Inland Empire League Baseball Preview

In predicted order of finish:

Lewiston Bengals

1996 record: 17-11 overall, 9-4 IEL (first), 5th at state

Coach: Tom Grunenfelder, 4th year

Top returners: Ryan Heitmann, senior, right-handed pitcher/utility; Matt Squires, sr., left-handed pitcher/center field; Ryan Smith, sr., lhp/of; Jeff Wendt, junior, rhp; Levi Frary, sr., catcher; Sennet Pierce, jr., shortstop.

Newcomers: Aaron Morlock, sr., lhp; Ryan Thompson, sr., of; Jack Maruer, jr., 3b/of; Clay Stout, jr., 1b/of.

Coach’s comment: “I think our pitching is pretty good and our defense is pretty good. Offensively, we have the potential to be better than any team I’ve had. We don’t mind being the favorite. With the history of Lewiston baseball, it’s nothing new for teams to be after you.”

Outlook: Coming off a state championship the year before, Lewiston was picked to finish last in league in 1996. That’s all the motivation the Bengals needed as they captured the league title and knocked off Coeur d’Alene in the regional tournament. Lewiston won’t fool any teams this spring.

Coeur d’Alene Vikings

1996 record: 18-9, 10-6 (second)

Coach: Brian Holgate, 1st year

Top returners: Mark Scates, sr., rhp/of; Nick Rook, sr., ss/rhp; Ben Johnston, sr., 2b/rhp; Scott Ross, sr., c/3b/rhp; Joe Wagner, sr., 1b.

Newcomers: Casey Hoorelbeke, jr., 3b/rhp; Dan Cleave, sr., of; Bret Whiteman, jr., of.

Coach’s comment: “They definitely fell short of their goals last year. It’s our goal to get back to state after last year. But unless you win a state championship, every team falls short of its goal.”

Outlook: With two state berths available, Coeur d’Alene should be a serious contender for a trip to Boise. Scates is the lone proven pitcher back, but there’s promise in Rook, Ross and Hoorelbeke. CdA should continue its fine hitting ways of last season.

Lake City Timberwolves

1996 record: 5-16, 3-11 (fifth)

Coach: Cory Bridges, 3rd year

Top returners: Andy Potter, sr., rhp/1b; Scott Moglia, sr., 3b/rhp; Andy Hayes, sr., 2b; Rex Anderson, sr., of; Tyson Harlin, sr., rhp/of; Josh Merk, jr., c; Griffen Rod, jr., ss; Tim Moering, sr., c/rhp; Zac Doerzaph, sr., designated hitter.

Newcomers: Jeff Brennan, jr., rhp/of; Aaron Cohen, jr., lhp/1b.

Coach’s comment: “I think we can compete with Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene for a (state berth). We’re hitting the ball better than we ever have and, defensively, we’ve been fairly sharp for this early.”

Outlook: Much improved. Lake City has owned the cellar the past two years. But the Timberwolves should move into new digs this season. If pitching improves, they could challenge for an upperdivision finish.

Post Falls Trojans

1996 record: 11-10, 7-7 (third)

Coach: John Pettoello, 5th year

Top returners: Mike Heston, sr., inf/rhp; James Ownbey, inf/rhp; Pat Way, sr., 2b; Matt Curlee, sr., inf.

Newcomers: Rick Pettit, jr., lhp/inf; Ben Sharon, jr., rhp; Josh Mann, jr., c; Scott Chamberlain, jr., of; Nick Ursillo, jr., inf.

Coach’s comment: “Most of the kids are new to varsity. But we’ve got a couple of kids who can play. I think they’re willing to say we’ll lose a few early in the season, but we’ll be at our best at the end.”

Outlook: The biggest question mark is pitching. But with the transfer of Pettit from Priest River, the Trojans won’t be completely green on the mound. They will have to find ways to manufacture runs without proven power hitters. Perhaps by postseason, the Trojans can threaten.

Sandpoint Bulldogs

1996 record: 10-12, 5-6 (fourth)

Coach: Mike Givens, 1st year

Top returners: Jared Herrington, sr., ss; Alex Pearson, sr., ss/rhp; Shawn Warren, jr., cf/lhp; Dustin Reichart, jr., of/lhp; Marty Perron, sr., c/inf.

Newcomers: Jens Weiden, soph., lhp/1b; Ronnie Moore, sr., 3b/rhp

Coach’s comment: “We don’t have a lot of power, so we’ll need to execute the little things, play the short game well. They’ll fight and scratch.”

Outlook: The Bulldogs could surprise. The question mark is whether the pitching develops and the team jells under its first-year coach. One thing is for sure: The Bulldogs have plenty of athletes and could scare some teams late in the season.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH Nick Rook, senior, shortstop/righthanded pitcher, Coeur d’Alene Ryan Heitmann, senior, right-handed pitcher/utility, Lewiston Andy Potter, senior, right-handed pitcher/first baseman, Lake City Ryan Smith, senior, left-handed pitcher/outfielder, Lewiston Ben Johnston, senior, second baseman, Coeur d’Alene Matt Squires, senior, left-handed pitcher/outfielder, Lewiston Rick Pettit, junior, left-handed pitcher, Post Falls Jared Herrington, senior, shortstop, Sandpoint