Fall is upon us and so is the new class of baseball recruits. Off-season recruiting went very well once again, as the staff has brought in 25 new players. The fall season is a time for players to adjust to the new system, work on their skills, and for coaches to evaluate the roster. With 4 games already under their belts this fall, there is plenty of optimism surrounding many of the new acquisitions.
Transfers are a somewhat rare occurrence, but this year there are two. Andrew Myette, a right-handed pitcher from College of Southern Idaho (CSI), may just be the ace of the staff come spring. Myette comes from good bloodlines, as his older brother Aaron pitches for the Texas Rangers. Local product Ryan Johnson (Mark Morris) returns home, also from CSI, to bolster the Devil infield.
This year’s freshman class is loaded with talent, giving the program some much-needed depth. In the outfield, Coach Matt Hiatt has some gifted freshmen to work with. Deacon Lucas (South Salem) can really cover some ground in center field, and Jacob Ross (Friday Harbor, WA) has the speed and arm to be a star. Josh McBride is one more from the pipeline at Sehome High School and looks to be every bit as good as those who’ve come before him, including his brother Jason, who played at LCC in 1999 and 2000. This hard-hitting, hard-throwing outfielder will definitely contribute this season. Add in returning sophomore All-Star Nate Cundiff (Kelso), and the outfield looks to be very strong.
Around the infield, there is loads of skill. Infield Coach Donegal Fergus may have his deepest group in three years. Some strong freshmen candidates join sophomores Jason Krohn, David Walton, and Nathan Drake. 3rd Baseman Will Brindza (Sherwood, OR) is what scouts come calling about – big frame, strong arm, and a quick bat. Sehome High star Alex Ganschow may have the quickest feet and hands of anybody on the team and will battle for a starting spot up the middle. Ty Brack, brother of former LCC standout Tucker Brack, swings the bat very well and may play both outfield and some infield. 2nd Baseman Walker Waite, whose father is a former Red Devil, is also playing well this fall. At 1st Base, two freshmen will battle the incumbent Michael Schoenheit. Left-handed Ballard High product Austin Kuehn and Kelso grad Josh Haagen both bring big bats to the lineup. If these two continue to improve defensively, both could see significant playing time.
The pitching staff once again figures to be the strength of this team. Coach Hippi has 5 returning arms, including All-Stars Kyle Aselton, Todd Branco, and Jimmy McClellan. Joining the mound crew this fall are a bevy of talented hurlers. Mark Morris standout Reese Baker is a tough left-hander who will play basketball as well here at LCC. RA Long product Jesse Spellmeyer red-shirted last season and is now ready to toe the rubber with improved velocity and pitching savvy. Freshman Jon McCaslin (North Thurston) is a true power pitcher, with an overpowering fastball. Dan Gates, a right-hander out of Warrenton, OR, may be the sleeper of the bunch. Out most of his senior campaign with a back injury, he is now healthy again and throwing in the upper 80’s, along with an excellent breaking ball.
Pitching and defense win championships in the NWAACC, and the Red Devils are strong in both facets. Join us this spring as we begin another march towards the title.