Lakeside Baseball Team Strong; Deer Park Facing Inexperience
A year ago, the Northeast A League baseball race was between Colfax and Lakeside.
Then the Eagles were upset by Medical Lake in a playoff game that qualified teams to regionals.
“We should have been to state,” said Lakeside coach Matt Sullivan. “But actually it was a rebuilding year. After how we got thumped in preseason, I would have been happy to be 7-7.”
The veteran Bulldogs and Eagles should again be in the hunt for a title in what coaches say is a balanced league.
“We should be pretty strong, no doubt about it,” said Sullivan.
By contrast, Deer Park is starting over.
“We graduated everybody except our freshman shortstop and catcher,” said coach Glen Poland.
Pitching strong for Lakeside
Senior George Petticrew, with a two-year record of 11-2, has plenty of pitching help.
Left hander Kris Granlund is coming off a strong summer. Two-time All-NEA shortstop Bill Bender gives Lakeside a solid number three.
Junior Iaian Ashley will be the team’s closer in relief. Senior lefthander Ryan Day, a .364-hitting first baseman, can pitch; senior transfer James Wilson, a shortstop, is also a mound possibility.
Back from last year are heavy-hitting catcher Brian Coe and outfielder Caleb Mortlock, both seniors who received all-league consideration, and junior third baseman Jason Christen.
Rounding out the team are sophomore catcher J.P. Rothstein, junior infielder Jim Spiger and outfielders Tim Moore, a senior, and Tim Weisser, a junior.
Deer Park team inexperienced
Contrasting Lakeside’s experience, Deer Park has had very little varsity playing time.
“Most of the team have played together two years at the junior varsity level and seem to work together,” said Poland.
Another problem the coach has faced is 14 inches of snow on the field as of last week. Outside practices have been non-existent.
Sophomore Brad Martin returns to shortstop and junior Andrew Helm is behind the plate.
Key to the team is junior pitcher Josh Mitchell.
“If he can make the jump successfully, we’ll be in decent shape,” said Poland.
Los Angeles Dodger namesake Willie Davis is the team centerfielder and backup pitcher. Junior Mikeal Balfour, in only his third year of baseball, will be at second base.
Infielders are first baseman Greg McCullough, senior Sean Stevens and junior Nolan Jones at third. And Adam Stevens will play at short and second.
Outfielders are juniors Jarred Berger, Allen Schermerhorn, Luke Reiter and Jared Russell.
“We’re young and inexperienced, but I’m very optimistic about the future,” said Poland.
Riverside tackles tough Frontier
Riverside’s two-year experiment with the Frontier League will end with this spring.
Then it will be back to the newly named AA Great Northern League along with Lakeside and Deer Park.
“It was a real struggle, obviously, last year,” Dennis Schweitzer said of his team’s winless league season.
Four seniors remain on the team. Joe Beckham is the left-handed pitching ace who plays first base and outfield when not on the mound. Tim Loosier will back him. Sean DeLeo is a possibility, as is senior infielder John Morrow.
Back from last year is junior middle infielder Jesse Lee. Catching is sophomore Nick Vanatter.
Juniors are B.J. Summers, who plays first or third base, Aaron Van Grimbergen, who plays anywhere in the infield, and Luke Lyons, who at pitcher and catcher is another utility player. Jason Pangel is in the outfield.
Sophomores are outfielder Seth Schurtz and infielder-pitcher Jay Patton.
League began in Clarkston on Tuesday.
“I think we’ll be more competitive,” said Schwetzer. “Hopefully we’ll surprise a few people.”
, DataTimes