North Idaho Baseball
INTERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE
In predicted order of finish:
LAKELAND HAWKS
1995 record: 18-5 overall, 11-1 IML (league champion)
Coach: Ken Busch, 6th year
Top returners: Josh Phelps, sr., catcher; Al Bevacqua, sr., 2b; Brett DeBoer, sr., lhp; Kevin Bridge, sr., of; Ryan Banks, jr., rhp/ of; Kurt Reese, sophomore, rhp/3b; Casey Pluid, sr., rhp/of.
Key newcomers: Brian Holt, jr., utility; Brady White, jr., ss/3b; Scott Rothrock, jr., utility.
Outlook: The Hawks cruised through the regular season en route to a league title. Then things fell apart at district, where their season ended sooner than expected. Lakeland may have four of the top players in the area, and Phelps is getting serious looks from college and pro scouts. Anything less than a high finish at state will be disappointing.
ST. MARIES LUMBERJACKS
1995 record: 10-9, 7-5
Coach: Jeff Andersen, 6th year
Top returners: J.D. Ragan, sr., rhp/of; Jason Holdahl, sr., rhp/ ss; John Dawson, sr., rhp/3b; Steve Raebel, sr., of; Ty Konkright, jr., rhp/infield; Lane Watkins, jr., 3b.
Key newcomers: Brian Lounsbury, soph., 1b; D.J. Eberlin, soph., catcher.
Outlook: If the Hawks stumble, the Lumberjacks may be poised to challenge for the league title. Andersen welcomes back 13 players, nine of whom saw extensive action last year. “We’re capable of being a good hitting ballclub,” Andersen said. “I think they’ve matured a lot since last year. They’ve got the physical tools and mental toughness and desire. Now it’s just a matter of getting things done.”
MOSCOW BEARS
1995 record: 17-10, 6-3
Coach: Kevin Winterowd, 1st year
Top returners: Ed Driskill, sr., of; Alex Simmons, sr., utility; Mike Stodock, sr., of/rhp; Mike Walker, sr., rhp/3b.
Key newcomers: Josh Yarno, soph., rhp/of; Jeremy Nielson, soph., ss/rhp.
Outlook: Winterowd, a student at Lewis-Clark State College, takes over for Scott Knopp, who led the Bears to second at state. He inherits a team with an equal amount of experience and inexperience. Although they may be youthful, the Bears possess talent.
BONNERS FERRY BADGERS
1995 record: 8-14, 2-10
Coach: Pete Glindeman, 1st year
Top returners: Rob Shelman, sr., rhp/3b; Tom Duarte, sr., catcher/3b; Shon Hiatt, sr., of; Duane Pennock, sr., 2b; Casey Johnson, sr., of/catcher; Jesse Ross, jr., ss.
Key newcomers: Josh Stanley, jr., of/rhp; Matt Clark, soph., of; Jeremy Baker, soph., 1b.
Outlook: Glindeman, the former boys basketball head coach, returns to coaching. “We’re in our third year (as a program), but we’ve got got some catching up to do,” he said. A number of players return, and the Badgers will field a junior varsity team for the first time. About 40 players turned out, including 15 freshmen.
PRIEST RIVER SPARTANS
1995 record: 5-13, 1-8
Coach: Doug Stone, 2nd year
Top returners: Matt Heinrichs, sr., catcher; Ricky Pettit, soph., 1b/lhp; Will Mason, jr., rhp; Larry Johnson, jr., rhp.
Key newcomers: Travis Lingo, jr., of; Allen Rogers, soph., inf; Clark Cawamoto, soph., rhp/of.
Outlook: The Spartans have added a JV team and were greeted with a turnout of 43. They’ve kept 23 on JV. The Spartans graduated just one player and figure to be better. “If we get our offense going, we’ll improve as the season goes,” Stone said.
A-3 independents
WALLACE MINERS
1995 record: 15-5
Coach: Bob Schreiber, 6th year
Top returners: John Heyn, sr., rhp/2b; Brian St. Peter, sr., rhp/ cf; Dennis Tesky, rhp/1b; Ryan Nipp, sr., catcher.
Outlook: The Miners went to state with high hopes last year only to lose their opener 1-0 despite a one-hitter by Heyn, who was 10-0 going to state. “We’ve got higher hopes this year than last year,” Schreiber said. “We have to improve in the mental part of the game. That’s 90 percent of the game, and that’s where we let down at state.”
LAKESIDE KNIGHTS
1995 record: 1-18
Coach: Stacy Monk, 4th year
Top returners: Brendon Nelson, jr., rhp/1b; Brad Nelson, jr., ss; Buck Allen, soph., of; Ken Pluff, soph., rhp/ss; Arnold Daniels, soph., catcher.
Outlook: Monk had a turnout of 22 after finishing with 13 players last year. For Lakeside to advance to state it must defeat Wallace, a tall task. “If we play real well, we could push them if our pitching holds up,” Monk said.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch Josh Phelps, senior, catcher, Lakeland Al Bevacqua, senior, second base, Lakeland Matt Heinrichs, senior, catcher, Priest River J.D. Ragan, senior, RH pitcher/outfielder, St. Maries Brett DeBoer, senior, LH pitcher, Lakeland Jason Holdahl, senior, RH pitcher/shortstop, St. Maries Rob Shelman, senior, RH pitcher/third base, Bonners Ferry Kevin Bridge, senior, center fielder, Lakeland