Riley Phelan, a former left-handed pitcher for the Sonoma State Seawolves, began his career as a junior college standout at College of Marin before transferring to Regis University for one season. He later finished his playing career as a transfer student at Sonoma State University where he became a Walk-on pitcher. I sat down with Phelan to discuss his short tenure with the Seawolves, his reaction to the budget cuts this past semester, and his daily life after baseball.

Q:What was your experience of joining the baseball team at Sonoma State?

A:“Well I was a walk-on and I had to try out for the team. During the tryout I knew my arm wasn’t right but I gave it my all to impress the coaches, where they eventually gave me a roster spot”. 

Q:What was your initial reaction when you found out the news about the Sonoma State Budget cuts?

A:“I got the news from an outside resource who already played for the previous Coach before from a text, then the email came out and many of my teammates including myself were still confused, but once we all went to the athletic meeting we all as team knew what to do for this program”.

Q:What do you mean by as a team we knew what to do for this program?

A:“This sports program has a rich history throughout the community as well as throughout the county, many current players built a deep connection with coaches, alumni as well as donors, and I can’t believe someone that is evil enough to do that for this particular program”. 

Q:Did you have any personal feelings about the team when the news finally came out?

A:Phelan took a minute to respond, but once he responded he got emotional by reflecting on a clueless time by stating “Those were my boys and would always stay in contact but once I fully understood the news I felt really bad for those that haven’t got another chance to play baseball again at Sonoma State”.

Q:What Is Your Biggest Feeling About This Semester?

A:“I feel like this Fall 2025 semester is pretty dead”, Phelan, who described the aftermath of the budget cuts during last spring. To Phelan’s comment, he added, “I just feel like the Student Center and as well as the campus vibe isn’t the same anymore and the parking is way easier than the previous semesters”.

Q: What was your favorite memory playing baseball at Sonoma State? 

A:“My favorite memory was winning the series against Cal State Stanislaus as well as Cal Poly Pomona because those two teams were very good and since we beat them, we all as a team agreed that we could make a deep run in the playoffs”, Phelan said.

Q:What made you come back to Sonoma State University for another semester?

A:“The Gutierrez family are the chillest professors at Sonoma State and my arm was toasted from playing baseball over the years as well as no longer eligible to play Collegiate Baseball”.