Prospects Bright For Ev, Wv Baseball Both Teams Hoping To Continue Dominance Of Frontier League
Last year’s Frontier League baseball co-champions, East Valley and West Valley, will likely be contenders again.
But for reasons different from last season.
The Eagles, chasing a third-straight championship, will do so with veteran defense, speed and hitting instead of the pitching that was a strength last season.
“This year has been so much easier,” said Eagle coach Ray Riggin. “Our first practice started where we left off last season.”
The Knights, a prolific hitting team that was just a win away from state last year, will this season be more dependent on pitching.
“Pitching’s an equalizer so we always hope for the best,” said EV coach Kurt Krauth.
Riggin said the league will be a three-team affair, including state qualifier Cheney, based upon numbers of returnees and last season’s effort.
They’ll find out in a hurry. With the league expanded to seven teams, Frontier play begins next Tuesday.
Pipkin shoulders burden for Knights
With much of EV’s “murderer’s row” batting lineup gone because of graduation, the burden this year falls on senior pitcher Steve Pipkin.
Pipkin last year was a seven-game winner, including an opening round playoff victory over Cheney.
“We’re going to have to pitch Steve twice a week, although I don’t like that,” said Krauth.
Joining him on the mound is junior Brian Lamarche, a year older and more confident after quarterbacking the Knight football team.
They could also play first or third base.
Depth will come from Andy Reddinger, currently rehabilitating an injured knee, lefthander Paul McDavid and Gary Riese.
Tom Fox is back at catcher, junior Bill Tincup moves to left field and Pat Stookey is at second base.
New in center field is Kyle LeGrant. Jake Harper, Johnny Fisher and junior Jason Locklin are after the other outfield berth.
Aaron Tiffany inherits shortstop, juniors Joe Fergason and Vince Fasano are third-base candidates.
“Last year’s team was fun because they were fun kids,” said Krauth. “This group is fun to be around because it works harder. By the end of the year I think we’ll be a real force.”
Veterans are strength of Eagles
Seven returning varsity players are the strength of West Valley’s baseball team.
Three of them have been been in the starting lineup for the last two Eagle title wins.
Justin Tichy at shortstop, Joe Andrews at second and Riley Allen in center field all are third-year starters and all can run.
“They expect to succeed,” said Riggin, “and want to get to the next (regional tournament) level.”
Whether they do will depend upon the effectiveness of WV’s pitching.
“We’re going to be average on the hill,” Riggin conceded. “We’re going to have to score runs to win.”
That should happen considering the Eagles’ experience and the fact they hit well last year.
Andrews and Allen, along with catcher Andy Imada juniors Jason Phillipe and Jeremy Isherwood are the pitchers-by-committee.
Isherwood is the Eagle third baseman and, said Riggin, a prospect. Tim Eklund returns at first base, giving the Eagles possibly the best infield in league.
Other outfield spots will be manned by James Eklund, speedsters Eric Enger, a junior, or freshman Chris Hilsabeck.
Rounding out the varsity roster are catchers Jeremy Lukens, a senior, and Brian Lawler, a junior.
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