Baseball preview: Greater Spokane League team capsules and league notebooks

Mt. Spokane

Coach: Alex Schuerman, 15th season (220-104)

2017 record/finish: 21-2, 18-0; first in GSL

Starters graduated/returning: 5/5

Key departures: SS Gabe Martin (GSL MVP), SP Marcus Cain (1st-team all-GSL), P Jacob Morgan, (2nd-team all-GSL).

Key Returners: C Quentin Ayers jr., (1st-team all-GSL), 3B Ben McKinnis sr., (1st-team all-GSL), OF Mikey Tsuchida sr., (1st-team all-GSL).

Key Newcomers: SS JT Smith, jr.; OF/1B Tyler Staley, jr.; 2B/P Braden DeSoria, jr.

Outlook: Strong on the mound and on defense. Good team speed. A bunch of baseball junkies who love to compete.

Gonzaga Prep

Coach: Brian Munhall, ninth season (145-68)

2017 record/finish: 18-5, 14-4; second in GSL

Starters graduated/returning: 5/6

Key departures: 1B Carsten Schmidt (1st-team all-GSL), C Ryan Gross (1st-team all-GSL), P Seth Kuykendall (1st-team all-GSL).

Key Returners: SS/P Connor Coballes, sr. (1st-team all-GSL), OF Bo McGinn, sr. (1st-team all-GSL), P Josh Grimes, sr. (hon. mention).

Key Newcomers: P Ryun Cross, so.; 3B Jackson Day, so.; 1B/OF Nick Drynan, jr.

Outlook: Will rely heavily on pitching with four returning seniors in the rotation. Coballes leads rotation and is four-year starter at short. After being knocked out of regionals last year, Bullpups are hungry to get back to state.

Mead

Coach: Steve Hare, first season

2017 record/finish: 10-14, 8-10 seventh in GSL

Starters graduated/returning: 5/4

Key departures: None

Key Returners: P/OF Mason Wells, sr.; P/1B Riley Whelan, sr.; C Thomas McKenna, jr.

Key Newcomers: OF Jordan Schuler, jr.

Outlook: Wells, a Gonzaga recruit, and Whelan give Panthers solid 1-2 on the hill and there’s plenty of upperclassman leadership. Lots of competition for open jobs.

Central Valley

Coach: Jeramie Maupin, first season

2017 record/finish: 12-10, 12-6; fourth in GSL

Starters graduated/returning: 5/4

Key departures: P/1B Jeremy Yelland (1st-team all-GSL), P/OF Connor Degeest (1st-team all-GSL).

Key Returners: C/P Brayden Hamilton, sr. (1st-team all-GSL); INF Jase Edwards, sr. (1st-team all-GSL); OF/P Thomas Edwards, sr. (1st team all-GSL).

Key Newcomers: INF Matt Schwartz, jr.; P/OF Cole Johnson, jr., P/OF Kyle Clay, jr.

Outlook: Lots of good senior talent and leadership. Pitching could be a trouble spot and underclassmen will have to step up.

Shadle Park

Coach: Ron Brooks, 34th season

2017 record/finish: 13-8, 13-5; third in GSL

Starters graduated/returning: 4/5

Key departures: P Justin Solt (1st-team all-GSL), OF Jaden Vandervert (2nd-team all-GSL).

Key Returners: C Dalton Dawson, jr. (2nd-team all-GSL); P/OF Blake Wells, sr., INF Miguel Resendiz-Stowe, sr.

Key Newcomers: Lost three starting pitchers and some key positional players. Several new players on the roster. Good energy and determination.

Ferris

Coach: Scott Ward, third season

2017 record/finish: 13-9, 11-7; fifth in GSL

Starters graduated/returning: 4/5

Key departures: P Nick Merkel (2nd-team all-GSL), 2B Spud Batt (2nd-team all-GSL).

Key Returners: SS/P Brock Bozett, jr. (1st-team all-GSL), CF Eric Mast, jr., (2nd-team all-GSL), P Cam Liss, sr., (2nd-team all-GSL).

Key Newcomers: None.

Outlook: Bozett, committed to San Francisco, is one of the best players in the league and the team is solid on defense. Liss and Bozett make strong 1-2 punch in the rotation. Good team speed and some pop.

