February 15th Prediction - Before we even know who makes the squads.
Can I repeat last years successful prediction? I'm thinking it will be a lot harder this year. Last year, I predicted the correct order of finish with the exception of Springfield and Willamette. The Millers edged out the Wolverines for fourth. I had it the other way around.
This has to be the most exciting year in a long, long time. Lets review:
Thurston's dominance is to be challenged!
Thurston
Last Year: 13-2 League, State Champs
Coach: Phil Dube, 5A Coach of the Year, 3rd Year
The defending state champs graduated 10 MWL all leaguers. Not good enough for you? Five were all state and one got drafted. Obviously, they don't have any all leaguers returning. Anthony Havens and Kyle Wright represent last year's varsity for the Colts. The Colts picked up Tyler Dumiieu from North. A few others got to see some high caliber ball as the Colts carried 7 non seniors during the playoff run when they bumped up to a 19 man roster during state. This is the year 5A Coach of the Year, Phil Dube, earns his stipend.
Thurston All Leaguers Returning:
None - 10 senior all league players graduated
Tayler Dumileu OF Baseball Northwest Watch List
Dawson Phinney INF/RHP Baseball Northwest Watch List
Tyler Johnson RHP Baseball Northwest Watch List
Jarren Goddard C Baseball Northwest Watch List
Joey Urness
RHP/OF Baseball Northwest Watch List
North Eugene and Churchill are loaded!
North Eugene
Last Year 9-6 League, Beat Cleveland, Lost to Ashland in Playoffs
Coach: Corey Nicholsen 13th Year
North finished second last year. The Highlanders lost Keller and Haxby to graduation and Dumileu moved to Thurston. The Highlanders were light at the plate last year, but I have to believe that a lot of that was due to being so young. There's a lot of growth that goes on after the frosh and soph years. That means Andrew Moore (soph this year), Kyle DeHaven and Shaun Boehm (juniors now) will certainly be stronger. Seniors Alex Crum (a solid linebacker in the fall), Luke Ferrnburg and Garrett Mills will have other hitters around them this year. Possible problems: Pitcher Moore going deep into the basketball playoffs which end March 13th, two days before the first baseball game. And Shaun Boehm is questoinable after knee surgery in the late fall.
North Eugene All Leaguers Returning / League Stats
1st IF Shaun Boehm (Jr) 8 RBI, 1 3b, 5 2b's,
1st U Andrew Moore (So) 9 RBI, 1 2b, 1-2 in league, 39 ks, 7 bbs
HM IF Garrett Mills 3 RBI, 1 2B
Also:
Kyle DeHaven 2 RBI , 3 2b
Luke Ferrnberg 2 RBI, 3 2b
Garrett Harpole INF Baseball Northwest Watch List
Joe Lindley 3B Baseball Northwest Watch List
Erik Long Sophomore transfer from Elmira
Churchill
Last Year 9-6 in League, Tied for 2nd in league, MWL 3rd Seed, Lost to Hillsboro in playoffs
Coach: Erik Hoberg 8th Year
Churchill, one of the only two 5A schools to beat Thurston last year, is every bit as blessed as the Highlanders. The Lancers lost some pretty good players to graduation, but look who is returning, and they are all seniors. All Leaguers Sam Kiesse, Spencer Jorgensen, Brad Birch and Ben Straka. Classmates Alex Priaulx, Daniel Weyers and Nathan Rheuban had fine years last year, too. Coach Hoberg is going to have some very difficult decisions as he had 10 juniors on last years roster. If they all try out, do you keep them all? Or do you groom some younger ones? Thurston kept their seniors last year and won state.
Churchill All Leaguers Returning / League Stats
1st DH Sam Kiesse 4 RBIs, 1 HR, 3 2b
2nd P Spencer Jorgensen 6 RBIs, 2 2bs, 2-4 in league, 2.81 ERA
2nd 1B Brad Birch 15 RBIs, 6 2bs, 1 3b, 2 HR
HM IF Ben Straka 4 RBI, 5 2b
Also:
Daniel Weyers 4 RBI, 1 HR
Alex Priaulx 3 RBI, 1 HR
Nate Rhueban 3-1 in league, 3.00 ERA
Jesse St. Clair RHPitcher Baseball Northwest Watch List
Bennet McKee LHPitcher/OF Baseball Northwest Watch List
Springfield and Willamette are almost as loaded!
Both the Millers and Wolverines lost five solid seniors. But they both return a lot of talent and experience as sophs and juniors got a lot of playing time last year. They both might have the pitcher or pitchers who can sneak them into the playoffs.
