Lewis County Sports Baseball and Fastpitch Preview

2016 Baseball/Fastpitch Preview

CAN THEY DO IT AGAIN? Four teams, four titles.

What it takes to repeat — Page 4

2 • Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016

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4 • Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016

2016 Prep Baseball/Fastpitch Preview

Can They Do It Again?

One title’s tough enough. What do the odds look like for Lewis County’s four defending state champions to repeat?

By Aaron VanTuyl avantuyl@chronline.com

Just one team winning a state stickand-ball championship is typically a big deal.

But four? Four teams, all from Lewis County, all winning state titles on the same afternoon? That’s something that doesn’t happen every year.

Unless, of course, it happens again this year — although repeating as champions in any sport is a tricky business.

Morton-White Pass’ boys basketball team did it in 2014 and 2015, but the last local softball team to do it was Onalaska in 2005 and 2006 (though Toutle Lake won it all in 2013 and 2014, as well as 2005, 2006 and 2008).

As for baseball? Lewis County’s accounted for five state titles since 2000

— W.F. West in 2010 and 2013, one for Rochester in 2008, and Centralia and Adna’s titles last May. Repeats, then, are hard to come by.

A contending team needs an ace pitcher and reliable hitters; a championship team needs an ace pitcher with a solid rotation, as well as reliable hitters, timely hits and a defense that won’t leave its offense playing from behind.

And, of course, luck — which means a back-to-back champion needs all of those things and enough luck to do it twice.

Centralia Baseball Tiger coach Rex Ashmore was quick to stress the “luck” portion of the checklist. The Tigers were something of a surprise champion, going 6-3 to win the Ev-

2A/1A: County Stadium, Yakima 2B/1B: Wheeler Field, Centralia

State Softball: May 27-28 2A: Carlon Park, Selah 1A: Columbia Field, Richland 2B: Gateway Complex, Yakima

ergreen 2A Conference, finishing second to Tumwater in the District 4 tournament, and upsetting Archbishop Murphy in the regional playoffs.

“When we sat back and looked at the end of last year, we really realized how much luck is involved in winning one of those things,” Ashmore said. “That game against Archbishop Murphy in the first game of regionals — there was so much luck involved in the end of that game, just to win that one.”

Never mind the timely hitting factor; in the championship game against a then-25-1 Selah, Centralia got seven of its 10 hits and scored all eight of its runs

in the fifth inning of a title game that lasted nearly three hours.

Can they do it again?

The Tigers have the ace pitcher covered in senior Christian Peters, the top starter off of last year’s squad. A solid crop of seniors, however — big hitters Drew Fagerness, Jacob Monohon and Gavin Kerner, as well as reliable titlegame pitcher Jake Sutton, gritty second baseman Max Dulin and outfielder Mitch Halbleib — have all graduated.

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Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016 • 5

Repeat Continued from Page 4

amount of depth they did by the end of the last season.

“I think talent-wise, we have enough talent,” Ashmore said. “Now whether that talent steps up and does what they’re capable of doing … I don’t know if it is possible, but I think we’ve got the talent to at least make a run.”

W.F. West Softball Bearcat coach Mike Keen has never lacked for a sense of humor.

“I think it’s already a given we’re going to repeat as state champions,” he replied, when posed with the this ar- TITLE GAME RECAP ticle’s titular ques2015 2A Baseball tion.

Centralia 8, Selah 3 There were two holes in the 2015 2B Baseball lineup card for Adna 4, Colfax 2 the Bearcats after graduation in se2015 2A Softball nior pitcher-catch- W.F. West 3, White River 2 er duo Ali Graham and Caitlin Reyn2015 2B Softball olds. Graham was Adna 13, Napavine 3 a three-time Evergreen 2A Conference pitcher of the year, while Reynolds was a four-year starter behind the plate; Graham’s now playing at Oregon Tech, Reynolds at University of the Pacific.

Add in the fact that Jessica McKay — one of the best hitters at the 2A level and a Boise State University signee — is out for the year after blowing out her knee during basketball season, and the Bearcats are also working in a new shortstop.

