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 KEVIN
PILLAR & PHIL VAN DOREN - cal state dominguez
hills toros
PING!BASEBALL DIVISION II SPOTLIGHT
Before the season began, Cal State Dominguez
Hill’s Head Coach Murphy Su'a prognosticated, "For
some reason, this year’s team has that special sense
about them.” Despite going an unimpressive 21-34 last
season and a near ghastly 15-36-1 in 2007, Su’a had
a feeling in his gut that the Toros’ fortunes were going
to take a turn for the better. Looks like Su’a could
get a job with the Psychic Network once his days in the dugout
are over…
 The
Toros recently took three games from conference rival and
perennial power Chico State for the first time in the program's
history and snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Wildcats.
Earlier this season the Toros took three of four from top
ten ranked Sonoma State and they also earned a 15-2 victory
over Cal State LA who is also ranked in the top 25.
While the wins are a team effort, two important cogs in the
Toro win factory are sophomore outfielder Kevin Pillar and
senior pitcher Phillip Van Doren. Pillar hit a team leading
.379 last season which was good for sixth in the CCAA and
helped him earn All-CCAA 2nd team status. Van Doren had the
second lowest team ERA at 4.58 as well as the second most
innings pitched with 59 last season in a dual role.
Taking some time from upsetting conferece giants, Pillar
and Van Doren recently answered some questions from Ping!Baseball:
PING!BASEBALL:
Earlier this season the Toros took three of four from Sonoma
State, a team that has won at least 50 games the past two
seasons, played in the 2008 DII CWS and is currently a top
ten ranked club. What did the victories over the Seawolves
mean to the quickly improving Toros team?
PILLAR: It was
huge as that was our first series this year and knowing that
they went to the final four last year it kind of put us on
the map and made teams afraid to come here and play us for
the first time that I have been here and in a long time.
VAN DOREN: It
was huge to start off the way we started and it gave our new
guys a taste of the competition and what they will be up against
the rest of the season.
PING!BASEBALL:
The CCAA has four teams currently in the Ping!Baseball DII
Top 30 and another which had been ranked earlier in the season.
Does playing in such a competitive conference help or hinder
a team that is looking to make a name for themselves?
PILLAR: It definitely
helps that we are playing teams that are constantly ranked.
VAN DOREN: It
definitely helps us because if you beat those teams you get
a lot of recognition. That hard thing is to stay consistent
and and not have a down week. Taking Chico and Sonoma helps
us a lot and puts us out there. Also we know the strengths
and weaknesses us every team and the CCAA always has teams
in the regional's and nationals so we can play well in the
postseason.
 PING!BASEBALL:
If you were asked to promote CSUDH to a potential incoming
freshman or transfer, what would be the crux of your encouragement
to come to campus?
PILLAR: Here
at Dominguez Hills you can earn time to play and even start
as a freshman and you can come in and make an impact right
away. We also have a coach [Su’a] willing to work with
you who is also a father and mentor figure.
VAN DOREN: Coach
Su’a is the main thing I would say, he is the best coach
you’ll have and after see other coaching relationships
I see how good his is with the team. We also put in a lot
of work in the community with Make-a-Wish and volunteering
our time so you have a sense of pride in all the hard work
you do for others.
PING!BASEBALL:
What a typical post doubleheader Saturday consist of for you?
PILLAR: After
a complete series al the guys always go out eating and I will
go through the phonebook and see what ladies I can invite.
If we win we celebrate and have a good time and if we lose
we get together and talk about what we did wrong and what
we can do better.
VAN DOREN: It
all depends on if we win or lose the series. If we lose we
will all hang out and analyze their team and our team. If
we win we will still go out and talk about the game and get
dinner. After a series after we analyze ourselves we see ourselves
as the other team and what we can do.
PING!BASEBALL:
Carson serves as home to two MLS Soccer teams, Chivas USA
and the Los Angeles Galaxy, and the Toro soccer team won the
DII championship last season. Do you ever go out and catch
the action on the pitch?
PILLAR: I haven't
yet had a chance to go to a soccer game but I have been able
to go to two X-Games that they also have at the Home Depot
Center. I think Carson is underrated as a city and the HDC
brings positive attention to us.
VAN DOREN: I
went and saw a lot of Toros soccer last year. The student
body isnt that connected with athletics so we make it a point
to support the other teams. I havent been to a Chivas or Galaxy
game because they charge us to get in, we don’t get
free tickets yet.
PING!BASEBALL:
What are your thoughts on the whole David Beckham experiment?
PILLAR: Any
time you can get a Kobe Bryant type player on your team it
brings camaraderie to a city and creates excitement so I am
glad we can get him.
VAN DOREN: He
is just a guy that plays soccer right? I really don’t
get a chance to watch a lot of soccer on tv.
PING!BASEBALL:
What’s the best place around campus to order a pizza?
Your favorite toppings on the pie?
PILLAR: Because
I am a college student I go for Little Ceaser’s hot
n’ ready, pepperoni. It is only $5 so you cant beat
that!
VAN DOREN: I
have only been to Shakey’s so it has to be the best.
I normally go with pepperoni and cheese.
PING!BASEBALL:
What reality TV or game show are you convinced you could clean
house on?
PILLAR: If I
was on Cash Cab I would dominate the general knowledge questions
and not be afraid of the video bonus question. I also think
I could win the Bachelorette, I would definitely make it to
the end and get picked over the other guys.
PING!BASEBALL:
How about a few words about the skipper of the Toro ship,
Coach Su'a?
PILLAR: Su’a
is more than a coach he is a also a father figure and has
taken me under his wing. He has helped me become a better
man both on and off the field, he is just a great man and
leader.
VAN DOREN: The
biggest thing is how personable and honest he is with us and
even though he is our coach and he is ‘above’
us he never looks down or talks down to us. He is always making
us play to our full potential and his rules & discipline
always keep us focused on the goal.
PING!BASEBALL:
Fill in the blank: As long as _______, 2009 will be a success
for Toro baseball.
PILLAR: As long
as we play to our full capability, 2009 will be a success
for Toro baseball.
VAN DOREN: As
long as we give it all we got and don’t give up and
keep fighting until the end 2009 will be a success for Toro
baseball.
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