Athletics: All-Star Kris Bryant; Special Events; Fall Schedules Revealed

Athletics: All-Star Kris Bryant; Special Events; Fall Schedules Revealed

Kris Bryant

The University of San Diego baseball program has been getting noticed this summer, namely at the recent Major League Baseball All-Star Game held in San Diego. Kris Bryant, the Chicago Cubs’ third baseman-outfielder, was in town last week to play in the game at Petco Park.

Bryant, named the National League starter at third, contributed early with his bat in an eventual 4-2 loss to the American League. Bryant hit the first pitch he saw from AL starter Chris Sale for a home run to give the NL a 1-0 lead in the first inning. He later struck out before giving way to Colorado’s Nolan Arenado at third.

While Bryant enjoyed his second straight appearance in the Midsummer Classic and saw friends and family in San Diego, he was also “interviewed” by USD Baseball Coach Rich Hill in a fun bit he did with his college coach and MLB Network personality and 2003 USD alumna Heidi Watney during the All-Star Game Workout day.

On July 10, Hill also participated, along with USD President James T. Harris III, Vice President for Athletics and Facilities Management Ky Snyder and USD Softball Coach Melissa McElvain and All-WCC catcher Mary Grabowski '16, with Watney for the "Leading Change Live" program. Hosted by Watney, each speaker had an opportunity to talk about the impact that USD is having as a university, the student and leadership development that happens, particularly among student-athletes and Hill and McElvain were able to talk about their respective programs. Grabowski was able to relate her own student-athlete experience.

Dodgers Bring Up Former Torero Zach Walters

Bryant is know one of four former Toreros currently playing in the major leagues. Starting pitcher AJ Griffin is with the Texas Rangers and Sammy Solis is a left-handed reliever for the Washington Nationals. On July 16, utility infielder-outfielder Zach Walters made it four Toreros when he was promoted to the Los Angeles Dodgers roster from their Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City.

Walters, who has had previous MLB stints with the Nationals and the Cleveland Indians, has been in the Dodgers’ organization since April. He replaced Dodgers outfielder Tryce Thompson who went on the 15-day disabled list.

It’s possible more Toreros could be on a major-league roster soon, namely if/when pitchers Brian Matusz and James Pazos are called up from their Triple-A teams to help the Cubs and Yankees, respectively.

Save The Date

Many dates for annually fun events to support Torero athletics and specific teams, are set for the 2016-17 academic year.

Fall events include the Men’s Soccer golf tournament Aug. 19 at Rancho Bernardo Inn; football’s fall scrimmage on Aug. 20 at Manchester Field; Volleyball’s First Serve luncheon on Sept. 10; Softball golf tournament Sept. 17 at Bernardo Heights Country Club; Men’s Basketball 6th Man Night, Oct. 6 in USD’s University Center; Rowing’s Fall Alumni and Family Reunion, Oct. 7 at the Mission Bay Boathouse; Cross Country Alumni Race Oct. 8 in Mission Bay and the Women’s Soccer 25th Anniversary Celebration on Oct. 21.

A few Spring 2017 events are also scheduled: Baseball’s For the Love of the Game is Feb. 11; the Crew Classic Kickoff/Team Celebration/Alumni Reunion and Fundraiser is March 31 in the Jenny Craig Pavilion Foyer; and the annual Sports Banquet is May 4 in the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

For more information or to register for any event, please call the Office of Athletic Development, (619) 260-5917 or email athleticsdevelopment@sandiego.edu

2016 Fall Sports Schedules Released

Schedules for each of USD’s fall sports programs — women’s volleyball, men and women’s soccer, football and men’s and women’s cross country — have been announced by USD Athletics.

The 2016-17 year opens when the men’s soccer team plays two exhibition home matches, Aug. 14 against Arizona Western JC and Aug. 18 against Grand Canyon, before its regular-season opener at Duke on Aug. 26.

The first Toreros to be in regular-season action will be women’s soccer. They'll play at Wake Forest Aug. 19 and then against North Carolina State, also at Wake Forest, on Aug. 21.

The women’s volleyball team opens its season at the Stanford Tournament with matches Aug. 26 against Stanford and Aug. 27 against Minnesota.

Football opens its season with a home game against Western New Mexico on Sept. 3.

The men and women’s cross-country teams, who will host the West Coast Conference Championship meet in late October, open their season at the Mark Covert Classic in Brea, Calif., on Sept. 3.

— USD News Center