“You just feel sorry for her. She brings

so much besides being an outstanding hitter,” Keen said of McKay. “She still comes to practices, she’s at the games, and it’s probably eating her up inside, but she’s a great teammate. And you feel like the fans got cheated — they’re going to miss out on her swing.”

So, in short, the Bearcats are a lightsout pitcher, an all-everything shortstop, a seasoned catcher and three potent bats away from being a championship-caliber team.

“All those positions are being filled, basically, with sophomores,” Keen said, “So we will see.”

One of those sophomores is Ashlee Vadala, a pitcher who, like Graham, also happens to swing a big bat. She set a team record with seven regular-season home runs last year, and swapped between first base and pitcher with Graham.

O.J. Dean, also a sophomore, moves to shortstop from second base, and Kyndra Haller, who started early last season, returns to the starting lineup at second.

Kindra Davis, who missed last season while recovering from knee surgery, is working into the lineup at catcher.

“We’re a little bit different team than we were last year,” Keen said.

The expectations, though, haven’t changed.

Adna Baseball The Pirates started their Central 2B League campaign off with a convincing sweep of rival Napavine, but they aren’t exactly resting on their laurels and polishing their championship rings — the first won by a Lewis County 2B baseball team since Morton in 1987.

Both coach Jon Rooklidge and ace pitcher Spencer Burdick were quick, afterwards, to point out the “needs improvement” areas of the team’s perfor-

year, but that’s certainly not to say they won’t be back in the final four when the dust settles, provided they’re comfortable playing with a target on their backs.

Adna Softball

THE CHRONICLE / File Photo

Adna players celebrate after beating Colfax in the State 2B championship game at Ed Wheeler Field last May.

mance; hitting was a big one, though Burdick was also critical of the team’s chatter and aggressiveness at the plate, along with his own lack of control — three walks in the game — from the mound.

Given a bit of context, however, it’s certainly not a stretch to think Adna can do it again, lack of any historical precedent notwithstanding. Burdick, for example, also struck out 12 and gave up two hits in the 10-0 win last Friday — against the only team to beat him last year.

Burdick and Wes Wilson — the winning hurler in last year’s championship game — are both juniors and form a solid 1-2 pitching punch. Starters Tyson Gray, Bryce McCloskey, Isaac Ingle and Conner Weed are all back, and center fielder/slugger David Young will rejoin the team shortly.

This year, however, Adna won’t be taking anyone by surprise. The Pirates went 3-2 in districts to slip into regionals; beat Napavine and La Conner in regionals, and upset perennial powerhouse DeSales in the state semifinals.

The Pirates won’t be a dark horse this

Can Adna win it again? Sure.

Will they? It’s tough to say. On any given year there’s three or four teams, at least, in the Central 2B League that could win the state championship. The C2BL’s won 13 of the last 14 titles, and Adna’s got three in the last seven years — with Toutle Lake and Pe Ell splitting the other four, and Napavine losing the last two title games.

Those are good odds for the C2BL. And the Pirates meet most of the championship criteria — a good pitching staff (Sam Rolfe and Jenikka Poppe for starters), a veteran defense (Shanay Dotson’s back at shortstop, Lili Glover at catcher) and a slew of hitters (most of the lineup).

Devanie Kleemeyer — an All-League honorable mention pick for Napavine last year — also joins the team.

As usual, the best competition the Pirates see this year will be during the regular season. Toutle Lake, Morton-White Pass, Pe Ell-Willapa Valley, Napavine and Onalaska could, theoretically, all make noise at the State 2B tournament, although there’s only four spots up for grabs out of District 4 this year. (District 4 sent five teams last year; all five were from the Central 2B League; four of them took home the tournament’s four trophies; the only non-trophying team, PWV, lost a 17-14 shootout with MWP in the consolation semifinals.)

Can the Pirates repeat? Sure. They’ve got just as good of a chance as the rest of the elite teams in the Central 2B League.

