Baseball teams prepare to take a swing into season

With softball and boys soccer already under way this spring sports season, area high school baseball players are ready to say "Play ball!" as their season openers approach next week.

The Greater Spokane League will see division champions Ferris and Shadle Park ready to defend their crowns.

Mead, University, Clarkston and North Central hope to unseat the Saxons and Highlanders this season. The Great Northern League looks to be wide open this season, as Colville, Medical Lake, Pullman, Chewelah, Lakeside and Riverside all appear ready to make a run at the championship.

In the Northeast A League, traditional power Colfax will be the team to beat once again. Lind-Ritzville, Kettle Falls and Freeman hope to challenge the Bulldogs for the top spot.

The Panorama League will be a tight race as St. Michael's, Selkirk, Republic and Northport look like the top outfits.

Here is a preview of the area GSL, GNL, Northeast A and Panorama League schools as they get ready for their season openers.

Cheney Blackhawks

The Blackhawks hope to improve upon last season's 8-13 mark that ended with a loss to West Valley-Yakima in district play. Cheney returns three starters from that team, led by all-GSL honorable mention pitcher/centerfielder Alek Webber. "He has grown immensely these last three years," said head coach Adam Smith. "This spring he's totally stepped up and been a leader."

Returning with Webber will be senior third baseman Trevin Hoffman and senior shortstop Nate Smith. Junior Joel Aiken will share pitching duties with Webber, while junior outfielders Derek Miller, a transfer from St. John-Endicott, and Trevor Harkema, a transfer from Arizona, hope to bring some pop to the lineup. Juniors Luke Just and Nolan Pegg will share duties at catcher.

"Our catching situation isn't stabilized right now, so having two left-handers will help control the running game," said Smith. "There's a lot of teams in the GSL that like to run, so having a left- hander on the mound will control that better."

Ferris Saxons

After winning their division, the Saxons' season ended with a disappointing 8-7 loss to Kennewick in the regionals. Ferris returns six starters from that squad, led by senior outfielder Casey Lust- Liggins and senior catcher Matt McClenny.

Senior pitcher/outfielder Brandon Templeton is also back, joined by junior third baseman Casey Brett, sophomore pitcher/infielder Caleb Rath, and Brandon's brother, junior infielder Jeremy Templeton.

Senior pitcher Jason Plecha will look to bolster the mound staff, while sophomore infielders Pat Burke and Kyle Krustangel will look to make an impact in the lineup.

Junior outfielder/pitcher Chris Bozo also returns after missing last season with an injury.

"We have a good mix of kids that have been used to winning at different levels," said head coach John Thacker. "Not only the varsity level, but the freshman team is coming off an undefeated season, and the JV team won its league, too, last year.

"You have three teams that won their league from Ferris, so they're used to winning."

Gonzaga Prep Bullpups

The Bullpups ended last season 12-8 after a playoff loss to Mead, but the real losses came after the season, as G-Prep lost 11 seniors to graduation and return just two starters from last year.

"It's the youngest team I've ever coached in 11 years of baseball," said head coach Greg Gomes.

"Far and away, it's the youngest team. It's really about starting to rebuild a program, rebuilding a team, and teaching everyone roles and responsibilities ... building confidence."

Three-year starter and junior catcher Billy Karwacki will anchor the Bullpups.

Senior David Stone also returns, moving from shortstop to center field. Part-time starter and senior outfielder Mark Espinoza is also back. Senior first baseman Kyle Rekofke will anchor the infield, with juniors third baseman Kyle Douglas and shortstop Joe Dewenter joining him. Senior pitcher Mike Varga is the only Bullpup hurler with experience returning. Juniors Nick Hamand, Ryan Sims and Kevin Pegg will fight for time in the rotation.

"Our biggest concern right now is how we develop as a pitching staff, and who's going to step up and who we can count on in that regard," said Gomes.

"Offensively, we're pretty close to where we were last year early in the year. Defensively, we might be even improved."

Lewis and Clark Tigers

The Tigers finished second in their division last season, ending their year with a third-round playoff loss to University.

LC will have to overcome the loss to graduation of all-everything first baseman/pitcher Travis Webb, who is now at Arizona State, and No. 2 starting pitcher Joe Byers.

"We've been blessed with Travis and Joe these last three years, and now they're gone, so we're going to just have to deal with it," said head coach Dexter Davis.

Leading the way for the Tigers this year will be senior outfielders Cameron Harkey and Jack Quigley.

Senior catcher Erik Loft and junior shortstop Darryl Mackin are also returning starters for LC.

Junior third baseman Himes Alexander, senior second baseman Ryan Byers and senior first baseman Dusty Grow will round out the infield, while junior Kevin Luby will join Harkey and Quigley in the outfield.

