Inland Empire League Baseball

In predicted order of finish: 1. COEUR D’ALENE VIKINGS

1995 record: 16-12 overall, 7-9 in IEL (tied for second), runner-up at state

Coach: Paul Mather, 2nd year

Top returners: Mark Scates, sr., rhp-outfield; Todd Hughes, sr., cf; Travis Lovejoy, sr., lf; Jesse Hoorelbeke, sr., rhp-3b; Nick Rook, jr., ss-rhp; Ben Ziegler, jr., of-rhp.

Top newcomers: Ben Johnston, jr., 2b; Joe Wagner, jr., 1b; Scott Ross, jr., catcher.

Coach’s comment: “They know they can win. It’s just a matter of getting it done. We know teams will be looking at us and that’s fine. But I don’t think we’d be considered heavy favorites.”

Outlook: As much as Mather would like to downplay the role of favorite, he can’t. The Viks finished runner-up at state last year and several key players return. A return trip to state and similar finish is in the forecast.

2. SANDPOINT BULLDOGS

1995 record: 12-14, 6-10 (fourth)

Coach: Dave Martinez, 2nd year

Top returners: Mike Lindgren, sr., rhp-3b; Geordie Osborn, sr., c-rhp; Jared Herrington, jr., rhp-ss; Kenny Fankell, sr., cf; Jeremy Thielbahr, jr., lf; Ryan Knowles, jr., 3b.

Top newcomers: Casey Banks, sr., lhp-1b; Alex Pearson, jr., 2b-ss; Dustin Riechart, sophomore, lhp-rf; Shawn Warren, soph., lhp-rf.

Coach’s comment: “We will have success if the younger guys can fill some holes. We’ve got some leadership from our seniors. They’re committed.”

Outlook: If the young Bulldogs fill those holes, Sandpoint could challenge for the league championship. Lindgren is respected by the league’s coaches as the top returning pitcher. Sandpoint must find two or three other pitchers to support Lindgren.

3. POST FALLS TROJANS

1995 record: 8-15, 7-9 (tied for second)

Coach: John Pettoello, 4th year

Top returners: Brad Medlock, sr., rhp-ss; Brett Hollenbeck, sr., cf; Jake Medlock, sr., rhp-inf; James Ownbey, jr., rhp-3b; Ryan Ries, sr., c; Kurt Selberg, sr., c; Mike McKeown, sr., 2b; Cliff Lickfold, sr., lf.

Top newcomers: Mike Heston, jr., 3b; Matt Curlee, jr., rhp-of.

Coach’s comment: “If they want to do well, they will. I sense commitment in them. We’re a veteran club; we’ve been around the block a couple of times.”

Outlook: Pettoello has the talent on hand to challenge for the league title if the Trojans develop some depth on the mound and hit consistently top to bottom in their lineup.

4. tie, LEWISTON BENGALS

1995 record: 24-6, 14-2 (first), state champion

Coach: Tom Grunenfelder, 3rd year.

Top returners: Lysandro Perez, sr., rhp; Jeremy Frei, sr., 2b; Zech Manyon, sr., c; Chris Kennedy, sr., cf.

Top newcomers: Ryan Deyoe, sr., 2b; Josh Boardman, sr., ss-3b; Ryan Heitman, jr., rhp; Matt Squires, jr., of; Sennett Pierce, soph., 3b.

Coach’s comment: “Talent-wise we could be decent. But mentally we’re not very tough right now. We need to play a lot harder than we are.”

Outlook: The Bengals were hit hard by graduation, especially on the mound. Kennedy, who had reconstructive knee surgery after the football season, won’t return full time until early May. Lewiston has many questions to answer before it can contend for the league championship.

4. tie, LAKE CITY TIMBERWOLVES

1995 record: 8-16, 6-10 (fifth)

Coach: Cory Bridges, 2nd year

Top returners: Ryan Scharnhorst, sr., rhp/of; Ben Scharenberg, sr., rf; Chris Eller, sr., lf; Charlie Walker, sr., c.

Top newcomers: Andy Potter, jr., rhp-1b; David Frank, sr., rhp-ss; Scott Moglia, jr., 3b.

Coach’s comment: “I really feel like we have a skillful team. We’re fundamentally sound and swing the bat well. But we lack some experience. Not a lot of the guys played last summer.”

Outlook: The Timberwolves could challenge for an upper-division finish or fall into the league basement. Some early success would help LC’s confidence. Bridges hopes the T-Wolves will overcome their lack of experience by season’s end.

(Intermountain League and A-3 previews next Thursday)

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: See related story under the headline: Covering all the bases for ‘96

This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH 1. Mike Lindgren, senior, right-handed pitcher, Sandpoint. He posted a 6-3 record last year and has worked diligently in the off-season. Is projected as top pitcher in the league and one of top recruited players. 2. Mark Scates, junior, right-handed pitcher, Coeur d’Alene. He begins his third year on varsity and should be ace of staff. Will be counted on to have a big season as Viks hope to return to state tourney. 3. Brad Medlock, senior, right-handed pitcher, Post Falls. Should the aforementioned hurlers underachieve, Medlock could steal spotlight. If Medlock raises performance, he’ll give the Trojans an opportunity to contend for the league’s lone state berth. 4. Lysandro Perez, senior, right-handed pitcher, Lewiston. Graduation hit Bengals hard and Perez returns with most experience off state championship team. The sneaky-fast Perez collected two wins in relief at state. 5. Ryan Scharnhorst, senior, right-handed pitcher, Lake City. The numbers weren’t sterling because of a number of no decisions last year, but Scharnhorst was workhorse of inexperienced team last year. Unspectacular but steady.