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Eric Valenzuela, a key component in the success of San Diego baseball and the development of USD's pitching staff, begins his fifth season as an assistant coach for the Toreros in 2008. Valenzuela made an immediate impact during his first season at USD in 2004. Under his direction the Torero pitching staff led the West Coast Conference in team ERA. All four graduating pitchers from his 2004 staff went on to sign professional contracts at season's end.
Valenzuela continues to recruit and develop some of the nation's top amateur players. Valenzuela spearheaded the recruiting efforts for the 2008 USD recruiting class that was ranked the nation's best by Baseball America. He was also the catylist for the 2006 recruiting class that was among Baseball America's Dandy Dozon.
Valenzuela helped guide the Toreros to a program-best 43-18 overall record in 2007, as well as a program-best No. 4 national rankng and a No. 8 national seed in the NCAA Tournament. He helped guide three pitchers to all-american status in 2007 as well as helpin guid Biran Matusz to Insidepitching.com's West Region Pitcher of the Year. Also under his tutledge, USD had two pitcher's, Josh Romanski and Matusz named to Team USA for the sumer of 2007.
A native of Covina, Valenzuela returned to Southern California after serving as an assistant coach at St. Mary's College for two seasons (2002 & 2003). While at St. Mary's, Valenzuela coordinated much of the team's community programs, including directing youth camps and clinics. Valenzuela served as the Gaels third base coach, managed recruiting efforts and also directed the team's strength and conditioning program. Valenzuela's background in developing young talent includes managing the pitching staff of the Brewster White Caps of the Cape Code League in 2003.
Valenzuela garnered All-America honors as a prep athlete at Bishop Amat High School and went on to accept a baseball scholarship at Arizona State University where he was a member of the Sun Devil's 1998 College World Series team. After transferring to Pepperdine, Valenzuela would be honored as the Wave's team captain his senior year, leading Pepperdine to the 2001 West Coast Conference Championship title.
Valenzuela graduated from Pepperdine in 2001 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. His father, Victor, was an assistant boxing coach for the United States in the 1984 Olympic Games and currently runs the Duarte Boxing Club in Duarte, Calif. His sister, Nichole Valenzuela, is currently a senior All-Conference performer on the USD softball team. Valenzuela, his wife Betty and new born daughter Catalina Esmie reside in San Diego.
