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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

GSL Preview Baseball

The Spokesman-Review

Pitching

“I believe this will be one of the strongest pitching years in recent memory,” said NC coach Scott Harmon. “Each school has at least one pitcher who can dominate a game.” Andrew Kittredge from Ferris (8-1, 80 strikeouts, 1.15 ERA) has signed with University of Washington and is being scouted by pro baseball. Rusty Shellhorn (5-2, 68, 2.23), and Trevor Shull, both CV, have signed with Washington State and Centenary, respectively. Tyler Olson, returned to U-Hi from a year in California, signed with Gonzaga, where Titans teammate Billy Moon and Rogers’ Jacob Partridge, both juniors, have committed. Mt. Spokane junior Nic Fowler (8-0, 1.12 ERA), is returning All-GSL.

Position players

The majority of last year’s statistical leaders return to dot this year’s rosters. Ferris first baseman-pitcher Beau Brett (a .433 hitter with league-high nine home runs, 38 runs batted in and seven doubles) is signed with USC and is on the professional draft radar. Mt. Spokane’s Jordon Poynor had the league’s best batting average (.548 in 31 at bats). The Titans have a wealth of production – fourth-year starter Danny Jordan and Moon, Jacob Olsufka and Brandon Shryock among them – in their lineup. Catcher Sean McNaghten is one of six Mead position players back. G-Prep catcher/pitcher Bryan Karwacki has returned. As a freshman, LC’s Sage Poland hit .481. He’s one of seven projected Tigers sophomore starters. NC infielder Evan Witt (.482 in 56 ABs, three 3Bs), will arrive late because of hockey commitments in Canada. Mt. Spokane shortstop Jarek Cunningham (.378, 18 runs, 32 RBIs, seven 2Bs, five HRs) has not yet been cleared following last fall’s knee injury. Coach Alex Schuerman is hoping for mid-April.

Outlook

U-Hi, which reached last year’s regional finals and had a big summer of American Legion, has three sound pitchers and returns the most depth. But few coaches are dismissing their own chances. Regional qualifier Ferris will be sound. Mead, while breaking in new pitchers, has six position starters returning. CV youth must blossom. Rogers coach Jim Wasem likes his lineup and defending league champion Mt. Spokane will contend, Schuerman said. “It should be a very tight race,” said Harmon. “The bottom team may actually be a very good team in any other year.”

Small schools

2A – Clarkston and Pullman reached state, with Clarkston making the round of eight after which its coach was terminated. West Valley will be favored, led by WSU signee and pro draft prospect Bryan Peterson.

1A – Lakeside finished fourth in state last year and brings back Kyle Stillar and Jake Graham.

2B – Republic lost in the second round to eventual champion La Salle. St. George’s, Lind-Ritzville and Liberty all lost in first round.

1B – Odessa and Northport finished third and fourth in state last year.