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6 • Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016

1A Fastpitch

Montesano Starting State Title Defense in Evergreen

By The Chronicle

Though defending State 1A champion Montesano enter the 2016 season as favorites to capture the Evergreen 2A/1A League title, the Bulldogs will face stiff competition from a familiar opponent.

Hoquiam and Montesano tied atop the final league standings, and Preseason Poll then met in the 1. Montesano state champion 2. Rochester ship game, with 3. Hoquiam Monte winning 4. Tenino 7-1. The Bull 5. Aberdeen dogs may have 6. Elma a difficult time repeating after 7. Forks losing a host of 8. Eatonville seniors from that championship squad, including former league offensive MVP Megan Choate.

Montesano does return Makenzi Howard, another first-team all-leaguer from 2015, and Samantha Stanfield, who

is expected to be the Bulldogs’ new ace pitcher following the loss of Madison Didion.

Both the Bulldogs and Grizzlies will be challenged by Rochester, which was third in the league in 2015 with an 11-3 record.

The Warriors, the only other team in the league with a winning record, return six starters from last year’s squad that lost in the district four consolation semifinal. At pitcher, Rochester will look to the duo of senior Jaelin Lancaster and sophomore Hunter Hahn to help them lock up their first state tournament berth since 2000. Shortstop Joni Lancaster, a first-team All-League selection last season, will be a leader for the Warriors on offense.

Other returning starters for Rochester are catcher/third baseman Bella Phelps, infielder Jessica Girardin and pitcher/outfielder Skylar Olson.

Tenino is expected to improve on its 8-13 record from last year after return-

Rochester Warriors

Coach: Jared Lancaster 2015: 16-3-1; lost in district consolation semifinal Returning Starters: P/1B Jaelin Lancaster, SS/C Joni Lancaster, C/3B Bella Phelps, P/2B Hunter Hahn, INF Jessica Girardin, P/OF Skylar Olson

Tenino Beavers

Coach: KaTrina Haupert 2015: 8-13; missed playoffs Returning Starters: 1B Audrey Fant, 2B Jessica Edwards, SS/C Marissa Richardson, 3B Molly Eckardt, P/SS Morgan Masters, P/C Felicia Gubbe, OF Jessica Schneider, OF Dana McCaslin

ing eight of its nine starters. The Beavers are led by ace pitcher Morgan Masters, a Pacific University signee who was a firstteam All-League selection last year.

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Rochester’s Joni Lancaster hit .530 and commited just one error at second base last season.

Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016 • 7

1A Baseball

State Champ Hoquiam the Team to Beat

By The Chronicle

With eight of this year’s nine starters returning from 2015’s 1A state championship squad, Hoquiam is everyone’s favorite to capture the 1A/2A Evergreen league title in 2016.

The Grizzlies, who finished the 2015 regular season with a 19-5 overPreseason Poll all record and 1. Hoquiam a 7-3 league re 2. Montesano cord (good for 3. Aberdeen third), are led 4. Eatonville by a pitching 5. Rochester contingent that 6. Tenino includes juniors Skyler Jump, 7. Elma who pitched in 8. Forks last season’s 6-4 win over South Whidbey at the state championship, and Jerod Steen, Hoquiam’s starting shortstop in the 2015 title game.

Montesano, last year’s league champ with a 13-1 record (and 22-3 overall), will look to challenge Hoquiam during the

regular season and beyond. The Bulldogs fell to Hoquiam in the quarterfinals of last year’s state tournament, 7-8, and will look to rebound with a young squad with just two seniors. One of those seniors, Maguire Cavanaugh, along with sophomore Nate Kloempken, should be a force on the mound for Montesano.

Tenino returns its top battery of senior pitcher Kaleb Strawn and junior catcher Spencer Brewer. Joining Brewer and left-hander Strawn as returning starters are infielders Calvin Guzman and Robbie Wall. Strawn and Wall were both named to the second-team allleague team a year ago.

The Beavers were second in the 1A/2A Evergreen league last year with an 11-3 record, were ousted from the playoffs in the third round of districts following losses to King’s Way Christian and Castle Rock.

