Hancock Baseball's Tonascia Commits to Cal State Monterey Bay
After leading Hancock with 31 RBI and 13 doubles in 2016, first baseman Jacob Tonascia has signed with California State University, Monterey Bay.
Allan Hancock College baseball's Jacob Tonascia officially committed to play Division-II baseball next season for California State University, Monterey Bay. The first baseman's decision upped the number of Hancock baseball players to earn opportunities to play at four-year institutions to seven.
Tonascia led Hancock with 13 doubles and 31 RBI. He finished second on the club with 41 hits and four home runs. He finished the season with a .295 batting average and .504 slugging percentage. The sophomore hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high 5 RBI to lead Hancock to a 14-5 conference win over L.A. Pierce back in April. He had three home runs and 11 RBI over a seven-game stretch.
The 6'4" right-hander also pitched in seven games for the Bulldogs. He earned two saves and posted a 4.00 ERA over nine innings. The Hollister native struck out 10 hitters on the mound for the Bulldogs.
Under sixth-year head coach Walt White, Cal State Monterey Bay tied for first in the North Division of the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The Otters finished the 2016 season 34-21 overall, and made an appearance in the NCAA Division II West Regionals for the second time in the last four years.
Tonascia is at least the seventh Hancock baseball player from this year's team to commit to a four-year institution. Outfielder Colby Barrick (UCSB) and Hunter Christensen (Campbellsville); pitchers Isaiah Ramos (Chico State), Kyle King (Long Beach State), Skylar Bischoff (Jarvis Christian) and Chance Miranda (Clarion University) also earned opportunities to continue their playing careers at the next level.