SCHEDULE of EVENTS
Saturday September 23rd, 2006
9:30 am Player Check In
10:00 am East BP
10:30 am North BP
11:10 am Timed 60 yard dash
11:20 am East Infield
11:30 North Infield
Noon - East versus North, Doubleheader
Uniform: EAST-DARK Tops, North-LIGHT Tops
Sunday September 24th, 2006
9:30 am Player Check In
10:00 am - South BP
10:30 am - West BP
11:00 am - Timed 60 yard dash
11:20 am - South Infield
11:30 am—West Infield
Noon - South versus West, Doubleheader
Uniform: SOUTH-DARK Tops, WEST-LIGHT tops
RED DEVILS CONTINUE TO SIGN TOP TALENT
LCC Baseball Coach Kelly Smith has announced the signing of 17 new players who will join the Red Devils in 2006-2007. Coach Smith believes this group is talented enough to help the team get back to the NWAACC Championship game for the 9th time in 13 years. Columbia Basin defeated Lower Columbia 6-5 in 12 innings in a classic NWAACC Championship game May 30th at Story Field.
NEW RECRUITS
Richie Allen, OF, Davis (Yakima); Austin Brown, OF, Mark Morris; Michael Chiarelli, C, Cascade (Everett); Jon Gastineau, IF, Arlington; Spenser Gwynne, P, Kalama; Jett Hart, IF, Puyallup; Conner Lambert, P, River Ridge; Sean Larsen, IF, Rogers; Karlis Liepa, OF, RA Long; Zach Peach, IF, Bainbridge; Shawn Peterson, IF/P, N. Eugene; Ben Rosen, P, Chugiak AK; Nick Shadle, OF, Puyallup; Chad Wagner, P, Squim; Travis Warnock, P, Jefferson (Auburn); De'Andre Wheeler, OF, Richland; Luke Zirkle, P/IF, Davis (Yakima)
2006 LCC BASEBALL OUTLOOK
By Head Coach Kelly Smith
It was a pleasant off-season being the NWAACC Champs again. All those seconds were causing accelerated hair loss. Now it’s time to begin worrying about how to stay on top in 2006. The recipe is always the same: pitching, defense and timely execution on offense.
This season the Red Devils need to replace many huge holes left by last year’s departures to college and pro ball. No more Shaver, Coffman, or Joaquin. No Krauser, Fisher, or Munoz. It’s time to plug in new athletes and time for this year’s sophomores to “step it up”. We’ve got a solid group with plenty of experience from the past season. Their goal is to repeat as Western Division and NWAACC Champions. The bar at Lower Columbia is set at the top.
Pitching
The 2005 staff may have been the best in LCC history. The team ERA was a miniscule 1.42. Whether Pitching Coach Rob Hippi’s 2006 staff can duplicate or perform near their predecessors is the key to another title run. With “Hip” at the helm, that goal is very possible.
Plug D.J. Lidyard into the “ace” role. Scouts and four-year coaches love his nasty slider. When it’s on, it may be the hardest pitch to hit in the league. Who falls in as the number 2, 3, and 4 starter? There is a log jam for those spots, which is a nice problem to have.
Experience wise, Kyle Beity and Kyle Foster, two lefties, have the inside track. Both pitched protected innings last season. Now, they pitch in all big games.
Another strong candidate for a weekend starter is OSU transfer, Josh Keller. A big body, he can locate his high 80’s fastball as well as anyone we have. His addition gives us the leeway to “match up” with opposing teams that have predominately right-handed hitters.
The bullpen should be even stronger than last season except for the huge void left by super-closer, Jared Joaquin. Roles will be less defined on whose setting up or closing. The pitcher who comes in just may finish the game. Throughout the first 14 games prior to league play, we’ll have a chance to audition five pitchers.
Those five will have a dog fight because they are all capable and comparable. Billy Jones has the inside track on first-up due to his great work from 2005. He throws hard and from different angles from the left side. Paul Dickey has pro potential with his 90 mph fastball and terrific change. Both could be closers by the beginning of league play.
