GSL Preview Baseball

Two teams among the GSL favorites this year are Mt. Spokane and North Central and both are Class 3A schools. That was also the case last year when 3A teams claimed three of the top six spots in league. What that means for 4A teams is that one could conceivably finish as low as ninth place and still reach district.

Pitching

Always the defining position, this continues to be the focus if GSL teams are to succeed … Mt. Spokane has the luxury of three, Paul Smith, sophomore Nic Fowler (4-1, 0.90 ERA last year) and the rebuilt arm of Mark Purser … Mead workhorse Matt Walsh (6-2, 2.53 ERA, 60 strikeouts) pitched the Panthers into regional … Bud Kittredge (5-2, 2.90), was ace of Ferris’ staff last year and Beau Brett went 4-0 … University brings back Danny Jordan and Billy Moon … Central Valley’s Alex Banderas and newcomer Rusty Shellhorn got the Bears off to 2-0 start. Gonzaga Prep’s Max Manix (4-2), NC’s Ryan Richardson (5-1), and Rogers’ Scotty Livengood and Jacob Partridge are others to watch.

Position players

Strength up the middle with catcher Niko Sotolongo, and shortstop/second base combination of Jarek Cunningham and Bryan Raynor, is a good place to start for Mt. Spokane. East Valley third baseman Tanner Hamilton (.491, three home runs, 18 RBI), Ferris’ Kittredge (.467, eight doubles, 19 runs, 17 RBIs), CV second baseman Ryan Simmelink, and G-Prep’s Phil Joy and David Kries (who all batted .404) are top returning hitters. Brett had eight doubles, scored 16 runs and drove in 22. Mead infielder Connor Moore was second in RBIs with 25. Purser hit eight doubles and tied Sotolongo with three home runs.

Outlook

Four teams started 2-0 (prior to Tuesday’s games) – Ferris, U-Hi, Mt. Spokane and CV, but any of seven GSL squads could finish between second and eighth places. Mt. Spokane pitchers allowed only one run in a sweep of Rogers. Shellhorn no-hit G-Prep, a district qualifier last year. Short-handed NC and Lewis and Clark split. Richardson threw a shutout for NC. Junior Charlie Eglet, one of several new LC pitchers, went the distance in a victory. Moon threw a shutout for U-Hi during a sweep of EV.

Questions

Can Ferris and U-Hi fill holes?

Last year’s top two GSL finishers graduated eight and seven senior regulars, respectively, and will rely on young faces. Ferris has one senior on its roster while U-Hi has five.

Who are the favorites?

Mt. Spokane has to be, with six returning starters and a deep pitching staff. Its move to 3A this year has to be exciting. Others to watch are Mead, with four starters back including All-GSL Walsh and Moore; NC, with a solid nucleus from last year’s state qualifier; and Rogers, with nearly its entire roster intact.

Can GSL teams make state breakthroughs?

Given history, it will be difficult. Ferris was blanked by Southridge 6-0 in 4A last year. Southridge is now 3A. Two GSL teams will advance to district with six Columbia Basin League schools.