Shadle, Lakeside promising; others optimistic for season

Joe Everson Correspondent Correspondent Mike Boyle contributed to

All things considered, things are looking up on the North Side as Greater Spokane League and Great Northern League baseball teams begin their seasons.

Lakeside of the GNL finished third in the state 2A tournament for the second straight season in '03, while Shadle Park won the regional 4A championship and finished fourth at State.

But those aren't the only two North Side teams with high hopes. Quality veteran returners and, in some cases, talented new players had several coaches brimming with optimism as the season began in unusual 50-degree weather earlier this week.

Mt. Spokane coach Alex Schuerman and Deer Park's Shawn Henry are the only newcomers among the North Side teams, but Schuerman is hardly a rookie. He has been in the program ever since the Wildcats began GSL play six seasons ago.

The Great Northern will sport a new two-division look, with Riverside, Newport, Chewelah and Colville in the North and Pullman, Lakeside, Medical Lake and Deer Park in the South.

Here's how things look in the GSL and GNL:

Rogers

The Pirates aren't deep; coach Jim Wasem Jr., may suit up as few as 11 players. But they're strong up the middle and have enough experience to be a factor in the GSL race.

Senior right-handers Travis Bertholf and Jake Bussard, both second- team all-GSL a year ago, anchor the pitching staff and senior Eric Zacher is behind the plate. Other seniors are third baseman Cory Clifton, outfielder Rocky Nielsen and outfielder/pitcher Scott Murphy.

Juniors Eric Kelly and Bret Kellogg return at shortstop and second base, respectively. Ransom Haskins is a junior outfielder and Will Curryer a junior pitcher. Freshman Scott Livengood, a starter on the varsity basketball team, will play the outfield and pitch.

"I feel good about what we've got," said Wasem. "Eric Kelly played as a freshman and was one of the best shortstops in the GSL last year. I think the league's pretty strong this year. We're not very deep, but if we stay healthy, we'll be OK."

North Central

The Indians' strength is on the mound, where hard-throwing senior Matt Oye joins senior lefty Luke Kitzan and junior southpaw Logan Davenport as key returners. Sophomore Brett Richardson is also in the pitching mix.

"We're OK on the mound," said coach Scott Harmon. "We'll be able to challenge people, get some outs and stay in almost every game. We have eight kids back altogether, but we need some new kids to step up defensively to support our pitching staff. Offensively, we'll be station-to-station."

Senior Nathan Farr, recovering from injuries, will catch. Davenport will play first when he's not pitching, while the middle infield positions are up for grabs among senior Jake Mays and juniors Greg Stanifer, Jake Aspenleiter and Sean Carnahan. Senior Billy Fletcher will play third base.

The outfielders will be junior Corey Anderson, Richardson, Oye and Kitzan. Sophomore Jory Hustad will be the backup catcher, while senior Darryl Weathermon will get some innings on the mound and Mike Reid will be a backup infielder.

Shadle Park

The Highlanders lost a number of outstanding players but have reloaded with several members of the Junior American Legion team, which finished second in the state playoffs and second in the regionals last summer, losing to Richland in both tournaments. The senior Legion team, combined with NC's best players, also went to state.

"We have some good arms," said coach Ron Brooks, "but it may take some time to see who emerges there. We have a sound group of returners who didn't get much action last year because of all the seniors. This is a very versatile group, with most players able to help at more than one position."

Shadle has a pair of two-time all-GSL players in senior infielders Darin Holcomb and Alex Scarpelli. First baseman Ryan McVicker will start for the third straight year. Around the diamond, the rest of the Highlander lineup will look like this: junior Josh Powell will catch, juniors Kody Anderson and Billy Rigsby will play in the middle infield, and senior Shawn Powell and juniors Ryne Kiter and Kjel Carlson will play the outfield.

Depth comes from senior infielders Matt Filippini and Chad Mitchell and junior infielders Ian Shook, Ryan Holcomb and Stewart Toelken. Darin Holcomb has been an early surprise on the mound, where seniors Brad Thompson, Noah Hollister and McVicker and junior Brian Kranches will also get plenty of work.

Mt. Spokane

Coach Schuerman is very optimistic, especially about his pitching, which he calls the strength of his team.

"We're eight deep on the mound," he said. "We're senior- dominated, but we have a lot to prove. Our pitching is deep enough that if we hit, we'll compete."

The mound staff is led by juniors Cameron Joslyn, Luke Raynor and Keith Tappe. There are four senior pitchers: Adam Walker, Ryan Schultheis, Ryan Rodin and Jordan John. Freshman Mark Purser made a strong enough showing that Schuerman, an early skeptic, decided to keep him..

