Bears Will Make Their Pitch For Gsl Baseball Mastery
If things go as well for the University and Central Valley baseball teams this year as they did last year, neither coach will complain.
The Titans won the Greater Spokane League with an 12-4 record and reached the Region IV finals before losing to host and eventual State AAA runner-up Wenatchee.
CV was 10-6 in league, beat the Titans twice, and was in the championship race until the final week of the season. The Bears are among those touted as title contenders this year.
“I’m not one to back down when I think we have a decent chance,” said CV coach Ed Garcia. “I’d rather be picked to be good than bad.”
U-Hi is relatively young, but that doesn’t concern coach Don Ressa.
“It doesn’t make any difference if we’re young or old,” he said. “Pitching is 75 percent of the game and if we pitch, we win.”
The teams begin on Tuesday with CV hosting Gonzaga Prep and U-Hi traveling to Lewis and Clark.
Then the long-time rivals play each other on Thursday at University.
Newcomers hold key for Titans
Six seniors must provide leadership, said Ressa, in order for University to succeed.
But it is the performance of young players who likely hold the key to University’s season.
If pitching is three-quarters of the game, juniors Billy Conant, Jeff Price and Ryan Wilson must help take the load off senior veteran Nick Spunich.
Three sophomores, Brad Valkenaar, Chris Short and Sean Ruscio are also being tested.
“Any time you have a sophomore pitcher on varsity, it is a big change,” said Ressa. “All have good arms.”
Third-year starting shortstop Chris Kreider and first baseman Steve Sander return in the infield. Juniors Robert Bartlett, Aaron Fryer and Andy Dunham must fill the other spots. None are taller than 5-foot-9.
“Our infield is the land of the Smurfs,” said Ressa.
Three senior outfielders, Joe Jeffries, Brad Nollmeyer and Tyson Skidmore bring experience. Junior David Powell would like to break in.
Another junior, Brett Haiar, will catch, replacing a three-year starter.
Ressa is satisfied with his lineup.
“All the rest played with the big boys (in American Legion baseball) last summer,” he said. “We were 15-10 and made the playoffs.”
Sound pitching, solid defense and improved hitting are essential, said Ressa.
“A lot hinges on our staff,” he said. “We’re going to have to play good defense and if a couple guys come along and swing it, we have a chance.”
Pitching could be CV’s strength
There is reason for optimism at Central Valley that goes beyond eight returning players.
Pitching could be as good as the Bears have had in a while.
“Potentially, we have a good staff,” said Garcia. “I’d be disappointed if we’re not in the hunt.”
If U-Hi is the land of the Smurfs, CV is the land of giants. Nine players stand 6-foot-1 or taller, including veteran hurlers R.J. DelMese, a 6-2 senior, and Erik Eigenhuis, a 6-4 junior who also plays right field.
Other pitching prospects are seniors Corby Schuh and Brady Nelson and juniors Ryan Gardner, Raif Jochim and Nate Bartlett.
Schuh is a 6-3 first baseman. The 6-2 Jochim backs DelMese at third. Nelson returns in center field. Gardner and Bartlett are outfielders.
Also back is shortstop Andrew Larson, 6-3 Nate Lynch who will play second base, Rick Chance in left field and Todd Sears at catcher.
Newcomers include senior second baseman Ryan Butner, juniors Adam Boots at first, Tom Branum at second and Tim Paventy at short, and sophomore Ben Miller, a catcher-infielder.
Garcia said the Bears will be solid defensively and can hit from leadoff through No. 9 batter.
“I’ve been looking forward to this season since the last one ended,” said Garcia. “The reason I say that is my confidence in the players. They are mentally good kids who love the game and like each other.”
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