Springfield
Last Year: 8-7 in League
Coach: Erik Lansdon 2nd Year
Springfield was probably the most fun team to watch last year. Speed and spikes. Keep in mind that the MIllers were the other 5A team, besides Churchill, to beat Thurston last year. I liked their aggressive, scrappy play. I don't think they'll have the team speed again this year. But junior Kameron Bates, 4-2 in league last year, could be enough on the mound to bring a playoff spot. That's a lot of pressure, and the other coaches certainly won't overlook Bates. The Millers return two other pitchers who had low ERA's in minor roles last year, Blaine Dudley and Tom Hubbard. Alex Camarena had a good year at the plate last year and Ollie Johnson and Cody Whitney had timely doubles last year.
Springfield All Leaguers Returning / League Stats
2nd DH Alegandro Camarena 7 RBI , 1 HR, 1 2b
HM 1B Kameron Bates (Jr) 15 RBI, 3 HR, 4 2b, 4-2 in league, 3.65 ERA
Also;
Cody Whitney 3 RBI, 3 2b
Ollie Johnson 3 RBI, 3 2b
Tommy Hubbard 1-1 in league, 1.17 ERA
Blaine Dudley (Jr) 0-1 in league, 2.80 ERA
Jorden VanEngers Pitcher
Trevor Mathison Center Fielder
Willamette
Last Year 5-10 in league
Coach: Jon Guldager 3rd Year
Willamette was another fun team to watch last year. They had power at the plate, but struggled on D, so spectators were always in for a thrill. The Wolverines graduated a lot of that power, but retain four pitchers, all seniors: Brandon Rocha, Jake Hughes, Taylor Woodke and Logan Wright. If this group can work as a pitching staff and not get upset if they got a quick hook, they could be a playoff team. It's unlikely that they all would have a bad day on the same day, so it'll be fun to watch coach Guldager manage this crew. The bats should be okay, but perhaps without as many bombs. Woodke had a strong year at the plate last year. Busenbark can launch it. Jordan Bowman, Logan Wright and Hughes are all capable sticks and should be better this year.
Willamette All Leaguers Returning / League Stats
1st 1B Taylor Woodke 12 RBI, 1 HR, 4 2b, 1-0 in league, 371 ERA
Also;
David Busenbark 9 RBI, 4 2b
Logan Wright 6 RBI, 2 2b
Jordan Bowman 5 RBI
Jake Hughes 2 RBI, 3 2bs, 1-0 in league, 3.62 ERA
Brandon Rocha 2-3 in league
Marshfield's Left, Right?
Marshfield
Last Year: 1-14 in League
Coach: Quintin Hall 3rd Year
Pirate hopes will be in the left arms of junior Kane Rowley and senior Elliot Aurdahl. If these two can up their K-BB ratio to 2-1 or 3-1 from 1-1, they could do more than upset North Eugene, like they did last year. One of the more exciting players in the league is another lefty, Cody Dew. He plays the outfield as well as anyone. He gets good jumps and has no fear. Senior Ryan Campbell, one of the most underrated players in the league will get some innings from the right side of the mound, and will be making more outstanding defense wherever he plays.
League Stats
Elliot Aurdahl 4 RBI, 1 2b
Cody Dew 4 RBI, 1 2b
Kane Rowley (Jr)
4 RBI, 2 2b
Ryan Campbell 4 RBI, 2 2b
PREDICTION:
I think Churchill is as close as you can get to a lock for a playoff spot. North is in good shape and should secure a spot. On the other hand, Thurston, Springfield and Willamette all have questions that will be answered during the non league schedule. I'm guessing the playoff seeds won't be determined until the last league game again this year.
1. Churchill - Senior dominated team, and they are quality seniors to boot.
2. North Eugene - Lost two seniors from last year and three others through attritiion. Still, they
should have the pitching to take the second seed...and I'm expecting a lot more out of their bats.
3. Thurston - I'm guessing wildly with this pick. But even if you graduate all of your starters,
you can reload when your JV"s were part of a state championship program.
4. Springfield - A great shot to bump cross town rivals this year.
5. Willamette - Definitely in the running for the third seed. Will at least a couple of
the returning pitchers develop?
6. Marshfield - Expect an improvement on last years league record. And the teams
they beat are going to be frosted if a loss to the Pirates knocks them out of the playoffs.
Comments, corrections, spelling errors? Please email mwlnow@yahoo.com
I always need reporters. That's how we get updated standing each night. It can be as simple as sending me the score via email or texting me. For more info, click here
|
