Dustin Bothwell, Head Coach/Owner
Dustin’s journey in the world of baseball in South Orange County began when he played for North Mission Viejo Little League. He continued to nurture his passion for the game at Capistrano Valley High School and reached the pinnacle by winning a state championship while representing Saddleback College. However, when his playing days concluded, a new chapter unfolded in his career as a coach.
Dustin initiated his coaching career at College of the Redwoods while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration at Humboldt State University. Subsequently, he returned to Orange County, where he pursued a master’s degree in physical education at Azusa Pacific University and simultaneously coached at Chapman University.
Currently residing in Mission Viejo with his wife, Sunny, and their three sons, Drake, Deegan, and Declan, Dustin has been a dedicated coach at Saddleback College since 2015. In 2016, as the pitching coach, he played a pivotal role in leading the staff to the lowest ERA in the state, securing the team’s number one ranking in the state, and clinching the second conference championship in school history. Additionally, Dustin directs the Program Assisting Student-athlete Success (PASS) at Saddleback College.
Josh keithly
Josh attended Capistrano Valley High School, where he showcased his baseball skills primarily as a first baseman and third baseman. His talent on the field earned him a scholarship to Pacific University, where he pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science.
In 2014, Josh also had the opportunity to participate in the NBC summer collegiate World Series as part of the Arvada Colts.
Following his college years, he took his baseball career overseas, spending three years playing professionally in Germany and Switzerland. In recent years, Josh has been contributing to the coaching staff as an assistant varsity coach at Saddleback Valley Christian High School.
gradeigh sanchezY
Coach Sanchez’s educational journey led him to earn a Bachelor of Science in Management Science from UC San Diego and a Masters of Education in Inspired Teaching and Learning from National University. His roots trace back to Mission Viejo, where he attended Capistrano Valley High School. During his time at UC San Diego, he not only pursued his academic endeavors but also excelled in baseball, earning accolades such as All-West Region and CCAA recognition for his on-field prowess.
While initially forging a career in management, Coach Sanchez eventually heeded his calling to education. He transitioned into the field, taking on roles as a teacher and athletic trainer at Keystone Academy. In addition to his educational roles, he also contributed to the world of baseball coaching, mentoring freshman and junior varsity high school teams at Brea Olinda.
Jorge Araiza
Coach Araiza graduated from Temecula Valley High School in 2002. He then moved to Mission Viejo where he enrolled at Saddleback College. While at Saddleback, Araiza earned All Orange Empire Conference honors in 2003 and 2004. Araiza helped the Gauchos reach the State Championships during both years, earning a Championship Ring in 2004 as the team’s second baseman. Araiza saw success at the NCAA level as he attended CSU Chico where the Wildcats reached back to back DII College World Series appearances in 2005 and 2006. He went on to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Chico.
After finishing up his collegiate career, Coach Araiza became a player/coach for the Ecuadorian National Team playing in the South American Championships in Brazil, Argentina, and Ecuador, as well as the Pan-American Olympic Qualifying Games in Cuba. Coach Araiza also found a successful professional career in the United States, playing for the Long Beach Armada of the Golden Baseball League and the Kalamazoo Kings of the Frontier League. He was a main contributor on both teams’ run for league championships, reaching the final games while with each team. Between seasons, Jorge also expanded his career to Mexico, playing for the Minatitlan Gavilanes of the Vera Cruzan Mexican Winter League in 2007.
JOSUE LOPEZ
Josue has been coaching club baseball for 7 years, and has been the head Varsity Assistant Coach at Capistrano Valley Christian School for the past 7 years. Josue played professionally in Canada , U.S.A., & Mexico for 14 years, retiring in 2016.
Josue was rafted by the Texas Rangers in 1999. “I have had the Privilege of working with the youth for the last 10 years, developing life skills as well as on the field skills. My purpose is to have these young boys we’ll prepared for higher baseball IQ decision making and mastering themselves to have the up most confidence for Higher Level Ball! You can’t Practice Soft, & except to play Hard!”
Go Vigilantes!
Phil cary
Phil’s baseball journey took him from the middle infield at Solano Community College to Sonoma State in the early 2000s. Throughout this period and beyond, he shared his expertise by serving as an instructor at numerous youth baseball clinics, including those affiliated with the Oakland A’s youth program
Joshua Benjamin
Joshua’s passion for coaching and nurturing young athletes stems from his lifelong love for baseball. His connection to the sport began in childhood, and he continued to play through Little League and High School. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington in 2003, he relocated to Southern California, where he now resides in Mission Viejo with his wife and three children. His coaching journey commenced over seven years ago when he volunteered for South Mission Viejo Little League as a dedicated dad. Since then, he has achieved success coaching and managing baseball teams across various levels, from recreational to travel leagues, spanning youth to intermediate stages. Notably, his previous team claimed victory at Cooperstown during the summer of 2023. With enthusiasm, he looks forward to shaping the future generation of baseball enthusiasts.
john hudgins
Coach Hudgins, a former minor league pitcher, gained recognition as the 2003 College World Series Most Outstanding Player at Stanford University. He attended Mission Viejo High School before excelling at Stanford. In the 2003 MLB Draft, he was selected by the Texas Rangers in the third round and started his pro career that year.
Throughout his professional journey, Hudgins played for various teams, including the Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres organizations. His career stats include notable highlights such as a 14-3 record with a 2.99 ERA in 2003 and an appearance in the Arizona Fall League in 2007.
Brett Auerbach
Brett is an assistant coach during his off season. He is currently in the
minor leagues with the San Francisco Giants. He played locally for Tesoro High School before being recruited to continue his career at Saddleback College. He earned first team all conference, at different positions, each of his first two years while leading the team in numerous offensive categories, Although he was drafted he opted to continue his career at the University of Alabama. The accolades continued at Alabama and he signed as a free agent following the 2020 draft.