A youthful Rochester squad will look to make the playoffs after a season in which the Warriors finished 10-8 and failed to qualify for the playoffs. First-year

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Coach: Conner Hogue 2015: 12-9; lost in third round of districts Returning Starters: OF/P Kaleb Strawn, 3B/P Calvin Guzman, C Spencer Brewer, IF Robbie Wall

head coach Brad Quarnstrom hopes that the play of pitchers Brandon Rogers and Brock Hawes can make up for the loss of eight seniors from last season’s roster, including first-team all-league selections Wyatt Singer and Andy Sommer.

Rochester infielder Tyler Barnes and first baseman Bradden Schneider will also return from the 2015 team that finished with a 7-7 record in Evergreen play.

Aberdeen finished 10-9 in 2015,

THE CHRONICLE / F ile Photo

Tenino’s Kaleb Strawn went 4-2 with a 4.83 ERA and 43 strikeouts last season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hitters Jerod Steen, Hoquiam Chase Edminster, Rochester Tristan Robinette, Elma Pitchers: Skyler Jump, Hoquiam Kaleb Strawn, Tenino (above) Maguire Cavanaugh, Montesano

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8 • Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016

2B Baseball

State Champ Adna Front and Center in C2BL Outlook

By The Chronicle

All eyes will be on Adna as they begin their quest to defend the 2015 State 2B baseball title, competing against a tough Central 2B League this season.

Adna was 21-7 last season, finishing fourth in the regular season standings.

The Pirates lost to Napavine in the district semifinals, but Preseason Poll were able to earn fourth 1. Adna at districts, 2. Toledo losing to 3. Pe Ell-WV Toledo 4. Napavine 4-3 in the third-place 5. Toutle Lake game. But 6. Wahkiakum Adna got 7. Mossyrock it’s revenge 8. Onalaska against Napavine 9. Morton-WP in the state 10. Winlock tournament, defeating the Tigers 6-1 in the quarterfinals. Adna pummelled DeSales 10-1 in the semifinals and took down Colfax 4-2 in the title game to earn its first baseball state title in school history. Adna returns eight starters from last season’s championship team, including All-League first team player Spencer Burdick and All-League second team player Bryce McCloskey.

The Pirates also added Winlock transfer Derek Chilcoate, who started the season batting leadoff in Adna.

But a league that qualified five teams for the state playoffs will be trying to

THE CHRONICLE / F ile Photo

Kaelin Jurek (right) returns at catcher for Pe EllWillapa Valley.

knock off the Pirates this season. Toledo finished fourth at the state tournament last season after taking second in the C2BL standings and third at districts.

The Indians lost 4-2 to Colfax in the state semifinals, followed by a 4-0 loss to DeSales in the third place game. After a 20-8 record in 2015 the Indians return all but three starters, including All-Area pitcher and All-League first-teamer Wes Kuzminsky, who leads a solid, veteran rotation that also includes Dalton Yoder and Conner Vermilyea.

Napavine won the regular season title with a 16-2 record, though a handful of injuries hampered the Tigers in the post-

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season. Napavine returns junior twins Sam and Mac Fagerness — Sam now at catcher, and Mac still at shortstop — and infielder Nate Rodriguez, but won’t have the services of star pitcher/slugger Wyatt Stanley until the playoffs.

Pe Ell-Willapa Valley will also be in the discussion for a league title and state playoff berth. PWV finished third in the regular season league standings, and followed that up by earning the district title en route to the state tournament. PWV fell to Toledo in the state quarterfinals to end the 2015 season. The Titans return

eight starters from last seasons team, including All-League first team Red Arrington, slugging catcher Kaelin Jurek, and All-League second teamer Jason Fluke.

The Mossyrock Vikings will look to be a much-improved team from last season. After a 5-14 season and a 4-3 loss to Adna to qualify for the district tournament, the team has higher aspirations this season. The team returns ace pitcher and All-League second team Timmy Allen and honorable mention Danny Nelson.

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THE CHRONICLE / File Photo

Sam Fagerness, an All-League first team pick at second base last season for Napavine, moves behind the plate this season.

Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016 • 9

2B Baseball

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Pitchers (That Hit) Red Arrington, Sr., PWV (left) — 3-2 record, 2.30 ERA; .535 average, 3 home runs Spencer Burdick, Jr., Adna (center) — 10-1 record, 1.30 ERA, 116 Ks; .500 average, 37 RBIs Wes Kuzminsky, Sr., Toledo (right) — 11-4 record, 1.13 ERA, 78 Ks; .398 average, 26 RBIs Adna Pirates

Coach: Jon Rooklidge 2015: 21-7; State 2B champions Returning Starters: C Bryce McCloskey, 1B Spencer Burdick, INF Connor Weed, INF Blaine Latimer, OF Tyson Gray, OF David Young, OF Isaac Ingle, P Wes Wilson

Mossyrock Vikings

Coach: Darin Bullock 2015: 5-14; lost in districts Returning Starters: P Timmy Allen, P Aaron Jennings, C Kyle Palmer, IF Danny Nelson,OF Kord Senter

Onalaska Loggers

Coach: Rocky Stanley 2015: 2-17 Morton-WP T-Wolves Returning Starters: P Cody Coach: Jeff Rashoff Hamrick, P Trace Lawrence, C 2015: 3-16 Returning Starters: P/C Braid- Jack Beck, OF Roberto Patraca en Elledge, P/IF Quinton Berkompas, P/C Kaleb Rashoff, P/IF Kade Pe Ell-WV Titans Gillispie, OF Josh Morris, IF Gavin Coach: Hal Arrington Higdon, OF Braden Webb 2015: 20-6; lost in regionals

Returning Starters: P/SS Red Arrington, P/3B Dustin Lusk, OF Jason Fluke, 2B Dalton Toepelt, OF Johnny Woods, IF Tyler Shepherd, OF Trevor Cook, C Kaelin Jurek

Napavine Tigers

Toledo Indians

Winlock Cardinals

Coach: Jeff Davis 2015: 20-8; fourth at state Returning Starters: P/SS Wes Kuzminsky, 2B Kolt Korpi, P/IF Conner Vermilyea, 3B Dakota Robins, P/C Jackson Kuzminsky, OF Alex Bacon, OF Dylan Hoiseck, OF Gage Madill, P/IF Dalton Yoder

Coach: Brian Demarest 2015: 20-5, lost in regionals Returning Starters: C Sam Fagerness, SS Mac Fagerness, P/ IF Wyatt Stanley Coach: Scott Weinert 2015: 4-16 Returning Starters: P/C Jake Anderson, P/2B Wyatt Dean, OF Giovanny Dominguez, OF Jose Keim, P/1B Justin Lewis, OF Chase Miller, P/SS Brady Steveson, P/SS Zach Weinert, OF Farley Youckton

10 • Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016

2B Fastpitch

Adna Trying to Repeat as State 2B Champions

By The Chronicle

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hitters Dakota Brooks, PWV Kylie Allen, MWP (above) Shanay Dotson, Adna Sam Woodley, Toutle Lake Erika Potter, Napavine (below)

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The Adna Lady Pirates are trying to repeat as state 2B softball champions this season.

It won’t be an easy task playing in the toughest league in the state.

Last season, District 4 sent five teams to the state Preseason Poll softball 1. Adna tournament, and 2. Toutle Lake four of the 3. Pe Ell-WV five teams 4. Napavine took home 5. Onalaska trophies, with Adna 6. Morton-WP winning 7. Toledo the title, 8t. Winlock Napavine 8t. Mossyrock finishing in second, Toutle Lake ending up third and MortonWhite Pass earning fourth.

Adna will be the team to beat again this season, returning 11 players from the state championship team. The Lady Pirates return all-league senior Shanay Dotson and pitchers Samantha Rolfe and Jenikka Poppe. Other returners include Lili Glover, Darian Humphrey and Katelyn Pine. Adna will get a boost with Napavine transfer Devanie Kleemeyer joining the lineup. Adna was 24-3 last season, losing only to Toutle Lake twice and 1A Montesano. In districts and state, Adna outscored its op-

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state. After losing in the second round of state to Napavine, MWP won three games to make it to the third place game, eventually falling to Toutle Lake.

