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Hunter Pitching Well at Cuesta
See above article.
Singleton Named Top Pro Prospect
8 Dragons Make HAAL All-League
Pitcher of the Year: Sean Hunter (Unanimous 1st team all league)
Infield: Steve Singleton (1st team All-League)
1st Base: Tyson Ross (1st team All-League)
Catcher: Matt Capell (1st team All-League)
Outfield: Eric Walterhouse (1st team All-League)
Pitcher: Tony Amato (2nd team All-League)
Infield: Pat Mulshine and Chris Cobb (Honorable Mention All-League)
Right Now by Van Halen
 | | Hunter pitches Dragons to HAAL Championship |  |
Sean Hunter- 2003 Dragon MVP
|  | | Whether Pitching or Not, Sean was all Concentration |
Team Captain Sean Hunter received one more honor for the 2003 season.
After being named Pitcher of the Year by the Hayward Area Athletic League for his amazing season, Coach Joel Kaufman has named him the 2003 Dragon Most Valuable Player. According to coach..." Sean was the go to guy...big game, ball to Sean...he put together the finest season of any pitcher I have ever coached and I have coached some that have gone onto college. He was such the leader and brought such confidence to the defense behind him. I could not be prouder of a player than I was of Sean."
Sean set many Dragon all-time pitching records in 2003 including:
90.33 innings pitched
12 wins in a season
9-0 League Record
Beating San Leandro and Castro Valley twice in a season!
An incredible 0.98 ERA in League.
Congratulations Sean on an outstanding year!!!!
 | | Sean during Brea Trip with his Wonderful Mom |
A Look Back at the West Coast Classic
What really put Bishop O'Dowd Baseball on the map was the come from behind victory against #2 in the Nation Westlake High. Then down 8-3 to Mater Dei of Southern California, the Dragons made their move scoring the next 10 unanswered runs to win this prestigious tournament and vault into national rankings.
 | | Click on "wcc" below to view the final out of the Dragons defeating Mater Dei | | view full size |
 | | Power and Speed: Singleton, Ruma, Walterhouse and Banks | |
2003 Offensive Weapons
|  | | Walterhouse and Banks |
 | | Defensive Weapons: Pardee, Hunter, Catcher Capell and Gold Glove 3B Mulshine | |
The Dragons are Ready for Baseball
|  | | Ready for the Splitter? |
 | | Power Hitting Sophomore Tyson Ross |
 | | Singleton at Area Code Games, Photo Courtesy of Student Sports Photography | |
4 Year Varsity Player Singleton - Signing with USD
|  | | Captain Singleton- USD in 2003! | |
Steven Singleton, the only player at O'Dowd to play 4 years on Varsity for Coach Kaufman, has verbally committed to University of San Diego. The scholarship should amount to approximately 90%, which is absolutely fantastic!
Steve started out as a promising Freshman on the powerful 2000 team that won the State Division III title. He began the year in the outfield, but soon it became apparent that his infield defense was superior and he was moved to 3rd base.
In 2001 and 2002, he played shortstop for the Dragons. He has made plays at shortstop that leave you speechless. He was a team captain for the 2002 Dragons as a junior.
In his junior summer, he was selected to play for the prestigious Area Code games.
Coach Kaufman is "very proud of Steven. He chose a program that will not only give him a chance to play, but also a very good education. As Steven is the only player that I have coached on Varsity for four years, I have watched him grow up from the promising freshman to a Determined Leader".
 | | From Freshman Starter To Junior Team Captain | |
Captain Steven Singleton
Click here to read:
Contra Costa Times Article on Singleton
Article on Singleton in Oakland Tribune
 | | Courtesy of Student Sports Photography |
Steven to Play for USD Toreros
Handout: Press Release from O'Dowd Baseball Program
Dragons Day at Stanford
All players in our baseball program will spend the day on Sunday March 9th to see the Stanford Baseball team play the Cal Bears at Sunken Diamond. MEET AT O'DOWD AT 10:45 AND WE WILL LEAVE PROMPTLY AT 11 A.M. We will meet with the Stanford Coaches at 11:50 A.M. We will be rooting for Dragon Alum Jonny Ash, the Cardinal starting 2nd baseman. Game time is 1 p.m. Tickets are provided for all players from your O'Dowd Baseball Program.
O'Dowd Holds Annual One-Day Baseball Camp
Coach Joel Kaufman, his staff and the O'Dowd baseball players would like to thank the 135 players who attended our annual camp. Your enthusiasm and hustle made for an enjoyable day.