University

Coach: Kevin May, second season (3-17)

2017 record/finish: 3-17, 3-14; eighth in GSL

Starters graduated/returning: 4/5

Key departures: OF Bryan Braley (1st-team all-GSL)

Key Returners: P/OF Carson Lundmark, jr., 3B Caleb Morton, jr., P Trey Stannard, sr.

Key Newcomers: SS/P Jaden Karnitz, so.

Outlook: Team learned new system and philosophy during summer ball and developed good team chemistry. Rotation is deep but lacking proven ace.

North Central

Coach: Mark Douglas, third season (18-36)

2017 record/finish: 8-12, 8-10; sixth in GSL

Starters graduated/returning: 5/4

Key departures: SS/P Alek Jacob (1st-team all-GSL), INF Brenden Duncan (1st-team all-GSL), C Trainor Warren (2nd-team all-GSL).

Key Returners: SS/P Kevin Pravitz, sr.; 2B/P Tristan Davidson, sr.; P Josh Tucker, jr.

Key Newcomers: OF Mike Cronin, sr.; OF Luke Graham, sr.; 2B/P Carmen Severino, jr.

Outlook: The Indians graduated three all-league players but usher in a new group that gained good experience in summer ball. Rotation will be solid with Tucker, Davidson and newcomer Severino.

Lewis and Clark

Coach: Steve Bennett, fifth season (51-49)

2017 record/finish: 2-17, 1-16, ninth in GSL

Starters graduated/returning:

Key departures: UTL Dawson Pate (2nd-team all-GSL), C Troy Hilsendinger

Key Returners: UTL Darrin Blockman, sr.; P/C Noah Whitten, sr.; OF Ryan Schmitz, sr.

Key Newcomers: P/OF Charlie Ricker, jr.

Outlook: A solid defensive team with good, but young, varsity experience. Will need returners to step up and change games from the mound and the plate.

Rogers

Coach: James Wasem, 25th season

2017 record/finish: 1-19, 1-17, 10th in GSL

Starters graduated/returning: 3/9

Key departures: None

Key Returners: P/OF Josh Slawter, sr.; C Ethan Starosta, sr., P/OF Broc Houser, sr., P/SS Bailey Daniels, sr.

Key Newcomers: P/1B Aden Armstorng, fr., P/SS Xavier Nila, so.

Outlook: Pirates have more pitching than they’ve had in a while and have quality fielders at most positions. Good experience everywhere.

Great Northern League

Coach Cory Aitken’s defending regular-season champion West Valley (15-7, 9-3) lost five starters to graduation but returns three first-team all-league players – INF Jaxson Imada (sr.), OF Connor Whitney (sr.) and OF Blake Transue (sr.), along with second-team pitcher Hunter Tiffany and sophomore INF Spencer Shipman – the latter two played for the USA teams last summer. The Eagles are looking for an ace but have several strike-throwers who will let their strong defense work. … Clarkston (11-5, 8-4) features senior flame-thrower Koby Blunt and returning all-league UTL Nate Savolainen (sr.) and INF Brandon Ellibee (sr.) for coach Bruce Bensching. … Junior P/OF Jacob Wells was first-team all-league and will lead Pullman (6-9, 5-7) this season. INF Konnor Kinkade (jr.) and OF Zane Wilson (sr.) were second-team selections and seniors C Payton Utzman and INF Brandon Lees will support former MLB player and first-year coach Mike Kinkade’s squad. … Cheney (14-12, 4-8) returns six starters for coach Glenn Chamberlain’s second season at the helm, including first-team all-league P Dylan Arthur (sr.) and second-team P Julian Chabot (jr.) and C Luke Martin (jr.). The Blackhawks upset WV in the league title game, won a crossover game and their first-round game in the state tourney. … East Valley (4-13, 4-8) lost four all-league players and six starters to graduation, including league MVP P Colin Spendlove. Key returners include C Joe Campbell (sr.), INF/P Joe Fleckenstein (sr.) and INF/P Dylan Stutzke (jr.) for coach Ryan Simmelink’s first season. Catching and infield should be strengths and the team possesses depth and athleticism while looking for arms to step up.

