Eagles, Knights Among Likely Title Contenders

Frontier baseball

West Valley last year won the Frontier League baseball championship in something of a surprise.

The Eagles did so with a combination of experienced pitching and young athletes at most of the other positions.

Little separated the first- through fifth-place teams in a league where five losses in 15 games was good enough for the title.

So there’s no guarantee that West Valley, even with much of its lineup returned, is necessarily the team to beat when league play begins April 1.

West Valley, Cheney and even East Valley appear to be the teams likely to contend.

“Whoever wins the league will have to beat Cheney,” said Eagle coach Ray Riggin.

That’s not necessarily true. His Eagles lost four of five games to the Blackhawks last year yet were the season champs and a regional qualifier.

After losing their first six league games last year, the Knights won seven of their last nine, including a doubleheader sweep of Cheney, but barely missed the playoffs.

East Valley has a new coach, Kurt Krauth, who is optimistic.

“We have a real strong nucleus coming back,” he said. “That helps.”

There will be no fooling around when the two Valley schools begin league play against each other with a doubleheader at West Valley on April Fools’ Day.

West Valley

West Valley’s pitching must come through if the team is to repeat as champion.

Gone are the No. 1 and No. 2 hurlers, but Tyson Sohns won three games and is a year older and stronger.

“Pitching is more of a key this year,” said Riggin. “Tyson looks really good. We’re looking for a solid number two.”

It will come from juniors Riley Allen, Andy Imada or Joe Andrews.

Also graduated is the league’s leading hitter, so the returnees must take up the slack.

Riggin isn’t worried.

“We can hit the ball and really run,” he said. “If we pitch, we will win a lot of games.”

Senior Andy Waldron becomes the first-string Eagle catcher, likely backed by Ty Gregorak.

Juniors Justin Tichy and Andrews return at shortstop and second base, respectively.

“When all is said and done, they’ll play three years together,” said Riggin.

Sohns and Tim Eklund are at first base. Third is open, although the versatile Imada, sophomore backup shortstop Jeremy Isherwood or Jeremy McClintock present a likely choice.

Outfield, too, is unsettled, with Imada and Allen among the candidates, along with James Eklund, Kyle Closs, Matt Assing and Geoff Schneider.

“It’s another season, and the players have to prove themselves all over again,” Riggin said of the first Eagle title in more than a decade.

“The players know they can win and expect to win. They are a lot more confident.”

East Valley

The Knights’ late-season surge is one reason new coach Krauth is upbeat about this season.

EV tied for fourth in league but missed the playoffs by losing two of three games to Colville during the year.

“This team has finished strong the last couple of seasons but has started so slowly,” Krauth noted.

The standout basketball and baseball player at Mead would like to change that.

The Knights return what might be the league’s best outfield in centerfielder Keith Osso, leftfielder Cory Huston and rightfielder Kyle LeGrant.

When Steve Pipkin began to pitch regularly, he gave the Knights a lift, winning three games without a loss. A junior, he’ll be the ace of the staff, backed by senior Jason Halttunen and sophomore Brian LaMarche.

In the infield, Brock Rogers returns at first base and he can also catch. Rich Burland is at shortstop. Brothers Casey Stookey and Pat Stookey will be at third and second base, respectively. Junior Tom Fox is the new East Valley catcher.

The Knights are bolstered by transfer Joe Brevick, a pitcher-first baseman; senior infielders Joe Schindler and John Hildahl; and outfielder Seth Campbell.

“Our strengths are definitely our outfield and good solid pitching,” said Krauth. “We haven’t been hitting the ball, but that’s not a concern yet. It’s still early.”