In 2008, Chris Brunson will serve his eighth season as pitching coach for the Vulcans, and his second as a full-time assistant coach. He is Cal's first full-time assistant baseball coach after serving as a part-time assistant for 10th-year Vulcan head coach Mike Conte from 2001-06.
Brunson, originally from Greensburg, graduated from Cal in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a focus on marketing. He earned his Master's Degree in May of 2002 majoring in Geography and Regional Planning.
In his first seven years, Vulcan hurlers have been in the top four in ERA in the PSAC. In 2001, Brunson's staff finished first in the PSAC and 15th nationally. In seven seasons, the Vulcans have had 18 All-Conference pitchers with four of those players making it to the all-region team.
In addition, five Cal players have won PSAC Player of the Year awards in the last seven years and one, Ryan Balan, was the NCAA Division II ERA leader in 2002. The Vulcans have also had five pitchers sign professional contracts.
Cal has won three-straight PSAC West championships and five in the last seven years. The Vulcans' 2004 squad won the PSAC playoff crown, the team's first title since 1979, and the 2007 team advanced to the PSAC Championship Game and gained Cal's first NCAA Tournament bid since 1983.
Brunson, who is a three-time Fayette County League Pitcher of the Year, graduated from Hempfield High School in 1996 and then went on to play at Westmoreland Community College before being recruited to play for the Vulcans in 1999-00.
He had a solid junior year, posting a 3.86 ERA in 51 innings, which both lead the Vulcan staff. In his senior year, Brunson was voted team captain and compiled five wins.
He resides in Mt. Pleasant with his wife Heather and daughters Haylie and Krista.