In addition, I would like to thank former Dragons for their guest instruction appearances: Jonny Ash (Stanford), Ben Clayton (Wake Forest), Jon Marshall (Long Island), Nate Durham-Hammer (Loyola Marymount) and Bobby Saunders (San Jose State).
 | | A Pose During Break Time |
O'DOWD BASEBALL NEWS!
Bishop O'Dowd will be co-hosting a 10- team Easter Tournament at Bishop O'Dowd Ballpark
on Monday April 1st and Tuesday April 2nd and on Saturday March 30th at Dublin High. Six games will be played at O'Dowd and three at Dublin (we are hosting). Parent volunteers needed to run the admissions table, the snack table, field prep, announcing games, scoring games and sell programs/shirts. Volunteers please e-mail dragonbaseball@pacbell.net. Every Varsity family expected to put in a minimum of one day of tournament volunteer work.
Jon Kelchner: Alumni Feature February 2002
|  | | Kelch Pitched Big, Throwing 1 Hitter Against Cal High | |
Jon Kelchner is a great story. If you have a big game, you want "Kelch" on the mound. He was nicknamed "Dragon Master" from Coach Joel as he was the Master on the mound when you needed a win.
Jon had two huge games in 2001. The first occurred in the preseason against powerhouse
and senior packed team, Cal High of San Ramon.
Cal High came out to O'Dowd and circled up for warmups in centerfield, a no-no in baseball etiquette (this leaves the opposing team with little area to warm up and throw).
Jon responded by throwing a one-hitter against Cal High. The lone hit, a solo homer, was on a fastball which he shook off his coach's sign calling for a change-up. Coach does not let him live that one down. The team responded with a 5-inning slauter rule 11-1 victory over 3-0 Cal High.
Jon's second big game was (coming off a victory in his last start 4 days earlier) when he was called in to close out a Castro Valley win in which O'Dowd was hanging on to a 2 run lead. He pitched masterfully, allowing O'Dowd to get the win which was the difference in O'Dowd making the playoffs and Castro Valley falling one game short of the postseason.
According to his coach, "Jon was always so easy to call a game for. It was like he knew exactly what I wanted to setup with each pitch. One of the deals I had for Jon was that I would take him to his favorite restaurant, Outback Steakhouse, for every 3 wins. Of course, we went after some losses too, as I needed to calm him down as he was such a fierce competitor. I will truly miss that "I want the ball attitude" in Kelch.
Jon is currently at University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. He is doing well and making money working in a restaurant. He hopes to come back to California to finish his education before returning to the Dragons sometime in his future as pitching coach.
 | | Kelch gives hug to his pops on Senior BBQ and Baseball Awards Ceremony |
Zach Blatteis: Varsity Featured Player February
|  | | Senior Captain Zach Blatteis |
Zach Blatteis, a senior pitcher and team captain for the 2002 Dragons is our March Featured Player of the Month.
Zach is one of only 2 seniors on our current Dragon baseball team. He has worked hard in the last year to put himself in a position to be a starter in 2002.
Zach had a fantastic start to his season, being named the opening pitcher in the scrimmage debut versus De La Salle. He did not disappoint, throwing 4 innings of no-hit ball and only walking one batter.
According to his coach, "Zach has earned every ounce of respect from his teammates. He showed up to support his team in fall ball, even when he is not able to pitch due to a sore arm. He always has good things to say about everyone and is such a supportive influence. There was no doubt in my mind that he was to become our team captain.
We look forward to good things from Zach Blatteis in 2002."
Senior Awards Presentation on Old Infield
|  | | Who will be next? |
On a warm evening in May, the entire baseball program and their parents, showed up at O'Dowd Ballpark for a BBQ and Awards Ceremony honoring our nine seniors.
The players lined up in their nine seats had to one by one come forward to the "hot seat"
as their batting song was played (each player picks a song for the season that they get played as they come to the batter box).
Coach told a humorous story about each player and told of each player's contributions to the baseball program. It was a nice way to end the regular season and send these nine
fantastic young men out to the real world.
 | | Brendan Woulfe with a warm greeting for mom |
Sean Hunter: Varsity Featured Player February
|  | | Sean Hunter: O'Dowd Pitching Ace | |
Sean Hunter is a junior pitcher on the Varsity Baseball team. He is one of the few players to bypass Junior Varsity, jumping from the freshman team in 2000 to the Varsity team in 2001.
Sean is "one of the hardest working players" according to his coach. "He sets high standards for himself both on the field and in the classroom (3.48 GPA). Most of all, he is just a great kid."
Sean is also a very capable outfielder, but due to his pitching duties last season, he did not see much action. He will be given the opportunity this year to work into the starting lineup.
