Inland Empire League Baseball
In predicted order of finish:
Coeur d’Alene Vikings
1999 records: 21-6 overall (3rd at state), 14-1 league (champs)
Coach: Brian Holgate, 4th year
Top returners: Ryan Holland, senior, right-handed pitcher/second baseman; Blake Whiteman, junior, left-handed pitcher/outfielder; Robert Green, sr., rhp/first baseman; Brad Ross, sr., catcher; Kyle Ahlf, jr., shortstop.
Top newcomers: Jason Coleman, jr., of; Matt Brown, jr., rhp/infielder; Nate Church, jr., of; Nick Zeppi, jr., lhp; Joe Morelli, jr., 1b/of.
Coach’s comments: “Looking at pitching, defense and offense, this might be the most complete team we’ve had. I really like the three phases of the game. All the elements are there.”
Outlook: The goal at CdA is no different today than it was at Holgate’s first practice three years ago - win a state title. The Viks have been in contention each year and will be this season, too. CdA’s stiffest competition will come from Lewiston, perhaps the Viks’ equal. The league receives one state berth this year.
Lewiston Bengals
1999 records: 16-14 (2nd at state), 8-7
Coach: Tom Grunenfelder, 7th year
Top returners: Derek Bruce, jr., ss; Neil Litchfield, jr., of/1b/rhp; Nate Martin, jr., third baseman; Dustin Zager, jr., 2b; Jim Schmidt, jr., c; Ryan Clark, sr., 1b; Steve Storey, sr., rhp; Colin Moss, sr., rhp; Sam Canner, sr., of; John Steinwand, jr., rhp.
Top newcomers: Julius Smith, sophomore, of/lhp; Luke Gordon, sr., of/lhp.
Coach’s comments: “We’ll hit top to bottom in the lineup and we’ll play good defense. We don’t have one big gun (pitcher), but over the long run, three or four decent ones are OK.”
Outlook: The Bengals, who started six sophomores last year, won’t have to worry about scoring. They will score runs in bunches. If the Bengals’ pitching struggles, they may have to score in double digits. They’ll probably do that a lot anyway.
Moscow Bears
1999 records: 13-14, 7-8
Coach: Troy Schrenk, 1st year
Top returners: Trent Baysinger, sr., lhp/center fielder; Adam Busch, sr., rhp/3b; Joe Parce, jr., c; George Yarno, soph., rhp/right fielder; Nick Penoncello, jr., 2b/rhp.
Top newcomers: Coty Gayle, jr., ss; Nick Barker, jr, lf.
Coach’s comments: “It’s probably not a big secret that we’re going to have to manufacture runs. Offensively, we’ll have to outscrap who we’re playing. Pitching is definitely our strength.”
Outlook: The lefty-righty mound combo of Baysinger and Busch will give the Bears their best chance at competing with the league’s elite - CdA and Lewiston. And if the Bears get any run production, they could be the team most capable of upsetting the teams ranked ahead of them.
Lake City Timberwolves
1999 records: 14-15, 7-8
Coach: Cory Bridges, 6th year
Top returners: Tim Gittel, sr., 3b; Jake Lenz, sr., ss; Darin Tomlinson, sr., c; Kyle Myers, sr., rhp/of; Jeff Edwards, jr., rhp.
Top newcomers: Kevin Bauerle, jr., c/rhp; Conor Hammons, jr., 2b.
Coach’s comments: “I think going in, we’re in the middle of the pack. Hopefully the kids play with a lot of spirit and we surprise some people. The big key is hitting. We have to put the ball in play and make things happen. And we have to keep the defense from dealing with walks and runners on.”
Outlook: The goal for LC is to be the best of the rest for this season. Nine of the 18 Timberwolves are juniors and 13 are new to varsity. Bridges is excited about strong back-to-back freshman classes the past two years. LC is at least a year away - maybe two - from challenging upper-division teams.
Post Falls Trojans
1999 records: 8-17, 3-12
Coach: John Pettoello, 8th year
Top returners: Tyler Smith, sr., rhp; Neil Bangs, jr., of/1b; Sean Meadows, jr., ss/rhp; Brian Meyers, jr., lf.
Top newcomers: Jason Seher,jr., 3b/rhp; Jerome Moss, soph., cf; Matt Palmer, sr., 2b.
Coach’s comments: “We’re much more athletic than we’ve been the last three years. We’re not ready to knock off the big boys, but we’ll give our best effort.”
Outlook: With a junior-dominated team - Post Falls could start as many as seven juniors - Pettoello would be satisfied with a middle of the road finish. The Trojans aren’t ready to tangle with the contenders, but the future looks bright.
Sandpoint Bulldogs
1999 records: 9-15, 6-9
Coach: Tom Miles, 1st year
Top returners: Josh Sears, sr., c/rhp; Logan Reichart, sr., rhp/of; Steve Babin, jr., c; Matt Scott, jr., ss; Robert Bogadi, sr., rhp/3b; Chris Widdig, sr., of/lhp; Mike Freeland, sr., inf; Matt Peak, sr., rhp/3b.
Top newcomers: Jared Balch, jr., 2b; Derek Fitchett, jr., of/rhp.
Coach’s comments: “We need another week of practice. We’ve been outside twice (as of Monday). But it’s too early to be too concerned.”
Outlook: Miles is the third coach in three years and fifth in the last decade. Miles, who lives in Coeur d’Alene, is working on his teaching credential and wants to make a long-term commitment to the Bulldogs program. Lack of continuity could be the biggest hurdle for Sandpoint to overcome. Hitting should be a strength and pitching is the biggest question mark.
This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch
Ryan Holland, senior, pitcher/2b, CdA
Derek Bruce, junior, ss, Lewiston
Trent Baysinger, senior, pitcher/of, Moscow
Blake Whiteman, junior, pitcher/of, CdA
Tim Gittel, senior, third baseman, Lake City
Brad Ross, senior, catcher, CdA
Josh Sears, senior, catcher/pitcher, Sandpoint
Ryan Clark, senior, first baseman, Lewiston
Adam Busch, senior, pitcher/3b, Moscow
Tyler Smith, senior, pitcher, Post Falls
Robert Green, senior, pitcher/1b, CdA
Chris Widdig, senior, of/pitcher, Sandpoint