Northeast A

Freeman (22-3, 12-0) finished third in state last year for coach Chad Ripke, entering his 13th season with the Scotties. Three-time all-state McKabe Cottrell has moved on, but five starters return including NEA co-MVP P/OF/1B Desmond Parisotto (sr.), an all-state selection in 2015 and 2017. Also returning are all-league selections C Konnor Freudenthal (sr.) and CF/P Michael Coumont (sr.) – an all-state basketball player as well. The Scotties will be strong on defense up the middle and boast a robust rotation. … A pair of senior first-team all-leaguers return for Deer Park: P Nathan Bouldin and CF Trayton Bird. The Stags (13-8, 8-5) were second in district last year under fifth-year coach Tanner Knutson. Second-team all-NEA INF Kooper Tobeck (sr.) and brother 2B Kajin Tobeck (so.) are among eight returning lettermen. … Chewelah (12-8, 10-4) returns two first-team all-NEA players in OF/P Gavin Parrott (sr.) and INF Elan Krzusz (sr.), as well as second-team C Carl Oman (jr.) to coach Sawyer Bardwell’s team. … Senior Ben Evans, a second-team all-NEA pick last season at first base, switches to catcher and leads first-year coach Austin Sharp’s Medical Lake team. Three starters are back from a fourth-place team last season (8-8, 8-6), including SS Sam Gollehon and CF Trevor Hurt-Moran, who return for their junior seasons. … Colville (9-11, 6-8) finished fifth in league last season for coach Blake Sjordal. All-league first-teamer 3B Tayeb Wilson (jr.) is back, as is second-team OF Dawson Flugel (sr.). … Six starters return for fifth-year coach Tim Klein’s Lakeside crew that finished sixth in league (6-15, 4-10) last season, including first-team all-league and all-state nom SS/P Drew Shuler (sr.). OF/P Cooper Taylor and C/P Cale Swanson will provide senior leadership and INF Caden Wickwire (sr.) returns from injury to bolster the lineup. … Newport (4-10, 4-9) second-year coach Gary Reese hopes to improve on last season’s sixth-place finish. Seniors P/SS Hunter Peterson, OF/3B Owen Leslie and 2B Jacob Weber are among six returning starters, while basketball standout Danny Bradbury (jr.) joins the team in the infield. … Junior CF/P TJ Trepanier, a second-team all-leaguer, leads young and inexperienced Riverside (2-15, 2-12). Senior OF/P Clay Wilson and C/P Kooper Bower add leadership for second-year coach Bryan McNaghten.

Northeast 2B

Colfax (23-1, 10-0) won the State 2B title last season and returns six starters for new coach Scott Parrish. League MVP/all-state SS/P Danny Robinson graduated, but four all-league selections return: C/P Cal Gregory (sr.), P/SS Parker Huber (sr.), UTL Kyle Appel (sr.) and 1B/P Nate Akesson (jr.). Pitching and infield defense are areas of early concern. … Senior pitchers Matthew Burley, a first-team all-league selection last season, and Alec Fletcher give Liberty (14-8, 5-4) a strong mound presence for coach Ken VanSickle’s squad, which graduated seven starters. … Returning all-league players INF/P Devin Fry (jr.) and C/P Elliott Marks (sr.) headline coach Jim Holman’s Asotin team, which finished second to Colfax in the NE 2B South Division last season (17-8, 8-2) and made it to the second round of state. … Second-year coach Mike Bettinson hopes to lift Springdale (2-16) to competitive status in the NE2B North Division. First-team all-leaguers SS/P Enoch Clemmer and CF/P Brent Fiola return for their senior seasons. The team has experience and some speed, but team defense is a work in progress. … Reardan (1-20, 1-9) suffered a last-place finish last season but third-year coach Matt Clouse sees signs of potential. The Indians will be young with only four upperclassmen but have a couple of seniors, including captains Tanner Perry (UTL, P) and Eric Alvarez (INF, P) to provide leadership. … Northwest Christian (12-6, 9-0) and Kettle Falls (9-5, 7-3) qualified for the state tournament last season out of the North Division.