Sean will be a key player in the Dragon's rebuilding process after losing nine seniors
from last year's team.
March Featured Player of the Month: Nick Meyers
Nick Meyers, the kid that can do it all....He is our right fielder, can play a little infield with the best of them, need some gas on the mound...Nick has a cannon.
Nick has been named team captain of the 2002 Dragons. He is currently leading the team in batting average and on base percentage.
Nick started out his JV career as the shortstop, but with that position already accounted for on Varsity, Coach Kaufman put him into the outfield where Nick has blossomed. His powerful arm has kept runners from advancing. According to his coach, "Nick is such a joy to coach. He always comes to practice with a smile on his face. You know that Nick leaves practices and games with it all out there...110% all the time".
 | | Nick prepares for his base hit |
O'Dowd Wins Tourney in Dramatic Fashion
|  | | Adam Nolan's Clutch Hit in Bottom of 7th Wins Tourney | |
O'Dowd put together 3 back to back wins to win the 1st Annual Gordie Classic at Bishop O'Dowd. After a nail biting victory over Freedom(9-2) 4-3, O'Dowd rallied for 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th to beat Branham High of San Jose (10-2) by a score of 4-3.
Click below for various newspaper writeups...
Contra Costa Times Writeup
Tribune Writeup
 | | "We are the Champions" |
 | | Dragons Finish in 3rd Place! | |
Season Ends- O'Dowd finishes 14-10
|  | | 2002 Dragons |
Very quietly after an 0-5 league start which included 4 one-run losses, O'Dowd has now won 9 of its last 11 league games and finished with a respectable 14-10 season. We look forward to next season!
Coach Kaufman: "We showed how we were capable of playing the 2nd half of the season. I expect we will take that momentum straight into next year and it should be a fantastic 2003 season. I am very, very proud of my players!"
O'Dowd Baseball Honors Vets with New Flag
|  | | Flag Flies in Bishop O'Dowd Ballpark | |
Bishop O'Dowd Baseball started a new tradition with the U.S.A. Flag hanging in center field and the playing of the National Anthem before each game in honor of
those who have served our country. A special man was honored by Coach Kaufman in the final ceremony of the year: Veteran Tim Meyers (father of senior Nick) was presented with a signed bat from the Varsity as this year's Parent Volunteer of the Year. Tim not only helped set up the bleachers and the fence cap but was honored to sew up the American Flag on the centerfield fence. The national anthem played at the games meant a great deal to him. We honor him and all other Veterans!
Sophomore Walterhouse Named 1st Team All-League
|  | | HAAL 1st Teamer with .405 avg | |
1st Team: Eric Walterhouse
2nd Team: Zach Blatteis
Honorable Mention: Matt Capell, Nick Meyers
Burke and Saunders- ALL ANG 3rd TEAM
Congratulations to Brendan Burke and Bob Saunders for being selected to the ALL ALAMEDA NEWSPAPER GROUP 3rd TEAM. This represents the best players in the entire East Bay. Brendan was selected as one of the top outfielders and Bobby as one of the top infielders.
2001 Dragon Team Captain Bobby Saunders Signs with UOP
|  | | Bobby posing with SS Steve Singleton | |
2001 Team Captain and Second Baseman Bobby Saunders, a 3 year Varsity Baseball Player has signed to play for the University of Pacific Tigers after two years at Sierra College. Bobby was a 1st Team All-League Player and 3rd team All-ANG as a Senior in leading a young Dragon team into the NCS Playoffs. Bobby continues the line of O'Dowd starters that have gone on to play Division I baseball. He played an outstanding defensive second base, teaming up with O'Dowd SS Jonny Ash (Stanford) and SS Steven Singleton (USC), to have one of the best up the middles in Northern California High School baseball. According to Coach Joel, "he is the most fearless player I have ever coached. He was hit 19 times in one season (leaning into inside pitches to get on base). He left his feet with reckless abandon to keep balls in the infield. He left it all out on the field".
 | | "BOD's most intense player" - Bobby Saunders |
 | | Brendan Woulfe | |
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE DRAGONS!
 | | Ryan Smith |
2001 Dragon Seniors Wish You Happy Holidays!
 | | Ben Jezowski |
 | | Team Captain/MVP Brendan Burke | |
The Dragons Wish Everyone Happy Holidays!
|  | | Team Captain Jon Kelchner | |
 | | Team Captain and 4 year Letterman Bobby Saunders |
 | | Pat Mulshine Watches Homer | |
Player of the Month: Pat Mulshine
Pat Mulshine is one of the major success stories of the Bishop O'Dowd baseball program. Coach Kaufman boasts that Pat is the best defensive 3rd baseman in the Bay Area. "He worked very hard on his game during the summer and fall...and it has paid off. Add to that his .360 league batting average, countless clutch hits and he is one of our MVP's of the season. Furthermore, he is a fantastic kid...never EVER gives any bad attitude, comes to practice with a smile every day...works hard all the time."
