Whittier College Men's Baseball

Rizzo's guidance, Whittier has had 57 student-athletes named All-SCIAC, 25 garner All West Region honors, five named NCAA All Americans, three ABCA/Rawlings National Gold Glove winners and four Major League draftees.  At the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, the Poet baseball team received recognition by the ABCA for its excellence in the classroom.  Whittier was one of 34 programs in Division III to achieve a team GPA of 3.0 and higher. Poets drafted during Rizzo's tenure include: Thomas Vessella              2006       11 Round          Houston Astros Thomas Phelps                 2008       38 Round          Baltimore Orioles Julian Barzilli                     2014       31 Round           St. Louis Cardinals Stephen Zavala                2015       37 Round          St. Louis Cardinals In 2014, Julian Barzilli helped lead the Poets to their first ever appearance in the SCIAC Post Season Tournament, led the country in home runs with 17 and was named to the ABCA All American team.  Following an outstanding season, Barzilli was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 31 Round of the Major League Amateur Draft. In 2015, Whittier College was the only NCAA Division III program to have players selected in back-to-back seasons when the St. Louis Cardinals selected senior catcher, Stephen Zavala in the 37 Round.  Zavala was outstanding behind the plate for the Poets and won a national ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove for his efforts. The 2016 season saw the Poets recognized once again, as junior Tanner Marcoe won a National Gold Glove as one of the top three defensive outfielders in Division III.  Junior Jake Raynaud was chasing the Poet single season hit record (Andrew Vallejo 12 (69)) and fell just short with 67.  Raynaud hit .419-6-42 and was named First Team All-SCIAC and All West Region. Prior to being named head coach, Rizzo was an assistant under former Poet skipper, Jim Pigott 80 for 11 seasons. Rizzo began his collegiate playing career at Western New England College (now Western New England University) in 1983, and in his second season with the Golden Bears was named MVP of the 1984 NAIA District 5 Tournament.  In that tournament, Rizzo picked up a save against Southern Maine and a complete game victory in the championship game versus Castleton State.  He transferred to Whittier in the fall of 1984 and was twice named All-SCAIC as a Poet.  Rizzo still holds the single season record for innings pitched in a season and posted a 17-9 record on the mound for the Poets. Rizzo picked up his 400th victory against the University of Redlands on April 5, 2024.   In 1986 he was named the Presidential Scholar Athlete and was also named the teams MVP.  He earned his bachelors degree in Political Science.  In addition to his duties with the baseball program, he also serves as an Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations, and oversees the Purple & Gold Booster Club. Mike and his wife Susan 88, reside in Cypress, CA with their two children, Ryan and Kylie.      Coaching Record  Year  School  Title  Record 2015  Whittier  Head Coach  15-24, 12-16 SCIAC - 7th 2014  Whittier  Head Coach  22-20, 17-11 SCIAC - 3rd 2013  Whittier  Head Coach  15-24, 12-16 SCIAC - 7th 2012  Whittier  Head Coach  21-17, 15-13 SCIAC - 5th 2011  Whittier  Head Coach  16-23, 8-20 SCIAC - 7th 2010  Whittier  Head Coach  9-31, 6-22 SCIAC - 7th 2009  Whittier  Head Coach  12-28, 6-15 SCIAC - 7th 2008  Whittier  Head Coach  15-24-1, 8-13 SCIAC - 6th 2007  Whittier  Head Coach  17-23, 11-10 SCIAC - T 5th 2006  Whittier  Head Coach  20-19-1, 10-8 SCIAC - T 2nd 2005  Whittier  Head Coach  22-17-1, 14-10 SCIAC - 3rd 2004  Whittier  Head Coach  21-18-1, 9-9 SCIAC - 5th 2003  Whittier  Head Coach  24-15, 13-8 SCIAC - T 3rd 2002  Whittier  Head Coach  21-19, 8-10 SCIAC - 4th 2001  Whittier  Head Coach  19-21, 11-10 SCIAC - 5th 2000  Whittier  Head Coach  11-29, 8-13 SCIAC - 6th 1999  Whittier  Head Coach  21-18, 14-7 SCIAC - T 2nd 1998  Whittier  Asst. Coach  19-21 1997  Whittier  Asst. Coach  17-22 1996  Whittier  Asst. Coach  8-29-1 1995  Whittier  Asst. Coach  13-24 1994  Whittier  Asst. Coach  17-19 1993  Whittier  Asst. Coach  12-23 1992  Whittier  Asst. Coach  17-19-1 1991  Whittier  Asst. Coach  12-26 1990  Whittier  Asst. Coach  15-23 1989  Whittier  Asst. Coach  10-25-2 1988  Whittier  Asst. Coach  16-21

Currently Assistant Coach Whittier College working with hitters, catchers and defensive alignment . Formerly Development Officer  Australian Baseball Federation .  Tasks included coaching senior and youth teams , all aspects of promotion and growth .