Small schools

Pomeroy (19-4, 9-0) won the State 1B title last season out of the Southeast 1B league. All-league selections P/SS Hogan Heyvelt (sr.) and P/C Jace Gwinn (jr.) are back for the Pirates. … Colton (15-6, 6-3) qualified for state under veteran coach Pat Doumit and returns five starters, including all-league honoree P/INF Cameron Bean (sr.) and honorable mentions UTL Reece Chadwick (jr.) and P/INF Luke Vining (jr.). … In Northeast 1B, Almira/Coulee-Hartline (24-2) was second in state last season and had five all-league picks, including returning league MVP Dalton Kentner (jr.), along with Tim Hahn (sr.), Maguire Isaak (jr.), Hayden Loomis (jr.) and Chase Gerard (so.). … Odessa (14-7) also qualified for state and returns all-league SS/P Camden Weber (so.). … Cusick (10-6) was a game away from state last season and returns all of its starters for coach Randall Herzon’s second campaign, led by all-league picks C Colton Hansen (sr.) and P/SS Ethan Hardie (jr.), and honorable mentions CF Canon Keogh (sr.) and 1B/P Tanner Shanholtzer (sr.). Softballer 2B Rylee Brown opted to play baseball her senior season. … Northport (7-11) returns six starters and 10 lettermen for first-year coach Jerry Petersen, including OF/P Austin Case (sr.) and P/C Trenton Baribault (jr.). However, star Kade Middlesworth is expected to miss his senior season because of injury. The Mustangs will be strong on defense and have a solid batting order but might struggle on the mound with the loss of Middlesworth. … All-leaguers P Peter McAnerin (sr.) and OF/P Calvin Petrick (sr.) lead second-year coach Jeremy Link’s Selrirk squad. Link has six starters back. The Rangers are young with not a lot of depth, but should be strong on defense.

Idaho

Inland Empire 5A: Lake City (12-10, 6-6) boasts two Division I signees: returning first-team all-leaguer P/INF Kyle Manzardo and SS/P Kodie Kolden, both headed to Washington State. Third-year coach Paul Manzardo returns seven starters and nine lettermen for the season, including seniors UTL Zach Sensel and P Brandon Gay. The Timberwolves have experience with a strong defensive infield but might lack pitching depth. … Post Falls (13-12, 5-7) has five returning starters and eight returning lettermen, including 6-foot-7 P Jake Pfennigs, who has signed to play at Oregon State and could be a MLB draft pick this summer. Pfennigs was also named Idaho Gatorade basketball player of the year. All-leaguers C Nate Buer (sr.) and P Quin Bennett (sr.) are also back on 13-year coach Mick Zeller’s squad. … Coeur d’Alene (18-10, 6-6) made an impressive run through districts and ended up winning the 5A consolation game at state last season but lost five all-league players to graduation – all playing college ball. The lone returning all-leaguer for third-year coach Nick Mahan is OF/P Jayce Bailey (sr.), while junior INFs Quinton Bunch and Noah Mayfield will be key contributors. … Lewiston (19-8, 7-4) fell to CdA in the state consolation game but was devastated by graduation, losing eight starters and nine lettermen. Only one varsity player returns for third-year coach Davey Steele: senior OF Chris Powell. Senior 2B Ryder Shoults and P Kyle Van Boeyen (jr.) will be asked to step up.

Others: Sandpoint (9-9) returns five starters and 11 lettermen for second-year coach Chase Tigert, including league co-MVP senior 1B Trent Flint and P/UTL Preston Petitt, both of whom are signed to play in college, and SS Billy Brackett (jr.), the IEL 4A newcomer of the year last season. … Lakeland (13-10) graduated 11 players and has three returning lettermen for coach Jason Bradbury, including college-bound all-league senior pitchers Dylan Bradbury and Max Baker, and 1B Braden Gifford. … Moscow (5-10) will be led by seniors OF/P Peyton Broenneke, UTL/P Jack Dunn and UTL Brysen Gottschalk. … Bonners Ferry (20-4) was runner-up at state last season and returns six starters and eight lettermen with 10 seniors. Leading the way are four all-leaguers: seniors C/P Brady Bateman, P/SS Chris Sabin and P/1B Shayne Walker, and junior INF Seth Bateman. … Priest River (2-13) is rebuilding with a young squad with just two seniors, OF Arran Jeter and C Cameron Reeves. Coach Mark Schultz expects his young team to work hard and compete. … St. Maries (11-6) fell one game from state last season and features four returning starters, juniors Hayden Villa, Kaden Hammond and Derek Larson, along with sophomore Cade Truscott.