The only team from district 4 that didn’t place at state was Pe Ell/Willapa Valley. After finishing the season with a 17-15 record, PWV finished fourth at districts to get into the state tournament. PWV won its first two games at state, but lost to Adna in the semifinals, followed by a loss to MWP to come up just shy of earning a trophy. With seven returning starters and ace pitchers Dakota Brooks and freshman Camryn Adkins, PWV will look to earn a trophy at this year’s state tournament.

A team that might surprise the league is the Onalaska Loggers. The Loggers finished 15-10 last season and fourth in the league. After earning wins in the first two games of districts, Onalaska lost to Adna in the district semifinals, and lost a loser-out contest to MWP 8-6 to fall just short of qualifying for the state tournament. The Loggers return pitcher Gabby Wright, who has already thrown a perfect game in the first game of the season against Toledo.

With all the returning talent and hardware the league brought home last season, there’s no reason to think the toughest league in the state from last season won’t be the toughest league again this season.

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ponents 100-12, and only allowed eight runs in the state tournament. Adna will try to be as dominant as last season on its way to a second straight state title.

But the Lady Pirates will have plenty of competition in the Central 2B League. Last year’s state runner-up Napavine returns five starters from last season, including ace pitcher Abbi Music and shortstop Erika Potter. The Lady Tigers were 22-5 last season, with the team’s only losses throughout the regular and postseason coming against Adna or Toutle Lake, including a 13-3 loss to Adna in the state championship game.

Toutle Lake finished third at state last season. Toutle Lake was 24-4 last season, including a 17-1 league record to earn the regular season league title, with the lone league loss coming against Napavine. The Lady Ducks finished second at districts, falling in the title game to Adna, and the only loss in the state tournament came against Napavine. With returning all-league player Sam Woodley, the Lady Ducks will try to get to the state title game this season.

The rest of the league boasts talent that will try to compete for a league title. Morton-White Pass finished fourth at state and returns ace pitchers Christine Robbins and Zoe McCoy along with sluggers Kylie Allen and Sharon Hazen. The Timberwolves finished 1715 last season, and had a strong showing in the district playoffs to qualify for

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Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016 • 11

2B Fastpitch

PLAYERS TO WATCH

1

3

2

Adna Pirates

Coach: Mike Raschke 2015: 24-3; State 2B champions Returning Starters: SS Shanay Dotson, C Lili Glover, IF Darian Humphrey, OF Katelyn Pine, P/IF Sam Rolfe, IF Josey Sandrini, OF Riley Wellander, OF Daisy Bower, P/IF Tabatha Dowell, IF Kelsey Latimer, OF Kendra Stajduhar

Morton-WP T-Wolves

Coach: Darin Allen 2015: 17-15; fourth in state Returning Starters: P/IF Christine Robbins, IF Kylie

4

Allen, IF Sharon Hazen, P Zoe McCoy, OF Tatym Smathers Coach: Mike Carlson 2015: 2-16 Returning Starters: Jamie Carlson, Abagail Bogar, Ava Nelson, Savannah Lininger, Katlyn Dunlap, Emma Martin, Jordyn Myers Coach: Chad Williams Record: 22-5; second at state Returning Starters: IF Erika Potter, IF Maddie Cooley, OF Hailey Dickinson, P Abbi Music, IF Maddie Thompson

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12 • Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016

2A Fastpitch

Bearcats the Team to Beat in Evergreen 2A Conference

By The Chronicle

Centralia Tigers

Coach: Mike McDonald 2015: 4-16 (missed playoffs) Returning Starters: IF Payton Pocklington, OF Madi Crews, OF Megan Shelley, IF Leti Ramirez, C Mel Zion, OF Bryse Gilmore, P Tayler Bailey, IF McKenna Smith, IF/OF Taylor Powell

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Coach: Mike Keen 2015: 25-2; State 2A champions Returning Starters: IF Kyndra Haller; OF Jordan Crawford; OF Tessa Wollan; P/IF Ashlee Vadala; P Kim Frazier; IF Kassidy Grandorff; OF Roni Braun; IF Olivia Dean; P/IF Lexie Strasser

Two key senior starters graduated and the team’s best hitter is out for the season.

