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USC baseball has found a new pitching coach, hiring University of Hawaii pitching coach Keith Zuniga to replace Sean Allen on the Trojans’ coaching staff. Allen left USC to become the head coach of Lamar baseball.
With Zuniga’s guidance, the Rainbow Warriors posted a 3.45 ERA this season. He helped Hawaii’s pitching staff remain in the top 20 nationally in earned-run average in all three seasons he coached. Only three other Division I programs accomplished that feat (North Carolina, Oregon State and UC Santa Barbara).
“It’s a bittersweet moment for sure, but you know we’re excited. I’m 10 times a better coach now from just having spent three years in Hawaii,” said Zuniga, per KHON2.
University of Hawaii pitching coach Keith Zuniga, right, pats catcher Kamaehu Sanchez on the head during Senior Night festivities at Les Murakami Stadium in Honolulu last month. Zuniga is leaving UH to lead USC’s pitching staff. Photo Credit: JAMM AQUINO / MAY 15
This season, Zuniga coached junior pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno to a third-team All-American selection by Baseball America. Magdaleno is the first Hawaii player to earn an All-American honor from Baseball America since 2011.
Hawaii pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno throws the ball. Photo Credit: Hawaii Athletics
Magdaleno shared positive words about Zuniga to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser after learning he would be leaving to join USC. Magdaleno said he hopes Zuniga will eventually get to coach at the professional level.
“I know he’s grateful for the opportunity, and he’s going to do his thing,” Magdaleno said of Zuniga, per the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “Great coach, great guy. … He’s got connections to Southern California. He’ll fit right in. … He deserves it. He’s going to do a great job. Being able to create bonds with everybody, I feel that’s what he does best. I know he’s going to do big things over there. It’s good for him and his family to move up the ladder in coaching. After college ball, hopefully it’s the pros for him.”
Photo Credit: JAMM AQUINO / MAY 15
The post USC Baseball Hires New Pitching Coach appeared first on LA Sports Report.
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With Zuniga’s guidance, the Rainbow Warriors posted a 3.45 ERA this season. He helped Hawaii’s pitching staff remain in the top 20 nationally in earned-run average in all three seasons he coached. Only three other Division I programs accomplished that feat (North Carolina, Oregon State and UC Santa Barbara).
“It’s a bittersweet moment for sure, but you know we’re excited. I’m 10 times a better coach now from just having spent three years in Hawaii,” said Zuniga, per KHON2.
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University of Hawaii pitching coach Keith Zuniga, right, pats catcher Kamaehu Sanchez on the head during Senior Night festivities at Les Murakami Stadium in Honolulu last month. Zuniga is leaving UH to lead USC’s pitching staff. Photo Credit: JAMM AQUINO / MAY 15
Zuniga Coached An All-American Pitcher This Season
This season, Zuniga coached junior pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno to a third-team All-American selection by Baseball America. Magdaleno is the first Hawaii player to earn an All-American honor from Baseball America since 2011.
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Hawaii pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno throws the ball. Photo Credit: Hawaii Athletics
Magdaleno shared positive words about Zuniga to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser after learning he would be leaving to join USC. Magdaleno said he hopes Zuniga will eventually get to coach at the professional level.
“I know he’s grateful for the opportunity, and he’s going to do his thing,” Magdaleno said of Zuniga, per the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “Great coach, great guy. … He’s got connections to Southern California. He’ll fit right in. … He deserves it. He’s going to do a great job. Being able to create bonds with everybody, I feel that’s what he does best. I know he’s going to do big things over there. It’s good for him and his family to move up the ladder in coaching. After college ball, hopefully it’s the pros for him.”
Photo Credit: JAMM AQUINO / MAY 15
The post USC Baseball Hires New Pitching Coach appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Continue reading...