Sophomores Shane Hughes and Eric Barge will be the primary Tiger pitchers.

Medical Lake Cardinals

Coming off a state playoff appearance last season and losing just one starter from last year, the Cardinals were optimistic about their chances in the GNL this season. That is, until they lost three starters to shoulder injuries and had one starter move in the off- season.

"There's so many new faces in new positions and such disappointment in kids that weren't able to play (due to injury)," said head coach Chris Spring.

"We went from a team who's ready to break through potentially at a state level and went back to a team who's now questionable as to how competitive we're going to be in our own conference."

Senior center fielder Jeff Day returns and will be the Cards' No. 1 pitcher.

Sophomores Jon O'Connor and Ryan Reitmeir will join Day on the mound, along with senior Shane Rushing.

Senior catcher Frank Repler hopes to bounce back from his off- season shoulder injury, while sophomore Anthony Jorgenson will be ready if Repler isn't prepared to go.

Junior Matt Harris will take over at first base, while juniors Nick Schmiehland, Cory Cooper and sophomore Jacob Wardell will fight for time at second.

All-conference shortstop and senior Jake Gambell will anchor the infield, while junior Cory Wagner will start at third.

Junior Ramsey Pruchnic will join Day in the outfield.

"I'm very concerned, but I'm happy with the fact these kids have played a lot of baseball," said Spring. "By no means are we going to run out on the field and scare anybody with our physical appearance.

"At the same time, I've got some real scrappers that know how to win and have been successful at lower levels of baseball."

Liberty Lancers

The Lancers come off a 0-21 season, but with seven starters returning, hopes are high for a turnaround in the Liberty baseball fortunes.

"It helps we got some returners," said head coach Dom Duncan. "We also have a talented group of younger guys coming in that are going to challenge some of the older guys for some spots.

"A lot of this team played summer ball together, so that will definitely help coming in."

The Lancers welcome back junior pitcher Jeff Bethel, who will lead the Liberty mound staff. Senior Casey Jones will begin the year as the No. 2 starter.

Senior Matt Holling will staff center field, while senior Garrick Wynn will join him in the outfield. Sophomore Ty Anderson will pitch and play infield, while classmate Kevin Raugust will play outfield and also lend support on the hill.

Senior Mark Johnson returns at shortstop after taking last year off to run track.

Junior Brice Williams joins him in the infield at second base. Senior Jake Friend and junior J.J. Anderson will staff the designated- hitter spot, while freshman Adam Thies will catch, and classmate Aaron Weiss will play first.

"I've always felt we've had a team good enough to compete in the Northeast A," said Duncan. "It's been frustrating because at times we haven't shown it.

"Our pitching staff this year is much improved over what we've had in the past."

Northwest Christian Crusaders

First-year head coach Ron Axeworthy will maybe find his greatest challenge this season with the Crusaders is getting nine players on the diamond, as Northwest Christian had just 11 players try out the first week of practice.

The Crusaders lost eight players to graduation last season and return just three starters from last year's team. which finished third in the Northeast A League.

"It's going to be a big learning process," Axeworthy said. "We're bringing in a whole new system, too.

"It's a very young team. It's going to be a rebuilding year, which is going to be a real challenge."

"These kids are great, and they want to learn so bad. We're having so much fun so far.

"As far as them learning the new system and being coachable, that transition has been easy."

Senior Michael Case moves from catcher last year to shortstop and pitching this season.

Senior Kevin Schmidt will take over at catcher, moving from second base.

All-GNL pitcher and junior John Hauck is the other returning starter.

"Our pitching is strong," said Axeworthy. "Our two starters are going to be good."

Freshman B.J. Bell will be counted on to staff third base and play throughout the infield on a team with just two seniors and two juniors.

St.George's Dragons

The Dragons return six starters from last season's 6-14 outfit and hope to jump out of the gate in a tight Panorama League race.

"We have to be real aggressive right off the bat - that's my main goal," said head coach Scott Pate.

"We've got a good group of upper classmen mixed in with some freshmen and sophomores who are going to get a lot of playing time right off the bat. If my seniors can lead and my underclassmen can really be aggressive and get the bat off their shoulders, I think we have a shot."

Senior pitcher Tyler Henley and classmate Scott Patten will anchor the pitching staff.

Henley will also play outfield while Patten will be in the infield. Senior Peter Yi returns in center field, while sophomore Tim Annan is back at shortstop, joined by senior second baseman Raymond Chiu.

Senior James Fischer is back behind the plate, while junior Ross Alexander will return in the outfield. Freshman Tim Mackin will start at first, as well as pitch.

"We're going to play good defense, we're going to throw strikes, and hopefully we're going to put the ball in play and move it around a little bit and see what happens," said Pate.

"We're definitely not going to win a home-run contest."

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