted .375with four doubles and five home runs … Second team all-East County and all-league selection … Helped team to third place in regional competition as a sophomore and junior … Also played soccer, lacrosse and football.
PERSONAL Cody Aaron Smith was born on August 19, 1992 in Santee, Calif. … Son of Denise and Larry Smith … Grandfather Robert Smith played minor league ball … Aunt Cheryl Smith played softball for Arizona State … Favorite athlete is Texas Ranger designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero … Enjoys going to the beach, watching movies and hanging out with friends … Also recruited by UC Riverside, Arizona, CSU Fullerton and San Diego … Undeclared major at SDSU.
HIGH SCHOOL Earned two varsity letters at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, Calif. playing for skipper Chris Kyriacou … A team captain both years … As a senior, batted .352 with five doubles, four home runs, 24 runs scored and 18 runs batted in … Had a .455 on-base percentage and .592 slugging average … Was successful on 12-of-14 stolen base attempts … Made only two errors on 85 chances in the field for a .976 fielding percentage … As a junior in 2009, hit .328 with two doubles, a triple, one home run, 22 runs and 14 RBI … Stole 13-of-14 bases … Finished with a .430 on-base percentage … Graduated with honors … Played football as a freshman.
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SEAN STEPINA
CATCHER, L-R 6-2, 210, FRESHMAN SAN DIEGO, CALIF. POINT LOMA HS
PERSONAL Cody Drake Michael Slader was born on March 5, 1992 in Castro Valley, Calif. … Son of Mike and Tamie Slader … Father Mike played baseball at Chabot College … Sister, Kiersten, played soccer at Sonoma State … Favorite athlete is New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter … Plans to become a teacher … Enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and watching football … Also recruited by CSU Fullerton, Utah and Arizona … Undeclared major at SDSU.
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CODY SMITH
OUTFIELDER, L-R 5-10, 185, FRESHMAN SAN DIEGO, CALIF. SANTANA HS
Standout catcher and outfielder in high school who will vie for playing time behind the plate in his first season at San Diego State … Played summer ball in 2008 and 2009 with the Southern California Blast.
HIGH SCHOOL A three-year varsity letter earner at Point Loma High School in San Diego, Calif. … Split time as a catcher and outfielder for coach Jon Posternack … Hit .458 his senior season with nine doubles, one triple, a home runs and 21 runs scored … His 31 runs batted in led the team … Walked 22 times and struck out on just 11 occasions en route to compiling a .58 on-base percentage along with a .625 slugging mark … Was named the Pointers offensive player of the year and team captain … Batted .317 his junior year with 14 runs, 15 RBI and a .447 on-base average… As a sophomore hit .319 with 14 runs batted in … Also played football at Point Loma … Made 47 tackles his senior season … 2009 Semper Fi award winner.
PERSONAL Sean Russell Stepina was born on July 20, 1991 in San Diego, Calif. … Son of Daryl and Cindy Stepina … Has three sisters, Gina, Melissa and Janess … Likes to jet ski … Favorite athlete is Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward … An undeclared major at San Diego State.
Deceptively powerful at the plate … Has great bat speed and the patience to wait for the right pitch … Will add depth to the San Diego State outfield corps and could see some playing time in left or center … High school teammate of fellow SDSU freshman Kyle Hayes … Played three summers (2008-10) for the San Diego Show.
HIGH SCHOOL Played three years of varsity baseball at Santana High School in Santee, Calif. … Coached there by Larry Oedewaldt … A 2010 all-CIF firstu u u u u
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