Nea Squads Fielding Dreams Of Improved Play

It’s unanimous: Mother Nature hasn’t been too kind to area Northeast A League baseball squads.

With just a few dry practice days logged, coaches are treasuring every minute their teams get to hold bats - instead of umbrellas - at home plate.

But, ready or not, season openers are planned for this weekend.

Here’s how the North Side teams look this year:

Lakeside

Wet or not, Lakeside High School coach Matt Sullivan is just thankful he has a field.

His team formerly practiced at the Spokane Youth Sports complex. This year, his players have a new home diamond all their own.

“It’s real exciting for us,” Sullivan said. “It drains real well, and we’ll play when no one else will.”

Sullivan hopes any extra play his team sees will advance their NEA standing from last year’s fourth place. What could help far more than the diamond, though, is the presence of a strong senior class.

“We’re pretty senior dominated,” he said. “A lot of our guys are fouryear letterman.

“We lost three kids last year, but I think our defense should be incredible.”

Returning seniors include outfielders Sam Tenny, Jeremy Gilrein and Brian Cravens, and infielders Tim Foster, Jeff Gauthier and Tim Klein. Catchers David Jennings and Patrick McElroi are both seniors.

Sharing mound time will be pitchers Chevy Matthews and Rick Walker, both seniors.

Lakeside opens its season at Newport on Saturday. Game time is 11 a.m.

Riverside

Riverside High School’s team finished with a 7-13 record last year. But this time around the Rams should get a much-needed boost from a mix of old and new.

The old is five valuable returning players; the new is three transfers.

“This team is defensively stronger than last year,” said Coach Mark Vannater. “We need to work on pitching, though. We don’t have a lot of varsity experience there.”

Returning seniors are thirdbaseman Casey Thomas and pitcher Morgan Andrews. Juniors are Josh Earle, who plays second base and pitches, and Erin Johnson at first base.

“They both have started since they were frosh,” Vannater said.

Rounding out the returnees is sophomore Joe Veckham, who pitches and plays center field.

Promising newcomers include transfers Joey Faris, a junior shortstop and second baseman; Josh Brown, a sophomore shortstop and third baseman; and Zac Nelson, a senior first baseman.

Also returning to the team after a two-year absence is senior Travis Hanson at third base.

Riverside opens the season Saturday at Chewelah. Game time is 11 a.m.

Deer Park

Most of the time, depth is good.

For Glenn Poland, Deer Park High School’s coach, depth is good only if it’s found on the infield.

“Our entire infield is returning, so that will help,” said Poland, lamenting last year’s 4-12 league record. “We were close to last last year … but our entire outfield is new, which can only help.”

Returning seniors are Mark Miller, an all-league third baseman; Travis Good, catcher; and Curran Bearslee, a shortstop. Juniors returning are Trevor Baker, first base; Todd Weger, second base; Tom Barcley in center field and Bob Krous, who plays third base and shortstop and also pitches.

“He’s anything and everywhere,” Poland said.

Poland thinks his outfield purge combined with a more experienced infield this year will have real results.

“I’m definitely anticipating that,” he said.

He hopes the weather will cooperate.

“We did get some practice days outside,” Poland said. “Three days without rain, and about eight with.”