No one in Chehalis, however, seems to be panicking.

W.F. Preseason Poll West 1. W.F. West brings back six start 2. Tumwater ers and a 3. Centralia handful of 4. Black Hills pitchers to defend its 2015 State THE CHRONICLE / File Photo 2A championship, and is easily the team to beat in the Evergreen 2A Conference. Roni Braun is just one of three returning starters in the outfield for defending state champion W.F. With the loss of All-League short- West. stop — and Boise State University signee — Jessica McKay to a blown-out knee Kyndra Haller — a starter early last sea- Ashlee Vadala at first base, and the insuffered during basketball season, the son — in at second. Throw in veteran field looks solid.

Bearcats will move sophomore O.J. Dean third-baseman Kassidy Grandorff and from second base to shortstop, and bring either Lexie Strasser, Kim Frazier or please see 2AFASTPITCH, page 13

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Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016 • 13

2A Fastpitch

2A Fastpitch

Continued from Page 12

The entire outfield — Jordan Crawford, Tessa Wollan and Roni Braun — is back from last year’s team, as well.

Vadala, a right-handed sophomore, heads up the pitching staff, taking the go-to role vacated by Ali Graham, a three-time EvCo Pitching MVP. “She’s basically going to take over Ali’s role from last year,” Bearcat coach Mike Keen said. “Last year Ashlee played first base when Ali threw, and now she’ll throw and we’ll probably put Kim Frazier or Lexie Strasser in at first.”

Vadala can hit, too; she set a team record with seven regular-season home runs last year, providing pop in a lineup that’s had plenty of it the past few years.

Tumwater is expected to provide the biggest threat to the Bearcats. The Thunderbirds bring back All-League pitcher THE CHRONICLE / File Photo Jocelyn Glasgo, along with All-League Payton Pocklington and her potent bat return at outfielders Olivia Owen and Madison shortstop for Centralia.

Pleasant, All-League catcher Kelsey Killough and All-League infielder Kaylee Clark Tumwater will be looking to return to the State 2A tournament, after missing out on the fun last season.

Centralia, loaded with veterans and under the guidance of longtime assistant and first-time head coach Mike McDonald, could be an EvCo dark horse. Senior shortstop and Eastern Oregon University signee Payton Pocklington leads the Tigers, who bring back pitcher Tayler Bailey — who started last year as a freshman — and all but one starter off of last year’s 4-16 team.

THE CHRONICLE / File Photo All-League outfielders Madi Crews Sophomore Tayler Bailey heads up the Tigers’ and Megan Shelley are both back, as pitching staff. is senior second baseman/pitcher Leti

PLAYERS TO WATCH

THE CHRONICLE / File Photo

Pitchers Jocelyn Glasgo, Tumwater (Sr.) Ashlee Vadala, W.F. West (So.) Hitters Payton Pocklington, Centralia (Sr.) Roni Braun, W.F. West (Sr.) Ashlee Vadala, W.F. West (So.) Ramirez.

Jasmine Reyna will also pitch for the Tigers, who graduated just one senior from last year’s team.

Black Hills could be in a rebuilding

Tumwater’s Jocelyn Glasgo (above) was an All-League first-team pitcher last season and returns to the circle for the Thunderbirds, who finished second in last year’s EvCo standings.

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14 • Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016

2A Baseball

Defending State Champion Tigers the EvCo Favorite

By The Chronicle

There might not be many teams in the Evergreen 2A Conference, but there’s plenty of parity.

The favorite among that quartet, however, has to be the team with the gaudy rings on its collective finger.

Centralia enters the 2016 EvCo season with a retooled roster and a target on its back.