Middle-relief candidates are led by red-shirt freshman Mac Pietsch from Kelso. If Mac throws strikes, he will pitch quite a bit. He has a 90 mph fastball with a 12-6 curve. Jorden Merry has rapidly developed into a big innings-eater. His stuff is good with three pitches, and he is a strike-thrower. He may be a starter later on this season. The biggest surprise from the winter has been an outfield convert, Ben Greer. Ben can be a back-up outfielder, but it looks like he will push others for relief innings. A lithe little right-hander who can juice it up on the team, and with experience, he will develop into a good one.
Defense
The 2005 squad was probably the best defense group since I’ve been around here (1995). Replacing the catcher, second base, and centerfield positions with quality, reliable defenders is another key factor to our success. Players who defend the best will see more innings. Our staff won’t give up too many earned runs. The defense must limit unearned runs.
Anchored at shortstop by All-NWAACC player Drew George is a nice start for the infield. David Hovde returns at first base and Justin Burger, will also catch and play some third. Those three guys are battle tested and should improve even more. The yearly question is how well will the freshman play. The leading candidate at 3rd is Garrett Brown, who has good hands and a strong, accurate arm. Jared Morris (red-shirt in 2005) can hit, but we’ll see how consistent he is with the glove. At 2nd base, there is a dog fight, especially when Mickey Polis finishes his basketball season. The number one guy now is transfer sophomore Jesse Gibson, a physically gifted player, who can really run and throw. He’s still learning to play 2nd after being a shortstop at Linfield. George Miller and Taylor Dailey will be solid back-ups. Chris Steiner is also a guy who can log infield minutes and provide a bat off the bench.
The outfield lost the 2005 Western Division MVP Ryan Krauser, but everyone else returns. Jonah Hobson plays a terrific right field. Ben Greenslit should play a majority of innings in left. He can run and his throwing is improving. Last year’s All-West left-fielder, Tyler Smith, will move to play center predominately. How much, depends on the most physically gifted outfielder, Lyndon Estill. When he understands the game better, he could play center or left. Another quality right-hand hitting backup is Jose Ortiz, whose improvement has impressed the coaches.
The catching position is a worry because of lack of experience. Tony Jones has better physical ability than any of the great catchers we've had here. He can block and throw with anyone in our league. Justin Burger is being converted back to his high school position of catcher. Quick feet and a strong arm make it look easy. Freshman Callan Vaccaro provides valuable back-up as he continues to improve. The most reliable at playing catch will decide who gets the position.
Offense
Pitching has been the trademark of LCC Baseball since the NWAACC went to wood bats. Granted, the pitchers have been our saviors over the past years and will be good again this season. But maybe, just maybe, this might be the year our hitters can carry their fair share.
The one concern is a lead-off hitter. That job will be determined before league starts. Tyler Smith, Jesse Gibson, and Ben Greenslit are candidates. We don’t worry too much though as everyone bats leadoff many times during the year as the innings turn over. This year’s squad has plenty of speed throughout the line-up. We may have 8 players who steal 10-15 bases this season. Most all handle the bat real well, have plate awareness and don’t strikeout often. So, we will hit and run more this season. Small ball is what the Red Devils do best.
It’s a safe bet that we will hit more home runs in 2006. We only hit one last season. Home runs are nice and we have a number of guys who can “run into one”. But, this team looks like it should be dangerous (1-9) with alley power. Cort Carpenter from Kelso is a player who can definately provide pop with a quick bat and alley-power.
The fall ball hitting has made me uncharacteristically optimistic. That feeling may pass with scrimmages, but I have a sneaking hunch we will hit well this season.
We again host the NWAACC Championships and the local fans have been great in supporting the Memorial Weekend tournament. We hope you make plans to attend some of the games prior to the big event because your cheering can certainly help us achieve the goal of qualifying for the tourney we're hosting. The main goal is to win the championship on our home field again.