ROCKLIN, Calif. – There is a new man in charge of the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox summer collegiate baseball team. Taking over the reins as manager ahead of the 2021 season is none other than Jessup Baseball's Brock Ragatz.
 
"I'm extremely blessed to be given the opportunity to lead the Gold Sox," said Ragatz. "I'm beyond blessed and excited to start this chapter of my life with the Gold Sox organization."
 
2021 has been a big year in baseball for Ragatz. On top of the new role with the Gold Sox, Ragatz also finished his first season as the Pitching Coach for the Warriors. Ragatz was set to hold the same position for the Lincoln Potters this season before the offer came from the Gold Sox.
 
"Being a part of the Lincoln Potters organization over the last three years, I've been around a lot of great baseball minds and influencers allowing me to get into the coaching side of baseball," Ragatz added.
 
Ragatz continued to speak on those who helped lead him to this opportunity, adding, "Ryan Stevens and John Peters have been my biggest mentors from the coaching aspect of the game, along with Trevor Paine allowing me to join the Jessup staff this year. Brandon Bowling and Brock Stassi helped lead me in the right direction with this opportunity."
 
A former collegiate pitcher himself, Ragatz played his college baseball at Northern State University, where he appeared in 24 games. It was at Northern State that Ragatz, a native of Sioux Falls, S. D., was introduced to the aforementioned Bowling, now Jessup's Associate Athletic Director - External Affairs. Ragatz is currently a graduate student at Jessup, studying Sports Management while also assisting Bowling as a Graduate Assistant.
 
The opening with the Gold Sox became official with the announcement that another Jessup coach, Brock Stassi, would be resuming his playing career with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. Stassi was to serve as the Gold Sox Manager, and it was Stassi who recommended that Ragatz be his replacement.
 
"I thought Brock would be a good guy to fill the vacancy," said Stassi on his recommendation. "I think he's going to learn a lot and grow a lot as a coach. This is what he wants to do."
 
Yuba-Sutter play their home games at Colusa Casino Stadium in Marysville. The ballpark is a familiar one with those who have followed Jessup Baseball since day one. It served as the original home for the Warriors from 2015 – 2016 before the completion of the renovation project at McBean Park.
 
Joining the roster in Ragatz's first season leading the collegiate summer wood bat team is Jessup catcher Rhys De Highden. For the team's opening weekend, Ragatz called on a few other names on the Jessup roster: Jason Riviello, Jaisten Cabatbat, and Shion Matsushita. The team is comprised of collegiate baseball players from various schools throughout the country. Jessup Alumni Will Law and Kupono Decker help round out Ragatz's coaching staff.
 
Ragatz made his managerial debut at none other than McBean Park when the Gold Sox began their season on the road against the Potters last Thursday night. The Potters featured arms Ragatz knows well, Jessup pitchers Brad Jones and Marlin Brucato.
 
Opposing Ragatz in his managerial debut was Jessup Softball Assistant Head Coach Ryan Stevens, the manager of the Potters.
 
"Brock is a hard-working coach that is well-deserving of this promotion," said Stevens. "He has had a short coaching career but a successful one. He is a constant hard worker that is prepared for his daily tasks. He will be great for the Gold Sox organization, and we will be sad to see him leave."
 
The Gold Sox will open the home portion of their schedule on June 3, hosting the Potters up in Marysville.
 
The impact of Jessup Baseball continues to grow both in the regular and offseason. To follow the success of all Warriors competing on the diamond this summer, follow the Potters (@lincolnpotters) and Gold Sox (@GoldSoxBaseball) on Twitter.
 
   
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).