As recognition of his senior year accomplishments, effective immediately, Pat has been named a TEAM CAPTAIN, the highest honor given to an O'Dowd Varsity baseball player. Congratulations Pat!
 | | O'Dowd Baseball Receives Consideration For National Top 25 From Baseball America | |
Dragons from Past 6 Years Playing College Baseball
19 of 39 Graduating Dragon Baseball Seniors go on to play College Baseball!
1999 Seniors (8 seniors total)
Ben Clayton - Wake Forest
Matt Powers - Cal Poly
Jason Comte - Irvine
Peter Caso - Laney
2000 Seniors (8 seniors)
Jonny Ash - Stanford
Jon Marshall - Cal Poly
Nate Durham Hammer - Loyola Marymount/Sonoma State
Teddy Kearns - Fordham
Robby Brethauer - Lewis and Clark/Sonoma State
Casey Klein - Cal Poly
2001 Seniors (9 seniors)
Bobby Saunders - University of Pacific
2002 Seniors (2 seniors)
Zach Blatteis - Hawaii Pacific/Sonoma State
2003 Seniors (7 seniors)
Steve Singleton - University of San Diego
Matt Capell - LeHigh University
Sean Hunter - Cuesta JC
2004 Seniors (5 Seniors)
Eric Walterhouse - University of San Francisco
Daniel Poniatowksi- Wesleyan University.
Justin Riche - Biola
Chris Hopkins - Sierra College
 | | Nate Durham-Hammer-2000 |
 | | "Not Again Russ....." | |
Brendan Burke: 2001 Dragon MVP
The Story of Brendan Burke is a story every Little Leaguer who gets only 2 innings a game should hear. This young man was a 2 inning, 1 at bat player in little league. He was the last player put in most contests. His at bats usually ended with a strikeout.
Brendan came to Bishop O'Dowd and joined the
fall baseball program. He then decided to see if he could improve his skills to make the Frosh team. After putting in countless weekends in the offseason practicing his defense and working on his stroke at the batting cages.. this young man made his high school Frosh Baseball Team. He continued to work on his game as he worked as a bat boy for the Smoke 18 and under Connie Mack team. He was getting better and made his sophomore JV team.
Brendan played fantastic defense for the JV and was starting to hit line drives up the middle. He was rewarded for his hard work by being moved up to the Varsity at the end of his sophomore season. He started in Left Field for the Div III State Champ 25-3 team last year and batted .271. More hard work...He was named Team Captain his senior year...AND NOW...He finished the season hitting .471 in League. He led the team runs scored, RBI's, hits, on base percentage, doubles and homers. His defense is second to none.
He is Coach Kaufman's nomination for HAAL Player of the Year. According to Coach Kaufman.." Brendan is the ultimate team player. He is my captain. He works hard on and off the field. But what really makes Brendan special is his heart. When you talk about leaving it all out on the field, you think of Brendan's day in and day out effort. Brendan is thinking about becoming a teacher and baseball coach. I look forward to the day when Brendan Burke puts back on a Dragon uniform as Coach Burke."
So mom and dad, when your Little Leaguer comes home 0 for 1 and played only 2 innings, tell him about Brendan Burke, the young man who only dreamed about playing high school ball and then went out as the MVP of his Varsity Baseball team.
 | | 2001 Dragon MVP Brendan Burke with 2000 Dragon MVP Jonny Ash | |
O'Dowd - 2nd in HAAL in 2001/ 7 Dragons get All-League
|  | | Rado and Capell look to Guide Dragons in 2002 |
With 3 sophomores and 1 freshman in the starting lineup, O'Dowd finished the regular season with a 15-9 record,
an astonishing accomplishment with so much youth. Led by captains Bob Saunders, Brendan Burke and Jon Kelchner, the Dragons now head on to North Coast Section playoffs.
1st Team HAAL All-League: Brendan Burke and Bob Saunders
2nd Team HAAL All-League: Jon Kelchner, Steven Singleton, and Owen Clark.
Honorable Mention HAAL ALl-League: Jusuf Demir and Nick Meyers
 | | Owen Clark's game winning triple against San Lorenzo puts O'Dowd in playoffs |
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