“I think we’ve got the talent to at least make a run,” Centralia coach Rex Ashmore said. “But we’re not as deep as we were last year. The pitching’s not as deep, and we’re battling some early injuries.”

Christian Peters, signed to pitch for

Players to Watch

the University of Preseason Poll Portland 1. Centralia next year, 2. Tumwater returns to 3. W.F. West lead the 4. Black Hills Tiger pitching staff.

Senior righthanders Nolan Wasson and Riley Christensen will also spend time on the mound when they’re not at shortstop and in the outfield, respectively. please see 2ABASEBALL, page 15

THE CHRONICLE / File Photo

Pitchers Christian Peters, Centralia (Sr.) Dakota Hawkins, W.F. West (So.) Elijah Johnson, W.F. West (Sr.) Hitters Nolan Wasson, Centralia (Sr.) Keenan Milligan, Tumwater (Sr.) Hayden Dobyns, W.F. West (Sr.)

Centralia’s Christian Peters (above) has signed with the University of Portland and went 6-2 with a 3.55 ERA to lead the Tigers’ pitching staff last season.

THE CHRONICLE / File Photo

W.F. West’s Hayden Dobyns was an All-League first team pick at designated hitter last season.

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Prep Baseball / Fastpitch • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, March 26, 2016 • 15

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team, but they have so many kids out, the 2015 EvCo standings, brings back every year,” Ashmore said. “Just because All-League infielder Nate Hutson and of the nature of their football team, they standouts Tate Determan and Cole Lesonly know one thing, and that’s how to ter, but will have a tough road to the top win. They don’t settle for anything else.” in a power-packed league.

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after showing promise last year and with a standout season of summer baseball under their belts.

Continued from Page 14 Hawkins and Johnson, who didn’t pitch last year after a shoulder injury, That trio, along with junior outfielder will anchor the staff, while 6-foot-6 Hodges Bailey — currently out with the Brandon White, Dillon Smith, Jacob same foot injury that sidelined him for Cleary and Blake Wichert will all see most of the basketball season — make time on the mound. up the list of returning starters from the “They’ve got a ton of younger kids, Tigers’ title run. and Elijah coming back and more than Beyond that, the Tigers are plugging likely throwing,” Ashmore said. “They’re in a few players that saw time last season going to be tough to beat.” and a handful of season JV players. SeTumwater graduated the bulk of its nior Cody Parker takes over at second stars from last season’s District 4 chambase, big Kieran Bredeson heads back pionship squad, but brings back Allto first base, and senior Chase Evinger League first-team outfielders Keenan moves behind the plate, where he saw Milligan and Noah Sirkel, along with time last season. standouts Jackson Davis and Sam Jones.

Senior Sak Alexander and junior “They lost some quality kids off of that Conner Spencer will fill in the bullpen and likely get a chance to start, and Joey W.F. West Bearcats Aliff, Raul Lopez and Isaiah Trevino saw plenty of action during summer ball Coach: Bryan Bullock and should contribute. Garrett Hicks, 2015: 12-12; lost in regionals injured all of last season, and Fletcher Brown, who played some varsity ball last Returning Starters: P/SS Elijah year, are also expected to get time.

Johnson; DH Hayden Dobyns; P JaTumwater and W.F. West, however, should be right in the hunt. The cob Cleary; P/IF Dakota Hawkins; Bearcats trot out a nice mix of youth and OF Brody Holcomb experience, led by senior shortstop and All-League first-teamer Elijah Johnson.

Brody Holcomb brings an All-League Centralia Tigers bat and glove back to the outfield, while Coach: Rex Ashmore All-League designated hitter Hayden Dobyns’ bat will be a key component in 2015: 19-7; State 2A champions the middle of the order.

Returning Starters: P/3B ChrisA crew of juniors and sophomores — tian Peters; P/OF Riley Christensen; highlighted by catcher Kolby Steen, infielders Drew Forgione and Nole Wollan, SS Nolan Wasson; OF Hodges Baioutfielder Austin Emery, pitcher/infieldley er Dakota Hawkins and pitcher Tyson Guerrero — will all be big contributors

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