Senior Kenny DeMello will catch and play some first base. Senior Jacob Didesch is also at first, with senior Zach Servatius at second or short when Joslyn pitches. Joslyn will play short, sophomore Marcos Armendariz is at third or in the outfield, where senior Brandon Cantu heads a group which also includes Walker, Tappe and Purser.

Seniors Bret Powell, Scott April and Peter Sowards give the Wildcats depth and versatility.

Mead

Coach Kevin Workman, entering his fourth season, would like to see the Panthers "power up" this season"every year, we find ourselves in a lot of nail-biters, so scoring more runs is really my emphasis this season."

He may have the guys to do it, with all-GSL second-team outfielder Chris England and second-team infielder Chad Flett leading the way. Workman also landed a top transfer, catcher Dan Ramsey, who has already committed to Gonzaga University.

Flett and England will also pitch, along with junior Peter Birdwell and sophomore Kevin Schneider. Workman likes his junior class, which includes Ryan Gilbreth and Colton Riddle, competing for a starting spot in the middle infield.

Junior Adam Benson has recovered from a broken leg suffered during football season and will play in the outfield along with speedy NC transfer Eric Regalado and the platoon of Nate Lewis and Andy Blevins. Senior Jeff Walker will play shortstop and get some mound time, senior Scott Wagstaff will play first and senior Matt Amsden is a backup catcher. Junior Mitch Ramsey will battle Riddle and Schneider for third base.

The Panthers are named by several coaches as a GSL favorite, but Workman is happiest that his team's chemistry is so good. "We've got a group that just loves to play," he said. "We're working hard, working together and having a lot of fun."

Lakeside

Coach Matt Sullivan lost two of the state's best pitchers in Greg Smith and Brandon Bowker, but he's confident that the Eagles, who have won the GNL championship three of the past four years, will be back in the hunt.

"Replacing those guys will be a task," he said, "but we'll still have good pitching and improved infield defense. We'll have to put together an outfield, but I think we'll swing the bats as well as we ever have."

Senior Dan Bowman, last year's No. 3 pitcher, was 4-0 with a no- hitter and will play first when he's not on the mound. He was second- team all-GNL last year. Senior Chris Kern, first-team all-league as a sophomore, missed last year with knee problems but returns, and junior third baseman-pitcher Jeremy Garbisch was second-team all- state.

Juniors Matt Dinsmore and Brandon Hayes will catch, three-year letterman C.J. Palmer will be at second, junior Alex Stillar at short and seniors Jordan Moore, Dan Peterson and Jason Burtness in the outfield. Besides Bowman and Garbisch, Kern, Moore and Smith will all pitch. Senior Devin Bowers and sophomore Tony Smith will be top reserves.

Riverside

The Rams lost only three players to graduation, but they're still young with only two seniors in the lineup - four-year varsity member Jake Pinkerton and Tom Dye.

Coach Ron Davis has a strong junior class, led by centerfielder/ pitcher Buddy Wood, a three-year varsity player. Tyler Dornquast will play second, James Witenroth will be at third when Pinkerton's pitching, Daren Lafayette in right field and Ray Hodge, a three-year starter, at catcher.

Sophomore Jason Paul will play shortstop with soph Grady Ryan in left. Freshman Taylor will back up Hodge, while junior Mitch Mager and sophomores Adam Anderson and Zack Davis will provide depth. Besides Pinkerton, Dye, Wood, Dornquast, Lafayette and Ryan will pitch.

"The league should be very competitive this year," said Davis. "I don't see anybody running away with it. We'll be right there."

Deer Park

Coach Henry's biggest task, he said, is getting the Stags to believe in themselves. Like Schuerman, he's been in the school program for several years and is optimistic about his team's chances.

"It's been an uphill battle in baseball sometimes here," he said, "but this group of kids are baseball players first. I think the junior class has some of the best athletes in the district. We could have a very good year. I'm excited being around these guys."

He's expecting big things from seniors Kyle Henry (first base), Ian Mitchell (pitcher and third base) and Aaron Bly (shortstop). There are four other seniors, Nick Burson, second baseman Eric Smith, backup infielder Justin Cameron and outfielder Leif Sherman.

Juniors Matt Curtis and Brad Harper are pitcher/outfielders, Derek Jensen will catch and transfer Aaron Akins is a reserve infielder. Three sophomores are on the squad: backups Lane Erskine and Jesse Macy and outfielder Brian Huffman, a varsity player as a ninth- grader.

Gonzaga Prep

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, junior catcher Billy Karwacki, will anchor the Bullpups. Senior David Stone also returns, moving from shortstop to center field. Part-time starter, 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 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."

Northwest Christian

First-year head coach Ron Axeworthy may find that 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 that 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, 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 man 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 gonna 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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