GNL Preview Baseball

New-look lineups should make for a competitive year, although it’s hard to think the old guard won’t continue to lead the way. Pullman, with its infield virtually intact, and West Valley, beset by key injuries, play Saturday at WV, which will be a good early-season indicator.

Pitching

Five first- or second-team All-GNL hurlers graduated, which is a major reason coaches consider this year’s league so up in the air. … Cheney Blackhawk Rick Heuschkel was a first-team choice last year and WV’s Anthony Salazar was second team. … Colville’s Ben Pinkham also returns. … Teams that cobble together depth will be best served this year and that would be Pullman, with a host of hurlers, including familiar multisport names AJ Therrien and Jaime Fertakis.

Position players

The league is deeper afield. David Hauschild of WV was first-team All-GSL at second base. … Deer Park brings back pitcher-hitter Tanner Knutson. … Cheney returns first-team outfielder Drew Ableman, who drove in five runs last weekend against Deer Park. …Second-team choices were Pinkham at first base, Medical Lake’s Nick Pacheco at second, Clarkston’s Doug Adelsbach at third, Pullman’s Travis Cooper at shortstop and Cheney’s Zach Letsch in the outfield. … Among other returning players to watch are WV’s Mitch Peterson and Pullman’s Cody Weber.

Outlook

Pullman’s athleticism – several players were on state-qualifying football and basketball teams – and tradition has to be an advantage in this year of unknowns. But any team that heats up has a chance and the more doubleheader sweeps someone gets, such as WV’s over Riverside, is a bonus.