Panthers Baseball

The Hartnell Baseball Program heads into the 2014-2015 campaign under new Head coach Travis Babin. With a strong returning cast of sophomores, the Hartnell Panthers looks to compete for a Coast Pacific title in 2015. Bringing together a new coaching staff while retaining the services of Ruiz, Coach Babin looks to lead the program in a positive direction.

Head Coach: Travis Babin

Entering his second season with the Hartnell Panthers, Coach Babin is committed to creating an atmosphere that promotes student athlete success on and off the field. Prior to coaching at Hartnell, Coach Babin was an assistant coach at NCAA Division II powerhouse Sonoma State University. Babin Coached and played under the famed Sonoma State Head Baseball Coach John Goelz Coach Babin played at Sonoma State from 2005-2008 where he was a part of two CCAA championships (07,08) and an NCAA Division II West Region Title in 2008. After a run at the NCAA Division II College World Series in 2008 (Babin’s junior year), he was drafted as a pitcher by the New York Mets in the 16th. After two seasons in the Mets organization playing for the Kingsport Mets Babin’s playing career came to a close, and so began his coaching career round.

Assistant Coach: Efrain Ruiz

Coach Ruiz returns to the Hartnell Baseball program for his third season as an assistant Coach and his second year as the Panthers hitting coach. Ruiz formerly played at Gavilan College and Bellevue University in Nebraska.

Pitching Coach: Tyler Fockler

A Santa Cruz native, Coach Fockler comes to the Hartnell Baseball Program as the pitching coach following a coaching stint at Scotts Valley High School in Santa. Coach Fockler Played formerly at College of San Mateo, and Sonoma State.

Assistant Coach: Mike Espirtu

Coach Espirtu is entering his first season as an assistant at Hartnell.  Espirtu is the catching coach and also helps coach Ruiz with the hitters. Coach Espirtu previously played in the Angels organization as a catcher.