Scott Kalush hitting his stride at U.C. Davis

Scott Kalush has never thought of himself as a standout baseball player. Not when he was at Aragon High and certainly not now as UC Davis' starting catcher. But make no mistake: Kalush is making a big impact at the college level. And like a fine wine, he's only getting better with age. The Aggies (19-20) play a non-conference game at Santa Clara (18-24) today at 6 p.m. Whenever the two teams play, it's always a big deal for the Kalush family. Scott's older brother, Steve, is a senior relief pitcher for Santa Clara. In the second game between the teams last season, Steve started and Scott was in the starting lineup. Scott said he doesn't remember too much about the encounter, only that he went 0 for 2 with an RBI. "We looked at each other when I stepped in the batter's box and knew it was kind of special," Kalush said. "I tried not to smile (because you're in the flow of the game). It was fun because I never really faced him in high school. I caught him (at Aragon) and we mostly played on the same teams growing up, or he would be on an older (age group) team. I can't even remember the last time I faced him before last year's game. I hope he pitches (today)." While the brothers had a great time facing each other, their mom, Joyce, didn't experience the same level of joy. "My mom didn't enjoy it as much," Scott Kalush said. "She didn't know who to cheer for, but my dad (Ed) liked it. I think he got a kick out of seeing his two sons go at it." A true sophomore, Kalush is batting .304 this season. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder had an 11-game hitting streak earlier in the year, a remarkable turnaround from a tough freshman campaign. Kalush started 37 of 55 games last year and hit just .200 in 100 at-bats. To be fair, Kalush wasn't expected to make an impact in his rookie season, let alone play much. But all of that went out the window when Alex Dreyfuss, the Aggies' projected starting catcher, went down with an injury just before the start of the season. Kalush started the season opener and it was baptism by fire. "I definitely got nervous when I saw my name in the starting lineup (for opening day last year)," Kalush said. The butterflies Kalush experienced have since been replaced by a calm that only comes with experience. Kalush has seen plenty of game action since then, showing tremendous growth in all phases of the game. Kalush has always been known for his backstopping skills, so the biggest disappointment from last season was allowing 14 passed balls. This year, Kalush has yielded just three. Couple his improved defense and hitting to go along with his game-calling skills and it's no wonder things are looking up for Kalush. Kalush has always been a solid defensive catcher at every level he's played, but the fact that he's come alive with the bat against college pitching shows just how dedicated he is to the craft. "Last year, he held his hands real low and was susceptible to some pitches," Aggies manager Rex Peters said in the Davis Enterprise. "We made some adjustments in his stance and he's making solid contact more consistently. He has a knack for putting the bat on the ball and doesn't strike out a ton. Anytime you can be an everyday catcher in this conference (Big West) and hit .280 or above, that's a good season." Playing at any level -- let alone in the strong Big West Conference -- is all about confidence. "I would say I'm more confident in myself (in every facet of the game)," Kalush said. "(Offensively) I'm more comfortable with what's coming at me whereas last year I was new at this whole thing and I wasn't ready. I would say I'm most proud of the way I've handled the pitching staff and the way I've improved my defense." Kalush knew he needed to improve as a hitter and since enrolling at Davis, he's put in a lot of time in the weight room and in the batting cage. He's improved his fitness level to prepare for the grind of the college season, which is basically a nine-month ordeal when you consider fall ball starts in September and the regular season runs through May. Kalush is one of the more unassuming and talented baseball players to come out of San Mateo County in recent memory. He's the classic late bloomer, an athlete who didn't stand out in high school -- he was plenty solid -- but has excelled at the college level. Part of the reason why Kalush has never stood out until now is even he didn't realize how good he could be. Kalush only thought about playing baseball in college when he saw Steve get a scholarship to Santa Clara. Ironically enough, Santa Clara was Kalush's other college option. But he felt more comfortable at Davis and it shows. "It was my goal (to play in college), but I was never sure if it was something I could accomplish," said Kalush, who is majoring in mechanical engineering and aerospace science and engineering. If Kalush continues to make meteoric strides in his game, there's no telling how far he can go. He's only getting stronger and plans on packing more muscle on his frame. "I've never really thought about (professional baseball) because I've never seen myself at that talent level," he said. "But if I ever did get drafted, I'd continue to play baseball in a heartbeat. I definitely feel I've improved and matured in the last year or two. I've never seen myself as a standout player. I just want to contribute to my team and get my work in." It's a formula that has worked out well.