Shadle Favored In Wide-Open Gsl Baseball Race
Gone from the Greater Spokane League baseball rosters this year are some of the big names from the past.
There will be no Ryne Sandbergs or Kevin Stockers. Heck, there may not even be a Matt Sachse or a Kevin Workman to watch when the GSL season starts today.
And partly because of that, most coaches seem to agree the league could be headed to one of its zaniest season-ending finishes.
Last year, before Mead won the league, the Panthers, Ferris, North Central and Gonzaga Prep waited until the last day of the season to find out who would be the champion.
Chances are good that could happen again.
“Right now, there isn’t a team, or a group of players, that has the ability to dominate the league, or any one game,” Ferris coach John Thacker said.
“Now that doesn’t mean someone or some team isn’t capable of doing that later on down the road. But in my opinion, the equal distribution of talent in the league might prevent that from happening.”
Mead coach Dave Vaughn agrees.
“Last year, I felt like the winner could lose four or five games - and that’s what happened. It could again. Someone may emerge that wins all the close games, but there’s no one that can’t be beat.”
On paper, anyway, the team to beat this season appears to be Shadle Park.
Highlanders coach Ron Brooks has seniors Chris Wilson (pitcher), Aaron Hancock (pitcher, third baseman), Joe Dunsmoor (catcher), North Central transfer Darrin Talotti (first base), Christiaan Ross (second base), Brett Corigliano (shortstop), Steve Schaber (right field), Rob DeBeaumont (pitcher, outfielder), Tim Amann (pitcher) and Bill Hulquist (outfielder).
“I’m having a lot of fun with these guys already,” Brooks said. “We have six threeyear lettermen, who are hard workers, dedicated to baseball, and just enjoy being around each other.”
While Brooks likes his team’s chances, he certainly echoes the sentiments of Thacker and Vaughn about the parity in the league.
“Every team is so well coached, and right now, we’re all going through the frustrations of the weather. It’s going to be a very interesting spring,” Brooks said.
At Mead, Vaughn has six players back - including the entire infield.
“We have new faces in the outfield, but they are very talented and quick. I think we will be pretty solid defensively and will hit the ball,” Vaughn said.
Shortstop Ray Hattenburg, Larry Carnahan at third base and D.J. Funk will provide solid leadership.
And, once again, talented graduates from last year’s undefeated junior varsity gives Vaughn many mouths to feed.
“The challenge will be to keep them happy because we have more than nine starters. The kids have high expectations, but it is not going to come easy,” he said.
At Ferris, Thacker will count on senior pitchers Jake Fancher, Adam Sahnow, Ryan McClenny and Joe Miller.
“My infield is back from last year, and they know the ropes. And that should help,” Thacker said.
Joe Baker, Shad Nichols, Justin McKitterick, Steve Riggs, Braidon Freeman and Bryan Cosby provide veteran leadership at Ferris.
In the opening-day highlight, Mead will entertain Ferris today at 3:30 p.m.
xxxx GSL Baseball ‘95 Defending league champion: Mead Panthers. District tournament champion: Ferris Saxons. Qualifiers to state playoffs: None. Region IV District playoff results: Kamiakin beat Mead 15-7; Kennewick beat Ferris 14-0. Predicted order of finish: Shadle Park, Mead, Ferris, Gonzaga Prep, University, Rogers, North Central, Central Valley, Lewis and Clark. Returning all-league players: First team - Scott Asan, University; Ray Hattenburg, Mead; Second team - Bob Strahl, Gonzaga Prep; Brett Corigliano, Shadle Park; Jeff Rinck, Mead.