double, two triples and six RBIs.
Sometimes a simple change of scenery can make all the difference in the world. That’s exactly the way Jason Pacheco, the junior center fielder for the San Diego State baseball team, feels.
After playing for two years at Arizona State, Pacheco has found a new home in the outfield for the Aztecs.
In 1997 he was used primarily as a pinch hitter/runner for the Sun Devils, but now Pacheco has assumed the starting role in center field for SDSU.
The transition from ASU to Montezuma Mesa hasn’t been too tough for Pacheco.
“Its been pretty smooth; school is the biggest difference. There are different prerequisites here,” Pacheco said. “But baseball is baseball.”
In the beginning of the season, the competition for the three outfield spots for the Aztecs was wide open. But now things are a little more clear. With freshman Bobby Womack expected to be the starter in right field, and returning starter Paul Lockhart playing left, center field was the last remaining question mark.
“We auditioned three people in center field,” SDSU head coach Jim Dietz said. “We auditioned (Pacheco), (Damien) Kolb and Womack, but it looks like we’re going to start (Pacheco).
“He gives us a little more defensive quickness in the outfield.”
Pacheco has a .952 fielding percentage and just one error in 19 chances so far this season. But besides his defense, Pacheco has emerged as the spark plug for the Aztecs offense.
Nine games into the season, Pacheco is hitting .393 with a double, two triples and six RBIs. The speedy center fielder is adjusting to his new role quite nicely.
“We needed someone to lead off, get on base and make things happen,” Kolb, a fellow ASU transfer, said. “And (Pacheco’s) been the guy to do it. He didn’t really get a chance to play at Arizona State, and he’s making the most of his opportunity to play here. It’s great to see him play like that.”
SDSU first baseman Ryan Hammons agrees.
“We’ve been talking about how we’ve needed a lead-off guy,” Hammons said. “And he’s stepped up.”
The experience of playing for a big-time Division-I baseball program like ASU provided Pacheco with some valuable lessons.
“I learned about what it takes to play at a top program,” Pacheco said, “and about the level that you have to play at.”
On the field, Pacheco tries to be a leader. He plays the game with intensity and enthusiasm, and is well known for being a hard worker. These characteristics, combined with his personality, have made his transition easy.
“The coaching staff has given me an opportunity, and they’re not putting pressure on me,” Pacheco said. “I’ve worked real hard throughout my life and for my whole career to get to where I’m at.”
As for a career, Pacheco, a biology major, isn’t quite sure what he wants to do when his playing days are over.
“I worked last summer in a pharmacy, and I was thinking about going to pharmacy school, but I don’t think I want to do that,” Pacheco said. “But I definitely want to do something in the medical field.”
As for now, the most important thing is what’s happening on the baseball field.
With Western Athletic Conference play set to begin this weekend, the Aztecs are happy to have Pacheco on their side, and that feeling is mutual.
“My parents are still able to come out and watch me, the coaching staff has given me an opportunity to play and my teammates are great,” Pacheco said. “I don’t think that I could have chosen a better place.”
